Fire And Rain 2

This morning I woke up at 10 and this was what I saw outside our patio door. The patio was so dirty, the chairs are dirty and ashes all over--the covered garden set, the covered grill and the covered wheeled cart. And I know it was time to clean-up whether I like it or not. It must be done now, but, not the usual way--sweeping it and all. Ash dirt is better cleaned if hose down a little with water and swept with a broom and a dustpan and put in a garbage bag. I know it was going to be a messy job. So, I got my nose mask and a black Palos hat and started the task of cleaning from the top (trellis), to the tables and down to the floor.

And what do you know, it started to rain. Good! That made my job easier and cleaner. I dusted the surfaces and hosed down the patio and patio furnitures and front door and door mat and floor with water. After 2 hours I was done. Our ourside was a lot cleaner, it is still raining till now. I watered the flowers also and I had to take a picture of this rose. After that I was ready to eat lunch of crab torta, fried chicken and, of course, rice. It has been literally, fire and rain. Am I sounding like James Taylor. Well, I used to look like him when I was younger. Only, he's more balder than me. Yabang ano? Joke lang!

Fire And Rain

October 26, 2007; Friday:

Yesterday, our world here seems to be on fire, this morning looks like cold ice--a winter day, even, complete with fog and visibility was less than a mile. It was actually a marine layer, like you would see in San Francisco almost everyday. Less ash rain during the day and the afternoon was a lot colder. Funny things going around here these days. I was just glad it's TGIF (Thank God It's Friday) already. I went home looking forward to our chat and to Saturday a chance for me to clean up the mess the fire created around our house.

Carlsbad Sunrise

October 25, 2007; Thursday:

Yesterday, the fires were still burning, but, I was went to work and was busy cleaning up around our workplace the whole. I had to wear nose mask, though, while I'm outside for just don't want to feel the effect of ashes and debris raining, years from now. Nette stayed at home the whole day while northbound and southbound I-5 was closed. I told her to pack our valuables, some clothes and our van ready just in case. Nothing happened to us and the day passed while glued listening to the radio for updates.

This morning at about 7, this was how the sun look like and seems today wasn't going to be good. It's so strange the sun looks like this in Southern California. But, fortunately, it went without any more fires starting. Ash was still falling the temperature at the 88's in the afternoon. All conversations centered on the wildfires.

My Red Car's Turning Black

At about 9:30 a.m., this how my car looked like. You image may not show the white and black ash rain that have started collecting on it. But, it's already 1 p.m. and I'm sure I don't need the faded red color repainted caused it would turned in black by now. I'm sure you're not surprise, having experienced the Mt. Pinatubo eruption there. I'm still watching for more developments and I'll keep you informed. Pray for us and thanks to Christine Meneses for calling me from Houston this morning.

On my way back home at about 8:30 a.m., the sky suddenly turned slightly dark and was sun was like an orange moon in the morning. The wind was cold and there were ash rain already. It was so surreal, but, I know I was driving slowly down a city street. What's next?

Last night, we went to bed and pray that we would wake up next morning safe and out of danger inside our house. I pray also and hope for the best for those that were affected by the fires. One of them was Larry Himmel, a friendly long-time sports TV-Radio announcer for CBS Channel 8 who saw his house in Rancho Bernardo gutted to the ground for himself. And yet, he continued giving reports LIVE from his community. We were safe alright the next morning, 10-23-07 and we got ready to go to work. But this image was what I saw.

Ash rain has started overnight and as I drive until I got to my office. And the air was becoming unhealthly to breathe in and thank God I bought that nose mask! The cities and freeways look like a ghost towns. At 7:20 a.m., this would a rush hour traffic ride. Our dealership have no customers at the service department. The writers and the manager as I was changing into my uniform when they told me the store would be closed and we were to go home. Nobody would want to work, especially outside, in a atmosphere like this. Our lungs would collapse even if we wear masks the whole day.

My Mazda MPV (Most Pinoy Van) is ready to go.

And that's Gino trying to help by being a firefighter himself. As the night set in we didn't know what would happen for the next two that we have to endure. Ash rain wasn't visible set outside. And I still had time to trim and wet the grass and the flowers. I would go inside the house thinking what to do tomorrow or even this night. Watch TV all night or just trust God that we wake safe. But, the fires are not letting.

The whole day Nette and I did what the preparedness expert said on TV: To get these things ready: Important papers, valuables, radio, batteries, bottled water and some ready-to-eat food-just in case we have to evacuate Oceanside. And watch TV all day. Lucky for us, we didn't hear the announcement to do so. But, the fire continue to grow bigger because of the strong swirling Santa Ana winds in the mountains and was threatening to move west to the coast, where we live near. The Fallbrook fire got bigger and the sky became dark early at 5 pm and this was how it looked like. We were ready to move if needed. Nette has all her shoes, me with my portable PowerStation (jumper cable-tire inflator-lamp combination). And also Gino's laptop and silver watch. Hehehe.

Monday morning, we woke to the TV news that fires became 8 full blown firestorms spread along Ramona, Rancho Bernardo, Chula vista, near the Mexico border, Scripps Ranch, San Marcos and Fallbrook. And Fallbrook is the nearest to us, being 20 miles away only.

It was a work day, so, after I dropped off Gino at Ralph's, I passed by a nearby Lowe's Lumber and bought a 5-pack nose masks as I listened to my van's radio for the lastest news about the fire. The radio announcers and local officials were advising the people to stay home and off the road. Then, as I droved by Highway 76 west, I noticed the usually very light traffic at this 7 am morning was becoming heavier. I later learnt that the Interstate Highway 15 was closed from Freeway 78 up to Freeway 56 and motorists are taking 76 to I-5 North to downtown San Diego. After passing the Freeway 78 bridge, I decided to just drive back home after seeing several fire trucks from Los Angeles and that's when the traffic was started to back up. What more when noon and afternoon come, it would be a mess and I was right. After calling my office and calling Nette, who was still at home, I let them know I was heading home. Nette would later know hers too that she's not coming in.

By late Sunday evening as we were settling in for the night, watching the GMA's "Magpakailanman", the reversed 911 Emergency Notice sounded from the television, announcing mandatory evacuation from the whole of Ramona area This was what it looked like from that one single fire. At least six fires were raging around San Diego.

The Fire That Would Not Die

It started as a small fire in Santa Ysabel area, next to Julian, near the Pala Casino in northeast North County, to the east of I-15. That was Sunday afternoon at about noon, so, what I did, as I usually do, was just watch Pinoy TV's SOP and I was pretty much relaxed as there was nothing to do. And Nette had left that morning to go to work. This would change after she came home as we watched the local evening news.

As You Requested

I'm posting this to fulfill my promise to Mabelle. She said she missed the yummy burger and french fries that they make. Actually, two of the only four items they sell. But, over here In-N-Out is very popular, since it first started in Los Angeles. The same way McDonald's started in San Bernardino, California, next to L.A. County. It's always a treat eating in and mostly because it's just a mile walk from our house. When you come here, we'll eat there everyday. That's a deal.

Ready For Monday

Tonight I have prepared my lunch and break foods. I'll have Mesquite Chicken with vegetables for lunch and Boiled Egg With Mayo for my snack. I've put my spoon and fork in my lunch bag, checked the oil, washer fluid, coolant and tire and tire pressure in my van. Having vaccuumed the vehicle's seats and carpets and detailed the inside, I feel better knowing that I'm prepared to face the real work this Monday again. Also, I've taken care of the lawn and cleaned the garage--taking out the 2 bikes we're giving Nette's Mom together with the two heater I've retrieved from the attic. And just before I posted this, I've written checks for the neverending bills that we pay everyday.

As you see, every Sunday I have done this routine for many, many years to make sure I'm ready for Monday and the week ahead. It's not that hard. It only takes discipline and taking on what has to be done to be a responsible man. And I have to say that we've done a good job. I may have problems and times hard times, but, with prayers and faith in God, we did fine. And I'm thankful for that.

If you think you have a lot of problems, don't worry about it, pray for ways to solve them. And think that you're not alone. And feel better tonight that your Monday will be alright that when Friday comes, you'll be happily be looking forward to Saturday and on Sunday will just be a doable day again.

Sa akin kasing palagay, kung mayroon akong kailangan gawin. Ito'y dapat nang gawin ngayon, kasi kung hindi ko ito gagawin ngayon baka hindi ko na nagawa bukas. Kailangan lamang tayong mag-pursige. Huwag mawawalan ng lakas ng loob. Ako'y naririto.

Naghihingalo Na

Ngayong araw ako'y nalulungkot ako sa mga nangyari sa akin. Dahil ako'y naging masyadong abala sa aking trabaho, nakapunta lang ako para ipasuri ang problema matapos akong makapananghalian. Hindi na nga ako masyadong nakakain dahil gusto ko nang malaman kung malulunasan pa ang mga simtomas na lumalabas. Pagkain ng chili con small hotdog, dali-dali akong lumabas ng opisina at tuloy-tuloy sa aking kotse. Kinabahan ako ng sumakay ako sa ito-- madalas itong nangyayari--sapagka't ako'y nag-aalala baka hindi umandar, lalo na't napakainit sa labas. Sa awa ng Diyos, isang pihit ko lang ng susi at umarangkada na ang aking Accord.

Ewan ko ba kung bakit pa ako nagmamadali ay napakaraming mga istorbo sa daan--mga ciudad empleyado na nagkukumpuni ng mga lubak-lubak sa daan, mga kotse na akala mo'y may patay at mga maraming mga pulang ilaw sa kanto. Nakadagdag pa aking inis ng ako ay maligaw dahil sa direksiyon na ibinigay ng aking naka-usap sa telepono. Imbis, ako ay napunta sa building na tabi ng tindahan ng karne, yun pala ang gusali na aking hinahanap ay malapit sa gasolinahan. Ay naku! Kung kelan pa ako nagmamadali. Mabuti at ako'y nakakita ng espasyo na pagparada kaagad. Sinusuerta pa ako--sa isip ko.

Nguni't pagpasok ko sa pinto nila wala akong nakausap kaagad kasi ang mama sa counter ay nasa telepono. Iminuestro na lamang sa akin na pumunta ako sa susunod na lamesa na di kalayuan. Matapos na siya at lumapit sa akin at tinanong ako: "Ano ba ang problema?" Sinunod ko siya at binuksan ko na at ipikita ko sa kanya. Sabi niya marami na siyang nakitang mga ganitong problema. Hindi lang ako. Mabuti pa raw na palitan na lang kesa sa buksan pa. Magagastusan pa ako ng malaki. Sabi ko sa sarili ko: Mabuti pa nga yata kasi malaki na ang simtomas. Naghihingalo na ito. Hindi magtatagal pa at ganoon rin ang resulta. Lalo akong sobrang namighati at muntik nang maiyak. Gusto ko na sanang umalis na lang sa aking pagkatalo. Umalis akong malungkot dahil wala na akong magagawa pa. Siyanga pala--ako ay palabas ng Laptop Plus.

Isang Pagbabago

I have been posting entries in Englsih so I will be understood by all. Now, I don't know if I'm really doing that. So, in my future posts, I'll be writing it in Filipino (with some translations). Some maybe lost in translation, but, I'll try to make myself clear. This way I'll be able to teach and reach others who are more comfortable in reading in their native Tagalog. So, watch for my next entry. Sabi nga nila: Abangan ang susunod na kabanata! Wait for the next chapter. Mabalos! Give my regards to your family!

A Day In History

September 21, 1972, a infamous date in Philippine history when President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law so he can remain in power. Infamous cause it started the decline of the quality of life of most Filipinos. Before Marcos, the Philippines was on the way to prosperity under President Diosdado Macapagal, father of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the present Prez. Martial law resulted in many problems that is felt even up to now.

I was four month out of high school and have been admitted at the University of Santo Tomas. I was eager to learn more at a higher level and was beginning to know other people such as my new found classmates, especially of the opposite sex and teachers that would guide me later on with my studies. I remember watching on television the Liberal Party Convention at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila. And as the politicians spoke, a bomb exploded and confusion and carnage folowed. And later that night, Marcos issued the suspension of writ of habeas corpus and Martial Law folowed. The next day there soldiers roaming the whole of Metro Manila in search of Marcos oppositions. And things became scary that all of us stayed away of the streets and later on, also, a curfew was enforced. And this experience made Filipino wary and afraid of policemen and soldiers and the notorious METROCOM.

I was thinking, how can this be happening. I just graduated and was full of life and eagerness to finally better my life. What will the coming years be under this sad condition of supression and corruption of the illegal administration. Life continued everyday as people went along with Marcos. There were some improvements, but, ultimately, the changes were cosmetics and the people were tired of what they've seen and acted to free themselves that led to the famous People Power in 1986. And that's another story.

As this date come every year, it is not celebrated, but, on the other hand remembered. Remember those who died, those hundreds who disappeared and are still not known what happened to them. More importantly, it's a day to remind us to be vigilant of our freedom and democracy, of someone who would just take advantage of us for their own evil intentions. And in the end, good will triumph over evil.