The Journey Begins...

Six days has gone by...our journey has begun...we're taking each day with a stride. My daughter is oblivious to what's going on. In my heart, I'm glad that she is...During these times, I was in an emotional roller coaster trying to be strong for my family especially with this new threat that I might actually, either lose my job or my hours will get cut in half. Who said recession is not at hand? These politicians and analysts are either plain stupids, plain liars or simply conspiring with the government to hide the truth! Either way, the effect of the unstable economy and what these people are NOT saying is just beyond horrific and we, the small, poor people of the country are the ones suffering the worst impact of these idiosyncracies. God have mercy on us! and since I can't vote yet, please vote for the right person to lead this country!

Nonetheless, I haven't forgotten any of you and your kind words during these times... If you didn't hear from me for a few days or haven't dropped in your blog for a visit, it was unintentional and I'm sure you have a bit of an inkling as to why. I wasn't hiding in my cocoon, I was just out there in that "roller coaster of life" crying my way out. But we're coping...As of now, frugality is my family's bestest of friends. And being that, it meant, we have to give up a lot of things that we never thought we would. Our sacrificial lamb is definitely meaty with all the things we fed it:

No more eating out or ordering in. Our planned vacation is no longer. Cable TV- bye-bye! AC replaced with Fan (our house gets really hot but we'll live). No more chiropractic visits for us and we don't go out as much anymore to save gas money... all the little luxuries we have in life are gone...so this is our life right now...not a very happy one but at least we still have each other...

A touching moment: I came to work this monday to find this white envelope emblazoned with my hubby's name and mine sitting on my desk. I thought it was from one of the students leaving me a note just to say he was done with the task my husband asked him for. So I opened the envelope and found a gift card instead! No one will tell me who it was from. All they told me was that it was from a mystery Santa! I just sat in my office crying...

I know that all of us suffer to a certain degree each day of our lives, some have it bad like us, or some have it easier. I was moved by a lot of people who offered prayers and I do believe in the power of prayer. If you were given the chance to be a prayer warrior today, will you take the challenge?

Be a prayer warrior today and help pray for someone in need like me. Who knows, you might even end up getting my prayer requests...

Celebrating Friendships

I have been so blessed with friends I never knew I have until I found myself in a sad situation. They say that you discover who your true friends are during times of trouble and I sure did here. I am blessed and so grateful to those who reached out to me and offered words of consolation and words of promise! You all have given Blogosphere a whole new meaning. To me, it is now the Holy Grail for finding Precious friends! So as a way of celebrating your friendships, I am awarding you with these awards I recently got from other great bloggy friends. Everyone will get both award.

The first award, I got from lovely Iceah who according to her has got great legs! Hence her blog title is Wow Legs! :)

The rules of this award are:
1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog. 2. Link the person you received your award from. 3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs. 4. Put links of those blogs on yours. 5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you’ve nominated



And this one, I got from ThirtysomethingReality who I admire for being a biker's lady and trying to be a biker lady herself.



Now all of you are getting it:
Purpled Sky
MammaDawg
Jamey
Dawn
Ms. Bar B:
Jonara Blu Maui
HEALTH NUT WANNABEE MOM
Jennifer
Cristin
angie
Dawn@Embracing the Ordinary Life
MrsPartyGirl
Debateur
ChristiS
Weith Kick
Jenn P.
Vodka Mom
tubelessstl
Jennifer
A Day to Share with Tammy
Givinya De Elba
Sassy Mama Bear
Belle
jwordsmith
Beth
Marlene
spinninglovelydays
Amazing_Grace
Penelope

I was also tagged with these three things below. I'll try to get to it when I can. Thank you for thinking of me.

Baby Bump Tag by Iceah (show your pregnancy picture)
Tagged by Jamie 6 quirky things
Tagged by Ms. Bar B 10 things

For now Congratulations and Thank you to all! Now go Celebrate!

Security Blanket

MABUHAY ! In the Philippine Islands, Siesta is a big part of each day. A time to take a break, nap or just unwind. It's but a lazy moment...

As you know, I have been an emotional wreck the past few days braving the storm and during these times, I started carrying a little note of prayer in my pocket which I would feel every time I'm feeling sad. It has become my little "security blanket" which inspired this question today:

What is your "security blanket" when you're feeling blue or lost ?

Come and siesta with me! You can find the Siesta Saturday Image in my side bar.

Braving the Storm

Today is tinge with some unhappy tones for me. I thought long and hard whether to blog about it or not but then I decided that maybe, just maybe, I would find some sort of release from my fears and worries with some compassion and soothing words I'll get from you, yes you reading this now and others who will decide to read this sad story of mine...

The tough economy has finally sank it's teeth on us-more appropriately on my husband. It all happened today. I was at the office and I just got back from lunch when a call came for me. It was my husband. Over the phone he had this mixed amazement in his voice when he asked me "honey, guess what just happened?" For the dear life of me I thought something has happened to my 4 year old daughter, for him to be calling me with such urgency. I was just home with them for lunch not that long ago. Alarmingly, I asked him "what?" Then with a deafening shock, he told me that he was just laid-off ! That the call that came through while we were at the end of our lunch was his boss, who left a message with that unwelcome news...

We tried to laugh it off, but the painful truth can not be hidden. He, my husband just lost his job.The high income earner in the family who pays most of our bills! As soon as he blurted out the words, my life immediately flashed right in front of me and crumbled...then fear creeped in. "what if 's" started blinking in my brain like big neon signs and taunting. I'm scared inside and fearful of what lies ahead of us. I've seen a lot of people losing their jobs and struggling to find another. Will that be my husband's future? I hope not! This sad news in an instant, drastically changed our views and our approach to our current way of living. The belt will surely be tighter. And the road ahead will be rougher and tougher.

And if it wasn't bad enough, we were watching Eureka on TV and in this particular segment, Carter and Allison was stressing about the numerous lay-offs their organization were implementing. Not sure if it was a sinister way of rubbing it in on us, or an empathetic message from higher powers that we're not alone in this. Needless, we are in for a roller coaster ride- fear factor all thrown in. Please say a word of prayer for us and wish us strength as we brave this storm in our life.

At this point, my etsy store is not even a financial source of income, but if I may so ask you kindly, please help me sell my items by referral or any sort of plugging. Any money that comes our way will be a help right now. If you're thinking of charity, let the charity of love begin with us...I guess I'm desperate. I guess I'm just scared...All I know is that, right now, I'm crying like a child inside...so is my daughter...

The Power of Comment

Two days ago I posted a simple unchallenging question at Mom Bloggers Club involving commenting adapted from my own experience.It was an innocent consensus to document other bloggers own experiences and what they think about the scenario I presented in the discussion board. I didn't expect it to get that much attention. Yet the amazing thing happened.No sooner did I hit submit, when instantaneously, responses started coming in rapid succession and began to fill my inbox with alerts coming from the website. I was sitting in my office thinking "I must have struck a chord on each and everyone to create such instant reactions". All I could manage to say was "dang!"...The rest of the day went on and I continued to get response alerts up until it just stopped yesterday. I just shrugged my shoulders thinking the discussion must have been auto-closed for the day and left it at that.

Tonight, I went straight to check My page at Mom Bloggers Club to accept friend requests and be done for the night. I took a quick visit to the main page just to get updated and voila! As I was scrolling down to check the discussion forum - this is what caught my eyes:

• You leave a comment but the author doesn't give a hoot, do you visit that blog again? What do you think?


• What do you think about children blogging? Chime in.
  

My discussion post got featured as a Great Conversations item on the main page and even made it to the top of the list. I was featured! I was Featured! I'm gonna do the Happy dance now! Wow, I didn't know it was that good! It was good! Something that I least expected to make an impact has created enough buzz that gave itself this recognition.(Thanks Jennifer!) It also shows that the question I posted, as seen above, presents a lot of relevance that can't easily be ignored. Comment and acknowledgement translates to interaction between bloggers and their visitor/commenters and without this handy tools, I think that this will be the death of a blog especially when you're just starting out to establish readership and dedicated followers. Others who have already established a niche and big following are technically exempted and can easily get away without constant interaction with their readers. They've already proven their worth and their readers have a more understanding of their situation.

According to an article from Darren of Problogger, to increase comments and readership for your blog you have to:

"start visiting other blogs and making comments on them. You should also approach bloggers who run blogs that are approximately the size of your blog or bigger, and offer to write guest posts for them. This will expose you to new readers, and some of them will end up as new subscribers.Perhaps one of the most important things you can do to build a community around your blog, is to participate in social media sites."

Or you can be a Comment whore: Yes a whore with a cause!

"a comment whore...when you leave comments on high traffic blogs just to gain traffic yourself. I'm a comment whore on one blog and that's because I really don't like her but I get tons of traffic. My readers probably know who she is"... Lori

"a way to increase traffic is to leave comments on the popular blogs.It just seems insincere to me. Leaving a comment in a blog just to get traffic to mine? Maybe some of the more popular bloggers have figured this out and think people are just fishing for readers?"...Mutha Mae

I admit, I too, is a sucker for comments, more so with being acknowledged (I dare you to tell me who isn't?). And you being like me (don't deny it?! because I won't believe you!), here's the secret to unlimited comments, go to The Secret is in the Sauce and be a part of the community. (Here's a quick link on how to join). Everyone there loves comments and support each other with comments. I assure you, you'll love being one of the SITstah! - Occasionally, you'll find fellow SITstah that don't keep to the rules but don't let that deter you from joining. It is a cool group to belong to. You're lucky I'm telling you, No one told me - bummer really! I found the group by being curious.

And If you're a mom looking for a place to meet mom bloggers like you and I, join Mom Bloggers Club today. It is a great hang-out place for moms and a wonderful venue for finding new friends, meeting and finding fellow bloggers living in the same state as you are. I know I am grateful for meeting all the moms I connect with now. And who knows, your discussion topic may be the next featured item in the main page.

Another Mom Blog site you can go to is MomDot.com .They always have cool giveaways and they also offer free listings for either your personal blog or Online Boutiques. So go visit them and tell them you found them through me! :) I don't get commission, promise!

For more help and useful tips on blogging, check Problogger - Darren's got tons of great idea! He's so popular, StumbleUpon banned him from their site. He was getting more traffic than the site itself literally.

To recap, the Power of comment and acknowledgment does have a relevant impact on the success of our blogs (of course, you already know that, don't you?). It is something that we need not take for granted. Quoting some popular adages : "You reap what you sow"..."You comment I'll follow"...Need I say more?

Yes I do. I wan to take this opportunityto Thank each and everyone of you who took and will take the time to leave comments on my posts. Like what izzy says a lot in Dragon Tales - LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOOOOOOVEEEE IT!!! - Thank you. You are the one who makes my blog worthy to be here. So please keep the comments coming! And we shall do the "Tango" together!

At this point, imagine me entertaining the idea of being a comment whore...sounds distasteful but hmmm...it doesn't sound too bad...wanna be one? I think I wanna be a Comment Vampire - sucker !!!



P.S. Go visit my discussion at Mom Bloggers Club and add your two cents in! Salamat-Thank you!

Then there was light...

God's amazing display of His creation

*the burst of light coming off of the dark cloud took my breath away! Isn't it amazing?

*photo shot with Nokia N95 mobile phone
*taken last saturday on a fine hot day in Charlotte NC
*Wordless Wednesday ? NO. It's my Siesta day. At last, I can launch it after being sidetracked last week. Please come join me. I Would love you to... Cheers!

English - Love it or Hate it

The other day, I was telling my husband how the English language sucks sometimes. No offense to native english speaking people but to me it does. Notice I said "to me" because there's a valid reason for this. Read along and see if you agree with me.

We have friends named Carolyn and Carolene. Are you getting some sort of hint here? well if not, see if this would spell it for you.

During lunch, Me and hubby were talking about Carolyn at this particular chit-chat. Hubby was telling me how she managed to lock herself out of her apartment while sightseeing from her balcony. Well of course, that was totally hilarious! so I was laughing and blurted out her name to say something.

I went like: Gosh, Carolene...prrtt! hubby pulled the stop sign on me in mid-sentence. Unbelievable! - Whaaatttt???

He went on to say: "Honey, Carolyn with a lyn not lene. See, it's lyn and not lene...we're talking about Carol-lyn not Caro-lene."

Me: "Ok ok...Carolin, lyn, leyn, liyn..did I say that right?"

Hubby: "no. try again.."

Me: "Carolin, leyn,lin...aaacckk, you know what? I give up! Heck with Carolene, Carolyn, Carolin - they're the same Carolene! From now on, they're just her and she OK?!"

See!? What's with all that? And that's not the first time it had happened either. My tongue sure got some huge issues particularly with those english names. It's totally absurd. My tongue get all twisted and tongue-tied everytime. Like twisted tootsie roll! Not fun at all!

In retrospect, if you look at it, in spite of my Carolene , Carolyn handicap, I'm better off than most average Jane Doe or Juana or Marias. I'm originally from the Philippines and English is my second language. ESL as most, refers to it. With due respect, I'm fluent in all aspect of the language, orally and written. I'm blessed that way. My fluency of the english language has even fooled a lot of people into thinking I was born here - or lived her since forever. But not, and that makes me proud.

My first Language is, wait a minute, I speak 3 dialects and a bit of Arabic. I guess that makes English my 5th Language ? I speak Tagalog, which is the universal language, Ilocano and Pangasinan - and I can hold 4 conversations at the same time. It's a fit but I enjoy it. It always makes other peoples' jaw drop. Just imagine the look on their faces! They're like looking at a bird clucking like a mad chicken!

Living in Charlotte for 5 years and surrounded by English-speaking tongues has more so honed, if not enhanced my tonal accent. But if it makes you feel better, I have no intention of picking up the southern drawl. That would have just killed off my tongue right there and then - for good!

And in spite of the ocassional bantering I have with hubby about my pronounciations, I love the fact that he patiently corrects me and teaches me the proper pronounciations or proper term everytime I default to something else not even akin to english. Well...5 languages hanging on your brain...it can't be helped - but it always is relevantly educational for me. I make progress.

Here are some of my "English you just gotta love it moments" :

a sign on the road near the border of SC and NC -
By law you are required to burn your headlights - duh?

Guy walking with a limp and asking us to -
"walk this way please..." - huh?

So, do you agree with me now? Now most of you, I can only assume, speaks only english. If you will, would you learn another language and what will it be?

On the flipside, does this post even makes sense to you or just a waste of time and blogspace and I should just go see an ESL expert?



*Fun Facts : Philippines have 154 language/dialects

ADD A GADGET

Thought I'd post a quick note before I head off to sleep. I was adding a page element to my blog and noticed that the usual "add a page element" header tag was replaced with "add a gadget". Has anyone noticed this? If not,You should go check it out for kicks! They've added cool stuffs and cool widgets. I'm so impressed. There's a lot there to use to pimp your blog. Now that's rockin. Those will surely keep me busy for days to come...if you can only see the smile on my lips...smackin' good!
That's it folks. I'm so outta here...*Yawn* Have fun !

And the winner is...

Much as I cherish my 1st award, it is time to pass it on to someone who I think is a Kick-Ass blogger!

But first here are the rules:

Do you know any bloggers that kick ass?Maybe they've got incredible, original content. Or they're overflowing with creativity. Is it someone that helps you become a better blogger? Or a bloggy friend you know you can count on? Or maybe it's someone who simply inspires you to be a better person... or someone else who sends you to the floor, laughing your ass off.Whatever the reason may be, I'm sure you know at least a couple of bloggers that kick ass. Well... why not tell 'em so?

LOVE ON 'EM

Choose 5 bloggers that you feel are "Kick Ass Bloggers"
Let 'em know in your post or via email, twitter or blog comments that they've received an award . Share the love and link back to both the person who awarded you and back to www.mammadawg.com . Hop on back to the Kick Ass Blogger Club HQ to sign Mr. Linky then pass it on!

Here are my Top picks in no particular order:

Potpourri - You get this award because you are a filipina like me and I love the fact that you are in Sweden and yet we exchange comments like we're in the same time zone. You also love my jewerly which warms my heart.

Jonarablu - You get this award because I liked you from the first time I found your blog. You have that sweetness and caring persona about you and has been very helpful to me with my jewelry questions. Most of all, I admire your jewelries a lot!

Filipinamomindenmark - You get this award because your blog design is so cool! I love it! I also like the fact that you are in Denmark and for being so thoughtful dropping me a note before you left for the Philippines for a vacation.

Tammy - You get this award because you have been a very wonderful bloggy friend. So supportive and so helpful. Most of all I would like to believe that we have established a friendship beyond our blogs. POW!

Beth - You get this award because I admire you for being a superwoman. 3 kids,2 Ragdoll cats, a Rat Terrier, a Doberman, and a tortoise and still find time to do other things including jewelry making! I love it that you also live close to the beach. You got it all!

There you go ladies. You deserve it! Thank you for your friendships. Speech, Speech!!!

Any Thoughts ?

To Hell on Monday

When I was growing up, I found this tiny book titled "To hell on Monday" in my parents' mini-library. Always the curious kid, I flipped through the pages and read a few, but my brain being young at that time, had not the ability to comprehend or even pathom what the title implies. Yet for some odd reason, the title stuck with me all through these years. Was it a revelation or just a plain reminder of how awful mondays are ? I tried to find the book online to reconnect to this apparent mysterious imprint etched on the regresses of my memory, unfortunately it is unfound. Do you ever have such a phenomena like this?

Nonetheless, don't you just hate Mondays ? I do. For any working individuals like me, Monday is such a dreadful day! It's the precursor to another gruelling week of work. A hateful reminder that you have to shed your jammies in place of office suits and get your lazy butt in high gear to keep up with your corporate persona. Monday is like reality TV, only a lot less glamorous and definitely hated by most.

But not so, if you're in the Middle East. Saturday, is their first day of the week and just recently, in Kuwait, the Amir proclaimed that Sunday should be Kuwait's 1st day of the week. Now that's something!

On a happier note: My monday today is filled with glad tidings! Weith has given me this award:

According to him: Maricris at Zen Ventures gets it for having what I think is an interesting, quirky writing style. Did you know she pumped gas for the first time recently?

Yes, no denying, I am weird, quirky - watchamacallit -writer, which sets me apart from the norm (what is normal anyway?)- which at any proportion definitely makes me a Kick-ass blogger! :) and oh by the way, I can also kick-ass in person. I have a background in Shaolin kung-fu and Tai-chi. Yaaaa!!!!

Thanks Weith! It is such an honor and that's very true in it's truest sense. Recognition is the highest form of flattery that you can bestow to another human or (with my current status) alien. And especially when it's the 1st.

I shall savor this moment for now...before the award moves on to another deserving alien...er blogger...

btw, you might also be interested in checking my not- so-quirky contributions here: Working Mother

So how's your monday ? Do you ever feel like you're entering the pits of hell when Monday rolls around ? Even moreso, a gruelling aversion by just the mere thought of it ? Monday or not, what is your most hated day and best loved day and why ?

Any Thoughts ?

Every 15 minutes

Every 3 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. Every 15 minutes one dies from it. Thousand tears had been shed...Thousands more will be shed...every 15 minutes...these are hard facts and hard to accept. Breast Cancer has been and is killing a lot of women all over the world even at this very moment, as I blog about it...doesn't that just break your heart knowing this?

Mine did.

We went to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Expo today and seeing all the posters of loved ones whose lives were snuffed short by the disease was so compellingly sad to even look at. Reading all the dedications and promises written on them was enough to bring you to tears! Even the two long banners that was laid on the floor by the door as you enter the main hall (see picture above) was enough to take your breath away. It was filled with signatures of people either fighting the disease or walking for a loved one who had passed away. I looked at it with utter disbelief. So many...so many people... I know how it is to lose someone you love...it hurts...and for a long time...

My hubby's sister is currently fighting breast cancer. It is a tough ride for her but she is fighting. She's got 4 kids...we're dedicating the walk to her...

Please do yourself a favor (unless you're a man) : Get a mammogram. Perform monthly breast self-exams. Have a clinical exam and talk to your doctor. And encourage women around you to do the same. Early detection helps save lives.

If interested, Avon offers free annual mammogram Reminders: Application Form

You can also help save lives by donating to the cause or any cause...Each penny you give will mean an extension of life to others...


Any Thoughts ?

SIESTA SATURDAY - Tags and all about Me ME Me

MABUHAY ! In the Philippine Islands, Siesta is a big part of each day. A time to take a break, nap or just unwind. It's but a lazy moment. For this, I am launching saturdays as my siesta days! Relevant post not required. All things mundane welcomed. Post of a photo, a quote, a question or even a poem will do. My rule is: Be Lazy.

Would you like to join me? Feel free to grab the badge located in my side bar for your own use if need be.

So off to a lazy day...maybe not! unfortunately, I need to postpone my little celebration until next saturday. For today, I need to send two tags/meme flying. But not across the room. Don't get me wrong, personally, I like the purpose of the game. It does improve your ranking by creating more links for your site but I am just so unreliable with fulfilling tags or even returning them. Not to say, some bloggy friends don't appreciate being tagged either. So, with my current reputation on tagging/memes- think 2x before you tag me. It may just end up in neverland and never to be seen again :). Maybe someday, I'll have a different perspective but right now - don't say, I didn't warn you...

If I wasn't tagged 2x in a row with the same Meme, and if I didn't like my taggers, I wouldn't be (coerced) tagging you today. And because I like you too,yeah, I'll even let you strangle me later...but in the meantime...you're it.

From Beth and Renee'

(COPY HERE)

Maricris:
Diane Tammy Marlene Ana Meeya Laura


Here are the rules when you get tagged:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you

2. Mention the rules on your blog

3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours

4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them

5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.
6. Add the names of the bloggers' you're tagging above - ( Maricris added this to create a continous link for everyone) (END HERE)

6 Silly quirky things about Maricris:

1- I'm Asian. That counts, doesn't it?
2- I'm a techno geek! my laptop and my Nokia N95 rules anywhere there is free WI-FI.

3- I don't like cats but we have one at home - **sneeze!** ahm ahllehrgic** stuffy nose now**

4- I loathe people who talk on their cellphones while driving! check my bumper sticker

5- I don't like sweet pickles! yuk!
6- but I'm a sucker for spicy foods. The spicier it is, the yummier. Ok getting hungry now! gotta go grab some lunch.

OK I'm passing the buck - (I'm not promising but...) may it be the last...and since this is not my official siesta day anyway, I'll post a blog with a serious note to it. I promise it won't make you cry--maybe just a bit. So hop on over to my blog post for today: 15 minutes...


Any Thoughts ?

8/08/08 - The Power of 8

Weddings and Olympic Babies! The stars has aligned for luck. Today is 08/08/08 and considered the luckiest day in the world especially in China. With all the attention it's getting, I'd say it is now the most popular number in the numeral group.

Eight is pronounced "ba" in Mandarin, which is close to "fa," the word for prosperity, money and status. Turn the number eight on its side, and it's the symbol for infinity.

Opening ceremonies for the Olympic Games begun at 8:08:08 p.m. on 8/8/08.

Chinese try to get the number eight in addresses, phone numbers, even car license plates. An airline reportedly paid $300,000 five years ago to buy 8888-8888 for its telephone number. With an explosion of cars in the country, bidding sometimes takes place for lucky plates.
9,000 weddings will take place in China's capital today. According to the state-run Xinhua News Agency, that number will be more than twice the previous single-day marriage record.The wedding blitz is not confined to China. Many couples in the United States are getting married on that date. WeddingChannel.com has seen a 213 percent increase in registry entries for weddings on August 8, 2008.

For years, many Chinese couples have made plans to get a marriage license on Friday, while others hope to have "Olympic"babies.

ON THE FLIPSIDE: The faith in the number eight was shaken May 12 -- 88 days before the Games were to begin -- when an earthquake killed nearly 70,000. That caused some bloggers to worry about the number being bad luck this year. They also pointed to a massive snowstorm on January 25 (1+2+5=8) and widespread protests against Chinese rule in Tibet that happened on March 14 (3+1+4=8).

But many Chinese still believe 8,the lucky number brings the promise of many gold medals in the country's coming-out party. Chinese also believe 6 is lucky, while 7 is bad-- and 4 is really bad.

An Email received from Grandmaster Frank De Maria today:

Today is 08/08/08 a good luck day.... It is Father day in China. The number 8 is said "Pa" so Pa Pa Day... Also this is Ghost month, when the ghost come out, and Yesterday was break Day, you have to break something to get good luck..
Just for fun....... Enjoy..

*Additional resource: Beijing, China (CNN)

MAY THE POWER OF 8 BE WITH YOU !!!

Any Thoughts?
xox Maricris xox

Mom on Gas - Que Horror!

I have a confession to make. It's nothing scandalous but I really think everyone should know my little secret. Even my husband insisted that I reveal it and REALLY SHOULD BLOG ABOUT THIS...

You see, I have been driving for just about a year now and all these times, I never pump my gas! My husband does- everytime! Rain or Shine! You think I'm lucky to have him on every beck and call ? Yeah right. Nope. The thing is ah-er ...I don't know how to pump gas - so someone's got to do it and that's him. Yup, Guilty to the 3rd degree! I've been spoiled rotten by my husband that it never occurred to me that one day I'll have to pump my own gas. WHICH is what happened this morning... My husband is out of town. I'm awfully low on gas. I forgot to tell him before he left. I need to go to work. And I have my 4 year old daughter with me to deal with.

OMG! can you just imagine my anxiety? "What am I going to do?! Should I go or not go to work? I certainly don't want to miss work!" I was deliberately arguing with myself. No choice. Me pump gas! waaahh!!! "But how in the world am I going to do that?" I don't have a clue! But I gotta do what I need to do! So, with adrenaline rushing and anxiety biting me in my a**, I drove to the gas station about a mile away from where I live, notwithstanding if I'm half an hour late at work. I just have to do this or miss work altogether. So there I was...

Finally, I arrived at the Gas Station. Whew! next step. I was shaking I couldn't even park right. I was so anxious, I parked next to a diesel pump. My goodness! I backed beside the pump next to it. Thank Heavens - regular gas. I'm on the right track. The guy parked right infront of me, you can tell was eyeing me suspiciously puzzled. I guess he can see through me. Who cares? I just want to get my gas and get going. It was a punishment! I'm so obvious, even my daughter asked what I was doing? I just said " bear with me honey, Mama doesn't know what she's doing" .

So I got out and took the pump in one hand. Tried to open my gas tank cap! Holy Guacamole! I don't even know how to open the darn cap! My own car! aarrgghhh! I thought that if I couldn't open it within two minutes, I'll be screaming there like a banshee! Ok got it. I'm in business. Now the pump. Stuck it in. Ok what do I do next? I looked at the pump booth, it's doing nothin' except that the 3 buttons for 3 gas selections were blinking. Ok I guess I have to choose. Picked regular. Now what? click click - NO gas! Screen says: wait a moment. ladiladilalalala...1 minute ...nothing! Waaaahhhh!!!! it wasn't working. What did I do wrong? I don't want security coming and thinking I was stealing gas. Don't want that! Took the pump out and placed it back in its cradle. "Please God, give me wisdom". OK, I'm shaking now. Inhale exhale. "I can do this", I muttered to myself.

Looked at the screen again. There, it says, pay with card. "why does it want me to pay for something I didn't get?" Ok I feel such a moron now. Pressed that anyway. Good. Insert Card. Done! Do I want receipt? Of course I want it. Yes. Pressed that. Here goes nothing. Screen say "Pump is ready!" I stuck the pump in. Click. My oh my...Imagine me falling on the floor that very moment! You can never know how ecstatic I was when I heard that gas finally running and filling my tank...

So this was the day I pumped gas for the 1st time...I survived it with a little angst and woes but I did it...I just wish there was a "how to pump gas for dummies" instructions in that Gas station. I could have used one right there today!

Ok I can hear you laughing now...just don't let out any gas, will ya :)

Maricris lived in Asia and never drove a car (because she didn't need to)- until she moved to the States. Or ever pumped a gas in her life - until today.

Any Thoughts?
xox Maricris xox

One Accomplished Zombie

1:07 am...dogs are howling...it's the dead of the night...the Zombie awaken to prowl in the darkness, lurking in the shadows of a dimly lit room...moving stealthily like death itself. Ready to pounce on the next unsuspecting victim of this gory nocturnal ritual. Everyone is fast asleep...the zombie advances...you better hide before this monster finds you --- or be doomed forever!

Aaaaahhhh! It got me...and I GOT YOU! You've just been Zombiezised! - Now, you're mine! LOOK at my blog...SUBSCRIBE to my blog...COMMENT on my blog...Ok, it don't work that way but hey, you're here so might as well.

Obviously as you can see, I've prowled the nights, 2x in a row now. Not blogging mind ya, but BEADING. With me working 100% full-time, weekends are usually the only time I can really focus on my beading work- or anything else for that matter. And so far this is what this Zombied mom has created : 13 beautiful earrings (lucky 13 eh?) and a masterpiece. I just fell in love with this lovely necklace. Take a look :

These are all unlisted yet, so you won't find them in my Etsy store, but you will soon.



And some more: My unpopular blog is finally going places and getting a wider audience from all over along with comments too (considering my lack of blog hopping-this is promising) - Thank you to all, especially toTammy, Renee', Meeya, Ana, Marlene, Beth, Angie, ChristiS, Jonara, Ivy and Mamonski3 - You make my day! Then this Zombie mom's biggest blogging accomplishment to boot (at this time) was being accepted to contribute as one of the mom bloggers at Working Mother Magazine's online site(yay!but nothing really special); got her 1st custom made order and hopefully, her 1st jewelry demo stint- Thanks Diane. The Zombie Angels must have been smiling down at me...

So, here I am. Monday. First day of the work week.Sleepy.Glaring like a lifeless person infront of my PC. My eyes are bloodshot.My brain is fried. I have a headache. The day is almost ending...a smile appears on my lips..typical Zombie I am.

If you're a Zombie, connect and let your voice be heard ...don't just prowl...aawrrrr....

Penny for your Thoughts?
xox Maricris xox