The joys of having "tindahan"

Having a "tindahan" or "sari-sari store" in every baranggay is a trademark for us, Filipinos. The convenience we get from these retail stores is truly huge, few steps from home and you get what you need. From candies to toiletries, you surely have a friend in these sari-sari stores.

I learned from my mother that my cousins opened again the sari-sari store my grandma used to run. Since "nanay" had passed away, no one ever wanted to run the small business which is nanay's small way of killing time. Nanay's tindahan is the first store ever built in our street. It has been running for about half a century now, and was started by Lola Rosa, our great grandmother. It is really a treat seeing the store back to its life, but this time, the store caters candies and sweets for kids. Why candies? At the moment, there are four running sari-sari stores just a few steps away from nanay's, and they all sell the same stuffs, and take note, the owners of these stores are family friends and relatives.

I was the tindera for the day, and the experience reminded me of my lola, who spends most of her time in her tindahan, counting her money. When I was a kid, I used to ask my lola for a bottle of soda and a pack of biscuits. She would give it to me for free, with 20 pesos secretly inserted in my pocket. Miss her. Anyway, through the experience I was able to know that kids are truly millionaires. They have so much money to spend on candies! The candies' and snacks' prices are kid's-pocket-friendly, They only need a peso to buy themselves a snack or two candies, and I can't believe it because in our school, a tiny piece of candy costs a peso. My cousins must be rich!I tried to persuade the two of them if I could have two candies and a bag of chips for free, and tried to convince them with the reasons that I seldom visit them. Too bad, they took the role seriously. I was not given my wish, and I have to pay for it. Since I payed for the things I ate, and had coins for change, I decided to indulge myself with loads of candies. Bea, my niece, came over and I just gave her all the candies I bought. I was happy to see her delighted face on the candies she have in her hands. As the tindera for the day, it is my duty to look after the stuffs and give the kids whatever they wish to buy. I remember this young girl who wants to buy a bar of chocolate for five pesos. I told her she doesn't have enough money for the chocolate, but conscience gets in the way, I ended up paying for her chocolate bar. Then, loads of kids came and I realized I was spending my money for their candies. So, I went home with my purse empty, and a small amount of money left. I'm so broke. sad.

Deadlines

Now that the yuletide season is nearing, everything around me is on rush. Rushed mid-term exams, projects, meeting deadlines, competitions, and oh, have I mentioned the things my teachers ask me to do for them?

It's the birthday celebration of my cousin today, but sadly, I failed to attend. Why? because I have great responsibilities on my shoulder. Scratch that one, it's not responsibilities, it's burden. But I understand why these people kept passing on me their responsibilities. If I have loads, they have tons! Now, I'm working on with our class' intramurals, and on my homeworks at the same time. God is so good that I was able to sneak in here and have my wails accounted on my blog.

I still have an article for the school paper to be submitted, and I haven't started yet. I am two weeks late for the deadline, and I am still waiting for our ed's signal for my assignment, which was supposed to be at my hands a week before. I can't contact her, she's on her retreat, and no communications from home nor school will be allowed to any of the retreatants, in any form, unless, of course, if it's an emergency. And I don't want to bother her, I might spoil her moment with God.

I hope Ms. D, our adviser for the school paper, won't spank me for this!

So help me God. : (

Blog awards

I visited my blog just this afternoon and two messages posted on my tagboard coming from "kuyas" named Redlan and Aethen, telling I won an award. I have no idea where the awards came from and what competition did I win. I know my memory lapses at times, but this time, I know I haven't joined any contest. Not unless Wika 2007 gave away a follow-up award. haha.

"Kuya" Redlan gave an award to this "Quiet but nice star", and I would have not known that I am that "quiet but nice star" if I haven't rolled my pointer over the link. Silly me. He tells I'm quiet. Everybody tells I'm quiet. I don't know why. I know I am noisy. Or am I just hallucinating for that loud-mouth Tricia? Anyway, Thanks, kuya Red for giving me an award. And thanks for disturbing Angelina Jolie just to give me her whole family's greetings. I wonder how much did it cost you? haha. And I promise to share myself just in case you really want to know if this girl typing these words is the quiet star you know at the moment. haha.

Also, I received a Blog of the Month award from kuya Aethen. Thanks Mr.-always-in-demand for the award!
I recieived this award from kuya Ayel. Thanks a lot!
I am sharing this award to my four kuyas: Ayel, Redlan, Aethen and Quincy. I love how they share themselves through their blogs. I know they are great people by just reading every entry they post. And after reading those, I encounter realizations which rarely happens for a fickle mind like me.

Th"Blogs of the Month" goes to Jazzy, Kuya Richard, and Jamie. They inspire me to write about anything they appreciate, which I get to appreciate too after reading their posts.

Congratulations, everyone! You deserve every recognition!

Break.

There came another retreat. This time, it lasted for three days, and I must say, it moved me to realization.
The retreat gave me a chance to reflect and share a bit of myself to everybody. Honestly, before I arrive in the retreat house, I have doubts about the things that will happen. You see, I witnessed and experienced opening such sensitive issues about the goings-on with my life to my classmates last year. That experience made me scared, for I was always stereotyped as a silent person, and so do I speak silent as well. I am glad I am given this opportunity to reflect, and I realized the many things I take for granted. The silence that reigns in the place, the cool and refreshing air, the lush greens which cannot be seen in Manila unwounded me from the busy and hurly burly city life. In that place, I realized, I owe my parents every single breath that I breathe, ad so I must pay due respect to them and tell them how much I love and appreciate them which I don't really do. I have to thank God for giving me a wonderful family, friends who keep me sane, and relatives who are always around. I thank Him for giving me a chance to experience to live, to laugh, to be loved and to love back in return. The peace that dwells in the place surprisingly dwelt in such a busy person like me. The peace I felt in me made me think about my real purpose in this world. What's my real purpose of existence? I still don' know. But I'm hoping some time from now, I'll be able to find it myself.

I share this to you, a letter from God to each of us. It is composed of excerpts taken from the bible.

Dear __________ my beloved child,
I love you. I have called you by name, you are mine. Before I formed you, I know you. And before you were born, I consecrated you. You did not choose me, I chose you.

Because you are precious to me and honored, I love you. I have loved you with an everlasting love, so I continue to show you my constant love. How can I abandon you? My love for you is strong. And I am faithful forever. Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore? Yet, even should she forget, I will never forget , I will never forget you- I can never forget you. See, I have written your name on the palm of my hand. I, the Lord your God, am holding you by my right hand. It is I who say to you, fear not, I will help you.

Do not be afraid, I have redeemed you. I am with you. I am with you to save you, And be sure of this, I am with you until the end of time. Do not let your heart be troubled. trust in me. For I know what my plans for you are, plans to serve and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and to give you hope. When you call on me, I will listen. I will help you. When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you. Your trouble will not overwhelm you. The hard trials that come will not hurt you. Do not worry. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So there is no need to be afraid of anything. The mountains may depart, and the hills will be shaken, but my steadfast love for you will never end.

Come, my love. Come, I will lead you into solitude, and there, I will speak tenderly to your heart. I will be true and faithful. I will show you my constant love, and make you mine forever, we will be united in love and tenderness. I have promised and I will do it.

Sincerely yours,

I am who I am
I am the Lord, your God
I am Yahweh, your Savior, your Redeemer
. . . the Faithful One

I was deeply moved by this letter, and my mom's. We should really give our 100% trust to the Lord, for He knows it all, and He will never put us down.

After three days of isolation in the retreat house without having any source of entertainment and communication from home, I missed my family, and other things I have taken for granted. Without having any idea, I went back home and was surprised by the news I saw on TV. I knew how really hard it is to live inside the Big Brother House. hehe.

This is a picture of my class at the chapel after playing Patintero (which I missed and haven't played for years) with our Rel. Ed Coordinator and adviser. It was really fun. Sabi nga nila, save the best for last.

I'll post some other pictures and letters I received from friends next time.

By the way, It's my mother's birthday today. Happy birthday mama! love yah!