all starry eyed

-Space Cadet.
I may have an airy-personality, but that by no means, means that I am always off in space... But I can agree with the fact that, if I DO have space-cadet tendencies, they are only to my benefit.

From being a space cadet, I have a greater perspective on things around me. Greatly aware of my surroundings and how to navigate safely. I see the BIG PICTURE. I'm up in higher places...my thoughts fill up space vs. getting lost in it. I'm definitely not blind to the obvious, but can say that I have a 6th Sense to things seen and unseen. I can 'see' people. And by that, I don't mean dead people.

*I'm an astronaut looking down at jet pilots.

“Nothing exists except atoms and empty space; everything else is opinion” -Democritus quotes (Greek philosopher, 460-370bc)

late night cravings

So

Here I am, quarter to two in the morning, having a very consuming late night craving. But for once, it's not for food. This time, it's for something, berry berry pink and pearly: none other than the infamous PINK BLACKBERRY PEARL!

This no surprise to me that I am completely enamored with it. As soon as it was in behind-the-scenes production at TELUS, my TELUS TRIBUNE sister already sent me a link with the exciting new Pink! I've always been a tech-trendsetter...thanks to my Father who always strived to have the newest TV, Big Screen, Sound System, In-Car Video, & needless to say, Karaoke Entertainment System.This gusto became my guilty-pleasures learned behaviour. When I was younger, families often had Saturday outings to the park, whereas I vividly remember OUR family outings to Future Shop!

Anyway, here I am. Comparing plans, doing the math, and competition research via Rogers & their 24Hr Service Line for new Crackberries like me. It's like joining AA before having your first drink...hehehehe! I'm tickled pink with excitement and looking forward to joining the club - I will now be able to mimic the High Execs. with whom I stood in the elevator with, at the Scotia Plaza building-- I too, will be thumb-messaging away with the world at my fingertips!

*Reminiscent of the days where I'd get SO into playing NES that I'd have the A/B circle button bruised and impressioned on my thumb! :)

busy bee

Buzz Buzz Buzz

Finally, back to my on-the-go comings and goings. Being stuck in Idle all this time really gave me a lot of perspective. I know where to balance my scales, and most importantly, how to do this without burning out. Being a Perfectionist is my Achilles' Heel. No need for my shield anymore. I can now admit my weakness. Nevermind all this, as the cold winter has passed-- here come all the beautiful Spring blossoms! I'm happy for many reasons..the beautiful weather, the grande news for many of those nearest & dearest to me, and of course, my own fortunes. Time to be a busy bee and get all that money-honey!

ready, set,

In a constant state of motion :)

Everything's a GO!

It is true what they say,

"Things always find a way of falling into place."

Can't wait to hit the books.

Everything's a GO!

Work is more than just the $$$,

It's only worthwhile if your heart is in it.

Everything's a GO!

Soon to make a deposit for Las Pinas!

Our first trip together.

Family all around.

2008 is only getting gr8er and gr8er!

7.12.7

What the future holds

If you were to ask me in Grade 8, at the age of 14, if I knew he was the one,

I would have told you yes. And he could very well agree with you if you had asked him the same...Crazy as it sounds, I knew it & He knew it. It was just this strong connection that we had with each other.. so hard to explain, but I'll give you one of my cherished examples. Our friendship bloomed pretty late in our elementary years, and despite being in the same school for almost a decade, it was in that final year at St.Boniface that we became the closest. We started talking on the phone and one day, I asked him to tell me what cereal I was eating...(by this time, he already knew that I had a habit of 9/10ths finishing a box of Count Chocula Cereal/day)...and surprisingly, without a pause of hesitation, he said

"Honey Nut Cheerios."

It was this simple pivotal moment in our friendship that I realized that our connection was way more beyond the 9-3, it was something more than I could understand. I giggle at the fact that I was able to teach him how to read "numerics" aka "pager lingo." Pagers were all the rage in '99/'00, and he, after getting a job in a factory, got one for himself.

I would text him at night to

"6877 7177" ---CALL JILL---

and other such phrases.... with one night, leading to us watching LFO's Spotlight on MuchMusic, where he said that he always thought of me whenever their song "Girl On TV" played... here's a sample of the lyrics..

"I wish for you on a fallin' star,wonderin' where you are,do I ever cross your mind,In the warm sunshine,she's from the city of angels,like Betty Davis,James Dean,and Gable,never know what she means to me.I fell for the girl that's on TV. "

As we were with different people (hahaha) at the time, to really and truly let me aware of his feelings, he gave me this analogy from Titanic (which lead to our Jack/Rose story)

Here is the actual quote from the movie,"They've got you trapped, Rose. And you're gonna die if you don't break free. Maybe not right away because you're strong but... sooner or later that fire that I love about you, Rose... that fire's gonna burn out... " -Jack Dawson

Using this analogy he changed the words to tell me that he had a fire for me --he liked me..-- and that it was my choice with what I did...but that if I did nothing, that it would slowly burn out.. Smart kid eh.

So move on from grade 8, all-through high school (its UPs and DOWNs..) to our REAL official anni of July 11 2004, and finally to US today. Here we stand, years beyond many could have ever imagined.

And needless to say, history does repeat itself--crazy as it sounds-- we have our date set.

July 12 2014

We're at a point in our lives where we're trying to get everything together-- i guess you can say, laying the foundation to be on our own...and based on the circumstances, 6 years doesn't seem too far off the mark. I have approx. 2 years left of my undergrad, add to that a year or so of Teacher's College and the time to get a Permanent, stable teaching position..and 6 years sounds as realistic as it can get. Also with his pending jump to Policing OR climb up the construction ladder---machine operator, we have plenty of time to iron out any wrinkles that may come our way. But minus all the logistics, there comes something so simple. Despite all these complexities, there seems to be a lot fate-d for this special date.

1. The Friday prior to the Wedding (July 11 2014) will be our 10 year anniversary! Hence the day we will have our "Dinner Rehearsal."
2. 10th year anniversaries are traditionally marked with gifts of aluminum, but contemporary gifts are those of Diamonds...and what better Diamond jewellery to give to each other than Wedding Rings!
3. If you put the actual wedding date into numbers, they form 7, 12, 2014 (2+0+1+4= 7) Hence 7.12.7. The symmetry is gorgeous for print on invitations etc.
4. Mathematically, if you look at the numbers, 7 + "5" = 12 & 12 - "5" = 7 which is 7.12.7 AND when you add up the FIVEs, you get 10! Our 10 Year Anniversary!
5. Finally....when we set up the date this year, coincidentally, our four year anniversary falls exactly on the same days that it will in 2014--- 6 years from now! Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th :) As Plato says, “......when one of them meets with his other half, the actual half of himself, the pair are lost in an amazement of love and friendship and intimacy and one will not be out of the other’s sight even for a moment.”

All I know is, we were crazy then, and we're crazy now, so the sky's the limit. 7.12.7 here we come!! <3

friday?

Are often always great.

You know that its the start of the weekend..but for Frank,

work was to be had the next morning.

My mornings usually start at 8AM..where as his start

at the crack of dawn.

I know he's screaming

"Is it Friday yet?" and although

the answer is, "Yes, it is,"

he has another long workday ahead of him.

Love comes in different forms, and this

no doubt is one of them.

xox

achy breaky

we had our good times..

and good eats.

cravings fulfilled, and always fulfilled.

never running on empty.

but

today,

she's aching.

OoOo a day of tummy troubles.

Thank God for Manzanilla

*These days are very

few and far between :'(

40 days

Can't believe that it's been 40 days.

You've ascended into heaven with Tito Harry and Lola.

You'll be with us when we go to see you in December.

One day we'll meet again.

Until then you'll live in the,

"..beatitude of the Eternal Light, Amen."

back in the swing of things

a brand new job.

fresh as a baby's bottom.

familiar roots

brings me back to jobs of old.

Everything's looking brighter... not just cause summer's 'round the corner.

lucky number 21

c - e - l - e - b - r - a - t - e ... what does that spell??
It spells out a new lease on life. Opportunities have more than just knocked on my door, they've given me a reason to open the door, walk out, and breathe in all that fresh air! Today is probably one of the, if not the, best day of 2008. That means my past is behind me, and all I can do is move forward. A life experience that will last me the rest of my life, and a new work experience that will be a great stepping stone to achieve my lifelong career goals. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I can truly say that I am truly happy. Let's see where Lucky 21 takes me...

that lovely bbq aroma

Papa Bravo

brings out his early summer assault on the big grill!

First bbq of 2008 and it was great.

Rocky sat patiently despite the grande-steak-on-the-grill aroma

that filled his little nose.

This time the meal was accompanied by my personal fave: Pasta Salad.

"Summer" has arrived. Time to bust out them stilettos!

Winter is finally gone, see ya next year!

tic-toc doc

time well spent

This movie is a definite " i recommend."

From opening to closing scenes your eyes are kept on screen

and the intensity of the suspense grips you.

A kind of who-dunnit-movie, you run around the 88

minutes with him, trying to put the puzzle pieces together.

Al Pacino's acting is like a fine Italian wine, only better with age.

His fierceness is raw-r :)

I am biased-- he's a reel movie icon

I recommend this for an in-theatre viewing.

P.S.- Backstreet Boys make some Royalty cash on a popular '97 hit.

Go see for yourself to find out which single makes it onto the big screen!

I'm a daydreamer

evidently so..

While I'm awake, I dream of tomorrows. I dream of everything that could bring me happiness, fulfillment and purpose. That's the great thing about life- possibilities are endless. When we think of the word dream, we often think of the state of mind which we are in when we are in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. When I think of the word dream, I think of the word aspirations. To aspire is to transpire. If you can dream it, you can become it, as long as you believe it.

I dream of many things..here's a brief list

1. graduating from teacher's college and securing a FT permanent position
2. the first day I open the door to decorate my classroom for the First Day of School
3. having a beautiful proposal that makes the world stop
4. buying a place/renovating dad's house back in Philly
5. paying my sister back for all I have in-debted to her, both financial and moral support
6. being so financially stable that I will be able to send my parents on a long, relaxing vacation
7. beautiful wedding day equal to the greatness that is Frank and I
8. having a great house, with a great backyard for me to plant and make an outdoor haven
9. having beautiful kids who grow up to have big dreams of their own

"Dream your dreams with open eyes and make them
come true."~ T. E. Lawrence

Why I love being around children?

They're big bags full of dream dust

flavour flave!

Banana Chocolate Crepe

here I come!

decadence at its finest.

This French dessert meets Italian Nutella, and Tropical Bananas,

to finally meet with my stomach,

later this evening.

pancake tuesday

... rather, Markham Station Tuesday.

Again I find myself with yet another individual, this time Jackie, at the marvellous markham station.

After her weekend collision, we're on our way to exchange her rental. The Impala, for a more fuel-efficient Civic. This time logistics win over aesthetics.

A fun day of running around, which lately,

has seemed to be the theme with me.

Ta-Ta!

no "p"

No Pedofiles

school zone

So, the infamous Debra LaFave--23 (at the time) teacher who had sex with her then 14yo student, again makes Nancy-Grace-Worthy headlines as she is relieved of her house arrest punishment for "good behaviour." Enraged by the stigma she places on fresh, young, female teachers enrages me. So, in my fit of rage, I do the logical thing I decide to do is educate myself. The first thing I do, rather than go to the library to read her Ex-Hubby's tell-all book named "Gorgeous Disaster," is look up her Matt Lauer Interview--entitled Crossing the Line-- on YouTube, and get her side of the story.

There is no denying her beauty, and also, no denying that she has issues..but what I disliked most of what I had learned through this piece is how she blamed her bipolar disorder-- or sorry, it greatly aggravated her situation; completely blurring her ability to distinguish right from wrong.

Denying claims made by her 'lover,' as they labelled him, *puke* that she was turned on by the secret rendezvous.

It is a grave situation for anyone to be in, and I feel completely for the boy and his family. But what I'm ranting about here is the fact that someone can throw away the greatest job that anyone can have-- a position of great influence, and radiance, as you provide a foundation for those you educate. She took away a child's innocence, but as she puts it " a 14 yo today is not the same as one ten years ago" which I agree-- but does not take away from the repulsive activity that resulted in her complete lack of judgement.

She still bears her ex husbands lastname, and if I were him, I would have that changed... but since I am not him, what I would want to have erased is her previous title as a "former teacher" because she did not educate as she was supposed to.

To me, she doesn't even deserve the X title.

back to bubbies

Home is where your heart is


Frank and I couldn't wait to get home to this little guy. I even brought my little dog-house frame with Rocky's picture in it, to put on our night table! We thought of him the whole time; wondering what he was doing, who he was playing with, if he was sleeping...


How attached we are to him. He's our baby- or better put, our bubbies. We raced home just to come home to him and was it ever the greatest of reunions. Nanay just opened the front door and out he ran! He was so excited, all tail-waggied (vs. bushy-eyed) and kissy. I was so happy to see him, and so was Frank, until he passed out on my bed--- note: he didn't sleep that night as he stayed at the Casino--therefore I had much more re-bonding time with Rocky, as we tried to wake Frank up. To no avail, he slept, I got bored and fell asleep, and as did Rocky. We woke up together to eat a Sunday's Supper.

Reunited and it feels so good

cinquanti anni

50 years

ain't that a golden ray of sunshine?

Invitation arrived in January, but the anniversary fell in December. We had a pre-emptive get together last year, but this weekend was the big shabam. Much preparation came with our attendance as we ignored the "Best Wishes Only" as put on the invitation. Frank and I decided to commemorate their enormous accomplishment of love and life for 50 years by giving them a crystal-engraved "diamond" set on a stand and mirrored base. An oversized crystal diamond engraved 50th and the base, Anniversary 2007, Raffaella and Antonio.

It was an extravagant affair in Orillia ON, Casino Rama-- Silvernightingale Ballroom. I say extravagant not because of the monetary expense, rather the evident amount of time and love invested by their children/grandchildren to properly celebrate this grand occasion.

You could see the love between them as they danced their first dance of the night to Italian Tango. I welled up with tears and felt overwhelmed with emotion. As a slideshow put their life together on display, I looked at them with awe and appreciation... love conquers all.

I couldn't help but wonder: what will it be
like when we hit our 50 years?

<3

Notable mentions

• Zia Raffaellina couldn't resist from her motherly-nature of serving the confetti (gold-laided almonds) to her guests...
• Frank and I danced the tarantella
• Frank's dad and I ALSO danced the tarantella
• I fell in love with the raspberry cheesecake
• I danced the night away with my prince charming
• At the very end of the night (2AM) my feet disowned me and began to give me sharp needle-like pains
• We slept in the lakeside cottage room, at the FernResort, with fireplace :)
• Frank gets looked at funny by the waiter when he orders his breakfast.
• We completely enjoy ourselves...it was truly a family affair!

breaks my heart

Another weekend without you...

New Year's wasn't the same without you.

I missed you so much that I wanted to go home.

This weekend won't be the same without you.

:(

Don't worry, we'll make it up to you, I promise!

Us 3 will be Niagara-bound sooner than you know it....

Can't imagine what it'll be like when we to to

the Philippines.

Gonna drive myself crazy.

XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoX

always...

Orillia-bound this weekend, therefore I will write my first "to be blog"

for Saturday..dedicated to

Rocky Chicharon.

Sunday's blog will be a complete re-cap of the weekend's events..

Will spend today (Friday) teaching, packing for the weekend, deciding on my outfit..etc.

Do a mental checkllist, Jill.

Ok. :P

celebrate the sun

A day of fun in the sun

with my besties.

Nelly and Rocco.

1. Pizza Hut Buffet
2. Picked up Rocco
3. Off to RY-High
4. Woodbine Beach
5. Walk Walk Walk...Bark Bark Bark
6. Home base.

Rocco's pooped.

:)

100!!

In celebration of my 100th post

I'm giving my blog a virtual makeover.

Hope you likey, cause I likey ;)

Learna Education *kfc

In Mathematics:

One hundred is the square of 10 (in scientific notation it is written as 102). The standard SI prefix for a hundred is "hecto-".
One hundred is the basis of percentages (literally "per hundred"), with 100% being a full amount.
It is the sum of the first nine prime numbers, as well as the sum of two prime numbers (47 + 53), and the sum of the cubes of the first four integers (100 = 13 + 23 + 33 + 43). Also, 26 + 62 = 100, thus 100 is a Leyland number.
One hundred is also an 18-gonal number. It is divisible by the number of primes below it, 25 in this case. But it can not be expressed as the difference between any integer and the total of coprimes below it, making it a noncototient. However, it can be expressed as a sum of some of its divisors, making it a semiperfect number.
100 is a Harshad number in base 10, and also in base 4, and in that base it is a self-descriptive number.

In Science:

100 degrees Celsius is the boiling temperature of pure water at sea level

One Hundred is Also:
The number of years in a century
A 100 year old person is known as a centenarian. George Burns. Bob Hope, and United States Senator Strom Thurmond were among those who had lived to 100.
The number of pounds in an American short hundredweight
The United States Senate has 100 Senators
The number of subunits into which many of the world's currencies are divided; for example, one euro is one hundred cents and one Pound Sterling is one hundred pence
The number of tiles in a standard Scrabble set
The denomination of the U.S. hundred-dollar bill with Benjamin Franklin's portrait; the "Benjamin" is the largest U.S. bill in print
The denomination of American savings bonds with Thomas Jefferson's portrait
The denomination of American treasury bonds with Andrew Jackson's portrait
In Greece, India and Israel, 100 is the police telephone number.
In Belgium, 100 is the ambulance telephone number.
In United Kingdom, 100 is the operator telephone number

dog days

Gorgeous weather is finally here.

took Cait and Chels and Li'l Chicharon to

the park today.

Lochleven of course, 2nd day of reminiscing.

Memory is a time capsule.

Frolicking, climbing, happy and excited,

are all 3.

I heart them. <3

A day to be happy and enjoy the sun!

school days

Picked up Caitlyn and Chelsea from school today.
I couldn't help but gaze and wonder, awaiting that day where I will return to school-- as a teacher. To hear that bell and release the kids to go outside, to supervise lunch, to pick a raised hand, to follow my lesson plan, to guide and to conquer, to comfort and support, to enjoy the company of youth, innocent, playful, and so full of life, laughter and potential. I can't wait. I can't wait until I can work at a school, and gain a daily ritual of reminiscing when I once sat in those chairs, changed to my 'indoor shoes', practiced for the talent shows, ran and play, cut and pasted. It's a form of nostalgia that eats at me; I just want that day to be here. For my successes to be in my face, a day to day reminder that I am making of myself, what my dreams are at night. A time when I will be at my happiest, and only to get happier. For teaching is not only to help others learn, but a learning experience in itself.



Does a tree ever stop growing? Therefore a teacher never stops learning.

Cait & Chels

First Holy Communion

O how adorable they looked.

All dressed, and pretty as dolls.

Looking and feeling their best

as they receive Jesus in this way,

for the first time.

So proud.

<3

How time has flown by.

Nanay's Birthday

Nanay

someone so sweet and thoughtful

that I can only wish to be half as great as she is, when I'm her age.

Ahhh

WANTED

Long luxurious hair.

Promising to never curse the high-maintenance,

can't-roll-over-in-my-sleep-cause-i'm-caught-on-my-hair times.

I said in 2004 that I would never let you go.

Look what I've done. Me and my impulses!!!

ALERT:

I AM EXPERIENCING EXTREMELY SEVERE

LONG-HAIR-WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS!!!!

Smile

It's really worthwhile

Psychological studies show that if you are not in a happy mood, therefore uninclined to smile, doing so --a fake one-- will release the same hormones (endorphines) that are released when you are truly happy, and will thus result in a positive, happy emotion.

So the simple act of faking it, will make it?

Let's see if that really follows through...

puppy love

Maybe?

But I prefer the term well-loved.

So what he has shoes, sweaters, tshirts, jackets/coats.

So what he has a Coach collar, and soon-to-have leash.

So what he's toted around everywhere.

All those things may say he's spoiled...

I say, he's given the best of everything.

For every minute spent making the money to provide for all this and more

is worth all the happiness he has brought me. <3

april fools

No pranks

nothing extravagant.

Those days are done,

but I did have sushi, pocky and a sub :)

March 31

Busy Day- Running around the GTA

1. some things don't work out for a reason
2. driving around lets you think and get things straight
3. a lot of browsing and posh shoppes later: we return to good old Scarborough
4. a diamond in the rough.
5. 1 down-- a million more to go; time for the season of celebrations!!