Hail in Bakersfield, CA

This is my first hail experience in my 2-yr stay here in Bakersfield, CA. I thought it was snow because that was hubby told me when he called. At that time, it was snowing already in Taft and Derby Acres, a 45-minute drive from Bakersfield. I was so excited when I heard about it because I haven't experienced snow yet. They say that snow comes in Bakersfield once in a decade and it has been 10 years already when it snowed last time. So when hail came, I was amazed. As if someone was throwing stones of ice at me. It was smaller though compared to the bigger ones I saw on videos which are scary. You'll get hurt if you are hit. I touched it and felt it in my hand. It was oily and slippery. Then hubby said, it was because we are in Oildale area :) I guess, he was just kidding.

The Feast of Sto Nino de Cebu

Philippines has a lot of festivals to celebrate and one of them is the feast of Sto. Nino which was celebrated last Sunday, January 25. Not all places in Philippines celebrate the saint's day. Only for those places who have Sto. Nino as their patron. Cebu is one of the main city that celebrates it. They always have a big feast with street dancing and more. Tourists from all over the world gather there just to witness the celebration and Filipinos as well from different parts of Philippines. In my hometown, Iligan City, there is a barangay that celebrates the feast since Sto. Nino is also the patron. It is barangay Mahayahay where I grew up and lived. Like Cebu City, we have activities but not as grand as Cebu. Since we are far from our homeland, all my Filipino friends with our husbands gather here to say and offer some prayers, novena and a mass. We always hold it at a friend's house. We always observe important holidays like this wherever we might be. We always remember our home land and its holidays. Viva Sto Nino!

Written Test for CA Driver's License

Hubby took a stolen shot of me... he was happy that at last I took the test...

I was not feeling well but still I need to take my written test at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicle). I have colds and cough since friday and until now but I was feeling better today compared yesterday. I took my medicine on time so I can go to work and take the test today. I have read the Driving Handbook already last October 21, 2008 (the day after my application for the California DL) so I didn't read it again instead, I reviewed the hardcopies of the sample tests before I went to bed. The test that I had today was different from the ones I have studied (as always expected) and I didn't remember reading it from the manual/handbook ( I completely forgotten about it LOL). Luckily, I passed the test with 6 mistakes (too lucky!!! more than 6 mistakes means RETAKE) and I was given a permit to drive (of course with the company of a licensed driver ***My Hubby***). This permit will expire on October this year so I need to schedule a manual test before that date or else, I need to retake the test again. Hopefully, I'll pass the manual test and get a DL ASAP. I badly need it for work. So, wish me luck guys ;)

Philippine and California Driver's License

I have my Philippine Driver's License when I came here in US. The California Driver's Manual states that a foreign driver's license can be used here in CA as long as it is still valid. The bearer is called a visitor driver. Since I am no longer a visitor, I need to get a CA DL. It is an advantage if you have a license already from your country because you don't have to pay $$$ for the driving lessons. I paid $27 (not sure cos I forgot) for the DL application and just take the written and manuat test anytime. Right now, I am preparing for my written exam. It has been postponed always because I don't have time or just being lazy to set a time for it. But I am planning to get my CA DL this month since I badly need to drive myself to the school, office and home. Hubby doesn't have much time to drive and pick me up. Also, my Phi DL is expiring this March. If ever I get a driver's license this month, it will expire right away this August because my Green Card will expire too. I can renew it right away without having my DL suspended if I apply for a removal of conditions for my green card ahead of time (90 days before the expiration date). In that way, I can have my NOA (Notice of Action) from USCIS that I can submit to DMV in order for me to go on with the DL renewal. This is based on my friend's experience.

More info at DMV.CA.GOV

Influenza "Flu" Shot

Hubby and I had our flu shot yesterday at the County clinic. At last, we took it! We paid only $4 at the public health clinic. We always plan to get the shots but we were both busy that we didn't get it in December. So we just had it yesterday. It seems late but the shot is good for about a year. I have read also that flu season is most common in January and February so we were just in time. I was not really planning to get one for me but since I am working with kids now in school, I need to shield myself from any sickness. Getting sick here in USA is too expensive so prevention is really better than cure. Influenza is a deadly virus so if you can get a shot now, better get it. Anyone can be affected.

A Quiet New Year

Celebrating the new year here is really different from Philippines. I miss the fireworks when midnight strikes, the food and most especially I miss my family and friends. Another new year has come and I missed celebrating it again with my loved ones in Philippines but it is OK. They are always in our thoughts and I am always in their hearts too. Instead, hubby and I went to Trout's bar and celebrated the new year there. We had champagne and we danced all night till midnight (new year). Even if there were no fireworks, the band and the music filled our soul and our horns welcomed the new year too! It was a blast and a fun-filled night with Wade Hayes as the guest singer. No fireworks here but most of the people stayed outside their homes, stayed with families and friends, went to bars and enjoyed the night. The bars were the only places where there was noise but outside, it was really quiet...

The Trout's Band with Wade Hayes

Merry Christmas to All!

Philippine Christmas Song (practice) sang by my Co-teachers during the Faculty Christmas Party

Christmas here is really different from what I got used to. In Philippines, Christmas starts as early as November. They say that when a month ends with -er, it is Christmas season already. That is why, some people decorate Christmas decors in September but mostly, decorating starts in November. All the schools, homes and other establishments feel the Christmas spirit when decorations are displayed. It is the same here in US, people start to decorate in late November but still I can feel the difference in celebrating Christmas here. Maybe people are too busy with work and we don't have much time visiting our friends here. All my friends are miles away from where I live and every one's busy with their own chores. I miss my hometown so much, I miss my family and friends. Especially this Holiday season, friends and family are always together and people share the warmth of Christmas joyfully.

Every 16th of December, people start carolling in our neighborhood but some people start earlier. All the kids will form a group and bring their spoons, forks or tin cans to use as their musical instruments for carolling. I like the cute kids singing the Christmas songs in their own tune and words. A peso will make them happy and they will always sing "Thank you, ang babait ninyo, thank you! (You are so kind, thank You) and run, looking for another house. I remember when I was a kid, my mom had asked me to go to a store and buy something one night. But what I did, before I bought the thing that Mom asked me to buy, I sang a Christmas song first for the store owner and he gave me some coins. He knew me since he was my brother's Godparent and our neighbor. They enjoyed listening to my song and they laughed because after that, I spent the coins he gave me and bought candies from his store. I almost forgot to buy what my Mom asked me. There are kids like me even today. They like a "solo flight" as what we call it for carollers who are alone or on their own. Thinking what I did makes me chuckle. It was a funny experience :) I didn't care before, as long that I have sang my song heartily and I have something in return. When I grew up, I sang with friends, co-teachers and co-club members. We received more from the residents because we gave them a letter informing them why we did the carolling and for what purpose we will use the money.

The other things that I miss are the fireworks and the Noche Buena (Midnight Dinner). When midnight of the 24th comes, parents will wake up their children for the noche buena and to witness the firecrackers and fireworks display. People are too busy with their own fireworks too that some end up in the hospital. We used to stay up till dusk and spent the whole time chatting and eating. The guys will drink and play with fire crackers. But here, there are no fireworks or firecrackers because these are not allowed for use. Residents are only allowed to play with fireworks every Independence day (June) which is really opposite to Philippines' tradition. I really miss those days... It makes me home-sick. Last Christmas here, hubby and I planned to have a noche buena but he was sick so as what most Americans usually do, we just slept after opening our gifts and heard no sound in our surrounding. But this year, I will try our best to prepare for Noche Buena. I want this year a very merry Christmas for us. I wish a merry Christmas to all of you too!