SSS #170: Taking the cue from Oprah?

Apart from the resounding success of the film New Moon, I guess most of the world is now talking about the end of an era in television – Oprah’s announcement of her show’s final airing in September 2011.

Though I may be reading more than there actually is to Oprah’s announcement, I can’t help but see parallels in her short spiel with our own lives here in the kingdom – on how, like her, we have been on this “yellow brick road of blessings” more than we could ever have imagined and also, like her, we are also now feeling (although we admittedly have to seek more spiritual guidance and direction before making “the change”) that 2011 may just be the right moment for us – “feels right in our bones and feels right in our spirit” too!

And  another eureka moment for me… guess where the proverbial yellow brick road leads to?

To Oz, right? (Are you seeing where all this is coming from now?)

Until then, please do keep our family’s intentions in your prayers as we prepare to end one chapter and begin another in our ongoing real-life Chinoy telenovela.

SSS #169: Ballerina Girl

 Ballerina Girl
You are so lovely

With you standing there

I’m so aware
Of how much I care for you

You are more than now
You are for always

I can see in you
My dreams come true
Don’t you ever go away

 

You make me feel like
There’s nothing I can’t do

And when I hold you
I only want to say
I love you

Ballerina Girl
The joy you bring me

I guess I finally realized
There’s nothing else like loving you

Ballerina Girl
You are so lovely
I can see in you
My dreams come true
Don’t you ever go away
Ballerina Girl…

(Selected lyrics from the song of the same title popularized by Lionel Richie)

These photos are from diva-lette’s first (and only – as of the time of this post) ballet lesson.  Why the stress on the “first and only”? Because we actually attempted a second lesson the following weekend but… diva-lette that she is… she threw a tantrum and walked out! (*sigh!*)   Oh well, we do have our “down days” after all, right? We might have just unfortunately caught dear daughter during one of hers…

Nevertheless, this “ballet experience” goes to show – yet again – that this kingdom never seems to run out of little surprises… and we are truly pleased and very much blessed that we can let our daughter go through this even in such an ”ultra-conservative” environment we now live in   Oh yes, even in this desert kingdom, we still manage to sway to life’s  (as we know it, at least) rhythm and dance to its unique beat.

God is truly good and faithful to His promises!

And here’s to more tantrum-free ballet lessons to come!

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!