Going North

I will have my 1st Northern Exposure! Hello Laoag and Vigan..Naimbag nga aldaw yo, apo.

Excited na ko makabili ng sangkatutak na chichacorn at makatikim ng bagnet..Goodluck sa hiblood ko..

This year God has blessed me with trips in Davao, Cebu and now Luzon naman. I met a lot of new friends, became sociable again, enjoying my job to the highest level. At mas nachallenge ako to do better. Hindi ko namalayan matatapos na ang 2007, it was all soo fast..napakabuti ng taon na ito, lahat ng bagong experiences sobrang saya.

Ang aking Christmas gifts hindi pa nabibili! Yikes, panic mode na. I was teaching Rye to say "Merry Christmas" over the weekend and it sounded like "Pahimas". Pwede na rin di ba. Pahimas or touch in english..Touch others with love and joy. Hmm..pwede nga.

My and Rye's 1st Kiddie Mass at St Jo

I was excited to go to the Children's Mass yesterday. Rye was just an excuse to go. Hehe. I was tired of the usual adult mass which makes me want to sleep sometimes and late na pag Sunday night kaya the 3pm sked was just right. Ayun, Rye slept on the first half and was groggy awake the rest of the hour. But it was fun! May action songs yung Papuri, Santo and Kordero..lahat! And the gospel was explained simply and the priest was acting the part of the bible characters..the kids can participate in the question and answer portion during the sermon..There's also something so spiritual listening to a children's choir. Mas nafeel ko ang presence ni Lord.

Dati ko pang iniisip if I wanted to convert into a baptist Christian. Because there are certain beliefs that I really don't practice like regular confession, novenas and others. But then I love the Mass itself, the good rituals like Baptism, 1st communion and the devotion to Mama Mary. And Andrew Greeley always remind me through his books just how great it is being raised as a Catholic. It's also something that Mama passed on to me which made me who I am now. It's not just a religion. It's a way of life. Although maraming imperfections, I've come to terms with it.

I taught Rye how to do the Sign of the Cross. He wants to say "..and of the Son" only and "Anem". He Calls Jesus as "Jushush".

Anem.

Gab's Birthday shots

October survey

Name: A mix of my parents' names

Age: will always be a tween

What are you passionate about: Jesus, Films, music, books, writing

Most played songs: Hill Song and Corinne Bailey Rae

Heroine / Hero: My sister / My Dad

Best quality about me: I'm determined

The worst: I get distracted

Do you have direction? Yes..surreal nga lang

Last semi-sensible purchase: tokong as pambahay - could be used as jogging pants

If you could buy one thing right now it would be: Little Tyke slide for rye

Beach or mountains: Beach. Lap it up!

Sport: a little bit of badminton, pacute swimming, some basketball, table tennis

Movie that makes me cry: mother-daughter scenes with susan sarandon. And also the "stepmom" scene where julia roberts and susan talked about being the past and future of their daughter..oh oh..pass the towel please!

Apart from what you're doing now, what would be your dream job: It would Samantha Brown's show on Travel and Living..touring Europe for free!

Temptation you have successfully avoided thus far: compulsive shopping

Temptation you have succumbed to recently: junk food feast

The one thing you can never be: basta anything that needs immediate counting like being a cashier, a toll person..puro abono ako!

The one thing you strive to be: more patient

The one thing you struggle with the most: angry outburst

The most beautiful woman you've ever seen: My mom.

The best thing your mom taught you: Kindness

The best thing your dad taught you: Integrity

The thing you surprisingly enjoy doing: clipping kids' fingernails

What turns you on: witty, God fearing, cowboy

What turns you off: rude, mayabang, bad breath

Most pointless thing a girl can buy: useless treatments like pouty lips, breast enhancements... self esteem can never be bought!

Best thing a girl can buy: moisturizer and tweezer, plus sexy nail polish

Favorite sound: my son's laughter, shriek of joy, the way he calls me "mum" with a british accent to boot (malay ko kung san nya nakuha)

Worst sound: loud snoring or water dripping or clock ticking at night

Favorite word to hear: mwah

When no one's looking I like to: dance like a freak to any kind of music that's playing on the radio

What would the movie of your life be called: Life Like Lynette

What is the most ironic thing about yourself: I'm OC but don't show it..in my head, I've had it all figured out but can't execute it well enough. I'm a closet fashionista - I know the latest trends and yet can't wear it with ease..

What do you like most about yourself: I can do research like a spy
What do you hate most about yourself: I seem to attract the wrong type of guys.

One thing you will never be: whiner

Issue most important to you: street kids and programs for their benefit

What is the bravest thing you've done: love! hahaha

What is the one brave thing you've still yet to do: get married and face the in laws.

What's food for your soul? praise and worship songs, communing with nature

If you were to enter heaven, what would you like to hear at the pearly gates: "Hi there! Your Mama is having a homecoming feast for you at the mansion."

Life Notebook

Yesterday I bought a notebook from Papemelroti. This brand of recycled notebook has been witness to my life's most significant and mundane journal entries since I was twelve years old. So maybe I need to write again. I have been keeping a digital journal since 2004 but it's not the same. Just as a digital album is not as poignant as turning the pages of a real photo album. Call me backwards, but it's really something else.

My nephew had his 1st bday party yesterday. Looking at the next generation of our family, I feel all these mixed emotions..it's looking forward to the future and yet wanting everything to remain the same at least for a little while longer. Rye had so much fun spending time with his cousins. I hope they can preserve the friendship even when they've grown up or been separated by distance. Eight cousins in all..ranging from 22 to 1 year old. I pray they have a great life, bounded by faith and love.

Big Girls Don't Cry

The smell of your skin lingers on me now
Your probably on your flight back to your home town
I need some shelter of my own protection baby
To be with myself instead of calamity
Peace, Serenity

[CHORUS]
I hope you know, I hope you know
That this has nothing to do with you
It's personal, Myself and I
We've got some straightenin' out to do
And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But Ive got to get a move on with my life
Its time to be a big girl now
And big girls don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry

The path that I'm walking
I must go alone
I must take the baby steps until I'm full grown
Fairytales don't always have a happy ending, do they
And I foresee the dark ahead if I stay

[CHORUS]
I hope you know, I hope you know
That this has nothing to with you
It's personal, Myself and I
We've got some straightenin' out to do
And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I've got to get a move on with my life
Its time to be a big girl now
And big girls don't cry

Like the little school mate in the school yard
We'll play jacks and uno cards
Ill be your best friend and you'll be mine
Valentine
Yes you can hold my hand if u want to
Cause I want to hold yours too
Well be playmates and lovers and share our secret worlds
But its time for me to go home
Its getting late, dark outside
I need to be with myself instead of calamity
Peace, Serenity

[CHORUS]
I hope you know, I hope you know
That this has nothing to do with you
It's personal, Myself and I
We've got some straightenin' out to do
And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I've got to get a move on with my life
Its time to be a big girl now
And big girls don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry

This song is on my mind these days. A bad case of last song syndrome..

Times a-changing once again. It's been a really dizzying year for me. Wonderfully so. May term bang ganun..anywayz..Tama bang october na..I have a Christmas list but don't have time to shop or the budget to start shopping..hehe.

Rye 2.4

Rileyisms:

Suri, suri - sorry
Mouse - Mickey Mouse
Kitty - KT his cousin
Jushush - Jesus
Pepper - paper
Pakaw, pakaw - pacquiao or boxing

He loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny and other Disney shows especially High School Musical. He eats Daddy's fried rice, chicken liver, tilapia, adobo and peanuts. Love nya ang boxing, he would raise his fist and tries to box with anyone. Love nya ang cousin nyang si Gabby. Love nyang i-wrestling!

He loves lots of people. He's in his element when they are all over him. In short, bibo at pasikat. He knows how to turn on the aircon, how to plug electrical chenes at itapon ang lahat ng liquid mapa cologne, alcohol or lotion..

these days

these days are swamped. As in totally loaded. And then there will be last minute hostings and seminars. Like this week, may biglaang tie up with QTV, first time na may GMA network pips dito. And then today, I didn't know I had to attend a marketing seminar by the guru himself, Josiah Go. It's called Blue Ocean Strategy - one of the top 10 business concepts of all time. Apparently, hindi rin alam ng organizers that we are going to attend since we are not listed in their registration. It was supposedly exclusive for suppliers only. Kaya hindi kami pwede umatend.

Nakakaaliw, we had to wake up at 7am to go to MOA (the guards didn't know there was a seminar din..napakaconfusing ng umaga ko). We didn't know where to go, we didn't have an invitation. Armed only with a prayer, an encouraging text and my poor bladder which led us to the rest room inside the seminar venue which prompted us to sneak inside..voila! Instant gate crashers..

It was great to be surrounded with entrepreneurs and business bigwigs..parang feeling magaling sa math na rin ako. I learned a lot of marketing know how's. The free seminar should've cost around a thousand pesos. Ang catch we need to present what we learned and report it to management. wahh!

How Could I Ask for More?

I first heard this song in Elim, specifically Barbie Dumlao singing it on PY's show. It was soo beautiful. And hearing it again tonight after what, 15 years..soo amazing! I found a Christian radio station online and it played just now, sung by Cindy Morgan. Nawala ang headache ko.

How Could I Ask for More

There's nothing like the warmth of a summer afternoon
Waking to the sunlight, and being cradled by the moon
Catching fireflies at night
Building castles in the sand
Kissing Mama's face goodnight
Holding Daddy's hand
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

Running barefoot through the grass
A little hide and go seek
Being so in love, that you can hardly eat
Dancing in the dark, when there's no one else around
Being bundled 'neath the covers, watching snow
Fall to the ground
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

So many things I thought would bring me happiness
Some dreams that are realities today
Such an irony the things that mean the most to me
Are the memories that I've made along the way

So if there's anything I've learned
From this journey I am on
Simple truths will keep you going
Simple love will keep you strong
Cause there are questions without answers
Flames that never die
Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise
So thank you Lord, oh thank you Lord
How could I ask for more

(see, gotta hear it when you're feeling ungrateful or grumpy or having a major headache hahaha)

Rye and Nette Simpson

www.simpsonizeme.com - One of the coolest sites to come out this year! I grew up with Bart, he was my favorite character when the Simpsons came out in the early 90's. I haven't watch the film though...Ok, here is the Riley and Lynette Simpson pictorial. Enjoy simpsonizing yourself!

Halfway

I just got back from a 2 week spiritual sojourn called the Halfway House Program, sponsored by the company and I felt like I'm reborn all over again. I got renewed or accepted Jesus as personal Lord and Savior when I was 14 years old. Back then I was in spiritual high, going to church service thrice a week. I was so hungry for the Word of God. Until college and work ate most of my time and simply got too busy.

I went back to choir just before my Mama passed away in 1999. But then the world just got too tempting with lots of fleeting fancies that I took the Lord for granted. Up until 2 years ago when I was down in the pits of darkness. It was the culmination of a troubled life. And the Lord just scooped me out and kept me in the shelter of His wings.

Sa Halfway House, confiscated ang cellfon, bawal magwork unless super urgent, 6:00 am ang start ng activity kaya 4.30 am pa lang gising na ko. Merong lectures, praise and worship, inner healing, deliverance (eto yung ma-action at madramang tagpo) and commissioning of the Holy Spirit. I got the gift of intercession - praying for other people's burdens and I think evangelism. Sana, sana..

Ang saya ng batch namin - puro makukulet na comedian hahaha! Mang Joseph - pinasaya mo kaming lahat, kakaiba ka! Saludo ako sa lahat ng servants lalo na kay Pastor Edmund and Sister Shirley. God bless you for helping save souls for Christ.

Now I'm back to work, back to the real world and still reeling from the joy of praise and worship for 8 straight days, meditating on God's Word and loving fellowship with batch 50 (we're gold!).

I'm going the whole 9 yards for you Lord, hindi lang halfway! Isasama ko si Riley and we will be a household of faith. Amen.

Be Bench Presscon

We've attended the Be Bench: The Next Model Search and it felt like old times when I used to work for a concert production company. Syempre, picturan with artistas (na hindi ko ginawa noon, ewan ko bat natuwa na kong gawin ngayon) - mas kinilig pa ko kay Christian Bautista kesa kay Sam Milby kasi I was watching his concert dvd just that weekend and sobrang gaganda ng songs dun. And he was really nice pati naman si Sam eh, though a bit shy. And I was so happy to see Haydee, my friend since elementary days pa kasi haven't seen her since 2004.

Worth Going to Prison For

My new love - Wentworth Miller of Prison Break! Dati ko pa syang nakikita but haven't found the time to watch PB until 2 weeks ago. Although I saw the "Human Stain" in which he played the young Anthony Hopkins. Oh such beautiful eyes. Oh perfection.

Basketball has been my favorite sport watching activity for as long as I could remember. At 10 years old my parents brought me to Rizal Stadium to watch Ronnie Magsanoc(my 2nd cousin) play in the UAAP. The UP-UE match was a classic finish. After that, it was PBL and the PBA. How I loathed Ginebra during that time. There's the rush of excitement watching it live and winning it by a just a point or two or even a 3 pointer.

During college, it was just sheer heartbreak losing over UST. And having googoo eyes at Jason Webb and Luigi Trillo.

Yesterday, I had fun watching the Jones Cup with Team Pilipinas winning against hometown favorite Taipei. All my good manners flew out the window when I watch a game. I cussed, I scream, I jumped and I howl like a man.

And Rye is soo amazed. He's now a basketball fan too. He says "shoot" and then proceeds to dunk in his mini court.

Cool.

10 Ways to beat stress

1. Accept your imperfections and go ahead inspite of them.

2. Avoid fighting for anything that's really not worth it. Don't squander your energy on semi-important things.

3. Learn and follow organizing principles.

4. Say "no" more often.

5. Get rid of a lot.

6. Don't gather much.

7. Don't keep much.

8. Value simplicity in your lifestyle.

9. Don't sweat the little things.

10. Be grateful.

-adapted from Organizing for life by Sandra Fellton (Nevell)

I'm not sure if I'm stressed. Just out of sorts. Italy dreaming. Wanting frappe and a good conversation. Missing Glorietta and Greenbelt.

Lea's Site

I thought I was having a slow day today, just browsing which resto to have advance Fathers' Day dinner with Dad and the haws people..and voila!

I stumbled upon Lea Salonga's Multiply site with tons and tons of photos..yeeha

http://bigsis222.multiply.com

This early, I'm actually preparing for Christmas. Kasi maraming tao ngayon ang gusto kong bilhan ng gifts. And yen will bake some goodies as part of the gift items so sana talaga pasok sa budget. I also found a new place where I can buy really cool clothes at bargain prices pero hindi ukay ha.

Been seriously thinking of Bo Sanchez's Catholic Filipino Academy - home schooling for Rye. I know it's about 2 years to go but tuition is soo expensive in the schools and yet education is not as good as it should be. Until grade school lang siguro ang home study kasi mas masaya ang high school in the traditional sense eh. And he's more equipped na to handle life..

Sana lang I could be a credible "teacher". I'm looking forward to lots and lots of field trips. Like if we study history, we'd go to the actual places where the action happened that's just near di ba..ang cool nun! Tapos madaming madaming reading assignments na parang isang buong library ang reading list nya.

Pag summer he'll be exposed to kids his own age kasi I'll enroll him in any art/music class or sports clinic of his choice. So far, that's how I've planned it. I'm taking it one step at a time.

Wow Philippines

Dami dami ko pang lugar sa Pilipinas na dapat makita. And so I hereby declare that every year on my birthday, I would visit one destination and support the local tourism industry. I'll start with Corregidor...

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Visited Map" alt="" />
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My Lakbayan grade is C-!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at href="http://forge.codedgraphic.com/lakbayan">Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Beyond the Sea

Somewhere beyond the sea
Somewhere waiting for me
My lover stands on golden sands
And watches the ships that go sailing

Somewhere beyond the sea
He's there watching for me
If I could fly like birds on high
Then straight to his arms I'd go sailing

It's far beyond the stars,
It's near beyond the moon
I know beyond a doubt
My heart will lead me there soon

We'll meet beyond the shore
We'll kiss just like before
Happy we will be beyond the sea
And never again I'll go sailing

I know beyond a doubt
My heart will lead me there soon
We'll meet, I know we'll meet beyond the shore
We'll kiss just as before
Happy we will be beyond the sea
And never again I'll go sailing

No more sailing
So long, sailing, sailing, no more sailing
Good-bye, farewell my friend, no more sailing

Such a hopeful song, I didn't realized it until now.

My Mot

For 2 amazing years, you have showered me with immense joy.

You who came at the most hectic time of my life (adjusting to a new job, moving to a new house, ending a relationship, ate's homecoming), two scary spottings, fetal distress, pre-eclampsia which led to an emergency CS - whew!

...stuck with me and held on for dear life. You taught me how to be strong. Hence, your name Riley. Courage to the end.

For 2 amazing years you have given me unconditional love.

You who had to endure my clumsy mothering skills - from diaper rash to new infant milk allergies and wanting to quit being your mom at 3am over colic and incessant crying, still gazed at me with pure adoration and how!

For 2 amazing years you have provided me with stretches of laugh lines.

You who call Shrek an "okoy", wakes up at 5am smiling and eager to go outside, plays at the park but not wanting to slide, dances to ABS CBN's summer song and calls me Momommy - as in Wowowee. You made me laugh like no other guy can.

For 2 amazing years you made me a better person.

I didn't care about a lot of things before. Ako'y isang malaking dedma. I do what I want and don't want to be disturbed. Period. But when you came, I just wanted this world to be a better place for you. I don't want to die just yet so I can see you grow. I'm also praying to God that you would have a greater life than me (although I've been so much blessed din), more opportunities and all.

For 2 amazing years you made me want to aim bigger dreams for you.

I want us to travel together and see the world! I want you to be good in math. I want you to be a well-rounded person. Sana you'll learn a musical instrument. Or play a sport. Of your choice. I won't force you to do something you don't want to do. That's not how I was raised (thank you Mama and Daddy).

For 2 amazing years you kept me a domesticated person.

Home buddy naman ako but during weekends, I want to go out as much as possible and as long as my budget would allow me. But when you came along, I never did want to go even to the mall without you. And had my appointments squeezed in a day or even cancel night outs. The only time I did go to a bar again was in Davao (mandatory pa yun) and I was so out of place. I was content seeing you as you go about your milestone moments or watch you play and read (more of scan books) and those hohum things.

For 2 amazing years.

Thank you.

Allow me to thank these people too:

Daddy Dad: for taking care of you the whole day and watching endless Barney cds

Ate Elma and Kuya Jo: for treating you as another one of their own kid (nagselos nga si Jocelle eh)

Teret: for taking you to the mall ALONE(a feat which I haven't done pa nga) and arranging your clothes and trimming your nails

Kuya Bong: for buying pasalubong - a cool Toy Story car in Disney HK (ako nga walang something eh)

Ate Susan: for taking care of you and calling you her bunso

G-Anne: for taking countless photos and videos of you in her phone (ako nga nag grab na lang ng images pra sa multiply ko eh)

Ayla: for being your 2nd mom when you stayed in the hotel and watching over you when you swim

Jundee and Angel: for making alaga din and buying food pag nag grocery for gab

Yen: for giving you a lot of stuff and pampering you with kisses and for being the nth mother (ang daming nanay ni rye)

Jen and Jamal: for giving Rye a glimpse of the Moslem ways and being a hands on Ninang

To my Mot, Toot toot, Rarye, bert, Matmat: Happy Birthday! Let's go dizzy with fun..

3 days before Rye 2.0

So, I've been really trying not to plan Rye's bday but it can't be helped. the un-O.C. me needs to prep for my son's birthday. Yesterday I gave him a Shrek toy thanks to McDo Happy Meal. Made him so happy.

I was having the usual working day yesterday when I accidentally learned that this person shares the same birthday with Rye. Of all days in the calendar di ba..

This guy I met in Cebu. That's why I wanted to go to Bora. Coz he lives in Cebu but his work requires (oh the pain) him to frequent the island paradise. Dapat isang buong journal entry nga ito. Ngunit hindi ko na nagawa.

Eck!