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.     

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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! ☺☺☺

"our little white tree by the belen"

You can't see that at home because it's not our Christmas decoration☺.  It was three weeks ago when my friend Tonet dropped me a message saying "our lil wyt tree by the belen" and that picture above. Wow!  Isn't it pretty and neat?

I replied back and showed her our premature decoration.  I didn't notice it until she said "wow! nindot ka-ayo! imu faith ... amu love ... fwends gyud ta ... tan-awa ang words sa ato belen."  They have Love and we have Faith in our belen, cool!  She gave me the motivation to finish ours and I thank her for that!  Finally, this is what we have now.  

Thanks to my Christmas elves --- Jack for engineering the origami Christmas trees and Z for lending some of his Lego miniature people to join with my Lego people and Christmas set.  Thanks Z for allowing me to use the printed origami papers which are intended for different designs.  

Why a lot of trees?  I think because I miss our Christmas tree in Cebu that has been with us since 2004, that is why I have a lot of it now only in small sizes.  The glass tree on the left side beside the barbecue grill is already 6 years old.  It's the first and only Christmas tree in this unit for years.  At last this year, it's no longer standing on its own because it has multiplied ☺ and in different colours.  

                  Indeed, "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"☺

Pavilion's Christmas Wonder

          It was like a quick escape from the depressing thoughts of what is currently happening in my country Philippines and a good treat of magical hours of transformation spent as we strolled around the Pavilion mall yesterday.  Where Christmas is not highly celebrated in this place it is a real joy, a   thrill, and sort of an efficacy of whatever blues I have in me as I see  the posh and beautiful Christmas ornaments,  impressive designs, and dreamy Christmas settings at this mall.  Certainly, one that supersedes all other Christmas decorated malls in KL is the Pavilion.  It always has the best in visual and Christmas feel that massively attracts both residents and tourists.  This year it's theme is Christmas Wonder or simply IMO it's White Christmas.   On stage at the Centre Court is a huge white Christmas tree with blue lights snowflakes beside a blue touch coloured roof white house and in front of the house are a snow covered reindeer and Christmas trees.  Below the stage are big green Christmas trees in variant wonderful trimmings, a Santa's sleigh and 2 reindeers, a carousel with lights (RM5 for a ride), big green Christmas trees at the staircases leading to the centre, white Christmas lights, angels and choirs.  They even made an effort to create snow and we were just in time to witness it as they released the snow effects.  There were models or characters for picture taking and a little later a live performance of Christmas tunes.  In front of the entrance are white polar bears and trees.  Outside the entrance is a Christmas tree like villa with more Christmas trees, lights and poinsettias.  For more activity details just visit this page http://pavilion-kl.com  if interested ☺.

top view 

          I know there is more to Christmas and what Christmas really means but the child in me can never contain her excitement when the word Christmas pops up matched with all these visuals ☺.   To a happy weekend. ☺