2010 Mantra

This coming 2010, lift it all up to God.


For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jer. 29:11

Happy New Year Everyone!

Thank you 2009. Welcome 2010!

Before 2009, I drafted my new year's wants and wishes, and a few resolution to myself. The 2009 resolution list included:

5. lessen my unsolicited commenting to people around me
(not that I comment bad, I just have to lessen!)
4. more time with kids and hubby
3. lessen shopping and saving more
2. getting a breather for 2009

and of course!

1. lessen my Coke intake.

Reviewing the resolutions I have made, I am convinced now that I have been a good girl. I was able to achieve them all, except I guess for number 2. 2009, although a difficult year was a busier one for me, thus, I didn't get a breather, and what I got me was an abused body, thus, before the year ended, the body asked for rest, and I am giving it one, now.

KG, like me, would like to totally ban Coke in her life. I know it is difficult, the reason why I cannot say totally ban, but lessen. This year, the same resolution goes for me. I believe I made good in my number 1 resolution last year, but this remains on my list until I am totally uninterested with that black water.

My 2009 wants/wish list included:

And how it came to be:

5. Buy a laptop. Check! Hubby's kuya
4. Buy our LCD TV. We already have a Sony Bravia! Yippee!
3. Buy new cabinets for our own house.
We did, by February, we already have new cabinets.
2. Buy a car. Check!
1. Move into our own house! Done!

Thank you 2009, although the year has been a difficult one, we still managed to hold still, and move on, and be hopeful for 2010.

For 2010 though, here goes my random wants and wishes.

1. Be debt-free before 2011.
2. Hopefully, to get myself a new job.
3. To discipline myself that a daily exercise is important.
4. Read as many books as I can.
5. To be more prayerful.
6. Save up for kids' schooling needs, as Tabebs will be entering pre-school this June.
7. Save up for a fat bank account, in order to get a chance to travel with the whole family.
8. Blog as often as I can.
9. Visit Mom ad Dad in Koronadal as often as we can.
10. Quality time with the family.

I wish I could accomplish all these things. I pray for a better year ahead of us. And before I end this year, allow me to thank you my friends for being with me and my family's roller coaster ride in 2009. You have been my inspiration why I keep blogging and pouring out what I feel in this online journal. It is your comments that make me think again about the negatives in life. I just wish you all the best this 2010, and may we all be prosperous!

Thank you so much!

From my family to yours, Happy New Year!


Love,

sHenG, Ric and kids!

2009 Year-end Sickness

It's been a long time that I am annoyed with my cough and colds. More than three weeks already. This started soon after hubby went to Iloilo, and when he came back, I was already wiping the nose. I didn't bother taking meds at first because I thought it will just go away with water therapy. But weeks came, and the cough felt like staying, and worsening. My first ever to be this sick since birth as I have been healthy all along. I only visited the hospital twice in my lifetime, and that is to give birth to my kids. And the only docs I visited were my OB, and my allergocologist.

I self-medicated knowing a little help from here and there will do the trick, but the meds I took were of no avail as I felt myself crawling in sick. I still have duties to finish and the holidays are rushing, so I was off to and fro to finish stuffs, buy this and that, go there and there, attend parties and events, until, after Christmas day, I felt chest pains every time I cough.

I miss the feeling of relaxed breathing because I was doing forced and heavy breathing because of the colds. Saturday and Sunday felt black for me, but I still went out malling, but when I came home, the chest pains grew more intense.

And I just had to ask to see the doc when in the days past it was hubby pushing me to the clinic.

Yesterday, alas! the doc came after 3 hours of waiting, and I was asked to get an xray, and a CBC. It was my first CBC and xray ever and I felt bad because the one who pushed the syringe in wasn't that gentle. Ugh.

When the results came out, I was actually scared of what the doc will tell me. I was expecting worse like TB, pneumonia, bronchitis and that sort of illnesses. But the doc, scrutinizing the xray film said my lungs were okay. They were healthy except for the phlegm which was caused by bacteria as seen from the CBC. No allergy or something, but irritating bacteria as the culprit.

Darn, i should have known. I should have saved that money up for more food this New Year's Eve, but yes, no regrets, at least I knew I don't have something worse. Thank God!

I need to be healthy to welcome 2010. So I must say this to myself:

And for the next year, Bawal Magkasakit! Be Safe!

Happy New Year Everyone!

All the best this 2010!

Photographer in the Making?

As I have told you in some of my posts, we bloggers here in Gensan, even the whole Soccsksargen area unite ourselves in the world of blogging, and because of this network, we have considered ourselves an organization that will cater first-hand and the truest information we can give you through our posts.

But words are not enough to promote our beautiful place in Mindanao, so through generous hearts, Sir Orman and Sir Bariles, they gave us our early Christmas gift by asking the ever great photographer and journalist of Davao, Ms. Jojie Alcantara to teach us the ropes of basic Photojournalism. Thanks too to Sir Gilbert for asking The Farm to be the venue.

This happened at The Farm, in Carpenter Hills, Koronadal City. The Farm sponsored for our sumptuous lunch.


The workshop was good, the best ever I have been to. It was fun and I was able to meet friendly youngsters who also blog.

There was only a few of us, less than thirty, as the date was set on a Monday, and many were still at work, but we got on with it anyway. Few we may be, but it was a joyous unity with fellow bloggers as far as Tacurong.

We were taught the basics of capturing photos and how to make stories out of them. Let me just share to you the five pictures I took that won the eyes of our speaker.





Rules we have learned that make up a good photo include:

1. the Rule of Thirds
2. Patterns
3. Leading Lines
4. Perspectives
5. Worm's Eyeview
6. Bird's Eyeview
7. Reflections
8. Details
9. Horizons

Do you think I can be a good photographer? My husband takes good pictures, but I don't think I can be more brilliant than he is as I am a lazy photographer. With much encouragement I guess, I will soon grab that DSLR and start myself in capturing photographs that tell a story.

But guess what, the first, second and the third photos won me this shirt!

So, more lessons I guess! 2010, will you be good to me and my family?

My Thankful Heart

Lord, thank you so much for what the year has been, all the blessings, the gifts, the flow of strength and all that was showered upon us.

Thank you also for the trials, the storms, the floods, the weaknesses that we hurdled. We became stronger because we trusted in You and knew we can survive because You certainly won't leave us.

Thank you for friends, close friends, neighbors, officemates who have made life better for us because they are around. Than you for online friends who continue to read our rants and raves even if we are only bonded by this special thing called the Internet.

Thank you also for those people who made our lives difficult. They may be the annoying people we have to deal with but they shape our character, and hopefully, they shape it for a better one.

Thank you for the work we still have while others have none. Thank you because you have shown us the importance of working hard in order to feed our mouths and not to steal.

Thank you for Mother Nature. We may have had bad brushes with her but we learned to value the existence of our trees and of a healthy environment.

Thank you for our children and their laughters. They have given us complete joy by just arriving safe from school or by just doodling a new drawing, or by just saying sweet goodnights. Thank you for their smiles when when they are in pain. Thank you because they complete us.

Thank you for the husband who loves us so much and with Your grace, continues to protect us and provide for our needs, financially, emotionally.

Thank you because You have shown us how You have loved us by being borne to this world full of our complexities.

I just thank you Lord because I am certain, that You will grant my friends and readers of this blog a Merry Christmas.

To All of you!

From my family to yours,

Have a Happy One! All the best for 2010!


Love,

sHenG

The Pacman Revolution

Not everyone can be so lucky to be invited to Manny Pacquiao's birthday bash which they tagged as the Pacman Revolution, but I was one of the lucky few considering that a good friend, Ate Jinky did something good for the Pacman.

Now, no good deed comes unrewarded, so she was invited but didn't get to convince her husband to come along because of the "strictly formal" dress code, so she chose me!

Entering KCC Convention Center, you will notice a number of tarpaulins hung on the wall, this one's of their family in black and white. Notice the number of people under the image, that is how wide the tarpaulin is, for everyone to see.

The multitude of invited guests, having their dinner. The food was awesome, almost all the famous food caterers in the city were tapped to feed the said 2000 guests. Free-flowing beer, food, water, pastries, and a lot more were served. But if you are unlucky to be far from the food, you will sure be starved as the food were scattered surrounding the venue, but not in the center aisles. Some complained of having eaten little, but we were lucky to be near the mountainous food so we were stuffed.

After the dinner, a semi Pacman concert was given, and Lito Camo performed together with Manny. Guests were there to perform as well including Jay Cayuca who performed really well, the arising Centerpoint Band that hails from our very own city, and a lot more.

His kids gave a surprise dance number, and notice Princess, Pacman's third child on the center, she dances very well, just like her lola, Mommy D.

Manny Pacquiao's 7-layer birthday cake. Whew, so huge that I dunno who can gorge on this beautiful cake. Prepared only for the King of the Ring.

We joined other invited bloggers, Orman; Bariles and of course, Ate Jinky .

I was actually hesitant as to go or not, because of the fact that I really do not keep fancy clothes in my closet. I am more than comfy in my jeans and shirts, and a few blouses to go with my office attire. But searching for a good dress to present me in the party was a task I could not resist, so I opted to wear this green and black lined dress and had to wear a bolero as the dress was sleeveless.

The bolero came good with Odette's pretty pin she gave me as add-on to a win on her blogoversary giveaway.

This is how I looked like, and I was even surprised at myself for the way I looked with the make-up on. Fact: I never wear make-up. The last I did, was during my wedding, almost ten years ago.

That day was also my hubby's birthday, but since I was decided to go to Pacman's bash, we decided to celebrate his bash during lunchtime that day.

Overall, it was a good experience, who knows, you will be the next guest to Pacman's Revolution.


PS: Thanks to Orman and Bariles for selected pics.

To my ex-BF

There's only one thing i'd like you to know.
YOU complete ME!
Happy Birthday!

I'm so thankful to have
A husband like you
There is no other
Who could fill your shoes!

I love you very much!

Looking Back

The year 2009 has brought me and my family a lot of things to be thankful for. You have all been aware of what my life has been, and what I and my husband have done in order to survive this leaving year, and I am just glad that although life has been full of ups and downs, the ups always rule, because even when we are down, the Lord always picks us up.

Before I say goodbye to 2009, let me share to you the things I am thankful for.


We moved to the new house because of the robbery. The robbers got the mattress yet, the Lord didn't take sleep away from us. We could always rest with our minds at peace. The robbers may have taken with them the electric fan, but we still can breathe fresh air. The Lord has breathed in us the hope in pursuing for tomorrow.

We have the new (second hand) car. Thank you Lord, but there were some instances when we need the car fixed, and during those times, we had nothing. But I thank the Lord that those times may be tough, yet, we survived.

I am thankful that the kids didn't have any serious issues with their health. They may have gotten colds and coughs, but they are still the energetic duo.

I am thankful that, despite Ondoy and Pepeng, we have survived and shown to the world that we, as Filipinos, could still be really generous to other people especially during times of need.

I am thankful for the travel opportunities and I am hoping for more in the coming year, hopefully with the kids.

I am thankful for my parents and my family, they have been considerate and understanding with me, we may have our share of glitches but I thank you that we still love each other despite our differences.

I am thankful that I still have my job, although I have been wanting for a new career, still, I have this passion for reading that keeps me going.

I thank the Lord for giving me friends who understand me inside and out.

I have been grateful to the Lord for He has given me a very understanding and patient husband, he's a notch older this 17, and I thank him too for being a responsible father to my kids.

I thank the Lord for the kids, they are a bundle of joy, my strength and my weakness.

For everything, yes, basically for everything, I am thankful!

This is my Avalon.ph Moleskine giveaway contest entry. Visit the site for contest mechanics and for a chance to gift yourself a Moleskine Colour-A-Month Daily Planner.

Gio's Mongolian BBQ

Hubby went to Iloilo last Friday, but because I don't want to miss him that much, and because the free dinner for two that we got from Gensan News Online Mag's Blogoversary Giveaway arrived at a proper timing, we grabbed the chance to dine at Gio's Mongolian Grill and BBQ in Tiongson Arcade, Lagao, Gen. Santos City.

Owned by Mr. Allan Sanidad, also the owner of Abi's Goto House, this Mongolian thing is new for me and hubby. We passed by this resto once already but didn't pursue as hubby doesn't eat much seafoods, and our minds went blank as to how we can order the food to eat.

this photo from Bariles

All the stuffs you want to put in your food are placed on the table and you have to pick whatever stuffs you want in your plate. Isn't that nice? But then again, i have been used to eating what my heart wants by trying to imagine them with their names. Say, pinakbet, and you have the image of pinakbet in your mind.

With Gio's Mongolian, you pick everything. And i do not know what to place on my plate! Panic crept upon me when I saw the big stove they use for cooking but luckily, the staff was friendly that they told us to just sit down and enjoy what they will place on the table.

And this is what we got.

breaded pork tepanyaki with stir-fried veggies
P160 good for 2

Seafoods and Chicken Mongolian
P150 good for 2

They serve generously that 1 serving is good for the two of us, and even more. We hate to leave the place with leftovers that we decided to take easy with the food and have it all the way down.

Glorious food, with easy on the pocket rates! But for us, free! Gensan News Online Mag is LOVE.

Fifteen Days Before Christmas

Fifteen days and it's Christmas, how fast time flies. And since the spirit of Christmas is already moving amidst us, I just want to share this with you. I don't know who wrote this, but it sure is one thing worth sharing to everybody!

True Meaning of Christmas

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out next to the fireplace.

"What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement . . .

"TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children!

Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten. "Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."


He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag an ORNAMENT of himself. "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent the blood shed by Him.

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave his begotten son." Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.



Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.

Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship him, our LORD, our GOD."

My First PBA Experience

Did you see me on TV? Hah, yes I was on TV!

I was given a chance to watch an ALL ACCESS PBA game between The Coca Cola Tigers and Talk N' Text Tropang Texters tonight. We arrived on the third quarter but it was worth every minute of the game. I was rooting for the Coca Cola Tigers for the reason that I am an avid Coca Cola drinker, and Kenneth Duremdes who hails from Koronadal City coaches the team, and one Francis Allera is also a resident of the city.

The shouting, the jumping, I mean from the fans that is, are overwhelming that I find myself enjoying the hype, the action that I can only hear myself shouting Defense! Shoot! NO! Tres!

Spell FUN, and it's SUPER FUN!

I never imagined it would be this fun watching a PBA game in the ringside. It was way way back in college that I have waged in PBA games. I was then an avid supporter of Alaska, and what ruins my night is when Ginebra wins over them. I thought they played bloody dirty. And I thought then that Johnny Abarrientos was the bestest player ever...

Just this time, I had a good realization that when the players play ball, it's uber fast action. One second you see the ball held by a player and the next second it's not! And they play really physical, with hands really touching the bodies for defense or for a foul till some players drop to the floor writhing in pain.

The whole gym was thundering when it was in the last 2 minutes, we were cheering up, boosting the Tigers but unluckily, they were not able to make it to the last drop.


My lungs were abused because of my shouting, and my hands are sore because of the clapping...but it was so fun that it's 1am now and i'm still hyped up! It's really a superb experience watching PBA in the flesh!

And just to let you know how close we are to the hardcourt...

It's the court one meter away from us! For free! What a steal!
Thanks Sir Daxi for this shot!

I love PBA, now, more than ever. I don't know when I can watch another PBA clash, but this sure is a thrilling experience I will never forget! I just realized too that the game tension in the court is a good stress-reliever to busy people like me. Crazy but true!

One more time, PBA!

And yes, with Coach Kenneth Duremdes...

Crazy Weather

The start of the Christmas season brought me to my noses. Yes, you heard it right, because from time to time, I would touch my nose and sniff. It's been a long while that I have not had any cold, or any fever, but when bacteria attacks, be careful, they attack the kids first.


We do have a crazy weather here, and I don't know how to figure this crazy weather out. It is scorching hot in the mornings till noon, and rains in the afternoon, while it's awfully cold especially in the wee mornings.

My boy was the first attacked by the flu, next is Tabebs, and now, it's my turn. I'm just thankful that my kids didn't have some serious colds, i was able to give them a few drops of the medication and they're up and about.

No one can pretend to be the PAGASA by just checking the clouds for it will only be a disappointment. So just to be sure, here are a few tips.

1. Wear jackets or something that will keep you warm especially in the cold mornings. If you can get yourself a jogging spree, wear windbreakers, and a cap to protect your head from the dew.

2. Do not be ashamed of using the umbrella, especially if it is scorching hot. And use light colored umbrellas because using the dark ones like black and maroon will let you suffer as these are already hot colors.

3. Wear sunscreen protection. I am not an avid fan of sunscreens but just last week, i saw my back having this dark portion and lighter portion down. Sunburn, and just when I was only trimming the grasses at home. So from now on, when I go out in the sun, I wear sunblock.

5. Umbrella again for the rain. It's been a must that you use the umbrella for rain. So, keep that in mind not because i told you so, but because it's what our oldest folks have told us many years back.

6. Wether it be a good weather or not, always drink your fluids, water, juice, tea. But not your sodas!

I hope you take care! I'm good though, if only without the colds. sniff sniff