No Walls, No Ceilings, No Floors

As a writer of children’s stories, I listen to children, how they talk, what they like and how they react to things, their questions. These actually become the subject of my writing and I ask some of my little friends to read my short stories before submitting them for publication. That way I get first hand feedback from my audience! And are they honest with their remarks! They tell you if they find it good, boring, funny or’bitin’! I remember my daughter saying my stories are bitin! I alaways tell her that sometimes I want my readers to think of the ending for themselves.

Gathering your material is a most important step in writing. It is very “bloody” to face a blank paper and drip blood staring at it! Before I type I do have small notes I refer to so I don’t lose ideas that come whether I am walking, riding, shopping or simply doing chores. I always keep small pieces of paper handy in case a bright idea sails by because I do not want to lose it. I have lost some in the past simply because I relied on my short memory, hehehe. Now, I know better. Write it so you don’t lose it! Ooops,  here goes another bright idea ! Bye for now.

It’s not like this is the first time I said hello, but this is one of those days when I found the time to open my blog, hehehe. Sorry for my msigivings but some days are…some days! Mondays are not blue Mondays for me  in the sense that it is toxic. Monday for me is a lovely day to start the week with, ‘wag lang akong malulunesan, hehehe!

I have many people to thank and continue to thank for the rest of my life. It’s raining, that kind of rain that’s not a downpour, just a small drip-drip on my windowpane but at least it has mellowed the harsh weather here in Manila. I still love to go to Baguio, not necessarily in the city but in those places where there is still fresh air to breathe and trees and flowersw to enjoy. How about you? What places do you enjoy going to, unwinding? Share naman! Until next entry!

Back on the track again. Saw a movie last week, a ho hum movie. The book version was a lot, lot better ( isn’t it always?) Anyways, the company was the best part of the movie, and the afterwards hehehe.

Hola and como estas to my nina bonita Missy! feeling fine now, good! And felicidades to Zulien Roxas last Sunday, her natal day! Vamos a comer! Que quieres?

As for soaps, Santino is winning it hands down, very appealing to most viewers. Am Idol has many promising talents but I know you all have cast your votes. As to the 2 who will be axed, your guess is as good as mine.

We’re moving towards the weekend and soon, end of March!

It’s been awhile since I last wrote. Many things occupied my mind but now am back . Nice to push my pen again and tell you, my readers, what a beautiful day it is today!

It’s that time of the year again when roses are abloom, when shopping malls fill their shelves with chocolates or anything sweet-for my sweet-and the mad rush to get something to remember our loved ones by. And of course, for the romantics, the he loves me, he loves me not routine. Maybe it’s time to change it to I love him. And as far as I’m concerned and truly believe,  HE loves me endlessly and I cannot  be anymore thankful!

Now, more than ever, I realize theheartwarming  gift of family, friendship, and caring and I hope to spread the same every day of my life. Happy Valentine’s Day to all!

A newborn is God’s gift of life and love and will always be. Some years ago, on the 30th of January, a baby boy was born to us to the delight of everyone. The baby was much-awaited and although we did not know if it would be a boy or a girl until delivery date, surely, he came with a bang! Grappling for a male name, GARRY was the name I quickly spotted from the baby list. ‘Protector’ was the meaning of the word given. now, many years after, surely, this boy is the protector of his mama, papa, and later his younger and only sister, Eloise! Welcome to the world!

Meet Hermes, my Puppy!

Actually she is no puppy anymore. She came to us in 2003 no bigger than my fist. This newborn suffered from a heart condition that deterred her growth. But with tender loving care, she bustled her way into our hearts. it didn’t take her a day to warm up to us. Right away she longed for human warmth and of course she got more than that!  You should see her tap at our bedroom door in the morning, wanting to have a space on our bed.  Training her wasn’t a problem at all. She loved to be trained.  A bustling, loving, carefree doggie that looks at you with her puppy eyes begging to be cuddled! How could you say no!

Actually, I have had other dogs in my life who have joined dog heaven. There was Douglas,  Sly, and Jackie among my favorites. I cried a tubful when they passed away but consoled myself into thinking they’d be in dog heaven.

I have friends who own dogs and are just as crazy over them as I am. There’s Jean Lara from DLS-CSB who loves her dog to bits. When her Ping passed away, she took her pup and to this day they are inseparable. In De La Salle University-Manila, Pauline owns a playful dog who is adored by his son. Rubie S. just would not part with her dogs too, even if it means living away from her sister’s family. Luckily, an arrangement was reached and she has the dogs. Eden also  owns a big dog, I think a Labrador, which is family to them.

In Ibri, Sultanate of Oman where I taught as an English lecturer, I have colleagues who are passionately *in love* with their dogs and pet cats. There’s Laura, Tanya, and Alla. Once Laura and I were about to adopt a lovable dog whose owner was bound for Tanzania and could not leave their dogs behind. An English couple they were, but since we were going home for vacation, we could not take the dogs. We also left two cats in our flat to the care of our Omani friend, Said. Sally, Nida,James and William, colleagues also, are fond of other pets.

KVK,  Ram, a good friend from Muscat, owns three dogs, a Labrador, a golden Retriever and a German sheppie named Sandie, Betty, and the other name escaped me now. Would you believe he  personally sees to their care, house, bath food etc despite his hectic sched. Wow! Ram, do post your dogs’ pics here,  please!

To my friends who own dogs, they do add meaning to our lives, right! Please feel free to post your opinion, your take on any thing under the sun, even your dog’s pics here. Remember, this portion has no walls, no ceilings, no floors!