There's an old saying 'When in Rome do as the romans' which practically means nothing.
Or maybe the romans or italians in general are a peculiar people in many differect aspects. For one, they more sensitive to the needs of other pèople, a very generous and hospitable people. They are also generally highly cultured and diplomatic. Ethical standards are very prime to them.
Let me suggest another good aspect of Rome, it may be the most attractive and popular tourist destination in the world. So when in Rome, I can suggest to hire the transport services offered by Alfa Service Rent A car. Not only do they offer low rent rates, they also have corteous and very presentable (translated:young and handsome) personnel. They have a range of different transportation vehicles like van, secure cars, elegant or sportive cars all equipped with navigation systems. Mercedes, Lancia, Opel Astra, Renault Megane, SmartmFortwo are some of the cars they offer for rent. One can rent on long a term or short term basis.

On weekends we usually sleep longer, but today I woke up an hour earlier because I decided to go to church alone, since it's not a so-bright shining day. I prepared and cooked my family's lunch, gave my daughter her vitamins and breakfast, changed her diaper and cleaned her. The off I went.

After church I passed by this nice cosmetics shop Bottega Verde located in the subway underground commercial malls . It's because, last month I bought some beauty products here
mascara, press powder and lipstick. I opted for this brand because their products are based on natural components and natural herbs. And it's light on the skin, unlike the heavy liquid make-ups. On top of all, they are offering their products on 50 % discount at this period. I would have preferred Clinique products which are also skin friendly but they cost more. So when I was paying I found only 20 something (Euros) in my wallet and I was supposed to pay an already 50 % discounted amount of Euro 24. SO I promised to return and give the balance even if I don't know when I could do so. She was very kind to oblige. Being a working mother I rarely have time to do leisure activities nor go elsewhere without considering my packed schedule, even on a Sunday. So here I am after more than one month with a few strict minutes to spare- because this shop is in this subway train station where I happened to pass as I was going to and returning from the church. I approached the sales personnel in green T-shirt which might be visible somehow through this small photo. As sincerely as I explained the reason for this Euro 2.70 that I was giving her, she corteously declined and said everything was OK. I thank GOD for the kind service extended not only to me. Not so much for the Euro 2.70 I got to keep, but for the unusual kindness. TO GOD BE THE GLORY. AMEN.

bukku-bukku? en-zhwen? ngo-lieu shushu.This fast french nose/lingual acrobacy is both fascinating and interesting to me. Vincent and Alexandra-and Giusy I learned to like and they're really very nice. There is one new which might challenge my undisputable patience, a french speaking italian girl who I usually catch studying me from head to foot in a blink of an eye.It's OK. I have oblivion for a nickname.

On my way to my morning lesson I deliberately dropped on the street my used bus ticket so as not to confuse with my other tickets (the correct social rule is that I should have thrown it inside the thrash container) After more than one hour, as I was traversing the same way, back I saw this new looking ticket, assuming that it was a new ticket I picked it up (as I was able to find, a few times in the past -an unused ticket on the streets. Then I recognized it was the same ticket I threw earlier. So I kept it.

- Today is a busy day. The staff is in full force everyone is busy with somebody, in their lesson cubicles.

- Just 5 minutes ago I was eating (an early) lunch with the very young, very beautiful and kind French teacher Alexandra, at 11:30 noon. Italians usually have lunch at 2pm.

- Yesterday I (we) arrived 14 minutes late in fetching our daughter from the daycare school, due to traffic and some rain. Her teachers, strangely didn't make any violent reactions, unlike 2 weeks ago when I arrived ONE minute late. Today they even complimented that she always finishes her plate. This morning I was expecting a harsh reprimand or comment, but they were all heartmelting-ly corteous and smiling.

Another thing that irks her teacher is when I call to ask how everything is going. She has reasons to be offended but sometimes I cant't help acting on mother's instinct.
After taking her to the daycare school I proceeded to my private lessons (tutoring) in the most prestigious residential area of rome Parioli. My student is a very rich jewish media 'littlewig' (and not bigwig) a respectable family man with three adorable kids the youngest-being a 15 month old blond boy. As usual we spent the first ten minutes with a simple advance level english exervises and then we proceeded to discussing a relevant topic (the morality of embryonic stem cell technology) Last time his interest was whet with the issue of immigration and media abuse.
Azzurra jsut passed by where I'm seated(reception area). She's also a very rich interior decorator who has travelled the world and recently invested in a 1000 sqm lot property located just near to the cristal clear blue waters of atlantic beach in Puerto Rico. (Puerto I suppose is the spanish for an 'opening' or port or door and rico means rich. Because Puerto or porta in spanish and italian respectively means door.

MAria (German teacher) just approached here so I asked her how to operate the mp3 with the little speakers-whether or not I have to plug it to electricity.I'm imitating this revolutionary new teaching technique where some teachers here store their lessons or (english songs) in mp3 and they use it with their lessons.

It usually happens that when I think of something, it eventually 'manifests', like last week for some reason I thought of rainbow and it reminded me of GOD's pact or promise with humankind that HE will never again destroy the earth with flood. Then just this Wednesday, as we were fetching our daughter from the daycare school I saw a very beautiful rainbow, actually I already saw it on my way (as I was inside the bus). I wanted my daughter to see it also (their daycare is called rainbow also) but the many trees blocked the beautiful sight that she wasn't able to see. Then I asked or thought where the rainbow ends, the next day the photogallery section of a local rome newspaper featured a photo of a (sta fe) californian fisherman fishing in this river.Where the rainbow ended.
Another thing is that I'm also fascinated by stars specially the biggest and brightest the comes out the first, at the first sign of darkness. I wondered what the name of that star was. Then yesterday, as I was doing the lesson with Luke II we came across an article where it mentioned its name (sirius) or If I remember more correctly from other previous article it is Ceres. I know some people may interpret this phenomena as some sort of telepathy, but to me it's GOD's simple way of telling me that HE hears my heart. I am Absolutely sure of this. I could enumerate all GOD's answers to my prayers but time and space limit me.

Today I had to start out the day earlier than usual and through the rush I honestly forgot to take some pocket money (for lunch and transport ticket). I thank GOD that I took my husband' s lunchpass (a sort of ticket accepted in certain commercial establishments as a form of payment). But they dont accept it in the pizzaparlor where I usually eat, I tried with other food stores but to no avail. Finally I came to one supermarket and they accept it but they have no pizza (my usual lunch) so I settled for a coke-incan, ritters sport chocobar and potatoe chips then the cashier asked me for additional money because I exceeded the amount in the lunch pass so I had to admit in front of the cashier and everybody waiting in line behind me, that I have brought no money. The only thing I can be ashamed of is if I did something wrong like shoplifting. Then later, as I was going for an outdoor assignment I realized I was at risk of being caught without busticket (which might mean paying Euro 100 fine) I was also tempted of climbing-over the subway train's separation 'fence' (as I have successfully done a number of times before even with bigbrother cameras poked all over) , so as to avoid spending or punching the only and last ticket on my jungled bag. I always pray. I am always oblivious when I'm solitary because it is my chance to talk to GOD, especially when I'm travelling. I rarely have time to think of anything else, as a wise advice says 'Why worry when you can Pray'. GOD ALWAYS comes to 'rescue' me many, many, many, Many Times. Just like this afternoon as I punched the last ticket I prayed to GOD to give me a person that can help me or give me at least Euro 1 to buy a transport ticket. The next breath and step led me to a nice acquaintance who I really rarely see. The last time we met was when her sister invited me to their family reunion last summer August (which parts I also filmed and posted here in the older) . As embarassing as it was, it was clearly GOD's answer to my sigh of prayer so I asked her rather shyly and apologetically if she can lend me Euro 1 (with explaining on the sides, why..) Isn't GOD just wonderfully merciful and Great in kindness and love? AGAIN, I MUST PRAISE AND GLORIFY MY GOD IN JESUS' NAME Amen.

I usually watch the Trinity Broadcasting Network (Christian channel) and it was where I saw this amazing natural health supplement called Nature's Hospital. I don't consider myself a gullible person. I trust that this product is what it claims to be, as many of the people who took this also testified of its positive effects on their health. It is specially effective against many common skin and age problems, also for helping improve memory functions of both children and adults. The company also gives many helpful health advice and their marketing is very transparent ( relating to the substance contents of the product) unlike a particular so-called curative ionized water that supposedly originated from Utah that is freely being marketed in the Philippines and I suppose elsewhere, but there is no means of verifying the validity of this product, legally and content-wise.

This instead is the daylight and night view of our backyard, overlooking the mini park where children usually play ball. Just two weeks ago the environmental maintenance cut the trees again allowing our kitchen with welcome warmth of sunlight.
Anyways today GOD saved the day for me, in sparing me time for cooking and preparing for this new working week. My very, very goodhearted sister-inlaw (with her goodhearted husband) like they always do dropped by to bring us yummy homemade treats (like fettucini pasta, crunchy biscuits, meatballs with all the works and roastmeat) while this morning my daughter's grandmother who lives a few blocks from us called for me to pick up the homemade cake she baked mainly for my daughter (and us, in her side thoughts) Well for me this is a very sweet kiss of GOD for the day. Although we 're not able to attend worship for several sundays now, I know GOD is not condemning us as I understand better HIS love being much more gracious than my love for my own little child. Through the worries that this cold season brings, GOD is by our side to carry us through this challenging phase. It is human to fear but it is worse to remain so. I choose GOD no matter how challenging the events of the day.TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR ALL HIS WONDERFUL WORKS IN OUR LIVES.AMEN.

The sun came out today Valentine's (Happy Valentine's to all by the way)but the wind is icycold as it was also yesterday. I hope the cold season subsides quickly. I used to love it before because having come from a tropical country I always considered winter as a romantic and peculiar scene. But now I realize it easily takes with it the flu and the like. It's not a particularly friendly season for young children whose immune system is not yet fully developed.
This is the main street adjacent to our apartment and the fleamarket (about only 5 minutes by feet from our house) the fleamarket is facing my daughter's daycare school. So I usually buy some fruits or vegetables and meats after taking her to school, before proceeding to my work.
This morning I saw an elegant pair of blazer and pants at a reasonable price and I was ready keen at buying but they didn't have my size - small (40-42) . Well . . .
The good thing about this neighborhood or particularly in this marketplace is that not once they gave me some vegetables or fruits for free, or they trust me enough(or anybody) if they didn't have change for my money that I would eventually return to pay.

Was experimenting on putting slide, but I have to learn to enhance this site some more.

The first thing I do when I arrive early to school is open the internet and browse through the current events to find relevant interesting topics to discuss as most student prefer to talk (practice conversation). By the way today is a very beautiful day . GOD answered my prayer last night for a sunny day. It's almost like summer already.
Anyway-today I have been overhearing Serafino's lesson with 'my' student Andrew (who, if you should know, is the most perfect student I've ever handled in a sense that aside from being a young version of Tom Cruise-Andrew is taller by the way.His family also runs a construction supply business. So as it is, Serafino behaves differently when teaching, usually with colleagues he's this down-to-earth, almost childish smiling character. But this morning he speaks in a serious and firm voice, confidently leaning on the swivel like a proud CEO.
Today also came Luke III to have a lesson with me which has been an enriching experience for me. He shared more about his life, like he's also very good with sailboats because his parents (mother finnish and father french) bought him a sailboat when he was only ten and he sailed so much with friends, to many italian paradise islands, in this boat. That he plays in a musicband where all the 4 members are half-french. That at seventeen he's already travelled to many countries with the money he earned working as an assistant boat skipper (on summers). After the lesson his young beautiful,blond mother was there waiting for him. My heart goes out for this young boy because he seems to be so fragile and humble, betraying his physical appearance (gothic black impression) I hope GOD's love will really shine through his heart, mind and life.

Today is a fairly nice day compared to the rest, of this week. Although the sun isn't that consistent in the sense that it doesn't shine with its full splendor like during summer. Some dark clouds also threatened the day but my daughter was able to take advantage of the fresh air and sun outside just for a couple of minutes. Then back home just in time for her lunch after which we put her to sleep (same as her routine in her daycare school) . So I have ample time to log something here. Well last Thursday at the language school, Giusy the new teacher who's an italian returnee after having lived in the US for a longtime( I didn't ask but I assume long enough for her to acquire the american accent) . Last week must have been her 2nd week, but on our first meeting she annoyed\tested me a bit (Seeing that I'm a thirdworld brown 'pango') in that, when I had to substitute in her lesson for a short 15 minutes, she told me that after my 'stint' she will check with the student. When she did return after 15 minutes I had to give her all the mix of english\american accent my tongue could muster to appease her reluctance or doubt. Then Friday it took me by surpirse that she greeted me sweetly even gesturing forward her cheeks to kiss (which is the traditional italian greeting) She commented (as did the others) that I dress rather nicely, which is deliberate habit on my part because we usually have to deal with professionals and educated or 'elegant' people. Otherwise I dress rather lousily to the extent that many who see me stare in a rather strange way but I'm just naturally oblivious of what others think. Another curious happening is that Sabrina and Serafino were xeroxing an article about global warming with a photo of red chilies and they pronounced it like kilis (in italian ch is pronounced as K) so I corrected them that it's pronounced 'tsili' and they looked at each other and doubted with a Very heavy british accent which I always have a problem understanding. Sabrina brought up another word to mean something cold so I said it's also pronounced as (tsili) chilly. They're always nice and sweet and I like them. GOD gives us the grace and gifts of knowledge. I might just add that my GOD is always being so gracious and merciful above all to my daughter, then to the rest of us. So everyday I PRAISE GOD. Amen.

On this Sunday our Pastor Michael Hopkins did not preach but he gave time and space to Life Grou p Leaders, which is a welcome change. We got to know the purpose and activities and members of each life group. Here in these photos I'm shown with one of the active Filipina leaders Rowena (seated beside the lady in white headcover). It's a nice platform as our church works hard to cover not only rome but the entire italy GOD willing, with life groups. Besides lifegroup ministry there are also other interesting ministries like that of children's (photo with Eunice the thin, and Reina the thick), evangelism etc. I would have loved to be a part of it but already-as a working mother my time is limited to family, household chores (cleaning, ironing clothes,cooking,doing the groceries etc.) and work. I know it's a shallow excuse but it's not easy. But I love the worship service (worship songs) because the reality ofGOD 's great grace, mercy and might and Sovereignty becomes tangible to me. PRAISE GOD.

It simply means that among the male students I'm teaching, he 's the third carrying the name Luke. The first is a very nice intelligent and corteous young 14 year old boy, very attentive to every discussion and prompt to respond to any questions. The second is the 20 something-year old who's an informatics specialist, who loves to monopolize both the attention and the conversation. This third Luke is by the far the most fascinating to me. He is a 17 year-old gothic, non-conformist personality. He wears this silver pentagram chain on his neck, an all-black attire and a blackleatherwrist band spiked with silvermetals, is into heavymetal music and medieval war stories. Doubtless he is very sharp as a person, so also are his thoughts against the GOD of Christianity. I told him that people like him usually are into drugs which he soberly denied, strangely he behaves in a nicer and more corteous way than other italians his age.He has this firm and clear way of expressing his ideas. I suppose and hope that he was pleased with our lesson together, I expressed my desire to be his teacher on his next lesson, but last night I prayed to the LORD to help and lead me into 'influencing' his heart and mind for HIS love. I waited for him today as he promised he would be coming. But earlier today I heard the school administrator talking to somebody on the phone, informing that he\she couldn't report.

Today I had the nth lesson again with Tiffany, a very endearing person with a perennial smile all over her face. Even though we always have lesson together,I dont remember if we ever finished an argument-as we always somehow get 'cut' or interrupted by the school administrator terminating our lesson. Tiffany remains patient over this which awes me so much. Being an ambitious career oriented financial head of a multinational industrial company, she said she needs to improve her english because of her company's need to deal with many foreign investor clients, and she's the person being tapped to do the job. She's personally acquainted with many high profile italians like the famous rich and young bachelor Matteo MArzotto- Naomi Campbell's ex-boyfriend.

Goodbread.I call him this way.He's got these big round captivating brown eyes and simple attitude.He's an airforce pilot's son, he took this english course in preparation for his trip to Dublin Ireland. He just left this morning for an indefinite period of adventure on his own. A typical 'can-afford' European-in search of something that he hopes to find in a colder place. The last lesson with him:I asked (as I typically do with every student) how for many hrs was that particular lesson booked so, he said 5 which surprised me since nobody in the school ever holds a session that long.I set to ask the School Administrator when he loughed.It was a departing joke. Then he expressed a sense of apprehension and reasonable fear, he asked me if I thought he was doing the right thing. I encouraged him saying it's alright and gave him some cautions and pointers for his stay in DUblin.

But Luke is different. This young boy in his early twenties, of athletic built and blond appearance always makes me lough. He's also very good in computer. Infact we always talk about programme applications, software, RAM processor, and like things. My co-teacher Colombia told me of an instance when I havent reported yet to school, and she was the only available teacher for Luke.Colombia said he threw a childish tantrum demanding me. I think this young boy is infatuated with me which elates me. I treat him as almost my son for how he behaves, and how mature I am (more, internally).

The twins. The dark haired little guy and the tall red head. They are classmates in the University taking up Environmental Engineering, presently on their last term of the course doing the thesis. Although I dont have the courage to ask them it's obvious that they're also very very good friends. They always arrive together (but they ride each one his own motorbike) and one will not come up (we are on the second floor of the building) without the other. A friend which sticks closer than a brother-come true. But they're both very humble, nice and intelligent.ALso very goodlooking. They like Goodbread are taking english course in preparation for their travel and stay in ENgland to further their specialization in their field, in Cambridge University. They reminded me of my labtest days when I was studying also in the Philippines. Because they recounted that being in a scientific field they had to perform many labtest on soils, many repetetive experiements and processes. I really wish the best for them both.

Super Mario I call him, he is on the top five of my list of most amusing students. He is a professional engineer and married. HE is all-knowing so to say, he usually comes just to practice
english conversations so, everytime we would come up with an interesting topic like immigration, or how and where money started to be used as a tool of commercial exchange, energy and alternative sources, politics even BIllgates and everytime he would boggle me with correct and precise informations. SO this both amuses and impresses me.

I could go on and on with the kind and nice italians learning english. Like the aristocratic mature lady who is an art gallery owner, or another lady who studies english just to be able to appreciate more her frequent trips or travels abroad. From kids to professionals --this job is GOD-given and so is my knowledge and I PRAISE GOD for all HIS mercy and grace. ALWAYS.

Right now I'm seated behind the reception desk eating a big yellow Del Monte Banana and a cup of hot chocolate. Although I'm not a receptionist in this language school-I feel very comfortable sitting behind the reception desk. It's usually the converging point of the school staff. I'm particularly the reserved and introvert type, against my will. But GOD is gradually changing this trait by introducing me to new friends of different colors. I'm particularly fond of Urte' a very sweet young German girl in her early twenties, with very long blond hair left freeflowing. She's the only teacher who greets me with a kiss and a hug everywhere we meet, she- like Tiffany wears a perennial smile on her face. She teaches German, French and English. Colombia is a also very nice, she's a 55 year old mother to 3 grown-ups from whom I get helpful tips on healthy foods and vitamin supplements for my little daughter. Vincent is a comic character, although he looks stern and a snob, he is actually a down-to-earth, simple and sweet person. Just this week he had a new haircut which made him look 20 years younger, he seemed to be around the age of 40 before the haircut, he used to sport long curly blond hair but now, he sports a crewcut style which did away his curly blonds. I like his blue eyes very much. I think he's French who speaks fluent italian,but teaches German English and French.Sabrina is the first teacher with whom I did the sit-in training. At First I thought she's a snob but this impression is slowly changing, now that she's starting to open-up conversations more often. She is friendly and sweet as is Serafino who is actually italian (like Sabrina) but both of them have a very heavy British accent, I always have a very hard time catching up on their words so I usually talk to them in italian. All teachers are nice, but I find the Ucrainian Svetlana (English and German teacher) most distant. She wouldnt talk unless you talk to her . A quick assessment of my work confirms that GOD is also blessing me in this HIS own blessing(this job). So I always PRAISE GOD.