loryces online
Friday, January 28
Itching Like Crazy

I got the hives. It's usually a sign of an allergic reaction but as far as I know, I don't have any allergies. That's why I'm confused as to how and where I got it. I didn't eat anything that I haven't already eaten before so food as the causative agent is ruled out. I tolerate the weather well enough so that's crossed out too. I'm not taking any medications and we don't have pets. I wonder what's causing this?

Anyway even if it's freaking cold here, I'm going to take a nasty cold shower. I read somewhere that cold can help with the itching and I really, badly need all the help I can get.

LORYCES @ 7:01 PM | COMMENTS 5 comment(s)
5 comment(s):
At 11:23 AM, Blogger loryces commented...

hi barb! nope i'm not a doc nor a med student but my profession is in the health field. :) thanks for the tip. makahanap nga ng benadryl hehe.

 
At 4:29 AM, Blogger Jet commented...

Hi Loryces! Hope you feel better soon. :)

 
At 1:53 PM, Blogger loryces commented...

thanks jet! :)

 
At 11:00 PM, Blogger loryces commented...

"alrighty. I am going now, to go count palm trees."


i hate you.

wish i could see palm trees 'round here. :(

 
At 1:03 PM, Blogger lifecafe commented...

maybe you got bit by a bug?? i didn't used to be allergic to anything until my first year of college. i went on a climbing trip to laguna and got bitten by something while i was there. i think it triggered something. now i'm allergic to all sorts of things. sana hindi ganun yung sa yo... i hope you're ok. allergies are a huge hassle.

 

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Thursday, January 27
Possible Neil Gaiman Signing in the Philippines!

To all Pinoy Gaiman-iacs out there, I'm sure this would really excite you:

From Neil Gaiman's blog:
Incidentally, I'm trying to organise (well, I'm not actually doing the organising) the promised signings in the Phillipines and Singapore before or after the Melbourne convention and Australian book signings this summer. The signing in the Philippines looks like it's happening, but I'm not sure about the Singapore one, as originally I was going be brought in with Dave McKean by the British Council, a plan that was scuppered by MirrorMask, and now I'm not really sure who to talk to. (If anyone in Singapore has any bright ideas, feel free to let me know.)

Eeek how cool is that!

LORYCES @ 10:14 PM | COMMENTS 5 comment(s)
5 comment(s):
At 10:52 PM, Blogger Ava commented...

Astig!!! Gaiman? Dito? waaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!

*hyperventilates*

 
At 7:58 AM, Blogger batjay commented...

that would be really nice if he visits the philippines. if i were there, i know i'd queue to get my books signed.

sana matuloy din siya rito sa singapore. there's kinukuniya bookstore in orchard road that should talk to neil. it's huge and it has a great comic section with a well stocked gaiman rack.

does anybody in singapore know about this? sayang kasi.

 
At 7:07 PM, Blogger Ina N commented...

omg! i better let my sister know about this one -- too bad i'm not there to get my stuff signed! ah well.

 
At 7:19 PM, Blogger Unknown commented...

yay! sana matuloy! =)

 
At 8:37 PM, Blogger loryces commented...

Padawan Hobbit Witch: hehe.

BatJay: sana nga matuloy sya dyan. first time nya ata magkasigning sa asia so i hope madaan sya sa pinas at s'pore. :)

Ina: hay naku yan din problema ko! huhu. :'(

Galenlondeien: oo nga eh! uy favor! paki-sign ako ha! :D

 

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Friday, January 21
Bilbo Said It Clearly

Ok I've not been truthful enough about my last entry. The whole incident is not about me being secretive. I don't know why I thought it's about that. I guess I'm trying not to make a big deal out of it, making it seem less than what it actually is. I talked to a couple of my friends earlier and -- thankgodtheyunderstandwhatimgoingthrough -- it really helped me calm down and think about the situation. You see, the pep talk I had with my aunt revolves around my finacial affairs -- what she thought is a complete disregard in my part to save, which I might add is not completely untrue. I admit that I've been sort of reckless with the money I have in my possession, spending on what my relatives call trivial and superficial pursuits like books, DVDs, a cellphone, LOTR-related stuff, etc. (Well basically all things that don't fall under the basic needs category are unnecessary for them. I kid you not.) I also admit that sometimes I tend to "forget" the future and sort of live in the moment, the here and now, spending like there's no tomorrow. I also admit that my savings account right now is a pittance. But still, even with my pitiful saving habits, it doesn't give my aunt (or any other relatives) the right to meddle with my affairs or to criticize the way I handle my finances. If I choose to spend it on things I want, whether superfluous or not, is not really their concern right? If I choose to spend all my money in one go, that's my business, not theirs.

I don't have my family with me right now. I don't have a boyfriend. I don't have close friends I can hang out with. I don't know anyone who's a LOTR fanatic around our area. I don't have outlets that would somehow alleviate what I'm feeling right now. I want to buy things that would make me happy, even for a little bit. Sounds pathetic, I know, because I'm relying on things to make me happy but what can I do? I love what I'm feeling when I'm buying books or DVDs, especially when it's about Lord of the Rings. I love it when I buy stuff because I know it's something crossed off my to-have list and that I have to find another item for my wish list. Actually these things that I'm saving up for are more than just a bunch of trivialities. They're my goals, pathetic as it sounds. Is it so bad to desire? Is it that sinful to save up and buy things? Mali ba yun??? Besides I don't plan on having a family anytime soon so what better way to enjoy life than by working and saving up for the things you want to have?

The worst thing is it's making me feel guilty and it shouldn't be. I have worked/am working my ass off so I can save and spend it my way and no mother or relative is going to tell me otherwise. I just hope I have the guts to explain this to them someday.

As for the title, a friend reminded me that Bilbo said it clearly when he said "what business is it of yours what i do with my own things?" Hehe.

LORYCES @ 12:00 AM | COMMENTS 9 comment(s)
9 comment(s):
At 4:33 PM, Blogger JMom commented...

Hi Loryces, that's the hard thing when you are still living under someone's roof. They feel entitled to meddle in your personal affairs. If I were you (no, actually, I was exactly where you are now!) I'd save my money and move out. That's what I did, then I can say, it's my money and I'd spend it like I want to. I'm sure they have good intentions, but sometimes, we have to learn our own way and be allowed to make mistakes.

 
At 5:08 PM, Anonymous Anonymous commented...

i guess it really isn't easy being in another country plus not really getting along with your relatives. =( *virtual hugs*

-- rej
http://sunshinysarcasm.blurty.com

 
At 12:25 AM, Anonymous Anonymous commented...

Hi Loryces we have some things in common - like the that superficial pursuits :) pero sad naman ako dun sa last entry mo. kung andian ako, me kasama ka ng LOTR fanatic hehe. At hindi mali yung bumili ka out of your own savings, atleast inipon mo yun. hope things will be better for you in other means. thanks for the greeting btw. take care and God Bless! - tsampoy

 
At 3:41 AM, Anonymous Anonymous commented...

My sympathies, Loryces. Yeah, it's hard when people (ergo, relatives) want to have a say in your life. But then again, it's YOUR life. JMom is correct, you'll have to save up and move out. Then you can tell them what you're dying to say.

Chin up, OK?

Tin Tin
http://www.stannum.net/

 
At 9:37 AM, Blogger Dr. Emer commented...

Pareho pala tayo....I'll tell you what my weaknesses are: books (science, medicine, politics, etc.), comics, graphic novels, and cool gadgets. I don't splurge much on clothing, pag kelangan lang, me convention or I got to give a talk...that's when I dress up.

When I was there, like I told you one time, me suki ako sa kanto ng Randolph and Michigan Ave sa downtown Chicago (dunno if he's still there) where I usually get my stash of comics. Mura pa noon. Mga less than a dollar pa lang ang isa. I usually blow around $50 sa comics. Itinatago ko ang mga yun. Same reasons as yours. Ayaw din ng mga relatives ko (mga tita din) ng mga ganoong pagkakagastusan. Aksaya daw, you know the talk. Moving out is out of the option, as ayaw ng parents ko na umalis ako sa kamag-anak ko; I just moved out when I had my residency in Baltimore.

Me point naman sila. Nauubos nga ang savings ko sa mga comics...but I'm also the one who suffer from it, so sa tingin ko ok lang. Bad trip din sa akin pag napapagsabihan. I know what you feel.

Advice ko sa yo, just tell them you will tone it down a little. Say the things you know they'd like to hear from you. Apologize. Promise you'll save from now on.
Matatapos din yan. Hindi kasi nila naiintindihan and they will never understand unless they see it from your perspective --- which they'll never do, trust me. So, compromise na lang.

Matatapos din yan. When you're a professional already, you can be free and do everything you want. Pero ang irony, mami-miss mo naman mga pangaral at sermon nila. Oo, kakatawa nga, pero ganyan nangyari sa akin. Wala naman gaanong nagbago. I still buy and collect my comics. :)

 
At 11:06 AM, Blogger Jax commented...

Concerned lang siguro ang Auntie mo sayo. After all, siya ang legal guardian mo diyan. Siyempre gusto niya lang maging maayos ka.

Yun nga lang, di niya siguro alam kung pano niya sasabihin sayo yun.

 
At 7:38 PM, Blogger lornadahl commented...

Hi, loryces! This is a very remarkable day. After countless days (months even!) of encountering THIS PAGE CANT BE DISPLAYED whenever I go check this virtual lounge, I have finally seen your words once again. =)

I'm sorry to hear she can't understand your needs. Homesickness is a terrible company, what more can a questioning authority bring? Have you considered moving out? Or would that bring more i$$ues? I hope you'd surpass this all. *hugs*

 
At 2:29 AM, Blogger Night Moon commented...

I think I have a pretty good grasp of living for the moment, Im epicurean har!! I saw your site thru Lornadahl, way before when your layout was copied by a south american,...so i have been a lurker! Its high time I let you know that ive been reading your site. I added you too, to my blogroll, to make it public :)-dementedvixen

http://dementedvixen.ploghost.net

 
At 10:33 PM, Blogger loryces commented...

JMom: i'll keep that in mind! thanks!

rej: you got it right. it's never easy. *hugs back*

Tsampoy: sige punta ka na dito para may co-fanatic friend na ko :D thanks!

Tin: thanks! pag-alis ko dito, punta ako ng malayong-malayo haha!

Dr. Emer: manong emer pareho tayo ng mga hilig! gastador ka rin pala hehe! and like you, yoko din ng pinagsasabihan pero i understand them naman. asar lang kasi minsan. thanks ha!

hazpafis: nakakainis lang kasi yung pagkakasabi nya eh. oh well. thanks!

lornadahl: hi lorna! sorry bout the page cannot be displayed thing but believe me, i didnt know bout it. :( yoko magmove out. not enough moolah. if i have it, i will move out in a heartbeat hehe. *hugs back*

Matapoor: thanks!

demented: hi! thanks for visiting and adding me! will return the favor. :)

pen: sus i doubt na maintindihan nya. pareho sila ng mommy na puro tipid dito, tipid dun. not that there's anything wrong with that. syempre gusto ko rin gumastos noh. :D

 

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Thursday, January 20
Oops

I had a heart-to-heart talk with my aunt. Well more like a scolding from her part. Apparently, I've been causing them trouble... and I thought I was being guarded enough not to cause any ripple, much less trouble for them. It seems my secretive ways have been bothering them for quite some time. For instance, my cellphone, which I bought last October. I kept it a secret from them, even from my family, because I know that I'm not going to hear the end of it -- their complaints, their "pangaral" of not buying superficial things. Whatever. I thought it's better for them not knowing than me listening to their tirades. When this cellphone-buying incident came up, my aunt scolded me for keeping it from them and added "I'm not dumb. I knew about this even before you told us." I felt guilty that she took it that way. I never meant for her to feel that I'm making her feel dumb. That's absurd. Anyway, I guess all these boils down to me not being open, something that I've never been.

LORYCES @ 11:09 AM | COMMENTS 1 comment(s)
1 comment(s):
At 8:42 PM, Anonymous Anonymous commented...

um, sino ba nagbayad sa phone, diba ikaw?
mga tao talaga oo.
hope you feel better about this. it's a personal investment that should make you happy.
-james

 

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Thursday, January 13
I have a visitor!

A former classmate who's permanently living in Washington is going to stay with me for the weekend. I sure am excited because I haven't seen anyone from school for the past three years. I'm hungry for stories or even exchanges of which we could both relate. I'm not keen on reminiscing our PT days but I guess it's better to talk about that than not to talk at all. It's a pity she'll just be staying for three days. We could go to some of Chicago's finest establishments and institutions. The least I can show her are malls around our area and the Navy Pier. Oh well, I'm sure we'll be doing this again... soon I hope.

LORYCES @ 9:53 AM |

Monday, January 10
Credit Card Woes

Turo ng nanay ko di daw maganda ang umuutang. Lumaki ako na naniniwala na kung uutang ka, dapat bayaran agad. Syempre sa Pilipinas yun. Aba eh pagdating ko dito sa USA, mas maganda pala ang buhay mo kung may utang ka. Karamihan sa mga establishments, online man o land-based, eh gusto nila credit card ang method of payment. Mapa-grocery man o mall, restaurant o bookstore, mas ok kung credit card at hinde cheke o cash ang ibabayad mo. Hassle sobra ang walang credit card dito. Di ako makabili ng libro sa amazon.com. Di rin ako maka-avail ng mga discounts. Nakakaimbyerna.


Anyway gusto ng tita ko, magka-credit card na ko kasi kung gagamitin ko man ang card nya, may chance na sumobra sa limit. Ok nga kasi tita ko pa yung nagpipilit sa kin magka-credit card eh. Kung sa Pilipinas to, siguro tatlumpung taong gulang na ko, di pa ko papayagan ng nanay ko. Yun nga lang, ang hirap mag-umpisa ng credit history. Bago kasi maapprove ang application mo, ise-search muna nila kung may credit line ka na. Nakailang establishments na ko na pinag-apply-an. Mga maliliit na stores lang kasi mas may chance ako kesa sa mga bigatin na companies. Nag-apply ako sa Sears, Old Navy, Kohl's, TJMaxx, Target, at JCPenney pero wala, rejected pa rin ang applications ko. Sabi nila wala daw kasi akong existing credit history. Nakngtokwa naman oo. Paano ako magkakaroon ng credit history kung ayaw nyo akong bigyan ng chance magka-credit history?! Ewan ko ba.

LORYCES @ 7:27 PM | COMMENTS 0 comment(s)
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Wednesday, January 5
Heavy Snow Warning

I woke up to a very white morning. It snowed overnight and according to the news, "7 to 10 inches is expected across Dupage and Cook counties (more - we live in Cook county btw)." Yikes. Well it was a beauteous morning, I give you that. All the houses and cars covered with snow... haaay kay ganda! But beware because this seemingly harmless stuff can be quite dangerous in roads and sidewalks, not to mention icky when mixed with mud (duh). Parang slush na brown... ugh. People are advised not to travel when there's a heavy snow warning since snow will reduce visibility and increase the likelihood of skidding. I've experienced this a year ago, when we were going home from a party. The van suddenly slid sideways and it took my uncle at least a minute or two before he regained control of the wheels. For a second, I panicked because I know anything can happen in an icy road.

Whenever we have blizzards or even flurries, the town's public service prepares for an all-out snow-melting procedure. Like today, it has been reported that the City of Chicago recruited 262 trucks onto side streets and roads. They put salt on the roads to help melt the snow. By the time traffic hit the streets, most of them were just mainly wet, which of course greatly reduced the skidding factor thereby less accident-prone. It's a good thing I still don't know how to drive. I don't think I can handle this icy situation from a beginner's stance.

LORYCES @ 11:54 PM | COMMENTS 0 comment(s)
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Monday, January 3
Birthday Toast to Professor JRRT

Happy 113th Birthday Professor John Ronald Reuel Tolkien!!!



My greatest thanks and respect goes out to you, Professor! Long may your legacy continue in our hearts and dreams!



LORYCES @ 10:25 PM |

Saturday, January 1
Manigong Bagong Taon!



HAPPY NEW YEAR!HAPPY NEW YEAR!HAPPY NEW YEAR!HAPPY NEW YEAR!




New Year in our area has not been much fun compared to the Philippines. Of course, it's a lot less dangerous, what with the Pinoys' love for firecrackers and the like leading to incomplete limbs and sometimes, life. However, I still miss all the New Year noise, even the superstitions. I remember wearing t-shirts with polka dots, jumping up and down, putting coins in my pockets, tying a bunch of grapes on the top doorframe, and placing a tray full of fruits (better kung 'bilog') on the table. I even miss the 'torotot.' Maybe next New Year, I'll be back home in 'Pinas.



EDIT: Found this message from Neil Gaiman:

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't to forget make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.

Sigh. What a guy.

LORYCES @ 12:00 AM |