RELATIONSHIP

MY COMFORT SONG

2010-11-20T13:06:00.000+08:00

	Sheryl Crow - Good is Good .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

JUST REMEMBERED THE SONG WHICH COMFORTED ME WHEN WE JUST LOST ROBIN FAITH IN 2006. VERY TOUCHING AND THE STORY BEHIND IT IS VERY INSPIRING TOO. I LOVE SHERYL CROW!

For Friends of Bereaved Parents

2010-09-14T07:59:00.001+08:00

Do’s and Don’ts...For Friends of Bereaved Parents

View more webinars from J.O.S.H. foundation.

GOODIE BOX: CAUSE FOR ROBIN

2010-09-08T01:32:00.000+08:00

GOODIE BOX: CAUSE FOR ROBIN: "This is my daughter ROBIN FAITH F. MEDRANO. She should be 7 years old now. She went to heaven due to cardiomyopathy (http://cfmedrano.wordp..."

...ON HUSBAND AND WIFE

2010-04-01T21:56:00.000+08:00

YOU CAN AGREE OR DISAGREE....

When a man steals your wife, there is no better revenge than to let him keep her.
Lee Majors

After marriage, husband and wife become two sides of a coin; they just can't face each other, but still they stay together..
Al Gore

By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates

Woman inspires us to great things, and prevents us from achieving them.
Mike Tyson

The great question... which I have not been able to answer... is, "What does a woman want?
George Clooney

I had some words with my wife, and she had some paragraphs with me.
Bill Clinton

"Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays."
George W. Bush

"I don't worry about terrorism. I was married for two years."
Rudy Giuliani

"There's a way of transferring funds that is even faster than electronic banking. It's called marriage."
Michael Jordan

"I've had bad luck with all my wives. The first one left me and the second one didn’t.” The third gave me more children!
Donald Trump

Two secrets to keep your marriage brimming
1. Whenever you're wrong, admit it,
2. Whenever you're right, shut up.
Shaquille O’Neal

The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once...
Kobe Bryant

You know what I did before I married? Anything I wanted to.
David Hasselhoff

My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met.
Alec Baldwin

A good wife always forgives her husband when she's wrong.
Barack Obama

Marriage is the only war where one sleeps with the enemy.
Tommy Lee

A man inserted an 'ad' in the classifieds: "Wife wanted". Next day he received a hundred letters. They all said the same thing: "You can have mine."
Brad Pitt

First Guy (proudly): "My wife's an angel!"
Second Guy: "You're lucky, mine's still alive."
Jimmy Kimmel

“Honey, what happened to ‘ladies first’?” Husband replies, “That’s the reason why the world’s a mess today, because a lady went first!”
David Letterman

“First there’s the promise ring, then the engagement ring, then the wedding ring...soon after....comes Suffer...ing!
Jay Leno

BURNED BISCUITS

2010-03-16T10:20:00.001+08:00

When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work.

On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!"

Life is full of imperfect things.....and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But what I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each others faults - and choosing to celebrate each others differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

And that's my prayer for you today - that you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker!

We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!

"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own."

God Bless You..... Now, and Always....

So Please pass me a biscuit? And yes, the burnt one will do just fine.!.!.!.!

And PLEASE pass this along to someone who has enriched your life? ... I just did!

HAPPY DEEPAVALI!

2009-10-15T22:04:00.001+08:00

Got a friend from India who is celebrating this festival, so I want to greet them HAPPY DEEPAVALI!

in reference to:

"Diwali

A row of lamps, part of the Diwali observance.

Also called
Translation: Row of Lights; Diwali, Festival of Lights

Observed by
Religiously by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains. Other Indians celebrate the cultural aspects.

Type
Religious, India and Nepal

Significance
Celebration of the victory of good over evil; the uplifting of spiritual darkness.

Date
Decided by the lunar calendar

2009 date
17 October

2010 date
5 November

Celebrations
Decorating homes with lights, Fireworks, distributing sweets and gifts.

Observances
Prayers, Religious rituals (see puja, prashad)"
- Diwali - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (view on Google Sidewiki)

ORGANIZING A FUN RUN

2009-09-10T00:29:00.000+08:00

I have a vision of putting up a heart foundation for kids here in our place in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. To open this foundation, I want to organize a fun run that would be held during Robin's birthday which is August 31. This date is also our post city fiesta of St. Augustine.

But before reaching the opening of the foundation, I think there are so many things - as in tons of them, that I really needed to do. I should have a plan, a checklist in order to fulfill all these.

Empower me Lord! I cannot do this by myself. I opened this up with my hubby Dennis since he is into running and loves the idea. This would also mean involving Maia, our daughter and hopefully, passing this foundation to future generations.

This would be very fulfilling and would become a timeless legacy if this will be a success.

2009-09-06T14:55:00.001+08:00

my daughter's pacemaker implant

2008-11-04T04:11:00.000+08:00

ROBIN FAITH F. MEDRANO

Her name is Robin Faith F. Medrano. She is my youngest daughter who had cardiomyopathy and went to heaven May 9, 2006. I don’t want to write the word “died” because for me, it has a negative connotation. I think I still cannot accept the fact of her being gone.

But before this happened, let me tell you a triumphant story of her life…….

When I was pregnant with her, she was already found to have an enlarged heart. I was confused and bothered during my pregnancy because I promised myself to become a better responsible pregnant mom for my baby. It’s not that I was not a responsible pregnant mom with my first daughter Maia Frances, but I was 22 yrs. old and didn’t know what to do.

This is Maia Frances F. Medrano

My pregnancy with Maia was absolute spoiling - eating big mac, large coke, and large french fries. Big mac meal (upgraded) was my favorite. I seldom drank milk because in the first place, I wasn’t fond of drinking milk. There were a lot of things that I realized that I should’ve done during my first pregnancy.

I had a normal delivery with Maia but I was oh so fat. She was 6.9 lbs and everybody was so excited because she was the first grandchild. It was the first time that really led me to feel that I was complete as a woman.

My second pregnancy with Robin, I ate healthy foods, drank milk, took my vitamins, and did the best that I can to make sure that she comes out in good and healthy condition.

In my 6th month of pregnancy with Robin, Dr. Sycelia Gue (my OB-GYNE) did an ultrasound and there, she discovered that my baby’s heart was enlarged. She asked so many things about me taking pills, medications, and having measles during my first trimester. None of these occurred and I never took any medications aside from paracetamol which was safe.

To make my story a little bit shorter (and I would post mine as another blog), during my pregnancy, I was diagnosed to have SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus). This is the reason why Robin had an enlarged heart. Her development in my tummy wasn’t well because in the first place, I wasn’t well. My system has gone crazy!

We were adviced by Dr. Lumicao (Robin’s pedia-cardiologist) that after I deliver Robin, we should provide her with a pacemaker. Well, so much for that, we couldn’t afford a pacemaker for her since I was to deliver in cesarean section and we are to prepare P60,000.00 for my delivery. A pacemaker would cost P300,000 - P500,000 and we cannot afford that amount.

Dr. Lumicao advised us to try and apply for a pacemaker in the GIFT OF LIFE foundation. Nine days after my delivery, Dennis (my hubby) went to Bohol. This is an island in Visayas and he had to take a boat to go there.

In Bohol, Dennis met Ms Fancy Baluyot who was the National Red Cross Chairperson. She was an elderly woman whom you could par with Imelda Marcos because she was so elegant. Most of them would say she was strict, but I think she just wants to get things done properly. Dennis submitted all the requirements and came back home.

Before her pacemaker implant, Robin wasn’t so sickly but she was already maintaining her captopril, aspirin and lasix. I made sure that she would go to her checkups and making sure for myself that she really took her medications. She was chubby and drank lots of milk - I mean lots.

I was so happy because I didn’t see her to be sickly but was a happy and healthy looking child.

The news came when Dennis got a call from the GIFT OF LIFE in his office. He was astounded and felt like he won a lottery upon hearing that Robin was chosen among all thousands of applicants around the world to be given a pacemaker and will be implanted in New York - just the best city in whole universe.

I cannot explain my feelings upon getting the news. I was happy and I was sad because only Dennis can accompany Robin. They would be traveling halfway around the globe with Me and Maia left behind. But I can make sacrifices for Robin. Just as long that she will be well and okay.

Three months without my baby terribly crushed my heart. All I was thinking then was it’s all for her. That I need to forget myself missing her. This will be for her own good.

District 7230 Gift of Life, Inc. sponsored Robin’s pacemaker - Kappa 700 DR. She was implanted on February 26, 2004 at the Westchester Children’s Hospital, New York.

I sincerely would like to thank Ms Fancy Baluyot for helping us facilitate our documents, Mr. Dan Nalven who was the Rotary president at that time, our host couple who welcomed Dennis and Robin in their home for three months, Mr. and Mrs. Luis Del Rosario. They have been so sweet to Robin and we will treasure the love that they have given her.

To all the members of the District 7230 Gift of Life, Inc., we will never forget your unending help to those who are in need.

Follow the link below and you will find our dear sweet Robin. The date November 27, 2003 was maybe mistaken in their records or maybe this was the date of their approval of the documents.

http://giftoflife7230.org/our_little_guests.htm

You can also try to even browse through this link if you know children out there with heart problems who might also need the help of the Gift of Life.

MISSION STATEMENT of the Rotary Gift of Life, Inc.

The Mission of Gift of Life, Inc. is to further the cause of world peace and understanding by facilitating free medical services to children suffering from heart disease and other similar or allied diseases, regardless of race, creed or national origin, and who would otherwise lack access to such services.

Our district’s Gift of Life project is provided on a totally volunteer basis by cardiologists, surgeons, nurses and other dedicated members of the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital of Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, and Montefiore Children’s Hospital Bronx, NY.

For further information on the Rotary Gift of Life Inc. and how you can be part of it, e-mail us at: info@giftoflife7230.org or call/fax to: (941) 631-7764.

....with my first boyfriend...Where is he now?

2008-10-24T21:34:00.000+08:00

I had my first boyfriend when I was in first year college. August 9, 1993. This was the date when I accepted his proposal of becoming my boyfriend. Young as I was, I never really knew how to deal with things especially with the opposite sex.

My boyfriend then had his chance of talking to me because I was living with my Aunt when I was in College. My Aunt was giving birth to my cousin Ryuji who is a Japino.

At that time, after saying yes, I could not believe that I was having a boyfriend. I never thought of what really would happen after that and I wanted to take it back, but it was too late. He was so happy and I was afraid because my parents might kill me and my sister did not have a boyfriend yet and was on her second year in college.

From first year college to fourth year college, graduation, work....tsk...tsk...tsk...he was still my boyfriend. Hahaha! I ended up marrying this guy who was my only boyfriend since birth. We got married April 17, 1999 (after six years).

We have two daughters, Robin Faith 3 years and 3 months with us & 2 years in heaven, Maia Frances who is 8 years old and will be 9 on November 15.

I can say that we are a happy family. Not until the time when my daughter Robin got sick, I got sick, my hubby got sick. We all got sick except for Maia. Robin wasn't able to make it and my hubby is getting okay since he is already getting into sports. I am still maintaining my medication and sometimes my mood swings really crashes my relationship with my family.

My daughter's loss was a very big thing in our lives that really turned our situation 360 degrees. There was a time when all we do is cry. There was also a time when my hubby had our daughter Maia have the same hair as Robin's. And now I realize that it was oh so wrong.

As a family, we never really knew how to cope. My coping was wanting to be busy, I guess and my hubby's coping is going to the gym. Until now, I really don't know how to really categorize the things that I am doing, if I was doing all these because I am coping.

After all the things that happened in our lives, my hubby remained strong in the family. Although I can feel that there would be times he would break down, he really shows us that he is hanging on. I can say this because there would be times (many pala!) that I wanted to give up on life. I would throw him out of the house with petty quarrels, but he would just stand by and never give up.

6 years as lovers and 9 years as a couple = 15 years of knowing each other. I'm really lucky to have him, but I don't tell him. I feel that the Lord has really given him to me and my daughters because he was willing to be strong and sacrifice for us. I am a weak person deep inside, but I don't show it too because I don't want others to pity me.

This is my relationship with my boyfriend, my bestfriend, my confidant, my protector, my supporter, my husband....I LOVE YOU, Pa!

...with others

2008-10-09T21:30:00.001+08:00

I don't know why but I'm different. I hate to socialize and just want to be alone. I am just happy doing transcription here at home and would wait for my child, Maia to come home from school.

When I was in my younger years (not that I'm old - I'm still 32 hehehe!), like when I was in my elementary years, I really didn't want to socialize, but it's my talent in singing that got me into joining contests, singing during school programs, singing in our community, and even dancing.

I was in grade 2 when my mom discovered that I had a nice voice (ahem). From that time on until college, I was singing. I sang at weddings, fiestas, and you bet, even burials. I've been to places just to sing with my band and I also enjoyed those days.

I have a group called Knack Junction and we started singing as a group since high school. We sang in bars (Tuburan) and Jazz Club which was the only club here in our city infested with rich people.

At that time, I enjoyed yet I still didn't mingle aside from my group mates. Deep inside of me, I am contented staying alone in the house watching TV, listening to music, doing what I love which is cross stitching, and making other crafts.

Now, I have concentrated on becoming a homebase mom and I congratulate myself because this is what I love. A lot of moms out there would love to be working at home to be close to their children and yet because of financial needs, they have to get out of the house and do an 8-hour day job (not mentioning the overtime).

Though sometimes I think my being different is due to the fact that I have SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), I try my best to let my family think that I'm okay. But I'm getting more moody than I was before I had this disease. If my level of moodswing was (at the scale of 1-10), 5 before I had SLE, now that I have it, I think it's getting to an 8.

I don't want to think about it anymore. All I just want to do is think that I am happy because I have fulfilled MY dream of working at home and care for my child.

....with myself

2008-10-01T23:34:00.001+08:00

It's a bit odd but sometimes you forget the thing that needs you to keep going in life...it's yourself. In the hustle and bustle of life of many people trying to think of ways on how to keep one's family going financially, spiritually, and physically, it came to me that knowing the best and worst side of one's self would help in the struggle for life.

Struggle for life? This would not just mean physically. Try to analyze your life and answer these questions: Why do you wake up early in the morning to go to work? If you have no work, why do you keep on thinking about how to earn a living? What do you think is the answer to this long-time worn out question: WHAT ON EARTH ARE WE HERE FOR?

I myself may not still understand. At 32, knowing one's self is not yet enough for me. Contemplating and trying to see things through in these very demanding times would sometimes lead us to forgetting ourselves. We opt to think about work, finances, future of our kids, our future careers, and all the "what ifs" and hopes in life.

I am not an expert though, but from a mother's point of view (if you did get my point hehe!), we should really give importance to ourselves and to our own needs. Well, I am also guilty of this new realization of mine because in the first place, I forgot about myself and was focusing on the people around me whom I dearly love so much.

Maybe as I go through this blog of mine, I may be able to find answers and share with you my insights. Will a single person like me above trillions of people around the world make a difference in your life? In one way or another maybe I can contribute. Just keep an update of my blog as I will accompany you through my journey in life.