SSS #143: Get Real!

How appropriate to end the “love month” with post 1-4-3 – hahaha!   And if it’s any consolation, I promise you’d absolutely “love” this one too (I hope!)…

You know you’re watching too much reality TV in the house when…

You find one of your sons “play-acting” one of the characters from one of the shows you frequently watch as a family!

He just cracked me up!!!

Hope you had a lovely February… here’s to a merry March and an equally blessed rest of the year ahead!  Keep smiling, everyone!

DISCLAIMER It is not my intention to make fun of “little people” with this post.  I am merely using this as an example of how television has greatly influenced our life as a family and is not meant to demean or condescend people in any way. In fact, the reason why we are so hooked to this show is that, I’d like to believe, we already went beyond the stage of curiosity and have now seriously moved on to respect the main characters more for leading meaningful, happy lives and for fulfilling their dreams inspite of the odds.  My sincere apologies if you have found this post offensive nonetheless.

 

LP #47: Bulaklak

Pili na… pula, puti, dilaw…

“Roses for Sale”

Naschmarkt, Vienna, Austria – Nob 2008

Kung ayaw mo ng rosas, magustuhan mo kaya ang mga ito?

“Orange Tulips”

Naschmarkt, Vienna, Austria – Nob 2008

Kung ako ang tatanungin, makakita lamang ako ng ganito sa araw-araw na dumungaw ako sa bintana…

“Flowers on the Window Sill”

Loreta, Hradcany, Czech Republic – Nob 2008

…e ayos na ang buto-buto!

Sari-saring mga bulaklak, iba’t ibang anyo at sukat … pero lahat nagbibigay-kulay at kahulugan sa mundo.

Isang makulay na huling linggo ng Pebrero sa lahat!

SSS #142: My Life as PA (Part 2)

And now… the much-awaited (?) sequel to the never-ending saga of … (insert “Lovingly Yours” theme here for maximum dramatic effect – hahaha! ) … My Life As PA.

Still catching my breath from my earlier “PA fiasco”, the boys again asked for my help to complete yet another round of school projects – this time for the Social Studies Fair.  What can I say? You can now call me “ang babaeng walang pahinga”! I’m sure most moms with school age kids like mine can so relate!

Unlike the first set of projects which were purely voluntary, the next batch were compulsory, graded and equivalent to one unit exam.  Moreover, the boys did not have a say as to what their topics would be as project assignment was either done by lottery (Luigi’s) or specified by the teacher (Rafa’s) – talk about raising the bar! Of course, medyo na-tense ang beauty ko… seems like we got through the easy round only to hurdle a more complicated run in the difficult round – haaay…  Translation: C-R-U-N-C-H  T-I-M-E!!!  (*Breathe in, breathe out*)

Trying to keep my stress levels down, I thought – heck, we’ve been through this before and we certainly can do it again! Better get the positive vibes going if we are to finish this thing… Go, Team Sy!!!

So what did the boys finally end up with for projects?

Luigi picked “Car Assembly Plant”  (What’s that again? This is something I’m practically clueless about, admittedly…).  Good thing he had a partner who provided the required reading materials on what it was supposed to be so we pretty much built the project based on that information.

Here’s what came out of our “brainstorming” (hubby included, mind you – so it was truly a “family affair” )…

A simplified version of a car assembly plant showing the steps in producing a car.  It’s called “G(&)M Car Assembly Plant”, btw… go figure!   I’d like to thank dear hubby for figuring out how to make the garage “stand” – notice the barbecue stick beams? That was his idea! Cool, aren’t they? So pleased he’s also slowly getting into the groove of  this…

The finished product: Luigi’s little red car (made of painted and cut styrofoam)!

Rafa, on the other hand, was assigned “Human Features of a Place”.  This pertains to the improvements made by man in the places they settle in in response to certain needs and/or human aspirations.  We decided to focus on the more famous “human features” around the world – specifically, in four continents.

Here, in turn, is what we came up with…

Woohoo! Natapos din! And all these, shall pass… (or did it, really?)

POSTSCRIPT TO PART 1:  Coming home from school today, both boys again greeted me with fantastic news that they managed to clinch the grade eliminations!  This meant that they were both chosen as one (of two) grade representatives to compete with other grade levels in their school and also with those selected from other schools – now that is S-W-E-E-T! And yes, it goes without saying, the (PA) “saga” continues…

SSS #141: My Life as PA (Part 1)

Perhaps one of the more exciting yet nerve-wracking parts of being a “domestic diva” is the PA (aka personal assistant, project assistant – puwede din “Pilit na Artist” or “Parent Alalay” – hahaha!) side of it – especially so when our two boys’ project assignments or school subject fairs  (which showcase student projects incorporating the lessons they learned for the quarter) come due. 

Although I enjoy letting my creativity flow in helping them complete their projects, there is also the not-so-nice side of making it to the prescribed deadlines.  And it ain’t pretty when these come one after another or sometimes on the same date – and when there doesn’t seem to be enough “lead time” to schedule these properly (*sigh*) – which is exactly what happened some two weeks leading to Valentine’s Day (not very good for the heart if you ask me – hahaha!).

And so, without further ado (drum roll please), allow me to present to you the “fruits of our late nights and  bursts of creativity”!  Let me warn you, though, this is quite a picture-heavy and lengthier-than-usual post…

First up: The Probe Book Reports

The concept behind these is that the child is supposed to present a book report (based on a book or story of his choice) in a more creative way - via some kind of an interview format where their teachers quiz them on the highlights of the book.  The child thus replies to the questions not in the usual straightforward manner but using visual aids or props to support their statements – and probably to also pique the interest of the audience (their classmates) as well. 

Luigi’s pick was “Charlotte’s Web” .  Here is his version of the required Probe Book Report chart which gives an overview of his presentation.

His visual aid of choice was a diorama… We made this from an empty laundry detergent box.  Pretty neat, if I may say so myself!

The barn door opens up to this…

Say hello to Wilbur, the pig…

And to his best friend, Charlotte, the spider, and her amazing web!

Rafa, on the other hand, chose a simpler story, “The Hare and The Tortoise”.

He went for the simpler props as well – character cut-outs on sticks like this.  Here’s the Hare…

…and race winner, the Tortoise!

These projects definitely challenged my “Art Attack” skills (and nearly gave me a heart attack as well!) since we did them just two days before “show time” (and they both still needed to rehearse their accompanying spiels!). 

It gets juicier though… after all was done (which was probably just hours before their scheduled presentation – we finished early morning of report day!), the boys non-chalantly tell me … ” Ma, these aren’t actually required. We just volunteered to do it!”.  (Thought bubble: WHAAATTT??? Bakeeet??? Kanino kayo nagmana ng pagka-bibo? Oh, the pain…the suffering! Why, oh why?).  After recovering from my, er, shock, from this “revelation”, though, I was happy that reason got a better hold of me.  After all, what else was a parent to do, right? As an erstwhile-popular tv ad in Manila went: “e di… suportahan ta ka!” na lang ang beauty ko!

Going with the flow with this “episode” – my “drama Mama moments” notwithstanding – had its sweet rewards though.  A few days after they gave their reports, both boys came up to me and proudly said that they were both chosen to represent their classes for their respective grade eliminations – yahoo!  Major “PA Payback” time – most definitely!

And if you’ve managed to reach this point with me - thanks very much – as I realize from my running word count (as I’m writing this) that this has been one lengthy post!  

Part II will follow soon… promise!  Till then, abangan ang susunod na kabanata… :D

SSS #140: All is Well Again

The past week has not been the greatest for me in terms of health – both physical and mental.  As most of you know, absolutely nothing freaks me out as much as any health issue – yes, no matter how minor it seems!

So, after mustering the guts to finally consult an OB-Gyne for a recurring “issue” (don’t want to be too graphic here nor bore you with the gory details so better to leave it at this “term”), the past three days waiting for the medical results to come out have been nothing but nerve-wracking and totally stressful! 

To say that I’ve been on an emotional roller-coaster ride is quite an understatement since I’ve practically been thinking the worst (what with my early morning Google and Wiki sessions trying to “research” my ailment and afterwards feeling my heart racing wildly because I’m scared witless – what if my symptoms actually match the dreaded ailment(s)???) and feeling all the more worse.  I know… it was C-R-A-Z-Y!!!

Don’t get me wrong… I do sincerely and honestly believe in a good and generous God and Healer and yet, when faced with sickness in any shape or form, my defenses just seem to crumble and I feel miserable for not trusting Him enough or remembering His past “miracles” in my life.

I guess more than physical weakness, it was my spiritual muscle that was put to the test more during the past week.  And I must admit, I fared dismally.

But I am still thankful that inspite of all my frailties and infirmities, my God continues to stand by me – yes, even during the times that I felt fear overwhelming me – and continues to forgive and love me.  What’s more, He never tires of giving me yet another chance to strengthen my faith in Him, to remember His past kindnesses in the face of suffering and to remain hopeful that everything will be alright in His own good time.

I’m sure, from the title of this post, you already have an inkling of how my medical results went – they were okay.  And since the exercise of looking back always has “perfect vision” – it would seem that all my “drama and suspense-filled moments” were all for nought.  Yet, I believe, there are always lessons learned in everything we go through – no matter how pointless they seem to be – and for me, these were some of the more poignant ones…

If you never felt pain, how would you know that I am Healer?

If you never were broken, how would you know that I can make you whole?

Incidentally, these “lessons” came to me as “forwards” from friends who have no idea what I was going through when I received these  - only goes to show that God also uses other people (and the latest technology too! ) to communicate His messages more clearly. Amazing, isn’t it?

Have a healthy, happy and blessed rest of the week!

 

 

LP #46: Tipanan (Date)

Mula nang magdesisyon kaming mag-anak na makipagsapalaran dito sa disyerto halos tatlong taon na rin ang nakalilipas, isa na marahil na maituturing naming kalabisan (luxury) na mag-asawa ay ang mga pagkakataong lumabas na kaming dalawa lamang.  Opo, dahil wala na kaming mga kasambahay na mapag-iiwanan sa aming mga chikiting, halos lahat ng lakad namin dito ay “strictly family affairs only”.

Kaya naman tuwing makakauwi kami sa lupang hinirang, isa sa mga kailangan naming gawin ay ang “tumakas” pansamantala ng ilang araw na kaming dalawa lamang para mapag-isa at pagyamanin ang samahan namin bilang mag-kabiyak at magkatuwang sa buhay.

Ang mga lugar na ito ang napili naming bisitahin noong huling uwi namin ng Maynila noong Agosto ng nakaraang taon.

Boutique Bed & Breakfast, Tagaytay City, Philippines

Kung malapit na bakasyunan ang hanap namin, wala na atang tatalo sa malamig na klima ng Tagaytay upang makapagpahinga ng mabuti.  

Figaro, Tagaytay City, Philippines

Siyempre, di mawawala sa isang tipanan ang kainan, di ba? Sa tingin namin, masarap makahanap ng isang lugar na tahimik upang makapag-usap ng masinsinan habang kumakain at humihigop ng mainit na inumin…

Chapel on the Hill, Batulao, Batangas

Higit sa lahat, naniniwala kaming mag-asawa na kailangan TATLO ang kasama sa aming relasyon upang lalo pa itong lumalim, maging makahulugan at mapagtibay ng panahon – ako, siya at ang Diyos.  Makabuluhan sa amin ang lugar na ito dahil dito kami nanalangin ng masinsinan bago magpasyang tumungo sa aming “desert adventures”.

Kayo, saan ang inyong paboritong “date place”?

Random Things – My 25

Been awhile since I’ve done tags but since this is the first one I got for the year (thanks, Mitchie!), guess  might as well give it a go (in the hope I’ll be less delinquent more enthusiastic and timely in completing the future tags I get… wishful thinking!!! ).

The Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.

(To do this in Facebook, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click).

Here goes mine… game!

1. For those who may be wondering why I was nicknamed “Pinky” (my real name is Patricia Carina)… it’s because my mom said I was totally pink when I was born.  So there.
2. As far as I am concerned, any meal is not complete without dessert (yeah, I know – a moment on the lips but forever on the hips – hahaha!).
3. I absolutely detest eating with my hands – just hate the icky feeling of oil or food on my fingers – especially when tiny bits manage to get in between my nails too – eeewwww!!!
4. A top pet peeve is wrong spelling, grammar and sentence construction – be it in English or Tagalog (my English professor Lola’s genes must be working on me in a major way).
5. I married my first boyfriend and have no regrets whatsoever thus far.
6. One of the things I really pray for is to have more patience since I admittedly have a very short fuse and easily get irritated.
7. I am a confessed hypochondriac – again, this must run in families since both my Mom and maternal grandma were the same way too.
8. In relation to #7, sickness (in whatever shape or form) totally stresses me out!
9. Girls are “precious commodities” in both sides of my immediate family – there are only 4 girls out of 14 cousins on my mom’s side and 5 girls out of 11 on my dad’s side.  The “trend” seems to continue in hubby’s side of the family as our daughter is now the only girl among 5 cousins!
10. More than getting the latest bags, shoes or fashion items, I’d much rather travel and see as much of the world as possible (budget-permitting, of course!).
11. Though I am outspoken, I am very rarely confrontational.
12. I always stress to our kids the importance of doing their best in whatever they choose to commit themselves to – doesn’t really matter if they don’t always end up on top for as long as they have the satisfaction of giving it their all everytime.
13. Believe it or not, our move to Saudi Arabia has been one of the most important blessings we have received especially in terms of strengthening our family life and in defining more clearly the respective roles we play in the family.
14. I can’t sleep without taking a bath and without giving my mattress and pillows a good whack (“pagpag” in Tagalog).
15. I will consider it a huge blessing if I live until my 70s (since old age sadly does not run in my family).
16. I am a night owl – late riser.  This remains a continued point for adjustment in our marriage (since hubby is the “early to bed, early to rise” type).
17. My idea of a perfect vacation is sightseeing, eating good food and just chillaxing in someplace cool.
18. I have recently discovered that I actually enjoy cooking and baking – especially so when hubby and the kids seem happy and satisfied with what I prepare for them.
19. One thing I sorely miss from Pinas is the weekly massages I get from our friendly, neighborhood spa.
20. I may not be extremely religious but I do believe that everything that happens is because God wills it and because it fits in the grander scheme of things.
21. I realized that being a stay-at-home-mom is not without its own challenges and sweet successes and should not be looked down upon by the corporate types I once was part of.
22. I forgive but I don’t easily forget.  On the flip side, a simple act of kindness goes a very long way with me.
23. I actually liked sports when I was younger – played soccerbase, a bit of tennis, swimming and even did karate till I was a green-belter – haaayaaa!!! (Now whatever happened between then and now?)
24. I hardly have an adventurous bone in my body.  I think the most “extreme” thing I’ve ever done is an intro dive a couple of years ago – hehehe
25. Having conservative parents meant my having a chaperone (either my younger sister or brother) half of the time hubby and I were going out (that’s 3 1/2 years, approximately!).  I’m now thinking if we should subject our only daughter to the same “discipline”… hmmmm…good thing we have more than 10 years to go before coming to a decision (whew!).

I’m done! Yipee!

Since I’m not particularly keen on obliging people, I leave it to my readers to do this fun post if they feel like it.  Enjoy the “mini-introspection”!

 

LP #45: Puso (o Hugis-Puso)

 

(Pangulasian Beach, El Nido, Palawan, Pilipinas – Disyembre 2007)

Sa dalampasigan, sinubok pigilan

ang napipintong pagdaloy ng tubig-dagat

Isinulat sa buhangin at pinagtibay ng bato

Animo’y sinasabing

Anurin man ng rumaragasang alon

Pilit pa ring maninindigan

at lalo pang pagtitibayin ng panahon.

Isang karangalan para sa akin ang maanyayahang maging panauhing litratista ngayong linggo.  Para makita ang isa ko pang ”entry” at para na rin sa iba pang makabagbag-damdamin at “may pusong” lahok, silipin ang mga litrato ng mga kaibigan mula sa LP dito.

SSS #139: Lest I Forget

Just a quick one for today before my 5 general anaesthesia episodes kick in and I forget…

After a tiring weekend being “project assistant” to my two boys for their probe (aka visual) book reports due today (yeah, cramming as usual!  The fruits do not fall far from the tree…hehehe More on that later though… ), I have decided to “veg out” today to relax and regain my “groove”.

Couldn’t help writing these ones down though for posterity… enjoy!  And all these happened in one morning, mind you!

EPISODE ONE

Me (while feeding Marga the remaining milk from her cereals and after hearing a loud slurp from her): Oops, Marga, remember, no slurping!

Marga: No, Mom, I’m a vacuum cleaner! (Now, how can you argue with that? May vacuum cleaner bang tahimik humigop? Hahaha! )

ANG PANGALAWANG KABANATA (The Second Chapter)

Me (coming across a cute video of a friend’s kids while “vicariously” surfing hubby’s FB account which, of course, little daughter gets “attracted to” because of the catchy music): This is cute!

Marga: I want to see!

And after seeing two pictures of little girls in hula costumes, guess what precocious daughter has to say…

Marga: Why do they have Tweety’s nest on their hair?

Me (after letting out an uncontrolled giggle): That is not a nest, Marga… those are flower head dresses for their hair!

Now, these definitely remind me why I wouldn’t trade being a stay-at-home mom for anything (at this point in our lives, at least…)!

Have a great and blessed week ahead, everyone, and may we continue to find things to make us smile and laugh amidst all the stresses (imagined or otherwise) that come our way.

LP #44: Tsokolate

Di man siguro ito ang klase ng tsokolateng tinutumbok ng tema ngayong linggo, isa ito sa mga paborito kong gawin sa tsokolate lalo pa’t ngayong tag-lamig.

Cadbury Instant Caffe Latte Hot chocolate with Whipped Cream and a dash of cinnamon

Mas lalo pang masaya kung sabay kayo ng iyong minamahal na hihigop nito – “HHWW”, ika nga (Higop-Higop While Walking  or Watching TV, as the case may be! Hahaha! ) – habang kapwa din kayo nagsasalo sa iisang hiwa nito.  How sweet, di ba?

At parang “hot chocolate”, isang mainit at matamis na LP sa lahat!