frenchman's story

Sunday, May 19, 2013
Bonjour I would like to share this experience of a  frenchman, how he started a filipino culture and life in Cebu:
copy pasted and translated from a forum:

"The only thing I can do is tell you mine
it was 15 years ago and the paper level it changes, can be
already done with the embassy for the organization, the banns in your city and your docs ..... etc., the identity of the girl, not easy to validate birth by three Filipino offices including Malacanang, a small passage to NBI also
after the civil wedding no problem once every doc reunited and agreement of a small embassy appointment with the judge and two witnesses each, almost immediate

after a philippina want a religious marriage and a beautiful party
it was a great memory and a super successful party can be for 2/3000 euros
the great religious wedding in the church of Guadalupe cebu like it has the certificate of baptism , communion etc., plus a small meeting with the priest before and of course confession
a lot of preparation, renting a dress for wedding and buy barong tagalog for me buying flowers for church, full of white flowers in the aisle, and the best car rental etc ....
choose sponsors for the religious marriage 5 men and 5 women
a lot of work to organize and I thank my French friend who was my witness and sponsor who's also ready to play along and well supported me
for the party I'd planned to do those in the house I rented, had a great garden with a restaurant and caterer had to organize everything I'd just order three more lechon baboy and drink Australian wine and beer (me: ha ha)
no luck on the day of wedding, Thyphoon alert # 2, and non-stop rain
we could fetch it all in the restaurant ,finally , 90 guests, in the end it was 130 with a dozen gate crashers.(me again laughing)
the evening back home it rained some more , followed by music in the gardens rock n roll, and chacha , i dance well , while having alcohol but good view,(drunk ) with some small shot of alcohol along the way...

I'd prepared a lot of alcoholic drinks, and therefore stayed and partied another week , while suffering with my new mother in law.

great memory for me and also some Filipinas are always close to me...(wink)

after 10 years and 2 great children we started divorce proceedings but that is another story just as exciting...

(He had an exciting start, lol)
 
posted by Francesca at 1:22 PM, | 0 comments

London again and edinbrugh scotland

Bonjour!
May 3-9 2012, I was in London, took easyjet plane, and at gatwick airport took a train to victoria station, and took a bus 11 to edith groove. On my own, to lodge in my sister's house analiza.
Then plan with them to visit edinburgh, scotland.
Went to Scotland from London by train, i booked a hotel, my train tickets and arriving at weaverley train station, we were 8 within family members, and we took a taxi to go to our hotel. The hotel gave us three rooms, one room with 8 beds, second room with three beds and third room with three beds also.

Olalah, we wre laughing because we do not know which is which to sleep, haha.

After installing on each room, we went out to roam the  city of edinburgh, we took a bus, cost us 3.50£ one day hop on hop off, and while going around, we entered shops, and i found a nice coat, for 7.50 on second hand shop.Good quality ones, feeling victoria becham me, haha.

Quality leather with furs, mama mia, feeling madame, lol. Then the whole group started to shop for themselves too, shoes, bags, souvenirs, hats, and eventually after ten shops, we have shopping bags each to carry.
And we were hungry.
Its almost 3pm, bus tour stops at five pm, shops close at six pm, so we eat in KFC to economize our budget kasi this is unplanned really, sarap, yummy, and walked back to our hotel, dumped the bags and i announced thirty minutes rest only and we must hit again the road.
Hello, we are on holiday, why stay in bed!!! Hala, move, everyone must move their butt!

No, the thirty minutes went to one hour because some "young ones" in our group are not used to walk, or run, or get crazy to go out.
Then i announced, why not we watch a show, "THE EDINBURGH DUNGEON"?

It is a scary museum, where kids will be screaming to death inside. I told joan, my 15years old niece to search the schedule via her IPAD. My idea is to dump the kids there, get scared, then they sleep early and the adults will enjoy the evening, either in a pub or in side one of the hotel rooms having tsika tsika.

But, edinburgh dungeon closes at 5pm, it was already 6pm, haha.

No chance to scare the kids. Me being nasty, i do not have the children so "Im alright Jack."
So, I announced once again : to watch IRON MAN3 film instead.
I asked my niece to see  what are the cinema schedules?
She said in thirty minutes!
Olaaah, do we have the time? In europe, you watch films in the cinema only once, then you go out, thats it, not like in philippines, the whole day stay in the cinema, bulok mata its up to you.

So I announced minus a trumpet :
"Anyone ready in ten minutes?, join me in the bus stop, i treat them to the cinema."
Everyone hurried to grab their bag and coat and joined me haha.bah, ayaw nyo wag nyo, me, I go!

If they dont want to...they stay at the hotel... this is an invitation... we are on holiday... why stuck in a hotel, lol
The  problem is the bus is late on schedule,plus  we dont know where is the cinema in edinburgh.
I called a taxi, and told the kids, come, jump in.

While, their parents  can take another taxi, and arriving there, i bought 8 tickets to IRON MAN 3.
The group are in hara hara, where are we now, lost in nowhere mood, but off we go inside the cinema.
Film is more on kiddos, but a bit okay for the oldies, hehe.

After the film, we decided to get a meal, italian, pasta and pizza.
Each one share the bill, we even have a liter of wine.
One kid is complaining, he is tired.
The mother said to the waiter, if they can hurry the meals,because  one kid is tired.
The waiter said: WOULD YOU LIKE A TAKE OUT INSTEAD?
Haha.
One way for the scots to give the message: hey, you just arrive, you want to be served quick?
Mother said:No, its  okay, we stay.

Which in my opinion, kids are supposed to be in bed before 9pm, but its like that, we were on holidays, no one will stay with the kid inside the hotel.
Ano, nanny, haha
After all, where we shall  go, the kid goes too, or dont bring a kid to holiday.
Alam mo yun? Ok, im nasty, mia culpa, haha.

But i can understand, each one has their own thing to do, and with a group of 8, we cannot be unite once in a while what to do , where to go.
But it was a good start at scotland.
We arrived home and each one jumped to get a shower, get in on each pajamas and go to bed.
I was alone inside the room of three beds, took a shower, get into my pajamas, earplugs in each ears, eye covers and sleep off.
Alarm of iphone rang at 8am.Breakfast time.
I change clothes, arranged my stuffs, and went outside.
Breakfast is buffet, cereals, bread toasts, fruits coffee and milk and juices and marmalade and butter.
Children took bananas and here comes one of the parent distribute bananas to each child which the hotel attendant did not appreciate telling the parent that there are some guests that might want also some bananas, so please leave some.
Okey, it is a bit weird, but this is scotland. Buffet for them must be not buffet, it is limited buffet, haha.
I just took my minimum breakfast and went out.

Bon, we regrouped again in the room of 8beds, putting all our luggages in one side and told the attendant we will be back before 4pm, because we would like to roam around the city by tour bus, so we intend to leave our stuffs in this room and picked it up later.
She said okay, no problem.

We went to a carboot in princess street, shopped around , take pictures, took a tour of edinbrugh, eat in an eat all you can chinese (remember, we are on a budget, so we try to eat more, but economical, thinking, no more meals after this lunch, lol!

Out of the restaurant we went to buy tickets for the bus tour, hop on hop off in one of their tourists areas, i bought two scottish scarves and butter biscuits and i planned to buy a huge luggage because our shoppings are everywhere, I cannot accept taking a train like we were sort of refugées, so i went inside a shop to buy an extra  luggage, which in the end, it was all not mine but mostly from our group's shopping, but never mind, as long as we enter the train we are dignified, we show respect to the quality of east coast train , we are true tourist, we are not "what evers", lol

Bon, at 4pm, we took a taxi to fetch our bags inside the hotel, while the children with two mothers went to wait for us in the train station.

We scooped all luggages inside the taxi, drove to the train station and when saw the group, jumped inside the train which is about to leave in ten minutes.
THATS THE TIME WE NOTICED WE CARRY LUGGAGES THAT ARE NOT OURS!!!!

Exciting, but it will be revealed another exciting story  in next blog post!
P.S ,comments are welcome.
If you feel you need to say something about scotland, or this post, WELCOME!

see yah!
 
posted by Francesca at 1:16 PM, | 0 comments

Thursday, April 25, 2013
Bonjour

The Raclette Meal

table grill with eight individual tray portions
Having a raclette meal is an experience where everyone can do their own cooking directly at the table using one of the modern table top grills. The host will usually do some simple preparation of the ingredients before hand i.e. slice up the cheese, boil/roast some potatoes and cut up extra accompaniments and the rest of the work the guests do themselves. This usually will free up the host to enjoy the company of the friends or family instead of leaving their guests to attend to food cooking in the kitchen. Preparation is simple and can be done hours before and stored in the refrigerator.
An ideal dinner party idea or just something special for the family to enjoy, especially the kids - it will surely become a favourite occasion in your home during cold winter evenings or for simply summer entertaining outdoors.
Just like the Cheese Fondue, where cheese and fine white wine are fused magnificently together, the Raclette style of eating can also be adapted using a variety of cheeses that suit to your particular taste. Any cheese that melts well is ideal. In Australia the most ideal of course is Fromart Raclette,Maleny Raclette or Heidi Farm Raclette Cheese, especially made forraclette grills. Other hard cheeses such as Jarlsberg, Emmental, Gouda, Gruyère and vintage cheddar are well worth a try.
While the farmer favourites eaten with the cheese were foods such as cured meats, picked onions and gherkins you can choose ingredients such as leg ham, prosciutto (thin Italian ham), tomatoes, pineapple, capsicum, prawns, fresh or dried herbs, avocado, onions, marinated chicken or beef, mushrooms, celery, asparagus, olives or crusty bread. There are no set rules to follow - except perhaps to avoid using your fork on the non stick surfaces of your grill, as special wooden raclette scrapers are used instead.
It's an occasion where the choices are up to the guests themselves and so you can sit back, have fun, take your time and truly relax and enjoy the satisfaction of entertaining at home.



 
posted by Francesca at 10:41 PM, | 0 comments

Mme Gouvernante

Bonjour!
Sorry guys, I been missing blogging again since four months. I ve been hooked to Facebook, that is why, I was not blogging.
But, here are my updates:
1. Loraine is presently working  in Yacht. She is earning pretty well as a stewardess.
2. Margie is a chamber maid in Hotel Negresco in Nice.
3. Anjo is waiting for his approval of his french citizen.
4.Lolo, he never gets old. He still can be mistaken as 59, haha.

Chico and Kikay are still the favorites. And I m going to London, May 3, again for some escapades.

Bon, about work,  I was elevated to a position as a Gouvernante. I still do the ironing, cleaning, but added tasks are reporting to the Boss, whats up, in side his house hold while he is away, maintain his silvers, keep his wardrobe tidy and his dry clean picked up, drive to grocery to buy his stuffs, he gave me a visa premier card for the household expenses, and I can decide to put some new decorations in his house if I see fit. I just have to propose and he dispose.

 I can set a table and serve meals , but no dinner planned in the house! The Boss is always on travel.  I have those qualifications, but the Boss decides, he eats outside, including breakfasts, so what I do, I just maintain the two floors apartment like  a show room.
Meaning, the cushions in living rooms, must be in same order, the dust must be cleaned up, the hair of the carpets well combed, the pictures are hanged correctly, the orchids are blooming with flowers,  his  hundred  pairs of  shoes and neckties and evening suits are well  organized by colors, designs and styles .

As if I work with a "Cruella de Vila" in The lady that wears Prada, haha The difference, my Boss is a gentleman, he treats his staffs like human beings, never a slave.

Salary, hmmm, baka matumba kayo sa inuupuan niyo, joke. Baba kasi, haha.
Monday to Friday, from 7h30 to 16:00

The Boss gave me two cars now registered in my names. One car, for my so so shopping,including buying his newspaper and one car for my personal outings, for having a night out with husband.
I still work with the Secretary, she is now the Assistant Personnel of my Boss, so we work together not to upset our Boss on anything. Haha.

She looks after the 6 luxurious cars, not cleaning it herself, but she organized it to have it clean  regularly by a car wash shop.

Sometimes, I wonder how come I have all this experiences in my life. My Boss said: my english is perfect. That saves me to keep the work. My french is improving, I can discuss with anybody, with all confidence, even the grammar is a bit twisted. Sometimes.

You see, my goal is to work, as a maid for a start, then go aim a goal, go up to a position that suits my qualifications.
I do not want to stay twenty years of my life doing the same work, with out progressing to a better position. And Salary.

Even the maid I am, must update my knowledge, I am now a gouvernante.
I govern. I supervise. I checked if everything is alright to the Boss' standards.
I am a gouvernante. And I will be a tough one, but still  keeps my  feet on the ground.
Kaya ko kaya to? Picture of kikay the favorite, me in boss bentley, and lolo and me, happy together!

 
posted by Francesca at 10:35 PM, | 0 comments

do not follow daw!

Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Bonjour!   Olalah, I have to make a drama so I search these:

Do Not Follow “Unrealities”
14 Imagine that your journey took you across a vast desert. What would happen if you veered off the road to pursue a mirage? Pursuing that illusion could cost you your life! Jehovah well knows that danger. Consider an example. The Israelites wanted to be like the nations around them, who were ruled by human kings. That desire was, in fact, a grave sin, for it amounted to a rejection of Jehovah as their King. Although Jehovah allowed them to have a human king, he had his prophet Samuel deliver a pointed warning about pursuing “unrealities.”—Read 1 Samuel 12:21.
15 Did those people think that a human king would somehow be more real, more dependable, than Jehovah? If so, they were truly pursuing an unreality! And they were in danger of pursuing many other satanic illusions. Human kings would easily lead them into idolatry. Idolaters make the mistake of thinking that physical objects—gods made of wood or stone—are somehow more real, more reliable, than the invisible God, Jehovah, who created all things. But as the apostle Paul noted, idols are “nothing.” (1 Cor. 8:4) They cannot see, hear, speak, or act. You might be able to see them and touch them, but if you were to worship one, you would, indeed, be pursuing an unreality—an empty illusion that would bring only disaster.—Ps. 115:4-8.
16 Satan is still adept at convincing people to pursue unrealities. For instance, he has seduced innumerable people into looking to material things to provide security. Money, possessions, and high-paying jobs may seem to deliver advantages. What do material things deliver, though, when health fails, when the economy crumbles, or when a natural disaster strikes? What do they deliver when people feel empty inside, in need of purpose, direction, and answers to life’s deeper questions? What relief can they deliver in the face of death? If we look to material things to fill spiritual needs, we will be disappointed. Material possessions do not deliver; they are unrealities. In the long run, they cannot even provide physical security, for they have no lasting effect on the present brevity of human life or the likelihood of sickness and death. (Prov. 23:4, 5) How much more real, then, is our God, Jehovah! Only in a strong relationship with him can we find genuine security. What a precious blessing that is! Let us never forsake him in the pursuit ofunrealities.
17 Are we not blessed to have Jehovah as our Friend and Guide on life’s journey? If we continue to heed his loving warnings against three bad influences—the crowd, our own hearts, and unrealities—we will be much more likely to reach our destination of everlasting life. In the following article, let us consider three more warnings that Jehovah provides to help us hate and avoid the false paths that lead so many astray.—Ps. 119:128.
What Do You Think?
How can you make personal application of the principles revealed in the following scriptures?

Good na ba? i have to do it in French, mama mia!
 
posted by Francesca at 11:53 PM, | 2 comments

Jan 2013 ponder and thoughts?

Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Bonjour!

I blog again, this is a second post of today. Meaning, im stuck here in Woolwich, alone. Going out doesnt fancy me, its raining and cold.I know. I-T-S  L-O-N-D-O-N. But I went out still, to see whats up in the market. As usual, sale sale sale.

I visited clothes shops, second hand shops, shoes shops, mark and spencer shop, bought some not special what nots, and went home.
I do not fancy eating, but stomach complained: Dont you know its already 2 pm, and you just swallowed one lonely banana for breakfast?
So, i passed by MCDO, nahhhh. No MCDO today. i cannot stand the oily smell of the shop.
How about SUBWAY sandwiches? Nahhh, it is hard work to swallow if I dont fancy it.

Then I saw a fruit stand,selling 2 melons for 1£. I bought it and hurry home. I saw a kid munching some french fries and found the shop where he bought it. 6chicken wings with french fries for 2£. I ordered to the black man, very charming, seems he knows how to sell his product, speaks fluent english, and some african, indian pakistan language. He explained, he must know some languages or he cannot sell! haha.

Walking the street back home, stuffing my mouth with french fries, the rain starts to pour really hard.
Its London! What can you do? I-t-s  L-o-n-d-o-n.  So I ran, then stopped. Im lost! Where is Canada Court where my sister lives? oh no, im far off the area now!
Then, i saw TESCO grocery, the New Baptist Church, follow the road and voila, there is the apartment.

At the door, many africans around, its the same area in Nice. They are part now of European Society, like us asiatics, their ancestors were even here before ours, because they were brought here as slaves by the high society to be their servants. Until they were liberated, educated, and serve the British Government and live peacefully to the land of their ancestors. Yes, it is history.

Arriving home, checked facebook, if anything interesting at home. nothing. No messages. No mails. Even my Iphone 5 is calm.
Sometimes it  is nice people forget about you and remembers you only if they need something from you.
Like MONEY.
Before i dig into that topic, its better to concentrate on ... the melons. Ow, they are sweet! I finished the half. Watched the television... Went back to facebook... Then, grab again the half melon.
Its soo good, i was thinking to bring some to France, haha.

My sisters called. I told them, im on my holiday, so im relaxing. Dont worry. One says, we can eat in a resto tonight. I decline. One says, come to my apartment, i prepared salmon. Yeah. But im really full. of  melons, haha.I told her, dont count on it, i might not coming, or if i come around, im not eating.

Its funny how life can be. Once when i was still in Manila, scraping the bottom of my wallet, cannot even afford a jolibee meal, i just read barbara cartland pocketbooks,see life out there through books, i asked myself, how people can afford to travel, eat in restaurant, have luxurious life, and do not have problems like i do at that time: when?  to have a jolibee meal.

Now, i have a good work, money coming to my bank as salary, i can buy what i want to eat, even the whole jolibee menus, five star restaurtant if i want.

, i find the irony of life. Some have it and some cannot have it. even a  jolibee meal.

It all summed up to one acceptable reason.
What we decide in life will be the effect of our future.
I decided to not just read barbara cartland books and dream. I decide and work on that dream.

et voila.


 
posted by Francesca at 8:55 PM, | 3 comments

How i see London

Bonjour!
I decided to spend my ten days holiday in London. Why? Its my next hub of my philippine culture. I am staying with my 4sisters and their family. I could go to Philippines this season 2013 but its far, i dont fancy taking an 18 Hour flight France to Manila, plus the costly airplane tickets. Be wise, ika nga.

So, I book last September my round trip tickets for 90 euros via easy jet, only 2hours flight to gatwick, then stay in a hotel for a night and after breakfast, took express train 12£ one way. At Victoria Station, i bought an oyster card, pay one week travel bus card unlimited and off went to my sister's house in Chelsea.

London is cold,7degreesC but seeing my sister and family, I felt warmed and at  H-O-M-E.
There are filipino food, language and culture. Truly Filipino.

I am naturalized french, but filipino culture is still strong in my blood. And guts.

I started my day by shopping at westfield at Sheperd's Bush. I visited Debenhams, grabbed three items. Went to House of Fraser, to buy sateen cotton bed covers. Eat at Nando's. I know. Its chicken, again!

Later, i told my sister, i wanted to visit the King's Mall at  Hammersmith. I love it there, because of Primark. It cost me 8000pesos for some personal wardrobe. its worth the price.
The next day was raining, windy and i do not fancy the idea of soaking my paws, so i stayed home, fesbuuking, and tagalog movie marathon.

Sister arrived, with food and 13 different fruits for new year. Another filipino tradition that we should ( and must) put on the table, at the seperation of 2012 -2013. Im not a believer of such tradition because i dont believe it is true. I cannot even call it a crap,or  my sister will kill me, haha.

The new year is now, NEW. We cannot avoid it. It arrive. What we left behind 2012 will be again another memory. The year 2013 is yet to experience.

I find British people very polite. In France, they donot smile nor accomodating. Some are, but in London, you could feel the warmth of the people in shops, and in everywhere. Buses here stays whole night. Trains until midnight. Movie theaters and malls  are open. In France, it is dead. No one works on Jan 1. Except the chinese and the indians shops.

Im alright with my shopping as of today Jan 2, but i still look around, in case. Im on my own, as all sisters are working.
I check Lolo in France, he is fine(without me, i wonder why?)
I check marghie in phils, i do not have news. Well she is with her dad, my ex. hope it was not a boring time for her,haha.

Bonm got to go, im on holidays, and why i am blogging! Please see photos below. And comment please. Makes me happy someome read this boring blog...




 
posted by Francesca at 11:23 AM, | 10 comments

Tuesday, January 01, 2013






Bonjour!
 
posted by Francesca at 12:50 PM, | 1 comments

Scam in selling cars in the internet

Sunday, November 25, 2012
Bonjour!
We posted an ads that we are selling our car in the net, and we have lots of emails and calls, and we of course entertained it, believing they are sincere buyers, hindi pala.
One email comes from cote d voire that he is french with photo copy of french id  and work permit sent, and a promise to buy the car of 10800€  thru bank transfer.
Another came from a french man from russia, offering 11,000€, he asked my bank details that he will send the money via bank to bank;
Another came from again cote d ivoire, same french id but different name, to buy the car to the price of 10 600€ via western union, asking my french id to facilitate payments.
Photo copy edited!
And many other emails asking if the car is still available...
The funny bit, is they are ready to but the car by looking at the pictures only?
Weird.
They even asked if it is in good condition, if no work to be done, no scratches, still under insurance, aircon, airbags, radio, cd player...etc etc
We answered that the car is ready for viewing and the price is fixed.
Some of these scam emails are from people who will do me up if i am not careful.
They said, they will gave me a check to pay the car, send someone to get the car because they are abroad.
But i stick to my ground, no certified bank  check of the amount to pay on the day of the sale and verified by my call to the issuing bank, no handling of my car.
Et voila, with my firm answers to them, they disappeared.
Im not in a hurry to sell, our car is model 2010 VOLKSWAGEN POLO, 5doors, diesel, 34,000 kms, with airbags, manual, radio, cd player, good tires,well maintained by concessionnaire volkswagen in Nice, so it is almost brand new, including the tires, they are perfect.
But, one call, he wanted it for 8000€
Another, he would like to exchange it to his renault megane,
So far, car is still with us in a garage.
We might send it to volkswagen and they deal with it.
Any suggestions?


 
posted by Francesca at 6:19 PM, | 6 comments