Filipino Language

Another goal of mine for life is to learn the Filipino language. My parents grew up in the Philippines, and regularly speak in Illocano (a dialect of the Filipino language Tagalog). Of course I can understand simple commands that they use every day, but I am far from speaking it myself. My parents speak to us kids in Illocano and English, and usually by the intonation of their voice and their gestures we are able to decipher what they are telling us.

The Tagalog language is somewhat similar to the English language; considering that the US occupied the Philippines for a time period. But also, the language has some influence from the Spanish, so many of their words are either exactly the same, or sound similar. Here are some examples:

How are you? - kumustá
Long Live (I wish you well) - Mabuhay
Thank you - Salamat
Delicious - Sarap
I love you - Mahal Kita

Link to Translator

Anyways, I've been unsuccessful in finding any good programs that will teach me Illocano, but I heard that Rosetta Stone was a good program to use for Tagalog.

Is there anyone else interested in learning a new language with me? I'm sure at parties we can small talk to one another, while everyone else there will have no clue what we are saying :)

Music

I have been recently asked to create a playlist of 20 songs that I listen to. This was done so that people can understand my likes in music.

My favorite bands have changed an evolved in the years, but generally the genre of music that I enjoy stays the same. Simply put, I love rock music! Most recently my appreciation of rock music comes from the Guitar Hero series and Rock Band games. Currently my favorite band is Fall Out Boy.

Music festivals that I would love to attend:
Vegoose
Lollapalooza
Coachella

If anyone is interested in going to any of those, keep me in mind when you're getting tickets :D

Outside of playing the clarinet in grade 3, I have been slowly trying to teach myself how to play the guitar. Unfortunately I am unable to play any songs completely (unless its a Guitar Hero song). One day though, I hope to be able to at least strum the guitar, and sing something simple. Until then, you may keep your earplugs on as I attempt to play something.

Looking for a New Home

Our homeowners association has finally pressured us to get rid of our pets ducks and chickens. So now they are looking for a new home to live in. Would anyone like to adopt them? :)

Legal Stuff:
http://tinyurl.com/246yyh

For a little over a year now we have had two ducks and three chickens in our backyard as pets. The neighbors until recently haven't complained about them.

I have a pair of ducks and chicken which were given to me as a gift when they were young. I raise them only as pets but do not breed or raise them for commercial purposes... My pets are not as noisy as a private plane hovering above our community for hours on end, a revving motorcycle down on El Toro Road, or a gardener's lawn mower.

We have suspicion that one of our neighbors got tired of the chickens making so much noise when they lay their eggs. The ducks aren't loud at all, so they aren't much of the issue. A complaint was filed and soon thereafter the community homeowner association took action after reviewing the rules and regulations. A letter which we received late last month finally convinced my parents to send them off to get adopted elsewhere.

What constitutes a 'common' pet? Only dogs, cats, and certain house birds? Filipinos keep ducks and chickens as pets often. They are not unlike other household pets. You still have to clean up after them, feed them, give them shelter. They make as much noise as a small dog and they don't go into other people's yards or mess with the local wildlife.

My friends and I have tried to figure out a way to build up an argument for this meeting, but my mother has decided it would be easier to just get rid of them. Who knows? Maybe it'll give a slight leeway into getting a new puppy pet. :D