From our family to yours

Go Tell it on the Mountain!

...that Jesus Christ is born.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

-----

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN
Traditional lyrics by John W. Work (1865)
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_Tell_It_on_the_Mountain_(song)

Refrain
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.

...

And lo! When they had heard it,
They all bowed down to pray,
Then travelled on together,
To where the Baby la--y.

Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas mo--rn.

The Enumerators

The Terminator. The Negotiator. The Transporter. The Professional. The Fugitive. The Avengers. The Killer. The Saint. The Hunted. The Recruit. The Hitcher. The Peacemaker. The Sentinel.

Have you deciphered yet what I just enumerated? Can you enumerate more movie titles of these kind? Ever hated the "enumeration" type of exam? Would you watch if there will be a movie called "The Enumerators". Would you even know what the story might be about?

Well, you probably won't. You probably will think, it will be about peope who count. And you may be right. But technically, an enumerator is defined as "someone who collects census data by visiting individual homes." It's not a job welcomed by a lot of people. Much like missionaries or sales representative of some sort knocking on doors, looking for respondents, not knowing if they will be welcomed or not, snapped at or served a drink.

But here, let me introduce you to The Enumerators. The good bunch who kept themselves cheerful in San Miguel Island despite the long walks, the long talks and the difficult finds. They would edit their survey questionnaires with just candle or a kerosene lamp each night, or go for a swim, sing, dance, date, crack jokes, and engage in serious talks when they feel so. They each have a profession, a story to tell and a unique personality to blend, but for 10 exciting days, they were The Enumerators. [Tagline: They ask. You answer.]

Mr. T smiles

Photo by Hiromichi MATSUMOTO, July 17, 2008

Lost Zen

Below is a true story written by Claisyl, my 13 years old niece (1st of the 3 daughters of Manong Winston and Manang Mel). I thought it's an excellent writing given her age so I'm sharing it here. This is her first draft, unedited. Zen is Czarene, her youngest sister. Lane is Cherlyn, her other sister.-Che

=====================

"Lost Zen"

It was probably the 5th or 6th scariest day in my entire life. It happened last January 15, 2005.

My family decided to go to SM super mall, Baguio City. Immediately I became excited. I tried to imagine all the things we might do there. We might go shopping, play in Quantum or even watch a movie. It was not everyday that we went there as a family. With excitement bubbling inside me, we drove to the mall. The day started out great. We ate at McDonalds. Only, my little sister, Zen, did not want to eat. It so happened that a new place opened beside McDo. It was a children’s play area for 7 years old and below. Perfect for the little devil, I thought. Its advertisement sounded so good that my mom let my 2-year old sister play there. We left her there with confidence in our hearts while we went shopping. Confidence that started our nightmare.

It was hard to choose which pair of shoes to buy. There were so many good choices in SM department store. Finally, after many minutes of changing my mind, I picked a good-looking leather pair of shoes. My mother is a kind woman full of humor and mischief. I do not know what prodded her to fool us, but she told us that Zen was crying and her diaper was full. Well, my sister and I ran for the play area. Even dad quickened his pace. Only mom was walking calmly, with a wicked smile on her face.

I reached the play area first and peeked in through the glass. I looked for Zen but I could not find her. Hmm, I thought, she must be well hidden. My sister and dad arrived and looked for her too. A rock settled in my stomach. I am the world’s biggest worrywart.

When mom finally arrived, I pounced on her and told her we could not find Zen. She told me to calm down and we approached the door attendant. “Miss, could you please take Zen out so we can change her diaper,” mom asked. The attendant looked for her but even she could not find her. “Could you describe her please? I cannot seem to find her,” the attendant said. The rock in my stomach turned into the size of a boulder. Mom was unfazed. “She’s a little kid with pink pants and a white shirt,” she said. Once more, the attendant entered the door. She came back out empty-handed. “I really could not find her,” she said. Mom frowned. She entered the place herself and looked inside. She shouted Zen’s name. No one answered. No one came to her. She came back out and we looked at each other, our faces panic-stricken.

Mom shot rapid-fire questions at the attendants. Did someone bring her out? Is someone feeding her somewhere? Who was guarding the door a while ago? Where is she? As I stood there, unable to move, mom visited the nearest restaurants and food shops, thinking she was being fed. When nothing came out of this, she asked the security guards to page everyone in the mall, to ask them to look out for a little kid with pink pants, a white shirt and a nametag.

Meanwhile, dad scouted the area. He thought Zen might have gotten out accidentally and was wandering off somewhere. My sister, Lane, and I remained at the play area in case someone brought her in. Tears sprang to my eyes. Where is she? She’s only two. She’s so little. Anything could’ve happened to her. God, I thought, please, wherever she is, keep her safe.

Finally, a security guard gave us news. He said he saw a little girl that fitted Zen’s description. “I brought her to the customer service because she was going down the stairs to the entrance of the supermarket all by herself,” he said. As soon as mom heard this, she and Lane ran to the customer service. I waited with my father, hope in our hearts.

While they were gone, a man who I suppose was from the customer service approached us, carrying Zen in his arms. I could not describe what I felt at that time. What I knew is that I cried hard, holding Zen, kissing her many times. I overheard one attendant say, “Hala piman ti dandanag na daytuy ubing ti kabsat na.”(Oh, how this child worried for her sister!) When mom and Lane came back, I put Zen down. I could see mom had cried. As soon as they laid their eyes on Zen, they ran to her, hugging and kissing her, their tears flowing freely. I will never forget that moment.

“Your child was fast asleep in the customer service,” the man that brought her up said, with an amused smile, “I carried her up as soon as she awoke.” I looked at Zen. She was playing with mom’s hair, unaware of all the happenings. I smiled. I was happy and very relieved. After this incident, I realized that a much much stronger bond enclosed our family, and I like it.

A true story Written By:

CLAISYL B. CASIWAN
First year High School, SSP-BCNHS
Home address: 299 Tam-awan, Pinsao Proper, Baguio City
Contact No. 09204060804
Birthday: December 20, 1994

Igorot in Kochi

"Otosan mitai ne."
"Marlon Jr."
"He looks like Marlon."
"Kasla metlang hapon."
"He looks like Japanese."
"Parang hapon naman na."

But my legs won't betray me, "Igorot ak pay adi.."

hehehe



..like the boys in the following picture who are trainees under the Benguet-Kochi Agriculture Training Program

..and my Uncle Brian Bitabit who just finished his 3-year training contract here in the boondocks of Kochi.

Pix pix and more pix

Family and Friends,

This is turning out to be a blog of pictures. Please bear with us if we are always not excited with Khane.

'my first zit'

Watashi wa Khane desu.

my lola

Huhuhuhu Dad bought me a very small cake when I
turned 1 month because this is all he could afford. But I'm
still very small, too, so daijoubu yo.

better than dad's pose
my daddy

my lolo Domingo's eyes, they say

my mama

FYI. Who Studies Economics?

(This is a boxed FYI in the book on Principles of Economics 4th ed. 2007 by N. Mankiw.)

Here is a sampling of some well-known people who majored in economics when they were in college.

Meg Witman - Chief Executive Officer, Ebay
Ronald Reagan - Former President of the US
William Buckley - Journalist
Danny Glover - Actor
Barbara Boxer - US Senator
John Elway - NFL Quarterback
Ted Turner - Founder of CNN and Owner of Atlanta Braves
Kofi Annan - Secretary General, UN
Lionel Richie - Singer
Michael Kinsley - Journalist
Ben Stein - Political Speechwriter, Actor and Game Show Host
Cate Blanchett - Actor
Anthony Zinni - General, US Marine Corps
Tiger Woods - Golfer
Steve Ballmer - Chief Executive Officer, Microsoft
Arnold Schwarzenegger - Governor of California
Sandra Day-O'Connor - Former Supreme Court Justice
Mick Jagger - Singer for Rolling Stones

When asked in 2005 why the Rolling Stones were going on tour again, former economics major Mick Jagger replied, "Supply and demand." Keith Richards added, "If the demand's there, we'll supply."

[Of course let us not forget that our very own president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. She earned a master's degree in economics from Ateneo de Manila University in 1978 and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of the Philippines in 1985 (http://www.answers.com/topic/gloria-macapagal-arroyo). Whether the study of economics is useful or not, in her case, remains to be seen though.]

Amazing Mom at 65 conquers Hollywood Dream the Ride

“Hollywood Dream The Ride is an outdoor roller coaster-type ride attraction. The coaster zips around 1300 meters that rises, dips and curves…This attraction guarantees an amazing, dream-like experience. You’ll feel like you are flying in
a luxurious car…a completely new sensation, unlike anything you have ever experienced.” – USJ website description

“Nenkebkekebkebak ay pirmi isunga inkikimit ko daak pay menlul-uwalo ya men al-allelujiah.” (I got so nervous; I kept on praying and saying Hallelujiah) – Mama

“Ngimato met a ti ubet ko manipud iti tugaw ko gapu iti nirbiyos ko. Idi kasla maikikaten ti nirbiyos ko, nakitak ni mama nga agnirnirbiyos ket karkaro-ak a nagnirbiyos gapu kenkuana.” I got nervous, my butt sort of jumped. When I was beginning to get the hang of it, I saw Mama so nervous and got even more nervous for her.” – Marlon

January 1, 2008 - Mama and Marlon joined a Filipino group who went to the Universal Studios theme park (USJ) in Osaka. After enjoying Shrek’s 4-D Adventure, they got the scare of their life riding the Hollywood Dream The Ride. The ride that was advertised to be a dream-like experience ended as an enjoyable nightmare-experience.

Mom has been to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and thought The Ride was just one of the rides. She said her jitters only eased 20 minutes after the ride. She can still re-enact a quiver whenever she relates the story of The Ride.

They also rode The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman ride and JAWS boat ride, and watched some New Year special shows. Among all these attractions, Mom says she enjoyed most the works of the Spiderman ride.

(Reflecting on their experience as we face the New Year, our life in this world consists of many rides, sometimes uneventful, sometimes enjoyable, sometimes a roller coaster that has its own rises, dips and curves. We can only anticipate what the 2008 ride would bring us, and we can only trust on the One who creates and allows the rides. He gives the guidelines and the caveats, but also, He gives grace and gets the glory.)