Music as a self-expression

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.

Picking up the pieces

Lately, I have been doing a lot of thinking regarding the things I need to do to help in the family’s finances. With the decision to close my small business and the new business still has not picked up, I just feel I have so much things to do in order to make myself productive.

Yes, this is the time where I feel I am not contributing anything, aside from being a full-time mom. No, it’s not self-pity… it’s picking up the pieces. I will not hold on to the past and waste energy. I will start over to free my self up for something better.

There is a world of possibilities out there and it is up to me find it and create something for the future and for my self-fulfillment. It’s all a matter of pushing yourself.

It’s as simple as fixing a furniture like a piano with a broken hinge and change it to stainless steel piano hinge to make it more sturdy. Your future lies within your hands and you do not have anyone to blame if you fail.

So, I guess I need to start picking up the pieces.

Online meetings

I used to have online meetings when I was employed with a multi-national company and I meet with people around the Asian region and even the US with the use of web conferencing services. Technology indeed shortens distances. I just love it that you can communicate with your loved ones without too much cost. When we were in US, I can talk to the kids everyday without spending a single centavo. I just need to hook up with the wi-fi connection available.

Now that my hubby is on his own practice,  he can have online meetings with his clients anytime, anywhere. He even does his presentation remotely without leaving his office or our house. Cheaper than flying all the way to meet them. How great is that?

Good thing I am quite adept with technology to help him set up these meetings.

Will I reach the finish line?

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.

I love to accessorize!

Anyone who knows me well would know that I love to wear accessories. As to how many my collection is, I have no idea. But there are a few pieces that I consider my favorite like the sterling silver jewelry that my former boss gave me as a send off gift when I left the company. Another one is the multi-colored ring I bought from a jewelry maker of whom I used to be a regular customer.

Just like make-up, I can’t go out without wearing any accessory even if it’s my watch, a bracelet or a simple pair of earrings. Fashion accessories can totally change a simple outfit. If you really want to be a fashionista, wearing fashionable dresses are not enough.

From scarves, shoes, belts, hats, purses and many others, these fashion accessories will define your style. Everyone carries their own fashion statement, young and old, even if you’re a man or a woman. Wearing accessories will enhance your look. So remember to always choose the one that will suit your taste and you will never go wrong.

Prom Night

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

Your life is your choice

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.

The bonds of matrimony

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.

Too much politics

Watching the news these days is really disappointing. While the Christmas girl is me is still checking if everyone on my checklist has a gift, others are so busy fighting and exchanging harsh words.

The other week, after being slapped with an electoral sabotage case, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo while awaiting trial, following a Pasay City court’s approval yesterday of her petition for hospital arrest, refuses to ride an air ambulance service provided by the government but instead prefers to be transported via a bulletproof bus. This incident resulted in the exchange of harsh words between the two camps.

This week, members of the Congress fastracked the passing of the impeachment case against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, which reportedly was pushed by no less than the President himself.

I can only shake my head in disgust! It is no secret that my brother in law is a Senator, but we are not a political family. I just can’t get it. Probably, the reason for my disgust is because of the timing. This is Christmas, people should be thinking of the reason why we are celebrating…

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. -John 3:16

Yes, not too long ago, my husband’s family especially my BIL, was a victim of political harassment. But I could not wish it to happen to any family.

I just hope that we can all move forward and know by heart the reason for this season.

Let it go and make room for the new

I came home one day from my yoga practice and saw my eldest crying and whining. My first instinct was of course, to ask what happened. Then she blurted out the events of the day that led her to cry. One thing good though, she didn’t cry in school.

My daughter even when she was a kid, was such a “cry baby” just like her mom but I have learned through time that crying does not solve anything. And so while she was growing up, we have taught her how to be strong and not be hypersensitive about things. Thanks to her dad, she has slowly outgrown the cry-baby stage … until now.

I tried not to show pity but I really feel for her. She’s the captain of her batch cheering squad and it’s a very big responsibility. When things don’t go her way, it can sometimes make her fall to the ground. My advise is simple. “If things don’t go your way, your tears will not help solve any of your problems. You can cry to release those emotions, but only for awhile. Let go and pick yourself up and try to be objective about things, it will let you focus more on the problem at hand.” It took while for her to stop sobbing but after all the pep talk, I know that she’ll be alright.

Sometimes the reason, why we cry and drown ourselves with sadness is because we keep looking back at the mistakes or the misfortunes that took place. LET IT GO! I am reminded of the quote I saw in Facebook…

When life’s strong winds come blowing, bend with them and let go. By bending, you become stronger in new places. By letting go, you will be making room for the new and the better.

Nowadays, you need to be more flexible. Get out of your comfort zones and try out new things. I used to see myself as an office type of person, where I have a fixed workstation. But lo and behold!  I am now an entrepreneur. If I need to work, I do not need a workstation. I can work anywhere just like those hospital computer carts, my mobility does not affect my efficiency.

It took me awhile to find my niche and now I tell myself, “I should have done this a long time ago.” Oh well, it’s never too late …