November 17, 2006

November 17, 2006

our third wedding anniversary...

to abi and rajabOi...

thanks for everything...

i love you to pieces!b

love,

ummi jOdi

October 26, 2006

So what.. It's about 4:51 in the morning and I can't sleep. Well, I'll sleep after Fajr, but that'll be around six in the morning the latest (an hour after prayer pa..hehe!). So what's new? It's not like i haven't done this before..not sleeping early, I mean.

Hmm.. We bought tickets earlier this evening. Be leaving for Mindanao on Thursday. Yey! I get to see my mom, my brothers, my ina (i hope you get well), my cousins, aunts and uncles..Everyone i haven't seen for the longest time! But we're not going there to vacation, really. My sister-in-law's getting married on Saturday, the 28th and she's really dissing that day. I guess when you're going to get married to some complete stranger then that wouldn't feel right, right? If that happened to me... I don't know... I probably would've ran away or something. I think it was brave of her to hang in there and cooperate with the whole thing. But then again, I don't think she had any choice either.

I love being a Muslim. I am grateful to be born into this religion. But it's more of the culture that I don't like really, I guess. Well, some of it. Sure, it is said in Islam that parents may choose for their children who they will marry. But in Islam, the daughter has a choice to accept or decline whoever it is they have chosen for her. The difference of the religion to that of our culture (Maranao), is that irregardless of what the daughter feels, the wedding will commence and there is nothing that she could do to stop it...unless maybe if the parents were understanding and considerate enough of the girl's feelings.

That's probably the only thing I don't like in my culture...Arranged marriages. I mean, sure, it worked for some, and I respect that and I'm really happy for you, but it's just not my cup of tea. It's not like I'm saying that you go and run off with the first guy/girl you find and ride off the sunset, but at least I want to have a say on matters like that. Marriage is a lifetime commitment, and I wouldn't want to spend it with a complete stranger. Or jerk for that matter. Just because he/she comes from an illustrious family that everybody wants to be a part of doesn't make her a god or a goddess. I wouldn't want my child to be wed to someone he/she barely knows. I've seen families come together and then later break apart like fallen legos because the guy's and girl's parents don't get along anymore and it's just sad. I mean, weren't they the ones who made the arrangement in the first place? And then they break up their kids' marriage (just when they have fallen in love with each other) because they belong to opposing parties in politics and have decided to run against each other or simply because they don't get along anymore? This isn't something that I'd want for my child or future children (assuming that Allah (swt) gives us more than one). I'm lucky that my parents didn't force me into doing something (or anything) that I didn't want. Mom, dad..love you to pieces!

Wala lang.. just made me think.

And I guess it's because it's almost, almost five in the morning and I'm still awake.

Oh well... du'as to you sister... you'll get through this...

We got your back.. We love you!

GORGEOUS!

JANUARY=PIMP
Loves to chat. Loves those who love them. Loves to takes things at the center. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn't pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Brave and fearless. Always making friends. Not easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does not care to control emotions. Unpredictable. Extreme loathers. Understanding. Fun to be around. Outgoing. Hyper. Bubbly personality. Secretive. Boy/girl crazy. Loves sports, music, leisure and ravelling. Systematic. Hot but has brains.

FEBRUARY=SMARTS
Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. sexiest out of everyone.A real speed demon. Has more than one best friend. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Horny. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizing dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.

MARCH=SEXY
Suave and compromising. Funny and humorous. Stubborn. Very talkative. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal. Does work well with others. Very confident. Sensitive. Positive Attitude. Thinking generous. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Able to cheer everyone up and/or make them laugh. Able to motivate oneself and others. Understanding. Fun to be around. Outgoing. Hyper. Bubbly personality. Secretive. Boy/girl crazy. Loves sports, music, leisure and travelling. Systematic. Hot but has brains.

APRIL=GORGEOUS
Drop dead gorgeous!!!Attractive personality.Very! sexy.Affectionate & Secretive. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic.Chatterbox! Loves to talk alot! Loves to get their way! . Unbelievable kisser! Easily angered. Very stubborn in the most way possible! Loves to get noticed! Willing to take risks for others. Makes good choices. Has a great fashion sense! Maybe a little too popular with others * wink wink*. Outgoing and crazy at times! Intelligent. Can sometimes be a heartbreaker! Can love as much as possible! Hates insults. Loves compliments! A very big flirt! Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Observant and assesses others.

MAY=SWEETIE
Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Shy towards opposite sex. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding.
Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves travelling. Dislikes being at home. Restless. having many children. Hardworking. High spirited.

JUNE=SHYNESS
Fun to be with. Loves to try new things. Boys/girls LOVE you. You are very hott. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed.
Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about people's feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Moody and easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. spazzy at times.Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things.
Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Always broods about the past and the old friends. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.

JULY=FLIRT
You've got the best personality and are an absolute pleasure to be around. You love to make new friends and be outgoing. You are a great flirt and more than likely have a very attractive partner, a wicked hottie. Like somebody with an August birthday. It is also more than likely that you have a massive record collection. When it comes to films, you know how to pick them and may one day become a famous actor/actress yourself - heck, you've got the looks for it!!!

AUGUST=ATTITUDE
Ooutgoing personality. Takes risks. Feeds on attention. No self control. Kind hearted. Self confident. Loud and boisterous. VERY revengeful. Easy to get along with and talk to. has an "everything's peachy" attitude. Likes talking and singing. Loves music. Daydreamer. Easily distracted. Hates not being trusted. BIG imagination. Loves to be
loved. Hates studying. In need of "that someone". Longs for freedom. Rebellious when withheld or restricted. Lives by "no pain no gain" motto. Caring. Always a suspect. Playful. Mysterious. "Charming" or "beautiful" to everyone. Stubborn. Curious.
Independent. Strong willed. A fighter.

SEPTEMBER=Gangsta
Active and dynamic. Decisive and haste but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people's problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and
caring. Suave and generous. Usually you have many friends. Emotional. Stubborn. Hasty. Good memory. Moving, motivates oneself and others. Loves to travel and explore. Sometimes sexy in a way that only their lover can understand.you are a great match with somebody in June.

OCTOBER=THUG
Loves to chat. Loves those who love them. Loves to takes things at the centre. Great in bed.Inner and physical beauty. Doesn't pretend. Gets angry often. A meaningful love life partner. Treats friends importantly. Brave and fearless. Always making friends.
It is all about love and fairness.Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Horny but does fullfill. Opinionated. Does not care to control emotions. Knows what to do, to have fun. Unpredictable. Someone to have close to you. Extremely smart, but definitely the hottest AND sexiest of them all.

NOVEMBER=HOTTIE
Trustworthy and loyal. Very passionate and dangerous. Wild at times. Knows how to have fun. Sexy and mysterious. Everyone is drawn towards your inner and outer beauty and independent personality. Playful, but secretive. Very emotional and temperamental sometimes. Meets new people easily and very social in a group. Fearless and independent. Can hold their own. Stands out in a crowd. Essentially very smart. Usually, you ever begin a relationship with someone from this month, hold on to them because they're one of a kind.

DECEMBER=BEAUTY
This straight-up means you’re the most good-looking. Loyal and generous. Patriotic. Competitive in everything. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Easy to talk to, though hard to understand. Thinks far with vision, yet complicated to know. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having lots of ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating, tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best.

So, which month were you born?

Hit me back and let me know!

Have fun!

Peace At Last!

Remember the neighbor I was telling you about?

She left.

Finally.

Alhamdulillah!

Don't mean to be rude or anything... but I'm glad she's gone.

'Nuff said.

- - - > i'm out.

11 Painful Things

I got this text message from an old friend. It said, "11 Painful Things". It was mainly about love, certain situations people go through when falling in and out of love. You could agree with the message or not... but hey, I'm just here to share.

11 PAINFUL THINGS

1. bringing back the feeling you've learned to forget.

2. reminiscing the good times.

3. trying to hide what you really feel.

4. loving someone who loves another.

5. having a commitment with someone that you know wouldn't last.

6. shielding your heart to love somebody.

7. loving a person too much.

8. the right love at the wrong time.

9. taking the risk to fall in love again.

10. accepting the fact that it was never meant to be.

11. what if's.

How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise,
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints -I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! -and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

~~~~~~~

-Elizabeth Barrett Browning-

First Movie Date

Last Sunday, I went out with my family and my in-laws to Mall of Asia (which was Raja's and my first time) for a movie... it has been like this ever since; my in-laws are movie buffs and so are the kids, so everytime we go out, it's like a field trip because there's about ten to sixteen of us (sometimes with cousins in tow) watching altogether. One big happy family. hehe! But there're times too, where we split up and watch different movies then just meet up after for coffee and go home. This was one of those days... but only a tad different. We took Raja to see his first movie. COOLNESS!

We had initially planned on seeing Pirates of the Carribbean II or Lady in the Water but I couldn't shake off the thought that Raja was going to watch a movie on the big screen for the first time without us, so I changed my mind and told Najah I'll be watching The Ant Bully with her,Raja and Kazim. Shortly Hamza followed suit. I knew it was bound to happen... besides looking like peas in a pod (Raja's looks exactly just like Hamza when he was a baby), those two are joined at the hip. *sigh!* Bye-bye Johnny Depp and Keira Knightly, bye-bye Paul Giamatti and Bryce Dallas... guess we'll see you when the DVDs come out!

The movie wasn't so bad. It was really made for kids. Kazim was behaved throughout the whole screening; it was his fourth time. Somehow I couldn't concentrate on it though; I kept looking beside me... I was watching Raja watch the little ants and little Lucas on the big screen. He was chillaxin' on his Abi's lap, happily sucking on his "dee-dee" and watching intensely. He seemed to take in the whole thing--the giant screen in front of him, the sound system, the hundred or so seats of the cinema, the blue light lining the stairs--everything was new to him, and he seemed to enjoy it. He was a behaved little angel for the first hald of the movie. Yep, the first half only. The next half was CHAOS. UTTER CHAOS.

Well, I guess it was an exaggeration. It wasn't really like that. You can't hold a one year and eight months' attention the whole time, he's bound to get restless and distracted with other things around him. So, for the second half of the movie, Hamza would get up then down the stairs, seat themselves on the de luxe section where few people were watching and then go back up to get his "dee-dee". He wouldn't go to me, so he was with Abi the whole time (let me reiterate: they're joined at the hip). We joined them downstairs when the movie was over.

It was a good experience for us. At least we know our kid's not a monster inside the movie house. I've gone to theaters where there are kids who whine and are loud and kick the backrest of the seats (hate when that happens) and the parents look helpless and embarrassed. But I can't make a conclusion on a first experience. Besides, he's just a toddler, it's too young to tell how he'd be like when he's older. I just hope he doesn't grow up to be like that. I be so embarrassed that I'd probably leave the theater with a bag over my head. Heehee!

Quote

We cannot change our past...

We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only things we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.

- Charles R. Swindoll

You're SO Freakin' Loud!

Ever had a neighbor who's totally inconsiderate that you just want to bite his/her head off given the chance to do it? I did. I still do. ARGH!

I live in a two-storey unit with Hamza, Raja and Ate Lina, our househelp. On the last door lives this woman, some singer named Marge who, according to my cousin, is making an album and will be staying there til the first week of August. They needed a quiet place where they could mix their tracks. 'Making an album, eh?' I could already imagine all the ruckus. But my cousin said that they'll just be mixing songs and recording them-- no singing or practicing or whatsoever. They'll be using headphones. That's what my cousin was told. Yeah, right.

The first few weeks was okay-- i could hear faint music throbbing through our walls now and then but it was tolerable. I have a one year-old running around the house wreaking havoc day by day, so I guess they could also hear me and Raja yelling and screaming ("No, Raja!" or playing monster-monster) from the other end of the wall. Quits lang.

And then it happened. One Saturday night, they just blasted their volume and practiced like they were in a recording studio. Wow. Just when my kid was about to sleep! She sounded nice, I admit, but hey, she was disturbing my peace! I let about thirty minutes slide to see if they'd tone the volume down. But when they didn't, I sent Ate Lina to ask them to lower down their volume, and so they did, thank God. The second time was on a Sunday morning. It was about 6am, Hamza got home at 4am from work and waited for fajr before catching some zzz's. We could hear the keyboard playing loudly, as if practicing on some new material and the same song kept playing over and over and over again. Nice, huh?

Because of these unfortunate incidents, Raja's sleeping schedule's messed up. He usually sleeps around 9pm but ever since they started 'mixing their songs with their headphones on', he has begun sleeping late (1:30am-- que horror!). How many times that has happened, I don't know. I've lost count. The last one takes the cake. I think it happened about a week ago. Another Saturday night. It was 11:46 in the evening and I so desperately wanted my boy to sleep, which to my dismay, was still fully awake as he slept late again. I was watching a movie on HBO and then suddenly they started playing full volume! "What the freak...?!?!" That was the last straw!

I went downstairs then outside and rang on their doorbell. Nothing. Of course, how would they be able to hear? I went back upstairs and banged on my wall so they would at least know they could be heard from the other end. Wala pa rin! Bwi***! (pardon the language). So I called up my cousin and asked if he could hear the music from my (which he could) and told him to tell them to lower the freakin' volume. By then Ate Lina had also woken up and began knocking on their door. Me, I went there and started banging on both the door and windows (coz they couldn't hear the knocking) until my knuckles went red. That went on for about twenty more minutes. And then utter silence. I could see a neighbor peeking from his window but didn't come out. I must've looked like a monster by then; I was raging! Ever experience getting so mad that you could actually hear your heart beat and your muscles shaking with rage?! I did that night. I think my cousin called to make them stop as they were disturbing not only me, but our other neighbors as well.

The worst part of this all is that she never bothered to apologize--for the loud music, and the late night practices that they did. I mean, hey, I like music too, and I understand that she's making an album, but to practice at 11pm to 3am in a place where people live pretty darn close to each other is quite unreasonable, don't you think? Geez.

I don't see much of her nowadays, nor are there any 'mixing tracks with headphones' going on anymore. But she's still there, running to and fro, locking up her dogs (pets aren't allowed here, miss!). I'm not a difficult person to live with, nor am I a monster to my neighbors. I don't wish her ill...But I do hope she leaves pretty soon!

Words WITHOUT Wisdom

got this from my e-mail account.. thought it'd be fun to blog this...*sigh!* Filipinos talaga, oo! :P

1. Ang taong nagigipit...sa bumbay kumakapit.

2. Birds of the same feather make a good feather duster.
3. Pag may usok...may nag-iihaw.
4. Ang taong naglalakad nang matulin... may utang.
5. No guts, no glory... no ID, no entry.
6. Kapag may sinuksok at walang madukot, may nandukot.
7. Ang buhay ay parang bato, it's hard.

8. Walang matigas na tinapay sa gutom na tao.
9. Kapag may tiyaga, may nilaga.
10. Kapag may taga, may tahi.
11. Huli man daw at magaling, undertime pa rin.
12. To err is human, to errs is humans.
13. Ang naglalakad ng matulin, late na sa appointment.
14. Matalino man ang matsing, matsing pa rin.
15. Better late than later...
16. Aanhin ang palasyo kung ang nakatira ay kuwago, mabuti pa ang bahay kubo,sa paligid puno ng linga.
17. Ang sakit ng kalingkingan, kailangan ng alaxan.
18. Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika, lumaki sa ibang bansa.
19. Kapag maikli ang kumot, tumangkad ka na!
20. Better late than pregnant.
21. Behind the clouds are the other clouds.
22. Do unto others... then run!!!
23. Kapag puno na ang salop, kumuha na ng ibang salop.
24. Magbiro ka na sa lasing, Magbiro ka na sa bagong gising, 'wag lang sa lasing na bagong gising.
25. If at first you don't succeed, read the instructions.
26. No man is an island because time is gold.
27. An apple a day.. is too expensive.
28. An apple a day, makes seven apples a week.
29. An apple a day cannot be an orange a day.
30. Hindi lahat ng kumikinang ay ginto.. muta lang yan.
31. Kapag ang puno mabunga...mataba ang lupa!
32. When it rains...it floods.
33. Pagkahaba haba man ng prusisyon .. mauubusan din ng kandila.
34. Ang buhay ay parang gulong, minsan nasa ibabaw minsan nasa....vulcanizing shop.
35. Batu-bato sa langit, ang tamaan... sapul .
36. Try and try until you succeed... or else try another.
37. Ako ang nagsaing... iba ang kumain. diet ako eh.
38. Huwag magbilang ng manok kung alaga mo ay itik .
39. Kapag maiksi na ang kumot, bumili ka na ng bago.
40. Pag may tyaga.. good luck!