Sunday, June 25, 2006
Week Past 06/19-06/25
Housing Project and the Storm
Sat, 06/24, the guys who would be making the cabinets at the new house came by to discuss the design and sizes of the kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Early afternoon we visited the construction site to check out developments. They've started the backfill and framing as can be seen from the pictures. Then met with W's friend, a young Filipino couple, who are interested in buying a house. We're keeping our fingers crossed. It was a good thing that we had all these activities done early on. Later in the afternoon we had a short but nasty storm: dark clouds, very strong winds and heavy downpour. I was caught at the church's parking lot as I was about to go in. I was really fighting against the wind. I thought the umbrella would snap. My pants were all wet. It was just the start. After about ten minutes the main storm arrived. The priest had to stop his homily. Since the church's structural design was a combination of wood and glass the priest was fearful that the glass would break. He requested everybody to go to the "gathering space" until the wind subsides. The Gospel: It was about Christ calming the storm when he and his disciples were caught in the lake (Mark 4: 35-44) "Why are you so frightened?".
Cherry Magic
Achillea Hybrid Borealis
Dianthus
Day Lilly
Campanilla Violet
Joy of Gardening
I have to admit that I do gardening only when it gets me in the mood. Though there are times when it is necessary to tend the garden so I have to "force" myself to be in the mood. That's why I only planted perennials around our home. That way I don't have to replant every spring. Low maintenance. You save on water. But then whenever I see the flowers bloom late spring and early summer you get that joy or feeling of satisfaction that you were success. A green thumb. You made a living thing grow enabling it to reveal its beauty in vibrant colors (the magic of photosynthesis). That recharges me to tend the garden more often. Hopefully, and its getting there, it would grow on me (excuse the pun).
Ooops!
Monday, 06/19 I was following these three nice old ladies inside the gym's hallway on my way to the locker room. They were busy chatting while I was thinking I'm running late since I have to go to work at 12:00 pm. While I was about to enter the dressing room I did a double take since the three old ladies were also going into the same room. Was I caught up in my thoughts that I passed the male locker room? Suddenly a hasty retreat. The first lady turned around covering her eyes and in the process bumped the other two following closely behind her. There was a momentary jam at the entrance way while they were trying to retrace their steps. I heard them muttering: "I'm so sorry", "Got the wrong room", "This is very embarassing". I was still smiling when I went inside and saw this gentleman in his 50's who was naked except for a towel in front him (vestige of his effort to salvage whatever is left of his dignity from the recent "ambush") . He too was smiling. He remarked in jest: "I have always been wondering when this thing is going to happen". Well it did on a Monday morning.
Summer
Wednesday, 06/21 is the official start of summer as indicated in the calendar. It is also the longest day, otherwise known as the summer solstice . I call it the "skin" season when the female genus start wearing skimpy clothing to ward off the heat. A feast for the oculus. As the saying goes, if you have it, flaunt it. Alas, even those that don't have it flaunt it. It's a free country. But then, beauty is in the eyes of the beer...er...beholder. So let's just enjoy summer's pulchritude while it lasts.
Vacation
Finally, I was able to work out my remaining eight days vacation before it gets forfeited on my anniversary date. So I get Sun, Tue and Wed (6/18,20,21) as vacation this week and Thu, Fri as my days off. It's time to catch up with the household chores: fix a leaking valve, mow the lawn, transplant the Juniper, take care of the rodents...and the list goes on...it's a vacation, right?
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Week Past 06/12-06/18
Housing Project
We had one viewing Mon, 06/12 and that's it. Really, the market is not moving. On the construction side the foundation has been poured and hollow blocks have been laid. I went to the site Fri, 06/16 and took some photos. It's been exactly a week since my last pics as shown in my last entry. At least one project is moving.
Home Front
W arrived Tue, 06/13. Had her car changed oil before proceeding to the airport to pick her up. I always have to remind her but I end up doing it or she'll just drive her car until the oil runs dry. I had to request from work that I'll be coming in a bit late. Everthing's fine with my Dad-in-law so the operation is a success.
Visitors 
Finally I was able to espy on the rabbit (left photo) that's been nibbling on our plants. This I think is the second generation (you know how prolific they can get) since he? doesn't look scarred unlike his predecessor whose ears bears a "v" cut. I also caught on camera another visitor (right photo) . It's a rodent!! They look "cuddly cute" but they burrow and are also herbivores. Damage control is in order or our garden is doomed to these two visitors.
Work Front
I thought it'll be on the third week of July but I miscalculated my anniversary date on July 12. I still have eight vacation days so I need to schedule it asap or it gets forfeited. It does not accumulate or convert to cash. Since we have our work shift finalized three weeks in advance I had to wheedle a co-worker to adjust her time schedule to have proper coverage. Diplomacy is the key.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Week Past 06/05-06/11
Housing Project
We had two agents calling in that they would view our house on Wed 06/07 and Thu 06/08. So I made sure that I was not home. The contractor started clearing the lot at Prior Lake on Thu. Excavation was also done Fri 06/09 so I went there after work to take some photos. I also buried some coins at the footing excavation as customary in the Philippines.
Home Front
W had to fly to Manila to be with my dad-in-law when he goes into surgery for a defibrillator. So off we went to the airport Wed 06/07 to drop her off. Since I'm by myself again I took advantage of getting overtime hours Thur 06/08 and Sat 06/10. I think that would be the last for quite a while not unless they are in dire need of help.
Gall
So I had this customer returning four items. I got suspicious when he gave his alleged receipt dated day before but looks very worn and dirty. I looked at the items being returned and they looked like fresh off the shelf. I asked for an ID and asked questions why he is returning the items. I was not satisfied so I called a Manager. In the end he was not able to get a refund. He did not even contest our claim that the receipt was not his. He just kept that grin on his face as if he had done nothing wrong. He still insisted on looking inside the store. He was only "persuaded" to leave when the manager told him we'd be calling the police if he doesn't leave the premises. The gall. We get all sorts of people. Did I mention about a guy who needs to attend anger management therapy? This dude is ready to explode anytime...and that was a delicate situation.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Week Past 05/29-06/04
So Mon, 05/29 was Memorial Day. From my brod Danny's apartment at Chino, CA where I stayed overnight I was able to visit my parents at Walnut before I headed back to MN. Lucky for me, but unfortunate for them, my three nephews were unable to catch a flight back to Manila since Fri (chance passengers)so I got to see them before they left for LAX to try again. They've grown a lot since I last saw them about two years ago. My parents are really getting on their age but still in good health. I realized that I must treasure every moment that I spend with them which is not very often.
My flight back home was uneventful. I really was not looking forward to my flight from Utah to MN since the flight was fully booked when I bought my ticket on line. The only available seat was a middle seat and the last one. I'm thinking cramped and stiff. Surprise. When we boarded the flight was not full. I had the row all to myself. As they say, it was awesome. Just the way you want to end a great vacation.
So W picked me up at the airport curbside and I took the wheel from there. I'm home.
Housing Project
Ditto...unchanged...we were expecting that site clearing work would start this week at the new lot but so far nothing.
OT
On the work front I learned that they need extra hand at our bakery department because of the busy graduation week. It's approved overtime so I volunteered to recoup part of my expenses at Yose. Had to work part of Sun, 06/04. From vacation, enjoying the beauty of nature to reality, the daily grind to earn a living. On the positive side I'm learning something from that department like stocking and wrapping. Hmm, now if they could teach me how to decorate a cake...
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Week Past 05/22-05/28
Housing Project
Sad to say but it's been another uneventful week for our house that's up for sale. Maybe because it's the start of the long weekend being a Memorial day on Monday 05/29 and everybody is busy planning their getaway. Who would want to go look at houses when it's time to hit the road to sight see and partay? Even realtors have to go on vacation.
Sad to say but it's been another uneventful week for our house that's up for sale. Maybe because it's the start of the long weekend being a Memorial day on Monday 05/29 and everybody is busy planning their getaway. Who would want to go look at houses when it's time to hit the road to sight see and partay? Even realtors have to go on vacation.
Vacation
So I requested for a vacation this week before it gets forfeited in July which is my anniversary date. To be honest I wasn't even aware that it would fall on Memorial Day so I got an extra day off. How sweet is that. The downside is the ticket I purchased that I mentioned in my is a tad more expensive. Thur, 05/25 W dropped me off at the airport to catch my 12:28 pm flight to Utah then to San Fo. Final destination:
Both flights (from Mpls to Utah then to San Fo) were on schedule. However, my brod JD who was picking me up at the airport was not. He was not done with his errands one of which is having the car he's planning to use for our drive to Yose the following day checked up. He wants to save on gas (Ilocano mit). He claims that his relatively new Volvo SUV he used to pick me up and drive me around San Fo is a guzzler. As fate would have it we eventually used the SUV. The needed check up on his "aged" car should have been a warning. Early 5:00 am about 35 miles out from his home on our way to Yose the car just stalled. No power, nothing, nada. The check engine, oil then battery lights lit up in that order. We had it towed to the dealership. His wife Ces, who I admire for being patient, understanding and never uttered a word like "I told you so", met us at the dealership. We transferred our things to her car and she drove us back home to get the SUV. Finally we got to leave around 7:30 am. To assuage JD, I told him it could have been worst. What if it happened halfway in a desolate highway or inside Yose, a "deadspot" for cell phones or on his way back home by himself since I would be riding with the other group going to LA. Somebody up there is still looking out for you, I teased him, in despite of.
JD and I at Golden Gate 05/25 Thu
