Rendered Speechless

What would your reaction be when your daughter, your only child, suddenly told you that your sarcasm is making her cry? And she was actually sobbing like a hurt child as she was saying this. And did I mention that this incident happened a day before Mother's Day?

My reaction...speechless. The thing is, I was scolding her about something. I am not getting any reaction so I continue nagging sarcastically. Then suddenly she turns to me and told me that I am making her cry. That she wants to say something about the matter but I do not even intend to listen. Then her Dad interfere and ask her what she wanted to say. She told me that I was wrong about the things I was blaming her for. That she is actually doing something about what I am complaining. That I don't see results because I am always busy working. And then she apologize for crying and ask not to be bothered for a while so she may stop crying.

All those while, I keep looking at her. Until the time she turn her back on me. That's when I noticed that I am crying too. I want to say sorry but she wants me to leave her in peace. I pretend to do something to suppress more tears. I am thinking maybe after sometime everything will be okay. Back to normal. And  besides we are not used to being overly dramatic. We are more like the comedic type of family. Always finding reasons to laugh.

After a while, her Dad played a movie. A Chinese-fantasy-comedy movie by Stephen Chow. We had a series of laughs. All three of us. It is not the happy family laugh that we used to have when watching a funny movie together. We laugh all together but on our own. Gets? After the movie, we each proceed to our own spaces without uttering a word. My husband to his favorite sports channel, my daughter to her laptop, and I got my tablet and start writing on my blog. Yes, you guess right. Situation is still crummy up to this writing. I can't make my daughter talk to me even if I wanted to. Partly because I am afraid that she'll get more angry. And another part of me is too proud to admit that I was wrong. All I wanna do now is finished what I'm writing and then go to sleep. And hopefully everything will be all right come morning.

No 'goodnights' tonight.... ;-(

Mother

My Sweet 16!

Happy 16th birthday to my one and only daughter. You mean the world to me. I am a proud mother. Stay sweet and pretty. Be strong in your everyday struggles. Your father and I are always here for you. I love you my awesome Leslie! :-) 

Oooops!...I (Almost) Fell

Last Monday night while I was ranting about how in the world did Nancy Binay made it to the top 5 of our future senators I slipped. I went to my parent's rooftop to get something and on my way down I slipped three flight of stairs. I would have fallen all the way down if not for my guardian angel, my mom. She saw me falling and instinctively she block my fall. I don't know how she did it but she did. On the bad side, as she block my fall I bumped my head and the left side of my body at the concrete wall beside the stair. I blocked out for a few seconds. A moment later I noticed that my family was helping me get off the stairs. They keep asking questions but all I was able to say is the my head aches a lot. They let me rest until the pain subsides. Well, it did not go away entirely. I thought that I had a concussion but I dismissed it immediately. It was only a headache...that lingers until the next morning. I missed work because of that. But looking at the bright side, it could have been worse if not for my hero. I love my mom so much! My guardian angel.      

Why God Invented Mothers (A Repost)

This is very inspiring...For us mothers.

Why God Invented Mothers 

Last week, my mother died.

Looking at her lifeless body in her simple white coffin, and remembering her permanent impact in my life, I realized that mothers are God’s greatest inventions.

Why did God invent mothers?

Because there are a few things that only mothers can do…

I needed someone crazy enough to carry me in her womb for 9 months, crazy enough to go through the pain of childbirth, crazy enough to feed me, bath me, burp me, and look after me 24/7, crazy enough to teach me to how to walk, how to talk, how to play, how to pray, how to learn, how to share, how to serve, and how to say “Thank You” and “I’m Sorry” and “I love you”

Why did God invent mothers?

Because when my fingers were smaller, I needed someone with bigger fingers to button my shirt, to cut my fingernails, and to tie my shoelaces.  And when my wisdom was smaller, I needed someone with bigger wisdom to teach me what was right and wrong, and someone to forgive me when I did the wrong.

Why did God invent mothers?

Because when I failed in an exam or when a teacher laughed at me or when a playmate rejected me and I felt like my whole world was collapsing, I needed a mother who would tell me, “Just wait. Everything will be alright…” I needed a mother to hold my hand when I was afraid, hold my hand when I was sick, to hold my hand when I fell down, and hold my hand when I felt sad. 

Why did God invent mothers?

Because when I was 13, I needed a mother who would listen with rapt attention to the mumblings and ramblings of a 13 year old boy giving his first talk; I needed a mother who went to every talk I gave, who recorded my every word in her gigantic old tape recorder, and who heard my talks over and over again in her bedroom—to tell me that in her heart, I will always be the greatest preacher in the universe; I needed a mother who would believe in me so that it would be easier for me to believe that God believed in me.

I needed a mother who would read every word I wrote—in every magazine and in every book I published.  I needed a mother who, even if she never used the internet or email in her life, would still read my blog by asking her daughters to print my online essays for her—to tell me that I never stop writing God’s message to this world.

Why did God invent mothers?

Because when I was 14, I needed a mother who didn’t freak out when I told her that I wanted to live in a dangerous slum area to bring Jesus in the poorest of the poor; All she said was, “If that’s what God wants you to do, then do it; I will pray for your protection.”  Like any mother, she wanted me to be safe, but she believed that there’s nothing safer than being in the will of God;

When I was 14, I needed a mother crazy enough to allow me to travel by myself to the farthest islands of the Philippines to preach the Gospel; I needed a mother who trusted me but who trusted God more than me to take care of me. 

When I was 16, I needed a mother crazy enough to send me off to pilgrimage to Israel and 20 cities in Europe for 41 days all by myself—because I needed a mother who would love me and launch me, love me and let go of me…

Why did God invent mothers?

Because when I started preaching about financial literacy and how to become truly rich, and some people were criticizing me for becoming worldly, I needed my mother who knew my heart more than anyone else and told me, “I’m happy that God is opening a new ministry for you.”

Why did God invent mothers?

Because I needed a mother who prayed for me every single moment of her life. I needed a mother who showed me God’s face by simply showing her face to me.

But I realized I didn’t need just any mother.

I needed my mother.

I needed Pilar.

To make me who I am today.

Dearest friend, God gave you your mother.  With all her weaknesses, she is still one of God’s most precious gifts to you.

       Love her…while you can.

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez

Amazing Mirko is Amazing

Here is my 6 years old nephew's amazing feat as he performs one of the challenges in the show "Minute To Win It'. He did it on his first try.


                                        

Queuing at PUP...An Old News

I saw this report last night about the long lines of incoming freshmen at PUP. Well, this is not new. As an alumni I know how my alma mater was tagged as Pilahan University of the Phils. In all my four years at PUP queuing is something that would always remind me of my school. And now my daughter is an incoming 'Iskolar ng Bayan' and she's now experiencing the perils of enrolling at PUP. And the worse part is only the students are allowed to enter the campus. During my time I got to enroll with my parents assisting me or taking my place on the long lines when I get tired or it gets too hot under the sun. But I guess it's for the better. They will learn to be independent since they are embarking on a more serious studies. I just hope that the PUP administration will somehow find solutions to this long ordeal.   

Keeping Up With The Family's Lenten Tradition

For six years now, it has been our family's practice to watch the movie Apocalypto every Lenten season. We don't know the significance of this movie with the Lent or if it gives meaning to our being Catholics during this season of repentance. Still, every Lent we watched this movie. A yearly affair for the family. Like the marathon of horror movies every halloween. Well, that's a poor reference. 

Summer, Officially!

I've been feeling the heat couple of weeks now, but the summer in the Philippines officially started yesterday, as announced by PAGASA. Classes are over. Mirko and Leslie are busy practicing for their graduation later this week. And  Aily's swimsuit is ready. My father already prepared our inflatable pool for his grandkids. We don't have any swimming plans yet. Whether on the beach or at my bff's clubhouse swimming pool where we frequent every summer. I guess everybody's busy. Well, for now we will make do with our inflatable pool. We will be preparing barbeque while the kids deep in the pool. Just to beat the heat. Afterwards, we can have our family movie marathon together. Oh, I love summer!

Leslie's Seniors Night

Last week is a very busy week for me and my family. One of the reason is my daughter's prom night. I know that is it her prom  and it's not a family event but we were all excited because we rarely witness my daughter wear a dress or even a make-up. Like me, she is very comfortable with baggy clothes and just ponytails on her hair. Make-up are alien to us. Good thing my daughter was also looking forward for her Seniors Night. She told me that she surrender herself to us as long as we make her pretty. See for yourselves.

red and black 

at the venue

the souvenir

How Well Does Your Spouse Know You

This is a Valentine's Day Link Up hosted by Melissa. My husband and I had been busy with work that we only answered the questionnaires last night before going to bed. We haven't seen each other for three days and we are still catching up on each other's activities for the week. And our Valentine's Day celebration was postponed and will be celebrated tonight. But here's how we answered the questionnaires...

How long have you been married?
Him:   14 years
Me:    14 years

Where was your first date?
Him:   SM North EDSA
Me:    SM North EDSA

Where was your first kiss?
Him:   Inside a bus, on a ride going home
Me:    I don't remember

Who first said "I Love You"?
Him:   Me
Me:    Him

What were your wedding colors?
Him:  None
Me:   No theme, we had a civil wedding

What is her most commonly used phrase?
Him:  Ewan ko sa'yo!
Me:   Whatever!

Who is her celebrity crush?
Him:  Wentworth Miller/Robbie Williams
Me:   Wentworth Miller

If she was ordering drinks for both of you what would you each get?
Him:   Coke/Ice Tea
Me:    Coke for him, ice tea for me

What is the best meal she has ever cooked for you?
Him:   Sopas
Me:    Sopas

What is the worst meal she has ever cooked for you?
Him:   Nilagang Buto-buto
Me:    Nilagang Buto-buto

What is the most played song on her Ipod?
Him:   Never listened to her music
Me:    As of now it's "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys

What would she say is your most annoying habit?
Him:   Frequent drinker and goes out with friends too much
Me:    Immature

What is the last thing she does before she goes to bed?
Him:   Play games on her cellphone
Me:    Read books or play games on my cellphone

If you could throw out one item of her clothing what would it be?
Him:   Nothing, she doesn't have much, it would be a waste
Me:    I'll kill him if he will try to do such a thing

What would you say is your favorite thing about her?
Him:   When she's happy and not irritated at me, and she's adventurous
Me:    He constantly tell me that he likes the curve on my lower back, it's kinda sexy daw
  
What's her go-to drink at Starbucks?
Him:   Mocha Frap
Me:    Tall Mocha Frappuccino

What's her blog name?
Him:   I don't know
Me:    It's not right, but it's ok (My husband can't answer this)


Well, what do you think? Does he know me enough?

I would like to share the first article I read today. This is for married women who needs convincing in staying married (like me), and for those single ladies who hesitates to tie the knot.

7 Best Things About Being a Married Woman

1. A companion for life time 
   Marriage certainly eliminates loneliness from your life. It is very tough for a single woman to live an unmarried life. With all your friends and close family living a busy life, being unmarried might make you experience a sense of loneliness. Marriage brings in a sense of companionship throughout your life.
2. Brings in financial advantage 
   Marriage is financially rewarding. Not only can the married couple get better tax benefits than any single individual, but they can get better investment opportunities specially designed for them. Financial advantage also comes through better sharing and planning. Married couples generally have good understanding about how to share and generate savings, in order to live a better life.
3. Social advantage
   Marriage brings for you a distinct social advantage over your unmarried peers (yes, we know sometimes you feel like being single again, but that’s only temporary) People will not pester you with questions like- When are you getting married? Are you dating someone? or other sticky questions.
4. License to do licentious things 
   This is still partially true in case of Indian society. Men and women who believe in the institution of arranged marriage or being celibate before marriage look forward to their wedding night with great anticipation. At the same time, being married brings added liberty for the girls who can party till late in the night with their husbands.
5. Gives you a new role in life
   Much before being a mother, a woman plays new roles of a wife, daughter-in law and sister-in-law which add new dimensions to her personality. It is not that you cannot have kids without getting married, but having a child by matrimony gives a legal status to the new born and much better acceptance in the society.
6. Emotional and physical security 
   Every woman desires a secured life. First it is the parents, and then it is the spouse who provides the much needed security. A married woman knows that there is someone who wants to take care of her, and who is ready to absorb her emotional as well as financial burdens. You will feel much more safer living in this world.
7. Enriches the quality of life 
   One does not feel like cooking, eating, shopping all by self every time. When you have a lovey-dovey partner to shower endless love and attention, life is simply wonderful. It is good to know that you are center of somebody’s world and vice versa. Caring for your loved one and his family will bring happiness and a sense of contentment.

source: yahoo!she

Happy New Year!

From my family to each and everyone of you....Happy New Year!!! May 2013 be the greatest for us all. :)

Feast of the Holy Family

I don't really post anything on Sundays. Not on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and neither here on Blogger. Well, Sunday is my family day. Usually my schedule is full...full of household work! And attending mass, of course. And this is why I am blogging tonight. My daughter and I attended mass this afternoon at San Isidro Labrador Parish Church. Today is the Feast of the Holy Family. And after the homily I really felt blessed. As the Parish Priest coveys on his sermon, family is the most important foundation of a person. Even Jesus, knowing that He is the Son of God, still listens to His parents. Mary and Joseph. 

And I felt really blessed for my family. We don't have much but we are very happy together. They mean the world to me. And I'm glad I choose them over my fancy of choosing a selfish happiness. I almost made a huge mistake that could break every member of my family's hearts. I prayed God for a divine intervention and I knew that my prayers were answered. Because we are still living together happily. We had our lives back. Slowly, we are making our dreams come true. 

Almost all my prayers today consists of thanking God for everything. The blessing, the guidance, the forgiveness. And my only wish is for my family's good health and safety. Amen.

No Christmas Party For Me on 2012

This year, while some friends I know are busy going to Christmas parties here and there, I won't be attending any.  Our company never prepare Christmas party ever since. December is a very busy month for us so nobody bothered arranging parties. Also, I will not attend two Christmas party given by my elementary and high school batch mates. I am simply not in the mood to see them all (hehe). I don't think that my bff's and I are having our party too. Too busy I guess. And finally, we won't be having a Christmas party at home. No exchange gifts or anything. We are simply celebrating my brother's birthday on the 24th. 

But for what it's worth, we will still be celebrating Christmas on our own way. The important thing is that my family is well and all together on that special day. Whatever it is we are doing.

So, Happy Christmas everyone!   

my pamangkins

Happy rainy Wednesday guys. I just want to post pictures of my pamangkins. My nephew Mirko and my niece Aily. I have nothing in particular to say about them. Only that they are very cute and wonderful.

This is Mirko invading my time doing the laundry. He keeps me entertained with his super hero antics. Notice the small sticker on his face? He is the 'Batman' according to him.

And this is my super cute niece, Aily. She is pretty big now at four months old. She's no longer a cry baby. Mabungisngis nga eh. And she's a doll. We love to dress her up.  

I am a lucky tita.... :-)

my first win at nuffnang

i am a newbie in terms of blogging. i just joined june of this year. but i am so blessed that my friend, dinah, introduced me to nuffnang. it is a blog advertising community. it helps blogger like me to earn money through advertising, it host events so that a blogger can interact with other blogger personally, and features contest sponsored by different institutions. i had my first taste of the contest when i joined the mandaue foam sponsored special screening of 'bourne legacy'. and the heaven smiles down on me...i won two tickets!!!

this is the e-mail i received that made my day

the event's original date is August 10, but it was moved because of the heavy rains brought by monsoon winds. it was moved the next day, August 11. i have my daughter as my date for this event.

me and my daugter, leslie

as expected the movie was great. very action packed just like other bourne movies. and any comparison between jeremy renner and matt damon is not appropriate. they have done their roles well in their own ways. adding to the excitement is the fact that they shoot the most exciting action part here in the philippines. i know every filipino is proud that we are a part of this movie. amidst the heavy traffic it brought us during the filming of the movie.

and as a bonus, we have a pillow from mandaue foam to take home. they are gracious enough to host a relief goods operation during the event. all those blogger/participant that brought relief goods of any kind will be given a free fantasy pillow. well, my friend dinah brought some and we have her to thank for our pillow.

see how she loves it...

anyways, i am loking forward to a more exciting experiences i will have with nuffnang. godbless nuffnangers!!!!

  

i am afraid

who wouldn't be?

at the start of this school week my daughter showed me this....

and this brought on the fondest of memories when she was just starting to go to school. she is in her senior year now. and it's quite rare for a 'star' stamped by the teacher on a student's hand in high school. regardless, this made me smile. for me, my baby is still a baby, even though she's taller than me.

however, before the week ends, she showed me another thing. these are artworks done by a schoolmate/classmate. i have no idea of the person since she doesn't wanna talk about him. she just told me not to bother knowing the guy because it's a nobody. but i can't help not to be afraid. here they are...

quite scary right? but i didn't show my emotions to my daughter. i had to keep smiling so i can encourage her to make kwento. i ask her how she reacted. if she felt 'kilig'. if she answered 'yes'. she responded with a shrug, then a very loud and resounding "no!". he is not her type daw. weh? just a day before that she receive a flower from the same guy. why bother bringing the gifts home if it doesn't matter, right? 

haaayyyy...how time flies. i can't barely catch up with my daughter nowadays, now this? well, all i can be is a very loving and supporting mom to her. and she also adheres to her promise to be a good daughter and finish her studies before anything else. i can only hope so much.

a very special family dinner

there's no definite occasion but we had a very special dinner last night. my youngest brother, who is also our resident chef since he is a graduate of food and nutrition with honors, cook for us. here's what he prepared for us...

our dinner...excluding the paksiw and ampalaya with egg leftover  from lunch

spicy gambas

my brother did not cook this.i bought it from a barbeque stand sa kanto

grilled chiken breast in pepper sauce

more grilling waiting to be serve

hoping for more of this moments with my family. as long as we love each other there's no need for any occasion to have a perfect dinner with them.

  

aily turns a month old

today is a very special day! my niece just turned a month old! 

for other families this may not be a big deal. but my niece is the second child of my youngest brother but she is the first to lived. drake, his eldest was born with congenital infection that affects his lungs. he only lived for four days. this brought our family a great grief.

now after two years aily came. but she is born with  perinatal infection. her mother suffered from UTI during her pregnancy. she then passed the infection to her daughter during childbirth. so from the moment aily is born she is wearing a heplock where her medications will be injected through IV.

she needs to be injected twice a day with two types of antibiotics. administration was easy when they are both confined at the hospital. but as they leave the hospital we have to find a clinic or a pediatric hospital nearest to our place so that our baby will not get tired getting to and fro from there.

this was taken on one of her IV administration out of the hospital where aily was born

the treatment lasted a week. and thank God everything is normal now. she is growing healthy everyday. ang bigat na nga dahil sa katakawan. and she never failed to make us smile each day.

here she is on her 1 month birthday..... :-)

aily and me