Daddy's Moments

What can be my husband's Daddy Moments? Well, he loves Top Gear. He loves the magazine and the show. He even bought sets of DVDs of it. He watches them to relax. He loves going to shops for car accessories. We have known each other since our early years in college which was a long time ago. Haha. He was the one who introduced me back then to Transport Show and all other car shows.

From our school in Manila, we go to World Trade Center to watch the exhibit of cars and car accessories. I don't know much about cars but I appreciate how they were modified or designed especially how the hubs, then boyfriend, describe them to me, with all his passion. :)

The last car show we went to was the Manila International Auto Show and yes, this was a super Daddy Moment I want to share here.

My daughter is fond of cars too, obviously influenced by her Dad.


Nice pose, Daddy yo!

And of course, Daddy Moment won't be complete without the family. Simple joys, we love eating out and this is one of them taken during my birthday last May 2011, at Amici.

The family devoured all the food.
***Read more sharing at Mommy Journey.

Super 8

We watched Super 8 last night. How was it? Not great but good. Honestly my daughter and my husband were not too keen on watching it. They prefer Kung Fu Panda 2 but well, I've been living under a rock for quite some time I haven't watched Kung Fu Panda 1 yet. So I said we should just watch Super 8. On my mind was Super 8 was directed by Steven Spielberg. *Sheepish grin*

It turned out to be an enjoyable movie. My husband and daughter love it, especially my daughter. We both like Elle Fanning too.

I have to say science fiction movies do not at all excite me. I watch, yes, but I am not the first one to line up the cinema just to have that high feeling of "yes! I've watched THE movie". I am not fond of aliens. I rave about the effects and the novelty of watching a much talked about movie (like Avatar, Star Wars, and the like). But how come I enjoyed watching this one?

This movie is like straight from a cable channel you opt to watch in a lazy Saturday afternoon and surprisingly you get so engaged watching it. It reminds me of several movies featuring children and their the friendship that binds them together through thick and thin. No hidden agenda, just plain, innocent, sweet friendship. It reminds me of Stand By Me, Goonies, E.T., War of the Worlds, and My Science Project. Haha.

There were moments when I wish they could speed up the scenes and let me know who the antagonist is. But those scenes were bearable. This movie, though without any popular star, is nice to watch. I like the look and feel of the setting which is the 70s. I like its official soundtrack, "My Sharona". I feel like dancing to it. :)

We stayed until the credits at the end of the movie was shown as it showcased in full the film the kids have created and shot amid the chaos caused by the military and the extraterrestrial being in the little town of Ohio. This short film is also fun to watch.

Super 8 is a good summer ender for my daughter who is about to start her intermediate school next week. If you want to relax, give a little scream, and just have fun while eating your popcorn, go, see this movie.

Blazer Off, Blazer On

We had a corporate event this week which was a relaunch of one of our branches. It was a cocktail party. I was thinking of just wearing the black velvet gown I wore years ago. I tried it on and it fits me more now than before. But then I believe I will be over-dressed if I settle for this gown/long dress.

So after work last Wednesday I trooped to the department store and tried a few sets of cocktail dresses. I already have an idea of what to buy since two weeks ago we bought a gown for my daughter. I already know what to look for and where. That saved me a great amount of time knowing how I scout every nook and cranny of a mall when I scout and buy clothes for special events.

The dress I bought was actually a third choice because it sort of reminded me of my daughter's favorite brownie, with white stripes and all. But the hubby said I should try it on because it looks nice. And so I did and chose it in fact from among the clothes I tried on. I love its fit on me. And the white stripes breaks the all too common black dress for a night party. The price is very reasonable compared to other cocktail dresses off the rack.

So here's me with the dress I bought. Also my current profile picture at Facebook. I even have to mention that, haha.


I thought of putting a blazer over it and voila, I can wear it also at the office and it wouldn't look much as a cocktail dress. Love it!


Taken at the locker room of my gym amusing myself while I was waiting for my ride care of the hubby.
I love dressing up these days.

Shine, The Recital

May 28, 2010 was a very rainy Saturday but even so it was also a very special date for us. It was my daughter's recital at Center for Pop Music which was held at the center's Hall of Fame branch. It has been weeks of sessions and practices at night. There was a point that my daughter looked so exhausted but there was no complaining or whining from her end. It was because she really loves what she's doing - singing and performing.

She was able to utter though, "I already know how Justin Bieber feels rehearsals after rehearsals after rehearsals." I had to give out a big smile with that. She was really so passionate about her performance. She has also formed friendships within the center. I know she would as my daughter likes meeting new people especially with the same interests as hers. The consecutive nights of rehearsals made it more fun for her with her new found friends.

The picture below was taken two nights before the big day. They were practicing a song from "Glee".



Days before that, my daughter and I scouted for her outfits. It was really tiring but I love doing this. I can make a career out of it actually as long as it's for my daughter. I made an appointment again with our salon for my daughter's hair and make-up for her recital.

Soft curls fits her and a make-up suited for her age, just about the right amount to enhance her glow on stage. Well yes, I amused myself while waiting for her to get done. :)


Finally we arrived at the venue. Backstage, I was a stage mother. I expected a more organized clothes and shoe racks but I think there were only two racks. Most moms cannot just leave their children's outfits on the chairs. Either they get misplaced or they get soiled. These are kids, they still play around.

I decided to bring with me all her outfits at the audience area. I go to the backstage whenever she needs to change clothes for her number. I hope Center for Pop take a look at the organization backstage. I don't expect it to be spic and span but I hope there are provisions for the clothes and shoes with proper tags.

These were taken before the opening number. We were advised that it should be a hip hop costume.


The participants danced to the beat of Higher by Taio Cruz and Kylie Minogue. The parents, of course, were so excited to watch the kids. Well yes, the program was suppose to start at 11 AM but it started around 1 PM thereabouts. It was because there was only one make-up artist and one hairstylist for the more than twenty kids that will go on stage.



Second number was a song from Glee, "Don't Stop Believin'." From hip hop, my daughter changed to a red, white and black school-girl inspired outfit.



Go boys and girls, show them what you've got! :) I love your performance. There was just a technical glitch because my daughter's microphone suddenly went pfft. But it's alright, she was still singing her heart out. The show must go on. :)



And the time has come for her solo performance. My daughter was calm, cool and collected as we prepare for her next number. She said yes, she was nervous, but on stage, while singing, she just do her best and her anxiety melts away. Nice one, little lady.


I suggested a few songs for her but she really wants to sing "How You Love Me Now" by Hey, Monday. I actually don't know this song that I have to look it up at YouTube. It's her song, it's her choice. I don't impose because I believe she can sing her own song better. She can feel the lyrics, the melody better if she choose for herself.

We both thought about what she will wear. I like it that it's not so formal. I remember Hailey Steinfeld at the Oscars wearing Converse with her pink gown. That was cute, cool, laidback but not boring. Fits also my daughter's age and song.


She changed clothes again for the closing number. We opted for a denim shorts and her plaid polo and the boots she wore during their practicum. She looks so fresh and ready to perform. Backstage, the kids were having fun.


This is the second to the last number where they sang "Make Me Feel Like a Star." I really love this song. It's so full of hope and enthusiasm.



My daughter received her Award of Achievement for Completion, Starlite, Stage and Voice Performance. We're so proud of her as she gave her best in this particular summer activity. It was really very productive.


The kids will surely miss each other but in this age and time, they have all the means to still connect and continue the friendship and camaraderie that developed among them. It's great to be young. Use your talents wisely, kids!




Shine, reach for your dreams. :)


It was a great experience for my daughter. I know she learned a lot and she can really use what she learned for her performances at school. Oh yes, definitely, I will continuously support her with what she loves doing especially it really hones her talents and her confidence not just in performing but in interacting with different kinds of people and in handling different situations. Shine, my little lady! :)

Center for Pop Music, Practicum

So this is how it feels to be a stage mother. It's very tiring but at the same time it feels so fulfilling to see your child performing live on stage.

We enrolled our daughter at Center for Pop Music Philippines (CPMP) the whole summer. She was really excited about the program and so was I. My daughter loves to sing. She already sang on stage in school, a concert for the members of the music club. She did pretty well. She has no stage fright and she loves to perform.

She sings in the room and can very well carry a tune. To hone her singing talent further, I decided to let her take a class at CPMP. I saw how two of her classmates gained confidence and honed their singing talents after enrolling here.

My daughter had a busy summer but she said she's not complaining because she loves what she's doing. I can see how her voice improved as well as her performance level. She also gained new friends with the same interests. I love it that her personality is developed more with these kinds of exposures.

She had her practicum last May 16. She did two songs, one by Rihanna, Take a Bow, and the other one, from Taylor Swift's songs, You're Not Sorry.

She got three awards - two minor and one major which was really a pleasant surprise to me. :) She was awarded Best in Slow Song, Best in Voice Projection and Record Artist of the Year.

As the coaches/hosts mentioned, she has very good stage presence and projection, her singing voice improved dramatically and she's very pretty. I was happy to hear all these comments. I'm a doting mom.

Here's to more energetic and productive performances. I'm so proud of my daughter. :)


Singing her first song for the day, You're Not Sorry.



Group song


Her badges of recognition.


Mother and Daughter. :)

Justin Bieber in Manila, Never Say Never Concert

It's been more than a month since I last updated here. I've been really busy both at the personal and professional fronts. The whole family is actually. But I took some time off from work, at least half day last May 10. It was a big date my daughter has been waiting for.

Yes, we were two of the gazillions of people who watched Justin Bieber's Never Say Never concert in Manila. We bought the tickets last December 2010 just to be sure we have secured ourselves passes to see JB. We don't want what happened with Taylor Swift's concert when we were not able to get tickets right away.

It was a fun night but I was not exactly impressed with Justin Bieber's performance. I thought something was lacking. I thought he seemed less energetic and enthusiastic. I was expecting what I saw in his concert movie, like his concert in Madison Square Garden. There was not even much special effects.

He was looking tired. I told myself watching his 3D concert/documentary Never Say Never at the theater was a lot better. The live concert by the way is much like his movie with video clips when he was still a young child. I appreciate him better on the big screen than watching him perform live. But of course, my daughter did not notice what seemed to be JB's lackluster performance. She was really in high spirits watching Bieber.

Going home in the wee hours of the morning after the concert and checking my Twitter and Facebook, I found out Justin was sick during the concert and even had throwing up episodes. That explained why the show was not as spectacular as I thought it would be. But kudos still to the boy for doing his best and not cancelling the show.

My daughter was really happy and I was really happy seeing how excited she was watching the show. I actually had fun not only from watching the concert but witnessing a crowd of young people so alive - screaming from joy, dancing to the beat, singing their hearts out. Boy, they have memorized all the songs JB did. JB really owe it to his fans. :)


Justin in his famous purple shirt.

Probably singing one of his mellow songs.

Until I've watched his 3D concert movie/documentary, I didn't know this boy plays a lot of musical instruments.

The text above the picture was edited by my daughter, not me, haha. Yes, she was really excited.

Oh yes, the mom is just too happy to see her daughter having a great time. The crowd was so alive.

20%

You are 20% likely to be experiencing a midlife crisis

 

You might be experiencing a midlife crisis, but it's not very likely. You may have some regrets about your past, and may at times wish things could be different, but overall you're a calm and stable individual with a bright outlook and realistic goals.

MidLife Crisis Quiz
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The result of this quiz surprised me. I thought I will score high on having a midlife crisis. But I believe the reasons why my score is on the low side are my answers when it comes to my future.

This is just an online quiz and I am not sure if this was supervised by a psychologist but if you read the questions, they are really telling.

Yes, I am greatly looking forward to a great future. There are so many things to enjoy about life, to be thankful for. And yes, there are still a lot of things I want to accomplish for my family, for myself.

I love life so much that I feel so positive about the present, about my future, together with my family. I believe that God is always by my side (as well as my family's). I have proven this countless times. Yes, there were moments when I asked where is my God? But things eventually turn out great and I've come out of a difficult situation a better person.

I want to believe it's my enthusiasm in life and all things that bring joy to my heart, my love for my family and friends, and my belief in God that makes mid-life something I honestly enjoy.