I've been keeping myself updated to the latest events happening at Japan. I am amazed at how the Japanese are coping with the crisis, trying to do everything they can to prevent a nuclear meltdown and rescue survivors in the earthquake-devastated cities.
Part of me keeps wondering how we would react and cope if such a disaster struck Manila. I remembered the events of Ondoy, how we lost people and property that time. We were able to survive and recover from the floods. Some people even got to swim in flooded underpasses, cheer at moving vehicles that were able to cross the flooded streets, and steal from those abandoned houses.
I admit that I'm a bit concerned about the possibility of another Ondoy, an earthquake or a tsunami hitting the city, and how unprepared we are for such an event. It got me thinking about preparing ourselves for the possibility of such an event. I'm not talking about stockpiling water and food that would last for months, or buying firearms to protect yourself from looters. I'm thinking of making small emergency kits like bottled water, biscuits, first-aid medicine, flashlight, extra clothes, some cash and other stuff that can fit a small backpack. These kits could be placed in cars and strategic positions at home, just in case something bad happens and you need to get away quick.
Call me paranoid but I think it pays off to be prepared for emergencies. Some people would just put their trust on other people -- like God, the government, or other institutions, for help whenever trouble comes. I think we should help ourselves by preparing for whatever happens in the future.
Weekend Booksale Purchases
Visited the local Booksale store this weekend. I found a couple of interesting and affordable books -- one for me and the other one for the kids.
The first book costs 25 pesos and it is a Children's book. Written by Janan Cain, "The Way I Feel" is a picture book that talks about emotions. The book introduces young kids to feelings like "happy", "scared", "silly", "angry", "proud", and "sad". I loved the way Janan explains each emotion and the pictures enable children to quickly identify each feeling.
I bought the book (without much hesitation) because it teaches young kids how to express themselves and make them aware of what they are feeling. The book also has two pages devoted to teaching parents on how to introduce kids to their feelings -- how they should manage their anger or fears, what experiences evoke happiness or sadness, and so on.
The second book costs 75 pesos and it is an anthology of short stories about super-heroes. "Who Can Save Us Now" is a collection of superhero stories edited by Owen King and John McNally. The stories revolve around the theme of superheroes in the twenty-first century. The stories range from underachieving heroes, bizarre villains and protagonists, and reluctant superhero teams.
The first book costs 25 pesos and it is a Children's book. Written by Janan Cain, "The Way I Feel" is a picture book that talks about emotions. The book introduces young kids to feelings like "happy", "scared", "silly", "angry", "proud", and "sad". I loved the way Janan explains each emotion and the pictures enable children to quickly identify each feeling.
I bought the book (without much hesitation) because it teaches young kids how to express themselves and make them aware of what they are feeling. The book also has two pages devoted to teaching parents on how to introduce kids to their feelings -- how they should manage their anger or fears, what experiences evoke happiness or sadness, and so on.
The second book costs 75 pesos and it is an anthology of short stories about super-heroes. "Who Can Save Us Now" is a collection of superhero stories edited by Owen King and John McNally. The stories revolve around the theme of superheroes in the twenty-first century. The stories range from underachieving heroes, bizarre villains and protagonists, and reluctant superhero teams.
Visiting the new 999 Shopping Mall
While making my rounds at Divisoria, I got the chance to visit the new 999 Shopping Mall. Located at Soler St, besides the (in)famous 168 Mall, 999 is the newest shopping center in the block. The mall has three floors, with basement parking (for customers) and food court. And They even have a facebook account.
I stumbled on the mall by accident, but I heard about it from my mother-in-law before. She told me that the 168 Mall already had an extension mall built beside it. So I thought it was just part of the old 168 Mall. Apparently this was a new mall with its own facilities.
The foodcourt is located at the third floor, which is smaller compared to the foodcourt in Divisoria Mall. It has the usual Chinese food stalls, along with Andoks Litson Manok, Lot's A Pizza, and a Wendy's Burger stand.
There are still a lot of empty stalls in the second and third floor, but the entire first floor is filled with shops owned by Chinese businessmen.
I found an interesting store near the foodcourt, which sells Korean junk food -- from ice cream to chips. The store is offering free chips to people, to try out the merchandise before buying. And it works. A lot of people are crowding the store, trying to taste the chips and buying them afterwards.
The mall has its usual clothes, school supply, hardware, and jewelry shops. There are a number of toy shops at the first floor as well. I came across a couple of toy shops that sell authentic US toys at a cheap price. One store (stall 1-L-9) sells original action figures and toys. I saw numerous matchbox cars, Star Trek action figures, Lego sets, and other toys in the shop.
The toys look original.
Of course, you have the electronic shops that sell the fake Apple Ipads. The smaller unit costs around 3k with the keyboard. The bigger unit costs around 7k.
I stumbled on the mall by accident, but I heard about it from my mother-in-law before. She told me that the 168 Mall already had an extension mall built beside it. So I thought it was just part of the old 168 Mall. Apparently this was a new mall with its own facilities.
The foodcourt is located at the third floor, which is smaller compared to the foodcourt in Divisoria Mall. It has the usual Chinese food stalls, along with Andoks Litson Manok, Lot's A Pizza, and a Wendy's Burger stand.
There are still a lot of empty stalls in the second and third floor, but the entire first floor is filled with shops owned by Chinese businessmen.
I found an interesting store near the foodcourt, which sells Korean junk food -- from ice cream to chips. The store is offering free chips to people, to try out the merchandise before buying. And it works. A lot of people are crowding the store, trying to taste the chips and buying them afterwards.
The mall has its usual clothes, school supply, hardware, and jewelry shops. There are a number of toy shops at the first floor as well. I came across a couple of toy shops that sell authentic US toys at a cheap price. One store (stall 1-L-9) sells original action figures and toys. I saw numerous matchbox cars, Star Trek action figures, Lego sets, and other toys in the shop.
The toys look original.
Of course, you have the electronic shops that sell the fake Apple Ipads. The smaller unit costs around 3k with the keyboard. The bigger unit costs around 7k.
Toddler Book Repair
Jen and I would often bring Aaron to Fully Booked Greenhills so he can run around in the Children Section of the bookstore, reading Thomas the Tank Engine books. He's already familiar with the layout of the bookstore and can find the shelves where his favorite books are located.
Sometime I dream of building a small library of books for the two kids -- a stack of alphabet and number books for them to read and enjoy. Unfortunately anything they touch ends up getting broken or ripped apart. All their books are now torn and damaged, with missing pages and ripped bindings. They still love to look at the pages, or whatever that is left
So far I managed to tape back all the books that I can salvage. I am trying to convince myself that this is just a stage and they would eventually learn how to treat their books well. I don't even know how to teach them to take care of their books.
Right now I am becoming reluctant to let the two toddlers touch any type of book -- even my parent's magazines or the phone directory. I'm afraid they'd eventually learn how to climb the desk, and reach out to shelves containing my collection of fantasy novels. I'm still letting them play with their old (damaged) books, although I am not going to give them any new stuff until they grow older.
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