How Old Is Old?

Chronological age is not that important as there are other things that matter more. I'm 36 years old and I don't think I'm old. As a matter of fact, I don't look old (he he). I've been there, done that, yet there are so many things I still want to do and accomplish. I want to go back to school. I want to travel and meet other people. When my kids grow up and start partying, I want to party with them. People kept asking me what's keeping me young. I said just by being carefree and being true to myself, not to add having a partner who's 7 years younger (ha ha ha). See, I got a lot of reasons not to be called "old". Old for me is when I sit on a rocking chair telling stories to my grandchildren and waiting for the sun to come down the horizon. By then, I would consider myself old but satisfied.

So, this is my answer to Cathara's question "How Old Is Old". She is celebrating her 25th birthday. Hey Cathara, you're just starting your life! There are people I knew who are in their 60s and yet they still party with their "kaberks" and they knew Lady Gaga's song "Paparazzi" (that's my father shhhhh).

Happy Birthday!

Live all the days of our lives

If I had to live my life over again, I would perhaps take more chances and grab every opportunity. I would dare to do more mistakes and learned from it. I would live my life insanely. I would have more time to relax, travel and be carefree. There would be more mountains to climb, rivers to swim, and roads to run. I would eat more streetfood and worry less on health. I would be sillier and be little serious. I would have perhaps more trouble. But I would be happy.

I’ve been one of those people who lived by the rules set by the people around me. I was scared to commit mistakes, scared of what other people will say. Just lately I learned that people will forget what you did and what you said. Yes, I would not worry anymore for I’m gonna survive it anyway. I would live my life one day at a time. I will not look back and grieve about the past or be troubled about the future. I will just live my life in the present and make the most of it. Life is really short.

And what he greatly thought, he nobly dared

O prince, in early youth divinely wise,

Born, the Ulysses of thy age to rise!

If to the son the father's worth descends,

O'er the wide waves success thy ways attends:

To tread the walks of death he stood prepared;

And what he greatly thought, he nobly dared.

--Homer (Book 2, lines 307-12 - The Odessey)

Actually, whether we like it or not, we are "near" to what others think of us. What just made us prove to them that they were wrong is our courage to proceed or dump our efforts. So we better stop thinking of "stopping" whenever negativity attacks. We can smash into anything we thought is negative. This is the where we can overthrow them. We just have to believe in ourselves. - my thought for the day to live by.

Words of wisdom and fun ideas

An addition to my New Year's Resolutions, I decided that I will be having my daily words of wisdom/fun ideas for me to live a full life and to celebrate faith, peace, new beginnings, family, art, beauty & generosity (naks!). I should have done this on the first day of the year but so many things to do with so little time kept me from doing so.

Anyways, here's for today- I hope somebody will have the time to participate ;)

January 6, 2009 - Answer:

This year, I would like to be more __________________.
(Ex. friendly, patient, witty, loving....)

My New Year Resolution

Each New Year, I always come up with a set of Resolutions. It's more of what I'd like to do and not the usual "want to change a habit-thing". I've been placing "To be more organized" on the top, but its always been a 60% done (or 40% failed for that matter) so now it falls under number 4 because I will be prioritizing number 1 and 2. I should have combined the first two resolutions because I had a hard time choosing which should come next to the other, but ended up with being fair..

Here's my Year 2009 Resolutions:

1. Have more time with the kids - I am expecting that I will only live for an average of 60-65 years. Now I'm 35, so there's only around 25-30 years left for me. And because kids grow so fast, I want to enjoy every moment spent with them now that they are still small. In a couple of years more, Helen will be 7 years old and I wont be able to carry her in my arms to sway her to sleep. Mikaela is nearing her teenage years and starting to dislike toys so I wont be able to play with her anymore. She will be interested in other things other than play with me..

2. Make up for the lost times with Katkat - this is the thing that I'm sure I will regret for the rest of my life. Leaving Katkat when she was 3 years old and letting her grow without me. It's imaginable that there are times when she needed a mother and I'm not there. I dont want her to hate me so I will give my best to make up for our lost times. If only people are not that selfish..

3. Love family more (parents, siblings, aunts, nieces, nephews) - nobody loved me as they loved me, they are always there when I needed them and they never failed me so I will give them back all the love they've been giving me.

4. Be more organized - clutter free and mess free on everything.

5. Wake up earlier than usual - I've been waking up as early as 5:30 am but its not enough for the many things to do every morning. Cook, prepare kids' pack lunch, school uniforms and school stuff, prepare the breakfast table, wash dishes, prepare self for work, drop kids at school, and many other tasks in between. So, I decided to wake up 30 minutes earlier.

6. Budget/Save- year 2009 will be financially tough and I'll be having the monthly amortization of my loan. I decided to allot the budget only the basic necessities-food, school stuff, medicines, & utilities. No more shopping and travel and less on not so important matters.

7. Be more careful in decisions - there are wrong decisions that I made in the past year so this year I will be learning from my lessons.

8. Find a higher paying Job - the need arises from resolution no. 5

Actually the initial list is 12 but due to lot of thinking and planning, I came up with only 8, they're the most important and I'm sure that at the end of this year, it will be a 0% failed (though I worried with no. 6).

Happy New Year Everybody!!

First Post For The Year 2009

"A daughter may outgrow our lap, but she will never outgrow our heart" ~Author Unknown

It's been quite sometime since my daughters were together. Last was in May 2008 during school vacation when I had to beg Edwin to let Katkat stay with us till school opening. And it was 6 months ago since I last saw Katkat and I'm very disappointed and guilty with myself for being so busy not to have a time to visit her. Yes, there are reasons why I'm busy, which I knew are so "mababaw". But this year, having time for my kids no matter how busy I will be, topped my list of New Year's Resolution.

My kids are the reasons why I'm thankful that I'm alive.

I remember one morning when I was about to go to work, my 3-years old youngest daughter Helen gave me her first drawing, it was a drawing of a girl, actually it was somewhat a stick-figure. I was surprised to see her learned how to draw at her age. To my exitement, I hang up the drawing at our refrigerator door. And when I arrived home in the evening after work, I found our refrigerator full of stick figure drawings, this time they were colored with crayons, and with Helen saying "Mommy ganda drawing ko, kaw yan".

Katkat, my second born on the other hand, was left in the care of her grandmother when she was also 3 years old. I left her. That's the only thing in my life that I am regreting. I am a brave and gutsy person, but during that times, I became a coward. But despite of my shortcomings for Katkat, she still wanted to be with me, live with me, and still favors me over anything. My daughter loves me-unconditionally. I knew I need to make up for Katkat. And I'm willing to do anything too for her.

Mikaela, my eldest, is nearing teen years.. May sarili ng mundo ika nga. But with every occasion, she always has a ready gift for me. Sometimes a hand made card, a cheap coin purse, a flower or a drawing. And always with a small note saying "I love you mommy".

Here are picture of my daughters last Christmas -December 25, 2008, one of the happiest Christmases I have..

LP 37: Mahalagang Regalo

Wala ng hihigit pa sa halaga ng regalong ito sa aking buhay. Ang aking pamilya na laging andiyan lang sa lahat ng oras ng aking pangangailangan at nagmamahal sa akin ng tunay. Maaaring hindi nga kami perpekto sa mata ng ibang tao, pero ang pinakaimportante sa lahat ay ang pagtingin namin sa isat-isa. Kuha ang litratong ito noong Disyembre 25, 1978. Ako yung batang naka pula ng damit..

too busy to post

I've been very busy these past few days that I didn't have time to write a post. There's the company's Christmas Party, there's the Mizuno Run, there's the kids' school presentation that I need to check out every mananahi for the rush rush costumes, and above all there's the monthly Board Meeting and for the first time I'm not yet prepared for my reports. Oh boy..

Anyway, there's always Stanley to give some moral support (though what I really need is some ready hands to do the typing job). He send me this video which according to him is his current favorite. It's been playing over & over in my laptop, kinda memorized the lines already haha. Here it goes, Champagne Supernova by Oasis..

Litratong Pinoy: Eksayted!!!

Ang kaibigan ko na si Janice kasama ang mga anak ko habang sakay ng MV Diana papuntang Boracay. Ano ba't kahit ito ang una nilang pagsakay sa barko, sa halip na sila ay mangamba or matakot, sobra pa silang exited!


Sa wakas nakarating din ng Boracay! Ang ganda ganda pala ng Boracay sa bukang-liwayway! Ang puti at ang pino ng buhangin! At ang dagat, walang kaalon alon! Weeee ang sarap!!


Ang sarap magswimming! Child-Friendly talaga ang dagat.

Si Janice walang pagsidlan ng kagalakan! Parang bata na nagtampisaw sa dagat. Unang pagkakataon din kasi nya na makarating ng Bora.

let's be thankful

For the past week, I had seen and joined so many Thanksgiving contests in the net that I need to pause for a while and think of the things that myself should be thankful for.

But first I’d like to share a story that happened two weeks ago when we attended the 59th birthday party of my dad’s best friend-Uncle Edgar Villanueva. I expected it to be a blast because a day before that party my mom told me that it was a pool party. But when we arrived at the venue around 7pm, we were surprised that barely 20 guests were there. Uncle Edgar said the party was supposed to be for the closest/bestest friends only and he had only one bestfriend-My dad.

So the party went on, lots of food were prepared, lots of drinks were served and guess what, despite of the fact that liquors now are a no-no for my grumpy old dad, yet he and Uncle Edgar got drunk.

Uncle Edgar: “Minsan lang ito”
Tintin: “I’ll be watching your every shot”.

Then all of a sudden, the celebrant together with my dad had a crying portion.

Tintin: “OK folks, your turning into dramatic actors, that’s enough! Tatay let’s go home”

But my dad’s reply for me had me speechless for a moment.

Tatay: “Anak, next year we’ll be getting our senior citizen’s cards! Let us enjoy our time together, we only have a few years to live! Life now is short! Whether we like it or not, malapit na kami matigok”.

Now, not to diminish those thoughts or anything, but I thought I should like to present a list of things I'm thankful for that you might think is not normal ;-).

Feel free to add to the list in the comments should you feel the need.

Things I'm thankful for:

1. Sanitary napkins & Toilet paper (can’t imagine how my lola was able to live with pasador)

2. Seatbelts

3. Pets - dogs, cats, chickens, ducks & goats for that matter (they bring a smile to my kids’ faces like no other)

4. French Fries (they're quick and easy and taste pretty good)

5. Zippers (they’re keeping my messy things unnoticed inside my bag)

6. My refrigerator & microwave oven (always ready when hunger stikes in the middle of the night)

7. Wind Chimes (I like the sound when you flick them, making me sleepy in the afternoon)

8. My laptop & internet (for obvious reasons)

9. Videoke (it’s making my mom stay at home hehe)

10. Other fat people (its nice to know I’m not alone)

11. My kids’ Tutor (for being patient with my kids)
12. Movies!! (I’m an addict)

13. Counter Strike – (for releasing my stress)

14. KFC hot & crispy (yummy!! Ang gravy ginawang sabaw!!)
15. Music

16. Roof over my head (my new house!! Yipeee)

17. good friends that make me laugh and let me cry every now & then
18. good health – panahon ng krisis bawal magkasakit

19. Brother & Sister –(for strengthening my patience, lols, they made my childhood so much fun)

20. PARENTS – (reasons I’m thankful that I’m alive!! Hey Pop, your still the handsomest, macho dad that I ever had, (though your so grumpy most of the time)so don’t hurry meeting San Pedro ok, You won't be kicking the bucket any time soon..I ‘ll be entrusting you my grandkids ...Give yourself a little more credit than that! Hey mama, we’re having a videoke marathon tomorrow so save your lungs, stop yelling at your grandkids!!)

21. MY KIDS (reasons I’m thankful that I can give life, and for the unconditional love they’re giving me, I maybe a dumb ass wife, but I bet I’m the world’s best mom!)

22. and lastly OUR HEAVENLY FATHER – for giving me all the things I am thankful for…All praises I’m giving back to you.

my baby no more

I was fixing Mikaela's things at my ninang's house last friday. She's been staying there of more than 2 months now since the start of the house construction ( a week more and we off to our new house yipee!!).

I was about to pick up the books when I glanced into something colorful, shimmery, pink. A little notebook.. more of half the size of the standard notebook that I used in my high school days. On the cover of the pink glittery notebook said "My Diary". I was so "Gosh may diary na ang anak ko??" And what do you expect that a typical compulsive-possesive-mother that I am will do? Of course I read it!

I cant believe that Mikaela is maintaining a diary for a about a year! I was more like of a journal of every occassions that passed, her birthday, everybody's birthday, family outings like swimming, dining out, out of town travel, and even the times when we had misunderstandings. But what surprised me is her note dated Nov. 15, 2008 - her first communion. Here let me share a few lines:

Dear Diary,

Today is my favorite day because it is my first communion. My mommy and my sister Tala accompanied me to the church. Today also I got to see my crush at the church. Ninang said crush is only paghanga. He is my crush because he is intelligent and he is our first honor in class....

Huwaaattt???? Mikaela had a crush?????? What am I gonna do??

I think I need professional help or I'm going crazy!!!

what's your star

I'm not into astrology but as what it said about being born under the Leo sign, there are some points that really match he he he ;) wonder if it is coincidence or just my thinking.. whatever.. he he anyway, here it is.




LEO (23 JULY TO 22 AUGUST)
(THE LION, FIXED, FIRE, SUN)

Fun to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about people’s feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Moody and easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Always broods about the past and the old friends. Likes to be quiet. Homely person. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Prone to having stomach and dieting problems. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.