kikit's kit

kikit's kit http://claireapigo.multiply.com/ A woman is walking along the shore when a shell slips between her toes. Instead of wiggling her feet to drop the tiny piece of nature, she picks it up and says, "This shell is too ordinary that it possesses no distinctions that amaze beach goers. Even so, it still takes part in the universal beauty like the other sea elements." She then continues her walk with the shell in her hand. If I were the shell and you were the person, would you take me along with you? Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:46:20 -0000 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:56:30 -0000 kikit's kit http://images.claireapigo.multiply.com/logo http://claireapigo.multiply.com 100 100 Beach Time Last Thursday was our beach time. We went to Tsuruga on Wednesday, spent the night at the beach and swam the following day. Totot, my cousin's hubby who's currently in Japan as a trainee was with us. <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.claireapigo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SKpCvwoKCGUAACVoKRM1/DSC07545.JPG?et=awNOt1HqaffWTS67z0VuwA&nmid=0" border="0"> Here are the things we did: <ol> <li>travelled all the way to Tsuruga to enjoy the beach in summer <li>cooked barbeque for dinner, breakfast and lunch in a restricted area <li>sang "rain, rain go away" when it started drizzling (it was effective because that night it didn't rain despite what the weather forecast said) <li>slept on the mat under the tree because we forgot to bring the tent <li>counted the stars in the sky while lying down. before i fell asleep, there were only about five. hahaha =) <li>tried to read words in the reverse order (mga baliktad ug hunahuna!) <li>got up and found out that my niece ***tooot*** <li>dipped our bodies in the sea. it was freaking hot <li>felt like models in our photo shoot with the big rock as our background <li>looked for the sexiest ladies with the nicest swimsuits. ... http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/191/Beach_Time Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:56:30 -0000 My Fanatic Side Let me give you a list of those who took my breath away. Hahaha =) <ol> <li>Jomari Yllana (Remember gwapings? I bought a picture of him with Mark and Eric and placed it in my wallet.)  <li>Gio Alvarez (Pioneering talent of Ang TV. I never missed episodes of Ang TV and Home Along da Riles.) <li>Vince Hizon (I was once a Ginebra fan. I posted his big picture in my room.) <li>Martin Nievera (After his concert, I went to Marco Polo to get his autograph and kiss. With my friends' support ha. ) <li>Hideaki Takizawa (Japanese actor. I translated one of his songs but I didn't like the message that much.) <li>Miguel Naranjilla (Pinoy Pop Superstar runner up. Made two profound stories for him.) <li>Miguel Mendoza (PDA Season 2 scholar. Voted for him lang.)</li></li></li></li></li></li></li></ol>   http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/189/My_Fanatic_Side Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:45:53 -0000 Ang Balud Kausa ra gyud ko sa isa ka tuig makakita ug dagat diri sa Japan. Kanindot oi! <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.claireapigo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SKfBsQoKCGUAACsJXTQ1/DSC07495.JPG?et=9Rh2gXzJTZxgmWOcp70SOw&nmid=0" border="0"> Magsugod nako ug ligo ha. Ganina ra gyud ko nagpanikad. <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.claireapigo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SKfCdQoKCGUAAEFMKiE1/DSC07493.JPG?et=xp7fEIO%2CmPWYIoZ0IVA7uQ&nmid=0" border="0"> Hala! Kadako sa balud. Nalingaw ko nga nahadlok. Dagaaaannnn.... <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.claireapigo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SKfDbwoKCGUAAFGcWEQ1/DSC07494.JPG?et=kHYcyHpEZj4zGVzFyjTVDA&nmid=0" border="0"> Unya na lang ko ligo ug naa ko kauban. Dula na lang sa ko balas. =( <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.claireapigo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SKfEfAoKCGUAAGUmnGQ1/DSC07492.JPG?et=3gpk8szlyLIA5rQLApdTmw&nmid=0" border="0"> <a href="http://claireapigo.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SKfEfAoKCGUAAGUmnGQ1"></a>  http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/188/Ang_Balud Sun, 17 Aug 2008 06:36:54 -0000 Hozumi Festival <a href="http://claireapigo.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SKBk4AoKCGUAADmxKig1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.claireapigo.multiply.com/image/2/photos/upload/300x300/SKBk4AoKCGUAADmxKig1/Image220.jpg?et=Va7n%2CKHgIJSWnQfMzlWf4A&nmid=0" border="0"></a>Summer isn't only the time for yukatas and fireworks in Japan but it is also the only season where the residents in the city I live in gathers in a weekend festival. The owner of the ramen shop I work for said it's called a "Train Festival". Don't ask me why. Hehe. This year, I went there with my brother and his family. Like any other festivals in Japan, there were different food stalls. I bought myself a bowl of "kakigori", flavored crushed ice popular in summer. After paying the vendor, I turned around, walked a bit and "unconsciously" paused, looked at my kakigori and beamed. Then I heard someone said, "Ah, kuyawa oi, mura man ka ug bata nga first time nakadawat ug chocolate. (You look like a child who got a chocolate for the very first time)." It was Raffy, a family friend. Nauwaw ko kadali ba. Waaahhh... There was a little program. Local performers sang and danced and a group of students played "taiko", Japanese drums. But the most exciting part for m... http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/187/Hozumi_Festival Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:14:26 -0000 The Other Man Note: I'm not sure if the inexperienced is qualified to write a story like this. But I hope you will enjoy reading a product of my imagination based from real stories of my friends. =) <img class="alignleft" style="WIDTH: 300px;HEIGHT: 183px;" height="193" src="http://images.claireapigo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SJhzrQoKCEMAAGuBH1Q1/three.jpg?et=X5%2B5%2Cg8R2%2Bz5ksgR%2BVLh%2BA&nmid=0" width="300" border="0">I can see him out there, lying on his back, savoring every inch of sunlight. Well, he's not sun bathing in the park. He told me he often does this under the moon and stars. That's cute and romantic, huh? But this time, his being lunatic urged him to do it under the sun, for a change. I warned him he'd appear nuts with the burning heat but he just shrugged the idea off. It's not only this time that he's being stubborn and weird. He has told me some of his experience and ideas that ordinary people like me would find difficult to fathom. But I'm getting used to his idiotic side now. Not influenced though. So here I am, enjoying the shade of a tree, staring at my crazy friend.   I met him exactly a month ... http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/185/The_Other_Man Fri, 1 Aug 2008 08:39:29 -0000 The Life of a Cherry Tree It took me a year to make this entry. Lol. These are cherry trees along the stream close to my apartment. When I walk or bike to my brother's apartment, I pass them by and can't help but notice how they change beautifully. =) When cherry blossoms are at their peak in spring... <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.claireapigo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SI-7ZAoKCEMAAE-HSWw1/Image070.jpg?et=YT5uFxRr9dHCSrjumk0Tsw&nmid=0" border="0"> When green leaves dominate in summer... <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.claireapigo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SI-7nQoKCEMAAFFwVfw1/Image217.jpg?et=ZN365sdgJ1oLEqHl5c9wIA&nmid=0" border="0"> When leaves wither and fall in autumn... <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.claireapigo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SI-8CQoKCEMAAFhuegs1/Image035.jpg?et=JtnRwzKrhtHi4ngO3UidPA&nmid=0" border="0"> When cherry trees feel the cold winter brings... <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.claireapigo.multiply.com/image/2/photos/upload/300x300/SI-93goKCEMAAAslP@A1/Image060.jpg?et=cbT40FE6vPY13LkOwf1uzg&nmid=0" border="0">   http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/184/The_Life_of_a_Cherry_Tree Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:37:24 -0000 Amanohashidate Amanohashidate is a sandbar which is about 3.6 km long and lined with about 8,000 pine trees. Said to seem like a "heavenly bridge", it attracts many tourists through the year as one of the three most famous scenic locations in Japan. There are also a lot of sights like shrines ad temples inside and around the area. (copied from the http://claireapigo.multiply.com/photos/album/34/Amanohashidate Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:33:35 -0000 Hikone Hikone Castle and the adjacent Genkyu-en Garden comprise the centerpiece of Hikone city. The city's rise in prominence during the Tokugawa shogunate began with the construction of the castle in the early 1600's. Most of the structures on the site were declared Important Cultural Assets in 1951 with the main tower being designated a National Treasure in 1952. It is one of only 4 original castles so designated, along with Himeji in Hyogo, Inuyama in Aichi and Matsumoto in Nagano, as well as the Shogun's Ninomaru Palace inside Nijo Castle in Kyoto. Reposted from http://claireapigo.multiply.com/photos/album/33/Hikone Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:32:42 -0000 Kobe Kobe, the capital of Hyogo prefecture which lays next to the ocean on its southern side, is a major Japanese city with a population of more then 1.5 million people. It is located on Japan’s main and largest island, Honshu. It is famed in Japan’s business world for having one of the busiest harbours for maritime trade, being ranked 3rd in size in the country, as well as one of the largest in the world. Reposted from http://claireapigo.multiply.com/photos/album/32/Kobe Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:02:26 -0000 My Solitary Adventure As you have probably expected, I've just arrived from a three-day backpacking adventure. The trip was great in a different way. We'd usually call an experience fun and exciting when we've got lots of hilarious stories, embarrassing moments, wild dare, and bold risks to remember, laugh at and share with others. What I had wasn't like any of those kind of pleasure. But it was great because I was very at ease being with myself alone. As the cliche says, being alone doesn't mean being lonely. In that trip, I was more focused on my desires and whims. Yeah, it might be a kind of self-centeredness but I'd rather call it independence and freedom. I ate when I was hungry, drank when I was thirsty, slept when I was tired, read when I wanted to, walked wherever my feet led me, took as many pictures as I could, looked here, looked there and looked everywhere. I tried to own my time so I just checked my cellphone (in lieu of a watch) when I felt it was about time... http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/183/My_Solitary_Adventure Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:11:04 -0000 Yumi Got Hitched! Today I attended the wedding ceremony of Yumi, my former Japanese teacher. It was a little costly for me but it's worth the experience! I guess I'll never be able to attend a Japanese wedding again for the rest of my life. Thanks to Yumi and Kazuhiro! =) Unfortunately, with Kuya Wendel and Ate Lorraine climbing Mt. Fuji (Yeah, I missed it!) and Cecil vacationing in the Philippines, I did most of the preparation for the event all by myself. I went to Ate Chris who did my make-up. After the session,  I walked back to my apartment, which is about 10 minutes on foot, and it was freaking hot. When I got to my place, I was sweating a bit and  I had to retouch. Grrr...<img class="alignright" src="http://images.claireapigo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SINKlQoKCEMAABDNhms1/DSC07052.JPG?et=RfJGSHDZPPZ%2CrP7nly78%2Bw&nmid=0" border="0"> I took a taxi and headed for Shin Gifu. I got there just a few minutes before Koji, Yumi's brother arrived. What I didn't know was he was going to pick up two ladies, me and Mana. Fortunately, Mana speaks English fluently as she and Yumi started their friendship in the... http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/182/Yumi_Got_Hitched Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:39:52 -0000 Backpacking See my "Backpacking" blog post. <a href="http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/176/Backpacking">http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/176/Backpacking</a> http://claireapigo.multiply.com/calendar/item/10015/Backpacking Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:23:59 -0000 Japanese Wedding It will be my first time to attend a Japanese wedding. I'm somehow worried because I'll be the only Filipino who will attend the event and I don't know anyone there except for the bride. But at the same time, I'm excited because I want to witness a special day of my former Japanese teacher, Yumi and I'm not sure if I'll have another chance of attending another event like this. http://claireapigo.multiply.com/calendar/item/10014/Japanese_Wedding Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:08:04 -0000 The Ladder of Love Some of you might have already read it but still, I want to repost this. This short love story is so beautiful that tears touched my cheeks. <a title="Permanent Link: Man Carves Wife a 6,000 Stair Path in Mountain" href="http://www.weirdasianews.com/2007/12/15/man-carves-wife-a-6000-stair-path-in-mountain/" rel="bookmark">Man Carves Wife a 6,000 Stair Path in Mountain</a>  A weird love story has come out of China recently and managed to touch the world. It is a story of a man and an older woman who ran off to live and love each other in peace for over half century. <img class="alignleft" height="240" src="http://www.weirdasianews.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/love-ladder01.jpg" width="305" border="0">Over 50 years ago, Liu, was a 19 years-old boy, fell in love with a 29 year-old widowed mother named Xu. At the time, it was unacceptable and immoral for a young man to love an older woman. To avoid the market gossips, the couple decided to elope and lived in a cave in Jiangjin County in Southern ChongQing area. In the beginning, they had nothing, no electricity or even food. They had to eat grass and roots they found in the mountain, and Liu made a kerosene lamp that they used to lighten up their lives. Starting the second year of living in the mountain, Liu began, and continue <img class="alignright" style="WIDTH: 269px;HEIGHT: 323px;" height="810" src="http://www.weirdasianews.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/252.jpg" width="429" border="0">for over 50 years, ... http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/180/The_Ladder_of_Love Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:58:48 -0000 The Steam of Life This is the English translation of the lyrics of the song used in "Where the Hell is Matt?" video.   <img class="alignmiddleb" style="WIDTH: 393px;HEIGHT: 281px;" height="506" src="http://growersandgrocers.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/stream-photo-from-tomhe-flickr-collection.jpg" width="717" border="0">   The same stream of life that runs through my veins runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measure. It is the same life that shoots in joy through the dust of the earth into numberless blades of grass and breaks into tumultuous waves of leaves and flowers. It is the same life that is rocked in the ocean cradle of birth and death, in ebb and flow.   My limbs are made glorious by the touch of this world of life.   And my pride is from the life throb of ages dancing in my blood at this moment.   - Rabindranath Tagore - Indian poet, philosopher and Nobel Prize winner (1861-1941)    Picture taken from <a href="http://growersandgrocers.net/">http://growersandgrocers.net/</a>. http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/179/The_Steam_of_Life Sat, 12 Jul 2008 06:14:58 -0000 Where the Hell is Matt? If you loved the gratitude dance video I posted before, you'll love this more. When I saw this, I realized again how beautiful the world is especially when people are crazily dancing as if nobody's watching them. This idea is attributed to Matt Harding, a world wanderer. Youtube says it took 14 months, 42 countries, and a cast of thousands to make this video. He has also made other dancing videos that you may watch at his website: www.wherethehellismatt.com. Though I didn't understand the lyics of the music in this video, the melody caught my attention. I looked for it on the Internet and found out that the lyrics were adapted from the poem, "Stream of Life" by Rabindranath Tagore, an Indian poet, philosopher and Nobel Prize winner. The same person wrote the national anthem of India and Bangladesh. Great video. Great music. Have a great time watching this! http://claireapigo.multiply.com/video/item/30/Where_the_Hell_is_Matt_ Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:55:34 -0000 My Dream Scene Someday, I want to do what Pooh and his friends are doing in this picture... <img class="alignmiddleb" style="WIDTH: 517px;HEIGHT: 396px;" height="1536" src="http://www.mjshearer.com/WinniethePooh2006.JPG/WinniethePooh2006-full.jpg" width="2035" border="0">Wanna join me? =)   http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/178/My_Dream_Scene Mon, 7 Jul 2008 14:47:21 -0000 A Happy Week A few things that made me happy last week: 1. The fifth graders could sing "Sing" by The Carpenters without looking at their copies. I was surprised at how good they were. After our class, one student came to me and the VET and asked if we can teach them another famous English song. 2. Kuya's birthday dinner at his place 3. I got a bracelet made of beads as a present from Misaki, a fifth grader. It was unexpected! It was so nice and thoughtful of her. 4. Eri passed the English proficiency written test. The most thrilling part was when we opened the results together. I was as nervous as she was. Fortunately, she made it. I hope she'll make it in the interview as well. Let's cross our fingers. 5. Completion of my visa requirements. Thanks to Kaori who translated three documents from the Philippines. 6. Maegan's birthday party at a park http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/177/A_Happy_Week Thu, 3 Jul 2008 12:49:54 -0000 Children See, Children Do A short and powerful commercial about children mimicking the actions of their parents. Text reposted from http://claireapigo.multiply.com/video/item/29/Children_See_Children_Do Tue, 1 Jul 2008 12:57:58 -0000 The Robot That Can Hula-hoop! I just discovered yesterday that I can hula-hoop! Haha =) Lingaw sya in fairness. Hehe http://claireapigo.multiply.com/video/item/28/The_Robot_That_Can_Hula-hoop Sun, 29 Jun 2008 08:28:41 -0000 Backpacking I can't go to national parks and mountains but I can wander in cities. I can't sleep in tents but I can get cheap accomodations. I can't do it for a week or more but at least, I can do it for three days. I can't do it with my family or friends but I can do it all by myself. I'm going to go backpacking for three days in three different cities here in Japan and only God knows how excited I am!!! I'm not really sure if backpacking is the appropriate term. All I know is that in this budget-wise trip, I'm going to walk, see sights, meet and talk with people, use Japanese, ponder, learn new things,  wonder, wander and of course, bring a backpack with me! I'm going to enjoy every moment and have fun wherever my feet will bring me. Summer means five-six weeks of no work. It is actually the best time to pay home a visit (my sister's taking advantage of the break) but it's not possible for me this time because I just spent the Chr... http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/176/Backpacking Sat, 28 Jun 2008 02:08:57 -0000 Fathers' Day Happy Fathers' Day to all fathers in the world, <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.claireapigo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SFUbtwoKCEMAADd0yhc1/wendel.jpg?et=VSuHDfkcSAuBixvdz63eHQ&nmid=0" border="0"> especially to Papa Fred and Daddy Wendel! =) <a href="http://claireapigo.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SFUbkQoKCEMAADMSuuA1"></a>  http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/174/Fathers_Day Sun, 15 Jun 2008 13:43:32 -0000 Just Wondering Part II For the past couple of weeks, I'd admit I'm somehow affected by what's happening in the Philippines. I'm not really a news-updated person but I assume that on top of what you'll read below, the police officers are busy fixing other violations. 1. Rice shortage - As what we all know, commercial rise has doubled its price and in effect, people are lining up to buy the affordable NFA rice. And this is really a serious problem considering that rice is a staple food in the country. To quote my friend Malinche, it seems that rice has become "pagkaing pangmayaman". That's really heartbreaking! But my other friend Agnes would insist that the problem isn't rice shortage but rice hoarding. Grrr!!! 2. A Chinese businesswoman in my hometown was hold up and killed about two weeks ago. 3. About two months ago, a banana grower was kidnapped. He was released soon but his security guard wasn't. (I just heard this story from my mother. I can't give more details.) 4. Kidnapping Drilo... http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/173/Just_Wondering_Part_II Sat, 14 Jun 2008 13:33:58 -0000 Thoughts From my dear friend Agnes... thoughts they can take you to places unknown to motives undreamed of to paths untravelled   http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/170/Thoughts Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:12:19 -0000 Just Wondering...   If man is working for something better, why are simple things getting worse?   http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/169/Just_Wondering... Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:44:47 -0000 An Open Diary <img class="alignleft" src="http://daily.hotpads.com/hotpads_daily/images/i_love_blogging.jpg" border="0">Sometimes I wonder what else is there to write. As I'm writing this post, I believe that what I'm about to express has already been written by another blogger. I think all ideas have been written down using different styles, moods, words and emphasis. How many books have been published? How many newspapers and magazines have been printed? How many articles have been posted? Millions. Trillions. Zillions. Blogging is a current trend. But why? Yeah, maybe because we keep up with the age of technology. Gone are the times when it's difficult for our ideas to be readily read by anyone interested. Nowadays, expressing ideas is just a few clicks away. And people who have unique ways with words feel happier since blogging's already an income generating hobby. But is this it? Since I'm one of those frustrated writers who are hooked up with this, I'll try to answer the question myself. I remember one of my philosophy classes at my university. Our teacher (though ... http://claireapigo.multiply.com/journal/item/168/An_Open_Diary Sun, 8 Jun 2008 12:11:31 -0000