2009, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

From my family to yours, peace, love, prosperity, good health, and all things wonderful for the coming year, 2009, and beyond. God bless us all!

*Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. 2008 is history two hours and one minute as I post this. It has been a year of transition, achieving, realizations, beginnings, opportunities. I nurtured, I struggled, I shared, I loved. They all made me stronger and a firm believer. I have taken in stride the challenges that came along. I have learned from them. I am thankful, grateful for the sweet victories, big or small. I look forward to 2009 with an even more invigorated soul, all the more ready for even greater opportunities and successes for me and my family. To say the least, I am excited as always.

There are a lot to be thankful for in 2008 and a lot to look forward to in 2009. Moving on, moving forward to greater heights. I say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Cheers! HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

*A line from the song Closing Time, Semisonic.

Green

I need a break from all the kitchen works in preparation for New Year's Eve. Let me have a break and post something green as part of my sharing for the Filipino Mom Blogs fabulous holiday finds this week.

This is not my fabulous find but my daughter's. I was the financier...and consultant. We went to a number of shops before her school party last December and she finally picked one that she liked. The whole ensemble of white skinny jeans, colorful shirt with vest were on her mind days before we headed to the mall. I guess if you have a child who is a fan of the Jonas Brothers, you would know where the inspiration came from. As long as it is within our budget and it's in good taste, why not. Our tweens need to make their own decisions too. :)




Happy New Year!

Playing Chef

This always happens when we eat out. My daughter plays chef while waiting for us to finish our dinner or while we wait for the bill. She just loves tinkering with bits and pieces of the left-overs and whatever condiments are on the table. She is making her own concoction and pretty serious about it. :)

I tried taking a picture before our orders were served but obviously, she had enough of stolen shots already.


So I took the chance while she was busy with her creations. She did not mind me clicking away my camera.



The pictures above were taken when we had dinner at Gumbo. I shared the dishes we ordered at Beyond Fried Eggs if you want to take a peek. Happy WS!

Thanksgiving (Not Really A Xmas Post)

Greenbucks is asking about Xmas traditions. I will not be sharing any tradition here as my family do not observe Xmas practices. But instead I will share how I deal with questions asked of me relating to Xmas.

This never fails. Even my colleagues, my neighbors and my friends (who do not fall in the category of close friends or circle of friends, who do not belong in the same church as mine) who have known me for years still ask me the same questions every year.

I am not offended as they are not meant to offend me in any way. My guess is that it's hard for them to grasp somehow that a former Catholic like me was able to let go easily the Xmas practices and beliefs that were supposed to be ingrained in me since childhood. Not to delve on my religiosity and spirituality, all I can say is I have searched and I was answered.

To get on with my sharing, here are the staple questions and my staple answers.

What do you do on Xmas day?
We just stay home. We treat it like an ordinary day. We do entertain visitors. We give tokens or money to the kids who go to the house.

This is one of the opportunities I can pay it forward.

You don't decorate?
No we don't.

Do you cook for Xmas eve?
Not for Xmas eve. But we have some pica-pica or pasta. I also bake (more like try to). Again more for the visitors that go to the house, the kids that will come a-knockin' by the gate. Also to reciprocate the neighbors' tradition of giving food on Xmas eve and the actual day.

Do you keep/buy/give gifts for this occasion?
Yes to all. To my relatives, my god children and to those who are really close to me, they know that I distribute gifts after Xmas or a little after the new year. Perhaps it does not really matter when I give out my gifts, it's the intention that holds more weight to me. Just that I could say this is my personal tradition.

It's more of appreciating a rewarding relationship with the people I love. There are situations that I cannot do anything about like Xmas parties normally held before Xmas holidays. There I am obliged (the act not the giving) to give gift/s to my exchange gift partner/s.

Is it okay for you to attend Xmas parties?
Not to join in any religious ceremonies (which, by the way, no Xmas party I have attended all these years have save for the opening prayer) but to have a get-together with friends and colleagues.

What do you say if you are asked to be a ninang (godmother)?
I don't encourage it but I don't decline when asked. In fact I am elated and I highly appreciate it because it means my friendship is valued or they see something in me that they like. However, I do not attend the ceremonies. There's always a proxy.

Our church has Day of Thanksgiving middle of the year and before the year ends. This is what we prepare for for the whole year.

I treat every occasion in this season as year-end activities. They are all about celebrating the blessings from the year that is about to end and welcoming the coming of a new year with so much excitement and hope. That's what excites me about December, about the holiday season.

Filipino Mom Blog Holiday Get-together

The afternoon party was held at Wenchie's house on Saturday, Decemember 20. Pot luck of course. I brought desserts - pichi-pichi (steamed cassava with coconut) which is a favorite of most of the moms and kids, and a mocha cake.

My daughter and I came in a little late because my commitments in the morning were stretched till early afternoon. We readily helped ourselves with the food served on the table. Everything is good. I specially like the pasta of Cookie. Dear me, I forgot to ask what it is called. It's like baked macaroni only it's a little spicy (at least for my taste). The adobo chicken dish filled me up too so is the pancit canton. Needless to say, we are all full. I did not have dinner at home anymore.

Presenting the FMB Mommies beside Wenchie's Xmas tree. Left to right: Cookie, Wenchie, Cess, Chats, Me :), Julie.


There was an exchange gift for the mommies and for the kids. Here are the kids as they open their gifts.


More snapshots at WS headquarters. Everything and then Some..... posted weekend pictures of the gym. Beyond Fried Eggs shared lunch at Taco Bell.

And I Thought This Will Be a Short List

My thankful thoughts at random.

I am thankful for my husband who just knows how to make me feel more relaxed. We are both tired when we reach home at night but he always gives me a massage while we rest our tired bodies on the couch. This is a routine every night. He knows that massaging my head while we watch our favorite show on television soothes me.

I am also thankful seeing how excited my daughter is going to school the past weeks. I am surprised but happy to share that she woke up by herself really early to prepare for school for two days now. She did not wake me up nor his daddy but helped herself freshen up and dress up. It's exam week and historically, she's all tired to wake up because of marathon reviewing the previous night. I appreciate my daughter's attitude now regarding waking up early for school. Just that this morning, she woke up way too early - before five in the morning. Eager beaver. :)

I am also thankful that our shop's caretaker was able to go to work during lunch time today. If not I would not have a choice but to be there to assist and take a leave from my work.

And while I am talking about my shop, my little business, I want to say thank you for the influx of customers everyday. Thank you for trusting our services.

I am thankful I did not let my mind be cluttered by suspicions. I don't want to go into details because it involves a former team member. Thinking about it, let me take what he said as it is. I told myself maybe it was his way of reaching out. I don't really know and I don't want to stretch it but at least we had a pretty decent conversation even if it was short. I had to run to a church activity.

I am thankful for getting to know more people at the church, getting more at ease with them. I am thankful for the casual conversations we have which help create a bond among us.

I am thankful for the package my mother sent us - her gifts for the holidays. My daughter was waiting for something included in that package. What are the odds, the package was delivered to us an hour or so after my daughter wondered aloud when it will arrive. She was really happy. And so am I.

I am thankful my daughter and I were able to pick a good pair of pants and shoes for her school party tomorrow. It was quite late. There were so many people but we were able to find right away what we both want for her. They all fit in just two tries.

I am thankful I was able to pull of a chicken soup when we get back home. The kitchen wasn't a mess.

I was thinking this post will be short. There were only about three things on my mind when I sat in front of my computer that I want to thank God for. But my fingers just went with the flow of my thoughts. It's not in the numbers, it's how thankful I feel for the little things that made me/makes me feel good through God's grace. It just goes to show that everyday, if we just try to be more appreciative, there are a lot to be thankful for. That leaves a good feeling. Winner, as we say it. :)

Reading what others are thankful about and why is inspiring. That is why I love clicking and reading other posts on being thankful hosted by Iris.

Something Nice and Silver

Filipino Mom Blog's fabulous holiday finds for the week is anything silver. I thought of sharing two of my daughter's accessories. The watch is part of the package my mom sent her. I love the watch with its glittery pink face and pink stones. I will wear it if it fits me.


The other silver is her name band which we purchased middle of the year in one of the stalls selling silver at The Block. If I remember it right each letter costs P25 and the band costs P100.


This band is a good find because it still bears the same silvery shade when we bought it. On my mind it will fade after at least two weeks of wearing it. It still looks new.

Being Mindful of the Present

Greenbucks asked "Are You Happy?" Now is the best time to answer that. I am happy. I'm good, my family is doing good - generally comfortable, healthy, good opportunities coming our way - so with the people I love and care about. That's what makes me happy. Without a doubt.

But there was an unsettling feeling the past weeks. It has nothing to do with anyone or anything. It's an inside job as I put it. It's me, not them, not anyone, not anything.

You know the holidays sometimes give you a lot of moments to ponder amidst busyness. I was not sad the past weeks but there are a lot of important matters I need to take care of that they are slowly taking its toll on me. For the first time in my life I do not really look forward to the holidays. I shop, I dine, I go out, I attend parties but it's as if everything is done on auto-pilot. I was not feeling any excitement at all. What else is new? Each holiday is the same. Everyday is the same thing.

Prayers work wonders. And you get your answers and your inspirations from the most unexpected places or sources.

I was browsing the internet when I chanced upon two inspirational sharing that made me realize the power of now, If I Had to Live My Life Over Again and I'd Pick More Daisies. It's not throwing caution to the wind but more on giving yourself a chance to enjoy life and experience joy every moment.

There were some movies I read about too. Like the film "100". Like "The Bucket List". One does not have to wait for something life changing (or life ending in the case of these movies) to realize that the every moment is an opportunity to seize the day. That every moment should not be spent worrying. We decide to be happy. Work on being happy.

That's another thing. For so many years I have not understood that one should work on being happy. When you're happy, you're happy. Not because you put a lot of effort on it. If you work hard for it, then that's not being happy. That's forcing things. But as I mature, I realize that you can't just sit and wait for situations that will make you a happier person. You work on it, pray for it, mindful of what really makes you happy.

I finished reading The Power of Now a few weeks ago. I don't subscribe to its teachings. In fact I have a lot of questions about most ideals written in the book. I was even asking myself why did I even bother to buy the book and why do I even bother finishing it.

But one thing rings true. Stay in the present. Be mindful of the present. Be aware of what you are doing in the present whatever it is. Savor each moment.

I don't know if this is true for most but I find myself thinking of all the things that I will do for the day the moment I wake up. In fact I check my phone in case there are messages I was not able to read the night before.

And even when I freshen up or prepare the breakfast I mentally account what I should be doing at the office or wherever it is that I will go, or the opposite also, I dread yet another day of routine. And at the office, I'm thinking how's the dinner, how's my daughter's school work, should I drop by the grocery, etcetera. I guess sometimes that stresses me out. The tasks inside and outside the home is never ending.

But what I am doing at the present is something I can enjoy. Each sip of coffee, each bite of bread, every flow of water on my body, the cool weather, the clucking noise of spoons and forks on my table, my daughter's nudges - these are experiences of my moment I should be aware of. This is the moment where I am most alive. Surprisingly being present in the moment calms me down. I am focused in everything I do at the moment such that there are no pressing matters that I leave behind.

I have not perfected it but I'm working on it.

**********

Read and then go ponder.

"If I Had to Live My Life Over Again" by Erma Bombeck

Someone asked me the other day, if I had my life to live over again would I change anything.

My answer was no, but then I thought about it and changed my mind.

If I had my life to live over again I would have waxed less and listened more.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy and complaining about the shadow over my feet, I'd have cherished every minute of it and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was to be my only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have invited friends over to dinner if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten popcorn in the "good" living room and worried less about the dirt when the fireplace was lit.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have burnt the pink candle sculptured like a rose before it melted while being stored.

I would have sat cross-legged on the lawn with my children and never worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television....and more while watching real life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband which I took for granted.

I would have eaten less cottage cheese and more ice cream.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for a day.

I would never have bought ANYTHING because it was practical/wouldn't show soil/guaranteed to last a lifetime.

When my child kissed me impetuously, I would never have said "Later, now, go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more I love yous......more I'm sorrys......
more I'm listenings....but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute of it.... look at it and really see it......try it on..... live it
....exhaust it....and never give that minute back until there was nothing left of it.

I'd Pick More Daisies by Nadine Stair

When the late Nadine Stair of Louisville, Kentucky, was 85 years old, she was asked what she would do if she had her life to live over again.

If I had my life to live over, I would dare to make more mistakes next time.
I would relax.
I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I’ve been this time.
I would take fewer things seriously, and I would take more chances.
I’d take more trips; I’d climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream, and fewer beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I’d have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I am one of those people who lived sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I’ve had my moments, but if I had it to do over again, I’d have more of them. In fact, I’d try to have nothing else -just moments - one after another instead of living so many years ahead.

I’ve been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot-water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute.
If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring, and I would stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.

Pink Castle

My daughter and I went to the mall last weekend to buy her dress for our church's yearly Pasalamat (Thanksgiving) and some other things we both need (and want). As part of the mall's added value to its customers, they set-up several areas intended for picture taking with mostly Disney characters and board-ups as backdrops.

I see all these when I have my coffee at the gym in the same mall and take note of all the moms and kids take time to pose for some souvenir shots. It makes me smile looking at them with my daughter on mind. I wondered if she would still pose and smile with the pink castle behind her. I like the pink castle. It's beautiful. So I asked her when we passed by it. She gladly did. :)


You may hover on the link and click to see what I cooked in Beyond Fried Eggs. Have a good week ahead! :)

Twilight, the Movie

It's not outright bad. It's bearable. Maybe because I expected that cheesiness will be all over the movie and there is not going to be much visual excitement in terms of special effects or scenic landscape. Well, save for Robert Pattinson in some angles. I like his piercing eyes and his red lips and his stride, the way he carries his clothes.

I love the mushy dialogues too I must admit that, "and the lion fell in love with the lamb", "you are my life now", "I feel so protective of you", ad nauseam. :D One of my favorite scenes include their confrontation in the forest, "I know what you are", up to the scene that they were lying on the grass just looking at each other. Silly-sweet.

I have expected that this movie will all be teen romance and nothing more that's why I was not disappointed. Except again for the fight scene of Edward and James...it's so short...it could have been more suspenseful, something that will put me at the edge of my seat. But there's nothing like that.

The rest of the cast all look they are in high school except for Bella and Edward. With Edward it's understandable. Also, the Jacob Black character I supposed should come off as someone at least at par with Edward - but of a different beauty and appeal.

I have to say though that I like Bella Swan in the movie more than in the book. At least here she doesn't seem so needy and clinging but in fact she showed a strong character and quite straightforward with Edward. I like that. She's pretty and sensual.

Generally, I like the book better compared to how it turned out in its film version. After all the script was written in six weeks only. The movie is clearly for the fans and not for the curious. The virtue of chastity is a clear message which I am pleased about considering its target market. There are scenes that could have been made interesting - like the lovers' conversations - but they were all done in a slow MTV fashion, a montage.

Just watch, relax, don't think of anything but Edward and Bella and you just might enjoy the movie. :) I still go for Team Edward! :D

Twilight, the Book

Finally I have read Twilight. I am so late I know but the hype did not really get into me even during the film's showing. I intended to buy Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse at the start of the Twilight cult. But these books were sidetracked by my resolve to start and finish reading first around six books gathering dust in my bookshelf. After doing that I got interested with Coelho's The Zahir and Eckart Tolle's books, The Power of Now and A New Earth.

I completely lost interest in the Twilight series. I find an overreaction to all that is Twilight. It was funny how even the thirty somethings go gaga over Twilight. It just could be too juvenile for me.

The film was released last week of November and somehow I wanted to watch it because I got intrigued with the mixed reviews over at Rotten Tomatoes. I am never influenced by movie reviews. I want to find out for myself. But I have to read it first. I don't want to buy the book though since I am not yet done with A New Earth. An e-book will do. I googled where I can download Twilight. Thank you to the very generous blogger I found on the net who posted all four books of the Twilight series for our downloading glory.

I started reading and after maybe five nights I was done. It did not beat my three day record though for Da Vinci Code. But I will definitely buy all four books. All I can say is Edward Cullen is very powerful. Now I don't blame the thirty somethings who are so into this Stephenie Meyer series. I am so into the Twilight saga now, a certified Twilight Mom.

Most women fall for the kind of man who is commanding, a little brusque but has a good heart, one who never leaves you. This is the Edward Cullen type. Seductive, mysterious, intelligent warm, beautiful, sincere, strong, authoritative but sensitive.....and I could go on and on. Perfect. (Bur a friend commented, this would be the most boring man he'd ever encounter...no challenge at all...that is funny.)

This book is popular, almost has a cult following, because it is nice to feel how an Edward Cullen loves and protects a woman. Twilight is definitely Edward Cullen. Not Isabella Swan. By the way, a good example to my tween of what not to be when the time comes that she falls in love is Bella. Not even with an Edward Cullen (or should I say especially not with an Edward Cullen).

Isabella's character was created to introduce Edward. To magnify the intensity of Edward. To make him like a god. He is the redeeming value of Twilight. And anyone who is reading the book can fill in the character of Bella and feel loved by Edward.

The story is a tug of war of feelings - to leave or not to leave, to let go or risk everything. There is nothing more. I was getting excited to the part when Edward and James (a bad vampire) will meet and give each other a good fight. Edward to the rescue of her damsel in distress. The fight should be exciting....but what the...? Where is it? It felt like the author cannot think of a better way to describe how James was taken over so the story was cut to a scene where everything's all right. This was really disappointing.

But I like it that vampires in Twilight do not sleep in coffins, can go out during the day, that they shine like diamonds when the sun strikes them. Wow, how magnificent! I want to see that for real.

During the time that the lead actor to play as Edward Cullen was being chosen, I rooted for Chace Crawford - the Nate Archibald of Gossip Girl. Robert Pattinson just doesn't cut it. He was fine as Cedric Diggory (Harry Potter) but I wanted Chace to have his big break. Haha.

Now that I've read Twilight and have watched the trailer, it figures. Robert Pattinson seemed to have given justice to the character of Edward Cullen. His personality matched the character. Chace Crawford, in my own humble opinion, is just too pretty boy to have managed a very intense role and he is not as tall as Robert. Robert may not be as good looking as his character was described in the book, but certainly, he has the aura of a perfect vampire.

Now I want to watch the film. I want to see Edward Cullen. Laugh Out Loud.

Breakfast

Here's my daughter in some shots taken in different places while having her breakfast. Obviously, I am the type of mother who takes pictures of her daughter's every move. I'm taking advantage of the time that I can still do this because when she gets to her teen years I can't be a mamarazzi anymore and tag along everywhere she goes. This mommy knows, well somehow, when to take the back seat. But until then, I'll be trigger happy with my camera. :)

Getting a spoonful of cornflakes with milk.....

Posing for mommy before having her hotdogs and choco drink....

Stolen shot while trying to chew her bacon, egg and rice.....

Daughter to Dad: "Oh make her stop. Let me have my breakfast in peace...."

Check what others posted for their breakfast entries at Photo Hunt headquarters. Please see what's on the pan at Everything and then Some...... Take a peek at my breakfast and my husband's at Beyond Fried Eggs. Happy weekend! :)

I Am in the Mood for a Long Entry Tonight

From first year high school till about my early years in college I was quite a fan of astrology and everything esoteric. I did not exactly believe in them but I was very interested. It intrigued me. I marvel about the stars, the moon, the sun, the whole solar system, the universe and what is really out there (some kind of X-Files?). Looking at the night sky I wonder how it feels like to float above the earth and witness the magnificence of the world. Without exaggeration, I am overwhelmed just thinking about it that it leaves me breathless in excitement. Such is my imagination. Vivid. Forceful. Haha.

I was also interested in meditation that a sales associate from National Bookstore looked at the twelve year old me with a "huh?" expression on her face when I handed a book about meditation. I don't think I bought it but what's clear on my mind now was buying The Black Hole instead. As an aside, this book was borrowed by the most intelligent boy in my class. So? I just have to tell that. Maybe it made me proud of myself that we're on the same league and I'm not actually weird. Juvenile thoughts.

In college, when my friends and most young ladies my age were just fond of reading about their daily horoscopes and giggle about it if it's something nice, I was taking it up seriously, almost making a career out of it. That's how great my interest was. I bought Linda Goodman's Sun Signs but it did not satisfy me. I purchased Liz Greene's An Astrological Guide to Living with Others. And it led me to Carl Jung (which is a different story). Miss Greene is a world famous Jungian analyst and runs a center for psychological astrology.

I whacked my brain in plotting the structure of my birth chart which is a first step in leading and unleashing my individual potential. Astrology after all is not just about your sun sign by virtue of your birth date. It concerns the hour you were born, the year, the place, the planetary alignments and all that jazz.

I did not exactly lose interest in all these but as college years became hectic - paper works, university organizations, friends, boyfriends, break-ups, new boyfriends, events, thesis, etcetera - all these were set aside. After graduation, I was in the middle of a new world (as all new graduates find themselves in), a more competitive world that I needed to acquaint and eventually immerse myself with (armed with the necessary guts and stamina) - the mundane, the future, the mad world, corporate elan. My interest in esotericism has no room in this life situation. Only the explainable and exact science. The stars, the moon, the sun were summarized into a seasonal weather condition which greatly affects sales forecasts, budget and profit. Period.

Until a few nights ago when my husband called me to look at the wonderful painting in the sky, I am star struck again. I remembered what I heard on the news .....Jupiter in conjunction with Venus with the crescent moon will be seen in a clear sky on December 1. It formed a smiley face. My daughter and I hurriedly went out the door and marvel at the beautiful sight. Great! It happened in our lifetime.

And according to an Inquirer article, ".....the “smiling face” will bring good luck since Venus and Jupiter are considered lucky planets. Also in luck are those born in the signs of Taurus, Capricorn and Virgo....."

I am a Taurean, the Bull. :)

***Image credit from Inquirer.net

Rockin' Giraffe

As I have shared here several times, my immediate family are all living in the U.S. for several years now. My parents visit us from time to time and they always give us a call. But still I miss them especially during the holidays when most families hold reunions or just a get-together welcoming the new year.

Thank God for phone cards, web cam and online shopping - eBay and Amazon. With our situation, these are best ways we can be in touch and at least feel warm hearing, seeing and appreciating each others words, virtual hugs and yes, the gifts. :)

If I may share, my mother is still not convinced about online shopping. She wants to feel, smell, scrutinize everything she sends us. But for me online shopping is very convenient. It's actually heaven sent. I save a lot of time since shipping will not be a concern. Amazon emails tracking records of the items until they reach recipients so customers like me are assured of the whereabouts of the products. So far all our transactions are good. You can rate the seller depending how satisfied you are with their product and their service.

I send them gifts through Amazon and my husband scout Ebay for personal items which are kind of obsolete in the market. Haha. Anyway, for this holiday I have started to browse Amazon again. Let me share what I have already sent for my favorite niece, a rocking yellow giraffe from Hasbro, which she plays with non-stop according to my mother.

Please share with us your Fab Holiday Finds. This is brought to you by Filipino Mom Blog.

Movie Date

Going around Trinoma mall for some holiday shopping, my daughter thought of posing beside Madagascar lighted poster. Can you see what is wrong in the picture? Certainly not my daughter. :)



Click for more weekend snapshots. I have another entry at Everything and then Some..... Hope you visit too. :)