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As I have blogged before, music has been a great part of my life. At an early age, I have been exposed to singing, not professionally though, but by being a member of our parish children’s choir. Then as I was growing up, the choir has been my second family until I left to build my own career and family here in the Metro.
I find relaxation in singing. I remember we have our own karaoke set and I used to lock myself in the room and sing my heart out to the songs of my favorite singers like Whitney Houston and local singer Regine Velasquez.
Music provides me with a wonderful means of self expression. I would belt out imagining that I have my own MXL microphone and believe that I am on a stage performing with a live audience. Ain’t that sweet?
Music rests both my mind and body. It’s a way of relaxation for me. I sure wish I had the chance to improve my talent. But I guess I shouldn’t have any regrets. That’s why I keep telling my children that they should go for their dreams and pursue the things that will make them happy and that they should not depend on others or anything for happiness. Life is indeed your own choices.
One of the things that me and my kids love to do nowadays is to watch DVD and have a movie marathon. Now that they are on vacation, we have more time to catch up with the shows and movies we have missed. It’s one of the bonding moments I have with the kids.
As to what movie to watch? We take turns. One day my daughter will choose and the next my son, and then me. If hubby is free to join us, he gets to choose what movie to watch. Ain’t it fun? Bonding without spending too much.
With the technology available these days, you are not limited to watching movies with a DVD player, you can even watch it with your computer. You just need to have a media player that supports professional media formats like VLC. You can have the vlc download free via the internet.
Summer is here once again. In a few weeks, the kids will be out of school and they are now thinking of what to keep them busy this summer break. Despite the fact that we, as parents would want to take a break from spending, it’s inevitable that they enroll in summer classes to keep them away from spending the whole day in front of the TV or their console games.
My daughter still insists on continuing with her cheer leading camp despite her injury. We still have to decide whether to allow her or not. My boy, on the other hand, aside from his basketball clinic, would want to try out piano or guitar lessons. I’d rather he decides on taking up piano lessons since we already have a piano at home. If he decides to take guitar lessons, it’ll be a lot more expensive since we need to purchase him a guitar or even choose from different Fender Guitars in the market.
Oh well, whatever they decide, it will all be up to them. As for me, I sure hope we have enough funds to send them to these summer classes, for sanity’s sake. LOL! It’s harder for me to let them stay home and hear them say… “I’m bored!”, every now and then 
Last week, I decided to register for my first running event. I did it mostly for my son, whom we think needs to have some kind of physical activity rather than always staying at home and play his console game. Everybody is into running nowadays, I guess I wanted to try it out for myself despite the knee trauma I acquired a coupled of years back. The doctor told me it should not stop me from having any physical activity. So I got the courage to register. No worries, it will only be for a short distance of 3km. The question is … Will I reach the finish line? Teeheehee. My son would surely have a good laugh if I didn’t.
Yesterday, I tried running with my friend and I only lasted for half a kilometer and the rest was just brisk walking. Now, I can feel the panic setting in but I am trying to set my mind. I do not intend to win any trophies or medals. I am doing this for my health and for my son.
I will not pressure myself knowing that I tried my best whatever the outcome may be.
Filed under About Me, Health and Wellness, Kid's Fun Activities, Parenting, Self-Help, Uncategorized
Tags:exercise, exercise regimen, fun run, running, running as an exercise, running for kids
Being a parent always has its challenges and rewards especially when you have a teenage girl. There are a lot of pressure from people around them coupled with their raging hormones and the struggle to find a place in society. That is why it is important for parents to always be there for our teenage kids.
Recently, I had a chance to bond and share my hip and trendy beauty regimen with my teenage daughter. She attended her first prom night last weekend. We all know that for any girl, attending a prom is a milestone in our lives.
The preparation started a month before by choosing her gown, the next week would be the shoes and then I had to have her accessory customized for her gown.
The days before were dedicated to beauty preparation such having her nails done, waxing, threading, etc. And of course, the day itself has to be for the hair and make up. Oh my! My husband could only sigh at the preparation for this event.
Well, it was worth it. My daughter enjoyed the night. I feel so good to be able to be with her during the momentous occasion in her life. I know that this will have a significant and lasting effect on her. Even the smallest things count when it comes to spending time with our children, such as being there during their performances, going with them to buy their kikay stuff such bags, shoes, and even lingerie. Just to hear to your child say “Thank you!” is the most rewarding experience of all. Nothing beats that!
“Kids go where there is excitement. They stay where there is love.” - Zig Ziglar
Filed under Beauty and Personal Care, Parenting, Raising a Teenager, Self-Help, Shopping, Uncategorized
Tags:dealing with teenagers, mom and daughter bonding, mom and daughter bonding activities, Preparing for a Prom, Prom night, raising a teenager, Shopping, teenage concerns, Teenage Girls, teenage stuff
It’s been awhile since I have had that “kilig” feeling. And it’s nice to see my teenage daughter share her “kilig moments” with me. Well, I am not suppose to go into the details to respect her privacy, I am just glad to see my daughter opening up to me. Even hubby was surprised to know that my daughter even shares here SMS messages to me. LOL!
I was once there (We all are, aren’t we?) and I know how that shivers get into your spine and you just want to shout out and tell the world. As for me, I only had my friends to share it with — since Mom was kinda strict. That is the very reason why I made it a point to open the communication lines between me and my daughter.
I read this in Twitter today from an anonymous source:
“To be old & wise, you must first have to be young & stupid.”
Which is quite true, you need to be able to explore all the emotions in these world for you to have the wisdom to discern. To love like you’ll never be hurt is the way to live your life. One should not close their doors to any emotions just because they are afraid of being hurt. Emotions are merely the mental state which arises from spontaneity. It is not a conscious effort therefore we can control it. Not to say, that we should welcome sadness or grief into our lives, but we need to accept that it is a part of our lives.
Going back to my teenager, time and again, I am reminded that soon she will spread her wings. It’s seems like yesterday when she requested me to have “Disney Princess” for her pillow and bed sheets, or have that neon stars on the ceiling so she could see them when she sleeps, or even have her choice of kids switch plate covers for her bedroom lights. Time really flies so fast.
***kilig - is that shivery, fuzzy feeling that you get whenever you are infatuated.
Photo credit.
I woke up today and decided to do thirty minutes of hoola-hoop (as part of my daily exercise) and while doing so, I decided to turn on the TV and watch HBO. The featured film was Mona Lisa Smile starring one of my favorite actresses, Julia Roberts. She plays a free-thinking art professor who teaches conservative 50′s Wellesley girls to question their traditional societal roles. She encourages her students strive for a more enlightened future and not be stuck with the stereo-type stay-at-home housewives. Not that I have anything against being a SAHM, cause I am a SAHM myself. But during those days, it was okay for female college students to get married while in school as if their only role is to get a husband to take care of.
I am so glad not to be part of that era. It will be very hard for a free-spirited, fun-loving person like me to conform with the norms during those days.
But the movie inspired me some more to look beyond just like the book that I just finished. It’s by Bo Sanchez, it’s called 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich which I find very moving… encourages me to achieve more.
“Don’t limit yourself. You’re bigger than you think you are. I believe that love is limitless. It has no boundaries. I do what I do because I want to love people…. Wake up each morning and ask, “How can I bless the world more?”– Bo Sanchez, 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich
The thing is ever since I became a stay-at-home mom, I have limited myself to what I can do, depending on my husband so much. Good thing the Lord has blessed me with a very supportive husband. (Thank you Lord!)
Your life is your choice, whatever you want to become, you can achieve and you should not be afraid to fail. Most people blame others — their parents, their poverty, their lack of college education for their failure to be successful. Wrong! Bill Gates was a college drop out, and most of the Chinese tycoons here in the Philippines were not born with a silver spoon, they had to work hard for the empire they own right now.
All I am saying is if your stuck with your eight to five job, Pediatrician Jobs, clerical jobs, you can succeed if you want to.
As for me, this year is a milestone in my entrepreneurial life — I am going to start anew. And as long as I put my best foot forward and the Lord is there to guide me, I know I will succeed.
It has been my family’s tradition to go out of town for the New Year. First we just booked ourselves in any hotel in the Metro and watch the City’s Fireworks display. (We are totally anti-firecrackers, that’s why we prefer to watch.) Last year, we went out to Subic and this year, we welcomed 2012 in Boracay with the whole family.
It was indeed a different experience for me and the kids. For me especially, because I am not a sun-worshipper — I am totally afraid of the sun. However, I told myself last year that I should try getting out of my comfort zone and I have been doing a lot of those last year. Basking in the sun was not a fun experience but when I am in the water, it’s a different experience.
I guess I am more of a water person, I could probably stay in an indoor pool the whole day. Hmmmm, I might as well look for water spas like those powered by pentair pool — there’s actually one near our place.
Going back… the memories we’ve made especially with kids, are priceless. My daughter wants to go back. I just love how adventurous my kids are, even though I couldn’t catch up, I try my best! We stayed at Epic Bar Boracay for the New Year’s countdown. With my siblings and the kids we partied the night away. Yes, with my kids! Where else will they go??
The New Year experienvce in Boracay was indeed different. The beach front was literally jampacked. Filled with people, young and old, locals and foreigners alike, were all having a good time anticipating the Fireworks display provided by different hotel establishments along the beachfront. Even my mom stayed up to watch them.
My children enjoyed the breeze and the music — dancing the night away. A lot of moms might say, huuuuuwaatt??? Yeah, I start them young. At least they get to feel and experience it as early as now, and they won’t be ignoramus like me. Better with us first, in a controlled environment than whoever it will be that I do not even know. They’ll come to that stage and when they do, they know what to expect.
The makings of a party peep is what I can see from my kids 
Funny, cause I never experience that with my Mom and now my Mom sees me doing it to them… and with the blessing of my siblings at that… LOL! Oh well, they have to start somewhere.
I hope you all had all had a fun-filled New Yearr’s celebration with your loved ones. Here’s to a year filled with prosperity, happiness, peace and love. Happy New year everyone!
It’s sad to hear that nowadays it’s a common thing for husband and wives to be separated. In a country like the Philippines, where there is no divorce and with a very traditional and conservative outlook on marriage, being separated is a hard process, most especially if there are children involved.
Recently, we attended a talk regarding parenting at my son’s school. I was happy that hubby blocked his calendar to attend this very important activity for his son. The talk was conducted by Arun Gogna, who is a sought-after national and international lay preacher. I have attended one of his talks during my younger days and I have been impressed.
During the talk, Arun injected a lot of humor which made it more interesting for parents like us. A lot of what he talked about, are things that we all knew but needs to be reiterated. Although one important thing that really stuck me is his last statement about parenting..
“Parenting is how you treat your spouse.”
He reminded us that our children will mirror the way we treat our partner. If we show love and affection, they will feel loved and be confident about themselves. On the other hand, if we show hatred and disrespect to each other, our children will tend to reflect on these negative behavior.
I am glad and grateful, that despite our humble beginnings as husband and wife, we have learned to love and respect each other and have constantly shown this to our children. Even though I sometimes look at diamond wedding rings and wish that I have one of those, my present relationship with my husband is priceless and I cannot ask for anything more but to give us the much needed strength to endure whatever life has to offer.
For both us, having kids have strengthened the bonds of our marriage. I am truly blessed and I thank the Lord for that.
Photo by Emery Co on Flickr. Some Rights Reserved.
Just recently, I was tasked to make a video for my son’s graduating class during their recollection. Each parent was tasked to submit a baby photo, a recent photo and a family photo.
It was quite an arduous task putting together the video, but it was a labor love. Good thing there are a lot of scanner software in the market nowadays which makes it easy for parents, like me, to turn hard copies of photos into digital copies.
Doing the video, it was a trip down memory lane seeing these boys grow up right before my own eyes. These boys were together since Grade 1, being part of the honors class. All their activities I have compiled for the video showing.
While the video was showing, all the hard work was worth it when I saw the reaction of my co-parents. They appreciated my work I would gladly do it, given a chance.
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