SSS #168: Red and Gold

Make no mistake about it… the happiest of seasons is definitely upon us

Yessiree… even here in our little kingdom where it is officially, um, to be politically correct about it… prohibited “non-existent”, it seems that there really is no stopping this blessed season from entering the homes, hearts, minds and spirit of all those who believe! 

And what better way to mark this festive and solemn occasion than by continuing on from our previous years’ family tradition, right?

Presenting… our completed “red and gold” set-up for this year!

Yup, we basically used the same decors as last year’s but with little additions here and there…  Can you spot them?

First off, there’s our “chika cuddlies”  – kindly “lent” to us from the, ahem, “exclusive Marga collection” – hahaha!   Don’t you just feel they’re discussing something when you look at them (or is it just my very vivid imagination?)?  Talking about who’s getting what, perhaps?

Was I thrilled to be able to finally find yet another makeshift skirt for our tree!

Next on the list is our “appropriately-attired” adorable boxer (yes, another part of dear divalette’s collection!)…

Finally, here’s Keith’s (and mine too!) current favorite – a red and gold Madonna and Child icon we snagged from our last holiday… just precious!

As a bonus, I’m happy that this also served as our inspiration to get back to the habit of praying the rosary together as a family (pray that we sustain the effort!)

 All in all, it was another fun family bonding time for us – yipee! God has been truly good for no matter where we are, He has always made it possible for us to feel His presence in our lives and to share the joy that comes from this to our children and hopefully, to all those we meet.

Let me be one of the very first to greet you all a meaningful “Maligayang Pasko”!  And may the peace and joy of the season be with you always.

 

 

 

SSS #167: Moving Forward

Yes, it’s “that” time of the year again… and just as I was mentally playing my jam-packed domestic schedule in my head and trying to figure out how to squeeze yet another “to-do” in…

A welcome break comes along…

My boys stepped up to the plate and worked together to complete Rafael’s Social Studies project on land forms all by themselves (from the papier-mache work, to the painting, to labelling – name it, they did it)! Hurray! Guess who’s a proud Mama now? :D

 

Suddenly, my “deja vu moments”  on being a “PA”  (aka parent alalay cum project assistant) just got a whole lot better! (*me doing “dance of joy” now*)

My boys are indeed growing up and I thank God that they are doing so responsibly (and creatively too!).  Shame on me for thinking time and again that all my “past sermons lessons” seem to be falling on deaf ears! I do pray that all my children continue to rely on one another for support (in case Keith and I are already too weak or, God forbid, “not around” to help them) especially when life’s “bigger projects” loom dauntingly above their heads - assured in the fact that when family sticks together, and with God’s help, all will surely be better!

Next project: teach them how to cook (*insert evil laughter here*).

LP #81: Amoy

 

May hahalimuyak pa kaya

sa natural na amoy ng isang bulaklak?

LP #80: Masinop

Dahil hindi ako gaanong sigurado sa ibig sabihin ng tema ngayong linggo, naghanap-hanap muna ako ng kahulugan ng salitang ito at ito ang natagpuan ko:

sinop
s´inop ­ masinop (ma-) adj. economical, thrifty, frugal, careful

Naku, mukhang mahihirapan yata a… pero, sige, subok pa rin kung uubra…

 Sinasabing isang mahalagang ituro sa mga bata ang pagiging maingat sa mga bagay na meron sila dahil hindi ganoon kadali makamit ang lahat ng naisin.  Naisip kong ito marahil gustong ipahatid ng mga magulang ng batang ito sa kanya…

Sa murang edad, natuto na siyang magbanat ng buto sa abot ng kanyang makakaya upang makatulong kahit paano sa pamilya.  Bagamat nakakaawang tignan, malakas ang kutob kong naitanim na sa isipan ng batang ito ang kahalagahan ng pagtitipid at mas importante, ang kasiyahang naidudulot ng pagsisikap upang makamit ang pinapangarap sa buhay.

Masinop siyang maituturing, hindi ba?

Maligayang LP sa lahat!

SSS #166: First Day

It is a little past half-past ten in the morning and for the first time in three years, the only sound I hear in the house is the tapping of my fingers on the keyboard as I write this blog.  It  is a weekday, all is quiet,  and I am alone in our desert home away from home.

Yes, the day has finally come.  I admit it is a bittersweet experience – having found my much-needed “me time” in the face of the usually crazy hustle and bustle of my daily “domestic” grind is very much a welcome treat and yet, I find myself surprisingly missing too the crazier tapping of little feet in between yells of “Mom, milk please” or “Mom, I’m hungry – I want egg” or “Mom, I want to watch Playhouse Disney!”

It’s a first day, alright.  All the kids are at school.  Hubby’s at work. I am home.  Guess we’re all where we should be, right?  Then why do I still have this “unsettling” feeling?  Maybe my daughter and I are actually sharing “first day jitters” – though in our own ways – and,  just like her, I’d need a little more time to adjust to this new “set-up”.

It’s our first day.  And it’s comforting to think that Marga and I, though different, are still very much the same after all.

LP #79: Maagap

Para sa akin, ang unang pumapasok sa isipan kapag sinabi ang “maagap” ay ang pagiging laging handa para sa anumang pangyayari – lalo pa’t yung mga di inaasahan.

Medyo nahirapan ako maghanap ng litratong ilalahok ngayong linggo hanggang sa naalala ko ito…

Ang kauna-unahan naming karanasan sa pagsakay ng isang “cruise ship” kamakailan

Marahil, dahil na rin sa maraming trahedyang pangkaragatan, ang unang pinagawa sa amin ng crew matapos naming ilagak ang mga gamit sa kani-kaniyang mga cabin ay ito…

“Safety First”, ika nga!

 

Napansin din namin na bukod sa mga abang na lifeboat at raft, meron pang ganito…

Baka daw kasi may biglang mag “overboard” !

Di mapagkakaila na natuwa ako (kahit na medyo na-”biyahilo” ako paminsan-minsan! ) na maagap naman pala ang napili naming sakyan.  Siyempre, hindi naman ata magandang maging mala-”Titanic”  ang una naming subok sa pagsakay sa ganitong uri ng barko! Hahaha!

Isang “Happy LP Huwebes” sa lahat!

LP #78: Tamad

Ipagpaumanhin sana ang aking matagal na pagliban sa LP… di naman sa tinamaan ako sa tema ngayong linggo pero heto ako at muling nagbabalik!

Ano nga ba ang dapat gawin sa isang mainit na tag-araw?  Lalo pa’t kasama ang iyong mga kaibigan at may sarili pa kayong “swimming pool”…

E di heto…

Australia Zoo, Beerwah, Queensland, Australia – Aug09

Magtampisaw at mag-”sun bathing” to the max!!! Hahaha! Sarap magpakatamad paminsan-minsan ano?

Maligayang LP sa lahat!

SSS #165: Ain’t It Grand?

…to be a parent? Yet, grander still, to be a grandparent!

What better way to return from my “self-imposed blogging hiatus ” than by joining the rest of the (western) world in honoring those special people who have taught us and our children – mostly by example and from wisdom gained through the years – how it is to be loving, kind, grateful, respectful… (simply put: how to be good people) – our grandparents!

Since my own grandparents have already passed on, I felt it more meaningful to honor our kids’ grandparents (our parents!) instead (hence my apologies if this post appears to be too self-serving – hahaha!).

To our dear Wowo Jess, Wiwa Petite, Grammy Dollie and Lolo Larry

Thank you so much for all the love, caring, concern and generosity you have shown your apos.  We are sure they will look back to their childhood years with much fondness because all of you made it possible for them to have such wonderful memories…

We are sure our kids will forever cherish…

… their tennis lessons and “play times” with Wowo

…Wiwa’s special crunchy pork adobo and lechon kawali whenever we stayed on to visit during our annual home leaves

… Grammy’s “days-out”, shopping sprees and “exclusive doctor’s visits” whenever the kids  (and the “kids-at-heart” too!) aren’t feeling well

…Lolo Larry’s thoughtful cards, gifts and text messages during special occasions in our lives

We love you and we pray that the Lord blesses you with more happy and healthy years to share with all of us.

Happy Grandparents’ Day!

Finally, as an apt “closing” for this post, allow me to share with you excerpts from the poem, “A Grandparent’s Love”, by Tina Williams:

You have pointed out the path
And led us along the way;
The wisdom you have planted,
We each still hold today.

You sheltered us through childhood
And saw us through today,
Taught us of the Lord above,
About faith, and how to pray.

One day we’ll all be in heaven
Dancing on the throne,
Praising God for giving us
A family like we’ve never known.

No matter where our lives may go,
We will trust the Lord above
And through it all always thank him for our grandparents’ love.

A meaningful and blessed Grandparents’ Day to all our super lolos and lolas!

SSS # 164: Thinking Yellow Thoughts

It’s been almost a week to the day since our beloved Cory Aquino passed on.  Yet, I am still compelled to write this short piece if only to show my gratitude and profound respect for the person whom many Filipinos consider as the “mother of the nation” and the true icon of Philippine democracy.

So what makes Cory so special?  I think that from among the countless tributes, stories and anecdotes shared about the former president, what struck me the most was the reflection by one known columnist that she was different because among the many others who sought the country’s presidency – many even making this their lifelong goal and ambition -  this position was ironically given to her who actually did not seek it out – to her who actually was averse to the trappings of power and position from the very beginning.

Yes, such was the irony that was Cory.  By sacrificing her own personal preferences, she brought back the moral ascendancy to the highest position in the land.  She gave many Filipinos hope that our country is worth saving and that the Filipino is worth living for.

Thank you, President Cory, for inspiring us.  Thank you for keeping the fire of hope alive within us.  Thank you for making me realize that indeed, the Filipino can hurdle even the most insurmountable obstacles with the power of prayer and unwavering faith.

CORAZON COJUANGCO AQUINO “CORY”

1933-2009

(Photo courtesy of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism) 

“If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?” (Mt 16:24-26)

“Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and all my will, all that I have and possess. You have given them to me; to you, O Lord, I restore them; all things are yours, dispose of them according to your will. Give me your love and your grace, for this is enough for me.” (Prayer of Ignatius of Loyola, 1491-1556)

 

SSS #163: We’re going Down…

(…or the post I’ve been “visualizing” to write since forever! )

… Under!!!

Guess what the mailman brought in yesterday?

At long last, after 15 months or so of waiting (and praying very hard!), I can now share with you our “family secret”… we are finally ”cleared for entry” to Australia!   Yes, it has been a little over a year now that we have been waiting for word from the “Wizards of Oz” (aka Australian immigration authorities) as to the status of our application for permanent residence in the Land Down Under. 

And up until a week ago, just as we were in the thick of our home leave in good ol’ Pinas, an unexpected blessing comes our way – our agent relayed to us the good news that we finally got the nod of the Aussies to join them in raising our family on the only nation-continent on the planet – woot, woot! 

Naturally, being the “camwhore” I have since ”evolved” into since joining a photo club months ago - I have pictures to boot! Hahaha!

 

Although we have yet to decide when our final exit would be from our adoptive kingdom, we are comforted by the fact that we have now secured an additional “option” in hopefully providing a better future and legacy to our children.

What can I say? The Lord has again shown us his faithfulness and generosity and we can never thank Him enough for this wonderful surprise!

And to all of you who have shown us your support in this “endeavor” – be it through prayers, encouraging words and acts of kindness – thank you very, very much! Please do continue to keep our family in your prayers as we near the close of our desert adventures and begin yet another chapter in our ongoing real-life telenovela.

To God be the glory!