"Welcome every morning with a smile.
Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator,
Another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday.
Be a self starter.
Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day.
Today will never happen again.
Don't waste it with a false start of no start at all.
You were not born to fail."

--Og Mandino

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Picture was taken around 8 am. We were along the shore of Lake Ontario and the CN Tower was vaguely visible behind the early morning mist. It was one of my favorite shot. What a fine morning.

Buddy's Spring Look

This is buddy's winter look. I have let his coat crow long and thick. It helps him keep warm on his daily winter walks.

This is Buddy's Spring look. Not much, but believe me, we spent an hour trying get that coat all trimmed up. He's gwaping now! Not scruffy looking.

More Spring Madness

Some trees blossoms first before the leaves comes out. Like the tree in the picture. Why? I have no idea. I may have to get some readings on that. But they are sure pretty.

I wonder how plants feel during this time of awakening?? Does it hurt? Does it tickles? The growth rate is so fast that it is not comparable to my hair getting longer or to my physical growth when I was in my growth spurge. This change is super fast. And to think they can't even stretch! *sigh* If only they can talk! It would probably be a long interesting story. If only all the plants can talk.

The beauty of the trees,the softness of the air, the fragrance of the grass, speaks to me.The summit of the mountain, the thunder of the sky, speaks to me. The faintness of the stars, the trail of the sun, the strength of fire, and the life that never goes away, they speak to me. And my heart soars.

- Chief Dan George

One Spring Morning along the shore of Lake Ontario

It's sunday morning... around 8 am. Sun is lazily shining against the clear blue sky. The wind is chilly.... I could say pleasantly cold. Not enough to wear shorts or t-shirt unless one is going for a run along the board walk or do a boat rowing stretch. The grass is green and wet and the water calm. Most of all, not a frost in sight! I can hear birds singing.

The swans are here again

Row, row, row your boat

gently down the lake

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily

Life is what we make

Spring Frenzy

Spring reminds me of Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter movie. It’s that time of the year that plants and trees awaken to the warm touch of the sun. Sprouts abound everywhere, like there is some kind of competition or a mad rush to be first to greet and embrace the sky. The synergy coming from the plants is so overwhelming that I can feel it in my flesh when I walk along the road. It feels like they are murmuring, singing … glad to see each other again. It always make my inside swell with warmth and brings a smile on my lips. In my mind I am also talking to them (hehe…I can’t be caught talking to plants…well, not just yet). Telling how nice to see them again after a long winter and that hopefully they will make everything green and colorful. I can’t help it! I talk a lot to my Buddy and we always had good conversations. One day I will have my own small garden and I will spend frenzied spring days and lazy summer days talking to my plants.

As a matter of fact, the bush beside my window at work had some of her buds peeking on me this morning!!! Hehe. Peeking and smiling saying good morning! The sun is up and we’re here to play and sing. They are so cute; I just have to take some pictures! Since I’m in the other side of the glass, the picture is a bit blurred but just the same, they are sooo adorable!

Awww… I just love spring! The flurry of life rushing, quickening, contagious, bursting, overflowing!

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Finished another book! It always made me feel good when I come to the end of any book I read. Well most of the exciting parts are usually around the end anyway. And it’s always nice to look back and assess the entirety of the whole story. What emotions it has roused in me, what was the lesson and overall impact as an entertainment tool.

So what about the book by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett?? It’s a very funny book! It is like a spoof of the 1976 horror story/movie entitled “Omen”. So many characters intertwined together and converging at one point. If you have seen or read about the “Omen”, this story would be a piece of cake to follow through. It basically revolves around the birth of the antichrist, an angel, a devil, a witch and a witch finder. All intertwined towards the coming of the worlds end. It was a perfect plan until the switching of the two babies, one of which is the antichrist. The true antichrist having been switched and lost grew up to be a boy of eleven years old, his true powers undeveloped and suppressed. So in the end, he was more human than the son of Satan. I guess you can very well presume that the end of the world did not take place as planned. In between these events is the tandem of an angel named Aziraphale and a devil named Crowey. Having been assigned so long on Earth to oversee balance or unbalance of good and evil has made them understand humanity and thus became friends. They are the ones who do not believe that the great plan isn’t sounding so great at all. Then there is this witch who is a descendant of a well-known witch whose prophecies tend to become true in the weirdest way. It has been prophesized that the worlds end through an antichrist is coming.

Lessons! Although the story is riddled with funny and eccentric characters, beneath it speaks a lesson on humanity. The problem in the story is the coming of the anti Christ and the end of the world (human) and how to stop it. In the execution of the plan, something went wrong… amusingly wrong to be exact. The antichrist was left to his own devices while growing up that he was influenced more to became human instead of the devil he is. Hence, humanity endures.

This story almost had its chance to be a movie. And I read from wikipedia that it was planned to get Robin Williams to play the character of the angel and Jonny Depp for the devil. WOW! That would be so cool!! I hope it will get through. Some of Neil Gaimans stories that were able to make it to movie versions were “Stardust” and “Beowulf”. I’ve seen both movies and true enough, the Gaiman style prevails.

Lost and Found...

I found this stuck in the deepest recess of my filing cabinet. It's my report card during my third year in high school. Looking at it made me smile... grin perhaps. :) I was such a nerd then! But I love every bit of being a nerd though. It was tough studying and competing with my classmates all through out the last two years of high school but being on top of things has it's rewards. One of them is having my rewards from my parents every grading period. They are not big but it's better than nothing.

I searched more if I can find my report card in the fourth year but no luck! Well, maybe when I'm not looking for it, it will just pop out of nowhere.

I will have to keep this. When my son finishes his grade 9 (equivalent to our third year high school back home), we'll compare grades! That would be soon! Very soon!

I Don't Know How to Love Him- Star of the Night - Bravo!

I don't know how to love him

What to do, how to move him.

I've been changed, yes really changed.

In these past few days, when I've seen myself,

I seem like someone else.

I don't know how to take this.

I don't see why he moves me.

He's a man. He's just a man.

And I've had so many men before,

In very many ways,

He's just one more.

Should I bring him down?

Should I scream and shout?

Should I speak of love,

Let my feelings out?

I never thought I'd come to this.

What's it all about?

Don't you think it's rather funny,

I should be in this position.

I'm the one who's always been

So calm, so cool, no lover's fool,

Running every show.

He scares me so.
Should I bring him down?

Should I scream and shout?

Should I speak of love,

Let my feelings out?

I never thought I'd come to this.

What's it all about?

Yet, if he said he loved me,

I'd be lost. I'd be frightened.

I couldn't cope, just couldn't cope.

I'd turn my head. I'd back away.

I wouldn't want to know.

He scares me so.

I want him so. I love him so.

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Isn't she amazing?? She's a grade 8 student at my daughters school. A talented Pinay.. proud and beautiful.

Hush..... These are mine ....

This time I made sure that I will not be caught unaware of the chocolate monster, that is my son! Hehe. So, before I even started eating my Chock*Nuts, I already stashed away two pieces. Just in case….you know… for rainy season.

Monday Cooking Marathon

They say Mondays are manic. In a way they are but yesterday, which is a Monday, the true manifestation of being manic has touched me. Work was an endless frenzy as usual but I have to cut it short around 3 pm for a much needed Doctors appointment. It was sooo nice to go out when the sun is at its brightest! Seldom do I get to do this because I always stay late at work. Although it was nice to have a leisurely walk under the sun, it was not the case for me for I was running late for my appointment. My doctors appointment is totally uneventful! Hehe…am I expecting excitement from a doctors appointment??? LOL! Anyway, the appointment has led me to another appointment…the much dreaded annual check up! Manic!

Then I got home earlier than usual so with extra time in my hand, I found myself breezing away in the kitchen. Sometimes, it’s like I’m in a trance when I’m in the kitchen. I’m oblivious to what is happening, mind flying to distant places and when I came back…. Three dishes are in front of me. How I did it? I dunno…I just past some time…maybe the elves did it..hehe

The first dish is chicken curry which my brain told me is for dinner. The next one is chicken and sugar snap peas stir fry with oyster sauce, which is probably for the kids school lunch next day and for no reason at all Bihon-canton noodles! Hmmm…I guess two of my friend at work will have a generous lunch tomorrow. They just love my pansit!

Manic Monday in my Kitchen!

Huli man daw at magaling....

....... Naihahabol din!

It was two days late but it does not matter! Specially if it comes from a dear friend. It's a singing card to the tune of Perfect Day. It's blaring and unrelentless... totally embarassing but cute!!! With the card came another card.. it's a card back to back. So I got a double wish! Not just that, I also got two more keepsakes.. two beautiful Maarte bookmarks. Just what I need to get my reading upto speed again. There are more light during the day now so I can read while waiting for the bus, while in the bus ...so just perfect timing!


I usually celebrate my birthday with just my immediate family so it is very rare that I get more than two gifts. What made this last birthday different? Nothing... just that this time, the day fell on a Saturday and it just so happen that I have extra money to set up a small dinner with relatives. So I got a few more gifts this year. All of them I really love. I got a wooden salad bowl from my cousin, 2 blouses from my Aunt, a set of towel and toiletries from another aunt, an awsome huge red bag from another aunt, a small guess black bag from another cousin, 2 recipe books (just what i need for more cooking) from another cousin and a set of perfume. It's not the gifts that matters... it's the celebration and the presence that is more important. I've learned that although it is a bit exhausting preparing and hosting, it felt better knowing there are more people who are happy that I am here on Earth. And for those dear ones that was not able to come and was thoughtful enough to greet me... I thank with all my heart.

I am determined from hereforth to celebrate my birthdays more than ever. Alot of people tend to celebrate less because they want to hold on to a certain age ( I should know coz I tried it ) but I found out that as I get another year of life, the more I have the reason to celebrate and be thankful. It's good to be alive and kicking and if I have lasted yet another year, it deserves a celebration indeed.

Oh Happy Day - A school Concert

As promised! There were a few video shots taken and it took me a while to decide which one to include in my post. I picked this one because it’s the portion where it practically shows most of the performers from the choir, the soloists (three of them) and the dancers.

The concert was entitled “Oh Happy Day”. It was, as I mentioned a couple of posts back, that it was a compilation of songs from three famous musical shows namely Godspell, Sister Act and Jesus Christ Superstar. A choir served as the back ground and a Narrator was introducing each soloist. Dancers were also included to liven up each song.

The school has done an excellent work on maintaining this kind of program every year. It’s an exciting challenge for talented kids and a fulfilling accomplishment. It is always a night of celebration for everybody.

All in all it was a very good show. Although there was a musical show they did a few years back that was really excellent. It was their reproduction of the Broadway musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. I am still hoping they would perform it again. It was the best!

A Beautiful Gift from a Good Friend

This is my gift from a good friend. I haven’t met her personally but our connection is beyond description. I met her last year and since then until now, I think we’ve known each other for ages. She’s one of my best discoveries from the past year.

She also gave me three birthday questions to answer. When I read the questions… I felt like …duh.. have I earned that much wisdom?? Come to think of it, I’m nearing half a century… maybe I can answer the questions. Let us see if my brain has earned justice to its age.

Here goes:

1. What do you consider your greatest contributions so far?

My greatest? Oh! It would be so nice to say “I am a philanthropist, I have donated so much in charity” or “I am a scientis and inventor and I’ve discovered a cure for cancer”! Regrettably I am none of those. In my own little way, my two kids are my greatest contribution to human kind. They are my legacy and my fortitude to the future.

2. Your favorite men. Why?

Reality or fiction?

My favorite men in fiction are:

1. Superman – mainly because he's indestructible

2. Forest Gump – His pure heart

3. Does Harry Potter old enough to be categorized as man?- Righteous

4. Legolas – Green Elf in Lord of the Rings - wisdom and valor

My favorite men in Reality are:

1. Gandhi – for his faith

2. Newton and Bell – for their brains

3. Robin Williams – he makes me laugh

4. Roger Federrer – excellence in sport

5. Terry Fox – Perseverance

3. The best times of your life.

Best times? When I became a mom! I’ve realized that I have accomplished my
purpose in life. That my life as a woman has come in full circle.

4. Three things you¢d like to give women today

Uh… does “thing” means it’s an object? Or advice I can give women today?? I’ll
take the latter.

1. Go for it! What ever it takes to make you happy! If it’s within reach… grab it! If it’s out of reach, make every effort!

2. Take care of yourself; put it above anything else, next to your children

3. Never give up!

That's it. Thank you my friend for the beautiful gift. God bless!

42 and getting younger!

I just celebrated my 42nd birthday with love ones. It's been a quick year! OMG! I'm at the age that one wishes it's the other way around! I didn't get to blow a candle but I did wished... and nah... I did not wish that I'm 24! hehe... I'm a dreamer but I do know when it's hopeless. So whatever I wished ... it's something else!

What's next? I wonder what's instore for me this year?? Will I have more friends? Will I get promoted? Will I get to visit back home? Will I find what I'm looking for?

Que Sera, Sera. What ever will be will be......

A School Night's Affair

Busy preparing themselves for a concert entitles "A Happy Day". It is a collection of songs from three very good musicals namely : Godspell, Sister Act and Jesus Christ Superstar. This video was taken at the lobby of their school and the concert is in the gym. I will have another post on the concert itself.

See how excited the kids are. It's their second night performing. I am thrilled too because this kind of program only happens once a year and it's so nice to see how talented the children are.

Great work guys!

I can wear my pretty shoes again!

Yesterday was the first day I was able to use my pretty shoes again after a long winter. I'm not saying I have ugly boots but I really miss my other shoes. Shoes that does not have to cover my entire legs! I still have to check the temperature before I go out. Weather is still a bit picky. Most mornings are still below zero but afternoons are in the single or double digit.

Sometimes, I would go out the balcony only to have a feel of how cold it is outside. It's like dipping your toe in the bath tub water to check if it's warm enough to get in.

PS. Dairy Queen (ice cream house) is now open ... this is really exciting!