Updates

Been busy these past few weeks. After a four-day trip to Vegas with my wife I got back to work and been on a six-day work week. I was off today but I got so much things to do that I haven't got time to relax. I went to have my fingerprint taken early in the morning and then went straight to my lawyer. More things to do, more bills to pay. -sigh-

Got to pack my things and transfer them to my permanent house but I could not do it today so I plan to do it next week during my two-day rest period, if I could call it as my rest day. Whew! More responsibilities.

I better get some rest now. I am on duty for the next four days.

Vegas trip

Freaking HOT in Vegas!

Tried out the Las Vegas Monorail

Feeling lost.. where are you Misis Tikboy?

Vegas at daytime is boring

Just thought of taking a picture of the plane

Grad Pix from Tam

Is that a medal Janna Marie? Hehehe...

Lolo Res with Janna and Ethan

Clear your mind Tikboy

Whatever an enemy might do
to an enemy,
or a foe to a foe,
the ill-directed mind
can do to you
even worse.

Whatever a mother, father
or other kinsman
might do for you,
the well-directed mind
can do for you
even better.

-Dhammapada, 3, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

I feel like walking in the rain tonight.

The rhythm of the falling rain
is like a hum of a certain sadness
lurking from the dark
methodically killing me
attacking the recesses of my being.

Let me walk in the dark as the rain drops
let me drip in water to cover the pain
and the endless haunting caused by the past
let me stay out in the cold to numb the pain.

Tonight, unlike any other night
let me walk in the dark.

It is not that anger and desire are inherently evil or that we should feel ashamed when they arise. It is a matter of seeing them as the delusions that they are: distorted conceptions that paint a false picture of reality. They are negative because they lead to unhappiness and confusion.

- Kathleen McDonald, "How to Meditate"

Magic Jack

Last night Tita Lucy and Tita Vangie called me up to tell me that Tita Minda is in the Philippines with the Magic Jack that Tita Lucy bought for my Mom. They were excited about it because with the device we could call them without international charges. It's like calling them here in the US because the assigned number is a US number. Since Tita Lucy got it for Mom, the number is an Ohio number which starts with an area code 567. We were waiting for them to call but I guess my Mom wasn't home yet so I told them that as soon as they called I would text or call them. It was already two in the morning when my Mom called. We talked for 47 minutes. First time we talked that much on the phone. The reception was good. I also included the number in myFaves so that I could receive and take their call anytime of the day without charges. So, how does it work? It is quite simple. It works on VOIP. But it requires that the user should have broadband access and a phone line.


It's easy as 1, 2, 3. Just plug the magic jack into any land line phone. Next step is to plug it in to any USB port in your desktop or laptop computer and voila! You can start receiving and making a call anywhere in the US for free. Errrr.. actually with a minimal cost. Initial year of service costs $39.99. Not bad huh?

Checklist

Things you have done during your lifetime:

( )Gone on a blind date
(x) Skipped school
(x) Watched someone die
( ) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
( ) Been to Florida
(x) Been to Hawaii
(x) Been on a plane
( ) Been on a helicopter
(x) Been lost
( ) Gone to Washington, DC
(x) Swam in the ocean
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
(x) Played cops and robbers
(x) Recently colored with crayons
(x) Sang Karaoke
( ) Paid for a meal with coins only
( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch.
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't.
(x) Made prank phone calls
( ) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
( ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
( ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(x) Danced in the rain
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
( ) Watched the sunrise with someone
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating
(x) Gone to the movies by yourself
( ) Been deep sea fishing
(x) Driven across the United States
( ) Been in a hot air balloon
( ) Been sky diving
( ) Gone snowmobiling
( ) Lived in more than one country
(x) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(x) Seen a falling star and made a wish
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
(x) Seen the Statue of Liberty
( )Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
( ) Been on a cruise
(x) Traveled by train
(x) Traveled by motorcycle
(x) Been horse back riding
(x) Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
(x) Been to Disneyland OR Disney World
(x) Truly believe in the power of prayer
(x) Been in a rain forest
( ) Seen whales in the ocean
( ) Been to Niagara Falls
( ) Ridden or petted an elephant
( ) Swam with dolphins
( ) Been to the Olympics
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China
( ) Saw and heard a glacier calf
( ) Been spinnaker flying
( ) Been water-skiing
( ) Been snow-skiing
( ) Been to Westminster Abbey
(x) Been to the Louvre
( ) Swam in the Mediterranean
( ) Been to an NBA game
( ) Been to a National Football League game
( ) Been on a TV show
( ) Sang for a meal
( ) Seen Jerusalem
(x) Learned a foreign language
(x) Shot a gun
( ) Kick Boxed
( )Water skied or Gone tubing
(x) Had your heart broken by a failed relationship
( ) Written a book.
(x) Gotten in a fist fight
(x) Driven over 100 MPH
( ) Been arrested
(x) Been in a Car accident
( ) Been to the Desert
(x) Been on a Mountain top
(x) Drunk from a mountain stream
(x) Spoken publicly
(x) Gotten a Tatoo

Perfect

Me and my Dad has a special bond. I don't know it started but I just found out one day that I don't hate him as much as I think I did when I was in college. Now, whenever I need to talk sense into me I go to my Dad. He wasn't there for me before. He was busy with work. But now, he always makes himself available. Some would say it's too late because I am way past adolescence. But it's never too late. We never know how are we going to end up in this world - dying young or living old. That's why now that I am far away from my Dad, I cherish the simple things that he does - text me when I send him messages. Answer my calls when I get the chance to call them.

Being the first born (I don't have the luxury of saying first born son but I know he'd beam with pride if I have been one), a lot has been expected of me. Whether or not I fulfilled the expectations is the topic of another blog post. For now, let me just post some exchanges me and my Dad had tonight:

Me: Nasagad pasensiya ko nitong mga huling araw kasi confused na pasyente ko. Napakakulit! Kung pwede ko lang sigawan nasigawan ko na eh! hHnahabaan ko na lang pasensiya ko kasi kailangan.. saka syempre, ito ang trabaho ko eh.. nabalik kasi ako ulit dito sa Newman, dati andun ako sa 808 Byron eh. Magaan lang pasyente ko sa Byron. dito kasi sa Newman anim ulit. tapos wala akong sariling kwarto. hHndi ako prepared nung biglang sinabing dito ako magdu-duty ulit kasi sanay na ako sa 808. Parang bahay ko na kasi un..

Dad: Aba e di congrats sa CHOICE OF ACTION MO. You are near Englightenment = choosing what happens when it happens = FULL ACCEPTANCE. Memory retains but no Pain.

Me: Dinadaan ko na nga lang sa tawa. Kung saan kasi ako ibato, doon ako. Iba na talaga ang magaling!

Dad: Wonderful, yes, SMILE! You see in crisis situation it's not a question of ability but a question of emotional STATE. SMILE takes you into pleasurable STATE.

Me: Oo nga Dad. Tama ka diyan.

Dad: Yan ang anak ko ngek! Namin pala ni Hileng at mas magaling pa kung tutuusin.

Me: Eh kanino pa ba naman ako magmamana kung di sa inyo di ba?

Dad: That's true. You are perfect just as you are! If at times you find conflicts along the way, KNOW that you are perfect just as YOU ARE.

O di ba?

Blackberry as modem for Acer Aspire One

Finally made it work! Yes! Hehehe.. I was out yesterday for three things: first is to send some money to my mom thru bank transfer, second is to get a haircut, which I did and cost me 30 bucks and to get a data cable from the T-Mobile store so that I could surf the web using my Blackberry as modem for my netbook. I was very excited when I got home and started to tinker with my netbook and phone. I did all the necessary configurations settings and I was sure that I got it all right but the thing is the Blackberry Desktop Manager couldn't detect my phone! Darn! I did some repairs, installed a newer version of the software but still, no luck. So I promised myself that I would go to the T-Mobile shop today to let them know that the data cable isn't working. If they couldn't make it work, I am going to return it.

I came prepared. I have my netbook with me with the battery fully charged. I also brough the AC adapter just in case my battery runs low. Bought the data cable with the receipt and my phone. When I came into the store there were two sales reps, one female and the other male. They were still busy entertaining other clients so I looked around. When it was my turn I explained what I did last night and even showed them my netbook. They tinkered with it but couldn't make it work. They bought my phone and the data cable inside their staff room and tried it out in their computer. It worked. So, they said it must be my netbook or the software installed in my netbook. I told them I already upgraded it to version 4.5 from the earlier 4.1 but it still wouldn't work. They tinkered with my netbook, still no luck. Then Ti told them to try to restart the laptop and the phone altogether and see if it will turn out okay. After a few minutes, it worked. Hehehehe!

Now, I am posting this using my netbook and my Blackberry as a modem. I don't need to "beg" for wireless signals from my neighbors. Now I could surf the internet anywhere in the house, everywhere outside the house for as long as I have my phone and my netbook with me. Cool! ;)

Before and after the Big E

with Tito Mar at the Vista Point, Golden Gate Bridge

at Westmoor High School

Golden Gate Bridge with Tita Minda

Cooking lessons

Since I got here I learned how to prepare food. I couldn't say "cook" because most of the food that I prepare are almost always simple. Kumbaga, tambog ka lang ng tambog. Palibhasa kasi nasanay ako sa Pilipinas na talagang isa-isa mong aayusin ang mga ingredients.

Now, I am getting the hang of it. These past few days I've been getting a lot of compliments with my style of cooking. Daniel, when he came into the facility, does not have a good appetite. Ed, on the other hand eats almost anything served at the dining table. Yesterday I told Daniel that I was going to serve baked salmon for lunch. He replied that he isn't a fish person but he'd try what I'll prepare. Much to my surprise he did finish his meal and even bragged about it to his parents who visited him in the afternoon.

Nakakatawa, dito pa ako sa Amerika natutong magluto. Susme! Samantalang sa nung nasa sarili ko akong bahay ni hindi ko makuhang magluto para sa nanay at tatay ko!

Mukha naman akong happy sa pagluluto di ba? Hehehe!

The SF City ID Card

There is so much hype about this ID card being issued by the city and county of San Francisco to its residents regardless of immigration status. For 15 bucks, you can have this ID card as proof of identity and residency which is valid for two years. You can open bank accounts by merely showing them the card but it limited to participating banks only. Wells Fargo and Bank of America is not included in the list though. It is basically a discount card within the Bay Area. If you do have a DMV issued drivers license and state ID you can do without this SF City ID card. It is probably just another revenue generating measure of the city government.

There are several requirements before you can actually get the ID card. View them at the this link.

For more information visit the Office of the County Clerk info site.

SSF Alarm trigger

It's already 17:35 in the afternoon and I'm still at the SSF Main Library. I went here to access the internet and try to do some practice tests. Been here for almost three hours and I felt that the cold temperature is getting on my bladder so I tried to go to the bathroom. I was about to exit the library when the alarm set off and I was stopped by a staff. I took out my wallet, cellphone, headset and lip balm. I walked past the sensor five times but it keeps on giving the alarm. I even told the staff that they can search me if they want. They said it's probably a combination of everything that I am wearing. Geez!

Random 25

Here are the rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end, choose 10 people to be tagged. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.

1. My dad gave me the nickname Beegee, he used to love the Beegees so he took out the S and gave me the name.

2. My real name is Hebrew in origin, from Abraham. It means source of joy. Hmmm.. makes me wonder. Sabi nga ni Misis Tikboy pag isinalin ang ibig sabihin ng pangalan ko ay "tagapagpaligaya."

3. Can't leave home without spraying cologne or perfume. Feeling ko hubad ako pag wala 'yun.

4. I always have a handkerchief in my pocket. It is my security blanket.

5. I wanted to become a doctor. Now, I am working as a caregiver. Close enough? Hahahaha!

6. I kissed my female classmate in the cheeks while we were sharpening our pencils in one corner of the room. I was in grade one then. Hehehe!

7. When I was about six or seven years old I have a boy playmate. Somehow we managed to come up with this thought - Palit kaya tayo? Akin na lang titi mo, sa 'yo na lang pekpek ko! Hahahaha!

8. I love fruits. Kahit 'yun lang ang ihain mo sa akin solve na ako.

9. I am very fond of electronic gadgets - I have an Acer Aspire One, a Blackberry Pearl 8100, a Nokia N70, complete with a PC suite and data cable, a Motorola H710 Bluetooth headset. 'Yung iba binenta ko na, saka na ulit ako bibili pag may mapaglalagyan na ako na bahay!

10. Bata pa lang ako mahilig na ako mangabayo, meron pa nga akong sariling kabayo. Ewan ko ba, ngayon na malaki na ako imbes na ako sumasakay ako na sinasakyan! Yiha!

11. When I was in college I refused to live in a dorm. Paano kasi alas dose lang ng gabi curfew na! Samantalang pag uuwi ako ng bahay kahit umaga pwede. Hehehehe!

12. I am the eldest in a brood of five. Pero sabi nila parang ako daw ang bunso. Ngek! Hindi kaya nagkamali lang sila ng tingin at akala nila ako si Boboy? Hmmmm...

13. Love na love ko ang volleyball way back HS and college. Kaya nga may tattoo ako ngayon sa may right shoulder ng kamay at bola.

14. I met Misis Tikboy because of volleyball. We were teammates in HS.

15. I thought I'd die at the age of 27. But now I am already 35. I outlived that dream.

16. Apo daw ako ni Rizal. Bukod sa nakikita ako ng mga estudyante ko na parang si Rizal reborn.. may time na parehas kami ng hairstyle. Hahahaha!

17. I wear my watch in my right arm. Most people wear them on the left side.

18. I answer my phone using my left hand and put the earpiece/headset on my left ear. Bingi ako pag sa kanan.

19. Banlag ako.

20. I buy shoes half size or one size higher than my own size.

21. I love coats and jackets.

22. I have a very dark side. Wag mo akong gagalitin dahil hindi ko alam kung hanggang saan ang extent ng galit ko.

23. I love to do things alone. Hirap ako pag may kasama kasi naturalesa ko na ang mag-intindi at mag-alaga. Kaya kung hindi si Misis Tikboy ang kasama ko, wag na lang! Mas gusto kong mapag-isa.

24. I love to walk, specially in cold weather.

25. Yumayakap ako sa puno pag hindi ko na kaya problema ko.

Now, I am tagging Jessie, Ryot, Bugol, Mikoy, Timmy, Boboy, Yaku, Tito Jun and Tita Ambil

The power of seeing things in a different perspective

Now, there are many, many people in the world, but relatively few with whom we interact, and even fewer who cause us problems. So, when you come across such a chance for practicing patience and tolerance, you should treat it with gratitude. It is rare. Just as having unexpectedly found a treasure in your own house, you should be happy and grateful to your enemy for providing that precious opportunity.

- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Friends

I've got few friends. My fingers are enough to count them. A friend whom I can just simply be with - just the mere presence of the person is enough. A friend whom I share most of my college life with - inside and outside of varsity life. Elem and high school friends who, despite of my absence at school, remains to be there. I cherish them and enjoy their friendship.

It amazes me that even though I haven't been keeping in touch with them religiously whenever our path crosses we still got the same energy and connection where we left off. It's the kind of friendship that transcends time, I guess.

I am really blessed to have them as my friend.

Pormatiks no more

Dito ko natutunan na di mo kailangan pumorma masyado. Sa Pilipinas kasi, maarte ako sa damit. Dapat laging match, color coordinated at unique ang style. Eh dito, hindi ko magawa. Kasi malamig, kailangan lagi ka naka-layer ng damit. Para kung mainit man, tanggal ka na lang ng tanggal ng damit. Sando, t-shirt, long sleeves shirt, sweatshirt tapos jacket, pag umulan may rain coat pa.

Isa sa mga natutunan ko dito, dapat nagi-invest ka sa jacket. Tapos sapatos. Hindi masyadong uso ang leather shoes dito, halos lahat naka rubber shoes, sneakers, sandals. Kung saan ka kumportable. Simple nga lang.

'Yung coat na gusto ko hindi pa naka-sale kaya hindi ko pa nabibili! Sabi kasi ng pinsan ko gift na lang daw niya sa akin, isi-ship niya from New Jersey papunta dito sa California. Eh susme, tapos na ang Christmas at New Year, magbi-birthday na ako wala pa! Nakalimutan na ata.. parang 'yung CK one. Hehehe!

Sa ngayon, kailangan ko muna magtipid. Dami pa kailangan bayaran eh. Saka na ako bibili ng mga pormatiks kong damit at baka mabatukan pa ako ni Misis Tikboy! Hehehe!

Airtrain and BART connections

I set out early today. I wanted to try out the BART going to SFO Airport and do the Airtrain transfer going to the Arrival/Departure Terminal 1 of the SFO Airport. Took the 390 bus going to SSF Bart and then took the SFO Airport 9 car train. It was just two stops from SSF with San Bruno in between. It was easy. Then I took the blue line Airtrain to try it out. It went to Terminal 1, the terminal for most domestic flights including Southwest Airlines, US Airways and Hawaiian Airlines. To go back to the Garage D/BART station I took the red line Airtrain. It was that easy. Easier than having to take a car.

Hmmm.. then I went here at the SSF Public Library to apply for a library card. The perks? One hour of free internet use! I wonder if I can take my laptop here with me to access the internet. I have to ask later.

Natatawa nga si Tito Mar sa akin, tinawagan ako kanina. Ang lakas daw ng loob ko. Ang dami ko na daw napuntahan dito sa San Francisco. Hahahaha! Ganun talaga pag wala kang kotse, matututo kang mag-explore! Mwehehehe!

Wireless

Yep, finally I am connected to the internet. Thanks to the free wifi signal of our friendly neighbor. Hehehe! He or she, didn't set-up a security enabled connection to their wireless connection settings. It's been a week since the connection has been out. They probably went on vacation. Mwehehehe!

Now, I can surf the net after work hours. Finally!