Birthdays and sleep-overs

Such chaos! Having 6 girls in one place for eleven hours is beyond any description. More so if they are all 11 years old where they still want to run around and plays hide and seek instead of just watching movies and talking. I have to prepare dinner, breakfast and lunch for 6 picky girls! It was really really challenging that I have asked myself a hundred times how I could have agreed to this.

But then, watching them have fun (specially my daughter) made the experience tolerable. I know there’ll be more sleep over in the future but I know too that each year will give my daughter beautiful memories she will be keeping for the rest of her life. The girls started coming in by 3 pm. My daughter has an agenda prepared as to what to do for the whole night (mind you, I did not see hide and seek in there). They started with some art making. Then dinner next (favorite food: pizza!). Then some movies and games, lots and lots of games including to my surprise, hide and seek. I wished they would stick to watching movies and playing computer games. Games that will just make them stay at one place. But no, they seemed to have tremendous energy that they are always itching to run and jump and eventually make a mess of everything. Pillows everywhere, chips and popcorn on the bed and couches. I just stood there watching unable to say anything. When I could not bear it anymore, I just went in my room, closed the door and tried to forget the outside world while praying that the neighbors would be deaf for just tonight…please… until 2PM the next day.

It was just really really exhausting! It was to them too being up the whole night running around! It’s a good thing I have the whole year to prepare for it. I have to store up patience, tolerance, sleep and stamina. Right now I’m all drained but a proud survivor.

*Sigh* the bitter sweet of being a mother, I love it.

Buddy likes his Christmas gift!

I think he's saying "Thank you Mommy for this gift! I really like it!". He now have his own sofabed. For two years he has contented himself sleeping on whichever sofa is available. Sometimes we would accidentally kick him when he sleeps on our beds. Now, he does not have to worry about being kicked or finding all the seats taken to be able to get some good ol' rest. When we presented it to him, he seemed to like it right away. He knows its for him.

This is how much Buddy loves his new bed. So comfy... just looking at him makes me feel sleepy..hehe.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to all !

Parade of Princesses

I just have to give a proper introduction to my Princesses. I’m still in euphoria over their transformations that I’ve decided, they needed to have more time in the limelight. So the party is all set! Each Princess will have their proper unveiling.

Princess number one was named Princess Tatiana. Showing a before and after look, it definitely proved an amazing transformation. Wearing a flowing black and gold gown accented by golden laces, ruffled around her waist and yellow glass beads. Princess Tatiana is a sight to behold. She will be a permanent and honored guest to the house of Suzanne.

Princess number two was named Princess Victoria in a flowing red and white gown. The string of red and pink roses around her waist as well as the glistening red flowers that adorned the edges of her white skirt has created the feminine aura that best describe her passion. Princess Victoria will be a permanent guest to the house of Violy.

Princess number three is Princess Anastasia. She is a lover of the light and therefore has chosen to wear the color of the sun. Vibrant and cheerful with the flowing orange and yellow gown, please welcome Princess Anastasia. The exquisite orange lace like fabric has given the desired flowing effect that mimics the radiance of the sun. She will be a permanent guest to the house of Lady Fe.

Princess number three is Princess Fiona. Truly mesmerizing in a pink and white gown, Princess Fiona has expressed her love of being a woman. Accented by a lilac tool skirt and pink and lilac glass beads, has made this creation worthy of a princess. She will be a permanent guest to the house of Jenny.

Princess number four is Princess Charlotte. Adorning an exquisite black and silver gown, Princess Charlotte is ready to face the world. A lover of elegance and grace, she will be perfect to keep her owners most precious jewelries. Princess Charlotte will be a permanent guest to the house of Mommy Ellen.

Princess number five is Princess Octavia. Her passion and fire was excellently expressed in her choice of red and gold gown. Her radiance and charm is definitely the likes of a Queen. Princess Octavia will be a permanent guest to the house of Michelle.

Last but not the least, Princess Louise! Designed and conceptualized by my daughter, she is a vision of freshness. Modern and yet classy, Princess Louise is wearing a white satin gown accented with a green lace and flowers with strings of pearls flowing from her waist. She will be a permanent guest to the house of Louise.

That concludes the parade of Princesses. Hope you enjoyed it. Next project will hopefully be the parade of Queens! :)

Gifts worth Giving

When is a gift worth giving?
Is it the cost that merits importance?
Or the thought that counts
And the spirit of sharing that gives its substance?

I was really happy that I chanced upon these beauties!!! In spite of the pending snow storm looming ahead, my mom, my daughter and I, went to this Chinese store to find some not so expensive Christmas gifts for friends and relatives. I know, I know, I’m a bit of a procrastinator. I should have done my Christmas shopping a long time ago. I did try and I’m not so satisfied to what I have seen. This time it is different. I saw …. “Cinderellas”!!!! That is not a grammar mistake; I am meaning to say multiple Cinderella. I saw these little Ballerinas that have hooks for heads and arms. It’s a bit gross but the hooks were used to hold jewelries. It gave me this great idea. So, I bought 6 Ballerinas and called them my Little Cinderellas! I have asked my mother and my daughter to help me in a little quest. We will turn these Ballerinas to beautiful Princesses.

The quest began. With a small trip to the Textile store for bits and pieces of fabrics and some glass beads we went home and started. My mom is the head Fairy Godmother here. She handles all the sawing and approves all design proposals. My daughter and I were just her assistants and in charge of the glue gun. Although during the session of transforming these little Ballerinas, my daughter has decided to design her own fashion style. It was a lot of work but fun and fulfilling. We were like playing with Barbies! It took us until 3AM to finish everything.

Here are the fruits of our Labor!! Our own Princesses all dressed up for the Ball. I like all of them although my daughter says her creation has the most original and modern style. Hers was the Princess with the green ribbon around her waist. But it’s not a beauty contest! All of them are work of art!

Now these … are gifts worth giving!

Blizzard Anyone??

When ever the word blizzard is spoken, a picture of a very sweet and cold dessert comes to my mind. I would definitely accept a blizzard if offered for free. But, as it turned out this past weekend, there is one free blizzard that I think the whole city would decline to accept. The unfortunate fact is, it is not for the city or for anyone to accept or not. All we get is a fair warning which is better than being surprised and caught unaware. So, we had the privilege to experience a full category Blizzard starting the afternoon of Saturday, lasted through the night and the whole day of Sunday. The consolation was that it happened during the week end when most people were at home. Nevertheless, it wrecked all plans of Christmas shopping (that includes me). I’m not that upset though because I was able to sneak some shopping on the morning of Saturday before all mayhem started. I'll reserve that topic for my next blog (so excited about it, I can't wait to share).

That storm has put the meaning of the term blizzard into a whole new perspective for me. According to Wikipedia, a winter storm should have winds of 40 km/h (25 mph) or more, have snow or blowing snow, visibility less than 1 km (about 5⁄8 mile), a wind chill of less than −25 °C (−13 °F), and that all of these conditions must last for 4 hours or more before the storm can be properly called a blizzard. All of those characteristics were present during the two day storm.

Monday paper has captured everything. Was it devastating? How many died?? Was it like a super typhoon in the Philippines? Death is a serious outcome of any calamity. Back home or anywhere else it is one of the ways to asses severity of any tragedy. But I guess preparation and timing goes along long way. We knew the storm is coming, we were prepared and we knew what to do. We stayed home and simply let nature do her thing. There were however a lot of inconveniences. Everyone needs to shovel all the accumulated snow on doorways and walkways. No one can drive through this storm. Everyone who did not prepare and underestimated the storm got stranded in the middle of the road. Cars who braved the outside met chaos. There were 800 car accidents within the duration of the storm. No wonder car insurance is so expensive in this country. And yes, there was a single incident of death. A snow plow truck hit a parked car and killed a woman.

How about us? We were warm and cozy inside cleaning house and watching movies. We did try to go out and see if the kids could go tobogganing. Only to find out that nature was in fury. Snow is blowing everywhere, temperature is too cold to tolerate and it was so hard to walk through knee deep snow. We ended up going back after 10 minutes!

I would definitely think twice when asked if I like to have a blizzard.

The Nativity

Wikipedia defines the Christian Nativity scene as a depiction, whether two or three dimensional, of the baby Jesus (in a manger), Mary and Joseph in an animal barn. Sometimes the Three Kings will be included and at times shepherds too.

Ever since I can remember as a child, we would always have this Nativity scene as one of the must have ornaments during Christmas time. It was also the oldest story ever told. Even little children would know who each person is and their importance. I still remember the times I asked my Mom to tell me the story of Jesus’ birth whenever we do our yearly Christmas decorations. The same thing happened when I had my own kids. The questions were endless at the start but then after some time, they themselves can practically tell the whole story on their own.

Jesus born in a manger… is the most symbolic event for me. It says a lot of things and I find it moving and true.

Christmas Magic

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

- Norman Vincent Peale

To be there and not

Have you ever thought of a perfect place and time? Would it be in the springtime in the garden surrounded by blossoms and butterflies? Would it be on top of the mountains in the fall with everything within your sight and might? Or better yet, in the densest jungle, convening with nature and living life wild.

Mine is simple. I want to be in the picture attached. Watching the waves and the soft foams that form when waves touch the rocks. Listening to the waves as they play their most eloquent music. Beckoning, inviting. Feeling the sea breeze as they touch my skin warm and subtle. The smell and taste of salt completes the profusion of sensations and places my being in utter careless stupor. In my mind, I can all feel those and it is just perfect. *Sigh* the good news is that I’m half way there. I just need to work on the other half, which is reality

The picture was taken in Boracay by my vacationing relatives.

Christmas of Old

When I was a child, Christmas was my favorite Holiday and next to it was New Year’s Day. I have long abandoned my birthday and just looked forward to Christmas every year. As soon as I heard the first Christmas song on the radio, strings of excitement would run through my veins. It’s not (only) the presents, not (only) the food, not the beautiful decorations but the whole spirit of celebration. As soon as I was able, I would go to the midnight mass. I remember trying not to fall asleep through the sermon. The chapel that we go to was a small one. The chapel was extended to the street. During mass, no vehicle can pass through this street. People would bring their own chairs and would be able to choose a good spot to listen to the mass. When it’s the midnight mass, everyone would be wearing sweaters because it is quite chilly staying outside on the street for the duration of the mass. It was so nice to feel the gentle breeze of Christmas air on my cheek. After mass, there will be special treats to bring home for breakfast. My favorite one was the special Bibingka sold just nearby the chapel.

I would also look forward to meeting my friends after dinner to go caroling. We would have our hand made instruments made of ordinary things. There would be no practice; we would just sing our hearts out and really have fun. Sometimes we would have collected enough money to buy ourselves some treats.

Growing up has fortified the spirit and I continue to bask in its splendor. Until…

I drifted to another place and time. L I should say that I truly miss this feeling since I left home. I don’t know why but it is very different here. I know there are more food here, more presents, and more money but … the true spirit of Christmas cannot be felt. It is true and I am convinced… the spirit of Christmas dwells among the places where there are less food, less gifts and less money.

Maybe that is why Christ was born in a manger. And the Kings of old have come with gifts to share and celebrate the birth of Christ. Someday, I’d like to come home in time for Christmas....with gifts to share and to once again feel the spirit that has left my heart with longing.

First Fall of Snow

I remember my first time to see snow flakes falling from the sky. It started with a few, one here and there. Then as if the sky has ripped a pillow sack full of fine white feathers, they were everywhere and they were not like the raindrops that just fall straight but they seemed to be dancing around before they touch the ground. It was magical. A scene that I've only seen in pictures now so real and I'm in the middle of it. That first time, I felt like running outside outstretching my hands to the sky and have all my senses filled with all the sensations. I could've but I was at work and all I was able to do was stare at the window with a smile on my face.

After five years, I am still mesmerized by the snow. The only thing that wore out is my urge to go out. I have come into conclusion that such beauty could only be enjoyed more by being inside beside the window with a warm capuccino in hand. The picture was taken through my window at work. :) This is the first snow fall this season. It's not that heavy but it prompted alot of people to buy new coats and boots. I should know coz I did. When I got off from work, I passed by the mall to buy my daughter some snow boots.

I guess this means we're having a white Christmas. :)

Cooking, Me and Ratatouille

“Not everyone can be a great artist,” Mr. Ego muses. “But a great artist
can come from anywhere.”

I must say that the movie Ratatouille has captured my heart. It has touched my own passion for cooking. I find cooking to be one task I'm never too tired to do. Even if work has dragged me down to my knees at the end of the day, I can still stir up something good for my kids. They would always comment that I cook with love. I am actually looking forward to my childrens birthdays. Why? It's one of my only chance to cook my heart out!! I would prepare a menu way ahead of time and plan what I will be cooking. Ordering cooked foods from food shops is never my option. I want to feel the challenge and the pride of serving home cooked meals. I may not know gourmet dishes but I believe simple and satisfying food never fail to be appreciated ( specially by the hungry hehe). It also gives me the opportunity to learn new things and improve along the way. "Cooking up a storm" is always my motto, making sure each time there'll be new dishes to discover or a better way to make something.

I specially liked the scene when Mr. Ego tasted the dish and suddenly went back and relived the feeling of comfort that his mom has prepared for him. Ohhh.... I so wished that in the future, when my children were all grown up, they will miss my cooking with such longing. I have no desire to be a well known cook (I've always thought myself as a frustrated chef..hehe), but to be remembered that my food have been a source of comfort to at least my children is a great honor.

The photograph above are favorites of my children. My daughter adores any version of fried rice. My son on the other hand loves his meat.

The lesson in this movie is simple. "Any one can cook"! Just put your heart into it. Passion is a mover of mountains....

To my son, remember this always....

You will achieve your grand dream, a day at a time, so set goals for each day - - - not long and difficult projects, but chores that will take you, step by step, toward your rainbow. Write them down, if you must, but limit your list so that you won't have to drag today's undone matters into tomorrow. Remember that you cannot build your pyramid in twenty-four hours. Be patient. Never allow your day to become so cluttered that you neglect your most important goal - - - to do the best you can, enjoy this day, and rest satisfied with what you have accomplished.

Og Mandino...

SILMARILLION by JRR Tolkien

OH! After a month and 12 days I have finally finished Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien. It was the longest time I’ve ever spent on a book. Probably brought about by the fact that it was a big and heavy book, my reading was confined to only one place. I couldn’t bring the book with me anywhere unless I want to have a sore arm at the end of the day.

Anyway, I think the book is brilliant…with a few setbacks, which I admit is due to my brains inability to grasp rich, robust and complicated scenarios. I guess half my brain still yearns for visual illustrations or its just tired at the end of the day to fully imagine the world that is being described in front of me. When the book talks about Elf, the picture of Orlando Bloom suddenly appears in my mind (which is quite annoying since whenever this happens, I just melt away in my own thoughts..hehe). I really love his character in the movie, not to mention and over emphasize on his good looks. OKAY! Back to the book… see how distracted I was??

I consider the book in the likes of the old mythology where it describes when the world was made and there’s this one creator called Iluvatar who had made Gods who would prepare the world (apparently Earth but on a different name--- Arda) for his children the Elves who are immortal and Men who are mortals. The villain (as all stories have) was a God named Morgoth who rebelled and has desires to be the most powerful of all the Gods. When the Elves arrived, the Silmarillion was created for them. This apparently was the only source of light then. The sun and the moon were only meek replacement of this light when it got stollen. Yes, this light was stolen by Morgoth and was the source of all battles between Gods, Elves and Men. In the end, the Silmarillion was lost and never recovered; they were buried in the depths of the earth. Morgoth was seized and imprisoned but was later replaced by Sauron. Most Elves and Men fought side by side. Men having created last has resented being mortal and have envied the Elves for their immortality. It is also evident that Men were more materialistic having the desires to acquire wealth rather than wisdom that the elves have valued more precious. Thus, they have lived apart. Some men with lust in their heart would head Saurons calling. So men are divided for some of them are weak in mind and strong in greed. But they are also strong in will and body (even only short lived).

A few warnings before reading this book. Read when your mind is fresh to envision all the images that are described. Keep up with names because they are always changing. Keep the map open for they will aid in visualization. Most of my frustrations were not finding the place mentioned in the Map and there are a few of them.

That was it! I have to put closure before I start on another book. I am aware that I still have to be fully exposed to such stories in order to fully appreciate its beauty. So, I will definitely read more stories in the line of JRR Tolkiens version of mythology.

Winter Comforts...

It was terribly cold this morning. It has become a necessity during winter time to listen to the weather as soon as one awakens in the morning. This will determine how much clothes one has to put on before going out. while preparing the kids lunch, i heard that the temperature outside is -1 degrees C (hmm..okay that is cold .. i'm bracing myself for the next announcement). The announcer further said..' it will feel like -5 degrees due to wind chill'. Awww..... can we just stay inside??? Get the heater on...get the humidifier going and just cuddle?

I mean who wants to go out in such cold? To think that it's just beginning. There's the span of six agonizingly cold months ahead of us. *Sigh* But I do have to go out and work. The kids have to go out and study. The dog needed to be walked out. We have no escape. And we can't beat winter...it has to stay. We just needed to know how to live with it. It does have its beauties.

I can very much appreciate its beauty looking out through my window holding a warm capuccino.. :)

Ahhh...the simple life

The art of contentment is the recognition that the most satisfying and the
most dependably refreshing experiences of life lie not in great things but in
little. The rarity of happiness among those who achieved much is evidence that
achievementis not in itself the assurance of a happy life. The great, like the
humble, may haveto find their satisfaction in the same plain things.-
Edgar A. Collard, 1974

I guess winter is coming...

I was surprised by how much new books I have to read. Hmmm… how I managed to accumulate all these is a mystery to me. I guess winter is really coming. A few visits from Amazon and viola! I’m all set for winter reading. With hot chocolate, a warm blanket, beside a fireplace (if I have one) is now flashing in my mind. As it is very well known how winter is like here in Canada, with temperatures way below freezing and neck deep snows, people were left with only two options. Option one, to go outside and shovel snow (which we do anyway) and option two, to stay inside and die of boredom and depression. Since I don’t want to die of boredom or depression… a good read always saves the day for me.

I am currently reading two books. A paperback entitled, 'Eat, Pray, Love' by Elizabeth Gilbert, which I take with me to work everyday. I read while waiting for the bus, while I'm in the bus and during breaks at work. There is this thick hard bound book entitled 'The Silmarillion' by JRR Tolkien, that I cannot bring with me to work because it's so big and heavy. This I read at home.

Bookworm signing out.....

Holloween Escapade

Took me a while to post about Halloween. I was distracted by so many things that writing seemed to be the hardest thing to do. I'd rather read posts of other bloggers. They seemed to have better things to say and how on earth could they take pictures like that? Then, there's this two books that I am reading at the same time. One in paper back which i can bring to work and read during breaks and a hardbound that I read before going to sleep. Don't ask me how it happened. I seemed to be having too many new books at the same time too. Amazon is all to blame! Anyway, I know all these reasons should not prevent me from writing. Too much reading and no writing disrupts the balance in life.

So, on Halloween night, I prepared my camera for a night of picture taking. I hate to admit it but I'm a very shy photographer. Partner it with a camera that is bereft with abilities that a photographer requires left me with disappointing results. Plus a daughther that runs like a rabbit from house to house as if the whole world is running out of candies did not help either. Here's some of the photos I took while the big rabbit run around the neighborhood.

There is a huge black spider inside the yard of this house. Reminds me of several movies that has spiders, Arachnophobia, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. It's not that scary...

This house has a live monster! there's even a life size skeleton on one side of the front yard. In the picture, he becons a kid in a cowboy costume who's staring at a distance with an expression of fear and indecision if going for the candy is the good thing to do at the moment.

This is the first time I went around the neighborhood on Halloween night. I used to stay home and give out the candies. Maybe next year I will be more courageous and equipped to get more pictures. Unless... i get the chance to do the scaring...hehe.

I found this write up in the net and I am in total agrrement of it's message! :) It is written by Richard Lederer:

English is not as Easy as the English think it is......Even the English Know that...

Let’s face it: English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant or ham
in hamburger, neither apple nor pine in pineapple.
English muffins were not
invented in England or french fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies, while
sweetbreads, which aren’t sweet, are meat.

We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write, but fingers don’t fing, grocers don’t groce, and hammers don’t ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn’t the plural of booth beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So, one moose, 2 meese? One index, two indices? Is cheese the plural of choose?

If teachers taught, why didn’t preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables,
what does a humanitarian eat?

In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell? Park on driveways and drive on parkways?

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? How can the weather be hot as hell one day as cold as hell another?

When a house burns up, it burns down. You fill in a form by filling it out and an alarm clock goes off by going on. When the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible. And why, when I wind up my watch, I start it, but when I wind up this essay, I end it?

Now I know why I flunked my English. It’s not my fault; the silly language doesn’t quite know whether it’s coming or going.

Isn't it true?? I've studied this language all through my life as a second language and until now i get confused? I may have been better but not in full command of it's proper usage.

But what do I know? My first language doesn't even have enough words to live by... ;)

SM where art thou? All I see is Walmart now.

One of my fond memories of back home was my endless mall strolling and window shopping. I remember most of SM malls. The Megamalls of SM is just like a fantasy world for me. I can get lost into it and not be bothered by worldly cares. I don’t necessarily have to buy (because most of the time I do not have money to splurge). It’s just the many things to see, to hold in my hand and the thought of having them in the future (wishful thinking).

The malls here in Canada are nothing to compare with the malls back home. The one I frequent the most is Walmart. It’s a very famous store. This one in the picture is a supercenter already. It’s the biggest compared to other branches. Open from 6 AM to 12PM, it’s the most accessible store. Sometimes I do my groceries 11pm :) or when the kids suddenly needs something for school and it’s already 9pm it becomes my emergency store.

Is Walmart the store I can get lost in? Nah… There are other malls that are bigger and I have one in mind that I think I can literally get lost in. It’s called the PATH. PATH is downtown Toronto's underground walkway linking 27 kilometres of shopping, services and entertainment. Follow PATH and you'll reach your downtown destination easily in weatherproof comfort. I was told about this underground heaven (especially during winter) and I’ve decided right there and then that it was the mall for me. I guess being a newbie, the first time I tried to get there I could not find the place. When I found the place, it was what the legend says…it’s an endless tunnel of things to see, to eat and to be lost in (literally and figuratively). :) I was vindicated!

To get to know more about PATH, here is a link you can check out!

http://www.toronto.ca/path/

Guess what this is

I was looking into the memory of our digital camera when I saw this picture. It’s probably from my daughters picture taking jaunts and I was probably there but could not remember. It’s cute though.

My best guess?? It’s a piece of wonton in hot oil! Hehe…

I like the bubbles the best…

Nobody cares if you can’t dance well, just get up and dance!

Last Christmas, my daughter got a Play station2 game called Dance revolution. I guess she was distracted with so many gifts at that time that she hasn’t paid too much attention to this game. It was just recently that she would get the PS2 out of his Kuyas room and assemble everything in the living room to play. This will be after doing her homework at night. It was also during this time that I began to watch her play and find it to be a very good exercise. She then insists that I try the game myself (as if telling me…’you need this more than I do, mom’). Oh my…I was so clumsy that my legs get entwined and almost hurt myself. I got upset with both my mind and my legs for not efficiently communicating to each other! During one of my exasperations, my daughter (who does it so good) would say… ‘you only need practice mom’. I have taken that advice to heart. I think this is a good exercise not only for the body but also for the mind.

Ben gay will be at hand…. :)

My Sons New School

I took a picture of my sons’ new school from the van. I know it’s such a lazy thing to do. I’m still a shy photographer (I hope this will change when I get a better camera). Unlike his previous elementary school, which is shiny and new, this one is old and gray (modest is the appropriate term). I don’t mean to offend; I have never judged a book by its cover. I still picked this school for my son, didn’t I? I chose it primarily because one of my cousins been a graduate there and one is still at present studying on his senior year. There is already a sense of belonging and a good reputation to boot. It is also an all boys Catholic School. They don’t have too big a population so control and discipline will not be too hard.

So far, he’s doing good. The uniform suits him well too. The grade 9s orientation was held in Muskoka Camp for three days. My son enjoyed it immensely. There was also a parent curriculum orientation last week for all grade 9s (1st year high school). We were asked to go to each period/subject that our sons go through and get to know the teachers and their subjects. It was very interesting and it does make us feel as parents that we are personally involved with our sons’ studies. I got all his teachers email addresses and that makes me feel good.

I am so content to what the school offers. The public catholic high school here is comparable to the private catholic high schools back home except for the manner of teaching (it is more lenient here). I guess the private high schools here got that missing touch, but it is too expensive.

So far, my son’s feedback on his new school is good. He didn’t have any trouble finding new friends and no issues of bullying whatsoever. He got the hang of commuting on his own (or with some friends). He hasn’t told me but I know he misses having girls as classmates. I can’t help but feel guilty at times but I strongly feel that girls should be the least priority in his list of goals at the moment. Anyway, there’s an all girls Catholic High School near their school. ;) I’ll leave it at that….

Kuya, Kuya
Ako’y nadapa
Sa aking pagtakbo

Paghabol sa bolang di ko nasalo.

Aray, Aray
Tulungan mo ako,
Tuhod ko Kuya
Tila may dugo.

Adeng, Adeng
Huwag umiyak
Nandito na ako
Tutulong sayo ng tiyak.

Halika, halika
Kay Nanay tumahan
Lilinisin nya ang sugat
Hihipan ko naman.

Hayan, Hayan
Kapatid kong bunso
Band-aid sa sugat at halik sa noo
Galing sa Nanay gamot na totoo.

Ngumiti, Ngumiti
Wala na ang sakit
Hanapin ang bola
Maglalaro na tayo ulit.

Mga munti kong angel
Handog ng langit
Sa aking abang buhay
Na tunay na pinagpala

Una si Kuya
Makisig at masaya
Si bunso ang sumunod
Animoy manika.

Tanging kasiyahan
Ang sila ay pagmasdan
Sa kanilang paglaki
na nagmamahalan

Dalangin ko sa Diyos
Na sila ay pagpalain
Maging malapit
sa puso at damdamin

Pagtutulungan sa panahon ng hirap
Matutong magpasalamat sa panahon ng sarap
Naway si Kuya maging maalaga sa kapatid na bata
At si bunso naman sana sa Kuya laging maniwala.

Sa aking pagpanaw
Sa mundong ibabaw
Kayong dalawa aking pamana
Sa sangkatauhan na may tangan na pag asa

Children of Hurin - Oh My … Such Ending!!

If anybody would see my face after reading the book ‘Children of Hurin’ by JRR Tolkien, they would say I looked like a child whose candy was taken away. I was not smiling, really. Rather, I was pouting. It’s not that the story itself is bad; it’s the emotion that the story has left me when it ends. It’s not really what I’m expecting and not a clue was said in the reviews! I was cheated out of my own fault…hehe. Such tragedy!!!

The book itself is brilliantly written. The setting was well introduced. I just hoped that the map was placed in front and not at the back. It took me intense headache visualizing in my mind the places and geographies that was described therein. Only to find out in the end that there is a map that I can refer to. I was tricked again. As much as possible whenever I read any book, I do not go checking the last pages. I do not want to stumble into the ending and be temped and ruin the whole experience. There was purpose of having the map at the back and I realized that. It should’ve been mentioned in the beginning that there is a map folded at the back of the book. Or perhaps the English is so deep, I completely wheezed through it.

The language is also something to get used to. The names are not only hard to read but at the same time it’s always changing and remembering is difficult.

So I started my saga to the unknown… weed through the pages of battles, of journeys to distant places (on foot and horse!), of encounters of men, elves, dwarves, orcs, dragons and creatures unknown. I’ve seen the strength of curses, of black magic.

This story tells of Hurin, a man, his allegiance to the Elves. It tells of his battle with the Evil Morgoth and his Army. It’s about his capture and the curse that Morgoth has set to his family. Truly, in this story, evil has triumphed.

Thus, my only lament…

Aren’t they supposed to be bouncing?

We were in a cousin’s party last Saturday. I took this picture because it just caught my attention. Something is definitely not right here. Aren’t the children in the Bounce thingy supposed to be bouncing? Did they really grasp the concept of that huge toy? Hmmm….maybe they are tired. Maybe they are taking rest. Nah….they are into something. What could it be?

Ugh!! This is indeed a conundrum! When I went nearer to investigate, I was not shock of what I saw. They have been distracted by another toy. It’s a toy within a toy. The children are concentrating on a game in Nintendo DS inside the bouncing castle. It is quite ironic really. But then it is expected to happen. Is it something to worry about? Nope, soon enough they will get tired of the small toy and get on to bouncing again!

New Obsessions...

In my quest to find another book to read, i came across very good reviews about two books. They are written by the renowed author of 'The Lord of the Rings', J.R.R. Tolkien. I haven't read the Lord of the Rings books but I've seen all the film over and over. Because of the 5 star reviews, I am convinced that it's worth a try. I have such high hopes of having such a grand time reading, I hope I would not be disappointed.

So off to Amazon.ca and ordered the books "The Children of Hurin" and "The Silmarillion", both by J.R.R. Tolkien. After three days, they are knocking on my door (figuratively speaking). I preferred getting books in Amazon.ca because they offer cheaper prices and they are delivered free. The book 'Children of Hurin' costs $35, I got it $17 from Amazon. I need my order to be over $35 to avail of the free shipping, so I had the other book 'Silarillion' for $22 (regular price $35). It's really a good deal.

Ahhh... the smell of fresh books. I just love it!

Ako'y may Alaga ( I Have a Pet)

Ako'y may alaga

Asong mataba

Buntot ay mahaba

Makinis ang mukha

Mahal nya ko

Mahal kodin sya

Kaya kaming dalawa

Laging magkasama

This is our dog Buddy. Of what breed? I was told Corgie Welsh, but it looks like a Terrier to me. Anyway, he's a sweet 4 year old dog. He was given away by the previous owner because her children developed an alergy to the dog.

He likes his squeeky bony bone toy. He has developed a way of tossing it away and running after it. He likes Mommy's food too!! I know he shouldn't be eating anything except dog food, but he would beg and beg and beg. He barks alot though and Kuya is particularly annoyed by his non-stop barking at other dogs. He is very good with cats... he seemed to adore them. I should post some pics of him with my aunts cat sometime. Ching (daughter) tries to teach him some tricks but he just wants the treat.

Some dog!

Sino Ito?? (Who is this?)

Sino ito?
Di ko tanda
munting mukha
parang manika

ikaw ba si nena?
O si Pedra kaya?
Ay naku! Baka si Kulasa
Na Bikolana

Pero hindi!
Munti kong angel
Hulog ng langit
Walang kawangis

Ikaw nga si Luisa
Bunso kong tangi
Himbing ng tulog
Sa yakap ko at awit