I am 19 years old and a high school graduate.I really want to learn Tagalog or Ilocano because all of my friends speak that language because they are all in the Philippines (I have been back in California since April 2009,also I haven't continued college yet because of complications with my transcripts so I do not go to school and I barely go out). I lived in the Philippines since May or June 2006 til I came back on April 2009. I went to high school there for 2 years and took 2 semesters of college. I've read while searching on yahoo answers that it is easy to learn Tagalog if you lived there for more than a year or so but I never learned it at all. I don't even understand the majority of what they say on TFC or when my relatives talk in Tagalog,same with Ilocano. For a few days now, I've been trying to teach myself using an online course that comes with an online book and tapes that I can listen to. Right now I am still on the basics because I keep repeating the same thing because even the basics I don't seem to be able to remember. What other methods can I use?

I work with this dude from the Philipines, and he is leaving in a few days. I want to say this to him in his own language:

"Merry Christmas"

"Good luck, Carlo"

"I hate plastic" (It's an inside joke lol).

So, how are these written in Tagalog, and how are they pronounced. Thanks in advance.

I just notice since few days ago that there are too many new accounts like mine who are asking almost the same questions every day. So let's see if these answerers and askers can translate this into English or their own language/ dialect.. I hope

"Kapag wala ang pusa naglalaro ang mga daga."

and

"Bato-bato sa langit, ang tamaan 'wag magagalit."

Thanks!