Last Tuesday and last day of 2013

It's the last Tuesday of 2013 and one by one I hear firecrackers booming from a distance. As we await for the rise of 2014 there are still last minute carollers singing their hearts out and I'm sure like my Mother is busy preparing for the New Year's Eve meal. Hehehehe me?! Busy tinkering the keypad to finish this last post for 2013.



A lot of NEW thoughts are swimming in my thoughts but I am not making any resolutions for the new year. I choose to look up, look within, and look forward. The detractors, manipulators, movers and shakers will continue to live around me. How my 2014 will turn out to be will depend on how I will handle every passing situation. I'm past the adjustment period, past the "testing the waters" frame and past denial stage. 2014 is a full-pledge Reality :)!







Cheers to 2014:
- for more blessings.
- for healthier body and sound mind.
- for a happier and calm state of heart and thoughts.
- for a stronger family bond, tighter friendship ties, and deeper faith in God.
- for more love, respect, and understanding of ourselves and with our loved ones.

How fast I may run in 2014, may I always find time to slow down and appreciate everything in life --- the joys and its shortcomings. And I hope you will too. Hiyaaaa!!! :)

2010 to 2013

2010 - the year when another re-organization happened in our Department (way back when I was still an employee).

2011 - was the year when I decided to take a major decision. This was the year when I had a real argument with myself, thought things over, prepared, created a new mindset as reality struck and finally I gave up to the whole idea of asking for signs. I instead took the liberty to create a different basis of reasoning or dependency of when and why to give up my career.

2012 - the year when the final decision was nailed and stamped. As Khaled Hosseini quoted on his book "Of all the hardships a person had to face, none was more punishing than the simple act of waiting."  It was indeed an agony to wait hehehe.

2013 - is the year of executing the years plan. I slowly moved away from the daily normal life and savour every bit of the remaining work experiences in between my whims and whining. This year is like opening a box where a joker springs up and .... Surprise!! It has been from one surprise to another, some are expected and some are simply jaw dropping. There are tearful moments out of sheer happiness and tearful moments from complete exhaustion and frustration. There are points of giving up but more bullets to just keep on-going. I lost financial figures but gained more lasting and precious moments with Jack and Z. Through and through, my heart is overflowing with gratitude and praise. In the next 23 hours, 2013 shall excuse itself and before it does let me shout these words .....

THANK YOU SO MUCH LORD FOR:

our families, our friends, the strangers met along the way, the readers, the opportunities (to read, travel, give & receive, communicate) and to everyone else who has touched my life. 2013 has been a great test of my character, a year of humbling experiences, additional roles, and a year of heartbreaking news.



Thank you 2013 for everything! Good Morning! :)

From our family to yours

To all our relatives and friends both near and far a Merry Christmas to all of you!  May goodness and peace fill your hearts.  To God be thy glory!  

Home Sweet Home

Coming home for the Holidays is in every Filipinos heart regardless if it means bringing home more bacon or just oneself.  We love to come home because we want to be with our families and friends as we celebrate Christmas and New Year.

As the flight booking is completed there is no looking back and officially, countdown begins. Last minute purchases are unavoidable, packing becomes a challenge and what's more the unending cycle of packing and unpacking to avoid excess baggage episodes at the check-in counter.  But who says it's a new issue?  If ever I will have a New Year's Resolution, on top of my lists would be -- 1. Pack lightly. 2. No more last minute purchases.  Hahaha is this like asking for the moon to come down? ☺ 

Thank God for the safe travel and we're Home Sweet Home!  We're back to our roots and it feels so good to be cradled back in the arms of our family.  How I miss the comfort of my bed, the snoopy linens and my room.  Oh!  Now that I'm back, I am ruining the room's tidiness but I so appreciate the new light, it's a lot cooler now than before although it's dimmer but I am too happy to complain.  Naks!  Home is a lot noisy since we arrived but with all the laughter and innocent giggles it's both a feat and a blessing.

After a few days from touchdown one by one Zs' to-do list are checked and done.  Do you want a copy of his list?  Here's a glimpse ☺:

1. Pancake and hotdog for breakfast on arrival date.
2. Chorizo
3. Jollibee
4. Pork adobo and the list goes on.

One at a time I have met my friends and marked x my list too.  Our lists differ but as each bullet list is crossed out, each item shines like a star that brightly lit our hearts.  They are like magic beans that we now eagerly collect which we may one day scoop out to give us energy in the next year's adventure.  As for Jack, he is at his own pace and heart content -- no pressure, no list, just calm and relax as always.

I am happy to see the upgraded traffic lights in Mandaue, the on-going road widening at Canduman, the newly opened establishments and restos, the rising buildings, and the great number of church goers during the Misa de Gallo.  What blows me away are the long queues at the taxi stands and the pressing and torturing traffic jams. I can't believe how populated Cebu has become both people and vehicles.  We used to reach Ayala Center in 30-45mins from our house but now it takes us 1 hour 30 minutes and the jam is everywhere. Even riding a jeepney is a struggle.  What the!  Partly could be of the season!?  The good thing is I don't drive but I have to give my travel time a great ample of time.  And oh another thing which I don't find too friendly is the sprouting of gasoline stations especially along Canduman and Talamban.  Scarey!  Don't you think so?

Again, it's good to be back!  Home Sweet Home Cebu, yahooo!!

First on First

        There are reasons why some things have to happen and why certain rules have to change.  The reasons may not always present immediately but when it do it helps one to widen more his or her way of thinking.

        I was emotional (not that I cried) but worry and inconvenience were the apt words to describe my feelings when I knew that the previous school of Z decided to change the communicants grade level.  Traditionally and based on experience it is in Grade 2 that the Holy Sacrament of Communion is to be received but they changed it to Grade 3.

        Since we moved out, the idea of Z receiving the First Holy Communion as a group was dismissed.  I did fear that Jack and I will not be able to execute what is expected of us as Catholic parents.  Good thing the fear is now a thing of the past.  I am so thankful for my Papa Lito and Mama Lucy for the help they have extended to us.  My Father has been our source and the ultimate mover and shaker for Z to have his Catechism and Confession yesterday.  Today at the Misa de Gallo, Z had his First Communion.  Thanks to Ms. Lory Angot as Zs' Catechist and Fr. Lito of Our Lady of the Nativity Parish in Canduman for allowing it to happen.  This is Ms. Lory's first time to arrange a special Holy Communion and this is also a first time for the Parish to hold a special Holy Communion request. 

        Z might have not celebrated it the traditional way but having done the tradition of receiving the 3rd Sacrament is what truly matters.  His journey as a Catholic still goes a long way and as parents it is our duty and responsibility to ensure guidance and observance of the Catholic traditions. 

Let us have a quick review ☺ on The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church:

1. Baptism
2. Penance or Reconciliation
3. Eucharist or Holy Communion
4. Confirmation
5. Matrimony
6. Holy Orders
7. Anointing of the Sick

T1 is Out

It's time to celebrate and relax as Term 1 is out -- Officially!  

I'm far and beyond super happy.  Five o' clock morning alarm is on ceasefire, yehey!  I'm sure Z owns this day and he owns the bigger chunk of the happiness.  All his hard work has paid off.  He also got good reviews from his Teachers that truly inspires us his parents to also do more for him.  Unlike his previous schools, there is no class ranking and no Grading Period Average.  Certainly, we are very happy with his performance in T1.  I think Z and I need to dance more while Jack and Z need to play chess more too hehehe.  

Thank you God for this and Thank you Z for exerting all the efforts to do good and be good at school.   Good Job Z! 

Happy Parents :)

Pavilion Junior Masquerade Ball 2013

One of the e-mail messages I received yesterday morning was from Pavilion Junior where Z is a member.  Every month their Marketing e-mails a monthly invite for a member exclusive activity but for limited slots only.  With no high hopes or whatsoever emotion, I just clicked on the RSVP here link.

Surprise, surprise!!!

Yehey!  Finally, Z can experience a Masquerade Ball as I got him a slot for the event. Hmmm, he needs a mask!  DIY mode is now active and will pick up later the needed materials.  As to his costume?  Modern day Prince hehehe in short no elaborate and expensive costume.     

---

For your child to be a Pavilion Junior Member:

  FREE MEMBERSHIP PACK with purchase of RM100 in a single receipt centre-wide.  

Open to children between 4 to 12 years old. 

For more details just please visit their page -- http://www.pavilion-kl.com/content/happenings_event_promotion.php?eid=39 

Upon membership your kid will receive a welcome kit.  The kit includes the Temporary Member ID card and discount coupons of participating stores.  Mostly it's 10% discount on -- Food & Beverage, Gifts/Souvenirs/Toys & Hobbies/Home Decor & Furnishings/Travel Agency, and Beauty & Personal Care/Convenience, Household & Living/Fashion -- again for participating shops only.  

Good thing our purchase was a need and the membership was just an added bonus!

Have a relaxing Saturday everyone!

The Sun Catcher

While we are under the radar of daily rain, thunder, and gloomy skies that has been on for days this is a perfect eye thing to hang by the window.   For now, it can't catch the sun's rays but worthy enough that it has caught our attention and we became recipients of its energetic, contagious smile.  The colours have surely brighten up the grey skies, warms the heart, and sending out a message saying "something nice will always pop up when things seem too pale or unbecoming." 

To at least give my son a little kick in the mornings and put little creativity to work on rainy days twice this week breakfast were ....

Tues - a mickey mouse inspired shaped pancake with a letter Z shaped pancake on top and peeled apple

Thurs - still a mickey mouse shaped pancake and letter Z, sliced orange his fave, and bacon.  

And now my tummy is growling.  Enjoy your Friday ☺!!!!

Hoping for a sunny weekend!  Thanks Santa for Zs' sun catcher. ☺

On the 1st day of December

          The waiting is over for Z.  He has been very excited for this 1st day of December.  It's all about Santa Claus, Christmas stocking, and daily gifts. I told him that Santa only give gifts to children who have been good the whole year through and which starts 12 days before Christmas Day.  But with confidence and certainty he said "No, it's on December 1 just like last year.  Santa started giving me something from December 1 until on Christmas Day."  Well, who am I to argue?!

As we busied ourselves with our routines this morning prior for church ....

Me      :  Merry Christmas Z!

Z        :  Happy 1st of December!

Me      :  Have you received anything?

Z        :  I haven't check. 

He stood up from the dining table and ... 

Z        :  Na-a!

It is not only Z who has received a gift from Santa but me too.  Seeing his face wearing that genuine smile and such happy face while holding his 1st gift out of that stocking brought wonderful feelings to me.  His reaction sent waves of contagious good vibes and early morning happiness.

Me      :  Happy?

Z        :  Yes!

While eating his chocolate lolly after lunch.

Me      :  Z, what if Santa will give you the same gift everyday?

Z        :  Okay ra. 

And went back eating his lolly.

          As we neared the church's main entrance this morning, we saw a lady hanging cards on a customized tree and across her is a big hamper called "Hamper of Joy".  It's like a Christmas wish tree and those hanging cards are the wishes.  I asked Z to pick a card randomly and not read the content.  While he was doing his "Inky Pinky Ponky, Father has a donkey.  Donkey dies, Father cries.  Inky Pinky Ponky!" thingy, I got the chance to converse with the lady.  She's also a Filipina from Dumaguete her name is Marites and she works here as a DH.  I asked her if she's going home this Christmas and she said "I have just been here for 4 months, I haven't had a day-off, I don't have a cell phone (part of the Agency's contract), and I have a 4 years contract".  I asked if her bosses are good to her.  It took her a pause before she continued and said "o, buotan ra man sad."  When Z got the card I bid her goodbye and told her "Okay, see you around then".  I do hope I can see her next week again for another round of smiles and an exchange of "Hi-Hello", it's the least that I can do.  Definitely, she's in my Christmas list and in my prayers.

          Zs' wishing card says "Darker skin colour knee length lady stocking" with notation blind ... blind ... blind.  As for me it's from a 70 year old Auntie wishing for a 1kg Anlene (softpack) and single bed sheet with pillow case.  Before I got my wish card I was reading thru the other cards (I didn't follow what I told Z, I was just curious, okay?! ☺).  The 1st card I read was wishing for 3 packs of 3-in-1 Nescafe coffee and a Darlie toothpaste then I was browsing the others.  There were wishes of school uniforms, school shoes, bed sheets, pillow cases, magnifier glass, thermos, and etc.  I went searching back to my 1st picked card then a Mom said "don't read just pick one", hahaha I panicked.  Found the 1st card and loosen up the ribbon.   When I re-read it, my pupils dilated as it was not the 1st wish card bwahahahaha.  Then I told Jack and Z that this is not the card I first held but I think it's destiny or the card has spoken to me to get it.  I didn't get to choose the card but it chose me.  Hmmm!  Perspective! ☺ bwahahahaha.

May your 1st day of December has brought you good vibes and more reasons to be thankful for.  My count down to Christmas Day officially starts now! ☺☺☺