ann's journey

a week long travel on the east coast of USA

2009-04-13T20:41:00.000-07:00

last week we were all over east coast to enjoy our spring break as well as having fun with my lola soping and mommy adeh...we kick off having a feel of cherry blossom in Washington DC on april 6, that was a Monday, then on Tuesday we head off to ellis island to visit liberty and rested in Atlantic city, had a filipino dinner there and sond sleep in tropicana hotel had the following day had a whole day shopping in the outlet, mommy had a blast and we stayed there in the evening again. On thursday noon we went to new york, been to macy's, time square, rockefeller center and had a good friday and heared the 7 last words in st. patrick. So, we were in new york from thursday and friday, that was on april 9 and 10. Saturday, we were prepared for a long trip an 8 hour trip to niagara falls, that was a 2 day guided trip with the chinese and other nationalities, we had fun on the bus and had a great sight seeing on the way there. we arrived there aat 5 in the afternoon and watched the Imax movie about niagara and enjoyed the night view of the falls. I was really in owed with God's magnificent creation. we stayed for the night in holiday hotel there. the following morning we headed to the source of the falls which carved like a horseshoe falls and the more i thanked God for giving me a chance to be here and see his wondrous creation. on the way back to new york we had a side trip to corning glass museum where we saw how to make a glass and all the great glass displays. and later on that day we went back to new york and had a rest. so now, were back to baltimore and counting the 7 remaining days of lola and mommy. we would still try to make some short nearer trips here to make there stay more worthwhile.

4-4-09 Medieval Times

2009-04-04T19:53:00.000-07:00

A late celebration for the 75th birthday of lola...we went to Medieval Times in Baltimore/DC. We had fun!

Thursday Shopping

2009-04-03T15:26:00.000-07:00

Thursday Shopping at Towson Shopping Center.

Sunday

2009-03-29T11:24:00.000-07:00

We went to mass in Sacred Heart Shrine and took some pictures after the mass.

MARCH 27, 2009 their arrival

2009-03-29T11:09:00.000-07:00

Friday, it was a weird feeling to be absent from school for the first time. I was not that excited as well coz i know my grandma could not make it here in the US, however I was really surprised to see my grandma on the airport. I had tears of joy to see her. Indeed I am really happy to have fulfilled my promise to her...to them...I believe that God has blessed me with a a very wonderful family and I feel that its high time for me to give back. MOmmy Adeh and lola, welcome to my life here in Baltimore, MAryland, USA.

super extended birthday!!!

2009-03-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

thank you so very much for the super extended birthday celebration! A big vanilla fitness and wellness membership is super sweet! We're getting ready for summer! We started the day with an hour of racqetteball and had a series of laps in the pool. Its always a good feeling every after working out...and I guessed since i am a member now, we would be frequent there( i gonna post some of the pictures next time.)Afterwhich, we went to our favorite and all time Arundelmill Mall and watched "Watchmen"...Then, he prepared dinner for me and surprised me with this icecream cake so i got the chance to blow the candles the second time around and of course made my second wish too! now obviously, how i wish everyday would be my birthday!

a sweet birthday extension...

2009-03-13T20:29:00.000-07:00

how sweet it is to be loved by you...(feel like siging it)
im so happy to be inlove and i can't ask for more because i am being loved back... hon, you don't need to please me but you never fail to surprise me, you like tickling my heart...a 32 inch-sony bravia flat screen tv...isn't it sweet? thank you for the gift and i love you!

26, very thankful and felt blessed as to where am i now...

2009-03-12T20:09:00.000-07:00

its my first birthday here in the US and missing my family back in the philippines, however, in the absence of family, friends would always be there. in my months of stay here, i realized that there would always be alot of reasons to be thankful of. the year that passed was such a bliss, God has evidently showed his love to me by answering my heart's desire to work here in the US for myself and for my family. Indeed, in less than a year of staying here, i have been doing my purpose...i have been helping my family and im sending my brother and some of my cousins to school, which made me feel happy coz i know that inorder for me to provide for them, God was, is and will always be providing for me...Thank you Lord for the gift of family, friends, health, work and a person who would always stand by me all the time...thank you for giving me all these...
started the day by calling my family...indeed, i miss them, its my first time to be away with them and its my first time to celebrate my birthday away from home..

before going to sleep after i talked to them i also received sweet ecards and a call from a very important person and hugging this would be ok...

woke up and fixed myself and of course one of the routines is to fix my hair everyday...getting ready for schoool.

in school, early in class and printed out our lesson plan and ready to face the challenges of the day.well, this week we are having the stanford testing of my students, its one of my wishes that they gonna make it to AYP.

ate a healthy lunch.( thanks sir lito for my daily lunch, i dont need to prepare, he cooks for us)

after lunch i had a pre-observation conference with my assistant principal at least she has been considerate with me today and eventually the meeting went smoothly...so at 2:25 we ha our dismissal but i can't go home until 4:45 coz christian who is giving us a ride will pick us up by that time, so that means i have to stay in school for more than 2 hours, feels like a torture though...anyways, when we get to the apartment i was so happy on how thoughtful my friends are...ira bought an icecream, erma for the chicken, christian with the pizza, arlene with the cake and popcorn , elona and roger for the rice, edger for the soda and i ordered lasagna...it is indeed a happy birthday...with all he picture galore...wow, it made my day!

a sporty valentines

2009-02-15T12:42:00.000-08:00

a day after valentines and its still feels good to celebrate love. this time, its a sporty one.

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happy to be with you on a valentines day...

2009-02-14T05:34:00.001-08:00

just when i wake up this morning and went out of the bedroom, i was surprised with all these manifestation of love. !

love is in the air...

2009-02-14T04:10:00.001-08:00

happy valentines day everyone!
it is in giving that we receive...my life here revoles around my love, friends, students and staff in school, so so what better way to make them happy, remind or maybe assure everyone that love is still in the air...

bcpss' CEO visits sarah m roach elementary school

2009-02-03T15:32:00.000-08:00

A welcome and a closer experience with the Baltimore city public school system chief executive officer, dr. Alonzo. A ribbon cutting for the new library and computer lab.

class suspended

2009-01-28T10:22:00.001-08:00

yesterday we had snow storm here in baltimore and we had an early dismissal. today, the class was suspended due to the same reason.... but for us teachers especially us, its a bit cool not to have class and we enjoyed taking pictures with snow...

work! work! work!

2009-01-20T21:19:00.001-08:00

after the happy days in atlantic city, now its back to reality. work! work! work!

Atlantic city holiday

2009-01-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

Snow flurries and were on our way to Atlantic city . It's as if it's the coldness that we are feeling here is not enough but not really we are just trying to make the best on our holiday Monday.
Atlantic City welcomed us with snow flurries. I was amazed on the white snowy seashore. We made our way to the boardwalk before checking in to our hotel. It was such a feeling also to be walking in the mall wherein halfway of its structure is literally built on the ocean. then at 3 pm we checked in the tropicana hotel. it was surprisingly filled up with people on a winter season. we rest and enjoyed our stay for awhile, we made the mirror as our subject of attention in taking our pictures..it was really fun. then we researched on a filipino restaurant, at 9pm we head on our way to wandy's filipino restaurant. we were so pleased with the warm accommodation of kuya wandy, the owner himself and most of all, we really had a great taste of our very own filipino food. the kare-kare, crispy pata and the sinigang dinner was surprisingly super delicious! it was really fun plus the power karaoke singing sensation made our night. and by the way, the night did not end that way, our complimentary 15$ token from hilton made us win for something....ira won in the casino for 106 dollars and i won 210! it was really our lucky day! so i didnt worry much on my expenses coz it waspaid back by my luck. so the following day we made our way to the shoreline for picture taking sake... the scenery was fabulous! afterwards, we had a sumptuous lunch buffet in hilton hotel and directly went to our favorite hobby, which is shopping in the outlet store. It was really such an experience. While all the others were so engross on watching and listening to obama's inaguration, us? we enjoyed our time!

am i happy?

2009-01-18T18:52:00.000-08:00

am i happy? that has been the most important question that has been asked by the most important person in my life...and this question made me so happy because i know that the person who asked me trusted and wanted nothing more but just for me to be happy...thank you lola! i miss you and i love you!

christmas night

2008-12-25T19:41:00.000-08:00

christmas eve

2008-12-25T19:26:00.000-08:00

last day of class for year 2008

2008-12-23T21:56:00.000-08:00

we has our winter presentation to end the year!

Madame Tussaud Wax Museum, Thanksgiving08 in NYC

2008-12-18T15:13:00.000-08:00

Christmas is giving....

2008-12-17T18:48:00.000-08:00

I have received my early Christmas gifts and its high time for me to give...the gifts are all ready... I always keep it in mind that its a blessing to give because it only means that you have already received what you ought to have and still has and extra room to share. God has been blessing those who give. Doesn't matter if its big or small, its the act that counts...Thank you Lord and thank you all!!!

2008-12-09T18:31:00.000-08:00

snowy sundY!

2008-12-07T17:03:00.001-08:00

my first thanksgiving here...

2008-11-27T02:21:00.000-08:00

thank you for all those who inspired and continue to inspire me...

a new hair do will do!

2008-11-23T19:16:00.000-08:00

thank you!

happy friday

2008-11-21T19:06:00.000-08:00

10:30 a.m. first snow flakes

ms drenan called me and ask me if i have a camera to take a picture of my first snow, i said no...no i didn't bring mine. right away she grabbed her camera and told me to do it... i said, i can't leave my class and she right away called ms darry and ask her to be my photographer while she took care of my class...wow! that was great! when i went outside it was a real thing, snow flakes.....wow!!!!!!!1 before i only get to see it in pictures or in movie, now im feeling it, im experiencing it...yes it may be very cold but its worth the experience...

11:10 book character parade in school

its the schedule of grades 2 and 3 to show around their/our costumes and book character to evry class, i was excited to wear mine, well courtesy again of miss drennan( the one wearing a nun costume) she lend me her tigger attire..i look funny but i enjoyed it!

its indeed a happy friday for me! thank you ms drennan!

my first snowflakes

2008-11-18T15:03:00.000-08:00

at 2:00 pm today while we were doing our math workshop my students rushed into the classroom's window to watch the snow flakes drifting from the sky. It lasted only for 5 minutes however good enough to experience my first now...Thank you Lord for bringing me into this place, to experience Your one of a kind creation!

sporty weekend/...

2008-11-16T20:09:00.000-08:00

racquetball is great!!!
Health Benefits
Over the past several decades, Americans have seemingly become more interested in exercise and the health benefits associated with being physically fit. Fad exercise programs have come and gone over time--the reason that they come and go is because they are boring, torturous, and overall ineffective at changing personal exercise and fitness habits.

For those who regularly play racquetball, the following health facts and figures are probably not a surprise. It turns out that racquetball is a wonderful exercise activity--and one that is extremely fun and adictive. Unlike many exercise programs where your brain constantly tells your body "this is exercise, not fun," racquetball is both fun and exercise. Remember, you "play" racquetball. Through play, racquetball builds physical endurance, exercises all major muscle groups, and gives a cardiovascular workout.

If Americans would see weekend and late-night infomercials on the health benefits of racquetball, the sport would probably see a resurgence in participation that would rival the rates of the 1980s.

Be sure to also see the Reasons To Play page at PlayRacquetball.org.

FACTS & FIGURES
The average number of calories burned during racquetball play ranges from moderate at 640/hour [Prevention, 1995] to 794/hour [Men's Health, 1995] -- to a high level at 13.7 per minute (or 822/hour) [Sports Training Institute].

An average game will take 20 minutes, during which a player will run a distance of approximately 3,650 feet -- or over two miles in one hour of play. [U.S. Olympic Training Center]

Racquetball players work at a constant rate of 75 to 85% of their maximum heart rate for the duration of a typical racquetball game.
[USRA Elite Training Camp, 1992]

Racquetball offers both aerobic and anaerobic benefits, with both sustained high level heart rate activity and quick bursts of energy required during play.

Racquetball works nearly every muscle group, including sustained, repetitive use of large muscles that increase calorie burn and reduce fat percentage.

Facts and Figures from the USRA.org website and AmPRO Instructor's Manual

a quote...

2008-11-14T18:59:00.000-08:00

" Embrace the place where you are positioning yourself for greater things"...by: the painter

walter's arts museum trip

2008-11-12T16:35:00.000-08:00

crazy and surprisingly lovely monday

2008-11-10T14:13:00.000-08:00

since the classes began, i always "quote" Monday as crazy and freaky monday. this is because every after good weekend, i would wish not to work on a monday, plus i believe kids are super restless when its monday. so as expected, i had a very crazy monday with the kids. i had to bare with their noisiness and they are so unfocus. how i wish, to have 2 days of class and 5 days of weekend....however, later this afternoon after class, i had a wonderful and lovely surprise. i went out of the school ahead of the others and i had fun. thanks for the surprise and i would look forward to be with you again....

ocean city escapade

2008-11-09T19:48:00.000-08:00

every time i think of going to a new place i get so excited. last weekend's escaped in ocean city was so great. truly an escapade right in front of atlantic ocean. how i love to wake up with the breeze and the splashing wave of the ocean. its also a blessing to see how free the seagulls are and how fascinating to see 30 to 40 dolphins at one time. a special thanks to a special someone...thank you so much!

usher concert and election day

2008-11-05T15:51:00.001-08:00

the streets of Washigton DC was full of emotion and excitement when the newly elected president of the United States was proclaimed. So we grabbed the historical moment of being there and we went straight to the White House wherein people, young and old of any race gather there to celebrate the moment...yes, this may be the beginning but i was lucky enough to be in the place ...

november 4, 2008 11:30 pm..after the concert

november 4, 2008 7:30 p.m. before the usher concert...

hollowen 2008

2008-11-01T09:11:00.000-07:00

hollowen 2008 is great!

a blessed weekend...

2008-10-26T18:01:00.000-07:00

i couldn't ask for more than being taken cared of... weekend maybe short but its memories could last for a lifetime...

again its wednesday night but feels like friday...

2008-10-22T19:20:00.001-07:00

having a break in the middle of a stressful week is such a relief...going out for a dinner isn't bad at all...it even feels so great! thanks!

revisiting DC for the Hope Diamond

2008-10-21T17:49:00.000-07:00

Hope Diamond
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
French Blue redirects here. For the color, see Blue.
Hope Diamond (formerly French Blue)

Hope Diamond in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
Weight 45.52[1] carats (9.10 g)
Color Fancy Dark Greenish blue
Cut Antique cushion
Country of origin India
Mine of origin Kollur mine
Date discovered Surfaced in 1812
Cut by Unknown
Original owner Mohammed Shadab Ghori
Current owner Smithsonian Natural History Museum
Estimated value $300–$350 million
The Hope Diamond is a large, 45.52-carat,[1] fancy deep grayish-blue diamond, currently housed in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C.. The diamond is legendary for the curse it supposedly puts on whomever possesses it. The Hope Diamond is blue to the naked eye because of trace amounts of boron within the diamond. The Hope Diamond exhibits red phosphoresence under ultraviolet light[2] and is classified as a Type IIb diamond.
Curse

The Hope Diamond in its present case in the National Gem Collection.
The owner at the time, Moye, ghost-wrote a book asserting that there was a legend that the diamond was cursed.
According to the story, Tavernier stole the diamond from a Hindu statue. The diamond was one of the two eyes of the idol, and when the priests noticed it was missing, they placed a curse on whoever owned the diamond. One reason that this is not accepted is that the Hope's sister has not been found. The legend claimed that Tavernier died of fever soon after, and that his body was torn apart by wolves (but the historical record shows that he actually lived to 84). The Hope Diamond was blamed for the fall from the king's favor of madame Athenais de Montespan and French finance minister Nicolas Fouquet, the beheadings of Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and the rape, mutilation and beheading of the Princesse de Lamballe. The legend includes characters who are considered by some to be fictitious persons added since they remain historically unverified: diamond cutter Wilhelm Fals (killed when his son Hendrik stole it); Hendrik Fals (suicide); Francois Beaulieu (starvation after he sold it to Daniel Eliason).
Simon Frankel (alleged to be in financial difficulties) had supposedly sold it to Jacques Colot (suicide); the next owner, Russian prince Kanitowski, who supposedly lent it to French actress Lorens Ladue, who he later shot, and was later himself killed by revolutionaries; jeweler Simon Montharides (killed with his family) and Turkish Sultan Abdul Hamid (the diamond was blamed for his forced abdication) who had supposedly killed various members of his court for the stone. However, the existence of only a few of these characters has been verified historically, leading researchers to conclude that most of these persons are fictitious.
May Yohe blamed the Hope for her misfortunes. In July 1902, months after Lord Francis divorced her, she told police in Australia that her lover, Putnam Strong, had abandoned her and taken her jewels. Incredibly, the couple reconciled, married later that year, but divorced in 1910. On her third marriage by 1920, she persuaded film producer George Kleine to back a 15-episode serial The Hope Diamond Mystery, which added fictitious characters to the tale. It was not successful. In 1921, she hired Henry Leyford Gates to help her write The Mystery of the Hope Diamond, in which she starred as Lady Francis Hope. The film added more characters, including a fictionalized Tavernier, and added Marat among the diamond's "victims". She also wore her copy of the Hope, trying to generate more publicity to further her career.
Lord Francis Hope married Olive Muriel Thompson in 1904. They had three children before she died suddenly in 1912, a tragedy that has been attributed to The Curse.
Evalyn Walsh McLean added her own narrative to the story behind the blue jewel, including that one of the owners was Catherine the Great. McLean would bring the Diamond out for friends to try on, including Warren G. Harding and Florence Harding. McLean often strapped the Hope to her pet dog's collar while in residence at Friendship, in northwest Washington D.C.. There are also stories that she would frequently misplace it at parties, and then make a children's game out of finding the Hope.
However, since the diamond was put in the care of the Smithsonian Institute, there have been no unusual incidents related to it.
[edit]

great sunday!

2008-10-19T18:47:00.000-07:00

its a great sunday again and thanks to you...

pick your stress away! apple and pumpkin yehey!!!

2008-10-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

another adventure with the belvederians....this time its the season for apples and pumpkins. its was chillin' cold out there in the farm market and we had fun...

wednesday night but feels like friday...

2008-10-15T22:44:00.000-07:00

i had 1 strike, and got the highest points over the beautiful girls...not bad for a first timer ha! thanks to Pikesville Bowling Center, after such an experience we had a great Bolis pizza party by the Quarry Lake and to add up the stress relief stories of the Belvedere Filipino Teachers...thanks to mam sarah v., mam alona and roger, ms odesa and sir john, to sir jude and his wife, to christian, ira, erma and to myself...hahahha! ( im excited for the pictures, post it ASAP)

i might fall in fall

2008-10-13T14:46:00.000-07:00

catch me..i might be falling in fall!!!

please vote for me...

2008-10-09T20:31:00.001-07:00

Subject:
New Presidential Candidate... It's someone we know!

Hi,

There's an effort to elect an unknown random person as President... and it's someone we know! Watch this online video about the surprising new nominee:

http://www.tsgnet.com/pres.php?id=370617&altf=boo1nbsjf&altl=fnqfobep

Jot back a note to let me know what you think!

how unstable happiness could be...

2008-10-08T17:30:00.000-07:00

i just wonder how unstable happiness could be?...
happiness may be is just a state of mind, therefore mind could really get so shaky.
how could we also build a solid decision in mind if there isn't enough foundation worthy for it to stand...

great weekend!!!

2008-10-05T19:14:00.000-07:00

i never thought weekend could be really great! Thanks to the person who really made my my life outside life possible...i just hope everything will turn out right.

missing...

2008-10-02T20:46:00.000-07:00

missing someone isn't about how long it's been since you've seen them last or the amount of time since you last talked, it's about that very moment when you're ding something and you wish that they were right there with you...

2008-09-30T21:12:00.000-07:00

systems do really bagged down. earlier this afternoon i did not feel really well, not only physically but also emotionally. i took a nap hoping that everything will be alright when i wake up, however the feeling escalated and evolved into depression. this has been the second time and this time i tried to call some very important friends but they could never be reached or they had other things to attend before me. i tried calling some other significant people but i didn't get the word that could at peace me. so i finally dialed home and looked for my lola (grandma), yes its my first time to tell them my sentiments and my issues here and i just felt that was necessary for them to know and for them to help me pray with whatever situation i'm in. my lola just reminded me of the very fact why im here and that its not easy for me to just give up and go home and advised me to stretch some more of my patience coz there's still more debts, tuition, allowances and other things to be paid of. yes, i came here for my family and im happy with that, however, i just wish i could be happier with my decision...

life outside life

2008-09-29T21:07:00.000-07:00

i never thought that i could find life outside life...hoping that it will grow...im happy being in it.

its been awhile...

2008-09-28T19:42:00.000-07:00

its been awhile since i wrote here...its not because i don't have time. i just didn't have the jest to do it...
its been awhile since im in a strange place and now i call it a home...
its been awhile since im in a strange job but now i call it my life...
yes its hard to figure out in a strange place but as time goes by everything that is strange will now then become familiar and familiarity is somewhat a strategy to make things and life easy.
eventually, for the record, i now accept that i am not anymore in a strange place but in a familiar way of my journey.
i just hope i will then be happy ...

first day of clas

2008-08-25T18:32:00.000-07:00

its a nice feeling to be teaching in a foreign land and still feel at home, this is because i am still doing my purpose as a teacher....whereever i may be i would always be a teacher, "teaching children with a heart." i will try to touch their lives and make a diference....

my new abode...

2008-08-18T20:59:00.000-07:00

i would like to thank the popularly known "JC", for helping me out in making my new beautiful abode. Thank you John for your wonderful instinct and sincere hand to carry out everything that has been planned by the ever talented and skillful interior designer, Ms. Chona GIl! To both of you, " you make my house a home". THANKS FOR THE WARM FRIENDSHIP!!!

cook out after the 4 weeks of trainings and seminars

2008-08-16T14:14:00.001-07:00

8-9-08...a free trip to washington dc

2008-08-12T14:50:00.000-07:00

happy 1 monthsary for me here in baltimore

2008-08-07T20:45:00.000-07:00

in my one month stay here in baltimore, i can say that am literally happy.
1. i woke up early this morning with good friends around...like ms olive, sir alvin, jb and of course thank you roxane.
2. i had a long talk with lola soping and so happy to know that she's physically ok...thank you Lord!
3. its during lunch time today that i knew that i finally have my school. i will be assign to teach in Sarah M. Roach Elementary School.praisE God!
4. i am happy to note that i had an answered prayer. i asked God to place me in an elementary school and not in a middle school...and it is granted today.haleluIah!
5. had an afternoon pizza snacks with my supportive companions here, like chona, john and erma.
6. bought my new mac laptop with free itouch and printer...this is a gift for myself!!!
7.and a good day ended with a great sushi dinner!!! a celebration of God's blessings!!!
8. finally, thank you Lord for all the blessings you have given to me and my family. i could never be this happy without you!!!

summer in baltimore

2008-08-07T20:33:00.001-07:00

thanks for the nice swimming pool and warm accomodation roxane!!!

2008-08-02T17:26:00.000-07:00

The Naval Academy was founded in 1845 by the Secretary of the Navy, George Bancroft, in what is now historic Annapolis, MD. The history of the Academy has often reflected the history of the United States itself. As the U.S. Navy has moved from a fleet of sail and steam-powered ships to a high tech fleet of nuclear-powered submarines and surface ships as well as supersonic aircraft, the Academy has changed also. The Naval Academy gives young men and women the up-to-date academic and professional training needed to be effective naval and marine officers in their assignments after graduation.

Every day, as the undergraduate college of the naval service, the United States Naval Academy strives to accomplish its mission to develop midshipmen “morally, mentally, and physically.”

COMP culmination

2008-07-31T13:28:00.000-07:00

today marks the end of our COMP (Classroom Organization Management Plan) training, however, next week we would still be attending other seminars. Our facilator, Ms. Gerry Bohanon made a great way to end the tidious task with a bang, we had a party! ( well, its only our group ended with with fun)...Here are some of the pictures and some dancing videos...we let our hair down!!!

trying my new sony camcorder...

2008-07-30T19:07:00.000-07:00

i had a long day of training and i am now mentally drained...am just having fun here....just got this sony camcorder and am trying it and posting it here in my blog to see if this is really a good buy or not...what do you think? comments please....

almost a month...

2008-07-29T19:42:00.000-07:00

i have been here in the US for almost a month, 22 days to be exact...
i find it uninspirational to write anything in my blog because honestly, i wasn't really impressed with America, Baltimore to be exact...
on my first week, i had a series of paper works to do, from getting in my Social Security Number, to having medical exams and completing all the documents to be submitted to Baltimore city Public School System.
The next week until now and this will go on until the 3rd week of August...we have a pack of seminar and trainings...which i think even a bulk of it will not suffice our need as a new teacher to fully grasp the culture of our new students here, not unless onthe first day of class which will be on the the 19th of August...

Until, last friday came, July 25th... i was so excited to go to another state and of which it is the famous state in the Us...at last i will be going to the city that doesn't sleep...so i took the 4.30pm greyhound bus and eventually head towards NYC at 5.30. It was a 4hour trip and it was fine. When the bus was approaching NYC, my heart pounded with much excitement...my mood was so happy to see the bright city lights...they were twinkling like stars on the ground or christmas lights on july...finally i arrived and waited for ms olive to fetch me, and while waiting, i was having some happy thoughts, i was teary-eyed in realizing that finally i am in america nad in a couple of minutes will be meeting the primary inspiration of my American dreams...MS OLIVE JOPIA-ABARQUEZ...

in nyc

2008-07-26T20:33:00.000-07:00

on the way...

2008-07-09T05:02:00.000-07:00

7-7-08
8:15 pm
"In the desert, where it's devoid of clutter and destruction, the Lord speaks." Soothing calmness and quietness of Taipei Airport feels my heart when we arrived.

After taking the train to station 2, took some travelators, had some group pictures and had the quiet moment.

While waiting for our flight at 11:10 pm to San Francisco, I had a time to be at peace with my daily companion and dedache and had some contemletion. I searched for answers on why do I have to work abroad. If I would just think of myself I could live with the minimum salary rate in the Philippines. At this time I begin to search on my bag and scanned some letters that was sent to me when I had my BLD Singles Weekend. Tears feel down my checks realizing that the letters I received from my family answered my great question.

Yes my family needs this, yes I need this for my family and I'm doing my purpose here on Earth by helping my family because this is a way that I could give glory and honor to God.

Yes I love my family and I realized this when I tune in the Lord's presence and I did it when its quiet.

10:00 pm
San Francisco

"You're 25?! oh really you look like 18"
"Too bad you're going to work in Baltimore, I could have been your friend here!" These are some of the words that caught my attention when I was interviewed by the immigration officer.

Arriving San Francisco feels like I'm partly in Manila because of the number of Filipinos working here in the airport.

Now we're waiting for our 11:10 p.m. flight connecting to Chicago and here I am seated realizing that I am in the land of big people. One evidence, I can't rest my feet on the floor while seated properly because I an so small for the chair.

IM NOT IN CEBU NOW,
IM NOT HOME ANYMORE,
IM IN THE FOREIGN LAND
IM IN THE COUNTRY OF MILK AND HONEY!

word circle sharing prayer

2008-06-19T09:57:00.000-07:00

JUNE 19, 2008
WSC

I. Intoduction:
Good evening friends! I’m Ann Empenado of SE 14. I will be your prayer leader for tonight. Please join me in reading our theme and promise for tonight:
THEME:
WE DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER WHEN WE LABOR IN HIS VINEYARD.
PROMISE:
“ IF YOU HEARKEN TO MY VOICE AND KEEP MY COVENANT, YOU SHALL BE MY SPECIAL POSSESION, DEARER TO ME THAN ALL OTHER PEOPLE.”
(Ex 19:6)

II. Instruction:
May I request everyone to please stand as we do the sign of the cross and pray the prayer to take authority.
In the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, amen.
PRAYER TO TAKE AUTHORITY

III. Prayer Proper:
You may now sit comfortably and feel that we are about to be in spiritual union of the Lord… Let God be in the center and be focused on him, as I invite you to focus on Him on the cross tonight. Let us look at Jesus and quietly tell Him of what had happened to us today. Peacefully surrender to Him what has been bothering you so that there could never be any block that will hinder all his outpouring blessings intended for us tonight, and as we do this, focus only to the Lord…
Heavenly Father, We do ascribe to you the glory due your name, and praise you for the splendor of your holiness. We praise you because in your holiness you are just, patient and wise. In you there is no bias motivated by wickedness or evil. Your vision is not distorted by sin. The vain things of this world do not distract you, and do not complicate your motives.
Unlike us your eyes see the true state of our hearts. With precision your gaze sees the eternal value of all things, for you alone always view life through the lens of truth. So, we praise you, and you only as our worthy and just Judge.
As your people, who so often happily choose blindness instead of sight, and deafness instead of the hearing of your voice, we marvel at your patience; for in the very act of your restraint the depth of your kindness is illuminated and the nature of your mercy displayed.
Every day that you endure the sinfulness of your creation, the shades of your compassion become more clear, and its shape more sweetly. And God we praise you because in your just judgment, in your patience, you display perfect wisdom.
Throughout Scripture, Heavenly Father, we see that it is by your will and your word that all life, all creation exists. Lord Jesus, it is by your life, death and resurrection, by your faithful enduring obedience, that the Father redeems those who are his. Holy Spirit, it is by your work that the hearts of men are turned toward the Father and made capable of glorifying him.
So, Lord, our hearts sing your praise this evening, for you are the source of all justice, patience and true wisdom. We praise you because your character, your attributes, turns the attention of all creation to the only one worthy of glory.
Yes heavenly father, you have given me everything I need. You have known me and known even the things that are not spoken. Even the things that are not asked, you know too well my God what my heart desires. I thank you Lord God for all the answered prayers, from the littlest of all things down to the impossible which only made me realized how magnificent and how amazing you are. Life could never be worthy if I have never known you. I thank you Lord God that you have made me the person that you want me to be, though imperfect as I am. Thank you Lord for my family, friends and the community that I have now, they made your light shine like no other radiance can surpass. You have humbly given yourself to me and to us your people. You selflessly gave your life for our salvation. By this Lord I know that you will be pleased to see us empty ourselves and be humbled to the things you have given to us. Indeed Lord, we are so blessed that we have seen your light. As some of us who are covenanted and committed to serve you, may you continue to guide us and lead us the way…May our hearts be of genuine service for you. May we serve you wherever we may be. May we serve you Lord without feeling the need to be appreciated, may we not serve to be seen, liked or praised by others. May we do not seek power when we do service to you Lord. Father God, we humbly asked for the grace of perseverance to give us humbly as we have been given, as we fulfill our community mission with the selflessness of your son Jesus Christ. Lord teach us to be more like you. Teach me to be more like you. Here I am Lord, use me and let me fulfill my purpose here on Earth. Lord I offer my life to you, I have heard you calling my name, Lord here I am….
( SONG: LORD HERE I AM)
Father, we come to you as you call our names; as men and women who have done wrong in your sight.
Lord God, we confess that, though you have created us and given us every good thing, from the smallest breath to our most precious possession, we have not given you thanks as you deserve.
Though we have been made to worship you, and in your service is joy and liberty, we have put ourselves under the mastery of other things.
We confess that we have made ourselves slaves to our desires—desires for comfort, desires for pleasure, desires for wealth and riches. We have regarded them as better masters than you, and they have borne us bitter fruit. We arrange our lives, not according to your commands as our creator, but according to what will gratify the cravings of our hearts. We are prepared to go to any lengths to serve ourselves. Father, we confess that we will disregard the needs of others and your holy word in order to claim what we want.
Father, we confess our enmity against you. We confess that our hearts too often feel no affection for you. We confess that we see no value in hearing your voice in your Word; we feel no joy in pouring out our hearts to you in prayer. Father, we confess that even the cross of Christ, even that great act of love and grace by the Lord Jesus Christ, inspires little devotion or adoration in our hearts.
Forgive us our ingratitude, Father. Forgive us our idolatry. Forgive us our rebellion and pride. We ask for your mercy and your grace in our helplessness. We ask in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and on grounds of his blood shed on the cross.
Holy Spirit we love the way you wrap the arms of Jesus around us, Holy Spirit we love the way you come among us to empower us, Holy Spirit infill us with your power, provoke us, enthuse us, manifest yourself among us now…Holy Spirit we love the way.
SONG: HOLY SPIRIT WE LOVE THE WAY….

Holy spirit we invoke your presence tonight.
There is no other God likeYou, O Lord.
You are glorious in holiness ---
So awesome in splendor, performing such wonders
God is holy.
As we meditate on God’s supreme holiness, we cannot help being overcome with a sense of awe. In Psalm 96: 9 it says, “Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth”

Yes Lord, you are my alpha and omega
My strength and my refuge
My trust and my deliverer
My most merciful and loving father
God is great and mighty
He shall reign over all earth
The Lord is great!
He is exalted!
Let us stand to exalt our king on high!
He is exalted!

SONG: HE IS EXALTED and GREAT IS THE LORD

Thank you father for giving us your son who saved us and the continuing guidance of the Holy spirit.

Dear Lord, we come before you now to give you thanks for your grace and mercy to sinners like us. Every day you shower us with blessings we don't deserve, in addition to the supreme gift of your Son Jesus.
Lord we claim that we will do our best to work in your vineyard. Lord, thank you for blessing us, thank you for sending us. Lord, may you continue to bless me wherever I may go. Send forth your most Holy Spirit with me that I may still be your humble servant wherever you will send me. Lord, I thank you for the blessing of the community and its members especially the singles ministry that became my seedbed in almost 3 years. I have grown spiritually Oh Lord and I am praying that the seed that has planted on me with the help of the community will never wither. Yes Lord, I may miss my class, the corporate worship and the WSC but I will strongly hold unto you Lord. With the mighty power of your scriptures and prayers I know that I could always be with you. Thank you Lord.
Now let’s read all together again our theme and promise:
THEME:
WE DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER WHEN WE LABOR IN HIS VINEYARD.
PROMISE:
“ IF YOU HEARKEN TO MY VOICE AND KEEP MY COVENANT, YOU SHALL BE MY SPECIAL POSSESION, DEARER TO ME THAN ALL OTHER PEOPLE.”
(Ex 19:6)
Yes Lord, you have begun a good work in us; we believe that you will faithfully complete what you have started. Amen? AMEN!
SONG: HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK
Thank you Lord for being in our midst tonight.
In the name of the father the son and the Holy Spirit.
May I call on the readers now.

BLD SINGLES the amazing G race ' the marian challenge

2008-06-04T04:45:00.000-07:00

The Singles’ Amazing G.Race is a challenge in which BLD Singles members team up into groups of five to race around the city in competition with other teams. The clues point the teams to the next destination or direct them to perform a task, either together or by a single member. Each task showcases simple, tricky, or wacky challenges that hones the members’ skills of teamwork, negotiation, and knowledge.

On its 2nd year, the BLD Singles calls on its members who are willing to face the MOST PHYSICAL and MOST INTELLECTUAL CHALLENGES to a race to the finish!!!

The Event: BLD Singles’ THE AMAZING G.RACE 2
Race Day: 24 MAY 2008
Starting Point: Redemptorist Church Parking Area @ 7:30am
Race Duration: Whole day

TEAM REQUIREMENTS:
• Teams of 5 BLD Singles members (minimum of two females per group)
• Bundles of Joy for kids within 6-12 years of age

REQUIREMENTS:
• Registration sheet, waiver & payment of P150.00 each
• Must be physically and mentally fit
• Must be prepared for anything
REGISTRATION AND ORIENTATION
With the start of the race in tow, new teams were organized while the rest were ready for action. The yellow team wore yellow, the black wore blue, and the red wore white!

Tdoms opened the activity with a prayer and Super Ando started the orientation.

While waiting for Cliff, Ronironz and Nenoy (yea, i'm singling you guys out hahaha), participants were led to a little warm up exercise by the working team!

STARTING LINE AT THE REDEMPTORIST CHURCH
As the church's patroness, the Mother of Perpetual Help was certainly keeping a close eye on the participants. Everyone was safe, everyone had a fun time, and even the weather was cooperative.

The start of the race was held on the church grounds and all teams had no idea where to do next...

As the teams rushed off to their team bags, once opened, they found a clue pack for the next pitstop, a trivia about the Mother of Perpetual Help, 10 candles, P32.50.

The clue points out to Sto. Rosario... Our Lady of the Holy Rosary's Parish located beside Cebu's oldest university!

FIRST STOP...STO. ROSARIO
The team's first task was to sell the candles provided to buy 5 roses which they would then offer to the shrines of the churches they would be visiting. Some had it easy selling the candles, the others were turned down a couple of times to finally get the right amount of money to buy the roses...

The CLUE:
In the city, go and see,
Cebu’s oldest university...
One Rose you must offer
In the church grotto near the corner...
But first you must vend
These ten candles we sent...
So money you can raise
For five roses must you purchase...
The remaining four you just hold
For the next clue will unfold!!!

SECOND STOP...LOURDES PARISH CHURCH
The teams were to find 2 rosary packs according to team color. They needed to make 2 rosaries according to specs given. As the teams spent an hour finding the rosary packs, they ended up helping each other through trading and negotiation...

The CLUE:

To Labangon off you go
Our Lady of Lourdes will show

Some rosary beads you must find
But the team color you should mind

Two rosaries will be
What you make of thee

A rose in the shrine
And Clue 3, can be thine

THIRD STOP...GUADALUPE CHURCH
From Labangon, teams had to find the quickest way to go to Guadalupe. Some teams took 3 jeepney rides, but two lucky teams - the green and black teams - chartered one jeepney going straight to the next pitstop. This bumped them so far ahead of the rest!

In Guadalupe, teams were to answer a number of the math problems given which has different levels of difficulty. They receive puzzle pieces according to problems answered correctly. Once they've successfully completed the puzzle (which forms a black and white pic of Our Lady of Guadalupe), they may then proceed to offer a rose to the shrine.

Provided on this leg was a water station and lunch packs.

The CLUE:

Roses are red, violets are blue,
Rose #3 - I give to you.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, full of grace,
We visit you in this Amazing G-Race.
Form the puzzle-picture,
As you go on this math adventure.
One puzzle piece you can get,
If you solve one problem set.
Food and box you must carry,
For the next Clue you must hurry…

FOURTH STOP...ASILO DELA MILAGROSA
Running, walking, riding, or singing (Blue Team) their way to the 4th leg of the race, the teams brought their bundles of joy to the Orphanage at Asilo. As they met, greeted, and sang with the orphans, they were taken by a surprise new to the G.Race... the detour.

A detour is a choice between two tasks - each with it's pros and cons ;p

--- math nasad?! dili ui, numbers puzzle ra ni ---

The teams may decide to answer 3 simple sudoku puzzles or may choose for each team member to shoot basketballs from the half court line.

The Green team decided to do the sudoku while the rest were sure they've got game.

The CLUE:

Our blessings we share,
With the kids in Asilo, for we care.
Take a group picture at the reception
The Asilo staff is no exemption.
To complete either one task,
Is all that we ask.
The first challenge is to complete,
The Sudoku puzzle feat.
Or if the team does not want this,
Shoot 5 basketballs, hope you don’t miss.
Rose #4 you should leave,
For Mama Mary, in whom we believe…

MT. VIEW...CHILL OUT
One team member acts as a blindfolded pourer, he will pour cold water on team mates as they sit on chairs provided holding cups above their head, all cups must be filled to the brim!!!

MT VIEW...SPIDERWEB MAZE

Teams follow through a maze of straw ropes and answer trivia questions in each post. This is where the trivia cards given on each stop comes in very handy!

The CLUE:

The trivia you must answer
The faster you are, the better...
So you can go through
The maze made for you.
Next, go up the hill,
But must have the will...
To reach the end
That’s round the bend!!!

FOOD DARE

THE FINISH LINE...TO JESUS THROUGH MARY!!!

CULMINATION AND AWARDING

"CAREGIVER" SPECIAL SCREENINGS

2008-05-26T09:04:00.000-07:00

PHILIPPINE SCREENING

GRAND RED CARPET PREMIERE

May 27, 2008, SM Megamall, Cinema 10

In Theaters Nationwide, May 28, 2008

INTERNATIONAL SCREENING

May 30 - June 6, 2008 - Guam - Micronesia Mall

June 6-12, 2008 - Los Angeles - Cerritos Stadium Cinema

June 13-19, 2008 - Seattle - Regal Cinema East Valley

June 13-19, 2008 - Las Vegas - Regal Village Square Stadium

June 13-19, 2008 - San Diego - UA Horton Plaza

June 13-19, 2008 - Hawaii - Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18

June 13-19, 2008 - San Francisco - UA Stonestown Twin

June 16, 2008 - Japan - TBD

June 19-21, 2008 - Qatar - Grand Cine Center

June 19-21, 2008 - Bahrain - Seef Cineplex

June 26-28, 2008 - Dubai - Al Ghurair Cinecity

June 26-28, 2008 - Abu Dhabi - Grand Al Mariah Cinema

July 3-4, 2008 - Sharja - Grand Megamall

a day with Sharon Cuneta on her SM mall show for the movie "caregiver"

2008-05-25T17:53:00.001-07:00

with my favorite megastar...SHARON CUNETA

2008-05-25T17:38:00.002-07:00

learning how to swim the second time around....

2008-05-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

havin fun

2008-05-10T07:47:00.000-07:00

learning how to drive

2008-04-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

cool

2008-03-29T18:48:00.000-07:00

Add this effect to your own photos

2nd time around in leyte

2008-03-22T07:54:00.000-07:00

happy on my day!

2008-03-12T09:16:00.000-07:00

happy trip in hongkong

2008-02-23T02:31:00.001-08:00

mommy adeh, nanay lorna,lola soping, uncle allan, nino dave and me on our way to hongkong...

its nanay and nino's first trip outside the country...im so happy for them...

uncle and nino just arrived in hongkong

nino with mommy adeh

its about 5 minutes to 12 am but nino is still awake, excited to be in our hotel

a visit to mama mary in simala, sibonga

2008-02-17T05:27:00.000-08:00

CNU alumni homecoming 2008

2008-02-17T05:21:00.000-08:00

valentines day 2008

2008-02-17T04:34:00.000-08:00

our lady of lourdes fiesta 2008

2008-02-17T04:21:00.000-08:00

time to...

2008-01-26T19:22:00.000-08:00

time to make my childhood dreams come true...DISNEYLAND here i come!

sinulog 2008

2008-01-25T05:12:00.000-08:00

GRATEFUL 2007 AND HOPING A BLISSFUL 2008!!!

2008-01-03T04:47:00.000-08:00

Every new year brings out the joy in us...It is the time of the year wherein we gratefully look back on the past year and hoping for a blissful new year!

2007 has been a very good year to me. On the first quarter of the year I had my holiday of a lifetime, I went to Australia to be a tourist and it really was a very great experience. I toured to almost half of that continent. My aunt lives in Western Australia but she also let me see the beauty of the New South Wales, places like Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, among many others. I would also like to make mention that we had a splendid Singapore stop overs.In Australia, I happened to meet also the man that made me leave my heart there. I've never felt so special not unless I met Joel. I also celebrated my 24th birthday there with mommy's friends...So, I would like to thank the following sponsors, heheh! Mommy Adeh and daddy Michael,also to the people who made my stay there meaningful, to Joel Asphar and his mum Gitika, some very good Filipino friends...( Australia trip is on my other blog at...www.annempenado.blogspot.com)

In the last quarter of 2007, I can say that God is really amazing! He had showed His emence power by clearly answering my prayers. I graduated in my Masters in Special Education and most of all He has given me the oppurtunity wherein I know that in the near future I can help my family and others. I would like to thank Ms. Olive for pushing to the wall that i don't have a way out but to strive to be on my way to success, my family for always believeing in me specially my lola Soping's unsurpassable prayers, to my BLD Singles family for the prayers and to my friends who are always there for me.

In the 24 years of existence I have never acknowledge much of all these blessings, but I now believe that the more you count your blessings, the more it will pour on you. So I know that 2008 is such a lucky year but we should not only be dependent on that, the year is good but it could be better if we work harder and the year will be on its best if we add on a little bit of more prayer.

Thanks again and God Bless to everyone!!!

very happy new year 2008!!!

2007-12-31T09:44:00.000-08:00

chatting with mami and friends abroad

4,3,2,1 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

new year girls

EATING TIME

after the new year eve's mass

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

2007-12-24T06:47:00.000-08:00

Christmas here in the Philippines is known to be the longest.
From the 9 day Simbang Gabi or the dawn mass that starts from December 16 until Christmas Eve, then to the New Year Celebration, to the Three Kings.
So, since its the longest its also the merriest and being happy comes with parties as well. Therefore its a tradition to join parties.

Me, I joined the parties of 1) BLD SE14 2) BLD Singles 3)Teachers' Christmas Party 4) My students' Party 5)Close Friends' Party 6)Family PArties

Amazing, right?!!!

a day with the special children on the "Division of Cebu Special Olympics"

2007-12-08T01:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, was the centennial celebration for the special education.I was tasked to be one of the officials for the atheletics for the special children. It was really amazing to see special children do the thinngs that normal children do. The hearing impaired, the mentally challenged and the visually impared children compete like any other normal beings do. I was most at shocked to see the visually impaired children run a 100m. They had somebody who guides them to finish the race. They may stumble at times and maybe so funny to look at if your the observer but will be so happy too when you see them in the finish line...THIS ONLY SHOWS THAT THEY ARE NOT ONLY SPECIAL CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS BUT THEY COULD ALSO SO BE CALLED DIFFERENTLY ABLED AND MOST SPECIALLY, GOD'S GIFT TO MANKIND!!!

nothingt o do...?

2007-12-06T08:38:00.000-08:00

Christmas blues...

2007-12-03T07:36:00.000-08:00

Its december 3 now and i'm feeling a little melancholy...the father of my co-single in BLD, Dizon died last november 30 and JOhn's dad died this afternoon...i just empathize what they would feel this coming Christmas.

The introduction of my December was not that glee...I started missing some few significant people in my life...

I miss my ever emotional back up friend, Ms. Olive. Everytime December is approaching, we always look forward on the National Rizal Youth Leadership Institute(NRYLI), which is held in Baguio. We spent 2 years of some very wonderful experiences. And even after i graduate college we always tried to be in Baguio for that reason...WEll, i just realize now that I also miss the spirit of student leadership, be in the intitute...it was running in my bloodstream then, few years ago. I even wanna do it this year, hoping not be my last...

I desperately miss a person too...the fact of not being with the one I love on Christmas is more than enough reason to make my Christmas blue...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! LABOR PARTY WINS BIG IN AUSTRALIA

2007-11-24T09:31:00.000-08:00

Joel is one of the union organizers of AMWU, wherein he handles workers concerns...what amazes me is that he is so near to the hearts of the Filipinos. As what you can see almost if not all of his members are Filipino. Now, that the Labor Party won in their election, these people must be very happy...

Labor Party wins big in Australia
By ROHAN SULLIVAN, Associated Press Writer
Yahoo News

Conservative Prime Minister John Howard suffered a humiliating defeat Saturday at the hands of the left-leaning opposition, whose leader has promised to immediately sign the Kyoto Protocol on global warming and withdraw Australia's combat troops from Iraq.

Labor Party head Kevin Rudd's pledges on global warming and Iraq move Australia sharply away from policies that had made Howard one of President Bush's staunchest allies.

Rudd has named global warming as his top priority, and his signing of the Kyoto Protocol will leave the U.S. as the only industrialized country not to have joined it.

Rudd said he would withdraw Australia's 550 combat troops from Iraq, leaving twice that number in mostly security roles. Howard had said all the troops will stay as long as needed.

Official figures from the Australian Electoral Commission showed Labor far in front after more than 70 percent of the ballots had been counted — with 53 percent of the vote compared to 46.7 percent for Howard's coalition.

Using those figures, an Australian Broadcasting Corp. analysis showed that Labor would get at least 81 places in the 150-seat lower house of Parliament — a clear majority.

Rudd is expected to take office next week.

President Bush congratulated Rudd and the Australia Labor Party and also sent best wishes to Howard, without commenting on Rudd's intention to withdraw combat troops from Iraq.

"The United States and Australia have long been strong partners and allies and the president looks forward to working with this new government to continue our historic relationship," said Emily Lawrimore, a White House spokeswoman. "During his time as prime minister, Mr. Howard served the people of Australia well by pursuing policies that led to strong economic growth and a commitment to keeping Australians safe by fighting extremists and their ideology around the world."

The election was an embarrassing end to the career of Howard, Australia's second-longest serving leader.

As little as a year ago, Howard had appeared almost unassailable. But on Saturday he was in real danger of becoming only the second sitting prime minister in 106 years of federal government to lose his own seat in Parliament.

Howard took full blame for the drubbing handed to his center-right coalition.

"I accept full responsibility for the Liberal Party campaign, and I therefore accept full responsibility for the coalition's defeat in this election campaign," Howard said in his concession speech in Sydney.

A new government is unlikely to mean a fundamental change in Australia's close alliance with the United States — its most important security partner — or its growing economic and political ties with Asia.

At home, Rudd has pledged to govern as an "economic conservative," while pouring money into schools and universities. He will curtail sweeping industrial reforms laws that were perceived to hand bosses too much power, turning many working voters against Howard.

"Today Australia has looked to the future," Rudd said in a nationally televised victory speech, to wild cheers from supporters. "Today the Australian people have decided that we as a nation will move forward ... to embrace the future, together to write a new page in our nation's history."

In his concession speech, Howard announced he had phoned Rudd to congratulate him on "a very emphatic victory."

The change from Howard to Rudd also marks a generational shift for Australia.

Rudd, a 50-year-old former diplomat who speaks fluent Chinese, urged voters to support him because Howard, 68, was out of touch with modern Australia and ill-equipped to deal with new-age issues such as climate change.

Howard campaigned on his economic management, arguing that his government was mostly responsible for 17 years of unbroken growth, fueled by China's and India's hunger for Australia's coal and other minerals, and that Rudd could not be trusted to maintain prosperous times.

Labor has been out of power for more than a decade, and few in Rudd's team — including him — has any government experience at federal level. His team includes a former rock star — Midnight Oil singer Peter Garrett — a television journalist and former union officials.

But analysts say his foreign policy credentials are impeccable, and that he has shown discipline and political skill since his election as Labor leader 11 months ago.

Rudd's election as Labor leader marked the start of Howard's decline in opinion polls, from which he never recovered.

Howard's four straight election victories since 1996 made him one of Australia's most successful politicians. He refused to stand down before this election — even after being urged to do by some party colleagues.

a bliss day...

2007-11-12T05:33:00.000-08:00

SUNDAY, Loi and i went to Lapu-lapu to visit to visit Birhen sa Regla and offered mass, on the way back we recall our memories when we had our practicum days on Sped...
it would always be fun being with loi! a bliss indeed to a have friend like her!

October 29, 2007 Local Election

2007-11-12T05:19:00.001-08:00

Its been two weeks since the last local election here inthe Philippines and the teachers who served as Board of Election Tellers still haven't received the money due for us. At first, the Commission on Election promised to pay Php 2,000.00 and additional 500 for the precincts with SK, but the news lately said that the Comelec will only be releasing Php1,000. Isn't that unfair? Its been two weeks after the said election but the due intended for the labor we have done is still not paid off...

MA major in SPED...memories..

2007-10-22T03:36:00.000-07:00

with my happy classmates, with with president of CSCST and CNU, Dr. Ester Velaquez, with my supervisor, Dr. Viña Salomon, with louie and my best lola ever...thank you very much...

very satisfactory

2007-10-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

this 4pm we had our oral defense and turned over our project. The panelists checked on it and they rated us with very satisfactory! great! We can finally say that we can graduate on Sunday and eventually be masters of education, major in special education.

project implementation design hearing

2007-10-09T07:41:00.000-07:00

project planning

2007-10-04T07:04:00.000-07:00

Roger, me, Erma Lynn and Stephen...today marks the beginning the of our planning as well as the start of the tough job for our project implementation. Aspiring to be one of the candidates for this month's graduation...well, this would really need a serios and deadly planning...but we're taking it with grace, poise and fun!

fun evenings with friends!

2007-10-01T02:57:00.000-07:00

sundo by imago

2007-09-25T01:58:00.000-07:00

Imago - Sundo

Kay tagal kong sinusuyod ang buong mundo
Para hanapin, para hanapin ka
Nilibot ang distrito ng iyong lumbay
Pupulutin, pupulutin ka

Sinusundo kita, sinusundo

Asahan mo
Mula ngayon pag-ibig ko'y sa'yo

Sa akin mo isabit ang pangarap mo
Di kukulangin ang ibibigay
Isuko ang kaba tuluyan kang bumitaw
Kaya manalig, manalig ka

Sinusundo kita, sinusundo

Asahan mo
Mula ngayon pag-ibig ko'y sa'yo

... inaasam ang sandali, nilibot ang buong mundo maghihintay sayong sundo

Asahan mo
Mula ngayon pag-ibig ko'y sa'yo

a day with jollibee on shaun's bday!!!

2007-09-23T05:33:00.000-07:00

shaun's birthday today!!! my 2nd inaanak...first and only beloved son of sheila and sherwin sollano.

new hair...new look!

2007-09-20T06:06:00.000-07:00

i know, i will long for the days that my hair was still long...now, im trying to get a life out from this short hair...though its a long story why i had to cut my hair short but ill try to be happy with this hair!

more...

2007-07-30T05:04:00.000-07:00

more of me...

2007-07-30T04:57:00.000-07:00

last day in calbasaan elementary school...

2007-07-03T05:44:00.000-07:00

for more than a year i have servered in this humble school...its 32 km from the main road, 30 to 45-minute ride thru motorcycle (jabal-jabal) and 15 to 25 minute walk before i can get into the school...but all the body pains of traveling will be at ease evrytime i reach the top of the mountain to see the whole scenery and the beautiful place of cebu and nothing encompases seeing my students who walked by many mountains or miles just to get to school and hopefully learn something in life with me...thinking all of these is so tear jerking but i do believe that i have done my purpose in this place and its high time for me to leave...i might be back in any other purpose God-may want me to be.

Labor Day...a meeting with the Knights of Rizal

2007-05-03T04:08:00.000-07:00

baby shaun's day out...

2007-04-24T04:06:00.000-07:00