Life is Good!

The Year 2011

2012-01-02T10:35:00.003+10:30

As always a year passes by so quickly. It seems like 2011 just started and now it is time to bid goodbye to it and welcome a new year.

So many things happened during 2011...combination of good and bad. But, that's what life is all about, a mixture of bitter and sweet. All experiences we've been through the previous year, we should treat these as lessons that will help us become better individuals.

As for myself and my loved ones, we also had our share of ups and downs. What matters most is that we're able to surpass every trial that came into our lives and learn from it.

With the things we learned from the previous year, we can boldly say that we are now ready to face 2012 and all the surprises that the new year has for all of us.

Open Letter to My Teen-age Son

2011-12-29T15:52:00.004+10:30

Dear Kuya,

Finally, your most awaited day arrived, you're now officially a teenager! But this does not mean you can now freely do whatever things your heart wishes. Of course, your dad and myself will still be at your back and constantly guiding you.

Being a teenager is exciting and at the same time entails bigger and more responsibilities. You're about to enter the most vulnerable stage of a person's life. Many paths will be presented to you, at the end only you who can choose which path you would like to take. Keep in mind what we always tell you, think many times before you decide on to something because it is you who will bear whatever is the consequence of that decision.

Do not choose to do wrong in order to be different. A true friend will accept you unconditionally. He will not ask you to change just so you can be his friend. Choose your friends well, they too will play important roles in your life.

We wish and pray that our Lord will always guide and protect you. May He always enlighten your mind and help you make right decisions. May He make you strong to resist whatever temptations that may come your way.

Always remember that daddy and I love you so much. We will always be here for you...

Love,
Mum

New Zealand Hotels for the Rugby Fanatics

2011-12-16T19:49:00.005+10:30

New Zealand is known for having beautiful tourist spots, green scenery, delicious food, friendly people and most of all for the game Rugby.

After hosting the successful National Rugby League and winning the cup, many people will surely be interested to visit the country and at the same time watch the rugby union games held in the cities of Wellington and Christchurch. Of course, when traveling overseas it is always a must to first arrange the accommodation in order to enjoy the much anticipated break.

With plenty of internet sites on where to find the best and yet the cheapest accommodation in New Zealand, it becomes tedious to decide where to stay. To those who are big fans of rugby and want to follow every game, the site Cheaper Than Hotels is a must to visit. You can search by regions or hotels and view the cheapest to the most expensive hotel rate. It also shows which hotels have vacancy for a specific date.

To minimize the searching time, it also has a site for just hotels in Wellington and/or Christchurch.

Random thoughts....

2011-11-28T22:03:00.006+10:30

After 12 long years of living overseas, I've finally able to attend a funeral service of a former work colleague. It was very different from the funeral services I had attended in my home country. One thing I was able to confirm, the casket here in abroad really has no glass! All the while I thought this kind of thing is only for movies.

But this isn't really what I want to write. As you see, today I realized that even though a couple decided to go on their separate lives, as long as there is a child that binds them, you are still a couple no matter what. Being a very observant person, I immediately noticed who's my office mate first wife and his current partner. I saw the pain and the grief in the first wife's eyes but nothing from his current partner. Yes, after the service, I saw the current partner cried but she's not that affected as the first wife. Maybe because they do not have a child unlike the first wife, who gave him a beautiful daughter.

Ah, love...so hard to comprehend...it's so easy to say you don't love the person anymore...but in the end actions speak louder than words...

Another favorite author of mine...

2011-11-15T21:10:00.003+10:30

I love books...the genre doesn't really matter to me...as long as it will keep me occupied and entertained...from Bobbsey Twins and Hardy Boys to Sweet Dreams series...Sydney Sheldon to Mary Higgins Clark...Amy Tan to Cecelia Ahern...and to add to my list is Melissa Hill.

The first book I read by Melissa Hill was the Wishful Thinking. The title intrigued me, hence I decided to buy the book. At first, I thought that it's just one of those love story book, but it's not. It's full of surprises, from beginning to end. One thing that stands the most is, you will never be able to guess the ending. You need to read the book chapter by chapter, and the ending will indeed leave a smile on your face :)

Random Thoughts...

2011-11-15T21:06:00.004+10:30

Why ruin the things that we have by driving ourselves crazy on what we do not have....

For the Car Novice

2011-05-27T19:38:00.003+09:30

With just few more hours of driving lessons to complete, I’m now getting excited to get my “P” license. Most people I knew are encouraging me to have my own car once I received my ‘P’ license. Of course, deciding what model of car to buy is not an easy task for me, considering that I am a novice when it comes to cars. Luckily, there are now plenty of websites that provide car reviews and information.

One of the sites that I found very useful is the RepairPal. The site contains helpful and informative reviews about different car models, tips about how to repair a car and plenty of helpful hints for a beginner like me.

Another thing I like about this site is the Q&A section. This is found under the ‘Car Info’ tab. It contains useful tips and advices about cars from the RepairPal community.

welcome to my wacky world!!!

2010-12-14T22:25:00.004+10:30

me: (testing kuya) kuya do you know what to do in case i collapse and dad is not here?
kuya: yeah ate you call 000 and ask for an ambulance, cedric call dad and i will administer cpr.
me: no need for a cpr kuya...
kuya: but mum the school taught us how to do cpr. it's a waste of skills if i cannot apply it...
me: ok. kuya do you know what to do if someone is choking?
kuya: yes.
me: even if a dog chokes?
cedric: mum that's easy.if a dog is choking get a gun if you have one and shoot it...
me:ah....
cedric: mum what am i good at?
ate: making stories and cruelty to animals.

Kapamilya or Kapuso?

2010-11-13T08:22:00.009+10:30

Back in the Philippines, I seldom watched local TV shows. But after living in another country for more than a decade, I realized how much I miss the shows aired only in my home country :)

There are several local TV networks in the Philippines. The most popular ones are the channel 2 (Kapamilya) and 7 (Kapuso) in which you can also subscribe if you are in abroad. Our household have tried both networks. They are good but of course have their pros and cons.

Most of the actors and actresses I knew back home are from the Kapamilya Network (a.k.a TFC or ABS-CBN). They offer heaps of soap operas that can make you laugh, cry and sometimes go insane ;) My favorites are the MMK, SNN and The Buzz. However, with so many actors and actresses in this network, those who are my favorites often have less exposure. I also noticed that some soap operas lost its substance in the long run. The more they tried to make it perfect and beautiful the more it becomes dragging and eventually boring. Take for example the Lovers in Paris, this was the reason why I decided to subscribe with TFC. The beginning was great but its ending was very disappointing.

On the other hand, my husband prefers the Kapuso network or GMA. He still can't get over with the Eat Bulaga and Bubble Gang which were already being aired when I was still young. I only knew a few of the actors and actresses of GMA that's why I am not too keen when we switched to this network. But as the saying goes, expect the unexpected, it turned out that the shows offered by GMA are heaps better and always something to look forward to compared to their rival network.

Simplicity is beauty...if you asked me to describe each network in one word Kapamilya is elegant and Kapuso is simple :)

Thinking to Drive?

2010-11-04T21:48:00.004+10:30

One of the things I learned after living in another country for more than a decade is that driving is essential, especially if you have kids. Being a novice when it comes to cars, its parts and how to look after it, any input from friends and work colleagues is truly a blessing. Of course, I also do my own research about the best quality and low-maintenance cars that are available in the market nowadays.

Fortunately, I came across this site which gives you ideas about cars, Dallas Auto Repair. This is somewhat like an Auto Encyclopedia which is very useful for beginners like me. It contains handy tips and helpful information from insurance to car brakes.

The Dallas Auto Repair site also has a column for Car Info which contains informative reviews of different car brands and models, from everybody's favorite Honda to the infamous Chevrolet.

Trim and Proper

2010-11-02T10:16:00.004+10:30

A big beautiful house with spacious kitchen and dining area that overlooks to a large, flowery and green garden...this used to be my dream house when I was still young. But living in a foreign land with no relatives around and juggling motherhood and work, I rather settle for a small and low maintenance place.

The house that we rented, before we moved to our own place, has a huge front and back yard. The house itself was not really difficult to maintain but the outside was a nightmare! With grasses everywhere and big lawn to tidy up, a good mower was a MUST.

Nowadays, it is so easy and hassle free to shop for a good and high-quality mowers via on-line. The question now is what site to check and mower brand to select. While surfing the net, I came across these two brands of mowers both with positive reviews; Ariens and Gravely Zero. To those people with big lawns, having a good quality mower is a necessity especially if you live a very busy and hectic life.

Whatever the future may hold...

2010-10-25T09:11:00.003+10:30

On December this year we will be celebrating our 13th Wedding Anniversary. Time goes by really fast...It feels like it was only yesterday when me and my husband exchanged vows.

Married life is not easy. In fact it is full of surprises and obstacles. We have been through many rough times, especially our first 5 years. Glad to say we surpassed them somehow :) The saying "it takes two to tango" perfectly applies to married couples. Marriage is a two-way process. If you want it to work, you have to cooperate with each other.

It is not only love that will keep two people together. Constant prayers and making God the center of your lives are also important factors that contribute to a successful relationship. A priest once told me that if you want to have a successful relationship, you must learn how to love unconditionally. We can't expect our partner to be perfect and we cannot tell him/her to change the things that we dislike from that person. The priest also told me that it is wrong to only think of what can make me happy. I have to be selfless. I have to put my kids' feelings first before mine. And what enlightened me most was when he said that God did not ask me to change in order for Him to love me. God loves me for who I am and He does not expect anything in return from me. So I have no right to tell my husband that I will only accept and love him if he will change for me...of course physical abuse and infidelity is another story ;)

Oh well that was many years ago...I am just happy that before I made my decision , I solicited advises from the experts. Prayers truly make wonders and that is something I am 100% sure of. To my husband thank you for being so understanding and patient...rest assured I will love you and be there for you no matter what the future holds for us :)

What I learned today (2)

2010-10-17T21:04:00.004+10:30

Today I learned to never give up and put my trust in GOD... :)

My Other Mum...

2010-08-06T18:44:00.007+09:30

I still remember what Mommy (my father's mum) told me when I was in my last year in highschool. She said to me that if I am confused or unsure of what to do I have to stop, pray and ask for guidance. She also told me to never forget to pray to the Mother of Perpetual Help for assistance. Since then I keep in mind her advice.

Very seldom that people who are closed to me will notice if something bothers me. Very seldom also that I will tell others what's on my mind. My solution to the problems I had encountered and will be encountering is prayer. Like what Mommy told me , I stop, preempt all the things in my mind and pray. And when things are really getting out of hand I say a novena to the Mother of Perpetual Help. Whether it was a coincidence or meant to happen, almost all the things that I prayed to Mama Mary were answered. Of course it did not happen in my time but in God's perfect time :)

I'm forever thankful to my parents and grandparents especially to my grandmothers for introducing Jesus' mother to me and my siblings. Many may not understand what I believed in. But one thing is for sure, I am spiritually happy and complete :)

Bonding Time

2010-06-19T21:01:00.004+09:30

Back then in NZ we used to sleep in 1 bedroom...daddy and baby in the double bed...me, kuya and ate in the bunk bed. Since we are all in 1 bedroom, the night was always filled with laughter and giggles, songs and stories :)

Fast forward, the kids now sleep in their own bedroom except the youngest who claimed our bedroom as HIS bedroom ;) Anyway, last Friday my kids asked me if they can sleep in the living room to watched the opening of the World Cup 2010. Since the following day is a no-school day I gave in to their appeal. Of course, I have to sleep with them to make sure that they will not stay-up too late. Even though it's too cold to sleep in the living room we did enjoy sleeping together again...a truly special family bonding moment :)

Who's responsible?

2010-06-02T22:10:00.003+09:30

I was so annoyed of the blue team's leader at today's Master Chef challenge. When they were asked to choose who amongst the 7 of them should go to the elimination round, the team leader has no guts to volunteer himself. Yes, he did his best but at the end of it all he is still the one responsible for the outcome of his team's action.

The scenario above is similar to a ship that's about to sink. It is the norm that the captain should be the last person to get out of the vessel. That is what leadership means...being responsible.

The blue team's leader proves that he only cares for himself and that his mind is already set to bringing home the Master Chef title. I agree we all are after for something. However, in every competition we need to keep in mind that ability can take us to the top but it is always the character that will keep us there.

Food vs. Dog

2010-05-05T20:11:00.005+09:30

It's becoming my hubby's routine to have a snack before going to bed. As a dutiful wife I make sure that there will always be something for him to eat...bread...chips...hopia...anything to satisfy his cravings ;)

I'm not sure if it is a coincidence but whenever my husband can't find food that he likes for his midnight snack, he whines about our little puppy. He will tell me that the dog stinks...that I should teach it to sleep outside...that the whole house smells like dog...hehehe. However, if he has many choices of food he never notice our dog, as if it does not exist. Oh well, my hubby truly is a living proof that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach ;)

Reflection

2010-04-10T21:56:00.003+09:30

Our puppy had its first haircut today. The groomer said that for a first-timer he's a well-behaved and smart dog. To think that we have not send him to a dog school yet, his comment made me very proud of our puppy and of course of myself being its master :)

Anyway, while our dog is being groomed we talked about other dogs that he had previously groomed. He mentioned that he once groomed a Maltese and it bit him. This really surprised me because I thought that Maltese dogs are gentle and do not bite. I asked him how come a Maltese dog bites? And this is what he replied, "All dogs bite. If a dog has angry owners expect that the dog will be snappy and difficult to handle. The dog reflects its owner. A happy dog means it has a happy owner. It's like having children, your kids reflect what kind of parent you are". And so this explains why our puppy is well-behaved and smart...it reflects as clear as a crystal it's owner...ME...hehehe ;)

Chelsea

2010-01-01T14:52:00.007+10:30

It's truly amazing to experience having a pet that you can play with and cuddle. Our first pets were two fish which we named Tim and Tam and gave them to our friend when we left New Zealand. Here in Adelaide my youngest son asked me if he could get another fish for a pet, so I got him another pair and named them Salt and Pepper. Before we moved to our own place the two fish died, Pepper first then Salt followed.

Middle of last year, my daughter asked me if she could get a puppy for a Christmas present and I refused because having a dog as a pet here in Australia is very expensive. So I suggested some alternatives to her and we both agreed that I will get her a small animal such as a hamster or a guinea pig.

It was the 16th of October 2009, while waiting for my kids' class to finish I decided to drop by to a pet shop close to my children's school. And it was in there that I saw a 9 weeks old female guinea pig whose fur is different from the rest. She has a black, long and curly fur, just like a poodle's fur! She was so tamed and I fell in love with her at that very moment. The kids were also very excited to see her although at first they wanted a male one because the name that they had in mind is for a male guinea pig. It was my youngest son who suggested that we call our new pet Chelsea.

At first, Chelsea was scared of us. She froze when she hears our voices but later on, she become accustomed to us. She knew mine and my daughter's voices very well (some people said that guinea pigs have poor eyesight but very good hearing). Whenever we call her she runs immediately to her cage door and will let us pat her. She likes being cuddled and loves having a bath. She loves lettuce, eggplant and grapes leaves and carrots with the skin peeled off! She is also very gentle to small kids...a truly adorable little creature!

My daughter once told me that she wish that Chelsea will stay with us for a longer time...one, two or five years will do. But sad to say we only had her for almost 2 and a half months. She left us last Wednesday, 30th of December 2009. Others may find it odd, but I cried heaps when I found her dead.

She may be small but the joy that Chelsea gave to us was so enormous...

Proud to be a Filipino!

2009-11-26T21:56:00.005+10:30

Although my children were born and grew-up overseas, me and my hubby see to it that they will uphold the values we learned back home...from basic things such as food to the most important ones like values and manners, the Filipino culture is very much evident to them.

For example my eldest son, Joseph, who was born in the Philippines and grew-up in New Zealand/Australia prefers rice over bread. He always insists to have rice for his lunch at school. When asked why he likes it instead of bread he will simply answer "because I like it". Except for one instance...

My youngest son's friend one day asked Joseph why he likes rice so much. For a change he replied "because I will be a disgrace to the Philippines if I will not eat rice"...hehehe...my eldest son is always like that...very spontaneous!

Daddy's Girl

2009-11-21T18:49:00.007+10:30

I never had the chance to fully bond with my father during my childhood and teenage years. He is a Marine Engineer and hence most of the time he's miles and miles away from us. I vividly remember when he came home for a vacation (I was 3 years of age then) my younger siblings, especially the twins, did not want to come to him because they do not know him. But no matter how seldom we see him back then he taught us the true meaning of the words "sacrifice", "selflessness" and "unconditional love".

The only thing that matters to my father is us, his family. He wanted to give us all the best things that this world can offer. Yes, when we made mistakes he gets angry but after that he'll accept our shortcomings with closed eyes and open heart. Even now that we are all grown-ups he never stop thinking of our welfare. He is happy when he sees us happy and never gets tired of helping us in all aspects of life.

Two things that I truly admire from him is his capacity to give without expecting anything in return and to love... He loves not only us but also those people who are dear to us. My mother is surely a very lucky wife and I am a very blessed daughter to have a father like him :)

:)

2009-11-07T19:31:00.004+10:30

I still can't believe that I'm turning 34 tomorrow...time flies so quickly. It seems like it was only yesterday when I graduated from university, met my husband, got married and have kids. But I guess no matter what my age will be what matters most is that I lived each day to the fullest...to live as if today is my last...to dream and never stop dreaming...to always give my best...to always aim for excellence...and most of all to love unconditionally :)

34 great, wonderful and blessed years! From the day I was born up to this very moment I am so blessed and thankful. Life is bitter-sweet but one thing is for sure it is only me who can make it beautiful...

A Gastronomic Experience...

2009-10-15T23:04:00.005+10:30

I love food so much and one of my favorite dish is the butter chicken. Back in New Zealand there is an Indian food stall that has the best butter chicken I have ever tasted. It's creamy, a little bit spicy, tangy and sweet.

When we moved here in Adelaide the very first thing I did was to look for an Indian food stall or restaurant that offers a butter chicken similar to the one in New Zealand. I thought I will never find one but I did :)

The restaurant is called Royal India and it's along Woodville Road. It's close to home and transportation would not be a problem for me in case I crave for some Indian food ;). The butter chicken there is very nice compared to the others that I have tasted. But the vegetarian dish Malai Kofta is the best! The taste of this dish is the same as the butter chicken in New Zealand only that this has potato and cottage cheese instead of chicken. Yummy!

Thanks Daddy for giving in to my desire! I know that you are really not a curry lover person but you still took me there. I truly had a great evening :)

And he said so...

2009-10-02T21:50:00.005+09:30

Let me described to you plain and simple my first born child...A Happy Go Lucky person. Indeed, that's my "Kuya" (that's what we usually call him at home)!

I was surprised (very actually!) yesterday when I heard his comment about his sister's opinion. My daughter asked me and her brothers what would be our wish if Genie is real. My youngest said that he will wish for infinite times to beat his big brother in basketball...mine is world peace...hehehe...then my daughter said that she wanted to have a never ending wish. She will wish for a unicorn, a toy and so on and so forth...then Kuya said that this is boring. I never expected him to say this because I thought that his sister's idea is cool. Out of curiosity, I asked him why he made a remark like that and this is what he told me..."It is boring to have never ending wish because you will have no more options, nothing else to do if you have everything".

Good on you Kuya! Hope you will always remember mine and your dad's constant reminders. Always keep in mind that material things will only give you temporary joy and pleasure. Be a good boy always and stay cool...mwah...

Just trust HIM...

2009-10-01T09:20:00.004+09:30

So many horrible things happened this past few days... typhoon and flood in the Philippines, tsunami in Samoa and earthquake in Indonesia. In times like this we cannot blame people, especially those greatly affected, for questioning God why He let these things to happen.

Lord, may Your light shine upon those people affected by these calamities. Make them feel Your love and presence. Give them strength to move forward.

These natural calamities (and illnesses) are things impossible to control but I know that with You anything and everything is possible...

All things work out for our good
Though sometimes we don't see how they could
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth
Our Father knows what is best for us
His ways our not our own
So when your pathways grow dim
And you don't see Him
Remember you are never alone

He sees the master plan
And He holds our future in His hand
So don't live as those who have no hope
All our hope is found in Him
We see the present clearly
But He sees the first and the last
And like a tapestry
He is weaving you and me
To someday be just like Him

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart...

(from the song Trust His Heart)