Do.It.Yourself 102

I recently moved in a smaller pad. I used to live in a 35 square meters, now I am living in more or less 20 square meters. I have so much books and other stuff. I had given my other stuff to charity and some were bought by my friends. Anyway, to make the place spacious, I have to think of a way. I thought of having a hanging bookshelf, so I went to Handyman and Ace Hardware to find the materials needed. The plywood I needed costs around Php 325.00 (1m x 2") plus I also needed to buy the L bar that costs Php 59.50 and the screw that costs Php 29.00 per 10pcs. It's a big dent on my budget, so I kept on looking for a cheaper. Since these are big hardware shop in the mall, I cannot find a cheaper on. I went to the construction supply in my neighborhood, but they do not have 1/4 size plywood. One of the sales personnel suggested that I would go to Kalentong because there's a hardware that sells cut plywood. From Boni, I went to Kalentong to buy the plywood I needed. True enough, I was able to buy 1/4 plywood and had it cut into 3, to be exact, it's (1m x 2"). I thought this is what I need! Then I bought the L bar which had free screw for Php 5.00 per pair. To sum up, I was able to make the hanging bookshelf for Php 420.00 in contrast to the Php 1,300.00 (plywood, L bar, and screw). I asked the caretaker of the pad I'm staying to attach it on the wall. Please see attached picture.



I wasn't satisfied with how it looked because it's too plain and pale. Because of that, I bought a can of varnish which costs Php 185.00 at Ace Hardware (I didn't have time to go to Anton's Construction Supply in Kalentong). Now, I am satisfied after my sister painted the wood with varnish. Please see the attached image for my DIY.



DIY 102 How to make a hanging bookshelf:

Materials:
L Bar
Plywood (1m x 2")
Screw
Screw Driver
Varnish (1 can)
Paint brush (1-2")
Sand paper


Instructions:
1. Clean the plywood using sandpaper. Make sure that the plywood has been polished before attaching the L Bar.
2. Attach three L bars with the screw before putting in on the desired place.
3. Position the plywood on the wall and attach the L bar with screw.
4. Use the same procedure for the 2nd and first layer. Remember, you must start on the 3 level-- from the upper part of the wall down.
5. After attaching the 3 plywood, apply the varnish. I only use two coatings so that it won't look very dark.
6. Lastly, you can already put your books and other displays on the shelves.

Choosing the right Umbrella

I have the notion that when something is expensive, it always has a good quality. True enough, most of the items I bought lasted for 2-3 years. Let me tell you about my green umbrella. I bought it four times the price of an ordinary umbrella that manangs or manongs offer near the bus stations or MRT/LRT stations during rainy season. However, it gave me comfort during rainy and sunny days. I have been using this umbrella for almost three years now. It has been tested by time, especially strong rain and typhoons. I was also able to use it even when there's strong wind. I think it helped me a lot in times of calamities. I love my green umbrella. I would feel bad if I would lose it even if it looked old and over-used. I think that it should retire this year and time for me to let it go. But, how can I find this kind of umbrella? Let me give you a simple advice. When you buy an umbrella, you should try to flip it to test its skeleton. Make sure that the skeleton is strong and big. As you noticed, most folded umbrellas these days doesn't last for a long time. Trust me, you'll be able to make it last for a long time if you found this kind of skeleton. Second, as you open it, look straight into the handle and make sure that the ferrule down to the handle is straight. Lastly, you should feel the texture of the skeleton cover. The good one isn't flashy. It's usually thicker cloth/plastic texture.
So what are you waiting for? Head to the nearest department store for a sturdy new umbrella now!

My ARABY

Our second litt share talked about the story ARABY. It was written by James Joyce. At first, I wasn't able to understand it well since it's too long and wordy. I just can't get what he meant because the words overwhelmed me. Anyway, I would like to explain the theme of the story by alluding it to my life.

I have so many araby in my life. It's a situation wherein I thought I'd be able to get something I yearned for, but it didn't come to me. Something that I have expected to happen but didn't happen. Someone whom I cherished but didn't cherish me in return. In fact, in every stage of my life my araby just kept on piling like a mountainous trash. I believe the writer of this story wanted me to see that life cannot just be a bed of roses. Life can also be so tragic and misfit likewise, it can also be a happy experience.

I hope that I'd be able to freely share my arabys in the future, here in my blog. So please wait for that.

she being BRAND

she being BRAND
e.e. cummings

she being Brand

-new;and you
know consequently a
little stiff i was
careful of her and(having

thoroughly oiled the universal
joint tested my gas felt of
her radiator made sure her springs were O.

K.)i went right to it flooded-the-carburetor cranked her

up,slipped the
clutch(and then somehow got into reverse she
kicked what
the hell)next
minute i was back in neutral tried and

again slo-wly;bare,ly nudg. ing(my

lev-er Right-
oh and her gears being in
A 1 shape passed
from low through
second-in-to-high like
greasedlightning)just as we turned the corner of Divinity

avenue i touched the accelerator and give

her the juice,good

(it

was the first ride and believe i we was
happy to see how nice she acted right up to
the last minute coming back down by the Public
Gardens i slammed on

the
internalexpanding
&
externalcontracting
brakes Bothatonce and

brought allofher tremB
-ling
to a:dead.

stand-
;Still)



We had an opportunity to have a litt share today with my area mates. It started with this poem. I profess that I am a VISUAL person. Lemme identify the meaning of being VISUAL. I cannot understand something, unless I'd see it. I cannot feel anything (like gossips or chismax) if nobody would tell me. I always depend on my visual skills. I often see new billboards if I pass by EDSA and often see my friends' new things. Anyway, back to our litt share, we started with this poem. Me, being visual read it without listening to Monica(my co-teacher and friend), but as I am in the midst of the poem, I stopped and listened to her. The poem is so appealing to ones ears if he/she would be able to listen to it. One can understand it more and in a much deeper way if it is being read aloud.

Back to the poem, it has a connotation of something that you should and ought to discover. I don't want to taint your imagination, so feel free to think whatever you wanted to connote with it. Another clue, print this out and look carefully at the structure by looking at the paper in a landscape. If you have any questions, you can ask me.

Happy reading!

Using Toondoo

Several months ago, I learned an application in Toondoo. I was so excited to use it in my class, so I made this one. I actually was yearning to swim in a beach because I haven't been to the beach after I came here in Manila. I would like to bring my family there, my parents, my brother and Nina, then my sister.




This was one of the first cartoon I've ever made. I don't know if you understand the story behind it. At first, I was thinking of these 4 people. They are friends and they often meet in the park. However, one day, one of them should leave to work abroad. The background color's orange because I would like this to happen in the twilight of the day. I have the connotation of GOODBYES during the twilight zone.




I really love the name Jessie. Not because it's my father's nickname, but because I love the name Jessica. If someone has a name Jessica, I always like this person. Then, one of the instruments I wanted to learn is guitar. I like it when somebody plays guitar because I love listening to it. I wanted to learn this instrument because I would like to have a jam with my students, like they would just request any song and I'd be able to play it with ease. Ahh~ I hope this will happen soon. :) The middle picture talks about my luxury...which is sleeping. I seldom sleep for a long time because I have a very busy life. Nowadays, I just wanted to sleep and sleep and sleep. The first picture~ I remembered playing in the rain when I was a child. I think my mom gave us so much freedom to do anything we want, especially gave us so much opportunities to play, just like the girls.

Terminator Salvation

I watched the movie TERMINATOR SALVATION last night. I have been waiting to watch this movie since I really like Christian Bale.

The movie excited me because it's action-packed. The story started when John Connor and his men from the resistance camp attacked the Skynet. However, they didn't succeed because they were taken aback by the terminators, so he left the Skynet camp alone because all of his troop died.

Actually, I didn't get exactly the reason why his father Kyle Reese was younger than him. I also didn't get to understand the whole scenario because it's not clearly stated. Probably, the length of its last film was the main reason why I am lost while watching. I think I feel like I like it because Christian Bale is such an eye candy to me. I think the sound effects and the screen was made well, but the story wasn't established very well. For people who are visual, who needs the story anyway! For people who are "dork" like me...I didn't seem to understand it (harhar!).

The money I paid for was sort of worth it because Christian Bale has done justice to his character. I think he's just a good actor, so he's able to do well despite the unjustifiable story. I'd give the movie 5/10 rating.

Feminism Vs. Submission

As a practicing Catholic and a member of a charismatic group, I was taught by my women leaders to be a submissive woman of God. Being a woman, I have to obey to my man's will and desires. I have to follow the directions he would lead our relationship or relationship in a group. I have to be loyal to him as he is loyal to me. Most of all, waiting for the man to approach me in courtship rather me--approaching him or courting him. Being with the community for such a time, I never failed to follow such aspects of our spiritual life.

On the other hand, I am a teacher of literature and reading. I also love reading books which opened my mind to the wonders of the world, but contradicted my religious beliefs. Since reading maketh a full man, my mind was opened to feminism. That I am also a human being, that I do not just live for the benefit of a man, but also for the benefit of the world. That if I like to do something, I should make it possible without considering any boundaries. Let not a man bar my way to succeed! My ideas should also be respected! That I can also lead the relationship in domestic aspects! That waiting is an option!

Seeing these extreme differences, I came to realize that I don't have to belong to any of the two sides. Not because I'm a lukewarm person (which according to the word of God--- it is cowardice), but because I also have my own approach to life. Yes, I will serve my man, but I should also love myself. Yes, I will love my man, but I should also respect myself. Yes, I am yearning to be the best wife, but I shouldn't be pressured by it. Life is loving oneself, others, and God.

Being a Filipino

I asked my Vietnamese student what were the differences she found between her country and the Philippines. I was so amused with the first observation she said--- some Filipino men in her neighborhood piss anywhere, especially on the fence of her house. Come of to think of it, we can often find men pissing anywhere like dogs. How did it happen? If women can pull it through the rest room, why can't most men do this too? Should we wait for the time when we can no longer breathe fresh air in the city-- instead, filth, dirt, and polluted air?
Another observation was...Filipinos eat a lot. Not only rice, but oily foods. We have so much food of the same kind and eat all of them. She said, Vietnamese table has a variety of dishes such as rice, meat, fruits, vegetables (of 2-3 kinds), and these are non-greasy ones. That's probably the reason why we have the most number of heart problems and cases of heart diseases.
Next, we don't have the sense of nationalism. Two days ago, I went to the National Bookstore-Vito Cruz. On my way back to the office, I saw the little Philippine flag lying on the street. Some people were avoiding it while some people were trampled it. I took the initiative of picking it up for the very reason that I love my country. Then, I wondered, how can this people (especially students from a respected school nearby) trampled and stepped on it? Why can't there's someone who'd take a big step--- by picking it up. For all I know, it's been lying there for a long time already.


I think being a Filipino is something I can be proud of. Having certain beliefs and traditions in life is something that I can treasure in my life. How about you?

Thoughts of a facial masseuse

I had a long long weekend since I was so busy packing for a big move out. It started on a Friday night which ended on Sunday night. Since my sister's going to leave the country, I should start living alone, too. However, I found 2 good housemates (my co-teachers) to live with me and share the cost of the new space I rented. It took me two trips to get all of my things. Anyway, I just wanted to share how I came to meet this facial masseuse. Last night, my sister treated me for a facial in Bioessence. The people there are welcoming and friendly. I was assigned to a plump, dark woman. At first, I was hesitant since I am quite apprehensive of what she's going to do on my face. Well, she talked and talked while I listened. She talked about the scandal of Katrina Halili and Hayden Kho. She talked about many entertainers in the Philippines while I just listen to her inattentively since I don't really know who she's talking about. Then, we came to the topic about my love life. Here's our conversation.
Masseuse: Do you have a boyfriend?
Tin: No.
M: What's your profession?
T: Teacher
M: Where?
T: a school in Manila
M: Why don't you have a boyfriend? Ohmy! Don't think about not getting married since most teachers are spinster! Don't ever die without getting married! Ohmy...
T: What's wrong? I'm not in a hurry. There's a lot of life being single.
M: Oh, it's too difficult to grow old without having a husband and children.
T: hmmm (thinking..)
M: So you should get married.
Our conversation did not end there yet. She finished doing something on my face and she left for awhile. I'd you like you to see how she reacted to my situation. People, do we all think that women teachers will be spinsters forever??!! What in the world! I don't think it's a good belief to say that most teachers are spinsters. Rather, they had probably chosen not to get involved with any one since they're too preoccupied with school work and responsibilities. They're too engrossed in molding the young and giving them a bright future. Teachers were also very focused on their personality development and living a full life itself that we tend to left behind our simple necessities like being in a relationship.

I believe that my profession shouldn't be judged that way. We have more life that how people has been perceiving our life. We have much meat than who we are inside. Let me end this sharing by saying...I will continue to teach, to educate the young, as long as the grass shall grow.

NB: **"As long as the grass shall grow..." was taken from the short story, As long as the Grass Shall Grow by Carlos Bulosan.

ROH died!

I was having class with my student today at 9:00am when he told me to shocking news. Roh Moo Hyun, ex-South Korean president 2003-2009, died apparently while climbing the mountain. The reports said that there might be a foul play, a possible suicide incident or simply an accident. ROH has been in the midst of the crisis now since he's into a scandal which he has done while in the position as the country's president.

On being Thankful

Today, despite the so many concerns i have right now, I still see the simple blessings I received from God. This May, allow me to share two of the material things I prayed for. One is getting the book of the author I admired and second would be getting a Bangkok bag. These are actually simple things, but God has taught me the value of patience and of my friends. Firstly, the value of patience. I have waited for God's provision until I receive the book that my friend gave me last May 10. Thinking back, it has been 22 days since I prayed for it. Actually, I really wanted to buy it, but with all the teachings I learned from Lingkod, waiting, praying, and being simple are the things I've learned. Then, I waited for it. The second blessing I received was the bag from Bangkok. I actually saw this type of bag in Robinson's Galleria on my way to our prayer meeting at Arcadia Clubhouse in January. I liked it a lot, but I asked myself "Do I need it?"...."Is it important for my salvation?" It may sound funny, but every time I buy something, I often ask myself these things. It took me 30 minutes to decide if I'm going to buy it or not. Gee, it has my favorite color! I wanna buy it. After thirty minutes of pondering, I realized that I still have 3 bags at home. Maybe, I don't really need it at the moment, so I went to our prayer meeting, half-disheartened for not getting it. Today, I received this bag from my friend-- the value of patience. Secondly, I learned to value my friends. Not because they gave me those things, but because they have been used by God to be a blessing to me. Let me take this opportunity to honor my friends. Thank you so much!

random thoughts

Darn, I cannot even set my fingers in the pc these days. After spending 10 days out of reach, out of touch...life for me is getting busier and busier. I cannot even sleep well, I always think a lot of things, worry a lot; thus sleep less. Whoa! sleeping is my luxury now! What could I be worrying now? Well, I don't have a place to stay yet. My sister's going abroad and I am left with so much things which we accumulated for 3 years of living independently. Now, I should look for a bigger space without dogs, less people in the street, and no foul odor. Darn, I was house-hunting today and all I see was a hefty space of garbage and dogs' poo. I cannot stand it. Moreover, there are lots of children playing and shouting. I cannot hold classes with it. *sigh* It's so difficult to find a decent place these days. Decent once have skyrocketing prices. I cannot afford it. Tomorrow, I'll resume on my house hunting. I have to find soon! I only have 10 days! Second, I have to pack my things: eg, clothes, utensils, shoes, bags, pillows, etc, etc. tsk tsk tsk... Somebody help me~~ am a bugger now. Lastly, I am thinking of something I don't want to share. Anyway, I'd rather keep it. It's way too personal. Ahhh~! I hope I'd be able to solve these concerns. It's a MUST! I only have TEN days. God, help me!!!!