I have read Bill Gates' address to Harvard class of 2007. Have you?
A line from his speech struck me: "But humanity's greatest advances are not in its discoveries - but in how those discoveries are applied to reduce inequity."
SO true, right?
I have been an educator for almost 12 years now. But I find this ironic, too. At least how today's educational system is practiced.
First, in the educational system that we have, we are always taught and rewarded if we are the cream of the crop or the top of the heap, the brilliant competitors are even honored or awarded. However, to think about others' well-being and be more humane for others, we are not trained. But in every consciousness of student it is always ingrained that one has to be the best competitor in the stiff race of academic repertoire or else be disregarded as just part of the majority of the population.
It is a fact that we are educated to be more successful in life, right? What is to be successful, anyway? Tell me.
However, in the present day educational system, are we really taught to be educated or just to memorize facts from textbooks or plainly stiff listeners to the teacher-centered classroom? Where and when are life skills?
Despite discoveries of highest level or amazing technology that transcends time and space, I think there's one thing which we cannot discover: that the very meaning of life is to live for others, right? It's hard but it's true.
Bill Gates...still in my mind.
The rule: When you get tagged, you have to add your name below the person who tagged you and by doing so you are letting the list grow. Make sure to copy with the urls to the addresses so anyone can click and visit these sites.
Limadang.com
RamblingMoo.com
blogginginmypyjamas
Chinneeq
Dora-zooropazoo
Babyshern
HiPnCooLMoM
Rachel’s Soulful Thoughts
When Silence Speaks
Dancing in Midlife Tune
Underneath it All
I am Dzoi
Hobbies and Such
moms…..check nyo
Choc Mint Girl
Amel’s Realm
My Thoughts
Rusin Roundup
Juliana’s Site
Max
Rooms of My Heart
Mariuca
A Great Pleasure
MondayMorning
LadyJava’s Lounge
Colin aka Cotojo
NafaSG
Hanna
My Life My World
Mommy’s Gibble Gabbles
Author’s Sweet Life
La Place de Cherie
Chez Francine
Confessions of an Army Wife
Bless Sanctuary
So cute lovely pixels
Just Say These Words
A Book By Accident
Soulful Thoughts of Rachel
Hailey's Bits and Beats
Now I am tagging Jeric and GreyMom and Midas
I do not remember writing a New Year's resolution. Ever. Except for one occasion when my Grade 4 teacher obliged our entire class to do so.
Right now though, it wouldn't pain me to write some wishes which long-overdue, right?
1. To have more choices in life, is what i like to have. Choices mean more progress.
2. No one gets sick or unhealthy or hurt from my family and loved ones.
3. Optimism. Optimism. Doses of unshakable Faith so I can see through life with "Easter eyes".
4. Always ask myself: What else can I do or share? And how?
5. If I can: to be more self-giving than self-seeking.
6. Move up and take a new career route.
7. Serve my family more.
8. Spend more chika/chat time with my Mom and siblings.
9. Pray more. Act on it.
10.Be always thankful for what i am, have or will be.
Need some help here.
| Your Blog Should Be Green |
 Your blog is smart and thoughtful - not a lot of fluff. You enjoy a good discussion, especially if it involves picking apart ideas. However, you tend to get easily annoyed by any thoughtless comments in your blog. |
Traveling and experiencing new lifestyles or cultures are great experience for all generations. They say it is one way to be open-minded and learn about other places. It is also one privilege for people who work hard. They really reward themselves every chance they can have thru travel. Seeing new places and meeting new people are incomparable experiences which are life-long treasures people can have.
Recently, my siblings had their tour in Europe. Next month, they are bound for tour in Hong Kong. Life for them is about traveling. Thus, I think I will advise them to have a hassle-free trip and try hotel reservations ahead of time.
Not only will that this give them a stress-free trip but also convenience and competitive prices and discounts. Not only one will enjoy the smooth logistics of the trip but also the rates which are available worldwide. Great offer, right?
Moreover, should they decide to extend their trip vacation rentals and resorts are available, too. This will give them the opportunity to be more flexible in terms of length of their stay.
My siblings can also choose from motels or hotels. Thus, the freedom to be able to exercises their choices and preferences come along with the comfortable accommodations.
I think they will love this offer. They like the idea that choices and discounts are given to a relaxed travel. Since they will be traveling with my nephew, who is still a child, comfort is their number one priority.
SO you want to try this? Since our family loves to travel also, I will tell this to my husband. So that he can also tell his friends who travel to try this set-up. And I am sure everyone who finds out about this, will recommend this also to their acquaintances.
Let’s travel with ease!
The better news now is: Coke Zero. With the real taste, zero sugar.
If it is that good, it has gone better with Coke zero. Imagine that, it is without sugar but with the same kick of taste which gets us really satisfied and wanting for more!
Isn't that what life as it should be? Real taste, zero sugar! Grab one now!
Not only that but here's the catch: Coke zeros campaign. Life as it should be is real fun on the Internet. You can direct your own small movie and afterwards send it to all your friends. Coke has found some old b/w film clips that you, as the director, can manipulate by using an easy voice recorder. You can write the conversation to your own clip and say what ever you want. Afterwards your movie competes with other movies to be the highest rated. This is living life as it should be. See it here
Juliana tagged me. This is really a thought provoking one cause I had to think of names.
Here's how it goes:
Use the first letter of your name to answer each question. Must be places or names…Nothing made up. Can’t use own name for boy/girl’s name question. If can’t answer, skip to next one.
1. Famous Singer: Hannah Montana (my daughter’s favorite, lol)
2. Four Letter Word: H-E-L-P!
3. Street: Hibiscus St.
4. Colour: Hot Pink
5. Gifts/Present: Handkerchief
6. Vehicle: Honda Accord
7. Things in Souvenir Shop: Holy Cross
8. Boy Name: Hal
9. Girl Name: Heather
10. Movie title: Haunted Mansion
11. Drink: Hot Chocolate
12. Occupation: Househelper
13. Celebrity: Halle Berry
14. Magazine: Home and Country
15. U.S. City: Hailey (IDAHO)
16. Pro Sports: Hockey
17. Fruit: Honeydew
18. Reason for Being Late to work: Hang Over
19. Something you throw away: household waste
20. Something you shout: Hurray!
So now it's Arlene, Sher, and Liza that I am tagging. Have fun thinking!!
(image from pbskids.org/sesame/coloring/h.htm)
I was tagged by PrettyLifeOnline. SO here's the result of the quiz. I had a good time finding this out. Wanna try?
Lets101 - Free Dating Site
Bang tagged me. So here's my share:
5 Things Found In My Bag
- Wallet
- cellphone
- Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Scent Spray
- pencil case
- House key
5 Things Found In My Wallet
- Cash (bills)
- old receipts
- coins- key
- some more receipts
5 Things Found In My Room
- books
- lotsa bags
- electric fan
- side table (still with books atop)
- bed
5 Things I’ve Always Wanted To Do
- Travel with my family
- sew
- do more pro/paid-blogging
- make a career shift
- more time for myself
5 Things I’m Currently Into
- wife to my best friend and mom to my three girls
- paid blogging
- trying new recipes
- potted planting
- co-organizing a reunion party for my maternal clan
5 People to Tag for This Meme
- arlene
- darlene
- reche
- dauphine
- idealpinkrose
Our family plans to travel over the holidays. To save time and cost, we will be more smart this time and try Hotel Reservations ahead of time. Not only that the rates are competitive but there are wide range of choices plus discounts are offered to any destinations worldwide. Isn't that convenient? There are offered motels and resorts, too! So, if i were you, i will try this one! Just one click and we're set to that break we all need during these holidays!
I felt nostalgic yesterday. I suddenly found myself browsing through old pictures in
my PC. I came across these photos from last year. I felt more sentimental. My girls have grown! From being little ones to full grown kids in just one year.
A pang of loneliness hit me...Will they soon be too grown to be with me? Will they
suddenly be brides and swept off their feet by their knights in shining armors? Hubby and i know that we will be left on our own early. Since we got married at 23, by the
time we are 46 years old our kids will be ages: 22, 21 and 18 consecutively. Probably
we will be an almost "empty nest" by then...
Hopefully, I can make the most of our time while they are still young: to build splendid memories of our home and their childhood! 
October 2006: Attending a cousin's High School Musical-themed party as cheerleaders at Crowne Plaza Manila
September 2006 : MY three flower girls in ONE wedding
September 2006: Looking like Real Princesses
Recently, i have heard of free chat. There are free chat rooms where you can chat with your friends or meet single people online. It is easy to have fun with new acquaintances or friends. Here are free chat lines to get in touch with different people in local areas or all over U.S. Isn't it fun to pick up the phone and start phone chat with anyone you like? And the exciting part is that there are many people who want to join you!
My dear husband and i attended a wedding of a relative recently. Every time we attend a wedding, he never fails to say that we should get married or re-do the wedding ceremony again. He wants to "marry" me again, he says. As if we have not been married for the last ten and a half years! And that's more than a decade...
It's really a blessing to be married to the person who shares the same passion and dedication to raise a family like my husband...
Although those ten and a half years were not all bliss, but with blisters, too. I am sure couples who have been married long enough with agree with me here...
Who does not want the feeling of security that comes when one wakes up every morning to find the person, whom you exchanged vows with, next to one's pillow?
How to keep a marriage? Is there really a formula? I have none in mind. But here's one that shows: be funny!
However, when things are quite rough and tough, have quality time of being serious.
And most of all: be together and have fun! Marriage after all is a lifetime commitment so better enjoy the journey, right?
| Your Dating Purity Score: 90% |
 You are an innocent dater. You're either lacking in dating experience or have had a long serious relationship. Either way, there's still plenty of fish in the sea out there for you to sample! |
LOL. These days, you can take tests of purity online...LOL
Arlene of Sunshine for Life tagged me. This is a unique tag.
How to Join?
[1] Fill up and submit the details of this form.
[2]Copy and post the rules to your blog. Include the “backward list” (a record of how the tag reached you) and add your name.
[3] Recruit for participants. Be sure to get their consent.
Should they agree to join, add them to your “forward list” (bloggers you’ve convinced to join).
Remind them to do item #1.
** Participants will be accepted until December 16 (Phil. time) only. On December 17, the organizer will email to you the details of your Ronito/Ronita. Send him/her a Christmas greeting via E-cards preferably on December 25.
Should time be a constraint, you can send it earlier.
My Backward Link List:iRonnie, jeff, bluepanjeet, thess, GBex, Liza, Liza 2, Rems, Eds, Abie, Jhona, Peachy, Mich, Era, Sunshineforlife, Hailey's Beats and Bits.
- add your name here: Hailey's Beats and Bits
I want to tag my following friends to keep this tag going before the deadline:
Sher, Macy and Shoshanna
If You Were Born in 2893... |
 Your Name Would Be: Raak Umori And You Would Be: An Alien Anthropologist |
Long ago, one of my fears in life is to get old. I always feared being old and inactive. There were times that i feel no one will care if i am old and gray. DO you ever feel that way? There were times i feel fear on being aged. But i should put aside my fears now You know why?. Read on.
People these days are really paying attention and tender, loving care to our fellows who need it. There are many of those who really take their time to take care of the people who need extra, better caring and concern in care home Not only does the service provide long-term care but also forum and news about issues in caring for our loved ones.
Recent information and available resources are accessible in a click, thus managing care for our loved ones is never a burden but a breeze. Support system is also easy to access especially topical issues on health and related concerns.
SO i should not be worried about future concerns of those who will care for me in care home. There is always a way to provide better care for me and my loved ones, too.
I am still contemplating on pursuing paid blogging. I attempted to blog about it but i still need to reflect about maintaining it . But this link is very interesting. Those who are in the stage of deciding about it check this link. This is not a paid blog but it will help you, alot
to my legs...
Yes. I would like write this as a dedication to my legs. They are one of the most dependable parts of my body. They are not perfect but definitely have gone through lots of test. After carrying three babies, (nine months each) my own weight and what ever weight i carry with me, my legs never give up on me.
Sometimes i feel i abuse my legs. I am not kind to them because even after a long day's work, walking, chasing kids, doing house chores and running errands i wash up right away...never letting them rest first. Thus, veins are visible already.
So to my legs: thanks you for keeping up with me. Thanks for always keeping me mobile and active whatever season in my life!
So I promise to be kinder to my legs... What about you?
Is there a point in your life when you needed financial help? Is there a time in your adult life when you become broke you need to reconsider outsourcing your finances from other people or institution? Have you tried loans, such as homeowner loans or unsecured loans? Have you ever asked for online loans from someone or somewhere?
Last month i secured a loan because there was a good chance to invest financially. I didn't let the opportunity pass because i needed to think for long-term investment for business. I am glad online loans are available the soonest i needed it because there was a time frame given to invest. I do not necessarily want to be in financial debt but online loans with cheap interest are good methods to secure money when badly needed.
Macy of My Wonderful Journey tagged me the question to answer.
Wow, i felt nostalgic when i read this. I was reminded of my Papa. He died of a gunshot while in the line of military duty 14 years ago, leaving behind 8 children (we were ages 28-9)and my Mama as a widow.
What will i do?
I would love to hug or kiss him. We will spend the whole day sharing stories of his childhood (as an orphan), his struggles as a person, plans for all of his (and my mama's) 8 children, fears for our future and ask him why he had to "go" too early? There would have been more lasting memories for our whole family to be shared or cherished had he didn't die that early...
Before we part, I would hold his hands and tell him: "You and Mama did a wonderful work raising, disciplining and sending all 8 children to school despite poverty and struggles. You have nothing to worry about, cause we're fine and strong as a family."
I am passing this tag to Arlene Bang and Rachel
(image from honestchitchat.files.wordpress.com)<
I got a hefty amount of cash gift last year from my sister. She gave me the gift in cold cash. I was ecstatic to be out of the room in a flash to get on with my Christmas shopping. When I said my thank you upon receiving the cash gift, I was gone in a flash to spend my cash. But I never did ask, right there and then, why she gave me such enormous amount. Busy with my shopping spree in the mall, it dawned to me that I should go back to my sister and ask why she had such huge amount for all of us, seven siblings.
The reason for such generosity is that she won in the casino by betting. And as a way to say thanks for such blessing she shared it to us.
But these days she doesn’t need to travel to Vegas or far places to enjoy casino, access online casino! It is easier to bet online because there are so many available choices and all seems to be perfect to bring home the bacon!
And I will again tell her: Sharing is fun… always!
If you're interested to make your blog earn some bucks for the Christmas shopping you long for this will make it more on the fast lane. They have this affiliate program that makes blogger benefit well. Just try!
This is my dear 8 year old daughter, Sophia Hannah. She's sooo into biking these days. 
These are my bikers...If permitted my girls will bike till they drop, everyday. But the these days the rainy weather does not always permit them to. Dear husband bikes too, but with a motorcycle. Everyone in the family bikes except: me. Scared-y cat, my little, ol' me. Do you bike? I can but i won't, that's the difference..LOL
opening one of her presents while eating chocolates
celebrant at the center with Lolo Bric, sisters and cousins
My eldest turned 10 and she was at her happiest! Almost all of our extended family members came to witness her turn a year older. Of course the best parts were when all of her cousins (except one) danced with her, she opened her presents, ate all the food preparation, blew her cake and cousins biked till they dropped...It was a happy, unforgettable time for our family which will again be down her childhood memory lane...
I do hope she treasures the memories as much as we do.
My eldest daughter turns ten tomorrow. My dear husband and I decided to invite both sides of the family for lunch. It is a special occasion since it is seldom that my side and his side of the family get together to bond.
She is very happy today because she received a colored cellphone from my Mom. It is her number one wish for her birthday. And she was so surprised to receive one from my mom. Wishes do come true, especially for blessed, obedient girl like her.
Happy Birthday, my first pretty baby! May God give you the grace to love others as much as you are loved!!
(image from www.castlecops.com)
I am elated to receive this award from BANG . Along with fellow other Moms, Bang awarded me this! Cool!
Plus if you want new, exciting recipes Bang has it on her new site...
My husband owns an I.T. company with frequent transactions online. Well, he shares it with four other partners. But as the head of the company he is used to having transactions online from different customers all over the world. When he goes online, he sees so many opportunities and luxuries. One of them of course is shopping!
He, in fact, encourages me to have account online so that time and space are transcended when shopping for variety, both for my personal and household needs.
As a technical person, my husband sees the importance of choosing shopping cart software that is best for merchants on line. Of course when he needs to keep his business going and reliable for all the costumers, he gets the best, top of the line and reliable ecommerce software that helps merchants or their web clients to have good business online.
Have you tried using shopping cart? It is best to order the finest in the market to have a steady business. So every time he asks for my advice regarding shopping cart, I recommend only A-shop.
Have you tried to blog for extra earning? I tried if not attempted to earn a considerable amount, it works! It wouldn't hurt to earn Christmas shopping money, right?
Bloggerwave works. This for sure will make me earn a good amount to make my Christmas as easy as one, two, three.
Bloggerwave will surely boost my income to keep me a good shopper this Christmas. What about you?
If you want sure, easy income try Bloggerwave. Bloggerwave works!
SO what are you waiting for? If Bloggerwave works for me. it can also work for you!
Today I learned the true meaning of : Sticks and stones will hurt my bones, but words can break my heart. I just broke someone's heart; that of my co-worker.
Today I learned blessings come in many forms, like I know no matter how bastardized my feeling or day is, when I go home 8 reassuring arms will hug me: my husband's and kids'. Bear hug and "barely long enough" arms...LOL
Today I learned that I can help a child overcome his fears: of mistakes, risks and authority. And that will change his life forever...
Today I learned an equation:
I learned and touched lives today...have you?
My perspective is my greatest enemy. When there are opportunities, sometimes i am pessimistic about grabbing them. However, there are times when there are difficulties, but I seldom see the opportunities that go with the difficulty.
Sometimes, i do not know what lenses to wear... to be able to see two-sided perspectives.
What about you? Do you see opportunity in difficulty or do you see difficulty in every opportunity.
Have you ever been to a party? Have you ever been to a big party filled with music, laughter, food drinks and loud conversations? I have been and i love the feeling of being caught up in the whirlwind of festivities and celebration.
I feel that way right now that Christmas is fast approaching. Wow! There are so much to anticipate, wrap, buy or shop for, parties to prepare, people to invite, etc. I feel pre-Christmas excitement is building up everywhere. Stores are up to woe buyers with all their sales.
But have I ever thought about the reason why there is Christmas? It's Jesus ' birthday! So amidst the hustle and bustle of Christmas, I invite you not to forget the celebrant or celebrator. He was just born in a manger, raised as a carpenter, taught us the example of true love and even died for you and me! That's what we should celebrate...
Have a Christ-filled Christmas, everyone!
(image from madhousethought.blogspot.com)
(image from www.sfcentral.org)
Long ago, I read that humility is a strange thing because when you say you have, then you just lost it.
Do you agree? But to be humble is sometimes difficult because it leads to false modesty. How do you practice humility in your everyday life? When can you say that you have it?
Jesus, our God, performed the highest form of humility by washing His apostles' feet then dying on the cross for humans like you and me. What about us?
My daughter is enrolled in an alternative school. It is a non-traditional school which offers international standards and progressive philosophy. She is used to perceive learning as something applicable and knowledge as something usable. She is exposed to the idea that learning is more than just books, paper, pencil and chalk-talk of the teacher-centered classroom.In fact, text books are not used in their school anymore, but rather direct (but guided) access to internet is always available. Isn't that the age and technology now?
One time she remarked that how come other schools punish their students with loads of books when in fact, information is one click away, thru on-line access.
She is right. Everything right now is just one click away. Even shopping is one easy click away.
E-commerce is very easy to do. Merchants do not have to peddle their wares just like the olden days. Most entrepreneur these days buy shopping cart softwares or use ecommerce software to sell online.
In the comforts of the home everyone can shop. Shoppers just load their items in their shopping carts, pay online and have goods delivered at their doorsteps.
Easy click and customers get the item. That easy. Technology is so available these days.
As my daughter says: Why punish ourselves with blood, sweat and tears? Just click it!
Most of the things that gets us off-guard are when there are unexpected changes in our daily life. Sometimes there are too many things out of our control that we get affected emotionally. Changes in schedule upsets me. Whenever there are sudden, unpredictable changes in my husband's schedule, i am caught off guard thus my work is affected.
Being a blogger these days, i now want to work from home cause there are so many opportunities online to earn blog for money. More than being able to take care of our home and three children, I do not have to be away from my comfort zone. I can blog get paid to blog.
Smorty pays better and faster. There are actually many options to choose from but this one comes first on my list these days. Why? Because it pays faster and higher in rate. So when I get paid for blogging I can earn more.
Well, who knows Smorty can make me get more ads or earn from blog. Let's see if I can have more money for Christmas shopping.
(image from www.williamrast.com)
I feel good today. Yeah. There are days I feel good, there are those days when I feel bad. Today is one of those days, I feel good. With a grin on my face, I feel good. Really. Let me tell you why...
Today, my dear hubby bought me a pair of branded skinny jeans. New jeans for me! An impulse gift.You see, these jeans are the popular cut these days, especially among teens. I am not a teen (if you cut my age in halves, then that will make me a teen) but I am fairly surprised I can still use skinny jeans, too. And what makes me look like Garfield, smiling from ear to ear is that: after giving births to 3 kids who are now ages almost 10, 8 and 5 my waistline is still 29! Yeah....I used to have 25 when I was single.But after 3 babies, my body "evolved" into the new dimension. LOL.
I do sound like celebrating because I do not exercise, no diet, eat-till-i-drop attitude and yet I am still happy about my waistline, my 118 lbs weight.Period.
SO, is it genetics?
Way to go! You know not to trust the MS Grammar Check and you know "no" from "know." Now, go forth and spread the good word (or at least, the proper use of apostrophes).
Are You Gooder at Grammar?
Make a Quiz
Last week,I attended a Bible group sharing which was with predominantly women in
attendance. One of the focus of the sharing was: (patience while) awaiting GOd's
answers to our prayers.
As humans, we usually want get the answers to our needs and wants; and as
Christians when we lift our prayers to God we want to know God's ways of answering
our petitions or concerns. What about the process of waiting?
While awaiting for God's answers to our humanly concerns, we usually get
so wrapped up within our own selves or our concerns we forget what we are learning
during the waiting process. We get so anticipatory with God's answer to our
prayers, we sometimes forget that during the process there are many experiences and
moments, simple they may be that God probably tries to teach us, enlighten us or
refine our characters. Most of the time, we expect God's answer to our prayers in
our own time but we all know that God's time is eternity. Thus, he knows better
than many human intelligences combined, right?
How about you? Which part of life do you most learn about: the process of
learning or the answers/end results/product?
I myself cannot believe the results of this test i took...What about you?
It was a long holiday here in our place. Aside from the term breaks that the kids had from school, there were days declared as non-working. Our family spent so much time together.
Previously, we planned how to spend the days off, but eventually things fell into place and happened not as planned.
My 3 girls spent so much time biking. Each of them has a bike and my husband took time tuning up each and coaching them how to bike properly. It was a good physical activity for all of them. Less time to watch TV and they did not use the computer for games; only one time. TV watching was seldom too because they were busy biking around the village and competing who biked the fastest.
The other day we tried a new recipe and they were happy to participate in doing it. Noisy, rowdy and full of energy but excited, too.
Yesterday, we brought them to the supermarket to buy our two weeks supply of food. They were allowed to buy two things (each of them) and were happy enough to try "unusual" treats such as: yogurt with a new flavoring, new flavored oatmeal, etc. I was amazed how healthy their range of choices are.
Then we decided to visit the Grammies, who live next town. They were excited to converse with them and spend a night in their place. Hubby and I got to have some "alone time".
Hubby and I are picking them up today. Tomorrow is a new school day and they need to prepare their personal things, uniforms, shoes, etc.
It was a quality, well-spent time as a family. After all, simple life means happiness for beings like us...and precious moments spent together do not have to be costly.
Well, wonderful family memories are priceless in the first place...Right?
As a person one of the hardest thing to do for me is to decide. Yes. To make one decision, it will take a long time for me to reflect and weigh the consequences of my decision, later.
As an early childhood educator, I have always known that children who were not given choices during the formative years, grow up to be NOT decision makers. But children who were given the opportunities to choose could make good decisions, and be more accountable for such decisions...
I know i am not one of those who were given much chance to choose. I do not blame my parents for this, but maybe out of consequences and the life situations (we are 8 siblings with only 2 parents)then, that's why.
As an adult and parent, decision-making comes hard for me because i have to always consider the effects of my decisions to the whole family. And the least person i think of is myself. Yes. As a mother my children's welfare comes foremost before my own. Thus, i find it hard to decide when faced with life-changing situations.
But then as a Christian, i should have the faith that God does not forsake His children, right?
But you see, i am God's work in progress... Faith that moves mountains will be given as grace.
Arlene, a true sunshine, gave this award. Thanks so much and may you give more sunshine to others for life!
I am passing this to Mimi of Listen to Grammie
Thanks for being a good friend: despite distance, age difference and racial color! God bless you!
I was busy at work today. Out of the hustle and bustle of my usual day, I heard someone called from my classroom door. Then I saw a man standing by the doorway. I stared at him for a few seconds trying to decipher who he was. I couldn't, from where I was standing.
It wasn't my husband. It wasn't my one of my brothers, either. As I came nearer, i suddenly stopped dead in my tracks. 
(photo fromwww.erinbrownconroy.com)
It was one of my former students. GOSH! He has grown into a man! I wasn't able to recognize him. He has grown tall and big. The last time i remembered him was, he was in my class as a preschool student. My goodness, my 5 feet 4 inches height was no match to his height. He said he came by to greet me a belated happy birthday... Wow, i almost dropped a tear when he greeted me that. After all those years (almost 8 years) he still remembered my birthday! Of all people, he was the least I expected to remember my day. But he did. He came by and greeted me.
It feels good to be remembered...by people who have meaningfully came to my life. They may have left, but not necessarily forgotten me.
Nothing beats the feeling that indeed, as a teacher, I am dealing what matters in life...personal values and good memories.
(photo from images.xango.com)
Today, I did something which i was dying to do for many weeks: I planted 2 kinds of fruit bearing trees. It still sounds a little off to me, because I have never considered myself as an environmentalist or a person with naturalist intelligence.
However, i fulfilled what I promised myself that I would do.
I don't know, but after deep thinking and introspection I knew i needed to do my share to go back to the basic of propagating what is natural or of nature's.
Hopefully, I will be able to sustain the efforts because i liked the feeling being proactive rather than relying on others to do their share in planting trees that we all benefit from, anyway.
I got a treat! 
It is so awesome to receive treats from people who matter. Thanks to Mayi who has an inspirational blog: In A Nutshell.
Thus, to pay it forward, i am passing this to:
Ann of Me and my Angel, Rachel of My Soulful Thoughts and Midas of Midas Five
| You Should Play the Guitar |
 You're very independent - both in spirit and in the way you learn. You can teach yourself almost anything, even if it makes your fingers bleed. You're not really the type to sit patiently through a music lesson - or do things by the book. It's more your style to master the fundamentals and see where they take you. Highly creative and a bit eclectic, you need a wide range of music to play. You could emerge as a sensitive songwriter... or a manic rock star. Your dominant personality characteristic: being rebellious Your secondary personality characteristic: tenacity |
In my hearts of hearts, i do believe that my calling in life is not to be the career woman everyone raves to be. I tried, though, to teach in a University, a small college as instructor and now i am on my eleventh year of serving the small but progressive (in mission) school i am currently engaged with. However, most of the time i am always home: lunch breaks, right after work and on weekends. Although i have an active virtual life, i am not into social circles except for simple celebrations of close friends, family gatherings, and small group Bible sharing/meetings.
My thoughts and wants are always home, for the home and for my family. I do not know how many moms would agree with me with this. But truly, given financial freedom and choices, I WOULD RATHER BE A STAY-AT-HOME-MOM.
I do not have the freedom to choose this YET. But prayers and planning with my husband can truly help. Who knows what would happen tomorrow, anyway? I am still praying. Maybe God is teaching me many lessons now before i achieve my heart's desire. I am still molded and taught... for a greater and better role. I always have a choice to believe that God is a Wiser God than many human minds put together. He knows better.
I believe God is listening to my prayers.
In fact, one day when i was down and weary, i opened the Bible and there i read about Jesus talking to Mary the sister of Lazarus whom Jesus resurrected from the dead:
“Didn't I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
(image from www.ahajokes.com )
Last week was quite a break from my routine. I met with my long, long-time friend JOY. Joy and I have been friends since time immemorial! That is 17 years of friendship. I was still a freshman in the university when i met and befriended JOY. Now, after 3 babies for me and a post-grad degree for her ( she's single, by the way)we are still good,best of friends!!!
Over pasta and iced tea, we reminisced wonderful memories and shared tons of current events in our lives. Of course, mine was full of "mommy stories" while hers: the adventures of a single, successful career woman that she has become.
It was a very comforting time. I felt JOY's importance in my life: good trusted friends are rare, indeed. We just chatted the night away. I felt free and relaxed knowing that when i go home i would still have her ;anytime i need a real comforting friend to talk to.
| What Hailey Means |
H is for Hot A is for Animated I is for Ideal L is for Lively E is for Earthy Y is for Young |
Nowadays choosing the best toys for my children seems to be very easy. But there are criteria involved when i choose their toys: variety, safety and durability. This site:http://www.shopping.com/xDN-toys offers all the 3 criteria i need. Not only do they have different variety of toys but the easy accessibility to acquire is just one click away.
need toys? just click to this:http://www.shopping.com/xDN-toys . then Christmas toy shopping will not just be easy but stylishly varied. after all its not just boys who need toys, but all the girls in town, too!
have a nice time shopping!
As a teacher i have met and interacted with so many students in my entire career. All colors, sizes and backgrounds - i have mingled and taught.
This morning as i was teaching my preschool class, our new Korean student came by my classroom. She was calling and calling me. Since she's still learning the command of the English language i couldn't understand her words from afar, thus i approached (nearer to) her. She lives with her aunt and uncle, her only immediate family in our country.
Since she has special needs (with speech difficulty and poor eyesight ), i told her carefully and slowly that she should get back to her classroom because recess time was over. I turned my back and left. She called me again, defective speech and all. She said: "Teacher, please hug. Give (sic) hug." With hesitations, i gave her my warm motherly hug. Then i left.
Then what surprised me was this: "Thank you, Teacher. Better. I (sic) better!" she said with the most charming smile I received which surely made my day... Isn't that heartwarming?
No language or race can barricade human affection, indeed.
last September 23rd, my husband celebrated his 34th birthday. it also happened to be my brother-in-law's first wedding anniversary. it was already a year ago since we received that beautiful wedding invitation . I still remember how the pink, dainty wedding invitation matched the whole occasion: the pink wedding, i called it! because everything was pink!
from the pink wedding invitations, flowers to the whole wedding entourage wearing pink, the cake and even the wedding souvenirs were pink! they labored painstakingly to prepare everything in pink. but now all these preparations is as easy as one click away!
no more hassles and heavy efforts needed!
Lately, i am really into deep thoughts and introspection: should i be given choices, i would rather be a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM). i know many of you out there would be in great protestations about this idea of mine. but still i would choose to be home. why? one would probably ask. i have very basic answer: because home is where life-long, long-term priorities are nurtured and performed.
Yes, many will say i am earning a considerable amount enough to help meet the family's finances but financial matters are temporary issues. However, taking care of my daughters to be God-fearing, values-oriented citizens (later)and soon-to-be women of substances are more pressing than fleeting, material things.
But right now, choices are not within my reach. i am still (feels forever) dreaming of being at home when my kids arrive from school, preparing my family's clothes and beddings, my husbands home-cooked meals and all the matters that concern in making our house a home! Sigh!
But God is not a passive God. If it will really benefit my family, He will grant my prayers!
After long months of waiting and practice of patience, my husband was able to launch and officially operate his I.T. business. Wheew! The long wait is over. My patience was really put into its finest test when he was still conceptualizing the I.T. business.
It took six long months of financial sacrifices and adjustments from the family, it is here!
I pray and hope that everything will operate smoothly. Again, I am forever thankful that his and the team's effort has reached the fruits.
Now I call them real techno-preneur.
Have you ever had one of those days when you just feel thankful and overwhelmed with blessings received?
Today i do feel that way. Introvert that i am, it doesn't show. but deep in the recesses of my heart: grateful!
I would like to list just a few, out of the many:
1. my family is healthy and together.
2.i have a patient, loving husband who bears my idiosyncrasies. everyday, for more than ten years.
3. My God is patient with me, cause i am a work in progress.
4. no matter how simple: roof above my head, clothings on my back and food on my table are always available.
5. my article got published at Pinoy Moms Network
6. life is good and tomorrow opens door for tremendous, awesome blessings.again.
Cheers to life and blessings, galore!
6:48 Awaken by hubby with a warm hug
7:10 Woke up kids for school. Instructed them to bathe, eat breakfast of milk and cereal which my eldest (9y/o) prepared.
7:30 Off to market and bought food
7:58 Back home while hubby sends off kids to school (5-minute walk/2-minute drive)
8:35 Off to office/work
12:00 Went home for lunch and hang laundry i did the night before
1:30 Back to work
5:10 walked home with my two tweens and took late afternoon snacks while chit chatting/laughing
6:30 went out with hubby to buy rice for dinner
7:00 Tutored 2 kids in the neighborhood
8:00 came home, ate dinner with family with lots of chit chats and updating in between muches
9:00 instructed for kids bath time and house cleaning ( sweeping, wiping tables,)
10:30 washed up cause dog-tired to zzzzzzzzzzzzzleeeeeeeeeeep time!!!!
GOODNIGHT!!!!!
Most of the time TV dominates the household. More hours are spent watching TV than talking or building relationships in the home. As most of us parents are away earning for our living, the TV becomes the substitute sitter. Children are exposed to all kinds of issues, current events, immorality, materialism and distorted values that society perpetuate.
It saddens the parent in me, that what TV portrays to be real and true are not what we are supposed to teach or enhance in our children. Sad to say, we re not always there to filter what the TV bombard our home.
So the question now is: TV? or not to watch TV? If it is the latter then how do we start?
Finally, the reflecting and thinking are over! For months, I kept on thinking ways to hone and earn from my writing skills. I have my blog for months and yet I wanted to be a person earning thru my writings. Thus, after asking on-line bloggers-friends, I finally got my best answer: PayPerPost! Most of them recommended it.
I am so happy to be part of this community of writers and advertisers, earning while enjoying. Now I can truly say that I am a true blue member of PayPerPost. And I am so glad I did it!
So why did I choose PayPerPost? First, many of my on-line friends and bloggers recommended it. Second, I personally find its system of registration and rules very easy. There are no complications at all! And lastly, since most bloggers recommended it; I find it also as credible and reliable source of income for a blogger like me!
So officially, I can now do many things in one: enjoy writing about anything and everything I love, see my work on-line everyday, tell my friends about the idea of earning-while-blogging and enjoy doing other things. I already have the time to them because I am earning while enjoying!
So, you want to try it?
it's raining again. drip. drop.
sometimes when it rains, i do have this feeling of nostalgia. or laziness. or lethargy.
in literature i think (not sure) it is called pathetic fallacy. that i feel as the weather dictates. i have my emotions as what the weather outside brings. strange. but in a tropical country like mine, the sun can sometimes bring the opposite of "sunny personality". but more often than not, the heat irritates.
back to the rain. what does the rain bring about, anyway? random in my thoughts are:
water
nourishment for plants
revived water cycle
clean roads and rooftops
colder wind
more feet tangled in bed, seeking warmth
bath time for birds and some insects
pollination for flowers
erosion
top soil migration
coffee brewing
hot soup to warm the soul
tea cups busy
ahhhhhhhh.
water, water it has power.
now i will just go with the flow.
rain. rain...............
you can stay.
and come back anytime next day.
