Tagged!

These are the rules for this tagging thing, which I'm supposed to post as well:

We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.

Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.

At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

Don’t forget to leave them a comment on their blog telling them they’re tagged, and you read their blog.

Since I was tagged by layad with threat that milenyo might come if I don't do... here it goes….

1. I like music very much. I found out that I love to sing. Back in my childhood days, I would sing on top of my voice while in the forest hunting birds with my sling shot. I remember, I would stand on a big rock then sing out loud (specially when there are no birds:) like Bing Rodrigo (now a worship leader in a church). He has that baritone voice that I would try to mimic. In 1985, we had a quiz bee where singing contest was a part of the event. My prize confirmed that I could sing.

2. I like to eat. Invite me for an eating contest and I might not think twice:) When people ask me what my favorite dish is, I am not sure what to say because I really like eating any kind of food. One time while in another country, when someone asked me if the food served was "good," I said, yes, it is delicious." This dark shinned (like me) Ilocano friend interrupted with a laugh saying, "Hmp! Amin met nga makan kanyam ket naimas" <(Come on!) Huh! Don't all food to you taste delicious?"> It was a joke but true.:)

3. I am an introvert. I like to be alone. I regain strength with much reflection and evaluation of what happened. I think it helps me quite a lot with my married life. However, I enjoy befriending people. I like people a lot. I think this came out when I was put in a situation when I was compelled to talk to people. I enjoy talking on one on one basis than being in a group of people unless the people in the group are close to me. If you put me in a group, I may or may not talk unless asked.

4. Not one of my dreams materialized. I wanted to be an accomplished musician or a television newscaster, but it did not come. Having been a biology major does not seem to have any relation with my work now except that I am dealing not just with plants or animals, but humans. I have no regret where I am now. In fact, given a chance to live a gain, I would be in the same path I am in now.

5. When I was younger, I am described with my darker color. Often, whenever they will mention related to my complexion, it is in a demeaning tone:). I have the darkest complexion. I am the fifth of seven. These days, I am glad that I have this skin color because it has many benefits:) First, it influenced my wife to say yes ha ha ha (my wife laughed). Otherwise I may still be single:) She was smart then for choosing me:) Second, when I get embarassed or blush, it is not noticeable unlike them....:) Third, my skin is not so prone to skin cancer:)(And let not the sun get angry for saying this:). Fourth, I can mix with my own race or other Asians without being so prominent (At least 'pag fugitive ako, mahirap akong makita kahit sa dilim:).

6. I like to cook. That is probably why I love to eat. Related, isn’t it?:) When I cook, I do not follow a traditional menu. So if you happen to visit our house, do not complain if my adobo did not come out the way it should taste.:) So do not invite me to cook on your special occasions or your guests will go home hungry.:(

7. I am an inveterate people watcher. I like to be in a vantage point where I would see most of the people. I think being a “sensitive” person makes me able to see the needs of others, but it also makes me notice or easily feel when I do not like the atmosphere. Thus, I would withdraw. I seldom start the conversation unless I sense the person is interested to talk to me. There was a time when I was living with a training apartment. When I tried to talked to the wife of our team leader about something I sensed, she asked me how I knew it. At times, even when I am conversing with someone, my ear could be listening to whatever (good or bad) it could pick up:) In a foreign land, we were in a public bath when a fair complexioned group of elderly men were talking in their language. I sensed they were “debating” or just talking about us and probably saying that we are from India. It so happened my three other companions were darker skinned like me (wen a, nagngingisit kami:)). Without them asking, I interjected saying, “No, we are from Philippines!” Their problem was solved and became quiet.

8. When I was growing up, I would hear the word from other people “matiwtiw” (somehow naughty) which is probably true. I even heard this from my Grade III teacher. It was vivid to me ( I can still picture the dark featured woman who to this day is not married yet). While I was waiting for my wife in a mall the other day, I saw two girls crying (the older one was about 11 while the younger may have been 9 whom I think were siblings. I suspect the older one was crying because the mother did something to her). The younger one was trying to tell something to the mom while crying when all what the mother could muster was, “Eh walang hiya yan eh!” (That girl has no shame eh!). She said this in a cross road of a mall where many people were passing by. I felt bad about for the girls who were both crying while they were walking. I could relate to this situation. To parents who might read this, giving a negative remark to a child can either devastate the child or cause him or her to carry it all his/her life when untreated. I am glad I have overcome the verbal abuses I had. At an early age, a child’s mind is more on the receiving end and registers all whatever is fed on to him/her. It does not usually know how to resist. I hope I know how to handle myself when I become a parent:). (I can probably ask tb- being a grandpa that is...has many things to share:)).

One of the sad times was when I made my mom cry for talking back to her in a bad sense. It felt bad. When I was on leave last 2000, she had her cardiac arrest in July and died after 10 days in the hospital. I am glad I was able to be with her in that difficult time.

I will be posting soon whom to tag:) Here they are: esther, mike, robyn, sarah (the last two have been tagged but since they have not been posting, I hope they will wake up:) installment muna, i will have to post the next people to tag sometime.