On Politics...and...tics

It's been a long overdue entry that I have proposed and suggested to my twin. I was very excited on this topic, but then the inevitable has happened. I have been caught in many meetings and important appointments. Work has also added up to my already busy days. So here goes this one...

Two sleeps more and a new president of the most powerful nation in the world will be fated by the millions of Americans. (That is if they decide to take part in this historical event.) Perhaps some would just sit back and wait for the results after having considered that their votes are not as important as those in other states. At first I considered this as very unpatriotic. But after being enlightened by an American friend, I have understood that their system of counting votes is not the same with what we have come to know. However, the U.S. election does not only concern the counting of votes. It covers more than that.

This 2008 U.S Election is a historical one. The Democratic Party is making it so. Its standard bearer, Barack Obama, has been leading the polls, and we know that in the U.S. the polls say a lot about the result of the election. For the first time, a black president may be taking over The White House. How prepared are the Americans to this?

A year ago, I had this discussion with an American friend who was on vacation here. He is half white, one-fourth black and one-fourth Japanese. And having met him opened my eyes to a reality that the most powerful and the most liberal nation in the world still struggles with the issue of discrimination. He was not the first person who has spoken about this. I had a co-teacher before who is half Black and half Filipino. She said that she is an outcast in the States because her color is not as black as BLACK, and she is not also WHITE. The Blacks discriminate her, and so do the Whites.

He said that the American people are not ready yet for neither a black president nor a woman president. The world is, but are they? It made me think... In addition to this, the economic pains in the States has affected all countries. This ignites the election more bringing Obama and McCain into laying down economic plans to their fellow citizens. McCain attacked Obama with an ancient interview six years ago about "redistribution of wealth" in America. However the Obama camp took defense on this. It was a surprise to me to discover that these two presidential candidates would deny such issues. It is foreign to me. However, the American government and politics are more complicated than we know.

The U.S. government could influence many national policies. It could affect the world's economy. It involves all peoples in their elections, not only the Americans. Thus, this brings almost everyone to peeking into the developments on the polls. This election is important even though the leftists and anti-capitalists will surely protest on this.

The United States have a say on the policies of many countries. Its commander-in-chief has on his shoulders crucial decisions because the consequences of such is felt althroughout the world. When President Gloria Arroyo retracted the Philippine troop from Iraq because of the Filipino hostage held by the Iraqi rebels. Their condition was that the life of the Filipino would be spared if the small Philippine troop was pulled out. The Filipino was set free, but a Korean life has not been spared. South Korea has not given in to the insurgents' demand. However, for that one life that has been given back to him and his loved ones, persecutions from many world leaders have been the consequence. The relationship between Bush and Arroyo was tainted and put to test.

It would still be many years that the U.S. will be taking the world over. This is a painful realization and a very difficult one to accept, but it is a fact that we have to live with. Patriots in each country will still fight for freedom from the American "influence", but many will let each day pass by trying to survive. I admire those who have the passion for reform but I also understand those who react passively to what's happening in the government. Their survival and their family's are essential and are what matter more...at the moment.

Therefore, the new president of the U.S. is not only an American concern but of the world as well. Many lives depend on his every decision, one way or the other.

Politicking...

On November 4, the fate of the world lies in the hands of American voters. On November 4, the whole world will watch and wait for the outcome of the 2008 presidential elections. The beauty of American elections is that there are only 2 parties. You choose whether you're a Republican or a Democrat. Nothing in between. No nuisance candidates. No other parties with the same agenda. The Republicans have this stand on this issue. The Democrats have a different stand in the same issue. Lines are clearly drawn and then you choose.
Whoever will be voted and whoever will win in this election will definitely have a tough time. America is in recession or so they say. Lehmann Brothers scandal created a big wave. The U.S. government is scrambling to repair the damage that a financial institution such as Lehmann had caused and cost. Whoever wins will have to think if they should continue the war.Such a heavy thing to be carrying and to be considering.
I like the slogans of both campaigns. Republicans have " Country First " - my guess is they want to deviate from what George Bush is currently doing. Democrats have "Change We Need". The Democrats want to inspire change from the current presidential style.
Mccain - Palin tandem is one to reckon with. Mccain was wise enough to pick a female as his vice president when Obama didn't go for Clinton.
Obama - Biden is also a good team up in my opinion since Biden also wanted to run for President years before plus he is the chair for Foreign Relations.
I would have loved to have seen a Clinton- Obama lineup. For once, an American female president. But I guess America can't entrust the fate of the world to a woman....yet.
If Obama had gotten Clinton as his VP, - the odds are, their team-up would have been formidable. They might have a greater chance of winning.
I love Palin's sense of humor. Guesting at Saturday Night Live after being "copied" by Tina Fey is brave and endearing.
I wish Mccain was in better health and of  a younger age.
Don't ask me to vote.
I'd willingly tell you I'll vote for Al Gore because I believe that he is right about Global Warming.

Dream Home

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My Dream House

Everyday I pass by this house two blocks from where I work. I always took a short stop infront of it and looked at the house that's now newly renovated, that's until construction workers arrived. Now, I just take long glimpses of it at the corner of my left eye. If it's occupants saw me before I bet they'd think I'm a stalker or a mad woman who's after one of them. Maybe they'd unleash their ferocious dogs and have them devour me alive. Hahaha. Okay, my imagination has run away with me.

I've always dreamed of a very wide lawn. I don't care if my house is a simple hut (like the traditional Filipino house, the bahay kubo). When I went to Countryclub with a friend I was asked if I wish for such a big property like the club. I said I covet the land area but not the infrastructure. I don't really like a big house.

It's a simple house that I like. I could imagine a mansion that's almost haunted with ghosts because of its coldness and much space. Besides, I may not find my children nor husband in it. We all might be spending every day in such a grandiose house without knowing we're in it.

But I would like my own library where my favorite collections of books could be found and read. In that mini-library I'd put a couch, two sofas and perhaps a couple of desks. Wait, is this possible in a nipa hut. Hahaha. Oh, I mustn't forget my own room where I could spend a night in when my hubby and I are in a fight. (kidding!)

A porch with a swing for two or three must be built on the front of my little abode. There I could also spend cool nights and warm afternoons reading a book, alone or with my children while waiting for my husband.

The most important of all is the spacious lawn that would surround my hoouse. I imagine my family and dogs spending much time playing, running, laughing and having tea times there. Of course, I hopoe that my dream house would be filled with joy, faith and love. I guess it's those things that matter most.:)

sweets...yummy

I am a lover of sweets. I qualify them into two categories: the candies and the chocolates. The former is not so much an obsession as the latter though. Candies make my tummy go wild especially at night and during the coldest months. Chocolates on the other hand are my waterloo. I couldn't resist them.

Let me tell you about my love for chocolates, and I'll begin with what happened yesterday...

I caught the "c" virus (cough in layman's terms) two days ago. I've been spending nights with the dry cough and days at work with it. Yesterday I had the headache and all that came with it. And so, I said I'd keep away from everything that would make the virus stronger. I was really doing well until I came home and was left alone.

Coffee, candies, cakes, chocolates, and all that have have a high sugar content should be avoided if I wanted my cough to be better. Well, the coffee after lunch was fine and the desserts that followed. I was the "mighty Cheri" then. I would deserve an award for staying away from them. Now came the afternoon and the solitude. I don't take medicines unless the situation calls me to. So I brought out my shin noodle (It's a Korean noodle that proved effective in curing many sicknesses.), poured hot water in the cup and dug into it. I felt my body warming up and my headache easing away. Then I uncovered the plate on the center table. Alas! All defenses gone! There infront of me was Snowcake, super dark brown with its chocolate-ness tempting me to eat it---no, just a taste!

Okay, just a taste...and another...then another... I coughed a very bad one. I had too much already and so when I woke up this morning my voice was husky and almost gone. Lesson: parents should keep all temptations away from their children's reach. (Do I still make sense?!?)

Chocolates are always my buddies. They are in my room. When I travel they are with me. When I'm all stressed and lonesome they ease all the depression and sadness way. Even during my college years, I took them with me when I had my nose bleeding exams.

There's just one shocking confrontation I encountered regarding my love for chocolates. A former co-teacher before teased me about it. She said chocolates are aphrodisiacs. That's the first time I met that word and never have I forgotten it. She and a handful more of colleagues said that that's the reason why men give their ladies chocolates. It's not to show they're sweet! It's a hidden motive they have that's darker than the color of their gift.

Oh well, that's not stopped me from loving chocolates, not even a reason to prevent me from accepting them as presents from both female and male friends. Even the running joke at work that goes, "A moment in your lips...a LIFETIME in your hips," hasn't petered out my desire for these mouth-watering rich food.