Was Tagged...

1. FIRST NAME? Lea
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Last night while watching Ghost Whisperer. Hey, I'm a cry baby!
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yup.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? What kind of question is this? Any meat will do as long as its properly cooked.
6. KIDS? Two wonderful boys.
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Why not? I would love to be friends with me. =D
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? My Cozy Nook is my journal now.
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Nope. Not the type.
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Yeah, even if the idea scares the hell out of me, it's in my ___ Things to Do Before I Die list.
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Corn flakes. I'm a simple girl.
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Not always.
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I have to be for my boys but Ruther has always been my rock. Always.
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Oooh! My all-time favorite is Mango and okay, Rocky Road, but I love Arce Avocado ice cream too.
16. SHOE SIZE? 7.5
17. RED OR PINK? Pink.
18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR SELF? Ruther says I think too much. And okay, I agree.
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My sweetie.
20. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? It's okay. I would love to hear what they have to say.
21. WHAT COLOR TROUSERS/SHORTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Green shorts. Barefooted.
22. LAST THING YOU ATE? A slice of pizza.
23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? "I'm the Map" from Dora the Explorer (the boys are watching it behind me)
24. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? A lovely orange.
25. FAVORITE SMELL? Scents of home.
26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE: Do cellphones count? My husband then.
27. THE FIRST TWO THINGS YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Personality and smile.
28. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Hmmmm... Let me think... Hahaha! Of course!
29. FAVORITE DRINK? Used to be coffee but I'm playing the healthy card so good ol' water.
30. FAVORITE SPORT? Badminton.
31. EYE COLOR? Brown.
32. HAT SIZE? Will tell you when I find out.
33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Not anymore.
34. FAVORITE FOOD? Don't have a particular favorite. Really depends on my mood and yes, hormones. =D
35. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Always always happy endings.
36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED AT THE MOVIE THEATRE? Jumper.
37. WHAT COLOR TOP ARE YOU WEARING? Light green blouse (to match my green shorts).
38. SUMMER OR WINTER? Autumn is my favorite season but I'll take summer over winter. Am just not used to the cold - yet.
39. HUGS OR KISSES? Why can't I have both?
40. FAVORITE DESSERT? Leche flan.
41. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I really don't know...
42. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I also don't know. (But I'm saying this to be on the safe side.) =D
43. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? The Ultimate Guice to Homeschooling by Debra Bell, Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark, Survival Japanese by Boye de Mente, and my Psychology textbooks.
44. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Am using Sanseido's New Concise Japanese-English Dictionary as a mousepad.
45. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? American Idol. Am hoping Ramiele Malubay makes it to the top 3 at least. But Carly is a strong contender.
46. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Sounds of nature.
47. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beatles. Thanks to my mom and dad and of course, Ruther.
48. THE FARTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Japan. Miss it so...
49. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I can sneeze with my eyes open. Kidding! Hahaha! I am a resourceful person. I'm like a female McGyver. =D
50. WHEN & WHERE WERE YOU BORN? July; Zamboanga City
51. WHEN YOU ARE THINKING, DO YOU LOOK UP, DOWN OR SCRATCH YOUR HEAD? I just look straight ahead.
52. WHAT NAME DO YOU WISH YOU HAD? I don't know. Am happy with my name.
53. NAME OF YOUR HIGH SCHOOL CRUSH? Nasul Sajili. (Hope I got that right.) 54. LIVING WITH PARENTS OR ALONE? With in-laws.
55. DO YOU LOVE YOU BROTHER(S)/SISTER(S)? Of course I do!

Cold Day

One cold day. I only have 3 things to say:

1. it's been some time since I last wore a jacket

2. I didn't realize that my hair was a mess

3. my facial cream is still doing a good job

=D

Somewhat Rainy Day

It rained a bit this afternoon and I thought it would be nice to take a walk under it. Unlike some people who hate the rain, I love it. Again, as I've mentioned before, this maybe because I was born on a rainy month.

Anyway, I asked Nikki if he wanted to walk with me to the bakery and he agreed. So he brought his yellow umbrella and I used my transparent one. I love my umbrella, not only because there's hardly any umbrella like that here, but because I bought it in Japan. I had to convince Ruther to allow me to bring home some because he was like: "you're bringing those? you don't suppose we have umbrellas in Manila... yada yada.." and I was like: "but we don't have umbrellas like these there." And that settled it. My husband just loves me a lot that's why he gave in. =D

Anyway, it was lovely strolling in the rain with Nikki. He complained at first that his feet were getting wet from the rain and I said but it's fun. And he conceded. We took our time going to the bakery and coming back. It's just really relaxing walking under the rain with no other people around and everything looking so bright and clean. Right now, the rain has ceased but I don't mind. The air is still pretty cool and I am enjoying the weather thoroughly.

Japan in My Dreams

I wish with all my heart that the boys and I will be able to make it to Japan this July. I am really hoping and praying like I've never hoped and prayed before. Of course, I very well know that this is all up to the Lord but I really really really want this to happen. I think that should this trip not push through (please God don't let that happen), it will be the most disappointing thing that would and could ever happen to me in my entire life. And I am not exaggerating.

I just love that country so much. I have loved it I think even before I stepped on it. It's just something that has been calling to me since waaaay back when. It just really fascinates me. And after living there for 6 months, the fascination has only increased a thousandfold. Some of my friends asked me if I was scared being in a new country, not to mention a country where I could barely speak the language! But how can you be scared of something that you absolutely love? I would gladly learn Nihongo if it means living there. I have told Ruther of my desire to stay there but we have yet to talk seriously about it. I admit, living permanently in a new country is a HUGE step, but of course, if we are together and if we just support each other as a family then I know we can make it. And it's this faith that makes me hope that living in that wonderful country is still possible. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see...

Dance With Me Tonight

by Hugh Grant

It’s been so long
Since I’ve known right from wrong
Got no choice
Sometimes I just sit down and sob
Wondering if anything will go right
Oh will you dance with me tonight?

When the Sunday nights
I feel a hole down in my heart
Put on some shoes
Come down here
And listen to the blues
Wondering if anything will go right
Oh will you dance with me tonight?

I’m looking at you, you’re looking at me
We’re the only two off the dance floor
Do you see what I see?
Two long goodbyes
Working in harmony
I’d make for a decent time
So get up and dance with me
I know that it seems that the grass will grow
Better on the other side of the barbwire fence
But that other side is not in sight
So I’m fine with what I have now
If you’ll dance with me tonight

What’s the point of life if risk is just a board game?
You roll the dice but you’re just hoping that the rules change
What’s the point if you can’t bring yourself to say
The things you want to say
Like dance with my tonight

Lessons

I am actually enjoying my studies this time. The module is interesting. I'm done with dreams and now, I'm in the Conditioning and Learning topic. A few more chapters to go and I'll have to submit another exam. If I go like this everyday, I'll be done with this course hopefully by April. It will be interesting to see how I could apply all I learned to the boys and our homeschooling. I'm really glad I took this course. Not only is it very interesting but it really opens my eyes to a lot of things. Anyway, maybe in the future I could pursue a more formal education. For now, I am content with my lessons, my pace and my learning.

Important Possession

Me in front of an important possession: my laptop. Let me make it clear that the only reason it's important to me is because it's my lifeline to Ruther. That's it and that's all.

Campbell's 15-Minute Herbed Chicken

1 tbsp. vegetable oil
4 boneless chicken breasts, halved
1 can Campbell's cream of chicken with herbs soup
1/2 C milk

Heat oil in skillet. Add chicken and cook until browned. Add soup and milk. Heat to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat min or until done. Serves 4.