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

Feeling young (and stupid)

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.

Out with the old..

This month, I am giving up two of my business, in which I am a partner, to give my full attention to my new business.

Out with the old, in with the new….

I finally got my business permit yesterday, it’s under my name and now I cant truly that I am a certified entrepreneur. A good way to start the year!

I just hope and pray that this will be a successful venture. I have tried a lot of business, I have failed in some but I will not stop trying.

For this year, I am filled with so much hope. I am summoning all the positive energy in this world to help with this new business venture.

And while at it, I am browsing at Cyber Monday sale, trying to score a great deal for a laptop. teeheeehee…

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.

New Year in Boracay

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!

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.

Reminiscing the past

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.

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.

Christmas Break

It’s official! School is out for both my kids. Yippeee!

Well, my boy was out since Thursday and today is my daughter’s last day of school. Two weeks of long undisturbed sleep which I am so looking forward to. I am also eagerly awaiting our annual family get-together which will be in a beach resort this time. I just pray that the weather will cooperate. Crossing my fingers!

Busy as a bee

My schedule is so crazy nowadays that I do not even have time to take a pause and indulge in some relaxing massage or a facial. I remember the last time I was this busy was when I was working and started selling baked goodies on the side. I go to work feeling like a zombie, because I need to finish my baking at 2am. Now, I feel like I look like a zombie, My hair color is starting to fade, my face is starting to break and my nails…arrrgh! But no worries, I shall have my “ME” after the Holidays and de-stress myself. Good thing, I still find time to squeeze in my exercise regimen, which I feel is the most important of all.

Even with all the toxicity, of course, I still don’t forget to look Fab I try to put on make up even just a hint of blush, a lipstick and of course, my mascara. Good thing I am blessed with a good skin type and naturally long lashes, teeheehee. Once I was asked by an office mate if I was putting on fake lashes and even inquired about the best eyelash growth product I was using. “Oh, this is my natural lash. I just placed mascara,” I replied with a smile.

Working in front of people has taught me to dress and look good even when I am busy, it gives me no excuse to look hideous. Oh that’s not me at all. Others tell me that when you are a SAHM (stay at home mom) that gives you a good reason not to dress up. I say No! I probably wouldn’t be wearing my usual office attire but I certainly wouldn’t wear anything crappy. You always need to look good, whether you are working or not.