One year in the US of A

Yeppeyyy! I turn one year today. I say it because this is my one year in the US of A. Looking back, it was still winter when I first step on the soil of USA via JFK as my port of entry last year of 2008. After my papers were verified at the Immigration office, exactly 9:30 pm when I pick my luggage at the carousel headed to the inspection personnel and during the inspection while the inspector is asking me questions a comrade from behind appear when he hears that I came from the Philippines says Filipinos are eating bananas. I don’t know if his comment is a joke or not, knowing that I am still new in this land i just hold my patience.I did not say anything, i decided to dismiss it by not minding his comment. Silently I headed to the room follow the signs going to the waiting area. I was so tired and feeling weak plus the jetlag from my travel all the way from the Philippines, not a joke trip of 22 hrs with 2 stop-overs of Hongkong and Vancouver. Although I must consider it as a learning experience being the first and ever travel out of my country, not knowing what is on the other side of the world and no knowledge what is in store for me I would say this is a bravely decision. When I saw my then fiance now my hubby waiting for me in the waiting area I was relieve from anxiety and all the worries and fears that clouded my mind vanished knowing that my love is there to fetch me. Believe it or not only love that I feel in my heart is my guide in this journey. Knowing that my then fiancé love me so much is enough assurance that I would be in good hands.
Upon reaching my new home was teary- eyed with a welcome note waiting for me. Along with the note are flowers and on each side is a box of rice(which I understand conveys the word of don’t worry you will not starve and on the other side is a can of quaker oats which to me conveys you might be chubby watch out your body, you might want to loose weight –try this LOL)My reaction was blush with a smile turning to my hubby, hug him tightly and say Thank You and I love You which he then reply, I LOVE YOU too, dont worry i am here for you. Simple words of assurance that to me means a lot. I am really happy. From then on many things happen in my one year here. We got married and we will be celebrating it in a few months. I would again write it here saying One year Anniversary—he he he. Well, I am just happy that my hubby and I are still getting pretty well. Sharing my experience here is my way of thanking God for all the Blessings that I got and to all the people that partake in this journey , remember this is the place where I put my experiences in this walk of life and one is my memories—that will leave in my heart for as long as I live……Enjoy reading----

· I have God in my life and I can rest assure that all my needs, physiological & spiritual, will be provided for.
· I have a mom who has unwaveringly supported us all through the years
· I have a part time job amidst the threatening effects of economic deterioration around the world.
· I can still send my two sons to school and ensure their future .
· I am healthy and have a good eyesight
I am grateful to have a good, loving , caring and responsible husband and I feel so grateful for that. :)

"I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousnessand will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High." Psalm 7:17

Whew! This is not a long list but it took time for me to complete it. Sadly, it goes to show how much I've neglected cultivating a heart with the gratitude that is in me. It made me see all the blessings I have.

Rapper Francis Magalona passes away

this is Francis Magalona of the Philippines when he was still alive

MANILA, Philippines— Rapper-TV host Francis Magalona died Friday at the Medical City in Pasig City, his co-hosts at the GMA Network’s noontime show “Eat Bulaga” said. He was 44.
Magalona succumbed to multiple organ failure “secondary to severe sepsis and secondary to pneumonia,” according to a hospital source.
He passed away at 12 noon, said Philippine Daily Inquirer sources.
The acclaimed rapper-musician was rushed to the Medical City on Thursday night, Inquirer sources said. He was “intubated” upon admission and placed in the Intensive Care Unit at 3 a.m. Friday.
He was described as “toxic” during the early hours of Friday, the Inquirer sources said.
Doctors still managed to administer chemotherapy on Magalona. He expired before a bone marrow transplant could be scheduled, they said.
Magalona had been undergoing several chemotherapy sessions since he was diagnosed with leukemia in August last year but was too weak to fight the infection, sources said.
Magalona is the son of popular 1950s movie tandem Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran.
“I don't want a media circus. I want privacy with my family,” Francis said in a phone interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, after reports of his illness broke out.
“What I'd rather talk about is how we can solicit blood donations to replace the supply that I have consumed in the hospital,” said Magalona, the father of eight children.
Francis' wife, Pia Arroyo-Magalona, said her husband started exhibiting symptoms in March this year. “It was very gradual, hindi siya biglaang lumabas [it didn't manifest right away].”
Magalona was supposed to perform “Superproxy” with the Eraserheads in the band’s reunion concert, “The Final Set” at the SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City on Saturday.
He had been in collaboration with Eraserheads and Pupil frontman Ely Buendia for an album to be released this year.
Telecommunications giant PLDT also scheduled in April a golf tournament fund-raiser for Magalona.
Magalona is survived by his wife Pia, and children Maxene, Saab, Unna, Nicolo, Francis Jr., Elmo, Arkin, and Clara.
Magalona started his career as a break dancer in the early 1980s before appearing in several movies, including a lead role in Viva Films “Bagets 2.” He then worked as a disc jockey for the defunct radio station DMZ in the late 80s and then ventured into TV hosting, as a regular of the noontime show “Eat…Bulaga!” and a VJ for MTV Asia. He was also a judge in “Philippine Idol” the original local franchise of the international Fremantle reality singing talent search.
At the same time, he took the musical route as the well-known rapper-songwriter, with his ground breaking hit “Mga Kababayan Ko” in his debut 1990 album “’Yo” that also spawned the hit ballad “Cold Summer Nights.” Several albums followed, “Rap is FrancisM,” “Meron Akong Ano?,” and “Freeman” that further proved his mastery of the genre.
Magalona’s remains lie in state at the Christ the King church in Greenmeadows, Quezon City.

Source: Daily Inquirer
Was shocked about the news, i am a fan of this man. Anyway may he rest in Peace. This goes to show that Life is really short and while we are still alive do what we can do for our family, our friends, neighbors and to our country as a whole. Anything that we can do may it be small or big for as long as we can contribute is rewarded in heaven.

EYECREAMS

Everyone has the desire to look young and so they try to use all the beauty products available. Similarly eye creams are things that help us to prevent wrinkles just below the eyes. Many of us are worried about the wrinkles on our face and some black spots under the eyes.It is very necessary for all the beauty conscious people to use a good eye cream to make their eyes more beautiful. So we start using all the creams that we come across to get rid of these. Eyecream.org helps us in choosing the best cream which protects us from wrinkles. They are considered as one of the best online services that could help you to make your eyes look better by using the perfect eye cream. The site has a lot of original reviews which will help us choose the best product and those that give us a satisfied result. We can rely on the site's reviews as they are really helpful. People have rated some products along with their prices.

Facts About Aids

Aids effects

Human Immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

--is when infected partner have sexual contact unprotected,

--when HIV positive blood transfused to other person

--the use of HIV infected needles especially among drug addicts.

--A pregnant woman may also transmit the virus to the new offpring, but not in all cases

--when using an infected needles for injectable medication

--accidental needle prick injuries

Virus outside a human body is easy to kill like when an infected blood spill to the floor, can be killed by cleaning with water and few drops of clorox. Shake hands, hugging a person with HIV, drinking glasses are not possible way that virus can be transmitted. Mosquito bites cannot transmit HiV.Sexual Contact is mostly the mode of transmission for HIV positive here in the Philippines. More than half of HIV cases are due to heteresexual contact, followed by homosexual contact and bisexual contact.Other modes of transmission were prenatal transmission, blood transfusion, drug use through injection and needle prick injuries. Almost half of the HIV positive were OFW and more on males .

Source: Phil Daily Inquirer

Coldest Day

I've been living here in the US for almost a year now but today was my coldest day. Oh yeah 20 degrees. And the snow is 7”. The weather is unusual to me coming from a tropical country. I could say I am not still used to it. I don't really care if it would be cold outside as long as I have heat inside the house. But not now... since i had a job, I am forced to go out and report to work. I walk to the office which is just near to our house. I really hate it and the cold made me lazy that I want to sleep all day, Lol. I was freezing and felt very cold though I had two t-shirts inside and one sweater plus the winter coat. I also wear two pants and two socks under the boots. Now that I am off of work, Gosssshhhh, i could be like a kid also..LOL. I dress myself, get the camera, take pictures. I also made a little snowman, he he he.
While I am slowing now I know I must prepare myself for tomorrow.Though the falling of snow stops I know I will be freezing again. I will be walking in the snow going to work. Whether I like it or not I have to wear a very thick jacket and plenty clothes. I’m sure i would look like a fat woman or robot tomorrow..hahahaha...Picture will show how i wear them.. Notice that you can only see my face but the rest...hmmmpppp all clothes...

Corresponding with penpals to improve English

Writing to penpals has become a thing in the past. But now we can use email or chat to serve the purpose. Practicing good English.

When I was still student, I correspond with a few penpals to improve my English. I had much penpals different countries like in Europe, USA, Africa, and some in Asia also in my own country. At first I am not interested in having pen friends but my neighbor is. She sent a picture to one of the publication in local comics that has that portion of wanted pen pals. From that tons of letters was coming in and because she is slow in English and her handwriting is not that good she ask me to reply her letters. We love to reply two letters, one is from Australia and Japan. These two always corresponds and sent us some souvenirs from their country. They also sent us stickers which we love most. That made me inspired of writing back. From that experience, my knowledge in English became good. I told my friend that she will not learn if i will always be at her rescue whenever she had letters. Thus i encourage her to try if she wants to improve her English. I meet a friend from college that loves to write pen friends in the US her reason is, she wants to marry an American as she wants to come to USA and be an American citizen. The truth is whenever we signed a slum book she would put in the question portion of what is your ambition , her answer would be to go to USA and be an American citizen someday. She is now here in Chicago but she did not meet her husband on the pen friends section. She meets him in person in Angeles, Pampanga where her Aunt sent her there for a vacation. It is against her will as she has a Filipino boyfriend in our place, but her Aunt force her to separate from him as the man had no job. So while mending her heart she meet this American Engineer working in the US Navy. This man is renting one door at the house of her cousin. This man laid eyes on her, feel in love with her and their love story begins which eventually lead to marriage and her journey to the US soil. Anyways, this girl’s courage inspired me to also publish my picture on one of the US Pen friend publication. She took a picture of me from one of her album. Send it to that Fil-Am friendship publication. Without my knowledge she filled –up an application form put on my whereabouts send it after. I was surprise to receive tons of letters. Others just want plainly friends, and few ask me to marry them. From that I selected two. One is from California and the other from Sweden. We exchange letters and pictures, sending cards on occasions. As time go by, these two men develop love that they ask me to marry them. That time I am undecided yet knowing that I was 18 then. Oh yeah, I started having pen pals at 18 LOL. Their age is half of mine. My intention is just to have friends all over the world collect souvenirs from their country and also collecting stamps as my hobby. I am not yet ready for a married life. My studies are my priority. So I told them frankly about my priority which they eventually understand. From writing, I found that my English really improve by leaps and bounds after having lots of practice replying to my pen pals letter. You have no choice but write them good English as they could not understand if i write them in Tagalog, LOL. Later on I stopped replying them, because I had too much homework and could not find time to do the correspondence any more. Now, i would say that its easy to have correpondence because of the modern technology that we have.Not only that, we can chat with them and might as well see on webcam as easy as that. The fastest way of commmunication that we had now is possible already.