I love Freecycle

Freecycle is a e-group of people living in the same community who recycle their things for free, hence, freecycle. Things on offer are varied - from used clothes, toys, appliances (refs/freezers, TVs, dvd players, heaters), furniture (beds and mattresses, sofas, dining sets) pots and pans, plates, computers, phones, empty jars, fences, to defective appliances which other freecyclers can fix or use for parts. Here's how it works.

Members post "offers" of things they want to give away or get rid of, and their location (usually their suburb). Interested members write emails to the poster of their intent for that offer. The poster then gets to choose who to give the item to. Many factors are considered by the poster, some choose based on a first come first served basis, some consider the reasons for needing that item, some don't choose members because their emails are rude. When you are chosen, you are emailed by the poster to coordinate pickup or sometimes delivery of the item.

You can also post a "wanted" email, requesting members for a particular item you need, and hope that someone replies with that item they no longer need.

I have been fortunate enough to have been a recipient of this freecycling from the freecycle canberra group. For a Filipino officer who's wife is giving birth this month, I was able to get a really nice bassinet plus baby stuff, and a pram. For another Filipino officer, I was able to get a washing machine after his broke down. I got gumboots for Diego for use in the snow, car seats for visiting officers with kids. And the best so far, is the 4-burner Jackeroo outdoor grill, perfect for Spring! There are other things that I have requested for, but wasn't chosen by the poster. But that's ok.

How wonderful it is to be able to share with strangers what you have but don't need anymore. It's good for the giver, because it gets unwanted things out of their hands, and great for the receiver, who doesn't have to spend.

I wonder if this can work in the Philippines as well. But I reckon there are many issues we have to face -

1. Safety. You will be asking strangers to pickup from your house. Afraid sa holdup.

2. Greed. You can never tell if it's really going to be used, or just going to be sold in second hand stores/ukays.

3. Greed v.2. It's so hard for Pinoys to part with things, even if they're not using it. Even if it's broken. Some want to give things away but only to people they know.

But despite these issues, I hope we can overcome them by practising generosity even if it is to strangers.

Anyone want to start this in the Philippines?

Value for Life

Recently, there was an Australian soldier who was killed in Afghanistan. The news coverage in Australia surrounding this death was filled with grief and immense loss. Not just for the family of the soldier, but for the entire leadership and the Australian nation. It was evident from the statements of the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and other Ministers, that they personally felt sorrow and loss for the life of this soldier.

Which made me think of how we Filipinos value life.

What about the 23 soldiers who were killed in Basilan last month? The hundreds who died in the M/V Princess of the Stars tragedy? These are reported, politicians and government officials are seen condoling with the bereaved families, and handouts are given to the victims.

I will not even go to legal remedies to hold those accountable and to prevent future incidents like these. But where is the sincerity? Where is the outrage? Why don't we, as a people, care enough?

'Singko isang buhay' nga lang ba ang Pilipino? I surely hope not.

Proud Mum

Most of the time, I'm a nagger to my kids. Especially here in Australia. I think my fuse is significantly shorter with them, one because I'm doing practically everything, and two, I don't feel like a 'guilty mom who doesn't spend enough time with the kids' unlike in Manila.

But despite all the frustrations I have in caring for them, I am so proud of them. Coming to Australia has made them even more independent and, in some ways, responsible.

At 7 years old, Diego is turning out to be a really good kuya. He brushes Andie's teeth, changes her into pajamas, and sometimes, even wipes her after she makes weewee. How cool is that? Beyond these, his jobs include setting the table and taking the garbage out.

And Maristella, who just turned 5, takes a bath on her own, dresses up by herself and cleans the table and placemats after every meal.

What about Andie? Aside from being cute and adorable, she puts her 'dodo' in the kitchen sink after she finishes it, and puts her dirty clothes in the hamper before dressing up. So you will see her running around naked from their room to the laundry room every night.

I know that less fortunate kids back home are more mature and have more responsibility at home, like really taking care of younger siblings, cooking, even earning a living. And generally speaking, kids now are more sheltered and spoiled in many ways. My children included. Sometimes our expectations of them are probably too high, that's why we get frustrated when they act up, mess up or forget to do things. But still, I can't help but feel really proud of them. 

Perhaps it was a right decision to come and stay for a year.

PX Barbie Dolls

When I was a little girl, my sisters who lived in NY then would always bring home Barbie Dolls for me. What I loved most about these Barbies were how they smelled. It smelled like the States. Kind of like how the inside of your luggage smells when you open it after a trip from the US. Amoy PX.

On our trip to Sydney, one of the things on my shopping list was a nice perfume. I was thinking of another Jo Malone, but tried on this Prada Infusion D'Iris with the prodding of a salesman at Myer. And one whiff of it brought me back to Christmases of the 70's!!! I just love how it smells like newly opened Barbie Dolls from the states. It's beautiful and I love it!!! It uplifts my spirits, especially now that the weather makes me even more prone to homesickness and loneliness in general.

So now, even if the day will just be spent at home mopping the floors, or doing the laundry, or cooking, I spritz on a little and somehow, I'm ok. It's amazing how scent can make a difference, no matter how little. Here's hoping that this Prada will help me get through this sabbatical.

Made In China

Lahat na lang ba, made in China?!

Nakakaloka... almost everything I've bought here in Australia is made in China. Clothes, shoes, socks,  winter sweaters and jackets, plastic things, cleaning implements, blankets. Even when window shopping, lahat ng tags puro made in China. 

Nakakatuwa tuloy when occasionally I see a Made in Vietnam tag. I hope to see more Made in the Philippines tags soon. In the meantime, lagyan ko kaya ng tags ang mga anak ko?

Slow Cooker Times

Thanks to Winnie's influence, I now have my own slow cooker, which of course I will bring back home to Manila. It's bigger than what I see back home, and it's oval, not like the standard crock pots. I got it a few days after coming back from Sydney. And it's been slow cookin' dinners for cold cold cooooold Canberra. 

Corned beef nilaga, Beef osso bucco nilaga, Fabada (a.k.a. pork and beans, which, by the way, I found pork 'hocks'/pata in an asian store at only $5/kilo) and tonight, beef stew. If I get to go to Belconnen Markets again, it will get to cook kare-kare as well soon. Maybe when Winnie and Dennis come over.

While the entree is a-slow-cookin' away, I've also been busy learning new desserts. The Lemon Pie recipe of Cathy is such a big hit with Diego and other pinoys. Winnie's Malva Pudding is Maristella's favorite. And yesterday, I attempted an apple pie recipe from the internet... it was good but would need to make it again to perfect it. With some freshly whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream on the side.

Luto kiti luto... very domesticated ever. But at least, busog kami :)

Happiness

Is it just a state of mind?

My husband asked me if I was happy here. And although I knew it would hurt him, I said I honestly couldn't say I was. A lot of my friends have also been asking if I was happy now, after a month of staying here. I still don't know what to say.

There are ups and downs. Being the brat that I am, the 'high maintenance' woman that I am, the headstrong and stubborn person that I am, I miss the many many conveniences of my old life in Manila. There are times that I am overwhelmed by all the housework that needs to be done, mostly by myself. The monotony and never-ending repetitions of the day-to-day chores drive me nuts.

So I think, what has made me happy here? I was happy when I finally found ox tail for kare-kare after a month of searching in different groceries and markets. I was happy when I had sisig, kahit na purefoods canned lang sya. I was happy when I had ice cold Lipton Iced Tea Honeymansi flavor which I found in the Filipino store. I was happy when Winnie and Dennis came to visit for a weekend. I was happy when I found a fish called Luderick, which is very similar to our tilapia. I was happy when I got my boots. I was happy when I started to drive on my own. I was happy when I learned how to make Pavlova. I was happy when I made a friend. I was happy when I got my Macbook. I was happy when I found a grout brush to clean the bathrooms and the kitchen tiles.

Aside from puro food yata ito, hindi ba mostly kababawan?

May be the question should be, what makes me happy? Para present tense, and continuing. Hmmmm.... I am happy when I see Diego set the table every night. I am happy when Maristella cleans the table and the placemats after dinner. I am happy when I see how confident Diego and Maristella are in school, with other children, with adults whether Pinoy or not. I am happy when Andie and I go to the mall, just the two of us, and she does not complain nor throw a tantrum. I am happy when Ronald does the dishes after dinner on weekdays, and all the time on weekends. I am happy when all 3 kids give me a massage at night when I complain that I'm tired. I am happy when I see the kids are happy and are enjoying themselves. 

Puro family naman ito 'no?

So I guess that's the point. The reason why I decided to do this, to go here, is really for our family. I'm hoping that when I look back to our stay in Canberra, I will realize that it was a happy time for our family. That despite my many many complaints, I was happy here.

I hope.

The Wonders of GPS

I'm getting used to driving on the left side of the road now. I will just have to get used to driving faster. I guess that will come when I get to know the way to where I'm going on my own. Now, I'm relying heavily on the Navigator (like a NavMan but a different brand, same-same) to get anywhere. And it can reeeeaaaaally take you anywhere! Lakas ng loob lang ang puhunan, plus a map of the city just in case you get misdirected.

Being the 'ligawin' that I am, I usually get lost even with the Navigator, sometimes it makes you take the long route kasi. But still, winner pa din sya. It's liberating to be able to drive around even though you have no idea how to get anywhere. Especially since there are no tambays, tricycle drivers or jeepney drivers to ask directions from. Magtanong ka sa kangaroo! 

Minsan lang, mahirap intindihin. In the first place, the road names are so unfamiliar. Plus of course, the accent of the speaker is Aussie. Sometimes I only get to understand the name of the street when I see the street signs na. And there are so many kinds, from street, to road, to crescent, to drive.... The only thing that irritates me, largely because it confuses me, is the direction to veer left or veer right. Sometimes it means keep left, but sometimes it means to make a turn to the left if the road forks. 

But still, I love it. Having it allows me to explore on my own. Well, with Andie that is. But that's another entry. I wonder if this kind of service will be available back home in Manila. Maybe not, especially when you can just hire a tricycle driver to follow to where you're going.

Hat Ba Kamo?!

Went to a parade in the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) a few weekends ago. And was surprised to see most Aussies dressed up for the event. Even if they would just be sitting on the grass to watch the ceremonies. With matching hats to boot! The pintasera in me just couldn't help it. 

Jurassic Park

Whenever we go to church, majority of the people we see are old. As in. Thundercats. There are a few young families, and of course, Filipinos.

But my question is, why do old people have a distinct scent? Is it age? Is there a scientific explanation for this? Does this mean that when we get old we will smell this way too? Or pag tumatanda ba tinatamad na din maligo? But it's not putok. Iba sya.

I have an option to work in a nursing home part time. But aside from the not so great hourly rate, hindi ko yata kaya. But we'll see...

Scent of a Woman

I did not bring my favorite perfume from Manila. I thought, well, I won't be needing it anyway bringing the kids to and from school. No meetings. No presentations. Rarely any dates. So I just brought a small container, with a little Jo Malone, for just in case.

I thought of getting a cologne type in the Duty Free before leaving, but was not allowed to because of the large bottle and security issues travelling  to Oz. So deadma.

But after a month, I missed spritzing something nice-smelling to myself. Kahit ba maglalaba lang ako, or maglalampaso. Smell good, feel good ba. So I searched the stores - from the department stores like David Jones, Big W, Target, even pharmacies like Chemist Warehouse, and stand-alone perfume shops. Guess what's there - a collection of 80's-90's memories! Anais Anais, Opium, CK One, etc. Na-ka-ka-lo-kah. The only new ones would be the Britney Spears, David Bekhams, JLo's. 

So, I will wait till I get to Sydney. Kung wala pa din, I saw an online store where, thanks God, Burberry Weekend is available. Meanwhile, I got an EDT from the Body Shop.