Two months before I resigned from my last work, I made sure that I get all the ID cards I need since I will be surrendering my company ID. This means I arranged everything from my SSS (replacement), TIN, Postal ID, etc. These are some of the IDs needed for bank and other important transactions. Aside from these ID cards, I also continued my PhilHealth, Pag-ibig and SSS contributions without fail, so when I get sick, the health insurance can take care of a part of the hospital bill, and when I reach retirement age or die, I get a little something out from SSS (Social Security System).

I was happy with the online inquiry service of SSS until I experienced what seems to be an endless problem with their website. It was down, if not too slow, most of the time. Then they had this new procedure where one should register first and create an account before he can do online contribution inquiry, etc.

Personally, I like the old thing more – type your last name, your birthday and your SSS number, press ‘submit’ then tada! All the information you need to know and see with regards to your membership are there.

That was the old process. The new one is, well, I can’t say if it’s better or what. I have registered and tried accessing my account successfully. To register, you need to fill up the online form and wait for the email with your password from them (you create your own username and they give you the PW which you can change afterwards). Once logged in, you need to log in again to access your membership account. In other words, you need to log in to log in. Funny, right?

After successfully fooling myself logging in and trying the not really impressive service, I tried registering my husband. He received the email that says,

‘We are sorry to inform you that you have not successfully registered in the SSS Website. Please call the SSS Hotline at (632) 920-6446 to 55 for assistance.’

A month later, we tried registering again – filled up the form and waited for their email. We received the same response!

So I decided to call those numbers to inquire but all of them are either busy or your call just can’t get through (I hear a fast busy tone). I tried calling the trunkline (9206401), but the lady kept insisting that I call those other numbers even I told her how hard it is to get through. And I’ve been dialing since yesterday!

Aaaarrrgghhh! How I hate SSS! Their web service sucks, and their phone service sucks more. Maybe that’s why it’s called the SSS Hotline. Your head will get hot when you call their line.  I just hope they find a website hosting service that works, and a bunch of people that works better.

During school days, Jeff is only allowed to play outside, play with his PlayStation and our computer and sleep late on weekends. But not this month.

Jeff is grounded. He can do everything else but he’s not playing outside for every weekend of the whole month of November.

The punishment had accumulated. I cannot recall now what his ‘original sin’ was, but it started from only one weekend, went up to two, then three and now, four weekends. This is because I caught him playing outside during his ‘off’ days – again and again.

This afternoon, after a tiresome appointment with our washing machine, I rested in our room. He was there too, watching TV. After some time, he turned the TV off and went downstairs. Few hours later, I went down to take a bath. I saw him outside again! He is playing basketball with some kids. I called him, reminded him of his punishment and asked, ‘Do you like to remain grounded until December?’

‘No, Ma. I’m sorry.’

‘Yeah, you’re always sorry!’

He kept quiet.

Minutes passed that I did not speak with him. I was busy checking my emails, while he continued playing basketball in our room. His father stuck a ring in one of the walls of our bedroom with a glue gun before he left this year, and since then, Jeff has been doing his dunk shots and everything basketball here in our room.

Later, he went down to go to the bathroom. I stopped for a moment and checked my mobile phone for any unread messages. Nobody texted me, BUT there is one unread message.

My phone is in a little pouch made of soft fabric. When I reached for it, I felt something was in there with my celfon that I don’t remember putting in. I opened the pouch and found this little note in it.  No, it’s not one of those I love you notes Jeff writes for me, but . . . . .

Ma, hindi ko lang talaga kaya na hindi maglaro sa labas kaya minsan natutukso ako kaya naglalaro ako sa labas. Sana pagtapos ng November wala na kong grounded.

(Ma, I just miss playing outside that’s why sometimes I get tempted and play. I hope when November ends, I’m no longer grounded.)

My heart broke . . . . .

Though we played in the bed before he slept, he didn’t know I already found the letter; but I know when he remembers it tomorrow, he’ll ask me about it and what my answer is.

No, I don’t have plans of locking him in for the remaining weekends of 2008, but if he continues to sneak out of the house when he’s not supposed to, I don’t know.

Am I being a meanie?

With cold and cough, I’m so tired after doing the laundry today . . . . .

image from: Laundry101 and Laundry and Headsets respectively

I had a tough, busy and wonderful week.  There were problems, but there were also things that made me smile and are really worth celebrating.  Well I guess, mothers always experience all kinds of emotions in a short period of time.

First, the trip to the hospital. Jeff had these skin rashes last Thursday night, so we immediately went to the doctor to have him checked. The doctor explained this and that and Jeff is to take the anti-allergy tablet she prescribed.

Second, the trip to the movie house. Jeff and I watched Madagascar2 last Saturday.  It’s a funny movie with a heart.  You have to watch it, especially if you have kids

Third, the trip to the hospital . . . . . again. When we woke up yesterday morning to prepare for school, Jeff had the rashes again. So right after he had his breakfast, instead of taking a bath and heading for school, I took him to the doctor. He was injected with I forgot the name of the anti-allergy which made him sleepy and slept the whole morning. And in the afternoon until now, the rashes are gone!

Fourth, the trip to A Nice Place in the Sun. I got a little surprise from Annie who awarded me the I’m a Quiz Whiz badge. This is because I answered Tuesday’s Question which she posts every week.  I suggest you head on there too, people.  You will get to share your funny or hearty thoughts and get to know other bloggers more as well.  It’s so much fun there.  And thanks, Annie!

And fifth, the trip to God’s Best Gift where Rocks gave me this:

Thanks, Rocks.  It’s really nice knowing people like you

What am I up to lately? Well, although Monday marks the start of the one week sembreak, I had a busy week behind me.

Monday – I went to the GMA Kapuso Foundation warehouse again to help pack some more school supplies for children.

Tuesday – I did the laundry which I wasn’t able to do on my regular laundry Saturday.

Wednesday – I went to the warehouse again and packed, packed, packed some more!

Thursday – Jeff and I had a date at the Manila Zoo. I can’t remember when was the last time we went there because he was still small back then – 4years old perhaps?  Now, he just wanted to try out the zoo’s new feature - the horse backriding!

We were greeted by this wrinkled elephant.

Then we went ahead and looked for the horse.

How much is it worth?  Ride is cheap . . . . . (Php60.00 = less than $2)

This smile?  Priceless . . . . .

Then we went boating!

The little man of the house is rowing.

We’ll cross (under) the bridge when we get there

That was our Thursday!

Friday – Volunteering can never be more fun than doing it with all your heart and with someone close to your heart. Jeff came along!

Sembreak.  The week that was

Armed with my son’s shirt (I wasn’t able to do the laundry on Saturday so I need to borrow ), I went to the warehouse on Saturday where the goods will be packed.  Volunteering for the GMA Kapuso Foundation is fun, but it sure is not easy.  But looking at these bags of goodies and school supplies for children for Christmas is priceless . . . . .

It’s a very fulfulling experience!  Actually, I was there again today.  And I will be there this whole week

The UN Day celebration at school today was successful.

And by successful, I mean . . . . .

Jeff getting the Mr. Photogenic Award . . . . .

making it to the Magic5 . . . . .

and . . . . .

being the First Runner-up!

As for Sam, Jeff’s partner, though she didn’t make it through the elimination round for the talent on Monday, she was awarded Best in Sports Wear and was crowned Ms. United Nations 2008!

Yes.  That successful!

And another reason to celebrate is I received a call this afternoon from GMA Kapuso Foundation and I was invited to do some volunteer packing of goods tomorrow.  One of my dreams just came true!

Aside from the knee and lower back problems I’ve been carrying for years now and the ‘I forgot’ episodes, there is another sign that really tells me I’m O-L-D.

I was born in 1977. This just means I was already so much alive and kicking during the New Wave era and in the 90’s. My favorite band was and is The Cure. And let me also mention the great Metallica. There were also Guns n’ Roses, Fra Lippo Lippi, Madonna, Culture Club, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Aerosmith and so much more. In the local scene were The Wuds, The Youth, Grin Department, Alamid, etc. The 80’s and 90’s music were really great and they still are being played up to now. What I’m trying to say here is I was a fan of loud music – heavy metal, rock, grunge. And until now, whenever I hear the songs of these people, which is very seldom, I sing along. But when Jeff plays his favorite CDs – Maroon5, Linkin Park and I don’t know what else, I always feel like my head is being hit by hundreds of drum sticks - all at once. He also likes playing Red Hot Chili Peppers. One time when he was channel surfing, I caught a glimpse of a music video of Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters. I immediately told him to let me watch it until it finished. Then he started asking questions like ‘Who are they?’, ‘What’s the title of the song?’ ‘Are they famous?’, etc. And guess what? When he asked me to help him download some songs for him, the song ‘Fuel’ of Metallica was on the list he gave me. I don’t know how he knew about it. For quite some time now, I keep discovering that he knows so many songs and artists that I don’t know exist.  Most of them are loud.  Though I love listening to ‘old times’, Jeff’s choice of music is noise pollution to me!  Now that is one surest sign . . . . .

What are your signs?

The competition for the Best in Talent this year are among the girl participants only.  Last year, the boys were the ones who wowed the audience and the judges.  This is in connection with the UN Day celebration on Friday.  Participants from the Kindergarten to High School performed.  Some did a solo act, while others performed in group.  Sam, Jeff’s partner and the Ms. Greece candidate, danced to the tune of ‘Bleeding Love’.

That’s Jeff with his UN partner, Sam.  Please note the arm band

And this is him with one of his friends.  

Here’s the whole dancing group with Jeff seated wearing his ever famous arm band which was given by his father.

And the video I took of Sam’s group (of course, with my very reliable phone, Asus V-75).  Jeff is easy to spot.  Just look for the white arm band

The school called this the ‘pre-talent’.  They are choosing which candidates are best to compete for the title ‘Best in Talent’.  Chosen candidates will be announced tomorrow and will perform again on Friday.  That’s when the judges will pick the winner.  I hope Sam gets in

OOOPS:  I don’t know why the audio won’t play.  It’s playing here in my computer, but it doesn’t make a sound when uploaded.  Go ahead, throw tomatoes at me.  I deserve it