#205: Mom

I remember my mom would tell us the story on how she got separated from her family during the bombing of Bangued by the Japanese during World War II. She went missing for days. Her parents though they won't see her again. But she lived to raise 6 kids. Became a teacher and later on became the head of the Education Department in Abra for years until she retired. She's one respectable educator, she's a loving wife and a great mother.

I always have a good relationship with my mom: unconditional love and friendship. I can not count how many times I had failed her as a son. But she's always been there. I have witnessed her cry (the most when my dad died) but most of the time I have witnessed her smile and laugh specially when all of her children were around.

My mom is 77 years old today and I pray she will always be with us. I hope I could see here soon.

#204: Tinseltown

We're at Tinseltown and no we're not here for American Idol. We're here for Josh's audition for Berklee College of Music in Boston.

But before the big day, we first had quick drive around Little Tokyo for a nice late lunch. Then walked along Hollywood Walk of Fame and saw this guy got lucky with Marilyn Monroe.

Hollywood! Depending on what your purpose visiting this city, it could be heaven or it could be hell.

#203: Transition

In about a week I will be starting a new adventure. I will be joining a team of Technology Experts that will push for an initiative to computerize Medical Records of more than 165,000 patients from about 700 Health Care providers in San Diego. This is indeed a daunting task. But first I need to wrap up things with my soon to be former employer to ensure a smooth transition. Proper way to part ways.

#202: Walking away

I butted heads long enough. I negotiated long enough. Time to walk away. Maybe my leaving will somehow become a catalyst of change. Not to mention giving somebody else a chance...

#201: Video for Haiti

One thing I envy about my daughter Deirdre is how she can easily make videos. She had made a lot of them and refuse to publish it. There's this one video of the Korean show that she made a Music Video out of it. I encourage her to send it to the show producer but she won't.

Anyway, she's at it again. This time here's a heart warming video she did in support of the worldwide effort to save Haiti - USA for Haiti.

#200: Parents Beware

Watched "Lovely Bones" with Nadire and friends. The movie is about child abduction and murder. Quite scary for parents like me. It shows how creeps are out there lurking ready to prey on innocent children. Parents always be in touch of your kids and be aware of their whereabouts.

#199: All in a day's work

Peed in a cup in a girl's bathroom. Fix computer system remotely from my car. Grab a small bite while doing a demo. Had a meeting. Answered thousands of phone calls. Fire up some emails. Got soaked in the rain. What else can I say... Just another typical day.

#198: Constant challenge

Nine years of doing what I do best and love. I would think that I would stick forever. Then something comes along. New place, new faces and lots of oppurtunities. This proves that challenges come our way all the time. Up to us to meet it head on.

#197: You make me feel like A Natural (wo)Man

The rain is pouring tonight. It's cold and windy. Tomorrow will not be better according to the weather prediction. As I was driving home from a late late night business meeting, I found myself singing along with  "the queen of soul", Aretha Franklin, singing A Natural Woman.

Weird? Yes, only if you have not heard Rod Stewart's cover of this song changing from Woman to Man. Whew!

#196: Giving advice

Tonight, not only did I follow my own instinct, I listened to my children. There's nothing better to have your own children gives you the right advice. They have great ideas...they are not kids anymore.

#195: For a change

The pros and cons of change is change. In a couple of days I may do the unthinkable...follow my instinct. The result could be good or bad. But of course I wouldn't know unless I try.

#194: Late night show gaffe gone viral

I'm a night person and I watch late night talk shows. I would surf between Leno, Conan, Letterman shows and the likes.

Recently, Leno's new show is not doing well.  There's report that NBC is bumping out Conan in favor of Leno to reclaim the 11:30pm time.  Other talk show hosts obviously is siding with Conan who seems to be the victim of NBC's incompetence.

This gaffe is now gone viral. People around the world have something to say about this including, of all people, Hitler.

#193: I think I'll go to Boston

I think I'll start a new life. I think I'll start it over, where no one knows my name.

I'll get out of California, I'm tired of the weather, I think I'll get a lover and fly em out to Spain...

I think I'll go to Boston

I think that I'm just tired. I think I need a new town, to leave this all behind...

I think I need a sunrise, I'm tired of the sunset, I hear it's nice in the Summer, some snow would be nice...

#192: Nanette

We used to call her Jamie Rivera (Notice the uncanny resemblance?).

She used to cut our hair. But never wet your hair before hand because she won't do it.  She would keep a banana on her bath robe (dipig is her favorite). She likes chicken heart, though I would ate it sometimes because it's connected to the liver.

She would scream watching Pops and Martin  and can't stand Sharon Cuneta (maarte daw).

She left the Philippines just I had my first born. She's married to Mike (haven't met him in person but I heard he's a loving husband). She's enjoying being a mom to Aisha. And of course bugs me all the way from Canada for her computer problems.

Last time I saw her was in 1997, that's an eternity. But thanks to the Internet, we keep in touch. We had a two hour conversation over the holidays catching up on things.

Lastly, she loves this Joey Albert Song. To you my "still young" sis, Happy Birthday.

#191: Reading materials at Kaiser

It's always a common site when you go to a clinic where reading materials are everywhere. It's a way to tell you that "you're gonna get bored waiting and here's something to read while we let you wait".

Well, here's a interesting reading material at Kaiser while me and my daughter Deirdre were waiting to see a doctor. On the first glance it just another one of those magazines.

But wait take another look.

Yes this magazine is dated August 23, 1988. This is even older that my daughter. So you think Kaiser is High tech?

#190: Success?

Twenty eight years ago, I wrote on my year book "the fruit of trying is success". Now I wonder if I tried enough to be succesful.

#189: Nexus One

Big news today. Google announced the release of their smartphone Nexus One which of course running the Google android OS. For now, the phone is only available through T-Mobile.

Here's a good thing about this phone. You can buy the phone without any plan. All you need is any SIM card (prepaid) that supports GSM network around the world. You can then have a free unlimited voice calls through Google Voice and unlimited SMS through GTalk.

But here's the thing. Are you willing to invest $529.00 to be free from any mobile plan?

#188: time warp

First day back to work and am running like bull. It's just the first week of the year and already I feel the adrenalin pumping into my inner being.

Today was a blur and am sucked into this time warp. All in a day's work

#187: Josh

My son Josh has been practicing everyday for his audition this month. He'll get a chance to get into Berklee College of Music in Boston this fall.

Here's two of his recording.





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#186: Murphy's Law

In Murphy's Law, If anything can happen it will. abrenian.com crashed today due to database corruption. another hassles of technology. Positive thing is it's the new year and I'm starting from scratch.

#185: 2010 - chasing the tiger

It's not a good start for me for 2010. I am sick. But the good thing is that it's just the first day of the year. There's 364 days more to live this year. There's a lot to look forward to.

This year I plan to sleep early, worry less, live large and start my way back into love. This year it's time to start chasing the tiger.