Flat Tires and Good Samaritans

Yesterday was an interesting show of Filipino pride. After Kai and I finished up at Healthway in SM North, we were on our way down from the top level parking when I skid into the gutter. Moments later I eased into hazard mode and realized that my left front tire was flat. The rubber was torn so a simple pump (or Dad's fix- a-flat) wouldn't solve the issue.

If that wasn't enough, I had zero knowledge on how to change a tire. Luckily, one of the guards came over and offered to help me out. If things couldn't get any more ironic, I had absolutely NO idea where the tools and jack were in the car I was using. Again the guard was kind enough to help me locate them. Once we were starting our attempts at getting the spare tire from under the car, two other good souls stopped by (a dad and a driver) to lend their car expertise. I guess one of the issues was because they had the same car so their knowledge in the matter helped.

Together,  the four of us started figuring out why the spare tire wasn't falling smoothly as it should have. We realized then that the chain got stuck, preventing us from getting the tire down. The dad was kind enough to offer to lend his spare tire until I got the flat one vulcanized but considering the wear and tear of the flat,  that option was quickly crossed off the list.

It took some team effort but we finally managed to get the spare tire off. By the time this happened, another car stopped behind us and its driver and one of his friends came down and offered to help change the tire. Once again it was a combined effort for them; where to position the jack and getting the bolts loosened. Of course there I was not knowing what was happening but inwardly I had to be thankful. When all was said and done, the spare tire in place and the flat dumped in the back, they wished me well, I said my thanks and we all went our separate ways.

To my good Samaritans yesterday, you have my undying gratitude for offering your time, brawn and patience. My faith in humanity was definitely restored!

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Early Morning Drives

Today was the second time this year that I've made a long drive. The first was during this time when I brought my Mom to the airport. This early morning I brought Dad to his office that was practically the same area. Because it was early (some 4 in the morning) he was the one who drove to the place, and told me the needed route to take (which was only one unfamiliar turn before everything else became familiar from previous experience) to get home.

Got back home at around 5:10 since my class was (again) at 11:30, so there was plenty of time to spare (since I plan to nap after I move the car). Reason for subjecting myself to waking up early to bring Dad? To have his car available for use while he's gone until Saturday evening. Hoo-hum.

Anyway, will probably snooze once Mom and my brother are ready to leave and I've moved the car out of their way since I'm blocking their way.

Here's to a sleepless night ahead of me.

Driving Adventures

So today was a less-than-ordinary day.

Mom was flying out to Dubai again for work-related business and Dad wasn't going to be back until after lunch. And since my class wasn't until 11:30 - which in this case would be the only one who'd benefit - my dad asked me if I could drive Mom to the airport. Her flight was at 10:30, but of course she needed to be at the airport by around 8.

While I wouldn't exactly complain since I actually paid attention going to and from the airport during several other occasions, the experience is always different as a passenger and as a driver in my case so yeah. But a quick look at the map gave me the directions I needed to head back from the aiport since the route going would be covered by coaching from Mom.

So yeah, today, I woke up when I usually would for my Tuesday-Thursday schedule to bring Mom. Surprisingly, even with the traffic, we got there by 8 and I got here to school at around 9.

And today is mine and Kai's 34th monthsary!!! ^o^/

Rant on Jeeps

On the way home the expected traffic brought about by the University of the Philippines College Aptitude Test (UPCAT) did not surprise me after my Saturday morning class.

What was particularly annoying that got me peeved was two jeeps overtook me from both sides.

Inconsiderate bastards. -.-

Sushi and Grell

寿司とグレル。（すしとぐれる）Sushi to Gureru. trans. Sushi and Grell.

So yesterday was an especially tiring day. I was out the whole day driving since Kai and I went to several places: Sakae Sushi in the Annex of SM North Edsa for lunch. Sushi conveyer belts from this time, we meet again! 8D There wasn't enough salmon sushi, boo hoo. ToT

After that, we went off to Medical City in Ortigas to visit her aunt who just gave birth. Traffic everywhere! @.@ Happily the right decision to pass C-5 rather than EDSA made things a bit easier and got us home much earlier than anticipated. So Kai slept the night and we finally took Grell out of his box and I took some pictures! 8D I took a lot more but I wanna share the ones that came out clear despite the close-up. Wheee~

Kazoku no Modorichi

家族の戻り値。（かぞくのもどりち）Kazoku no Modorichi. trans. The Return of the Family.

Yesterday I went out to dinner with Kai (and we had so many mind-boggling realizations in the process!) so naturally coming home kinda late and sleeping kinda late put me off for waking up early to tag along with my dad to pick up my mom and my siblings from the airport. ~__~

I set my alarm to about 7 in the morning but at around 5:30 or something I hear noises from the hall and footsteps ascending the stairs. They were back and I was still sleepy. But I crawled out of bed because it was my mom's birthday today, so greetings were in order! ~o~/

I ended up not going back to sleep after exchanging greetings and took a shower, heading downstairs to see the stuff they bought. And I had a couple of souvenirs from them which I'll probably share in more detail later this afternoon. My dad borrowed my camera so I'll have to make do with my webcam later on. ~o~/

So welcome welcome back family. We're going out for dinner to celebrate mom's birthday. Yei for complete family again, and goodbye using car everyday. Back to commuting I go. xP Frankly I'm happy with that. At least I can rest my leg from driving too much.

Saishuu Henkou

最終変更。（さいしゅうけんこう）Saishuu Henkou. trans. Last Minute Changes.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon and evening with Kai. Our original plan was to go to the ToyCon but when we were in the area of SM Megamall, it was deathly traffic and there was full parking everywhere. Considering it was Father's Day this was kind of expected so we gave up and decided to go elsewhere; elsewhere being Eastwood!

--Apology to a few of our friends expecting us/hoping to surprise us there at the venue! There'll be other events for sure!

I drove this time around and had to get directions from my mom how to go here and there. I picked up Kai from Greenhills along the way so it's experience points for me hahaha!! So yeah, we went to Eastwood instead to watch Toy Story 3!!!!!

We hung around the 'old' Eastwood area (CitiWalk if you will) and had snacks at Dairy Queen and caught the 5:40 showing, then had dinner at Teriyaki Boy. Ah the craving for sushi. ~u~

And then pictures to celebrate the evening before I finally took Kai home. Lost opportunities came along, but all the same, we enjoyed things because we had each other to spend time with.

Isogashii Hi

忙しい日。（いそがしいひ）Isogashii Hi. trans. Busy Day.

So yesterday spend the day with my mom, accompanying her to several places like check out our unit in Pasig and go to the grocery. Quite a different feeling as compared to staying home the whole day and doing stuff on my laptop.

Yesterday was also the day I drove again after about two weeks vacation from sitting in the driver's seat. It was the farthest I've driven to date. Yei~ ^___^v

Kuruma no Jiko

車の事故。（くるまのじこ）Kuruma no Jiko. trans. Car Accident.

Now before anybody starts panicking, I want to make it clear that I'm absolutely fine. No physical injuries whatsoever. ^^b I have my license as well; wasn't confiscated since I was what you'd call the victim of the accident.

So lemme fill in the details of this little event that happened earlier on my way to school. There was this guy who had just made a U-Turn and was veering to the right just when I was passing, so impact = dent in the front driver's door. -_______-

Of course we both pulled to the side and talked about it. I didn't really get that much angry since I wasn't exactly injured - but I realized I should have been 'specially when I realized that that caused the handle of the driver's seat to be almost inaccessible from the outside. Dammit.

Anyway, this van stopped and the driver was saying how the guy who collided with me - a student like me, I'd think - had a hit-and-run situation earlier somewhere further along the road; he had bumped into this motorcycle where the dude got injured in the process and swore he didn't see him. Same excuse he had with me, actually. Panicked and there. Ugh.

Called up Dad and had him talk with the kid, and we agreed to just have his family pay the expenses. We had a lengthly discussion with the good old MMDA cop who came to the scene about how things went, asking me to consider filing a police case against them especially with regards to insurance in the future. Car repairs aren't exactly cheap ya know. ;A;

EDIT: Look what happened. ;A;

Thankfully everything is still okay and working. I'm thankful that I can still lock/unlock the car with the key, though it's a tight squeeze.

We'll figure things out tonight/tomorrow since I have to stay in school until 7pm today since the car's coding. Not all that long of a wait now~ ^^b Right now I'm chilling in the school library.

Real Time Driving

It was an awkward morning. Last night, I found out that my sister didn't have her usual Saturday class because of the UPCAT. So basically I was the only one who needed to go to school. That kinda meant that I was eligible to bring a car. Of course, my parents being a little uneasy with the idea as it was technically my first time to drive alone, they wanted to make sure I was ready and all that.

At one point, my mother said that they'd accompany me, but eventually took it back, both of them finally trusting me to go on my own and just told me to be careful and all that. One couldn't blame them, really. ^___^;;

So I was off. I experienced some light traffic along the way, but all in all it was a nice experience to be driving on my own. The weather conditions didn't bother me at all since I practiced under it when I was in driving school. Parking was rather smooth as well.

I left the house at around 7:40 and to my surprise, got to school at 7:58. Not as much traffic as I expected. So that basically meant that I was an hour early for class that ended at around 11-ish. I had lunch at the cafeteria with a few of my classmates before killing some time in the usual open lab before heading back to the car, waiting for Kai's text.

I picked her up, much to the dismay of a freshman or two that were there at the lanai (yes, my girlfriend is quite popular) before we headed back home to spend the rest of the afternoon together. We experienced some 'heavy' traffic on the way back, but hey, that's where some tunes can take up the time (if Kai wasn't busy skipping through my 3000+ songs on my iPod to find a good song xD).

It was an interesting afternoon as usual. She managed to beat me in one game of Wii Bowling, which I think is quite an achievement for her. Though she has yet to beat her own best score. ^___^;; Wii Tennis is always a bundle of laughs. We kinda like injecting some Prince of Tennis moves and characters while playing to make it a little bit more entertaining for us both.

And since my parents didn't want me to take her home yet, we settled for calling a taxi for her. I guess there'll be next time. But hey, my first real time driving was a huge success.

^_________________________^v

Driver's License

This time around, I made it a point that I woke up earlier this morning so that I could go and get my non-professional driver's license with my father. I woke up at about 6:30 and was ready to go by 7. The airconditioning of my dad's car, however, was being uncooperative so he tried to fix it but to no avail. Seeing the time, we headed off without the luxury of the aircon to the LTO along East Ave.

After getting the drug test and medical check-up done across the street, we headed to apply and anticipated a long wait ahead. After filling up my application form, I submitted it when my name was called, then went to the lecture room to start reviewing. It's kinda funny because I had to go back and forth from the lecture room just to have my picture and signature taken, then pay for the application fee before finally entering the examination room.

I'm quite amazed with the process that it was quicker than I anticipated. Even my father told me that things were better now and all that. I managed to get a 35/40 (^_____^)b for my written exam and just had to wait for the actual driving test to take place. There was a test track in that particular branch, but because of the number of applicants, they only had time to have us drive around the track once and we're done. I paid a second time at the cashier for the license fee and at around 11:40 in the morning, got my license before my father and I finally headed home in time for lunch.

Sooo, there's my little adventure at the LTO today. ^____^

An interesting weekend

This past weekend has been nothing but full of a good time. Not to mention that tomorrow has been declared 'No classes all levels' by CHED. There are a few points I want to share with you all.

1) NSTP Insertion

Setting aside the fact that I had to wake up at 6:30 in the morning to get ready and wait for my sister to take me to school, the insertion we had to Lagro-Maligaya was a fun - yet tiring - experience as would all succeeding ones be. There was no set modules, so we were free to interact with our tutees and play with them if we wanted. I was assigned three kids from the 4th grade level - Joyce, Gaile and Dimple. Dimple was absent that day, so I had Joyce and Gaile to entertain. I joined forces with my classmate Bianca and her tutee Honey Mae and we all played a little bit before having a short feedback session with everybody and heading back to school afterwards.

2) An afternoon with Kai

I invited Kai to come over to spend the afternoon together after her Marketing class, so I immediately decided to take a nap right after lunch in the guest room where my mom frequently did her work. At about 2:30 when I got a text from Kai saying that she was on the way, I woke up and headed upstairs to my room and before long, went back downstairs to let her in.

As both of us were tired from our morning classes/activities, we both took a nap in my room, watched a few parts from one of the TeniMyus (Treasure Match Shitenhouji 5B) where we commented about some of the Seigaku 5th cast members and headed downstairs to play some Wii Sports (tennis and bowling). It wasn't long before she had to head home. But since our landline wasn't working, we had to go to the subdivision gate to hail a taxi. I suggested to take one of our family's cars to drive her there, and to get some more practice down with my driving skills.

Kai suggested I do at least one round about the subdivision as it was still a little bit early, so I obliged. She commented that I had been practicing, but was honest with her and said that I had not had the chance to drive ever since the last time I drove around the subdivision with her two Saturdays or so back. After I found a parking space, we quickly found a taxi that she took and I decided to have one last drive around the subdivision before finally returning home.

3) Driving Incentive

When I got back, my mom was telling me how I should already get my license. After telling her that I was planning to get it this Friday with dad, she told me the upside of already being able to drive around on my own. Since she was going off on a business trip some two weeks in the future, she would naturally be leaving her car to be used. And if dad would ever have a flight to the States and not use a car, then me and my siblings would each have a car to drive. That actually gave me more of an incentive to get my license already. 8DDDD

4) Learning how to prepare some food

My mom's birthday is tomorrow, July 27, but she wanted to invite people over to dinner and celebrate, hence tonight's birthday dinner celebration. She decided to make her famous lasagna and baked chicken, and I offered to help her out so I was able to know how it was prepared before it was put into the oven to bake. I still don't know much about actually preparing the ingredients, but now that I have a rough idea how it's prepared, I can probably be of more help next time around. Eventually, I'd be able to make it myself in the future! ^_____^v