One of my goals this year is to continue reading good books. I started working on that goal by reading two biographies the last two weeks.
I was able to read: Kate: A Princess in Waiting (book published before she got married to Prince William) and Enchantment: The Life of Audrey Hepburn.
In those two books, what really stood out for me was the role their respective mothers played in what they have achieved.
Kate's mum was the key factor on why she was able to study in private and expensive schools, like that of St. Andrew's where she met her Prince. It was her mother's party business that did it for the Middletons.
As for Audrey Hepburn, her mum's family was very rich, she was in fact a lady with a title, but the 2nd World War changed all of that. Still, it didn't hinder her mum to do odd jobs (in terms of a woman who has a title, born and raised in the upper class) like cleaning, being a cashier, and the like just as so she can support Audrey's dance classes. So Audrey can pursue her love for ballet.
Indeed, what a mother's love can do!
The books were inspiring and aside from these I have mentioned, there were still a lot of lessons to be learned just by reading the stories and their family's histories. I just highlighted the one that appealed to me the most, maybe because of the simple fact that I am a mother too :)
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
I Did It!
I did it!
Surprisingly, I did.
I thought I wasn't ready for it, I thought we weren't ready for it.
Guess I was wrong.
It was another first for both me (Alvin , too!) and my son, Liam.
As mentioned in my previous post, I decided not to join the rest of my family in the Melbourne, but my son still did. Even if we tried to persuade him up until Wednesday of last week, well, there was really no changing his mind.
Alvin asked me to talk to him Wednesday evening, but at that time, and seeing how eager and excited Liam was for the trip, I felt, we should give it a go. I will miss him, definitely, but I felt it was unfair for him not to go for that reason alone, and because his younger sister didn't want him to join. I just don't want him harboring bad feelings toward his sister, for you know, being a KJ. And it was a chance for him to, hopefully, miss us! hahaha
By Thursday lunch, I was making all the habilins na -- you pray before you sleep, put your dirty clothes in the plastic bags I put inside your luggage, wear your dog tag (withh is address on it), always hold the hand of an adult, drink your vitamins, be a good boy, suncreen and sunnies, hala, the habilins just came! I wonder if he remembered all of it!
I was okay with it. But Thursday night, and probably Liam already realized that it will be the longest time he will be away from us, started crying. Not the crying na atungal, he was just lying down and then he started to sniff and tried to remove the tears from his eyes, without making a big fuss.
That did it for me :( Umiyak din ako :(
The "crying part" didn't even last for 10 minutes hehe. We were both okay. He just asked me to sleep beside him that night and hold his hand.
They left early Friday morning. Sam as soon as she woke up, looked for Liam. I thought she would cry when I told her they already left for Melbourne, but to my relief, she was okay with it. She just kept on telling me every time we go out that we already pick up her brother.
Now, back to my story, my sister-in-law gave me updates every 3 hours hahaha even if I didn't ask for it. Anyway, I called to check up on him and the second time I called, my son already told me, "Just be cool Mum."
Hala! hahaha
So from that time on, I stopped myself from texting and even calling him.
My only relief was seeing his pictures in FB. My Kuya Jay knows me too well because as soon as they started to go places, he took Liam's picture and tagged me straight away in my FB account. That is not my Kuya Jay, but probably he loves me hehehe that's why he did it :)
The four days came quickly and I was an excited mum by Tuesday because they were to arrive around 6pm at our home.
When they arrived I asked my Mum and my siblings how Liam was, and they said they didn't have any problems.
Although during their second night, my sister told me that probably he had a bad dream, because he awoke in the middle of the night and asked her if he can go home already. My sister had to explain to him that it was not possible. Anyway, he didn't cry or anything, he just asked my sister to sleep beside him and hold his hand. End of story.
I was surprised because I didn't become super affected or super sad with him not being around. You know, the feeling as if your world has stopped revolving. Bumaha ng luha or the like. Maybe because I was able to prepare myself mentally and emotionally, and maybe because I still had Sammie. It will be unfair for her if I just sulk, right? I was missing him but I wasn't sad.
And at the end of the day, seeing and hearing him tell us that he really enjoyed and had fun, was more than enough :)
This experience proved that I can really be a tough Mum and that my son has proven that he can be independent. More than being lonely, I was actually happy and proud of what we have both realized and achieved thru this experience.
As my friend described this experience, "maaga bumitiw sa palda ng nanay...ihanda mo na ang puso mo!"
Yes, that is what I am definitely doing, because I know that this is just the start, the beginning of many adventures, experiences and choices my son will be making, without me--without us.
So help him God :D
Here are some of the pictures he had during his Melbourne trip:
Surprisingly, I did.
I thought I wasn't ready for it, I thought we weren't ready for it.
Guess I was wrong.
It was another first for both me (Alvin , too!) and my son, Liam.
As mentioned in my previous post, I decided not to join the rest of my family in the Melbourne, but my son still did. Even if we tried to persuade him up until Wednesday of last week, well, there was really no changing his mind.
Alvin asked me to talk to him Wednesday evening, but at that time, and seeing how eager and excited Liam was for the trip, I felt, we should give it a go. I will miss him, definitely, but I felt it was unfair for him not to go for that reason alone, and because his younger sister didn't want him to join. I just don't want him harboring bad feelings toward his sister, for you know, being a KJ. And it was a chance for him to, hopefully, miss us! hahaha
By Thursday lunch, I was making all the habilins na -- you pray before you sleep, put your dirty clothes in the plastic bags I put inside your luggage, wear your dog tag (withh is address on it), always hold the hand of an adult, drink your vitamins, be a good boy, suncreen and sunnies, hala, the habilins just came! I wonder if he remembered all of it!
I was okay with it. But Thursday night, and probably Liam already realized that it will be the longest time he will be away from us, started crying. Not the crying na atungal, he was just lying down and then he started to sniff and tried to remove the tears from his eyes, without making a big fuss.
That did it for me :( Umiyak din ako :(
The "crying part" didn't even last for 10 minutes hehe. We were both okay. He just asked me to sleep beside him that night and hold his hand.
They left early Friday morning. Sam as soon as she woke up, looked for Liam. I thought she would cry when I told her they already left for Melbourne, but to my relief, she was okay with it. She just kept on telling me every time we go out that we already pick up her brother.
Now, back to my story, my sister-in-law gave me updates every 3 hours hahaha even if I didn't ask for it. Anyway, I called to check up on him and the second time I called, my son already told me, "Just be cool Mum."
Hala! hahaha
So from that time on, I stopped myself from texting and even calling him.
My only relief was seeing his pictures in FB. My Kuya Jay knows me too well because as soon as they started to go places, he took Liam's picture and tagged me straight away in my FB account. That is not my Kuya Jay, but probably he loves me hehehe that's why he did it :)
The four days came quickly and I was an excited mum by Tuesday because they were to arrive around 6pm at our home.
When they arrived I asked my Mum and my siblings how Liam was, and they said they didn't have any problems.
Although during their second night, my sister told me that probably he had a bad dream, because he awoke in the middle of the night and asked her if he can go home already. My sister had to explain to him that it was not possible. Anyway, he didn't cry or anything, he just asked my sister to sleep beside him and hold his hand. End of story.
I was surprised because I didn't become super affected or super sad with him not being around. You know, the feeling as if your world has stopped revolving. Bumaha ng luha or the like. Maybe because I was able to prepare myself mentally and emotionally, and maybe because I still had Sammie. It will be unfair for her if I just sulk, right? I was missing him but I wasn't sad.
And at the end of the day, seeing and hearing him tell us that he really enjoyed and had fun, was more than enough :)
This experience proved that I can really be a tough Mum and that my son has proven that he can be independent. More than being lonely, I was actually happy and proud of what we have both realized and achieved thru this experience.
As my friend described this experience, "maaga bumitiw sa palda ng nanay...ihanda mo na ang puso mo!"
Yes, that is what I am definitely doing, because I know that this is just the start, the beginning of many adventures, experiences and choices my son will be making, without me--without us.
So help him God :D
Here are some of the pictures he had during his Melbourne trip:
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| at the 12 Apostles, St. Patrick's Cathedral, aboard the tram and at Melbourne Park with his Lolo Jorge |
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| at the Australian Open! (lucky kid tsk tsk tsk) |
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| more pics at the Australian Open |
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Happy to be Complete
Writer's Note: I actually wrote this 17 December but because there were a lot of plans and we went on a lot of trips, I ended up saving it as a draft and totally forgetting all about it hehe :)
I can't believe it...God is indeed great!
After seven years, my parents, and all five of us, their kids, are again complete...thanking God for allowing it to be physically and financially possible for us to be together again!
A bonus is, we're all here together Down Under!
Ang sarap ng pakiramdam lalo't naalala ko lahat ng pinagdaanan namin dati... Lahat ng hirap, pangmamaliit ng ibang tao, at kung ano-ano pa.
More than our love, our faith and service pulled us through all the hardships we faced.
Thank you Lord!
Post Script: This is a dream come true for us. An answered prayer. A very big blessing. Never in our wildest dreams have we imagined we will be able to do something like this. We are thankful that we got to spend time as a family, that we were able to be complete not on a sad occasion (like death, touchwood), but on happy occasions!
This indeed is one of the best and happiest Christmases we had. Nakakapagod at medyo magastos, pero the joy we felt outweighs all of it. We don't know when we will have the chance to be complete again. So we're really thankful for this.
My two youngest siblings will be flying back to Manila soon. I already miss them :( I know that their nephews and nieces will also miss them. Iba rin talaga nagagawa ng talagang nakikita at nakakasama nila ang Tito Bok and Tita Pau nila. Kilalang kilala na sila ng mga bagets ngayon!
I can't believe it...God is indeed great!
After seven years, my parents, and all five of us, their kids, are again complete...thanking God for allowing it to be physically and financially possible for us to be together again!
A bonus is, we're all here together Down Under!
Ang sarap ng pakiramdam lalo't naalala ko lahat ng pinagdaanan namin dati... Lahat ng hirap, pangmamaliit ng ibang tao, at kung ano-ano pa.
More than our love, our faith and service pulled us through all the hardships we faced.
Thank you Lord!
Post Script: This is a dream come true for us. An answered prayer. A very big blessing. Never in our wildest dreams have we imagined we will be able to do something like this. We are thankful that we got to spend time as a family, that we were able to be complete not on a sad occasion (like death, touchwood), but on happy occasions!
This indeed is one of the best and happiest Christmases we had. Nakakapagod at medyo magastos, pero the joy we felt outweighs all of it. We don't know when we will have the chance to be complete again. So we're really thankful for this.
My two youngest siblings will be flying back to Manila soon. I already miss them :( I know that their nephews and nieces will also miss them. Iba rin talaga nagagawa ng talagang nakikita at nakakasama nila ang Tito Bok and Tita Pau nila. Kilalang kilala na sila ng mga bagets ngayon!
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| our Sydney adventures, Papa and Mama with their five kids! |
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| our family has been blessed and has grown! during Christmas, at Parliament House, weekend at Crowne Plaza, and at Papa and Mama's 41st wedding anniversary |
Friday, January 11, 2013
Three, Two, One
This is about our family holiday in Singapore.
It's my third time there, Alvin's second and the kids' first.
It was a short holiday, tiring, but not as tiring as I expected it to be.
I'm sorry, but I will have to pass uploading most of our pictures there, as that will consume a lot of my time again. (I'm actually killing time, while I'm uploading the pictures for the photobook of my parents' anniversary).
First, we availed of the Singapore Stopover Holiday promo which allowed us to choose a hotel with discounted rates and have access to fourteen attractions for free. Not bad. I loved SQ the first time I flew with them, so I knew I was in for a good 8-hour trip. I wasn't disappointed :)
We stayed at Hotel Royal at Queens, not really a five star hotel, but it was okay for us. After all our travels, we have learned that we need not an expensive hotel, since we just need a place to sleep in and freshen up. It was a good hotel in terms of it's location. It was very near the train station and since SG train system is very, very good, it was a major plus factor.
We got and finished checking in at around 4:30 and we headed off straight away to the Toys Museum and then to our Hippo River Cruise. It was a relaxing 45 minute cruise along the rivers of SG but the humidity was just too much for us to bear. We had our first food trip after the cruise and we tried the oyster omelet. We ended up taking the cab after we ate, which was a good decision, because as soon as we got inside the cab, it rained cats and dogs, not to mention the thunderstorm!
Second day was allotted for Sentosa and the Universal Studios which was not part of the SQ promo. The kids loved the place. We didn't push them to see everything (yes, sayang ang bayad)until they were very exhausted when we saw some signs, we asked them if they wanted to go back to the hotel, and they said yes, straight away! We had the chance to freshen up after our trip before heading out to Orchard Road to meet my SIL based in SG and a little night shopping.
Third day was allotted for Jurong Bird Park. I forgot to put on mossy spray for the kids and Liam had already a LOT of mosquito bites after only 10 minutes! The kids, especially Liam didn't enjoy the park :( because of the mossy bites he got early on. Good thing the bird shows were excellent so Liam's mood changed for the better :) Again, learning from our past experiences of the effects of pushing kids to their limit, we decided to goback to the hotel after having lunch at the Bird Park, freshen up, have the kids have their afternoon nap, and then went out again. We went to Singaopre Flyer before heading back to Vivo City to have dinner with my good friend's family. They are based in SG. We also had to chance to meet our respective inaanaks, we are ninangs to our respective second borns :)
Fourth Day, we had the chance to do some shopping (FINALLY!), check out Esplanade, other malls which were near the hotel and go back to the Merlion Park, when there were still no people or tourists around to take their pictures. Yes, we were early!
Overall, the humidity added to our exhaustion, but like what I said, Alvin and I already learned our lessons from our previous trips. It's not about touring the whole of SG and pushing the kids to their limits. It's a trip that we wanted to enjoy not on our phase, but with the kids' phase. There were a lot of walking! If we sensed they were starting to act up, it was a signal for us, that they were already tired. So, even if we still wanted to try out a new place, we sacrificed that. We travel to have good memories with the kids. Happy kids = happy parents.
Even if we were not able to use and go to all 14 attractions which were part of the SQ promo (a reason to go back perhaps?), it was still a memorable trip. Especially the food trip! I started gaining weight at the plane with the yummy food SQ offered and it continued as we tried different dishes from the different cultures SG has to offer. What is Singapore if you don't try out different dishes from different cultures?
Now when we play airport-airport with the kids, I can see that they are using their memories from our past trip and encorporates them into our role playing. Nakakatuwa.
I don't know if there will be another chance to go back to SG, if ever there is, it won't be in the near future. Need to travel and check out other countries and continents out there! :) Till we meet again Mr. Merlion!
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| thank God for apps I get to combine some of our many pics in SG |
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| another output from the app I use :) at SG Flyer, Jurong Bird Park, Orchard Road and Universal Studios |
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Passing Up on Melbourne
Passing up a chance to travel again is, sigh, a big thing for me.
The whole family is going to Melborune, doing the long ten-hour drive from Sydney...all except us :(
Alvin can't take a leave from work anymore.
Next option was just the three of us, me, Liam and Sammie. All was doing okay. I've paid my share for the house we're renting and bought tickets for Liam and myself for the Australian Open. But I changed my mind the last minute.
Our short drives last week (1 to 3 hour drive) made me realize that driving for ten hours, with the two kids, especially Sam, without their Papa, is going to be ONE GREAT challenge for me.
My Kuya suggested that Liam still goes with them, anyway, he already has the ticket. Liam is all for it and is really looking forward to it. I know it's a good exposure for him, since he is taking tennis lessons.
Sigh. Passing the chance to explore Melbourne, other parts of Victoria - the 12 Disciples, and watching the Australian Open? More sigh.
Anyway, hopefully, we'll get the chance to travel again, as a family, soon.
I'll write my experience of Liam being away for four days on a different blog entry.
The whole family is going to Melborune, doing the long ten-hour drive from Sydney...all except us :(
Alvin can't take a leave from work anymore.
Next option was just the three of us, me, Liam and Sammie. All was doing okay. I've paid my share for the house we're renting and bought tickets for Liam and myself for the Australian Open. But I changed my mind the last minute.
Our short drives last week (1 to 3 hour drive) made me realize that driving for ten hours, with the two kids, especially Sam, without their Papa, is going to be ONE GREAT challenge for me.
My Kuya suggested that Liam still goes with them, anyway, he already has the ticket. Liam is all for it and is really looking forward to it. I know it's a good exposure for him, since he is taking tennis lessons.
Sigh. Passing the chance to explore Melbourne, other parts of Victoria - the 12 Disciples, and watching the Australian Open? More sigh.
Anyway, hopefully, we'll get the chance to travel again, as a family, soon.
I'll write my experience of Liam being away for four days on a different blog entry.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Sisterly Love
Ways that my little Sammie shows her love to her Kits Bits:
Breakfast: she doesn't eat until Liam wakes up and joins us at the dining table.
If we are eating leftovers for breakfast, say, like pancakes, she won't let us touch the last piece, even if we ask her to, telling "Don't touch it Papa, Mama, that is for Kuya Liam."
When we go to the shops and Liam is not with us, she is quiet and keeps on asking: "Mama, where is Liam?"
If we go out and Liam doesn't follow to the car, she looks for her Kuya straight away.
When we go to the library without Liam, she borrows something, like a Jimmy Neutron DVD, for her Kuya, which she knows he likes.
And just recently, she doesn't want her Kuya Liam to go Melborune with the rest of the family to have another road trip and watch the Australian Open, for the simple reason that she will miss him.
There. I know these are just small things for you. But she does these without us telling her. It touches and melts our heart because we know that these are simple acts that proves her love for her Kits Bits.
Breakfast: she doesn't eat until Liam wakes up and joins us at the dining table.
If we are eating leftovers for breakfast, say, like pancakes, she won't let us touch the last piece, even if we ask her to, telling "Don't touch it Papa, Mama, that is for Kuya Liam."
When we go to the shops and Liam is not with us, she is quiet and keeps on asking: "Mama, where is Liam?"
If we go out and Liam doesn't follow to the car, she looks for her Kuya straight away.
When we go to the library without Liam, she borrows something, like a Jimmy Neutron DVD, for her Kuya, which she knows he likes.
And just recently, she doesn't want her Kuya Liam to go Melborune with the rest of the family to have another road trip and watch the Australian Open, for the simple reason that she will miss him.
There. I know these are just small things for you. But she does these without us telling her. It touches and melts our heart because we know that these are simple acts that proves her love for her Kits Bits.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Our Parents 41st Wedding Anniversary
We surprised our Papa and Mama with a simple wedding ceremony and renewal of vows for their 41st wedding anniversary.
We took advantage of the rare opportunity of us being complete during their wedding anniversary.
We wanted to celebrate their Ruby Wedding anniversary last year, but it wasn't possible.
It was still a very simple ceremony attended only by us, the immediate family. It was all us, from the readers, choir, florist, and altar server. It wasn't extravagant like what we would normally see in couples renewing their vows. No big number of guests, no gowns, very simple.
We honoured both of them before the mass started, by giving our thanks and appreciation for all their love and sacrifices and for bringing Christ to our families.
It made the whole thing more special and more intimate.
I know it was dream come true for my Mama who finally got to walk down the aisle.
They were married in a very simple ceremony by their classmate priest from UST. No one from their families knew of the wedding. No wedding gowns, no reception.
We had a simple picnic in a nearby park for their "reception." where they had their cake-cutting ceremony and wine toasting.
More than anything else, we are thankful that they are still with us, to witness our weddings and enjoy their grandchildren.
41 years! Wow, it's one tough act to follow!
Again, our family is not perfect. Although we have surpassed a lot of challenges in our journey, majority of which concerned finances, we still face struggles and have disagreements every now and then. But at the end of the day, we choose to remain, a family.
We took advantage of the rare opportunity of us being complete during their wedding anniversary.
We wanted to celebrate their Ruby Wedding anniversary last year, but it wasn't possible.
It was still a very simple ceremony attended only by us, the immediate family. It was all us, from the readers, choir, florist, and altar server. It wasn't extravagant like what we would normally see in couples renewing their vows. No big number of guests, no gowns, very simple.
We honoured both of them before the mass started, by giving our thanks and appreciation for all their love and sacrifices and for bringing Christ to our families.
It made the whole thing more special and more intimate.
I know it was dream come true for my Mama who finally got to walk down the aisle.
They were married in a very simple ceremony by their classmate priest from UST. No one from their families knew of the wedding. No wedding gowns, no reception.
We had a simple picnic in a nearby park for their "reception." where they had their cake-cutting ceremony and wine toasting.
More than anything else, we are thankful that they are still with us, to witness our weddings and enjoy their grandchildren.
41 years! Wow, it's one tough act to follow!
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| their new wedding rings, blessed by Fr. Phrabu |
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| renewing their vows |
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| renewing their vows |
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| the happy couple |
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| happy Mama, indeed! |
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| my family |
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| has now expanded...getting bigger! |
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| at their reception |
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Looking Forward To
I don't do New Year's resolutions anymore. It's now more of setting goals and projects for the whole year.
Looking back, Alvin and I just had a very short list last year, 2012. BUT, SO MANY things happened which we didn't expect or plan.
Anyways, here again is my very short list:
- a healthier 2013
- less blogs (yes! I am finally admitting it, it is time consuming :( )
- more time allotted for reading good books
- becoming more positive in outlook in life
wishlist
- less FBing
- one major travel for the family (interstate or another country)
- upgrading our first car to a bigger family car
looking forward to
- our Aussie citizenship (yes, we've been here for four years now! Can you believe that?)
- becoming more active in helping Liam and Sam with school stuff
There. It's just January and like last year, many things, which are not part of the plan, can happen. Not only keeping my fingers crossed, but keeping the faith. Whatever happens, I know that it's all part of His great plan for us!
Go, go, go 2013! let's do this!!!!
Looking back, Alvin and I just had a very short list last year, 2012. BUT, SO MANY things happened which we didn't expect or plan.
Anyways, here again is my very short list:
- a healthier 2013
- less blogs (yes! I am finally admitting it, it is time consuming :( )
- more time allotted for reading good books
- becoming more positive in outlook in life
wishlist
- less FBing
- one major travel for the family (interstate or another country)
- upgrading our first car to a bigger family car
looking forward to
- our Aussie citizenship (yes, we've been here for four years now! Can you believe that?)
- becoming more active in helping Liam and Sam with school stuff
There. It's just January and like last year, many things, which are not part of the plan, can happen. Not only keeping my fingers crossed, but keeping the faith. Whatever happens, I know that it's all part of His great plan for us!
Go, go, go 2013! let's do this!!!!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
First Backlog
Happy new year!
Yes, it's the first day of 2013 and I'm posting my very first blog entry too!
There is one big problem though. As much as I want to write about all the adventures we have been doing the past months, I can't. Still can't. I even want to write my goals for this year, and Liam's pending trip to Melbourne to watch the Australian Open, but I still don't have the luxury of time.
Yes, backlogs to start the new year! Good sign or bad sign? Naaah. I'm just choosing to do the more important ones.
I know i will have the time to write all of those, soon ;)
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