Life's Adventure

I'm back !!

2013-07-17T22:10:00.002-07:00

It has been almost a year since I last wrote on this blog -- Thursday, August 9, 2012 , to be exact!

I have been doing a lot of things -- had an operation (yes, another one!) , went to Manila twice to look after my granddaughters when my daughter went to South Africa, then to the USA. I was back at work with my last employer to pitch in as Human Resource Officer while they were looking for a replacement of their last HR Officer, who was fired :( . I also worked from home for various clients -- did some internet research , data entry , English/Spanish/English translations and lately, checked on the audio done by an actor for the Spanish translations.

I am enjoying my semi-retirement :) I can do what I want and go wherever I want , whenever I want to !! Do a little work for my pocket money , read a book, watch a movie at home (thanks to my son for downloading), play a game on the internet, or just go to the mall with the hubby for lunch or shopping.

I have much to thank the Lord for the life I am living now. I do not have much, but I do not lack anything, I can buy what I want , a roof over my head, friends I can have coffee or lunch with, and a family I love sooooooooo MUCH and who love me back unconditionally.

THANK YOU , LORD !!!

Haiku 2

2012-08-09T06:23:00.000-07:00

I love writing Haiku, Japanese poetry. My first set of Haiku was uploaded in this blog site on April 27, 2012.

Gabrielle Douglas

2012-08-03T22:07:00.003-07:00

My husband and I have been watching the 2012 Olympics closely. We each have our favorite athletes :) I have two favorites…… Americans Michael Phelps and Gabrielle Douglas. I have always admired Phelps and have read most of what was written about him. I did not know who Gabrielle Douglas was, until she shone in the 2012 Olympics gymnastic competitions.

Gabby is a 16-year old from Virginia Beach, Virginia. She, with a megawatt smile and a dazzling personality is now a popular all-around gymnastic champion ! Gabby became the third straight American to win gymnastics’ top prize, taking the lead on the very first event . She finished with a score of 62.232.

The flying squirrel , as Gabby is nicknamed, skillfully did her energetic floor routine. U.S. teammates Kyla Ross, Jordyn Wieber and McKayla Maroney jumped to their feet and cheered when she finished. Gabby flashed her now famous smile and coach Liang Chow lifted her off the podium. She made it !! She holds the Gold !!

This is my favorite photo of Gabby. The teen from Virginia has captured the world’s hearts and is now flying high in victory!!

Quotes 2

2012-07-30T00:45:00.000-07:00

Some quotes I like, which I would want to share with you. Hope you like these, too :-}

Photography :)

2012-07-29T23:39:00.000-07:00

Today is Sunday, July 29, 2012

I watched Paco Guerrero's TV show, "What I see" and cannot stop thinking of the awesome photos he got. It gave me the fire to start taking photographs of my own, too!!!! Am sure it would not be anything similar, even to the minutest fraction, as compared to Paco's breathtaking photos.......you will know what I mean if you check this out http://whatiseetv.com/ or this, http://www.francisco-guerrero.com/. The camera he uses must be sophisticated, something I cannot afford or know how to use. I barely know how to take photos with the camera my daughter gave me and my hubby. It is nothing fancy. It is a Canon Power Shot A2200.... a nice red compact item, which the ad describes "as an expression of style, versatility and creativity". I hope to live up to the ad description. I will take some photos around the house, garden or wherever I can find an interesting subject , however simple it might be.
Everytime I will take some photos, I will upload these to this article. Bear with me, I am a newbie here.

So, here goes ..............................


I woke up at 6:00am today, July 30th. I opened the bedroom window and this was the first thing I saw :) I took my first photograph for this "photography section" of my blog.

August 2nd -- Chavi and Maitina came to visit us before going to Playmaze. The little one always plays with the swing at the backyard. I quickly got the camera and took various shots. These are the photos that I liked :} I put these together and placed the "thingys" little girls like!

August 15,2012 --- When Angie arrived from the convention tonight, Doy and Angie started taking photos with the girls. I took this photo of Mayumi when she stuck her head in the railing going up to the dining room.

Grandchildren

2012-07-20T07:08:00.004-07:00

“Grandchildren are precious gifts given to parents from their children.”

While browsing the net, looking for quotes, I found this short saying about grandchildren. I liked it so much that I made a Facebook cover of this quotation with the photos of my beautiful grandchildren.

I am a proud mother of three wonderful children. As most parents, I love my children unconditionally….. the two older ones are amazing, strong individuals, the youngest is just as wonderful but with a more easygoing and chirpy personality. I was a working mom. I would start my day early so I can cook breakfast and have my children ready for school. I would come home from work and tutor them on their school assignments (until such time when they knew more than I did)hehehe, cook dinner and get them ready for bed. Sometimes, I would read them some stories before bedtime and they knew that I would change names, words, whatever just so it would be fun. An example would be from the story of Rapunzel. When a child was sick with tonsillitis, I would read a line as “Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your tonsils ” and everyone listening would open their mouth and show their tonsils! I had always been active in school activities…… PTA, soccer games, girls’ scout, boys’ scout, school programs….. I was always there and I took pride in their accomplishments. I watched them grow up and never stopped looking after them. I had to know where they were and who they were with….. this had always been the number one rule at home. Time came for them to leave home because of further studies or their jobs….. but I never stopped praying for their best and loving them! All three children got married and have lives of their own now.

Then, came my five beautiful grandchildren!!!! I never knew that I would have more fun with these kids, at my age now. I do not have the responsibility to educate, discipline or bring them up. I am just here to have fun with them! I love talking with the little ones…. so funny, yet intelligent! So young, yet articulate! Now, I bask in pride when their parents send me photos of Klaus receiving his medal of distinction , Amaya with her first ballet recital, Maive as Ms. India on United Nations Day and all three of them learning to swim during their summer vacation. The two littlest ones, Maitina and Mayumi have their own accomplishments, too…… drawings, zipline ride at JCentre and funny remarks like, Mommy Pie malaki puwit!!!!! I always look forward when they come to visit us…. I play and run around with them, although I get tired easily compared to their boundless energy. I get to laugh a lot with them. We sing nursery rhymes, too and watch together Dora, Barney and some educational videos in Youtube. They are great kids and I pray that they will grow up to be even greater adults.

I thank God for the precious gift of grandchildren!! But then, a thought just came to my mind.... one that I would want to ask the All Knowing....wouldn't it have been more fun if You had sent me my grandchildren before my children ? Just a crazy thought ;-) hehehehe

Quotes 1

2012-07-12T21:57:00.000-07:00

I am trying to figure out what to write, but, I cannot think of anything I would want to say...........

Since inspiration has not visited me today, let me just share with you two quotes, which I hope you will like.

A New Step in Life's Journey

2012-07-02T00:05:00.005-07:00

I feel more effective and function much better when I have something to do ......when I have responsibilities ..... when I am productive and I accomplish something.

I started working part-time when I was in second year college. I worked at the school's book rental area, where I arranged dusty books in wide, tall storage spaces. A year after, my father sent me to study in Spain . In summer, when I had some free time, I worked as a tour guide for English-speaking tourists. After two years, I went back to the Philippines and resumed my college education....... this time, I worked part-time as a Spanish language instructor in a local Foreign Language institution. After a few years, I found myself working as a secretary for the biggest food manufacturing company in the Philippines. This was the start of my corporate employments.......a life I so much enjoyed, where I learned a lot of skills and expertise . I gained experience which made me proficient in the fields of secretarial work, administrative functions and human resources responsibilities.

I went on to work for different industries .....securities and exchange , real estate , immigration consultancy, online survey taker, service checker, English/Spanish/English translation and finally, I landed in the world of Outsourcing.

Outsourcing is where I learned what information technology is all about and began to love the internet and everything related to it. I was handling Human Resources but during our free time, I would sit down with graphic artists, programmers, web developers, operations guys. I definitely did not understand what they did, but their work was awesome! I only had respect on how they did their work and marveled at the finished product they would show me. I never got tired listening to their conversations when they exchanged notes on how to do their job and what they would do next.

I am a believer that age should never be a factor or an excuse to stop learning. On my lunch break, I would eat quickly just so I can practice what one of the IT guys have taught me ..... maybe a keyboard short cut, a combination of keystrokes, how to upload / download, how to research/what key words to use, etc.

Six months ago or, to be exact on December 31,2011, I retired from my job. I was 65 years old and thought that I can now relax and do nothing for a while. Have I mentioned that I am a people-person? Yes, I definitely am ! I thrive when I interact with other people. Don't get me wrong here .... I love sitting down and talking with my husband. I learn a lot from him in history, current events and everything else in-between! What I am hankering for now is a job I can do from home :-) .... something to keep me busy, where I interact with a person I work with and again learn new skills......................another chapter of my chosen work and my life. A new step in my life's journey!

I will start looking for a home-based job today, hoping that I will find a good person to work with and a job I will enjoy doing.

Wish me luck !!

Kindness

2012-05-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

I came across these, and would want to share these with you ...........

A photo of a caterpillar by Theo Vanden Wyngaert and a
Quotation on Kindness by George Washington Carver

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.

~George Washington Carver

Gratitude ....

2012-05-28T08:10:00.001-07:00

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dime ..............

2012-05-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

Dime cuando vienes……
Espero tu llegada con ansiedad!

Dime cuando llamas…..
Oir tu voz, es felicidad!

Dime cuando te marchas……
Mis lagrimas caen .

No soy tan fuerte como crees que soy….
Necesito una mano para agarrar y sentirme segura.

paz - 5/28/2012

Saving for the rainy day .....

2012-05-11T08:03:00.000-07:00

Saving for the rainy day is an idiomatic expression which means setting aside money or any other asset which may be needed at a future time.

Most average working-class Filipino do not save for the rainy day. I have been working in different companies and have dealt with employees who come to the HR office asking for help in solving their monetary problems. Most of these employees have double incomes ..... husband and wife both earning or a single person with a second job. Why can these employees not set aside a small amount every payday for their family savings. They buy the latest gadgets, fancy clothes, go to vacations ...... but, when a family member gets sick, or come the time for paying school tuition fees, they go running to other people or use the credit card to solve their financial problems.

These people spend money like there is no tomorrow! But, believe it or not, tomorrow will soon be here with us hoping that it will come with blessings and not with problems.

I will always remember my late mother's wise words "it is not the size of paycheck that will keep you afloat, but the money you save from whatever size of income you have". Saving money and being frugal does not mean being shabby and with nothing on your dinner table. To budget wisely needs commitment.... to set aside some savings and develop the "talent" to distinguish "wants" and "needs". Living within our budget not only needs discipline, but also keeps us stress-free. Keeping up with the Joneses is one of the worst attitude that will burn a hole in our pocket.

Live within a budget ...........

- give 10% of your income to your church or to charity . this is giving back a part of your money to where all these came from.

- set aside money for your needs (house, food, clothing, education)

- save for your rainy day

This might seem hard at first, but, in time you will get used to this and everything will come along smoothly. Start this practice today and I hope you will not be like this lady ..........

May I, please..............

2012-05-05T22:37:00.002-07:00

May I borrow a cup of your time, please .......

May I have a handful of love, please................


May I dance with you, please............

May I take a nap with you , please..............

Cooking !

2012-05-05T01:03:00.002-07:00

There are people who love to cook — so, they cook because they want to, while there are those who cook because they have to……. I am more of the latter.

I grew up watching my mother cook. I was allowed to help cut the veggies, shred the cheese,or peel the potato. I was never given the chance to cook for myself or the family.

When I went on to live with my grandma, I was allowed to go inside the kitchen — not to cook or prepare the ingredients, but to wash the dishes, pots /pans and to leave the kitchen spotless clean!

I got married and realized my buddy cooked better than I did, he knew what he wanted to eat and he definitely knew how to cook them. I had to ask him how to prepare isda paksiw, adobo and even how to cook mongo! I bought cookbooks and started learning how to cook.

For the past 39 years, I cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner for my family. I learned to love cooking.

Did I hear you say you are giving me a choice — to cook or not to cook? My answer is : Given the choice, I would probably dial the numbers of Dimsum, Cheaverz, Jollibee, DaVinci, Pizza Hut or Shakey’ for a delivery !

Words

2012-05-05T00:43:00.001-07:00

Words are powerful !

Words can hurt or please, forge or ruin, comfort or torment.

Most of us are guilty of using harsh words and speak in a manner that would hurt the very person we profess to love. Have you hurt somebody lately? I am referring to hurting somebody through words, actions or attitude. Words said with sarcasm, criticism carelessly thrown at the other person or comment brutally said in the name of honesty.

There are people who claim to be brutally honest , but enjoy being harsh and insensitive more than being honest. One can be totally honest and be kind , at the same time.

If you realize you have hurt somebody with your words, what do you do? Apologize? To apologize and repeat your actions/words in a future time is just like a neglected promise.

Make a commitment to change this bad habit. None of us is perfect , but trying really hard to keep this commitment would mean a lot to people around you .

Remember that words have incredible power. Same words, different ways of saying would have different results. Most of all, remember — you have a choice,

hurt or please, forge or ruin , comfort or torment ………..

What words would you use and what words would you like others to use when speaking to you ?

Lost ..................

2012-05-02T07:24:00.003-07:00

Sometimes, we get lost.

Sometimes , we get lost in our journey through life. Many times over we get lost in whatever we do, wherever we go ……….

Life has no map.What do you do when you are lost? Uncertainties can be frustrating…… or, if you look at the other side, it can be exciting!

You have a choice …will you take the risk or play it safe ? run away from it or meet it head-on and look for the way out?

Ask yourself questions. ….. where am I now ? what do I want to do? where do I want to go?

Take action ! Pray for guidance …….. be grateful for what you have at the moment …….. talk to someone who can be of help to you …….. turn away from negative thoughts and deeds.

Always remember, that every loss can be a new discovery at some point.

Whatever

2012-04-28T07:23:00.000-07:00

memories ..................

2012-04-28T07:03:00.001-07:00

As I go through my Book of Life, I find memories .

Precious memories of home with a childhood full of love and laughter,

Magical memories with pictures of my sister, cousins and friends playing in the rain, of mountains climbed, playing hide and seek during moonlit nights.

I come across and go quickly through pages of crowded years with blurred memories …….

Treasured memories of each child being part of me, moving inside me …. a greater blessing I cannot ask for. I have wishes and hopes for you my dear princess and princes. I love you, will love you forever !!!

A dark page on this Book , I do not want to read. Shattered memories not worth keeping. Feelings of betrayal, pain, disgust, rage, and frustration. Memories of how the fabric of a happy home was torn apart.

Keepers of memories, thank you for preserving my lasting, treasured chapters. Thank you for helping me go through the darkest times printed on the Book. Thank you for the new chapters of travels to happier times with children and grandchildren , of treasured family and friends.

My Book of Life, keeper of memories, paint a lot of bright colors to remember me by.

Slow Dance

2012-04-28T06:35:00.001-07:00

While surfing the net today, i found this beautiful poem and would like to share this with you…………… the author is David l. Weatherford.

Slow Dance

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You’d better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short,
The music won’t last.

Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask "How are you?"

Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores running through your head?
You’d better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.

Ever told your child, "We’ll do it tomorrow?"
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time to call and say "Hi?"
You’d better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift…
Thrown away.

Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before your song is over.

True Friends

2012-04-28T06:18:00.001-07:00

“A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails” – Anonymous

Friends are a pretty important part of most people’s lives. They are there in tough or good times. Friendship is one of the most important relationships we can have in life. We all need someone with whom we can share our lives, thoughts, feelings, blessings and problems.

I consider myself a friendly person. I can make friends without difficulty….. but my true friends can only be counted with the fingers of one hand. True friends are hard to find. A true friend is a little more than a good friend . We can have a lot of acquaintances but only a few people will become our true friends. Friends, like anything in this world, come and go. As we get older, it gets easier for us to distinguish between true friends and those that are 'just' friends. A true friend is one who helps without being requested and does things for us without expecting anything in return.

A mother is a true friend of her children. A similar relationship shared with another person can be that of a true friend.

Computer Terms

2012-04-28T06:12:00.000-07:00

It used to be that when we speak of bugs , we mean a bettle, bed bug, stinky bug, salaginto at salagubang ……. it seems that was a million years ago !!!

Wake up to today and bugs are something of an internet threat ! they are called KakWorm, Gokar, what-have-you !! They are the scourge of the modern world’s communication. The internet computer bug!

Remember the mouse you used to run after because it has invaded your surroundings? Well, the modern day’s mouse is the internet savvy’s best friend .

Think of Siargao or Hawaii and picture the surf ! The same word means something else in modern times, surfing the net keeps one busy online !!

So, what do you think ??? As for me , I am bugged because my mouse is “dead” and I cannot surf the net !! hohum ………………

Pag Sure Diha Uy!

2012-04-28T06:03:00.003-07:00

Chocoholic Me :)

2012-04-28T05:55:00.000-07:00

I cannot remember where I read this — but, a chocoholic like me will never forget these words……..

“In the beginning, the Lord created chocolate, and he saw that it was good. Then he separated the light from the dark, and it was better”.

Chocolates come in different shapes and have become a traditional gift on certain holidays — chocolate bunnies and choco eggs are popular at Easter; they come as hearts on Valentine’s Day and other holiday symbols at Christmas time. Choco lovers know that chocolates commonly come in three varieties…. milk chocolate, white chocolate and dark chocolate. I love dark chocolate !!! Yummmmyyy!!!

I imagine a wonderful world of chocolates to live in …. left and right, up and down, you can only see Belgian chocolates, Ferrero Rocher, Toblerone, Twix, Cadbury, Mars, Hersheys ….. and more chocolate cakes, mousses, puddings, ice cream, candies, treats ! Heaven !!!

Just thinking about chocolates makes my mouth water ................ I need a fix !! can somebody please get me a rich, creamy, nutty, yummy chocolate !!

Tattoo or not tattoo ..........

2012-04-27T07:16:00.002-07:00

Tattoo or not tattoo, that is the question ..............I want to have a tattoo like this , but i cannot muster enough courage to go through the pain …. just looking at the tattoo machine with the needles on it, makes me chicken out!

While researching online for the right butterfly tattoo graphic , I found these two photos of men with good sense of humor. Check out their tattos on their head. LOL !!!

Cats and Kittens :)

2012-04-27T07:11:00.002-07:00

i like kittens, but, i hate cats. you know what i mean? i like them young, small and cuddly. i hate the full grown ones.

there are stray cats that come to our house . we give them left-overs so, there is one who comes back every day…….. every dinner time to be exact.

One afternoon i was at the garden , sweeping the dry leaves. I saw a black cat on top of our fence. I shooed it off, but instead of going away , it got angry at me ….. showed me all it’s teeth and positioned to jump at me !!! i got scared and ran for my life !!!

There was another grey colored cat, who would come to our house for it’s share of food. the cat stopped coming for about a week, after which, it came back with four kittens. the kittens came a few times and have not returned since. the mother cat was found dead on the corner at the end of our road — it got ran over by a passing car.

As I mentioned above, there is one cat who comes to our house every dinner time. it doesn’t matter whether i like cats or not ……… if cats come, they will have their share of food.