The Don Moen Concert

Last Saturday-April 12, my cousins (Riza, Layling, Aiza and Mark), my sister (Chiqui) and I flocked to the Don Moen concert in the city. Sadly, A was at work so he couldn’t join us.

To say that it was a moving experience would be an understatement. It was in fact, akin to having a close encounter with God because as we sang to familiar and inspiring songs, we were sitting on the bleachers in an open field. Looking up, you see the blackness of the sky dotted only by a few city lights and the wind blowing so softly on your face, it felt like God was smiling down on you, hearing your every word, listening to your heart, wiping every tear, taking away all your sorrows.

I was uncontrollably crying the entire time, even during the ‘fast’ songs. Maybe because the first song was “Give Thanks” and at this point in my life, i am truly overflowing with gratefulness for all the wonderful, magnificent blessings we are getting.

Thank you, Lord, for people like Don Moen whom you use to remind your flock that you are near…to be still and know that You are God. And that no matter how hard things get… life has a bizarre way of turning trials into triumphs.

Letrato

Just wanted to share some photos taken last week.

I came home early one afternoon and caught my little boy helping his yaya sweep the newly-mowed front lawn. He enjoyed it so much you'd think it's the best job in the world. Hehe!

The photo is blurry because he wouldn't stop despite my efforts at making him pose for me. Mwahaha

These are flowers I bought from a nearby flower farm at P50 a bunch. Ahh, the best things in life are (almost) free!

Psychological Tip

Whenever you're called on to make up your mind,
and you're hampered by not having any,
the best way to solve the dilemma, you'll find,
is simply by spinning a penny.

No - not so that chance shall decide the affair
while you're passively standing there moping;

but the moment the penny is up in the air,
you suddenly know what you're hoping.


-Piet Hein


Do you agree?

I DO!!! :)

At Home with our folks

Dear V,

Maximizing the long weekend, we took a four-hour drive to visit your grandparents in their homes.

First stop was at Lolo Nick’s and Lola Day’s. Coincidentally, Tita Karen and Tito Dodo put together a party for the nephews/nieces (your cousins Kuya Clyde, Ate Pepet, Kuya Macmac and Kuya In-in) who graduated from different levels. Perfect timing since mama and papa were really craving for lechon. Haha

We are specially proud of Kuya Macmac who graduated valedictorian from elementary and is a recipient of many awards for the different national math contests he joined. Sadly though, he was absent during the celebration because he was in manila competing in yet another contest.

Most of our relatives were present. ‘Lam mo naman, everybody is just looking for an excuse to get together…You played with your cousins nonstop till 12mn. And the folks had a grand time when you volunteered to entertain them by dancing to “LOW”. Aba, aba! San ka nga ba nagmana? *wink*

Papa and I joined the aunts and uncles having a lively discussion. My belly ached with the endless exchange of funny anecdotes. We had a good laugh as Tito Em ribbed Lolo Sar that we will visit his farm again so that we can grill some of the native chickens he’s growing. Tito Em insisted that it was payback time because when the uncles were younger, they’d also make lambing to Lolo Platon (your great grandpa) for chickens.

Next stop was at Lolo Zosing’s and Lola Cande’s fish pond. I specially loved this trip because we got to do some of the things papa grew up with. The 3 of us rode the bamboo raft from one end of the pond to the other. Papa expertly maneuvered the raft with a bamboo pole while you sat still and clung to the bamboos for dear life. Hehe But you were beaming, enjoying every single minute of it. Mama was the official photographer trying to get some nice shots while struggling so hard not to fall off from the other end of the raft. When we got to the other side of the pond, Lolo Zosing had already asked someone to pick buko from the planted coconuts. Yum! Yum!

Later in the afternoon, papa showed us how as a teenager, he’d spend his summers in the pond, weaving nipa roof for extra income. Monday was Tita An’s birthday so Lola Cande prepared food for lunch. You and Papa then rolled out the nets to catch crabs and luckily, you got 3 large ones and some shrimps. Papa and I feasted on the sinfully-delicious, cholesterol-laden alegue (crab fat) but you refused to join us. Hmn…you don’t know what you’re missing. After lunch, you rested on the hammock Tito Vios put up under the tree while Mama and Papa lounged on the hut’s veranda enjoying the cool breeze.

It was a happy and memorable visit despite some problems that a few members of the clan are facing. But we do have a tough family. In God’s time, we will all get through our trials.

Let us be thankful for the gift of each other and our ready sense of humor because despite the odds, we are still one happy bunch.

still here

i miss blogging.

there are so many things i want to write but i can't find time amidst the chaos in the office. i've been working long hours since last week and there seems to be no end to all the reports i need to make, sensitivities, P&L's...i'm even bringing home work! waaaah!

BUT,

in two weeks, i will be saying goodbye to all these.

in two weeks, i can sleep late and wake up late, too. yahoo!

in two weeks, i will be spending every single day with my two boys.

in two weeks, i will be starting a new life altogether.

TWO WEEKS!!!!!

that's music to my ears.

nothing could be nicer than that!

May 1 couldn't be that far, right?

so, hang in there girl.

the best is yet to come...

when it rains, it pours

...my colleague who was identified to replace me gave birth today

(we were scheduled to do the turn-over in manila next week)

...my househelps walked out on me

...i am soooo busy with work (not new,actually)

BUT

...another colleague was 'volunteered' to handle the job while my replacement is on ML (peace, yen2)

...my sister lent me her househelp (she had no choice hehe)

...i can enjoy a long weekend

LIFE IS STILL GOOD!

Update…

I finally had the chance to talk to my boss last Monday, Mar 31. I informed him about my planned resignation date but he said I should think it over kasi sayang ang promotion. The evaluation papers are afterall already with HR and only needs the approval of the president for it to be official.

I had prepared my argument for this beforehand but did not have the heart to tell him right then that the decision was final. He's been busy the past few days and the resignation must have been the last thing he wanted to hear.

Tuesday, I again went up to him and this time with the resignation letter in hand. We had a very long talk after that. I just feel sad that I have caused so much trouble for him and my previous boss as they are now racking their brains to find a replacement.

Today, I had my clearances signed which naturally divulged my plans as my papers hopped from one department to another. Word spread like wildfire. In seconds, all three locations (branches) of our company knew about it. I got emails and phone calls left and right. Hehe

I have long envisioned this day to be a happy and liberating one. However, it turned out sad and depressing. My colleagues were very happy and congratulated me for this big, bold move. It was an effort to smile because I am starting to miss them already.