Lola Lomy

[ Thursday, October 30, 2003 ]

Filipino Lingo

A couple of young Filipino engineers occasionally come over to amuse me with their Filipino humor. Filipinos have a different way of expressing a thought; and to translate a sentence in English can be quite a conundrum. Today, Dexter asked me to translate "ika-ilang pangulo si Bush"?-- we were cracking up, there just isn't any literal term. Anyway, word for word: ika-ilang (eekuh-ee-lung)--what ranking in number; pangulo (pung-oo-loh)--president, si--is [Bush?] How does one pose the right question--what number is Bush in the presidency? Who is the 43rd president? They cited other examples that were really quite funny-- but, I guess, you have to be there, or think like a 'pinoy.' I told them to go to back to their cubicles.

Extended Family

I develop an affinity with people who touch my family's life. Most especially, my children's high school and college friends. They have, up to now, kept in touch; and now, even their blogging friends, a few of them I read, had become part of 'my extended' family. Our house in Rome, NY had always been the setting for most of their pool parties, or just a favorite hanging out place, I recall. I think the kids thought us as cool parents--well, we try to be. Once, Beau's whole junior class (it seemed) came to do an important project. I was so pleased at that, I even offered to help, but they declined. I kept on seeing flashes emanating from the bedroom--must be a science project, I say. Anyway the next day, I find this big poster mounted on the wall, a large sample of a driver's license form, with a fictitious name. Turns out, the kids have been taking turns in getting their polaroid pictures taken, laminating (I even provided the razor blade!) and a doing mass production of IDs, all under the name of Chris Propis. The next day I told Beau to gather all the stuff from his friends--I was (bent on)confiscating them. You just gotta love them, though. When they graduated, they all got together, and presented me with a gold earring--I love you, guys! From Weez's class on down to Benny's, they're a bunch of good kids.

[ Wednesday, October 29, 2003 ]

Old Age catching up

I've never really been good at conversing, but lately, it is becoming harder to formulate the words out of ideas and important opinions in my conversations. I find I even forget names of people I've known for ages. It aggravates me when I misplace items, which, just moments before, were right in front of me. This scares me.

[ Tuesday, October 28, 2003 ]

Heroes

A week ago, LT Brian Clapp, who used to work with us in Public Works, came to visit. It feels wonderful to see him back, safe and sound from his 200-day deployment in Iraq. He had given us an insight of what is happening back there. He is a proud young naval officer who had a part in rebuilding the country. He told us about the people who crave for peace and a return of lost freedom. Most of the Iraqis hail our marines and soldiers and sailors as heroes. I think, all we hear from the press is the bad incidents; granted, they are newsworthy--but there is a lot of goodness happening, and we need to acknowledge them; and a little support goes a long way for our troops out there. I feel for the families whose sons; husbands or daughters are still deployed somewhere in troublesome areas. I felt the same when my husband Ely, was in Vietnam. But we, in the military family are proud to be serving. Brian was proud to have served. Welcome back! http://www.pressaprint.com/som/wesupportu2.htm

[ Monday, October 27, 2003 ]

A slow reader

I am currently reading the early chapters of a novel by Tess Uriza, entitled "When the Elephants Dance." I love to read books, but somehow, "one you cannot put down" does not work for me, even if it is climactic, or almost the end of the chapter. I can easily fall asleep, reading! The early chapters are based on the Japanese Occupation and the American Liberation (1941 thru 1944) of the Philippines, parts of which, I can vaguely remember: In the early years before I was five, bits and pieces of wartime come to mind, the Japanese Occupation, the American Liberation. I can't really recall the chain of events, but there was a time when Japanese soldiers were all over our town. One day we had about a dozen of them as our houseguests (my grandfather was the town mayor at the time). I remember this one soldier; he swept me off the floor and bounced me up and down on his knee--I remember it so well (I think I was two). Then there were very exciting times when bombs were exploding and fireworks filled the sky. There was a cave like bunker that was dug right in front of our ten foot wide staircase. The whole family would scramble down there, every time we heard planes coming; and then, we would hear bombs exploding later. Once, my mother caught dirt in her eye after shrapnel hit a part of the bunker; I was scared she had been blinded. One time there was a great big bonfire by the side of the road a few hundred yards from our house. It was where it branched off to a road leading to the beach. We've been told it was the very place where the Japanese performed the ritual of burning their dead. (Later on, this spot along the road became such a terrifying place for my sisters and me, our imaginations went wild: we imagined ghosts of Japanese war soldiers running after us). Then there was a great celebration. These tall, American soldiers replaced the Japanese. The first time I saw them come: we were all asked to go to the beach (our town was a few kilometers from Lingayen Gulf, where fierce fighting was). I recall a mass of people, some bloodied; all just followed the flow of the march to the beach. I recall seeing a woman with torn clothes, blood oozing from all over her; someone was supporting her but she could stand on her own; she seemed in pain, but she looked happy: I thought that odd. At the beach we all sat in the sand. I was excited because the soldiers were passing out Chiclets. The people were singing (I'll bet it was "God Bless America"; I can't remember). Later in town, because my mom's parents' house had a large backyard, rows and rows of tents were set up there. We watched everything that was going on, from the second floor bedroom window at the back of the house, with fascination and excitement. What noisy clamor! It was like "Mash". It was my first introduction to an American movie. One night they set up a big screen smack dab in front of the back bedroom window. It was glorious! I watched this moving picture in so much awe; to me it was like a miracle. I saw this most beautiful lady on the screen; it gave me such a deep impression. The soldiers had magazines with a picture of that leading lady (I think it was Greta Garbo); somehow I got a copy. For a long time I carried that picture like it was my shrine. The soldiers occasionally sent some of their mess kits up for us to sample, or whatever dinner their cook prepared: it was served in tin trays with different compartments. We thought anything they gave us was delicious! There was so much excitement in the whole surrounding, it was like a fiesta everyday. Of course all the men in the backyard were off limits to the house. And we were not allowed to roam around the tents. During the American Occupation, my parents set up a cafe and bar in town near the plaza, right on the corner road leading to our barrio. My father's relatives did the cooking and serving. His cousins did the waitressing. How they flirted with some of the soldiers! Sometimes the soldiers got really drunk (I always peered thru the screen with morbid fascination, late at night, watching drunks stumble and fall); I thought they were scary! There were a lot of movies shown everywhere tents were set up. And I remember walking long distances tagging along with our aunts/nannies everywhere they went, to watch movies. I do not recall when the Americans left. I wish I could remember more, there is a lot of history here; but I was so young. That is why Tess Uriza's novel fascinates me--maybe I can tie loose ends (if I don't fall asleep between reads).

[ Friday, October 24, 2003 ]

I’m still around

I've just been busy at work, lately--yes, children, I'm really working! I am thoroughly enjoying everyone's entries, familiarizing myself with all links, including the fun, funny, weird stuff. I'm beginning to know some really good bloggers--that I find clicking in, to see what they've got for the day. This is good stuff.

[ Monday, October 20, 2003 ]

A Milestone!

Curt sent this (it was so cute, I had to share it) Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2003 8:52 PM Subject: Press release from the Mast household Elias Robert Mast approached his father at 1900 hours on Saturday requesting to sit on the "potty". Upon removing my first-born son we discovered a little "floater" (slang for a poop) There was much praise and celebration following the discovery. Respectfully submitted, the proud father ... and I am a proud lola. I witnessed a terrible accident on my way to work this morning, which left me shaken--I was two-cars behind. It happened so fast, all I saw was this car being airborne, flipping and finally coming to rest on its top. There was injury for certain! What is vivid in my mind was seeing a young girl being pulled (by a woman witness) out from the wreck, visibly okay, as she was jumping up and down, but from hysteria. The driver, probably her parent, could not be extricated, but I saw some movement. I hope he/she will be all right. As I finally drove by, I saw the other car, left front hood smashed, mother and son still on their seats, visibly shocked as they watched what was happening around them. Yet another trauma; these will probably stay for some time in both families' minds. A lot of good people came to the rescue--all I could do was pray and keep out of the way. It took 17-minutes, from the time it happened, until police, the rescue squad, the fire department and ambulance came simultaneously, to the site. All I can hope for is, for everyone who reads this, to be very vigilant when you are driving. Do this, if not for yourself, for your loved ones.

Hooked

I find myself getting hooked on this thing, opening links from one to another. I was enthused by one that talked about his wife, which, I can relate--and my husband can attest to. This guy has a good source of material, albeit he's probably spicing it up a bit (kudos to the wife, for being such a sport). Anyway, I was cross-linking too fast, I've forgotten who it was. I am sure he's already famous, but I just cannot find him--anybody?