An observation. I'm not quite sure if this is one of those English-American differences, but how come Mayer is pronounced as Myer and Myer pronounced as Mayer? This is not like a general pronunciation for every word that spelled this way though, but for some, and for this particular observation I am referring to people's names.
I mean, "MAYER" has the root word May, so like you would pronounce the month of May so will you pronounce May-yer as Mayer like John Mayer right? And "MYER" on the other hand that has the root word My should be pronounced as My-yer rather than May-yer, right? Don't you think?
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
I Don't Know How To Swim!
Yeah right. In fact, this is so right. What? You think I'm kidding? Think again!
Early this morning I called LGSRC to inquire about swimming classes for adults. I've been to these famous health clubs and they told me the season for swimming is over and they are in the last week of their classes so no good for me right? I met somebody who goes to this facility in Los Gatos and she mentioned swimming classes is whole year round, so that lifted my hopes right there. It is really ridiculous for a 29 year old to request a private swimming instruction, in fact, Americans would find it hilarious that this grown up adult woman doesn't know how to swim. Seriously?!
I guess I could blame all of these to my mom! Growing up in the Philippines should have given me an innate skill to swim, what with those 7,000+ islands! My mom as I remember won't even let me go camping with the girl scouts because she's afraid something would happen, she would always think something bad would happen to me and that extent of her protectiveness did not allow me to venture into sports, or in this particular concern, swimming. It is sad. Now I am so tensed to learn how to swim, and I have less than three months!
I see that America is just a different world with the way parents would encourage their child to indulge in activities especially sports. You would see young girls with very beautiful well-toned legs and it really makes me mad why mine have cellulite! I was driving in the super highway and I see a young girl, must be 10 years old, on her bike, crossing the street all alone I wonder where she's headed. See, children here have that particular kind of liberty to explore, maybe because the streets here are safer, and people would really give way to a pedestrian no matter what. You would never find that scenario in the Philippines I guess. Schools have programs for this young kids and they go participate in soccer, football, baseball, and the what not.
Oh well. Youtube is there, I am actually watching beginner swimming lessons for 3-9 year olds! Duh...
Early this morning I called LGSRC to inquire about swimming classes for adults. I've been to these famous health clubs and they told me the season for swimming is over and they are in the last week of their classes so no good for me right? I met somebody who goes to this facility in Los Gatos and she mentioned swimming classes is whole year round, so that lifted my hopes right there. It is really ridiculous for a 29 year old to request a private swimming instruction, in fact, Americans would find it hilarious that this grown up adult woman doesn't know how to swim. Seriously?!
I guess I could blame all of these to my mom! Growing up in the Philippines should have given me an innate skill to swim, what with those 7,000+ islands! My mom as I remember won't even let me go camping with the girl scouts because she's afraid something would happen, she would always think something bad would happen to me and that extent of her protectiveness did not allow me to venture into sports, or in this particular concern, swimming. It is sad. Now I am so tensed to learn how to swim, and I have less than three months!
I see that America is just a different world with the way parents would encourage their child to indulge in activities especially sports. You would see young girls with very beautiful well-toned legs and it really makes me mad why mine have cellulite! I was driving in the super highway and I see a young girl, must be 10 years old, on her bike, crossing the street all alone I wonder where she's headed. See, children here have that particular kind of liberty to explore, maybe because the streets here are safer, and people would really give way to a pedestrian no matter what. You would never find that scenario in the Philippines I guess. Schools have programs for this young kids and they go participate in soccer, football, baseball, and the what not.
Oh well. Youtube is there, I am actually watching beginner swimming lessons for 3-9 year olds! Duh...
Monday, August 6, 2012
The Umbrella Deal
One of the things that I can't help to notice is the use of an umbrella only when it is raining. Oh, by the way, only when its raining but not all of the time. Here in California, we get so little rain in a year that the market for umbrellas is really poor, haha! At least in my opinion...
I was amazed at first when I saw people walking in the rain and they were like so cool. In the Philippines though, that is not the real deal or else you would definitely catch a certain cold or fever. Thing is of course, we have cleaner air in the US compared to the Philippines so that explains why people could walk under the rain unarmed.
In the heat of the summer though, the use of an umbrella is not really called for, at least, speaking for the American people as far as my observation is concerned. If you see somebody walking with an umbrella on a hot summer day, believe me you, it could only be an Asian.
Just saying...
This observation is the only thing that's been holding me back from using an umbrella nowadays. It is funny, but it feels like it is really wrong somehow. Oh well...
Monday, July 23, 2012
Driving in the Freeway
65mph speed limit, plus a 10mph allowable, is a total of 75mph maximum that everybody could do in the freeway. I am talking about California here, particularly in San Jose. I really don't have any idea if other states have different speed limits. I guess what I am trying to say here is I am not generalizing driving in America this time.
Friday, July 13, 2012, I almost got killed in the freeway when somebody cut in front of me out of nowhere and it wasn't even on a merging pavement. Damn. I almost had it there, on Highway 17 on my way to work on a quiet Friday the 13th. There I was cursing and jaw dropped until I pulled in the parking lot at work. It was terrifying, one of those moments when everything slow-mod thinking it was my last.
One thing about driving in America is that, people are really aggressive and they drive unexpectedly, coming from someone who was used to driving in the streets of Davao City, Philippines. Drivers here could really maneuver fast it is crazy! When I saw the half of that car making a left in front of me when I was running 70mph, I didn't have time to react but stepped on my brakes and move left immediately without even looking at the side mirror. I tried to avoid her in front of me and my reaction threw me into a back and forth swerve. I thank heavens so much the road was clear and that saved my life. The vehicles behind me must be thrilled, but not yet, not quite my time I suppose.
Ideally, the driver handbook would tell you that defensive driving means not stepping on your brakes when you are speeding. What I should have done is to ease my foot on the gas and it wouldn't have thrown me in a swerve. You know what they say that there's always a first time? Well I think that was it, I have to disclose that I only started driving in the freeway since we moved to a new place though. Newbie here, a fan of using the back road no matter how long or short the travel is.
The lesson here is clearly to know how to react to certain driving conditions. It is really strictly part of defensive driving. Drive safe everybody!
Friday, July 13, 2012, I almost got killed in the freeway when somebody cut in front of me out of nowhere and it wasn't even on a merging pavement. Damn. I almost had it there, on Highway 17 on my way to work on a quiet Friday the 13th. There I was cursing and jaw dropped until I pulled in the parking lot at work. It was terrifying, one of those moments when everything slow-mod thinking it was my last.
One thing about driving in America is that, people are really aggressive and they drive unexpectedly, coming from someone who was used to driving in the streets of Davao City, Philippines. Drivers here could really maneuver fast it is crazy! When I saw the half of that car making a left in front of me when I was running 70mph, I didn't have time to react but stepped on my brakes and move left immediately without even looking at the side mirror. I tried to avoid her in front of me and my reaction threw me into a back and forth swerve. I thank heavens so much the road was clear and that saved my life. The vehicles behind me must be thrilled, but not yet, not quite my time I suppose.
Ideally, the driver handbook would tell you that defensive driving means not stepping on your brakes when you are speeding. What I should have done is to ease my foot on the gas and it wouldn't have thrown me in a swerve. You know what they say that there's always a first time? Well I think that was it, I have to disclose that I only started driving in the freeway since we moved to a new place though. Newbie here, a fan of using the back road no matter how long or short the travel is.
The lesson here is clearly to know how to react to certain driving conditions. It is really strictly part of defensive driving. Drive safe everybody!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
The Thing About The Weather
There's not a day that I don't hear somebody care about the weather. It is always about the weather. Well, at least in California.
When I was new in America, I didn't think about the changing weather conditions. I didn't think that looking at the temperature or watching the weather channel was relevant. I thought that when its Winter, its winter all the way throughout that season, and so on and so forth. There was one time during spring last year, the weather was already setting at the low 90's, we were bound to attend a car auction at the Alameda and here comes Kara who put on a shorts and a shirt without thinking, I wasn't guilty because the sun has started to show up already, I had no clue. Alameda turned out to be 55 degrees, the cold was biting but I had no choice. I felt so stupid, everybody was staring at me with judgmental look on their faces. Well, what can I do? Weather was the least of my priorities you know! Unfortunately my husband didn't remind me of bringing a jacket, and I didn't think twice to mind why everybody is putting on a sweater. I guess I could just blame it all to stupidity.
One year after, here comes spring again, tricking everybody about its weirdness. I could say that this weird weather condition is brought about by the change of times to be honest. One day it was freaking hot, the next day you would want to put on your puffer vest. One day it is nice and warm, the next day it is windy and rainy.
For a boring person like me who is just work and home most of the time, the weather is the least that I care about. For most Californians however who believes that the cost of living in this golden state includes the price of a better weather, it just makes sense to care about it. It is not fun to have a cold and rainy weather on a weekend, especially when everyone is planning to have a barbeque in the park, play golf, or go surfing in Santa Cruz. Yes, I guess it is always about the weather. It could make or break your day. Errands or play, weather I guess matters.
I am glad that now I know how to check the weather. I would still go for whatever weather though, the cold is not that bad, the heat is not that bad, and the rain here that they term as "STORM" - is a big joke, its nothing like the rain in the Philippines where in minutes you would hear wild thunder and lightning and expect flood at the end of it. I guess that's why they say, BUT THIS IS CALIFORNIA?!!
When I was new in America, I didn't think about the changing weather conditions. I didn't think that looking at the temperature or watching the weather channel was relevant. I thought that when its Winter, its winter all the way throughout that season, and so on and so forth. There was one time during spring last year, the weather was already setting at the low 90's, we were bound to attend a car auction at the Alameda and here comes Kara who put on a shorts and a shirt without thinking, I wasn't guilty because the sun has started to show up already, I had no clue. Alameda turned out to be 55 degrees, the cold was biting but I had no choice. I felt so stupid, everybody was staring at me with judgmental look on their faces. Well, what can I do? Weather was the least of my priorities you know! Unfortunately my husband didn't remind me of bringing a jacket, and I didn't think twice to mind why everybody is putting on a sweater. I guess I could just blame it all to stupidity.
One year after, here comes spring again, tricking everybody about its weirdness. I could say that this weird weather condition is brought about by the change of times to be honest. One day it was freaking hot, the next day you would want to put on your puffer vest. One day it is nice and warm, the next day it is windy and rainy.
For a boring person like me who is just work and home most of the time, the weather is the least that I care about. For most Californians however who believes that the cost of living in this golden state includes the price of a better weather, it just makes sense to care about it. It is not fun to have a cold and rainy weather on a weekend, especially when everyone is planning to have a barbeque in the park, play golf, or go surfing in Santa Cruz. Yes, I guess it is always about the weather. It could make or break your day. Errands or play, weather I guess matters.
I am glad that now I know how to check the weather. I would still go for whatever weather though, the cold is not that bad, the heat is not that bad, and the rain here that they term as "STORM" - is a big joke, its nothing like the rain in the Philippines where in minutes you would hear wild thunder and lightning and expect flood at the end of it. I guess that's why they say, BUT THIS IS CALIFORNIA?!!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Convenience: Online Shopping
When I came to America, I started a little business where I'd buy USA products in online sites and then send it to the Philippines to sell. It was actually doing pretty good, until I got a full time job and I couldn't focus on it anymore. It died a natural death because that kind of business really needs time, I have to upload photos so that my resellers could see the product in advance and then on top of that I have to compare prices too. So I stopped.
So it started on a business sense, but then as I was doing online shopping on a day-to-day basis that it made me too comfortable on making online purchases. The convenience of it made me eventually do almost majority of my purchases online, I wouldn't mind doing it that way if I could because that would really save me time and gas, though I am missing a great deal on some walking exercises right there, if you know what I'm saying. Did I tell you that I have an ongoing room makeover project and I have a long list to accomplish in order to make that happen? The first and only thing that I accomplished on the list is the blown-up couple photo on our wall, and that's just about it. I have to move on!
Right now I am actually searching for little furniture to put in the room, as I have a long way to go on this room makeover project. I noticed that I am missing out something in my list because I definitely need night stand lamps. Now that my husband comes around two in the morning from work, I would definitely need one in my room instead of just letting the television on and put it on mute. The night lamp of course would go with a cute night stand. Two additions in my long list, and I am really in doubt as to when I am going to accomplish this! There are just a lot of nice and affordable stuff online and I am itching to buy them all! I couldn't avoid it if I go a little overboard and consider other unnecessary things for the house like a cute kitchen step stool chair and red panel ready refrigerators! I am literally one click away from all of these and I am holding my breath, I need self-control please!
The good thing about online shopping that I like too is that most sites offer free shipping and free returns, and sometimes they don't charge sales tax. It is really that tempting...
So it started on a business sense, but then as I was doing online shopping on a day-to-day basis that it made me too comfortable on making online purchases. The convenience of it made me eventually do almost majority of my purchases online, I wouldn't mind doing it that way if I could because that would really save me time and gas, though I am missing a great deal on some walking exercises right there, if you know what I'm saying. Did I tell you that I have an ongoing room makeover project and I have a long list to accomplish in order to make that happen? The first and only thing that I accomplished on the list is the blown-up couple photo on our wall, and that's just about it. I have to move on!
Right now I am actually searching for little furniture to put in the room, as I have a long way to go on this room makeover project. I noticed that I am missing out something in my list because I definitely need night stand lamps. Now that my husband comes around two in the morning from work, I would definitely need one in my room instead of just letting the television on and put it on mute. The night lamp of course would go with a cute night stand. Two additions in my long list, and I am really in doubt as to when I am going to accomplish this! There are just a lot of nice and affordable stuff online and I am itching to buy them all! I couldn't avoid it if I go a little overboard and consider other unnecessary things for the house like a cute kitchen step stool chair and red panel ready refrigerators! I am literally one click away from all of these and I am holding my breath, I need self-control please!
The good thing about online shopping that I like too is that most sites offer free shipping and free returns, and sometimes they don't charge sales tax. It is really that tempting...
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Picking Up Some Accent
After 16 months in America, I notice that I have the right to at least agree a little bit to the compliment, "why I can't tell that you are Filipino! You don't have the accent!"... Okay?
Believe me, I still do have this very unique accent, people in America are just being nice, as usual. I was creating my voicemail greeting yesterday so I get to listen to myself carefully, and though I have picked up a little bit of the American accent, I still can tell for myself that I could only be mistaken for a Filipino!
Let's give this a couple more years and let us see where this would take me, accent-wise.
Believe me, I still do have this very unique accent, people in America are just being nice, as usual. I was creating my voicemail greeting yesterday so I get to listen to myself carefully, and though I have picked up a little bit of the American accent, I still can tell for myself that I could only be mistaken for a Filipino!
Let's give this a couple more years and let us see where this would take me, accent-wise.
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