My Favorite Song: Say Something

               
  The first time I heard this song was during the AMA's and I fell in love instantly with the song. The music and the song itself. The sound of the piano and all. Watching the video made me teary eyed especially when I saw this 2 old couple, the woman is (I assume) dead while the husband is crying and just looking at her wife. Here is the video, in case you haven't seen it yet.

Here are my favorite lines from the song:

     

"Say something I'm giving up on you

I'll be the one if you want me too

Anywhere I would've followed you

And I will swallow my pride

You're the one that I love and I'm saying goodbye

I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you.... "

                  

A Different Christmas

     For 15 years that Francis and I were married last Christmas was the very first time (as well as New Year's Eve) that we celebrated it far from each other. As our respective families, relatives and friends know Francis left early this year to try his luck to be an overseas worker. It was difficult for us, especially for the youngest Amaya, to comprehend why Tatay (as we fondly calls him) have to work abroad.

     The first 5 months were the most difficult for us, especially for me because I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING, no one can "substitute" for me anymore. The transition from a 2-parents in the house to a "single" parent household was difficult as well. Since Francis' schedule of work is very erratic, most of the decisions that have to be made now falls on my shoulder, meaning before I give in to the girls, I better think it a lot of times before I say yes or no. So far, so good.

     I am just so thankful to the good Lord for blessing me and Francis 3 beautiful, intelligent and VERY UNDERSTANDING daughters, especially my 2 older ones - Arielle and Joie. Though there are still some questions on  their minds, every now and then, as much as possible Francis and I tries to give them honest answers.

     Last Christmas, each of my girls, made a love letter to their tatay...

this is from Ate Arielle

from Ate Joie

From Amaya

     Hoping (and crossing my fingers) that in a year or 2 (or 3) we will be one complete family again in celebrating Christmas and New Year.

I Am Home... Again

     Last December 24th, one of my agendas as to why I decided to come home to Calamba earlier than the usual is to pay a visit to the place where I spent most of my childhood. To visit my second home. To show my 3 girls, particulary, my 2 older girls, the family who, one way or another, let me feel part of their family.

this is the driveway,
where kuya Warren and I
used to play. 

this use to have
bermuda grass, but since
my Lolo Cano got sick
it was difficult
for them to maintain it.

that huge mango tree

this huge tree
gives sweet indian mangoes
during summer

my girls and their cousin
are so lucky to have
seen this place, still intact

my Amaya playing with Ela, my
brother's daughter

     Mr. Canuto Pabale, DOC to the veterinary world, but Lolo Cano to me, was my god-father (ninong) when I was baptized. Lolo Cano and his wife Lola Ellen, became my second parents. Since I was an ONLY child then (it took my parents 7 years before I have my 3 brothers) and so is their son, whom I call Kuya Warren, so in our hearts we consider each other as siblings.

     I can't recall how young I was when I started sleeping every weekend at their place. My dad usually brings me to Lolo Cano's place on a Saturday and picks me up the following day. It was Lola Ellen who taught me how to fold the blankets and fix the bed as soon as I wake up. If my memory, serves me right, to earn some money for my school allowance, I usually pick the leaves that falls off from this huge mango tree. As my dad told me and my brothers, Lolo Cano is also called MR. CLEAN by his colleagues, close friends and relatives for he doesn't want to see any dirt on his backyard, not even a leaf. I guess the acronym OC (obsessive compulsive) applies to him as well.

     But January 19th of 2013, my Lolo Cano passed away. I have to admit there were guilt feelings cause I wasn't able to visit him especially when he was at a critical condition already. That when I learned of his passing, I cried, buckets. As one of my older cousin, Ate Tina Francia , said to me at FaceBook, I WAS THE DAUGHTER HE NEVER HAD.

     So going back to a place where most of childhood was spent was bittersweet for me. Missing my Kuya Warren who is in the States and has a family of his own already. Lolo Cano't not there anymore. Though it was nice seeing Lola Ellen, who is doing fine and trying to be strong despite the face that she still cries. She was busy preparing some snacks for us. It was so nice to Walter, the youngest brother of Kuya Warren, who introduced us to his pet, Belly.

Lola Ellen and I were updating
each other about
our respective lives. She was
busy preparing some snacks for us. 

"TITO" Walter. hahaha!!! hey
brother!!! 

Walter's pet, a pot-belly pig
whose name is Belly. hahaha!!! And
we miss her already.

     Before I left, the girls and I have a photo-op with Lola Ellen. I have a photo also taken beside the ashes/urn of my Lolo Cano.

Moi and my Lola Ellen. Susme!
parang ndi natanda ang
Lola Ellen ko

My girls, Ela and Me with
Lola Ellen.

Miss you Lolo Cano.

     To Lola Ellen, THANK YOU for the warm welcome you gave me and my girls. Be strong. I know that it will take you awhile to really MOVE ON. But I know that Lolo Cano is guiding you, Kuya Warren and Walter from up above. Take care of your health as well. Thank you for the aguinaldos you gave the girls.

     To Walter, THANK YOU for allowing my girls to feel at home in your place. Take care of Lola Ellen. Whether you like it or not, WE'RE SIBLINGS too. Hahaha! Thank you for introducing Belly to us. We miss your pig so much too.

     To Kuya Warren, I know you're in the States already, but I would still like to say THANK YOU for being a good older brother (kuya) to me. You're the older brother I never had. Thank you for being so patient, kind, understanding and loving as well. Hope to see you soon here at home.

     To my Lolo Cano, I know words are not enough to say my heartfelt THANK YOU for everything you have done for me and for my family. I know that wherever you are I know you're guiding us, especially your family. Thank you for all the LOVE you've showered on me. Thank you for ACCEPTING me as part of your family. My heartfelt THANK YOU. I love and miss you Lolo Cano

Thank You And Goodbye 2013

     The very first post of gratitude I read for 2013 was from Ms. Toni Tiu of Wifely Steps (click here). I was inspired by what she posted and I have been thinking of what I should be thankful for despite and inspite of. 2013 was both a good and not so good year for me and my family. But since this post is all about being THANKFUL, I will focus on this one, besides I believe that God will never give us a challenge or test that we can't handle.

     I am THANKFUL for my family. My husband and 3 beautiful, loving and intelligent girls. I am thankful that even though my husband decided to try his luck of working overseas, he is doing fine. So thankful as well for the technology that we have because my daughters and I were able to have a chat and see Francis every now and then. Thankful that my girls understood (and still trying to understand) why their father made that decision.

the last photo of my
husband with my 2
older daughters during
our last family
outing

Francis with our youngest
Amaya

     Thankful that the past year the health of my girls were all good, except for few colds and coughs, but over all, their health is very good. Except for me, cause I had Measles, not a good experience that I would like to have again. This 2013 too, I was able to read a lot of books. I am so THANKFUL to the staffs of National Bookstore at SM Lipa, especially Madz, for being so accommodating to me every time I ask for certain books. They will reserve and hold it for days and weeks until I get it it from them.

     Towards the last quarter of the year, I am so THANKFUL that there is always "ads" above the blog header and on the right side of this blog. To others, this may be shallow but for a beginner like me in the world of blogging world, it is a big deal for me.

     Thankful for my immediate family - my mom and brothers - because last November 23, we had our very first bonding moment (after a long time) at Alabang Town Center or ATC. I love each one of you to the core.

this was taken during our
last bonding moment
at ATC food court, with
daughters and niece as well.

     Thankful for my friends, old and new ones. For accepting me for who and what I am. I have different sets of friends from my high school barkada, college friends, mommy friends, and friends I met because of my husband. I am so blessed to have met each one of you.

     Thankful to the Lord Jesus, for looking after my family and after me. Thank you for always being there, for your continuous guidance, I know that you will never leave me, that I am sure of.

     Thankful to Francis, my husband, father of my girls, my best friend. This is the very first time in a long time that we are celebrating the holidays without you beside us. I know that this is what you've been wanting for the longest time. And I hope and pray that whatever plans that God has for you, I know you'll make it big. THANK YOU FRANCIS. You know already what my THANK YOU is for. Always remember that I Love You so much and nothing will change that.

this is the last photo
we had during our summer outing. we
don't have a photo na matino.
hahaha!

     So as I say THANK YOU and GOODBYE to 2013, I am ready for all the good things and challenges that 2014 will bring.

     So from my family to yours,  HAPPY NEW YEAR and GOD BLESS US ALL...

DIY Loot Bags For Amaya's 7th Birthday

     A month before Amaya's birthday, I started buying the things that I will be using for the loot bags, the things will be placed in the loot bags. Since my family is not really keen on celebrating such event, hubby and I decided just to give loot bags on her birthday to her classmates. Since DIY is the "IN" thing to do nowadays, I decided to do this as well, with the help of my daughter Joie. So let the pictures do the talking....

Bought this brown paper bags
at SM grocery for 25 pieces
this is worth 52.00 pesos

This Loony Toons and
Sesame Street pencil
cases I bought at National
Bookstore for 29.75 each

Since boys love Ben 10 and girls
love tinkerbell, I bought these
stickers at a local grocery store.

These puzzles I bought
it also at National Bookstore.

these cutie pencils I bought
at National Bookstore at 6.50 each

these small coloring books
with stickers inside, I bought at
a local grocery here for 5.00 pesos each.

These set of pencils with erasers
I bought at a local grocery store
for 13.50 pesos each.

these are some of the
washi tapes I bought at
the local grocery store.
Those long strips, I have to
put glue on it.

So this is what I did with the
brown paper bag. I placed the long strips
on the sides of the bags. Then in the
middle of the bag, my daughter
Joie wrote each of Amaya's
classmates names with simple design.
I also bought sticker paper at
National Bookstore.

This is the front part
of the paper bag. I put some washi tapes on
it too, then wrote holiday
greetings at a small sticker
paper...

     So there goes my DIY loot bags. And I tell the moms sent me messages via Facebook and told me how their kids loved the things I placed in each of the loot bags. By the way, I also put some chocolates and other kinds of "sugar rushed" foods for the kids. Hey it is Christmas so let them enjoy this one.

Online Shopping: Elin.Ph

     One of the many advantages of having the internet is the ONLINE SHOPPING. I have done it once before (click here) and now it is my second time to do it. One of the many reasons why I tried Elin.ph is because of the mommy bloggers I follow, usually buys their tops and dresses from them. So while I was browsing Elin's Facebook page (click here) last November, I saw this dress....

Grabbed this photo
from Elin's Facebook page

     And I instantly fell in love with it. Since there was an occasion where I could use it, I went to their website, http://elin.ph/ and I immediately ordered this dress. I entered my name and other important details. Then as soon as I clicked SEND, few minutes after I received an  email from them and their BPI account number (since this is the mode of payment I chose).

     After I have paid, I emailed to them the deposit slip, as a proof that I deposited the payment already. Since the transaction happened on the a Friday (a day before Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines), I was able to receive my package on a Wednesday. I was so excited to open, see and fit the dress.

This is where my
dress was placed. Sorry if
gusot na yung packaging

I was able to wear
the dress on the wedding
of my brother in law. I wore
a heeled shoe but during the
reception, I wore my ballet flat shoes.

     

     So how was it? The dress fits me perfectly. I love the jersey typed of material used in this dress. I so love how it looks on me. Even my kids and husband loved my dress. Simple yet elegant. I hope I did some justice in wearing the dress. This will not be the last time that I will order from them. In fact, there is this top that I really love and as soon as I have enough savings, I will definitely order from them again. 

Website: http://elin.ph/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.elin.ph

Our Way of Family Bonding

     Last Saturday my mom and I planned of having a family bonding because it has been a while since the last time we really went out as ONE FAMILY. Missing this in this bonding moment of ours is my niece Angela Phoebe. As early as 9:30 in the morning the kids and I left our place here in Lipa to go to Calamba, to my mom's place to meet up with my brothers and mom. Around 11:00 a.m. we fetch Mom and my brothers, our destination, ALABANG TOWN CENTER. It is the mall here in the south nearest to our place. It has been a while that my girls and I have been to ATC and the kids are really excited. Anyway, let the photos speak of what a great day we all had.

Before we start our galaan,
lunch time for us at the food court

TimeZone for my 2 older daughters

This is Amaya's favorite game
at TimeZone

Amaya with her cousin Ela

Amaya and her tito Angelo

While waiting for the other kids,
my mom and daughter sat on the floor.

After my 2 daughters bought
something at Just G, we went
down for our next stop

The 2 makukulits of the family
Amaya and Ela

It has been a while since we really
visited this place and we saw this.
Made In Candy

these are the men who does the candy
in front of you. Aliw much!

After 3 hours, snack time
for us. Krispy Kreme for the kids
and the kids at heart. The others,
ate Razon's Halo-Halo

The kids took their picture with the
big Christmas tree as their background

Me and my girls. Huhuhu! My 2 older
girls are really growing up
soooo fast.... 

Pwede na bang magkakapatid kami?
Hahaha!

My first picture... pwede na din
pang-OOTD. hehehe!

Lucky for us, we caught THE Martin
Nievera, rehearsing for his
concert that night.

My 3 handsome brothers whom
I truly LOVE SO MUCH TO THE CORE...

    It has been a fun filled day for all of us. I believe our Mom got tired during that whole day of walking around the mall, just being around each other, exchanging stories and all. I so love this family! Until our next galaan blues...