#157: Retiring early

I've always been a night person. There's something about the quiet night that makes me awake. I think better at night and sometimes decisions are made at this time. But for a change I am retiring early. Interesting day tomorrow,the first day of December and a big decision to make.

Oh by the way, the new abrenian.com is now live. Check it out!

#156: On Holiday mood

All in all it was a great 4-day weekend. I haven't had such a productive break for a while. I was able to achieve my goal with the turkey, spend most of the time with the kids plus I finally finished setting up the new abrenian.com site (which will be launched on Dec. 1, 2009).

It's back to work tomorrow. As in previous years, Our IT Department will be on the look-out with our Internet Traffic as it's going to be Cyber Monday (a day where staff would shop online).

The long Thanksgiving weekend is over. That means it's a start of countdown to Christmas. Already Christmas songs is playing on the air waves. Holiday mood is here.

#155: Finally some rain

For a change, today it's raining in San Diego. I can't remember when was the last time it rained in San Diego. I always read in the news the we need rain as our water supply is on dangerous low level.


I always love when it rain. It brings back the memory of my childhood (every kids love to play in the rain) when I would pester my parents to play in the rain. There's nothing better than feeling the cold raindrops soaking my body.


Today, I felt the urge of playing in the rain but that would be embarrassing for an adult running around half naked for all eyes to see. That's not good for anyone, is it?

#154: Maybe just a smile...

I mostly listen to rock music but in my college days  I had some favorite Filipino Music too. I remember those days we commonly called them OPM (Original Pilipino Music).

One comes to mind this song by Jam Morales. Okay not that Jam Morales but this Jam Morales. Why can't they make songs like this anymore?



can't view the video on Facebook? Click here for the original

#153: How to tame a turkey - The Finale

In my earlier post, I promised that I'm going to tame a turkey. Today's the day and here's the blow-by-blow account of my battle with the great bird:

9:30am: I woke up a little sore and nursing a slight cold. Ok I'm trying to find a way out.

10:30am: Ate Breakfast (bacon and egg) with Nadire. Deirdre and Josh as usual has already eaten much earlier.

11:30am: Run out of drinking water. Quickly swing by refilling station.

12:00pm: Review my game strategy (Ok the recipe I should say.) Took a quick shower to take out some tensions building inside me.

12:30pm: Lay down the 12 pound Turkey on a tray. nothing fancy, just glazed turkey with some olive oil and sprinkle with just enough salt (NOT to much sodium- Deirdre). No stuffing too. what the heck is a thyme

1:00pm: "I'm hungry" - Deirdre. Whoa! turkey won't be ready in 3 hours? No worry, I brought a backup. Fully cooked Ham

1:30pm:We started to continue watching the Korean Soap Opera Glass Slippers.

2:00pm: Turkey is ready for the chamber. Oven is heated at 400F

2:30pm: Continue watching soap opera (episode 9 is playing). Lower oven temperature to 350F

3:30pm: Deirdre and Joshua seems to want to eat Nadire.

4:30pm: Is it done yet? No!!!. Eat some more Ham. Lower down oven temperature to 225F.

5:00pm: Come On! It must be ready now? We want to eat Nadire's lips now! Continue watching Episode 11.

 5:30pm: Ding! Timer's done! Voila! Here's your Bird! Hot, crisp, brown and juicy!

Yes I know. My carving skills sucked!

Prime parts for the cook. Leg, wing, neck and the tail! Can't find the gizzard and liver!

The Cook: Come on guys be honest! How is the birds? Kids: Perfect!

6:30pm: Drove to the movie theater and watched Ninja Assassin. A fitting finale for a great day with my kids and a sweet victory for me!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

P.S. Did I mention there was a slight bobo on my part! the gizzard and liver were left inside the turkey with the plastic still in-tacked! ooppppssss :-( . alright it's my first turkey so give me a break, will yah?

#152: Test drive the new abrenian.com site

I started abrenian.com back in 2002 as a hobby to learn web technology. Little that I know, that the site would become the most widely (even controversial) read website for Abrenians around the world. The site has become a major source of information for Abrenians living abroad.

Through the years, the site had undergone a couple of make-over to keep up with the technology at hand. And for the past few weeks, I have been working (on my spare time) on a completely redesigned website. The new site is currently accessible at group.abrenian.com and it's still on beta testing.

The new site uses elgg, an open source social networking software with features similar to popular sites such as facebook, myspace or friendster.

I invite everyone to test drive the site and would appreciate your feedback. 

#151: Monsters

The world is zeroing in on the Philippines with the shocking massacre of at least 52 people in Maguindanao which according to the news is politically motivated. The victims are known supporters of a politician who's planning to run for Governor.

Most of the victims where shot point blank execution style and dumped in a hollow grave. And to top it all, the victims are mostly women (there were signs of rape as well) and journalists. But why are these monsters so brazen in their acts? Well for one thing they are Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's hardcore supporters (check this photo of Arroyo being so cozy with the suspects). Why not, this Political clan delivered the Coup de Grace and gave Arroyo presidency in 2004.

 This news is so horrible that it was even mentioned in a local radio station in San Diego. The announcer asked this question "What's with the Philippines? "What's so special being an elected official in that country that you kill 52 innocent people just like that?, What kind of people would do such a thing?".

Only in the Philippines that you see monsters in power.

#150: Thanksgiving rush

As Thanksgiving approaches in the U.S., One can't help but notice the sudden rush of people going to the groceries. I was in the grocery and took me 20 minutes just to reach the cashier.

Evidently everyone is in a Holiday mood. Frozen turkeys and hams and the usual stuffs are in everyone's cart. Thank God, I had my turkey a week ago safely tucked in my freezer. Big question is if my turkey will ever make it to the dinner table come Thursday.

I wasn't in the mood to look around. The girl behind the counter was all smile and seems to be wanting to engage everyone with small talk. But I feel sick, it's cold and I need to make dinner tonight. I just wanted to pay my $2.00 light bulb and get the hell out of there.

#149: Songbird

One of my favorite instrument is the saxophone. I don't know how to play the sax (I wish i could) but there's something about the music it produce that makes my ear sings. One of my favorite sax player is Kenny G.

Kenny G played romantic jazz music such the Silhouette, Going home or this duet (What a Wonderful World with Louis Armstrong. But definitely my favorite is Songbird. What makes his music great is you can listen to it if you're madly in love or just got dumped big time. Either way you'll still enjoy it.



can't view the video on facebook? click here for the original

#148: Glass Slippers

Today I made a mistake watching Glass Slippers, a Korean Soap Opera (with English subtitle) with my daughter Deirdre. This 21 episode drama was lent to her by her Korean Taekwando Grandmaster.

We have watched 4 episodes so far and now am hooked. I guess I still have the sentimental side of me.