4th of JULY

What an engot! Why didn't I realize that when I purchased my ticket and booked my holiday (to be in the US this week)? Why last month and not last week? Argh!!!!!!!

I couldn't sleep last night, so I started moaning and I reviewed my holidays' videos in my phone supposedly to ease out my feelings; then I couldn't resist it, I felt this sad thing unexpectedly (yes, I do have feelings) where I felt my heart being crushed and I thought I was dying. My emotions are sad, panic, sad, chaos, sad, upset, sad, bland, sad, yearning for world peace, sad. I really dont want to swallow any Diazepam last night coz I know I could just sleep it over. And so I thought...

So at 1205am I phoned Anne's phone and guess what she told me? It's a nice week to be in the US due to the Indepence Day and Taste of Chicago celebrations.

Right! Fancy telling me that...

Anyway, I am amused by this PETA vs STONE issue recently. PETA made an offer to pay for a brain scan to determine if comments and actions that seem to demonstrate a lack of empathy are the result of a physical defect in the prefrontal area of Sharon's brain. All this pallovas had started when Sharon Stone made comments about China (Olympics, Earthquale, karma, etc).
I thought if only PETA will read all my previous posts, they might offer me not just a brain scan, but psychiatric and psychology assessments as well. Those who know me can attest that I'm normal really (?????????). That I don't bite and I'm really just average. If I come across to you like a suicidal retard, it's not me.. I have been misjudged.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!

Anyway, it's Friday night... Cant wait for 9pm. Somebody planned something nice.

KNOWLEDGE POWER

I have been receiving funny messages in my email acct. My main e-mails before had been with AOL & YAHOO ( I think I had Earthling.net and Eudora as well). But since I have purchased this domain, I have been using krisjasper@krisjasper.com as my main email account (I guess my pathetic life isn't complicated enough...).

In that account I have received all sorts of messages from you, my dear readers (thank you very much and may I remind you that I have a paypal account as well), work associates and friends. I have received offers from some company to post about certain products and they'll pay me apparently, but I didn't consider their offers. I thought this is my PERSONAL site, and I'll only post/discuss things that have been part of my miserable life.

BUT WHAT'S MY EMAIL GOT TO DO WITH TODAY'S POST?

Here...

Sometimes I receive messages from anyone asking me how my day went, how cold it is in wherever country I was, how's work, or just forwarded messages. But the other day I received a msg from a stranger, H.J. J. (s****ss1**1@naver.com) from Seoul, Korea (as he/she had claimed), and he/she had emailed me this:

Hello!

Can I ask something!

ah.!! I'm sorry T_T;;

introduce myself!

My name is (fast forward............)



What does this sentence mean..?

"pre musta na nandyan ka ba?"

("pre musta na nandyan kpa(?) ba?")

It drives me crazy... what does it mean

please help me!!!


I had already emailed him/her back.. and I hope what I replied was correct. Bless... somebody's "driving crazy" with PRE MUSTA NA NANDYAN KA PA BA?

I was fascinated by that because:

1. I can only guess that he/she had taken my email add from this site.


2. My site is read all over


3. Somebody thought I have a brain and tried asking me something!!!

Anyway, H.J.J., I hope you got my reply and thank you for reading my posts. And dont hesitate to ask me another question.
Because "PAG WALANG KNOWLEDGE, WALANG POWER!" (and dont hesitate to ask me about that one as well).

Also, 12 more weeks and I'm on my 12-month of blogging. Nearly 12000 hits and read in 30 zones everyday... Thank you guys.






And here's from the office of my boss:


RULES OF THE OFFICE

1. A clean desk is the sign of a sick mind.


2. Tomorrow we are going to get organised.


3. Quick, look busy. Here comes the boss.


4. The boss is always right: Misinformed, lazy, stupid, but right.


5. Nothing is impossible: our boss says so.


6. To err is human but to foul things up completely requires a computer.


7. No-one is fired here. Slaves are only sold.


8. Work fascinates us. We can look at it for hours.


9. The boss treats us like mushrooms: Keeps us in the dark and feeds us bullshit.


10. We are the willing, led by the unknowing, doing the impossible, for the ungrateful.

and another one:

NOTICE

The management regret that it has come to their attention that Employees dying on the job are not falling down.

This practice must stop as it becomes impossible to distinguish between DEATH and NATURAL MOVEMENT of the staff.

Any employee found dead in an upright position will be dropped from the payroll.

As her Deputy, I'm learning a lot from her.

I'm hoping for some hits from:

Guam

Guam

Guam

Guam

NO NEED TO SAY GOODBYE

My past 3 weeks in scanty fotos.

We watched Narnia the other day, and I liked that song by Regina Spektor

(The Call), which eventually ended up as the background song for this post... The red, italized lines are the composing lyrics for that song.

It started out as a feeling

Which then grew into a hope

Which then turned into a quiet thought

Which then turned into a quiet word

And then that word grew louder and louder

Til it was a battle cry

I'll come back

When you call me

No need to say goodbye

Just because everything’s changing

Doesn’t mean it’s never been this way before

All you can do is try to know who your friends are

As you head off to the war

Pick a star on the dark horizon

And follow the light

You’ll come back when it’s over

No need to say goodbye

You’ll come back when it’s over

No need to say goodbye

Now we’re back to the beginning

It’s just a feeling and no one knows yet

But just because they can’t feel it too

Doesn’t mean that you have to forget

Let your memories grow stronger and stronger

’Til they’re before your eyes

Back in Birmingham, UK.

A prepared me my favourite food: seafood paella, salmon wrapped in bacon, asparagus and mushrooms

You’ll come back

When they call you

No need to say goodbye

Nice to be loved by the staff and service users.

Nice to be back in my element.

Pose.

My Life is Priceless.

p.s.

I apologize if the dates in some fotos are not of the current year and it has confused you. As I have posted, my camera broke after my 1st week in Chicago (which I could understand coz I've saved in my computer nearly 500 fotos taken in the first 9 days of my holiday, talk about breaking down). Hence, I've used Anne's camera and I dont think she had set up the right dates.

And finally, yes, my trip has been successful in a way.. I know now where to start and I'm taking TOEFL in 6 weeks time for my US (work) visa. I WILL LEAVE IT AS THAT FOR THE MO.

MUNDANE LIFE

After more than 3 weeks of rest, I'll re-start my routine this afternoon.

Friday, the 20th

2 days after my bro-in law was featured in ABC, NBC and FOX news, he thought it was a good idea to be featured in World's Scariest Police Chase as well. Hence, he was given a ticket for overspeeding.


Friday still, there was nothing to write really. We just stayed overnight in Anne's friend's house in the sub-urbs and played mahjong (after having BBQ and Filipino dish). We started 10pm (Friday) and finished 6am (Saturday). I thought I could win back my airfare through mahjong, but unfortunately I only won $12.00.

Saturday.

As that place was near Gurnee, I spent my winnings again in A/F and Banana Rep. Then Anne brought us to Golden Coal Buffet(I really forgot what it's called). For less than $10, you'll have STEAKS, mexican foods, desserts were loads, STEAKS, sea foods, pizzas, STEAKS, etc.

Sunday.

Me, Ta Annie and Patrick attended the mass at 5pm. I was really surprised that they have a Filipino Mass every week in the church near Anne's place. In the UK, they only have Filipino Mass every 2nd Sunday (in front of City Hospital). It's nice to attend a mass celebrated in Tagalog. I've never experienced it for more than 5 years.

Monday. Morning.

We saw that writings in the sky. It was a good 30 minutes before the pilot finished writing SKYMAILME.com. tHat was when we took Ta' Annie into her workplace.

Also, at that day I went to my (hopefully) petitioners...

I know it 'll take time but I'll start completing my docus soon.

AND I WILL KEEP IT DOWN FOR THE MEAN TIME.

Monday. Lunchtime.

Bertili sent me POPEYE'S Chicken and biscuits (thanks 'ber), plus lots and lots of Cheetos. I have been advising her to start her own blogsite and I wont be surprised if one of these days I'll be reading things and juicy stuffs from her.

Monday. 6pm.

Back to O Hare Int'l. I paid $50.00 for my excess. I unfortunately queued to the lady who doesn't use her smile muscles (and looked like she never had sex for the longest time) and after checking my ID's she just said "You have a heavy bag and it's $50" to which I just replied "Do you accept VisaCard?"

Monday. 615pm.

As it was not just my luggage that was heavy but my hand carry as well, Congrats to me, I was pre-selected for a thorough check up. My bag was opened and I was brought aside. I wasn't annoyed, my fellow americans are just doing their job (lol). Well, we all know that we're not supposed to bring fluids in our hand carry, which I followed actually. But I have loads of chocolates, and they said it might melt, then it's a liquid, then maybe they thought I can make a concoction of bombs from Hersheys chocolates. Again, I wasn't annoyed.

MY FELLOW AMERICANS ARE JUST DOING THEIR JOB.

My seatmate was Debbie from Indiana, She's a microbiologist and she's going to spain to assess some products before it could be imported to the US. The 8hours flight went quicker because she was a good chat (maybe she's thinking otherwise because I chatted all the way.. oh well).

Shame because my camera was in my luggage. I could have taken a pic 4hours after our flight , 40,000 ft above Atlantic ocean, where I saw half of earth was in darkness and half was bright.

TUESDAY. 945am

I noticed that 30 minutes before touchdown in Chicago all I could see were high buildings.

This time it was already 15minutes before our scheduled arrival and I was still exlaining to Debbie that those yellow farm fields were of potatoes.

TUESDAY. 4pm.

I'm back in Birmingham. yehey!!! (sigh...)

WEDNESDAY. 1:30am

I couldn't sleep. I phoned my aunt (Ta Annie) in Chicago and it helped.

WEDNESDAY.

I had my longest sleep. 11 hours. A woke me up because we were going to our friends' house. Jennifer and Nonoy (there as you've requested, I wrote your names) knew I'm still mentally unstable due to post-windy-city-holiday so they invited us to spend the afternoon/evening there.

THURSDAY. 0030hrs.

I phoned Chicago. I spoke to Patrick.

He asked "YOU KNOW WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW?"

"No." I replied.

He answered... "I'M READING YOUR SITE"

NAVY PIER

These photos were taken with the use of my N95. Good thing that my new reader Berteli (yes, I have been marketing my site well) has an adaptor for my memory card or else I would have to send all these photos via AOL and imagine how much it 'd cost me... My other option was to go to Walgreens to transfer all of these photos from my phone to a CD but they had no adaptor for my mini XD.

I went with my aunt and Patrick. We just rode bus 92 from California Ave (a block from West Berwyn Ave), then caught Brownlines and that took us all the way to downtown. From there the hassle was looking for the right trolley that'd take us to the Navy Pier. There are trolleys (please click) all over downtown and it's free to ride them. There are less than 5 lines and they are colour coded. The colour will take you to a specific destination. Going to the Navy Pier, you'll have to ride the Yellow line. The trolleys come every 20 minutes. You can catch that free service back again to downtown.

You can enter the Navy Pier (please click) for free. Those who have accessed my Friendster account know that I have been here before and that I look fat then (I just have to insert that).

You can ride a boat and the cost range from $12- $50, depending on the kind of boat, the length of the ride and the activities that they provide.

You know why he looked sad? Coz I told him to stop running around coz he might fall off the boat and a whale might swallow him whole.

I like that lighthouse. I used that pic as my fone's wallpaper.

Chicago Skyline. There you can see the tallest building in North America, the Sears Tower.

If only mum was given 5 more years...

Anyway, I really cant wait to move here. Out of the 50, I have been to 13 states of the US and so far my heart belongs to Illinois.

Going back we rode bus 147 and that took us to N. Sheridan road (that's where my mum lived before), then Bus 92 to Foster street.

See... I've conquered Chicago.

So many things to do in these remaining hours....

Im going back to that country called England next week.

(sigh...)

I had been busy so I was unable to update my site. I spoke with my 1st cousin who's based in Florida and he'd invited me to visit him. I could have said, "sure, i'll visit you tomorrow" but I have to complete that statement with "just send me a return ticket" which I am SHY to say...

Oh well, hopefully soon 'to Malang. Hopefully soon.

Also my aunts in BC, Canada had been consistently inviting me to go there as well. Again, I could have said that statement above, but I'm again too SHY to finish it with that other concluding statement.

Oh well, hopefully soon... hopefully soon.

Friday was a call centre day for me. My good friend Juleo (my resident host if I'm in New York) called me and taught me 3 new words: "Shinanigans" , "Mini-pie" and "Uni-brow". ha, ha, ha.. He just had a tattoo in his arm (and claimed it's addictive). I told him Im glad he had it, and that he's brave for doing that.

Also Friday was when I spoke again with my bestfriend Mary (my host if I'm in San Diego, and my company if I'm in Las Vegas).

Considering that I have emphasized that they are 2 of my closest friends in life, they have not, I repeat "NOT", invited me to re-visit their states. Im just wondering if I've been a bad guest when I was with them. I'm sure they're reading this...

lol.

Anyway, the 3 of us planned to be in New York on September. Something that I dont think I can fulfill as I went here in the US months ahead, but if luck touches me and will give me pocket money via the lottery that might just be possible.

Or maybe a New Yorker reader who's willing to shoulder all of my expenses just to meet me in person then that's fine as well.

Also Friday was when we stayed overnight in Anne's friend's house in the sub-urbs, but something bad had happened while we're on our way there. I'll post about it soon.

I have weighed my luggage and I'm already in excess of 5kg. And we'll be out again later to buy the most important stuffs. I hope my charm will work when I have to explain to an airport personnel why I have put all of Walmarts in my bag.

I ROCK

O! say can you see by the dawn's early light




What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming



Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming.

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Personal Script.

I came not just to cheer, but also to collect freebies.

lol.

We attended the Heroes Welcome of 708th Medical Company of the US Army from the mid -East, of which my bro- in law is part of.

He should have been dismissed from his one year service in the army yesterday, but because Anne had given birth, his commander allowed him to go home last month.

He was interviewed by ABC 5 and NBC 2, and it was shown today @ 5pm and 10pm news. If only I knew he's being interviewed while I was drowning myself with the freebies and tasting cookies, I should have stuck with him after the ceremony and I could have pretended that I flew all the way from London just to be in that ceremony. He had TV exposures of nearly a minute in both channels! Life aint fair.

Those militaries were away from their family for a year, so you can just imagine how excited the families were to meet them. Especially the kids, they couldn't wait to hug and kiss again their mommy/daddy.

Also, my digicam broke the other day. I went to the Navy Pier last Tuesday and I used my mobile to take photos. Argh!!!!!

BARNACLE

Thank you to Richard for adding my site to his list of
10 Emerging Influential Blogs (2008).

I only post what I see, what I feel and what I think in my miserable existence, and I'm happy that I have the liberty to do it.

Here's Richard's list (click here).






REUNITED and it feels so good.



REUNITED coz we understood




There's one perfect fit
And sugar, this one is it

We both are so excited

Coz we're reunited, hey, hey....

The manager of Popeye's didn't want me to take fotos inside..

It's true that there's always a witch in every fairytale.

Saturday, 14th June

@ Chicago Botanical Garden

Chicago Botanical Garden has 7 islands, and is the 2nd most visited garden in the US.

Sansho-En is the Garden of the Three Islands. It is a place of serene beauty where visitors can truly slow down the pace of their busy lives. From the moment you cross the bridge, you enter a world where you are encouraged to observe, listen, and reflect.

Anne and her husband appeared tired.

Sunday, 15th June

we first attended mass, then Ta Malu brought me to a funeral of someone I do not know...

Oh well, I have always been called "gate crasher"

with Ta Malu at Todai Buffet @ Woodfield Mall (that's $32/head, thanks ta!)

(Ta Malu is one of my mum's friend here, listening to her stories about my mum, and mum's life in this city is slowly completing me)

Todai Japanese buffet is located inside Woodfield mall (once the biggest in the US). I really enjoyed their sushis and crab meat. I think I had changed plates 7 times.

I did not vomit so it wasn't gluttony.

My camera's dying... Let's call it a day.

Like a Barnacle.

Im so attached now,

and I feel like I dont want to go home....

again.

LOST.

Friday the 13th.

One day after I completed that personal glitch.

The weather's bad. Our plans of travelling up north to Wisconsin has been consistently cancelled due to tornadoes and floods.


We decided to return to Gurnee yesterday @ 6pm. That was graphed at the last minute.

Bad. Not enough to explore the warzone (aka: MALL)



845 pm. After conquering A/F, Gap, American Eagle and Tommy Hil, my senses directed me to Banana Rep

9pm. I chatted with 2 ladies from Negros whom I just met. Just the same, they thought I'm Chinese.

930pm. Paid everything. 6 items, not even £25. Good.
Then I noticed that they have already closed. Bad.

935pm. Everyone seems to be in a herd. I followed one herd.

A lot of Exits.

I went to the wrong carpark.

Did I tell you that the area was massive?

I was in an unfamiliar territory.

LOST.

Unfortunate Events:

1. Place was secluded.
2. Aunt's fone - I couldn't connect
3. Nath's Phone- I couldn't connect
4. Anne's personal phone - I couldn't connect.
5. Patrick - Only 7... no phone.

How do you spell shit?

Alas! Anne's work's phone... and it rang. Let's do math coz I love math...

How much is it to use UK line in US soil? £2.50/min (exc tax)?

How many times did I phone? 6 times?

How long was I in that uncharted soil? 30 minutes?

How many patrols have I seen? 3?

How many cars were there in THAT car park when I began my saga? a lot?

How many carparks were there? a lot?

Chances of me being in the wrong carpark? 99/100?

How many cars were there after 20 minutes of voiceless saga? 15 (or even less)?

LOST. Experience. Anxiety. Priceless.


PTSD.

Post Traumatic Stress Dollally.

How many KFC have I eaten? a lot?

Oh by the way, Im into this game now (ahem).

p.s

9th Day. Maybe tonight PopEye... maybe tonight...

I'm hoping for some hits from

UKRAINE.

UKRAINE.

UKRAINE.

UKRAINE.