It feels weird. I’m looking at my computer screen and my mind is blank. Nothing interesting on my mind. Nothing blogworthy. Nothing in my heart, too. Yes, there are some stirrings going on. But not really blogworthy. My mind and heart are pausing. I feel like a book with blank pages, no words in them, no pictures or illustrations.
Is this what they call blogger’s block?
Or, perhaps I just need another outdoor adventure. Then I’ll be back bursting with energy and eager to tell stories.
Hmn, whereto?
Posted 1 week, 3 days ago at 4:50 pm. 8 comments
Last Dec. 9, the kiddie books which you sent for Pens of Hope were distributed in Balat-Balud Elementary School in the town of Bobon in Northern Samar. But it almost didn’t push through as scheduled. First, the district supervisor called for a district meeting of teachers on that day so there should have been no classes. Second, on the day before the distribution date, I was already down with a really bad flu. My body temperature was 39-40. And third, the plane that took the goodies to Samar from Manila got delayed (almost canceled) because of the bad weather last Friday. Instead of the 10AM flight, it left Manila at 1:30PM.
On the night before the distribution, I was negotiating with the principal, pleading her to make it possible for the children to report to school for the distribution. I was praying, too, for my health to get better. In the morning, when told that the flight was put on hold, awaiting further improvement of the weather, todo dasal talaga ginawa ko because I knew that the children were already in school.
When the plane landed at 2:30PM, I immediately claimed the packages. At the time, I was already receiving text messages from the principal telling me that the children were already getting restless.
From the capital town, Catarman, I took a tricycle to the town of Bobon where I met with the principal, two teachers, and a barangay health worker. From Bobon, we took a habal-habal. We started our trip on a cemented road which led to another road full of potholes, muddy craters, and big puddles of water. It was a tough road. Ilang beses muntik malibing ang wheels ng habal-habal. Good thing our driver was good.
After almost an hour of habal-habal ride, I was told we had to walk on a muddy road. By muddy road, I meant hanggang tuhod na mud. Before we left Bobon, I’ve learned that it was best if I had rain boots. It was my first trip to the recipient school so I didn’t know what to expect. I had to walk barefoot. Ang bilis maglakad ng mga teacher na kasama ko! Naiiwan ako hehehe
After the kilometer-long walk, here’s how my feet looked like. I was praying all along na sana ay wala akong matapakan na basag na bote o walang linta hehe
We then had to load all our luggage into a small banca so we can cross a river. The bangkera was a jolly old woman named Ate Bebang who entertained us with her patok na jokes hehehe.
After the boat ride, walk, walk, walk uli. The good barangay health worker took the task of carrying two boxes of books. Bilib ako kasi ang bigat nung dalawang kahon na ‘yun. I was trailing behind her and the principal.
After about 20 minutes, we arrived at the school and started with the distribution. The children were so excited and so happy! Unfortunately, we arrived very late in the afternoon so the children who live in far away sitios had to go home already before we arrived. I just endorsed the goods to the principal for distribution yesterday (Monday). Aside from books, we also gave the children pencils and bags.
To everyone who supported the project by sending books and pencils, I can not thank you enough. We have made many children smile! Next time po uli!
To Ate Ara Nina (you know who you are), maraming salamat sa 55 bags! The kids were really excited to receive them.
To the faculty of Balat-Balud Elementary School, thank you for giving me another experience to treasure. And thanks for the adventure, too! Salamat sa pag-alalay sa akin habang naglalakad sa maputik na daan.
To the children of Balat-Balud, thank you for your smiles! Kahit nilalagnat ako at tinatrangkaso at kahit naglakad ako nang nakayapak sa putik and ended up with my feet looking like this….
you made it all worth it! 
Posted 1 month, 2 weeks ago at 2:54 pm. 27 comments
Hear ye! Hear ye! Malacañang has officially released the list of holidays in 2012. Maagang pamasko ito from Malacañang 
This will help much our business communities plan their year-long activities. At siyempre, alam kong ngingiti rin sa listahang ito ang mga lakwatsero’t lakwatserang tulad ng marami sa atin 
So here, ladies and gentlemen, are the official legal holidays for 2012.
Jan. 1 – (Sunday) New Year’s Day
Jan. 23 – (Monday) Chinese New Year (Opo, holiday na po ito kaya Yay for our Chinese brothers and sisters!)
Feb. 25 – (Saturday) EDSA Revolution Anniversary (for schools only)
April 5-6 -Maunday Thursday and Good Friday
April 9 – (Monday) Araw ng Kagitingan
May 1 – (Tuesday) Labor Day
June 12 – (Tuesday) Independence Day
Aug. 21 – (Tuesday) Ninoy Aquino Day
Aug. 27 – (Monday) National Heroes Day
Nov. 1 – (Thursday) All Saints Day
Nov. 2 – ((Friday) Additional special non-working day
Nov. 30 – (Friday) Bonifacio Day
Dec. 25 – (Tuesday) Christmas Day
Dec. 30 – (Sunday) Rizal Day
Dec. 21 – (Monday) Last day of the year
The two Islamic holidays, Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha, will be announced soon after the dates have been determined “in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient.”
So mark your calendars now and plan your holidays well. Tingnan ninyo, ang daming long weekends, di ba? Have fun but never forget the real essence of each and every holiday on the list.
Posted 1 month, 3 weeks ago at 11:32 am. 29 comments
As of this afternoon, our list of sponsors for the preschool to Grade 2 children is complete. Yay! Thank you so much for your continued support for the Pens of Hope Project. The above photo shows the book that have already arrived as of today. (Sorry for the low quality photo). I’ll just wait for the other books.
If anyone is still interested in sending, just shoot me an email (nortehanon at gmail dot com). Who knows, we might also be able to give books to Grade 3 children
So excited na sa distribution day!
Posted 2 months ago at 4:25 pm. 29 comments
The image shows my nephew’s letter to Santa Claus last Christmas and I think it’s fitting to accompany this post hehehe
Blogger PM is again spreading cheer among bloggers by organizing a Christmas exchange gift. She dubbed it Dear Santa I’ve Been Good. I joined last year and I’m joining again this year. What makes this different from other “exchange gifts” is that you’ll know from whom you will be receiving your gift before it gets to your door. The excitement comes from anticipating which of the items in your wish list will you receive.
So here is my Dear Santa I’ve Been Good wish list:
Something small: fancy stud earrings
Something big: beach towel (looking forward to summer hehehe)
Something cute: purple travel pillow
Something soft: travel pillow (sige na nga, kahit hindi na purple hehehe)
Something techie: lenspen camera lens cleaner (does this qualify as techie?)
Something fancy: anything purple
Something (insert your favorite color): purple
Something wearable: malong
Something you need: malong again
Something you can use for work: pencil/ballpen organizer
Something sweet: chocnut or Nature Valley Chewy Trail Mix Bars (mabibili sa Mercury at SM groceries hehehe)
Dear Santa I’ve Been Good and I really, really, really want: Maurice Sendak’s storybook “Where the Wild Things Are” or any of Eric Carle’s books (tumatanggap ako ng second hand )
Sali na rin kayo! The more, the many-ier haha! Mura lang naman, Php200 lang minimum. Just hop on over to PM’s post for more details.
Posted 2 months, 1 week ago at 6:54 pm. 30 comments
