Paying It Forward

I’ve said time and again how amazed I am at how technology has now made the world seem such a smaller place.  In fact, I’d even go out on a limb here by saying that it is now, more than ever, that people’s lives are more intertwined especially through the “miracle” that is the blogosphere – that one does not really need to be physically present or within the “vicinity/geographical area” of another to become a friend.

What better way to “prove” this than by the  “gracious tokens of friendship” (fine, for the more callous blunt among you, you may refer to these as “tags” or “blog awards” ) I have received in the last quarter of this year alone from my dear online buddies whom I have never even had the pleasure of meeting personally!  Thank you very much for thinking of me!  I am truly “humbled” by your “gifts”.

From Mommy Ba

From Twinkie Calls

  

From Brother Utoy : He says this is for “bloggers with attitude as a sign of gratitude” Probably something along the lines of making lemonade when life throws us lemons…

From Teacher Julie

It is also often said that gifts are only good if they benefit others as well.  In this vein, I am now paying forward the graciousness of my online pals above by also recognizing the ten blogs (I ask for the understanding of my friends who were not included in the list) which I consider most “instrumental” in helping me maintain my view that blogging is not only a means of self-expression and creativity but more importantly, an effective way of reaching out to people and of putting in one’s own contribution (however little it may seem) in making this world a kinder, happier place to be.

1. Munchkin Mommy: She obviously “fanned the flame” of blogging in me – and for that, I am forever grateful!
2. Confessions of a Domesticated Party Girl: Meeya is one of my earlier blog pals and I honestly am a fan of her very insightful, positive and well-thought-out blogs.
3. About Christine: Tin is a “career girl-turned-domestic diva” like me and I just love reading about her thoughts as well as the joys and challenges of her (not so) new chosen “state of life” in the Land Down Under.
4. A Day in the Lives of Ching N Chung: Chung is the first online buddy I had the pleasure of meeting via an EB.  She has definitely changed my view of “fearing strangers” (especially the “cyber” kind) since she and her hubby, Ching, were truly the nicest people ever!  Her exciting corporate career in Dubai and assignments to different parts of the world make her blog an ever-interesting read.
5. Thesserie: Thess was the one who opened my eyes to the wonderful world of taking pictures and of how pictures can tell the most interesting stories.  As an added bonus, hubby and I also got to meet her while in Manila and found her to be one of the warmest and fun Asian “Dutch-ess(es)” we know.
6. Between the Moon and NYC: Abby’s wit, wry humor and writing style about the goings-on in her life in the Big Apple make the frequent hops to her blog always a delight!
7. Twinkie Calls: Twinkie’s candid takes on mommyhood and on raising her young family in the UK ooze out sincerity and such a charming candor that never fail to put a smile to my face.
8. Why Brother Utoy Failed Salvation History: Clearly, the blogging world’s gain! Reading through the witty and sometimes outright hilarious posts of this Catholic ex-seminarian and “brother” makes me wonder how he manages to still  inject meaning and relevance to even the most mundane of his bloggables – idol talaga!
9. SpiCes: Ces certainly has spiced up the web with her unique brand of blogging “flavor”.  How she intersperses the posts about the yummy treats from her kitchen with her domestic life in suburban USA makes visiting her site always something I look forward to.
10. Leap of Faith!: Pardon the obvious bias in “loving my own” but it would be the ultimate form of negligence on my part if I fail to include this blog.  After all, if hubby did not take the lead in introducing me to the wonderful world of blogging, I never would’ve met all you equally wonderful peeps, right?

Again, I can never say this enough: From the bottom of my heart – thank you so much for making my “online journal exercise” such a significant part of my “diva life”!  And for making me realize all the more that blogging can indeed cross borders and bring people together in the most remarkable ways.

So, who do you consider your own “blogging heroes”? Would you be kind enough and let me in on your list too?  C’mon, don’t hesitate to “pay it forward” and be glad you did!

Love, Laughter and Blessings!

It’s a week before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring…

Except perhaps…

The Sensational Sy Elves!

We hope that the slightly blurry picture quality (too bad we couldn’t directly upload the original here since WP doesn’t allow MPEG files… ) didn’t take away from the intended holiday hilarity cheer this was supposed to bring. Admit it – don’t you just dig those cool dance moves? Hohoho!

From our family to yours, a blessed and meaningful holiday season! And may love, laughter and the good Lord’s choicest blessings fill your hearts and homes always.

PS Many thanks to our ever-creative sister Rina for putting this together for us! You’re the best – mwah!

LP #38: Karoling

Dahil hindi namin mararanasan ang pinakamimithing “paskong Pinoy” ngayong taon, hayaan niyo na lang akong magbalik-tanaw sa nakaraang taon kung saan pinalad kaming maki-Pasko di lamang sa Maynila kundi pati rin sa magandang isla ng Miniloc sa El Nido, Palawan.

Ito ang masayang pagsalubong na dinatnan namin sa El Nido – ang pagka-karoling ng mga empleyado ng resort sa pagdating ng kanilang mga bisita…at may kasamang merienda at inumin pa! Ano pa nga ba ang hahanapin mo, di ba?

 

It’s beginning to feel like…

…Christmas!

Yes, impossible as it may seem, especially in an ultra-conservative Moslem environment such as where we are, Christmas still has managed to make its presence felt nonetheless.

And what better way to celebrate this blessed season than by having our very own “real” Christmas tree – yey!  We were all giddy with excitement as we took on the task of setting-up and decorating the tree as a family (pretty much like what we are used to back home in Manila) – there were no words to describe the extra gleam in our kids’ eyes – truly priceless. For the complete story of  “Project X(mas Tree)”, you may click the link to hubby’s blog here.

Realizing that our home was probably the only place we would truly feel the Christmas spirit like we are used to, we did our best to capture the spirit of the season through our “Christmas nook” – where we had our fully decorated tree and the kids’ Christmas stockings (which I had the good sense to ship with us when we came here ).  Instead of the usual Christmas angel like we had in Manila, we used a star as a topper this time.  The three “jolly Santas” were presents from a friend. Pretty cool, huh?

We went for the traditional red-and-gold theme this year since we were also a bit “limited” by the selection of ornaments available to us… Modesty aside, though, I think we did a pretty decent job given our limited resources.

Our finished product! We love it!!!  Notice our “tree skirt” (aka Marga’s comforter) – told you our resources were limited – hahaha!

Incidentally, this also serves as our family’s entry to the 2008 Christmas Tree Blog Parade.  The mechanics of which are listed below:

############ START COPY HERE ############

This is the 2nd Annual OTWOMD Christmas Tree Blog Parade 2008 Meme created and conceptualized by OTWOMD of Bluepanjeet.Net The purpose of this meme is to enliven the Christmas spirit by showing to the world our very own Christmas trees. They say that it is on the Christmas tree that best describes how a person celebrates his or her own Christmas.

This meme was originally conceptualize in order to:

• Promote the spirit of Christmas around the blogosphere
• Spread awareness of the true meaning of the Christmas Tree
• Encourage the family members to have a bonding around the Christmas tree
• Promote Christmas cheer and camaraderie among bloggers

Everyone can join regardless of nationality, race or religion. Here are the rules:

1. Copy the Logo of this meme and resize it that will best fit your blog or according to your desire and post it on your entry. You can also embed the official video presentation of Last year’s blog parade in your current entry (optional) Located HERE.
2. Take a photo of your Christmas tree inside your house not smaller than the size of 500×375 pixel (for cropping purposes for the parade). It would be better but not required to at least take three different shots of the three (landscape, portrait and detailed shots). A whole body shot of the Christmas Tree is the most appropriate photo. And then post it on your blog entry.
3. Tell something about your Christmas tree like who decorated it, what the ornaments and accessories are, or what the theme/meaning of your Christmas tree is this year.
4. You can put any title on your meme but don’t forget to include “2008 Christmas Tree Blog Parade”.
5. Do the link train history for the purposes of tracking. Last year there were people who were not included because the people who tagged them did not do this link train. Put the link of your previous bloggers who tagged you and your own link, Example: Tag History: Bluepanjeet – “you” -

The link train will provide clue on “who tagged who” and at the same time a reference of data for the creator of this meme.

On The feast of the Epiphany (Three Kings) on January 4, 2009 (The official ending of the Christmas Season), Bluepanjeet.Net will will feature all of the participant’s Christmas trees for 2008 with a link back to their site. That is why it is very vital that you maintain the link history so that your Christmas tree will be included in the Christmas tree blog parade of 2008.

REMEMBER:

1) Christmas tree photos used last year cannot be used this year. Your Christmas tree photos should be current.

2) You can do this on your other blogs if you have two or more blogs provided that the people tagged on one blog should not be tagged on the second blog etc etc. each blog should have a different set of people to be tagged.

So tag now, you only have but a few weeks to spread this meme!

My Christmas Tag History: Bluepanjeet – Saudi Sexpat Stories- YOU! (put your link here)

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If you’re feeling the Christmas spirit too – consider yourself tagged!

And may the blessings of the season be ours always.

LP #37: Mahalagang Regalo

Marahil, sa lahat ng regalong puwede kong matanggap ngayong Pasko, ito ang isa sa mga pinakamahalaga…

Bakit kamo? Dahil ito ay pinaghirapang gawin para sa akin ng aming tatlong mga anak. Tunay na hindi ito matutumbasan ng kahit anong halaga dahil bunga ito ng kanilang pagka-maaalalahanin at pagmamahal.

Kahit pa alam ko na kung ano ang niloloob ng maliit na kahong ito (na ginawa rin ng aming panganay na si Luis), “excited” pa rin akong buksan ito sa kapaskuhan dahil ang makita ang kanilang mga ngiti at nagniningning na mga mata ay isa na namang “bonus” na regalo para sa akin.

At sa mga nagtataka kung bakit “happy birthday” ang nakasulat sa card…isa po kasi ako sa mga masusuwerteng (?) tao na pareho ang kaarawan sa Pasko.

Kung gusto niyong makibalita sa mga regalong natanggap ng aking kapwa litratista ngayong linggo, bumisita lamang sa Litratong Pinoy.

SSS #135: Life Lessons from my Look-Alike

It’s almost day-end but I just couldn’t let this day pass without writing something about my one and only “look-alike” – my dad – on his 60th birthday.  Yup, he’s officially a senior today (and he even got his “senior card” to show for it -woohoo!)

How do I best honor my father on his birthday? I guess it would be by reflecting on three important lessons he has taught me – some deliberately, but most, by his good example.  They say that you would know the tree by the fruit it bears.  It is my sincere wish that in living out the life lessons from Papa, I could be the proverbial “good fruit” - if only to bring back the credit to where it is rightfully due – first to God, then to my parents, who have molded me to be the person I am today.

Life Lesson #1: To God Be The Glory

Papa came from a middle-class background.  He was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth.  Everything he now enjoys, he worked very hard for.  He was a consistent honor student in school (and was on scholarship for most of his college years) and was a driven performer for most of his professional career.  Being a career expat at the tail-end of his career also allowed him to travel the world and to achieve laurels which we, his children, can only pray to emulate someday.  He has chosen to retire earlier than usual (at age 55) so that, in his words, he could “enjoy the fruits of his labor” and be nearer to his family.  Yet, despite all these, I refuse to say that my father was a “self-made man”.  Why so? It is because he has told us time and again that everything he has are all but blessings from the Lord – that he could have never achieved all these if God had not made it possible. 

Life Lesson #2: Be Generous Yet Prudent With Resources

When I was about 7 or so, I remember Papa asking me to call my widowed grandmother (his mom) at least once a month so that I could list down her grocery list and so he could buy these for them.  I thought at first that Papa was doing this to save my grandmother a trip to the grocery.  Only later did I realize that he was actually the one shouldering the monthly groceries for my Lola and his two younger sisters.  Also, since my Lola Paring was widowed quite early, there was also the concern of managing the little that my lolo left behind.   Though he wasn’t the eldest child (he is actually fourth in a brood of seven), my father took it upon himself to ensure that the meager resources my lolo left behind would be enough to send his remaining siblings through college with still something leftover for my lola’s daily needs.  Though these are but two instances showing my dad’s generosity, they were enough to instill in me the importance of the value of generosity balanced by prudence.  It also made the saying, “to whom much is given, much is desired”, even more real and tangible.

Life Lesson #3: Be Happy!

Of all the people I know, Papa is probably the one with the most infectious and crazy laughter – just hearing him crack up is enough for all of us to throw “silly fits” ourselves!   He loves a good laugh and goes bonkers even at the corniest jokes.  Indeed, his sense of humor and wit are just priceless and almost always manages to lighten up even the most somber of moods (bawal nga lang ang pikon!).  He is a happy soul and this is probably why people seem to be “drawn” to him.  Now, if only some of this “positive energy” could rub off permanently on a ”perennial worrywart” like me!  Indeed, life’s burdens would be much easier to bear if, like Papa, we only remember to choose to be happy.

I know there’s much, much more that my father has taught me and which I shall forever be grateful for yet mere words seem to escape me.    

It’s funny how I seem to have come full-circle with this post.  As a young girl, I used to be really upset when people would say that  I looked the most like Papa among all my siblings – not for anything, really, but mostly because I wrongly concluded that this meant I looked like a boy! Now, as I look back, I can’t help but smile at this childish reaction for I can now confidently declare that I  am “one proud hija” for being called my father’s daughter in more ways than one!

Happy, happy 60th birthday, Papa! I pray for more happy, healthy and meaningful years of life.  May the Lord continue to bless you for your kindness, generosity and crazy laughter! I love you, “look-alike”!

LP #36: Excited!

Tulad din siguro ng marami sa atin na lumaki sa bansang malakas ang impluwensiyang kanluranin, isa na siguro sa pinaka-”exciting” na puwedeng mangyari ay ang makakita ng tunay na niyebeng (snow) nahuhulog mula sa kalangitan.

Pinalad kaming makita ito kamakailan sa bayan ng Praha, Czech Republic, habang papunta kami sa “pilgrimage site” ng Loreto Church.

Ang namumuting mga bubungan sa bayan ng Praha – parang naririnig ko na ata ang “White Christmas” habang tinatanaw ko ito

At nang tignan ng malapitan ang puno sa itaas, laking tuwa naming madiskubre na mga prutas na may yelo (frosted berries) pala ang mga inakala naming tuyong dahon…

Exciting, hindi ba?

At kung gusto niyo naman malaman kung bakit “excited” ako sa aking munting kusina, bisitahin ang pinakabago kong “kitchen project” dito.

Tignan din ang iba pang “excited” na litratista ng Litratong Pinoy sa pamamagitan ng pag-”click” ng widget sa aking sidebar.