From the category archives:

Places and travels

South of the Border

by reynz on March 2, 2012

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I noticed this place called South of the Border along I-95. It looked very inviting at night with all the neon signs, its big Sombrero Tower and their mascot, Pedro. It is located in South Carolina just right beside the border with North Carolina. You can’t miss this place. Along I-95, you will see all [...]

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Post image for A day in the life of Reyna in Houston, Texas – Part 2

See how gloomy the weather was? Hmpt! Weather was not cooperating. Another flash flood warning later in the day. But I was determined to check the city right after our class. Afraid to get caught by the heavy downpour, I scratched plans to take the transit and visit some of the places along the major [...]

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Post image for A day in the life of Reyna in Houston, Texas – Part 1

Houston, Texas is a 5-hour drive from New Orleans in Louisiana. Sayang nga, there have been many times I planned to drive to Houston when I was working in New Orleans. It never came to fruition. I have always been busy at work and the kind of work I did in New Orleans was beyond [...]

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Post image for punishing the buyer instead of the seller, distributor and maker of pirated products?!

Weird, but this is what I’m reading from one of President Noynoy’s political adviser latest snafu, punishing the buyer instead of the seller, distributor and maker of pirated products. But first… I took these pictures in Dampa along Roxas Blvd where you will find this: Of course, you’ll find dozens of places in Manila selling [...]

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Adolf Hitler is a good leader

by reynz on January 2, 2012

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“Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo’s lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, remains convinced that Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler was a good leader.” Source: ABS-CBN Pretty disturbing. Let’s make that a “Great Leader“… ugh! you know, the likes of Kim Il Sungs of North Korea who’d let their people starve to death. Then again… Birds of the [...]

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gas beggars on I-95 and my driving story

December 27, 2011
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From that day I moved to Charleston, South Carolina for work, I’ve driven back and forth to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on occasions, long weekends and holidays. From that day forth, I’ve noticed gas station beggars hanging out in rest areas and at gasoline stations along the stretch of I-95 in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. [...]

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The best place to enjoy the New York skyline

November 14, 2011
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New York City is a little less than 2 hours drive from where I live in Philadelphia. This is a must-visit place when we have visitors from just about anywhere. We typically would park our car in Liberty Park in Jersey City, which is on Exit 14 of the New Jersey Turnpike. From there, hop [...]

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Calm down people. Manny Pacquiao won, Juan Manuel Marquez was not robbed!

November 13, 2011
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(Picture Credits: The New York Times) I didn’t tell the federation that I will be watching the Pacquiao-Marquez fight. It’s against the rules of membership. We’re only allowed to watch beauty pageants and I only tune in to the question and chika portion. “What’s the C in the Einstein formula?” Most of the responses fall [...]

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Princeton

November 13, 2011
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Princeton, New Jersey is about 34 miles from where I live in Philadelphia. I worked here from 1997 to 2005, eight (8) long years. Back then, I own I-95 going north, travelling against the traffic headed south to Philadelphia. Then 911 happened. Construction in Newtown, Pennsylvania started. I heard people from New York started moving [...]

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Freedom

November 12, 2011
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Two (2) weeks ago, I went home to Philly, decided to spend a weekend there. I was headed to Meadowlands, New Jersey for a training/conference. It’s just right outside New York. My company bought me a ticket to fly to Newark. I chose to drive – 12 hours driving. You see, Atty. Trixie Cruz posted [...]

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On the Spratly’s issue: Since someone put me on a defensive, I have to defend.

June 19, 2011
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First, let me say this, I am not having a fight with my friend Elena Salvador. This is FB. There’s a lot of swirling opinions here. And while not one opinion is wrong, it still depends exactly on what’s written where it could really be wrong. This note is a response to my friend’s comment. [...]

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the boardwalk at wildwoods in new jersey

May 30, 2011
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I was supposed to drive to Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. I ended up driving my niece and her friends to Wildwood, New Jersey. I frequent this beach all the way to the tip of Cape May in the South (and occasionally to Sandy Hook at the northern tip facing New York), when I was working [...]

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the cute guy and my crack

May 19, 2011
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there’s a lot of road activity going on here in Charleston, especially along I-26. they must have found out that Reyna is here so major, major contruction is going on to make my 28% less a day living feel like a luxury here. now, add those six-wheelers whizzing along the highway plus the full elements [...]

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trouble at the cashier’s line

May 17, 2011
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so i was back at my favorite food mart. the fool mart. tasting did not work. that woman’s peircing eyes meant she knows me. i ordered my fud off i walked to the cashier while picking up 1 drum of apple juice 6 pieces of chickens on one hand and a mashed potato and this [...]

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wild meeting at wild wings

May 15, 2011
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I did a budget presentation last Friday at a hotel here. One lovely waitress approached me and asked if I needed something else. I knew she was Filipina. After the presentation, I went up to her to thank her and made chika. She asked if I have an FB account. I said, yes find “Reyna [...]

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2nd Gay Pride Outfest in Old North Charleston

May 15, 2011
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I’ve never been to the Old North Charleston area. So, I thought I’d drive to town this Sunday. Old North Charleston is where the big Navy Yard is. It’s officially closed but when I got there, one local told me that it’s actually open. They are still servicing a few fleets. I went there to [...]

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I am really confused if I am still living in America!

April 27, 2011
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This is the kind of apartment I am looking for! But this is in Cleveland, Ohio. About 14 hours drive to Charleston, South Carolina. Duda ko, male-late ako nang todo sa work. Hmm… Bad idea ata. This blog article was the result of this: the property manager responded: “what’s your concern? what’s your concern?” I [...]

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the property manager responded: “what’s your concern? what’s your concern?”

April 26, 2011
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I feel very small today. It was another pretty insulting day. I was going to spend another hour or two at work. I just have tons of things to do. But I decided to leave at 5pm. hoping to talk to the Property Manager. Have you ever felt that way? This was not the 1st [...]

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A walking tour with Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles in Quiapo

April 25, 2011
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From Agrifina Circle, the walking tour with Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles continued in Quiapo. This time around, we really walked! It’s bad enough that I had this very lousy and cheap camera (read: start your donation to my project: new camera!), but also, I was running out of battery. So, suffer with me with these [...]

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A walking tour with Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles, The National Museum

April 24, 2011
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See the first part here: A walking tour with Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles in Intramuros, Manila And so the walking tour with Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles continued, we “walked” to her car and drove to The National Museum! Hahaha! We’re here at the Bulwagang Luna at Hidalgo. Luna and Hidalgo, we know them as two [...]

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A walking tour with Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles in Intramuros, Manila

April 24, 2011
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I had a date, with one pretty senorita. A walking tour with Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles in Intramuros, Manila. I had her waiting and she was furiously texting! “Where the hell are you macho maldita?!” You see, dates like this, red carpet or not, I must make a grand entrance. After all, I am one [...]

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Corrective boot camp for schoolboys with effeminate tendencies in Malaysia

April 23, 2011
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I have a multi-cultural group of friends. A friend from Baclaran, another one from St. Paul, Laguna, one from Donsol. Oh, a Belgian, a Vietnamese, an Indonesian and a Malaysian. When we get together, we exchange notes. That’s how I found out that most Filipinos are lascivious hehehe, all out Hahaha. Ok. Enough. Let’s just [...]

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my apartment owners in charleston just sends anybody inside my apartment without my knowledge!

April 23, 2011
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See that?! They serviced my apartment to get rid of the pest. Well, whatever it is that they put inside my apartment? It did not work. I’m still here jumpin’ around butt naked. And I’m gonna tell santa claus! That’s right! My apartment owners here in South Carolina just sends anybody inside my apartment without [...]

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Czech Republic President Vaclav Klaus: pen stealer?!

April 13, 2011
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Did you hear? That Czech Republic President Vaclav Klaus is a pen stealer?! Bwahahaha!!! This is hilariousness ever! As just about anyone who’s ever worked in an office can attest, one of life’s most festering annoyances are people who don’t return pens that they borrow. Now it appears as though Czech Republic President Vaclav Klaus may [...]

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the gem (a night out at faustino’s)

March 27, 2011
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If your friends can’t do this? Stalkers sila. Get rid of them! Call us! Did I tell you that these pictures here, pretty much described my entire trip to Manila? Well, Ellaine and Trix invited me to go to this piano bar – Faustino, a close drive for Inday (for she was busy with her [...]

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at the naia parking lot

March 23, 2011
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i arrived early morning in manila. i did not know what to expect. i was meeting two of my fb friends for the 1st time. i asked them to pick me up! hahaha! believe me! they were very nice talaga. so, soon as they said, “sige, pik-apin ka namen!” well, sinakmal ko agad yong statement [...]

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Birthday girl

March 19, 2011
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I was very happy meeting Wenchie Flores-Sabban in Manila! Coffee at Robinsons, catch-up with some stuff… and more juicy stuff hehehe! We had originally planned to meet at Starbucks but it was so hot outside, I was perspiring like insane, I decided to buy a new boylet shirt. Weird, my sizes in Manila were different. [...]

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Dog in Japan stays by the side of its ailing friend in the rubble

March 17, 2011
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I find this video very difficult to watch. Yes, these are dogs. But the one dog was displaying an unbelievable loyalty to the other dog. It’s pretty heart-wrenching. It’s a universal truth that dogs are man’s best friend, but they’re pretty darn loyal to their own as well. Case in point: this tear-inducing video, via [...]

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Order during chaos

March 11, 2011
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(Photo Credits: Yahoo News) By now, you must have read about the massive, super massive quake that hit Japan and the ensuing tsunami. But amidst the chaos, there is one thing specially admirable about the Japanese people. It’s this: For more, please check this website: My commute home: Tokyo Earthquake Share on Facebook Digg Stumble [...]

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A pail of beer plus tender loving care

March 9, 2011
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I love Eastwood. I have so many wacky stories here. Starting with “I love you!” hahaha! which was the 1st time I met my ceremonial girlfriends, si Malen and Pusa, who were shocked sa aking social climbing presentation – starting with – what happens when Reyna says “I love you!”? Hahaha! Sundan ang link to [...]

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Manila. I keep coming back to Manila.

March 3, 2011
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Hey folks. I’ll be back soon. Busy lang po. Sorry, medyo nawala ang figure ko. Malusog ako ngayon. Hehehe! Share on Facebook Digg Stumble Upon Del.icio.us Buzz

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Protected: cheap living

January 22, 2011
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Protected: How I ended up in Charleston

January 19, 2011
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Da Vinci coded laundromat

January 16, 2011
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(Photo Credits: Here) Last November 2010, I attended a Conference in Washington DC. I decided to stop by in Philadelphia. I left on a Friday. That time, I thought I’d do my laundry Thursday night. But the following morning, there was this note on my apartment door knob that says: “The Charleston Police Department is [...]

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My job hunting that took me to Manila

January 11, 2011
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After losing my job in New Orleans, I started sending tons of application letters everyday. Yes, as in 8 days a week. That bad. I remember I used up the allowed space limit on Gmail. It was at the height of the insanity in Wall Street called financial crisis. Unemployment was double-digit. Public anger was [...]

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A nation of wussies

December 30, 2010
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In Philadelphia, Sports is a religion. Believe me. You can cuss the Pope. Not their sports. The game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings over the weekend did not happen because of the blizzard. Governor Ed Rendell was angry. He said that if this was China, no matter how bad the raging blizzard [...]

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Heated blanket

December 27, 2010
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The weather is ridiculous. It is snowing in South Carolina!!! The cold front must be following my behind! It doesn’t snow in Charleston, ok?! Hahaha! But the snow flurries and snow showers this afternoon was unbelievable. I figured it must be bad in Philly. And it is! They have a severe weather alert at this [...]

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Going through Ninoy Aquino International Airport is not a very pleasant experience

December 22, 2010
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(Photo Credits: Aileen Brown) Going through Ninoy Aquino International Airport is not a very pleasant experience. Yes, Mamacita! It’s traumatic! Total chaos to the maximum level! You see, I was browsing The Huffington Post today and one of the links that I clicked led me to this article: “The world’s ugliest airports!“ I’m sure you [...]

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In the Philippines, everyday is a holiday

December 14, 2010
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(Photo Credits: Bloggista) Mamacita! In the Philippines, everyday is a holiday. Oh, yeah! Well, ok. Not yet, but we’re getting there! Our fine legislators are working their ass on it. Just wait. Be patient! You’ll see what I mean. Im fak, did you read the news about holidays galore dotting Filipino’s working calendar that’s drowning [...]

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Crawl it Reverend, Crawl it!

December 11, 2010
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You know, I have been so busy down here in the South, hindi naman ako yumayaman! Hmpt! At nakalimutan ko pang i-share what happened to me last Sunday while driving around somewhere in Charleston dahil I have no more clue where I was. You know me, got car, will drive! And so, that’s exactly what [...]

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One casino night in Washington DC

December 10, 2010
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I was in Washington, DC last month (November 2010) attending a software conference. It was interesting because two of the presenters were Filipinos. I introduced myself to both. On the 3rd night of the conference, we had a casino night. At the casino night, we were issued play paper money worth $25,000. I gave my [...]

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Snow show in Baguio City: A perfect community washing moment

December 7, 2010
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(Picture Credits: Inquirer) You know Mamacita; I have experienced several blizzards in Philadelphia already. A lot of snow. A lot of ice. One time, umihi ako, naging glacier sya. Pero, it’s not really an ideal time to sell ice cream. Pramis, maninigas ka. And for men? Shrinkage. Blizzards visit Philadelphia during the months of January, [...]

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Si Bathman

December 6, 2010
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Naliligo ako kanina. Me narinig ako. “Slow!” Me engkanto na naman?! Alam nyo mga ka-berks, cheap lang tong apartment ko. So, yong walls nya eh cheap drywall ba. Ngayon, yong likod nitong kweba ko is another apartment. I hope. Pinasta ko ngayon ang tenga ko on the wall and listened with deep attention to where [...]

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don’t touch me there

September 21, 2010
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I had a doctor’s appointment this morning at 9:00 am for an augmentation procedure. Hindi na daw pedeng i-augment. Baka kasi pag hinila, bituka na ang lumabas. So, iba na lang. Ah, ok. On the dot, I was there – spirit, body, soul and mind, plus a camera. And so, after the ceremonial knock, knock, [...]

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fluvial parade

September 20, 2010
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So I was really excited this weekend dahil I was invited nga to attend the Penafrancia Fiesta by the Bicol Association here in Charleston. The fiesta was held in Short Stay, a camp ground in Moncks Corner, a good 45 minute drive from Charleston. The place was really nice. Woods, lake, jet ski’s and ducks. [...]

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dry cleaners were not created equal

September 16, 2010
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when i go to the assembly line, my costumes are mostly in whites, with extra piece of clothing hanging in between tied to my neck, ugh! and when i wear whites, strict like a paratrooper, i have some very simple presidential decree requirements. i want them white. noticed something? and this? that looked like bird [...]

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another traffic lecture

September 15, 2010
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No, I have no interest in bashing cops. With the kind of work they do, they don’t deserve it. But I seem to magnet cops in South Carolina and it’s not about my good looks, duda ko suspicious lang talaga muka ko hehe! Here’s my story. I drove to Dunkin Donuts a few hours ago. [...]

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Sunset

September 4, 2010
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I was headed home from work when I noticed the sun. It reminded me of Roxas Blvd. in Manila. I drove around downtown Charleston to find a good place where I could watch the sunset… Capture it with my cheap camera…. There… I just need to find a good parking space… Here we go… If [...]

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Folly Beach: a quick trip to the shore

August 30, 2010
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I like the beach. Heck! Nangi-ngisda kaya ako nun! Haha! Halata ba? Ok. We don’t really call it a “beach”. But one thing I like in Charleston is that, the shore is just a short 30-minute drive. Unlike in Philadelphia na aabutin ka nang limang delubyo before you can get to the shore. Rehoboth Beach [...]

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a night with fellow bicolanos in goose creek

August 28, 2010
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One saberdey morning nga, I went up the hill and I was looking for a dry cleaner. I ended up here at chinika ko ang Filipina who was working here, hoping na maka-chamba nang discount! Wala ‘teng! Walang nangyari sa powers ko. Siningil pa rin ako nang $1.78 per piece samantalang $0.99 lang sya sa [...]

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costume expenses

August 23, 2010
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you know, you go to work, you wear your costumes, you wanna look good and be professional. wear glass. look smart. all that. but as far as your costumes are concerned, well, you wanna make sure, they’re pressed right. don’t count on me. that’s the part that doesn’t interest me at all. read: na-trauma ako [...]

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pahamak na tuyo!

August 12, 2010
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eh gwapo naman pala ang neighbor ko! kaso I only saw him once, taz everytime I go out, sinasara nya bintana nya or i-o-off ang ilaw. Finally! Lumabas den sya! Tuwang tuwa ako! pero, tipong hindi ata friendly. ba’t kaya ayaw mag smile. Taz bigla na lang syang… “Dude! Whatever it is your cooking, it [...]

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oh caesar!

August 11, 2010
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In Philadelphia, try ordering a chicken caesar salad and they’ll bring you an acre of veggies and a dozen live chickens. I swear to the gods in lettuce paradise that you’d call the salad cops for you’d fear you’re being drowned in veggies! So I thought, ok, let me try to be a healthy freak [...]

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