Young Troopers

Tapochao Smart-A**

With both so eager to go stumbling in the jungles up in Mt. Tapochao with their non stop "please dad, please can we go 'rumble' in the jungle now?  I needed a break from the lawn mower so I called and finally assigned them each their position, "Devin, you're the Team Leader and James, you're the Squad Leader" to which he was very fast to reply in agreement, "aakay".  Not long into the bushes had we gone when the newly assigned Squad Leader started straying off on his own by not following the already well marked path.  Although his self chosen path left him squatting and crawling on all fours underneath the tangled bushes, shrubs & vines, it didn't seem to bother him any had there been (ambush ready) bees or ants along his path that would likely attack at any time.

Team Leader, Squad Leader, Dumb Leader (foregroud)

With the Team Leader probably feeling left behind by the young Squad Leader's unmindful manuevers, he started onto his own unchartered path as if he was somewhat into some competition with the other. Feeling a bit uneasy myself with the two, I sat and watch, the Squad Leader trying to find his way out from underneath the Pandanus to my right while the Team Leader found himself tangled up in some vines yelling out to his younger brother "Kenken, can you come help me" only to get a "wait, I can not get out cos this things are poking me".  I gathered them both.  Sat them down near me when the Squad Leader asked "so dad, what's a squad leader" and I told him, "he's the one that listens to the Team Leader" and he goes, "who, si Devin" I said "yeah".  It didn't take long before he asked again, "so dad, if Devin's the Team Leader and I'm the Squad Leader, what are you, the dumb leader".  Ass'na Juice!!!  Please don't make me hog tie this wise quack and leave him here for the mosquitos.

ST. LUKE MEDICAL CENTER
(Global City-Events Drafted & Posted so much later)

And so here's MyPat and I on the 12th floor of the hospital and as usual, MyPat is busy analyzing documents handed to us by the different doctors while I'm here with a somewhat difficult prognosis of yesterdays "Pinoy" events as I'll try and dissect them for you to easily absorb.

We finally made it inland at 9 "fee-em" (p.m.) after a long journey on our bamboo raft and luckily, we weren't wet after all that two and a hap-non stop strenuous paddling, hitting monstrous waves that occasionally reached three quarters (sometimes 2 dimes and a nickel) to a foot high.  And that is the main reason why we ended up here in this hospital due to dilapidation for the lack of water.

DAY 1

Although we weren't required to be here until Saturday, we hopped on a TAXI yesterday as our Eeball Kanniball dry bearrr zoomed us on the Pinoy Super Highway, mindlessly racing and cutting off others like no body's business.  I'm fearless (or at least I thought I was) and used to this crappy Pinoy maneuvers but believe me and I'll tell you this again, had you been in my 'chai's 9 and a hab 3W choose' from my Athletes Foot, you'll most likely not end up with an underwear bearing brand new multiple skid marks but probably one that's loaded with one stinky bomb-just ready to explode.  That will be the outcome experience one will get from these Pinoy drivers and I strongly advise that you read the water marked fine prints (if any) on your insurance papers but if you don't have one, you can write your dying will to me even before you think of taking a ride on the Pinoy Super Highway.  As for MyPat and I on this day, we got to our destination in one piece and got a head start familiarizing ourselves on the different floors.

After we thought we've Aced the hospital's maze with no problem, we hopped on a shuttle to the Ayala Mall where I waited almost 3 hrs. for MyPat as she gets a MAKE-OVER.  This particular mall is nothing compared to our numerous malls back home-keep wishing.  It's large and one can easily get lost among the hundreds and hundreds of others going about their own business and so, while MyPat decided to go on a make-over, I hung around close to the parlor watching, like a scary little chichirika that dares to fly off far and get lost having never to return.  I STOOD MY GROUND in my self proclaimed nest waiting for mama bird to come out of the parlor and just get the hell out of dodge but don't blame me!  I have no problem getting lost at home as I can always be found but not here.  Hell no!

DAY 2 (FASTING)

If the Pinoy traffic wasn't fast (at a screeching halt), we were fasting (avoid eating or drinking anything) the previous night for our first "procedures" with the different doctors.  We had to be at the hospital before 8 in the morning so we got up early but madam MyPat was taking her sweet time 'toying' the net but when she asked what time it was (7:45) and I said "past 8" she was like "failaal-sa schiw" only to get a (low but crispy clear) cuss when she found out what the right time was when we reached the hotel lobby.

First to the WELLNESS CENTER on the 5th floor.  This seemed to be our favored portion of the hospital.  There's a comfortable lounge area, coffee, soup, different pastries and other dispensable drinks, a never ending table of sweets and a great discovery-outlets to plug in and play the net and the occasional stare from other (home) locals whom we both aren't sure whether they were locals (CNMI or Guam or the other Pacific Islands).

Then there's the blood pressure check, weight and height then off to the reason we had fasted for, the blood extraction, ECG (what ever it stands for), doctors consultation, x-ray and the 2 small cups for (you know what) specimen. Different doctors for different consultations plus the occasional visits to the Insurance Office (on the 10th floor) for coverage consultations.

DAY 3

More consultations and treatments followed on this day which practically took the whole day again. The different appointments on different floors and wings of the hospital can somewhat be confusing at times too but all went well.  Had we clocked ourselves in when we first got to the hospital, we could have earned millions in PHP each for being at the hospital more than 8 hrs. but that's okay, we can give back to them for the health services rendered us.

DAY 4

It was Sunday and there were no schedule procedures so we planned to visit the Local Pinoys in 'Karamba' Laguna but that had to be changed.  We went to the mall AGAIN!!!  Only this time, we had intended to catch the south bound bus to Laguna but once at the mall, the 'planning network' went haywire and so, the attention was focused again on the same parlor as before.  From an agreed one hour TOUCH UP to a frigging forever wait on my part.  Men'an juice wo nge-alomw santuron.  Back to square one and off to Bourbon Street of Makati Avenue we go.  And then...I felt I didn't wanna go on with the events that followed before departing the Pinoy isle but I can safely say, all went well with the medical check-up but as far as MyPat goes, we still have another upcoming journey to follow through.

Arizona Bound

My 2nd eldest son Kody called earlier this morning upon arriving at his final destination.  I was in the kitchen while he and his mom-MyPat conversed over the phone.  Although this is his first (long) lone travel ever taken as all his past travels were only from home to Garapan or a brisk walk down phase IV.

And so MyPat tells me our son was so tired, his behind had probably bruised or flattened more from seating on the long flight from Narita to Los Angeles onward to his final destination in Arizona. But all in all, he made it there in one piece, safe and sound.  Now, we just wait for any complaint(s) or positive input from him regarding his new atmosphere.

All his baggage made it through in one piece and now his sister is calling to find out more of his travel but that's not the real reason why she's calling.  It's their supply of ppu's the real reason she's calling.  That of course is on it's way to them as requested via 'the speediest way possible' and by that, I meant 'speediest speeding mach whatever' as MyPat shows me their ppu is already posted on FACEBOOK .  Son-a-by-gun!! That was fast but when it's my turn to get something, it goes around the world 3-4 times via 'snail mail' before it gets into my hands.  I so wanna own a fast jet for this sort of deliveries but then again, one would only say "dream on Ko, dream on".

Back to LIFE

HE's ALIVE or better yet-"he's finally tired of playing dead and has decided to come back to the living world". And with all those forgotten and neglected years comes payback-coupled by several dull patches of gray hair ".  And that my friend is the outcome for being the grand dad to an additional (4 and still counting) grand kiddos aside from Devin who had inched not only in height but to include in circumference.  Yes and I'll admit I've neglected blogging but the other night while toying around the net, yes, i said "toying" and that's for the simple fact that, had I been 'surfing' with this gadget clearly identified by your kind as an iPad, it would have been dripping wet from all my surfing the net with which brings me to another situation.  Had you not paid attention or even bothered to read the Users Manual that should have been included with your hardware?  If so, don't worry for you're not alone and I'm thrilled to say, I'm damn lucky for not been on the list of  all 'you' ignorant idiots who just wanna jump right into operating the hardware without going over the manual.  Truth is, this piece of hardware I'm utilizing now doesn't even belong to me and when I took it, there wasn't a manual anywhere near it for me to review prior to operating it.  But that doesn't make me an idiot like you because I have my very own personal back-up hardware.  It's not what you call iPad but rather the most sophisticated and idiot proof piece that will never be available anywhere.  So to all you proud iPad owners, I'm proud to introduce to you-MyPat.  And may I add that it's User Friendly but to simply put it in layman's term, even a new born is not a problem with MyPat as it's an ALL TIME Virus Free version (unless of course attracted from me).

Anyway, in your hardware's package (again depending if you had gotten it lawfully and not just snatched it off from the neighbor's picnic table), is a booklet or the manual which an idiot like yourself would have skipped reading or simply thrown in the garbage but had you taken the time to even glance through, you would have come across some of the things you should avoid to prolong the life of your equipment so se'rap yo mouf and allow me to list a few given examples and I promise you not that I will be quick with it so here they are:

DOUGHNUT

1. use as a beer coaster 
2. use as your chaser platter or serving tray
3. use as a personal visor to shade your ugly face from the scorching sun
4. hold over your (other) head to shield the rain from your crummy hair

and here's the moronic one, "KEEP FROM GETTING WET or MOISTURE".  Now, can anyone please explain how one avoids their equipment from the moisture or from getting wet while 'surfing' the net, let alone, avoid it from getting tangled up in the net?  Duh!  I can practically go scuba diving at the Grotto with MyPat without having to worry so good luck on surfing (and getting tangled up) the net with your iPad.

But what was I here to write about?  You people are getting me off track with your monkey business and now I have to rewind.  Okay wait...OH!  There!  I got it now but please just bare with me because if you were in my (size 9wwwdotcom) choose, you'd be collecting your scattered brain off the floor which have been preventing you from thinking straight like me.  Wait!  Lami gachung.  I was just thinking of it but then I forgot again.  I think it's these constant 'authenticate' flashes in front of me that are preventing me from hacking into the main board planted in my head and had you not been staring down there, I would have been straight to the point from the get-go so SNAP OUT OF IT BIMBO!  It's the head up here I'm talking about.

Okay. I got it now. Like I said, I was "toying" on the net when I came across an old photo from some odd years back while stationed in Korea and I thought I'd share it with all you good smart...giving...friendly...very nice...oh-you get where I'm going so don't push it. I may just call you an idiot again. Now go have fun on the link below and I CAN HEAR YOU THINKING so keep your comments to yourselves.

www.vetfriends.com/militarypics/large.cfm?picture=18662

Touching Up for Da Catch Up Post

Last post was September 3 of last year? Boy! Time sure flies by like mach 100. More post coming as I get my camera ready for some pictures to attach with each post. Not much going on except for the "Run Off Election" between the incumbent leadership of Governor Benigno Fitial and Lt. Governor Eloy Inos of the Covenent Party, and Governor Elect Hienz Hofschnieder and Lt. Governor Elect Arnold Palacios of the Republican Party come 23rd of this month. Wish both parties luck as they'll both need it.

Stump'n Icon

Iconic Stump

I took the family on a short island cruise 2 Sundays ago and just so happened I had brought the camera along. We were coming up Isa Drive along Capitol Hill when I remembered what I had been wanting to take a photo of. Two curves uphill and to the left side of the road is this tree stump, painted yellow, black and red. From an angle, one would possibly think this tree was carved out just for show but in actuality, it appears to be a bird's head on a long neck-be it the stump. On top of what is painted as the head, grows some new greens to which are kept occasionally trimmed.

I recall also when personnel from Public Works would wack out the weeds, pull unwanted overgrown, trim trees and the likes. Well, this is one of the trees that was cut down to the trunk to about 5 or 6 feet long. Every time new limbs try to grow on the top, it is cut down again and again and again until it was recently thought up by some imaginative mind to spruce it up a bit.

Whoever it is that is keeping this tree trunk alive, you are doing a mighty good deed for everyone to every occasion. I can only say, to present, this one, had something to do with "Independence Day" as it had also represented in the past some other icons like the Leprechaun (sporting a green hat) for the month of March and had also graduated with the many graduates in 2008 as it is displayed with a black cap and a tassel and recently-the good 'ol stars and stripes hat in the photo above.

A,B,C's

Try singing along as you read. This is Devin's style of a,b,c...

A, B, C, D, E, F, E,-H,I,J,K,ELO, MEN, O,P, now I know my a,b,c, next time I want you to sing with me, Q,R,S,-T,U,V,-W,X,-Y and Z, now I know my a,b,c, next time I want you to sing with me. clap-clap.

Monsoon Flowers

Blossoms

Last Friday wasn't much of a Friday like any other as the wind was still blowing from the west and with it came more gray clouds. It started getting boring come 3 p.m. so here I was again. I looked out the backyard and saw this beautiful flower that sprouted from what probably is from the same species as the taro. I grabbed the camera and began taking some pictures. I guess I got a bit carried away from snapping as I went around the house taking pictures of almost every blossom there was to snap at-in a somber way. That's one thing about the monsoon season. It brings with it an array of colors. Beau-tee-ful!

Rising Sun & Sabors

Da Opening & Fury Claw

Lang & Whatevers

Bogie & Da Risen Sun

Purple Cluster & Oranges
Hiding Claws & Hi-B
Fury Lion & Tai-bo

Sin-sir & White cotton

SOME FRUITS & VEGGIES

Boorie & Artist

And some nuts too

Poo & Pools

Kenneth's visit

Junior, our eldest son, visited us Saturday evening with his family (Devin, baby Kenneth and their mom Catherine) just as our binoculars were fixed on the tube watching "3:10 to YUMA". The concentration on the tube broke when we heard Devin's loud voice "hello...Kyler...". I went up the front door and there he was with his mom also carrying baby Kenneth who was all bright eyed and smiling (probably happy to see his old man again).

The Magic

Junior, Catherine and baby Kenneth left around 10 or so and so we went back to watching more DVDs when Devin came up to me and wanted me to "make magic". I use to trick this boy into holding something (be it candy or gum) in my closed palm, stick out the index finger of the same hand and play with his ear while at the same time saying "magic, magic...", open my hand and show whatever it was in my hand to him to his amazement. That is the magic and now, I'm running out of it as I don't have candy or gum for it. One time he came up to me, grabbed my hand, put it to his ears and there he was on his own "magic, magic" and when I opened my empty hand in front of him to find nothing, tried his luck on his other ear hoping the magic would work. Ai adai this boy. Another time he attempted this, all he found was a young betel nut in my hand which he gave up on. No more magic that time but last night, I had to tell him that my magic only works when the sun is up and shining. "Ooooo! When the sun come up" and I just replied "yes" and that was the end of the subject-at least for now.

Devin!-again

Pat and I took him to Sunday service but on our way there to Church, I told him to behave during the service. He said "yes" but wasn't looking at me but facing straight forward as if to say "why bother". "Devin, do you hear me" again "yes" but I guess I don't have to say what happened in church as you would already know.