Talk to the Dog

Jumbo joined our family in 2013. I bought him because I needed a companion at home. Long hours of being alone sucked an ounce of sanity out of me. Although dogs could not talk back, they could still respond and express affection.

One day, our youngest brother Sirdan, asked me why I speak to Jumbo in English. I was taken off guard so I replied sardonically. I told him that Jumbo couldn't understand Filipino. It seemed to be a reasonable explanation to him because he affirmed it by stating that Jumbo, being a shih tzu, was Chinese. "Yes and since I don't know how to speak Chinese, I just talk to him in English," I concluded. Our sister bursted into laughter and told him I was only kidding him.

As I'm writing this blog I can't help but wonder what the real reason is for talking to my dog in English. Perhaps the reason lies with his breed. My subliminal desire to train him has triggered that behavior. As far as I know, dog trainers always use English when they teach dogs some tricks. Well, that's just my theory.

If Jumbo  is used to being talked to in English, Sirdan is not. Knowing how beneficial it is to be good at conversing in English, I try to help Sirdan build this skill. Good speakers usually are hired faster, entrusted with leadership roles, and given better opportunities for development. I certainly want him to have a successful future.

When I first spoke to him in English, Sirdan bashfully smiled at me. "Why aren't you talking back to me?" I asked. "Aaah, because, I am shy, I ahhh mistake," he replied. I told him not to worry and that I will just correct his grammar. I reminded him that he needed to practice often if he wanted to improve.

Weeks after, I heard a familiar voice confidently say "I'm going to the store. Do you want to come?" I peeked through the window and saw Sirdan talking to Jumbo. Although his sentences were very simple, I was so proud of him! He spoke with so much confidence which I never witnessed before. Who would have thought that talking to a dog could bring such improvement?

Sirdan enjoyed playing with Jumbo and had no choice but to speak to him in English. Should I refresh your memory about Jumbo's nationality? Ha-ha! He didn't only find a playmate, he also found a non-judgmental buddy he could practice his English with.

At present, my brother still needs guidance and mentoring just like any other child. However, I'm happy to say that he now initiates conversations in English. He's not discouraged when I point out his mistakes. The best part is, he's not afraid to try! If he continues with this positive attitude to learning then I'm sure he'll turn out to be an articulate young man.

So if you're still hesitating about having a dog, may this blog veer you towards getting one. Just be sure that you have the capacity to reciprocate your dog's loyalty and affection with proper love and care. Arf! Arf!

"Dough-nut" Forget My Love

Most of my friends in Facebook will probably notice, based on the pictures I post, that my siblings and I are fond of eating at Dunkin' Donuts. Apart from the donuts being so affordable, their sweet taste suits my liking. I prefer that we eat out because it frees us from distractions and time constraint. We are able to just keep the stories rolling. How I wish we can do the same at home, but we can't for reasons I rather not say. 

The branch of Dunkin' Donuts in SM Taytay just recently decorated their space. Its slogan resonated with me: "You can't outgrow your love for Dunkin' Donuts." I just had to take Sirdan's picture beside it. 

In life, there are things we can't outgrow. I know someone who hasn't outgrown her love for Hello Kitty. Believe it or not, I still read my Sweet Dreams and Sweet Valley High pocket books from time to time. I just don't have the heart to give them all away. There are parts of our childhood and adolescence that we'll continue to hold on to even as we reach adulthood.

If we can't outgrow some things then we also certainly can't outgrow some memories. Having lost my mother at a young age, I have deep appreciation for memories. I often find myself reminiscing about my childhood especially during moments of despair. Although my mom is gone, I still have memories of her which I can cling on to. It is for this reason I take opportunities to spend quality time with my siblings while they're still young. Although I know that most of what we do today will be forgotten in the future, I still hold on to the hope that I will be part of the memories they won't outgrow.

I'm very lucky to have had a happy childhood. My mother nourished me with so much love -- enough to last me a life time. She may be gone but she continues to comfort me today through the seeds of love she wisely planted in the past.

The day will come that my siblings will prefer to spend more time with their friends, be too busy with their chosen career, and settle down with their own families. Time and distance may separate us but I'm hoping they'll never outgrow my love for them. Who knows? Maybe our regular trips to Dunkin' Donut will be one of their sweet memories...

An Easy Trick to Help Expand Your Vocabulary

There are many ways to improve and widen one's vocabulary. Let me share with you one technique I find very effective. I simply associate words with something personal for better recall. For example, words such as nauseated, faint, and giddy became common to me because I was able to relate them with the dizziness I suffered from for quite a time.

If I can't associate a new word to myself then I try to do so with people I know. Below are 3 examples. The definitions are lifted from Merriam-Webster.

1. laconic : using or involving the use of a minimum of words
                : concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious

Although opportunities to use this word are rare, I haven't forgotten its meaning since the day I associated it with my friend Sheila. She is known to be "a man of few words." Her conciseness may not be marked by rudeness or mystery but the word still suits her especially since her maiden name is Laconico. 

          Sentence for recall: Sheila Laconico is laconic.

2. affable : characterized by ease and friendliness

This word is so easy to remember since I associated it with my colleague Chilet Afable. Just like its meaning, Chilet is friendly, pleasant, and easy to talk to. I just need to be mindful of the differences in spelling and pronunciation though. 

          Sentence for recall: Ms. Afable is affable.

3. levity : a lack of seriousness
              : an amusing quality

When I first encountered this word, I was reminded of its semblance with a term of endearment I had for a friend. I used to call Levy as "Levitiful" -- a fusion of her name and beautiful. When I looked up its meaning, I was happy to realize that I could connect it with Levy's personality. Group lunches with her were often filled with laughter because of her comic stories. 

          Sentence for recall: There's always levity with Levy.

Having a broad vocabulary brings many benefits which I prefer not to discuss for now. That topic deserves a separate blog. I have this theory that this technique or trick is effective because attaching a word to something personal enables it to be stored in the long term memory. I really hope this will help you memorize new words a little bit more effortless. Let's give some overused words a rest and the not so popular ones a chance.

Three Thrift Tips from a Shopaholic

Isn’t the title of this post a good tongue twister? Ha-ha! It’s even better if I include my name in it: three thrift tips from terrific tere. Anyway, enough of that. If you’re like me who is extremely fond of and energized by shopping but also has an extremely limited budget then you might find my tips worth trying.

1. Photograph the things you frequently buy. Most likely you’ll realize you have too much of the same type. Most girls seem to think that they don’t have enough lipstick, bag, clothes, and accessories when they can’t even fit them all in the storage bins. The next time you catch yourself reaching out for another lipstick to buy, take a look at the picture you took and be reminded of what you already have. You’ll probably end up putting that lipstick back on the rack.

My nail polish collection

Swatches of my favorite lipsticks

     2. Give locally-made products a chance. Cheap is not always cheap! Inexpensive items are not necessarily tacky or low quality. Below are some of my cheap finds which I'll continue to repurchase because they're really good.

This JThomas hair spray keeps my hair smooth and tangle-free. I remember convincing my friend Reg to purchase this when we were at Watsons. She too was amazed by how great this product is. I think this only retails for PhP150. 

This Careline cheek tint is one of my favorites. I like how it's easy to apply and gives me a natural blush. It costs no higher than a hundred bucks.

This may not be made in the Philippines but its price is comparable to the local colognes in the market.  I love the scent of vanilla. I use this before I go to sleep and its sweet smell helps me have sweet dreams.

-   3. Make a "can't resist list." Take some time to ponder on possible affordable whims and list them down. List down stuff you still don't have. Just in case you feel the urge to buy something during your next visit to the mall, take a look at this list. At least you'll spend on something you know you like and don't have yet.

  

     Others may not understand how individuals like me find happiness in this frivolous hobby. As much as I want to restrain myself, there are times when my self-discipline malfunctions. That's just how I am. I love to shop! Looking at the brighter side, at least I shop with a thrifty heart and thoughtful mind. Enjoy your thrifty shopping!