New Beginnings

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.”
― Edith Lovejoy Pierce

 

It's been 13 days since the New Year started and yet I still feel expectant that new things await me and my family. That quote from Edith Pierce really made a mark when I first heard it...I hope to write a better story of my life this year.

 

Just now I found a rare moment to write, it's been such a long time since I last wrote something and I often wished that I could do so much more often. But I don't regret the moments I've been away, I've discovered a lot and experienced a lot of things about life whilst I was away from Bloggerville.

 

First of the many changes, I don't have a nanny anymore, the kids are big now one teenager and my little one is not so little anymore at age 9. I've discovered that having a nanny does have ups and downs, most of the downs I can live without and the ups I've discovered I can do myself. For example I now don't have that fear that they might leave me at the first sign of dissatisfaction. I control my home and don't have to ride that emotional rollercoaster that usually comes when a trusted nanny leaves the house. Second, I now cook...a lot! I found myself researching recipes and trying them out. My little girl I've discovered loved helping me out, that gives me special bonding time with her.  Third, since I now work on my kitchen a lot, I've discovered it's potentials, so I had it renovated just before Christmas and now it looks gorgeous and inspires me to cook hearty foods each day.

 

My family time got a significant boost in 2012 and I plan to keep it up in the coming years. It keeps me excited to wake up each day. To personally take care of my family each moment. Although it entails some sacrifices, waking up early everyday. I have also learned to be grateful for all the blessings that I receive each day, whether big and small. By being thankful, I realized that God has provided me with so much and I oftentimes overlooked it before.

 

To all my friends in Bloggerville I wish you time, hope and love this new year. I hope to read from your pages the whole year through. Never stop writing.

 

I want to end this post with I quote from the movie "New Year's Eve" which I liked dearly - "Sometimes it feels like there are so many things we can't control, earthquakes, floods, reality shows. But it's important to remember the things we can, like forgiveness, second chances, fresh starts. Because the one thing that turns the world from a lonely place to a beautiful place, is love. Love in any of its forms. Love gives us hope, hope for the New Year. That's New Year's Eve to me. Hope, and a great party."

Here's a toast to the NEW YEAR!

 

 

Defining Me (a repost)

Today is my birthday and I wanted to write something relevant. I went through my old articles and found this; I couldn't have written anything more for today.

The most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you you love, well that's just fabulous! ~ Carrie Bradshaw

Another year older... and wiser, I hope. When I was much younger I thought when I grow old I would know who I really am and who I am meant to be. Little did I know then that each part of my life, my birth, my childhood and everything in between are moments meant to happen to make me the person that I am now. Every second, every event, every choice, every word, every move, every feeling is a definition of me.

When I am asked to describe myself, I often fumble at my answer. It's not that I don't know my description but I sometimes hesitate and wonder if the person asking wanted a physical description of myself or who I am as a person. I had noticed that when one is much younger, we define ourselves more on our physical attributes. Is she tall or short? Is she thin or on the chubby side? Does she have long straight hair or short and curly?

I noticed that I have matured when I started to see people as persons with feelings and character. We are often deceived by the physical that we sometimes miss to see the person behind the beautiful face.

I often wondered if I were not a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister or a friend who would I be? These are only roles that I carry out each day and there are so much more that I can do and become depending on what the event calls for.

Of all my roles being a mother is probably the most versatile. I get to play so many characters in a day, sometimes even within minutes. I can become a teacher, a healer, a friend, a playmate, a comforter, a superhero and sometimes a villain, a cook, a storyteller, a fashion consultant, head coach, a tour guide, a shopping guru, the book of knowledge and sometimes a dictionary and much much more.

I love those roles. It's something I want to be good at each day of my life.

I know I am still a work in progress. Each day a new me is born. I hope each one gets better and better and more and more the me that my Lord planned for me to become.

Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Dare to Live the Dream

"No dreamer is ever too small; no dream is ever too big."

I grew up in a home where dreams were encouraged. I may have brought along the dreamer in me as I was growing up. I also learned that the way a person looks at dreams also mature with them. The younger me would have thrived in waiting for things to happen, content in just feeling good when other people achieved theirs and wishing...wishing very hard that mine would come true, one day.

As I was growing old, I kept dreaming of a better place, a better life, a better me. Each morning I wake up and ask myself, is this the life I am meant to live? And each time my heart would say no, there must be something more, much much more than what is right now.

It's not that I was disappointed with the kind of life I have. Oddly, it took very little to make me very happy. But there was this small piece of me that says I could make things even better, that I could raise the bar another notch. So I went through life searching for this. This something that would add meaning to my life.

At a very young age I learned that money does not make the world go round, sure it could jazz it up a bit, but the real ticker, my mother taught me, was love and family. If you had that, wow, you were rich, rich in what mattered most in life. No matter how fat your paycheck may be at the end of the day if you have no one to share it with, it didn't really matter much. That lesson, I kept close to my heart.

And so today, I want to share with you some tidbits I learned along the way.
1. Life doesn't stop when you reached a certain point in your life; like marriage, having kids, or getting a promotion. Make these experiences your wings, to soar higher, to share more of yourself, to give some back.

2. For my married friends, having a family shouldn't be an excuse to stop dreaming. Dreams are for everyone. Get one and make it come true.

3. Don't be too hard on yourself when you make mistakes. Smile, relax and most of all learn to laugh at yourself. Stand up and get back on your feet again, this time you know better.

4. Always give back to life the blessings you have received. Don't be afraid to share. There is more where it came from, much much more.

5. Don't feel guilty when you sometimes just want to sleep all day and do just nothing. You work very hard, you deserve the break. And sleep helps you regroup, regain your strength and allows you to dream some more.

6. Despite your busy schedule, always schedule time to call or visit your mom and dad. Remember, when you were younger, you were their world...and they never stopped thinking that, even if they already have grandchildren. Give back the time and love they showered you then. Your love and time may mean more than you think.

7. Take time out to take care of yourself. By doing that you can give more and be more to others.

8. Hugs will never be out of fashion. Hoard it, store, get it at every opportunity. We need loads of these no matter what age we are in. I am guilty of hoarding every chance I get... it is an elixir that cannot be found anywhere.

9. Respect other's opinions, although it sometimes differ from yours. You may be surprised to learn something new by just listening.

10. Love with abandon, never hold anything back. The chance may not present itself again. Don't let fear hold you back. So what if it's not reciprocated, it is yours to give. Enjoy each moment, seize every opportunity. Time could be a friend if you use it wisely.

I realized I have learned so much the days I was away. Although I loved to write about my life, I also learned that I must live it first before I could write much more.

I miss all my blogger friends. I hope to read about your life more each day too. Have a blessed 2012.

The Power of The Hug (Repost)

This is a post I made back in 2007. I still believe in its power. Read on and enjoy.
The moment I came out from my mom's womb the first thing that I received from the angel who was to be my mother, was a hug. The second her arms closed around my wriggly fragile body and as she kissed my little button nose, I knew I was loved. All throughout my life, my parents' hugs assured me that I was safe and loved. So I went through my life confident that I can do anything and be anything I wanted. And as I grew up , I seem to be needing a lot of those warm hugs to make me feel better. When I fall and graze my knee, when I spill milk on the floor, when I just feel a little blue, a hug would make me feel better. When I got a little older I became a little jaded and concerned with propriety. I began to think that big girls don't need hugs, it was a sign of weakness - I wanted people to know that I am independent and strong. However, when I was having a bad day and there was too much pressure in school, all of it will fade away as soon as my mom would give me a hug... just like the old times.

I give and get hugs from my daughters all the time, when they have their arms wrapped tightly around me, I feel that it is me who gets healed in the process. Here are some quotes about hugs:

A hug is like a boomerang - you get it back right away. ~Bil Keane, "Family Circus"

Millions and millions of years would still not give me half enough time to describe that tiny instant of all eternity when you put your arms around me and I put my arms around you. ~Jacques Prévert

You can't wrap love in a box, but you can wrap a person in a hug. ~Author Unknown

Hug Department: Always Open ~Author Unknown

I love hugging. I wish I was an octopus, so I could hug ten people at a time. ~Drew Barrymore

Arm ourselves for war? No! All the arms we need are for hugging. ~Author Unknown

A hug is a handshake from the heart. ~Author Unknown

A hug delights and warms and charms,that must be why God gave us arms.~Author Unknown

A hug is the shortest distance between friends. ~Author Unknown

A hug is a great gift - one size fits all, and it's easy to exchange. ~Author Unknown

A kiss without a hug is like a flower without the fragrance. ~Proverb

Received this video in the mail, it's about Juan Mann who's giving out Free Hugs all over the globe. Loved it! Never wait until tomorrow to hug someone you could hug today,because when you give one, you get one right back your way. Hugggsss to all of you.

Don't Worry Be Happy

aughter. That is something you'll notice as soon as you go inside my house. My kids laughing at something their dad did or said. My girls being tickled by their dad on weekend mornings or something good on TV. or a book they were reading. Reminds of the laughter that resounded my parents house when my siblings and I lived there.

Don't you always hear that phrase "laughter is the best medicine"? That is soooo true. At work, my staff are happy people. You hear them laughing most of the time, they are working and laughing and somehow the pressures of our daily grind seems manageable and bearable. I was reading Bo Sanche'z blog yesterday and I got this message "Go ahead. Do the most important thing in the world. Build your relationships. And be happy."

Remember no matter how hard life is right now, no matter how dark and grave the future looks, there is always time to laugh and be happy.

“Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.”

Something New

tart of the week again and I just had to share this new stuff I learned today. Pretty neat huh? If you want to have some on your blog please drop by www.dailydropcap.com. Jessica Hische is amazing!

On Being a Mom

This is a belated Mother's Day post. I couldn't help but post it as it has moved me in ways I could not even begin to tell you.

You see motherhood has taught me soooo many things. Flexibility, I thought my heart was only capable of loving one but magically my heart can love many and have room for more. It has taught me patience as you may all well know. It has taught me how to use my strength well and much much more. Loving is the most important lesson of all. Read on.

The Girl I Used to Be
Author Unknown

She came tonight as I sat alone,
the girl I used to be,
And she gazed at me with her earnest eyes,
and questioned reproachfully,

Have you forgotten the many plans,
and hopes I had for you?
The great career,
the splendid fame,
all the wonderful things to do?

Where is the mansion of stately height,
with all of its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you,
and the shining jewels in your hair?

And as she spoke,
I was very sad,
for I wanted her pleased with me,
This slender girl from the shadowy past,
the girl I used to be.

So gently rising,
I took her hand and guided her up the stairs,
Where peacefully sleeping,
my babies lay, innocent, sweet and fair,

And I told her that these are my only gems,
and precious they are to me,
That silken robe is my motherhood,
of costly simplicity,

And my mansion of stately height is love,
and the only career I know,
Is serving each day in these sheltered walls,
for the dear ones who come and go,

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,
she smiled through her tears at me,
And I saw the woman that I am now,
pleased the girl that I used to be!

Not too late I realized that I could still be more that I can be. For mothers after all are capable of so many things. Mixing family and career is hard but with the love and support of my family I realized I can and still could be more than just me.

I could still reach the stars if I wanted to, go to the places I've dreamed of. Becoming a mother makes the experience all the more exhilirating because now the pleasure is not just mine to experience; now I can share it with my precious gems, my family.

Be true to yourself and be proud that you are mothers!

A Very Romantic Valentine's Day

A belated Valentine's Day post.

Last February 12 hubby surprised me with a very romantic dinner. It was in a wine cellar restaurant. He had it all planned out. A bouquet of flowers were delivered to my office during lunch and then he said nothing in the car on our way home. We usually watched a movie on Friday nights, but that night he didn't ask if I wanted to see a movie. I thought it odd, but I also thought that maybe he felt a bit ackward because we had a small fight.

The Friday night traffic was ruining my mood actually. I wanted to get home early, we had a lot to cover the following day. PTA meeting at school, two birthday parties! Ahhh, just the thought makes me feel soooo tired already. All of a sudden he makes a sudden turn into this snotty-looking restaurant. I was aghast almost. Why??? I turned to say. And he had this ridiculous smile on his face. Surprise! Let's have dinner. And I went, "Dinner? Whaat? Here? Why this place looks expensive! A winery for petesakes!" I stumbled out of the car and followed him inside. Wine was strewn all over the place. Then a lady greeted us, "Sir, I thought you'd never come." They know each other? How? Hmmm, so he was here before? It seems the man planned this well. We were shown inside the wine cellar room, exclusive, dimly lit room with a table for two. Expensive wine surrounded us. The waiter went in and asked if we wanted wine and hubby said thanks and asked if we could have a moment alone. To say that I felt like a foolish teenager on my first date was an understatement. I was tickled pink!

I was blushing and he was smirking like a cheshire cat after licking a bowl of milk. "Happy Valentine's Day," he says, "Are you okay? It this okay?" I wanted to play hard to get. But I couldn't stop the smile that mirrored his from cropping up my face, even if my life depended on it. Of course I was okay, I was more than okay. I was happy! We had the place all to ourselves. We had wine, Italian food and just simply had a good time. Haha! Foolish man, I thought after 12 years he still manages to make me fall in love with him over again. After dinner he took me for a walk along the bay and then we had coffee. The man knew how to date! LOLz! Kidding aside, my hubby was always romantic and that's one of the things I love about him. I was happy to note that all this time, having two kids and all, still the love has not changed, in fact, has grown deeper and stronger.

Each day I thank God he gave me a partner who knows how to love. But don't you think that our marriage is perfect. We have our moments and our ups and downs as well, but I guess we know how to keep the love burning, we work at it each day. I can see the way my daughters look at the two of us when we hold hands or when hubby steals kisses playfully while they cheered on, they feel secure that their parents love each other. I am glad we can give that to them.

Some unsolicited advice, that worked for us:

1. Always make time to date. Just because you go home to the same house and sleep in the same bed does not mean that you have to stop dating. Make sure to fit in alone time with your spouse no matter how hectic your work life is. Hubby and I always go out on Fridays, to watch a movie or have dinner. Just the two of us.

2. Communicate, communicate, communicate. Hubby and I always make an effort to talk things through. That way we can clear things out, no grey areas...only clarity. Be truthful at all times. Trust is fragile, once broken you may not get another chance.

3. Take care of each other. Just because you take care of the kids does not give you license to neglect your husband's needs. My mom made sure I learned that lesson well. It's a work in progress but I always think of my hubby's needs as well as my kids as equally important.

4. Make your home a sanctuary where he can relax and recharge. Give the guy his own space to do his manly things. In the same way that you need to have your girl's day off, a man needs one or two :)Believe me he'll appreciate you more.

5. Love, love, love. Be affectionate and showy. Hold hands, kiss, cuddle. And never stop till you're too old to do it. The very essence of the relationship. When you have love, everything follows. Ann Landers say, If you have love in your life it can make up for a great many things you lack. If you don't have it, no matter what else there is, it's not enough.

There are no established set rules really only guides. In reality only you know what will work for you two. But the thing is dear, always make time for love. It's the secret to a long lasting marriage.

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.I Corinthians 13:4-8