Keep Balance in Your Life

I am sure you will understand how busy I am these days. I have to take it upon myself how I can balance everything. Work during the weekdays and kids and household chores during the weekends. I still have readings that remain pending even if it's the end of January.

But of course, I cannot help to leave you hanging without any updates from me. This coming Monday, we will be turning over a new leaf. A new regional director comes and so a new boss for me. I hope she's kind and understanding. but I sure hope she's firm and somehow strict too.

My husband is also very busy, his new boss has been driving them nuts with trainings and all, and he is being enslaved to keep/manage their system.

But nevertheless, all things work together for good. I have a good talk with a senior superior who gave me some realizations with work. She told me that because I am with the department now, busy days are soon to come, but I have to bring balance to life, or else, my kids will no longer know me. I realized she's right, I have to weigh weekend activities if they are worth attending, or stay with my kids. She also gave me this piece of advice: If your kids want to tag along with you, bring them, for there will come a time that even though how much you want to bring them along, they will not come with you.

I guess she's right.

And one more thing she gave me: Always keep those drawings of your kids. There will come a time they will no longer draw for you. And a time will come when your kids will not stay with you, and you will remain feeling alone. So that time with your kids, consider them precious.

Year of My Dragons

It's the year of my two dragons. No, just kidding. I mean my two boys. I never knew they're both born in the year of the dragon. I only knew firsthand that my son is, it is just lately that I knew of my husband's Zodiac year sign when we visited a mall here in the city and there stood a huge board with astronomical years with the characteristics of persons born in each Zodiac year sign.

1976 and 2000. So they are both born under the year of the Dragon, whatever it may be, water or earth dragon, it still is a dragon.

I'm not really one who believes in luck as I believe we have a Judge up there who controls our every move given that we use our free will to decide on things. My 2011 has been really very lucky, I may call it that, but it may not have come to that if I have not tried my very best, if I have not worked my way to achieve what I wanted to achieve. Of course, it wouldn't be possible without my trust to the Powerful God up above who helps me with every decision and action I make.

This year of the Water Dragon is said to be a difficult one, as we are about to encounter a lot of trials, but isn't it what we are constantly facing, each day a day of battles with life, hurdling trials, facing indifferences and different attitudes? Others say this year is going to be a good one because for the Chinese, the dragon is a symbol of good fortune. But wait, the Bible tells us this:

Jeremiah 10:2-3 NLT

“Do not act like the other nations, who try to read their future in the stars.
Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them. Their ways are futile and foolish.

I don't know with you, but I surely do not rely on the stars or the Zodiac signs. If only one can see rightly, the stars can be an encouragement, but it all boils down to your attitude, your perception of things and the way you make your life more productive that matters, and what makes you a lucky person.

Whatever I think, it's just me.

Kung Hei Fat Choi!
I hope you have a good way in celebrating it.

Maybe Because of the Weather?

I'm on sick leave today. Daughter is feverish since Sunday and I had to stay home last Monday night at my Mom's house because I want to save some measly fare moolah. I hate to be so near yet so far to home that I immediately went home yesterday, Tuesday night. I have to make sure that daughter is far alright, but the fever started up again at midnight. I am not comforted by the thought of leaving the sick daughter with the husband because for all you know, fathers don't really have magic healing hands like mothers do.

Today, I brought her to the pedia, and we were given a prescription for cough, and antibiotics for the fever and the colds. No, it's really not the simple colds, it's actually more than that. She can't breathe well, barado ang ilong. And you will pity her when you see her because she looks so haggard that I would just hug her tight just to let her know everything will be alright.

I almost fainted at the price of the meds though, too pricey. I thought I wouldn't shell out much but guess what, I thought wrong. The meds was far more pricey than the last time I bought it, or so I think. But anyhoo, for as long as the daughter gets back to her old self, I can even pour all of my measly savings for her good health.

One thing I'd like you to know, this weather has been really bipolar. The sun smiles so warmly in the morning and lets out a shy goodbye in the afternoon, and everyone welcomes a downpour. Ugh, such crazy weather we have here. This being said, I want you all to be very careful with your health. It doesn't matter how much daily pay you lose but if you feel like you're losing energy, go rest yourself.

Take care, everyone! Be safe too!

Let's Talk Morbid

Warning: Do not read if you don't feel like reading about deaths and anything beyond NOW.


You've been warned.

My everyday trip from my Dad's house to the office requires me to pass by an old cemetery. From our house, I ride the trike and more than a kilometer after the ride, I get to pass by a cemetery which is actually a block before and after my office. I say before and after because I get to pass by it before I reach the office and after, while I ride the trike going back home. This is the shortest way home. There is one detour though, but that which will cost me much for the fare because I get to use the highway which is not such a practical thing to do because it will turn me around the town and for sure, Manong Driver will have to ask for more.

I may not have told you this, but I have an aversion with cemeteries. For me, cemeteries suck the happiness out of you, therefore I do not breathe when I pass by that cemetery I am telling you about. Literally, I do not breathe the air surrounding that cemetery. Every time I pass by that structure, I close my eyes, or if not, I divert my attention to anything but the tombstones and the banners hanging in memory of their dead.

It's been me for a long time, which I also do not understand. I am not really fond of going to cemeteries, much worse than going to hospitals. I do not understand myself but it seems as though I am breathing death when I breathe air surrounding that unhappy place. It's so silent yet the quiet seems so deafening. It is inevitable that I get to gulp some air because I need it, but I am very relieved when I reach the office every time I get to pass this area.

I have noticed this unusual behavior of mine when I was still a kid, I do not take a look when I pass by cemeteries even in my trips to different places where you sometimes pass by a public cemetery. I feel very irritated and I can't wait to surpass the moment.

It's just ME maybe. I just don't want death lurking at me or any of my family members. But I know death is inevitable. It fetches when your time is up. But I just can't seem to bear seeing anything associated with death, even the blameless cemetery I get to pass by almost daily. Such morbid thought, maybe? But I just can't help expressing what I feel about it.

May mga ganito rin ba kayong nararamdaman? Or is it just me?

My new 2012 Starbucks Planner

It may have arrived at a later date, but I really didn't care for as long as I carry a bundle of bundle of joy with me everyday of my life until this 2012 ends.

My first Starbucks planner was given by the same person, Marian of Upto6only in January of 2010, and when DongHo visited Gensan in February of the same year, again, he brought me the very same planner, which I used last year, 2011. In 2009, Jeanny sent me a Belle de Jour planner.

I totally shrieked out with joy when I received a text from Marian that she's sending me a new one, I never thought I'd have another Starbucks planner. But I really appreciate the gesture.

Now that everything seems to be in a haste every now and then, I can simply check what I have to do in my planner, because my life is that organized. I know my priorities and all these are written and will be written in my new Starbucks planner.

That lady will make me smile every day of my life. I am just so grateful I have friends, online and offline who continue to inspire me and who trust me.

Thanks to Jeanny too, for sending me loots, TimTam for the win!

Christmas Bonding 2011

Undoubtedly, Christmas is everyone's most favorite part of the year, next to their birthdays. Everyone loves to expect something because Christmas is the season of giving, most especially for children.

It is but a good way to bond, families have longer vacation time and children have the Christmas break to devote to playing and reading.

It is just a good feeling that my kids never really liked any other gifts other than simple ones, and so when my boy wanted a new "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" book, my sister gave it to him as a gift. The following day, the book is done.

My daughter wanted an original Barbie because what she always gets is a doll so close to what Barbie looks like but never the original, so when she asked for a Barbie, my best friend gave her the original one.

Christmas is for children, so I was glad that my kids got what they wanted for Christmas. It may be too
simple for adults and for those who have much but celebrating it with them and making them feel special the most inspires us to do a better job in raising our kids to stay humble and live with less luxury than those who have much.

We have had a simple Christmas dinner, but what is best is the togetherness that we enjoyed during Christmas eve. We may not have had fancy recipes on the table but what is important is that we have each other and remembering that the reason for Christmas is JESUS.

Hello 2012

If 2010 has been a not-so-good year for me because of so many things and the misfortunes it has brought me (we lost the car, I resigned from work, too many pressures and stress from old work and more...), this 2011 has brought me so much good fortunes and there's one that will never leave me floating till the next 40 or so years, my employment. Passing the CS exams, getting the regular job in DOLE and bagging the Best Personal Blog for the Philippine Blog Awards (Mindanao) are just three of the few reasons why I and my family love 2011. It is a pity that it has to go in a matter of 18 hours as I write my year-end post. But all things have endings, and we have no choice but to look forward to a new beginning. 2011 has been very good to us, maybe because we have been working so hard too, I have become a better wife this 2011 and we have less fights as a couple. The kids are doing great and healthy, my kids have been having good grades despite my usual absence during their times of review, but still, they continue to excel in their school.

2011 has brought me a lot of gifts, if I should say it, and I feel that the Lord is telling me to take care of the gifts that 2011 has given me. This 2012, I should be more productive with work, more obedient and caring as a wife and more patient as a mother. I should be enjoying and loving work, and less the complaints even there is a reason to complain.

Though we have received far less materials gifts than 2010 did, the bountiful blessings like physical and emotional health, and many others are far better than the tangible ones. I have gained a lot of friends in 2011, and aside from the day job, my online employer continues to hire me in writing more articles and is very patient with me even if I cannot regularly submit write-ups, meaning, my Paypal is still very active.

What I miss with what 2011 brought though, is the opportunity to travel. I haven't done much travels in 2011, maybe a few like the trip to Samal with the kids, and the visit to see the Cotabato Floods. So this 2012, I hope for a year with travels, hopefully not only for me but my entire family as well.

But more than all these, I wish for a safe Philippines this 2012. No more floods, no more wars, less political tension, healthy citizenry, more employment for those who need it, peace and order in different places, and abundance everywhere. I know all these may not be very possible, but I will be praying for these things to be poured upon all of us.

I do not have much material things to ask for, I think I'm good and contented with what I have, but a new car before 2012 bids goodbye is in my bucket list.

Goodbye 2011!

Happy 2012 to everyone!