Memories

I don't know why, but I was down memory lane just awhile ago. On that note, I'm listing down things that I loved, hated (hmm...such a strong word, hate, don't you think?) and remembered most during my childhood.

1. I totally loved dancing. Not that I don't love dancing now but dancing used to be one of my favorite things to do back then.
2. I loved pom-poms! It's a snack by the way.
3. Patintero was such a good way to pass time.
4. Totally into the goya "kabaong" chocolates.
5. So into bioman. I was pink 5!
6. Adored the carebears. I was funshine bear.
7. Never missed the halloween episodes of magandang gabi bayan because it really scared my sister and I.
8. Fiesta Carnival was the best amusement theme place to be in.
9. Watched the COD shows yearly.
10. Oral declamations was my thing.

This are just the tip of the iceberg. Hahaha. I know....such revelations actually reflects how old I am. But it doesn't matter. Sometimes it's just nice to reminisce the good old days when life was simple and fun. Nothing beats being a kid. That's why it's important than one has good childhood memories.

Until the next batch of memories =)

For lola

My lola (my mom's mother) passed away yesterday. It is so unfortunate that she had to die tragically and not because of old age. God's plans are really different from that of our own. I'm happy that she saw our son before she passed away. I'm sad that we won't be able to visit her wake due to hubby's work. I pray though that she may have God's mercy and that she will be united with our savior when the time comes.

There is never an easy way to say goodbye to a loved one. There is only the comfort that God knows what is best and that He has planned our life in such a way that it will be for our best interest.

We love you, Lola, You will always be remembered dearly.

Water baby

This is Zye's first swimming experience...and how happy we are that he loved it....really, really, loved it!

We didn't want him to take a dip because he woke up very late and the weather wasn't too inviting (althought it was a hotspring so the water's temperature wouldn't be a problem) but he wanted to wade so hubby allowed him to stay by the pool side to have his feet touch the water. Unfortunately, his shorts got wet and the water was splashing all over him so we decided that they (father and son) both go for a dip.

And the rest is so history. He didn't want to get out of the pool anymore. After taking a shower, he probable got tired of waving his hand while he was in the pool so he dozed off and was actually dreaming that he was still in the water (yes, waving his hand while asleep).

I'll upload the video soon so that I can have it posted here.

Breaks and aches

Hurting someone doesn't just happen when you've done something.
It is all the more painful when you are not doing anything.

-.jd.112708-
*************

The heart breaks to its limits.
It is pushed farther
still trusting,
but so very much guarded,
not wanting to give room for more hurt.
Praying hard that it will all go away,
and that you be back
to the way you were before.

-.jd.112708-
*************

I can sacrifice.
I can always give way.
I will always believe.
I will never give up.

That's why my smiles
will always be sad.

-.jd.112708-
*************

So this is love.
No expectations,
Having less but giving more,
Hoping,
praying,
wishing.
Yes, it is how I love.

-.jd.112708-
*************

Changing views

Having your mind set to something makes a big difference on how you see, feel, think and react. This is what I have set my mind to. And I intend to keep it that way.

Lemonade Stand

Thanks Joanne! Happy that I'm still remembered despite the not so frequent postings.

1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Be sure to link your nominess in your post
3. Let them know that they received this award by commenting on their blogs.
4. Share the love and link to this post.

Sharing the love to my sisters: Jenny, Issa and Rocks.

Long hair no more!

Last Sunday, Zye finally had his hair cut! (Or should I say, hubby finally agreed to have Zye's hair cut. Harhar!)

It wasn't in those cute little kid's salon. We were suppose to bring Zye last Saturday at Robinson's Galleria for his first haircut but then hubby didn't want to go there and wanted another mall (simply because we are always in Galleria). We went to Megamall hoping to find a kid's salon but to no avail. We went home and decided to go to Galleria the next day.

Something came up the next day after church so unable to go to Galleria and wanting our son to have his haircut (badly), we just decided to bring him to the salon where we have our haircut. To our delight, we didn't have a hard time. The haircutter was actually pleased that Zye did not cry unlike other babies having their first haircut. Zye was so still probably thinking what was happening but it was a little hard when the back of his hair was being cut because he was ticklish so the haircutter just asked hubby to carry Zye instead of having him sit on the chair.

Now he looks even more handsome (I'm not even close to patronizing here, hahaha!). I haven't gotten a photo of his latest look. I'll probably post them next time. Here are the captured moments of his first haircut.

My so-called reflections

The word trust is such a big word. A confusing one at that as well. Some people actually think that trusting someone is a license to not be cautious, the answer to erase worries and doubts. I thought so too. But that was yesterday. Today, I am defining trust in a whole new way.

Whenever you give your trust to someone you love, particularly in a relationship, it doesn't necessarily mean that you will never have doubts. It doesn't mean that you will never be caught in your gut-feel. The underlying feeling when trusting someone is actually reading between the line that, "Hey, don't you dare break my heart". Sometimes it can even translate to, "Now, be more careful of how you deal with other people or else the trust is gone".

The declaration of trust is actually the start of bigger responsibilities. It actually challenges the trustee and the trusted to discipline themselves at all times -- the trustee preventing herself from sudden outburst and the trusted making sure to know the limits of his actions. It is never easy to trust someone because we always get the wrong impression about it. Why? Because we say we trust even if we never really told the person what we are trusting him with. We trust, assuming that the ones we are trusting already knows what will break our trust when we never really have the guts to tell them the rules of our "Trust Contract".

How do I define trust now? Simple. Trust is telling the truth. If you say you trust someone, you have every right to confront the person and tell what you feel about something or someone. Once you start keeping things to yourself, then the trust slowly leaves you and all you're left with are doubts and accusations. Trust is accepting the truth. If you are brave enough to tell your feelings, you have to be strong enough to hear the other side of the story -- no matter how good or bad it may be. Trust is knowing that you can ask whenever you feel something is not right. Trust should not limit our actions. Trusting doesn't mean you cannot ask, cannot react, cannot doubt, cannot be cautious. It just knowing when to stop asking, thinking first before reacting, ask first before entertaining your doubts and being watchful not just of your partner but of yourself as well.

Complicated? Nah. When everything else fails, we go back to the root of it all.

LOVE.

But then again, that one deserves another reflection.

And so...it is a MONDAY!

Arrrgh!

I'm not sure why but inspite of the 8-hour sleep I had, I don't feel too well (Maybe because 8 hours was too much?Nah!) And then I finally had the chance to join this contest on the radio (I was the third choice by the way!So it was really a chance I should say) and guess what?

I totally blanked!

That's P8,000 worth of GCs down the drain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

***SHOUTING***

It is a monday after all.

At the end of the day

When you are in a relationship, what is it that really matters?
Is it just plainly about loving someone?
Does it start and end with giving all that you've got
even to the point that you've got nothing left for yourself?
Is it simply about being happy or at least trying to be an epitome of happiness?

Do you not complain and take every pain
as if it is a pill to which your body can someday be immune with?
Will it ever be just moving forward with the hopes
that the realities of today will simply pass?

Should you fade each time the stars come out
and appear at the break of dawn so that your tears
may never be seen?

After the journey,
all that is there is the thought that the sun will always
come out after the rain.
What remains is the dream of truly being loved.


__________________
*.jd.11.18.08.*
jown's random thoughts
sharing,
thinking out loud,
summarizing.

Weird things about me

Tagged by Jeng. Hmmm...missed doing these stuff. *Sigh*

Rules are rules. To tag along: you have to list 7 weird things about yourself, post it in your blog, tag at least 7 people (list their names), and comment on their blog to let them know that you just tagged them.

1. I am partly an obsessive compulsive. I even declare certain days as my "ococ" (that's how I term it) day and start cleaning, rearranging, organizing stuff even if they are not really messed up.

2. I know a lot of songs -- lyrics, tune and singer. I always have a hard time choosing songs when going on videoke bars simply because I know almost all of the songs and I want to sing something new. (I know, weird! )

3. I can eat sinigang forever.

4. I can finish a half-gallon ice cream in one sitting --- even with no one helping me.

5. I have thing crazy fear whenever traveling that I might leave stuff behind. So, as always, I make a list of the things I brought and make sure that I check on my things before going to sleep. (Hmmm...ococ moves?)

6. For someone who is in such a small frame, I have a very loud voice. (Tried and tested)

7. When I am very angry, I speak in straight english!

Tagging nancy, Eds, Happy, Jacque, Pat, Mari and Anna.

Waterfun

Thanks to Tito Pogi, Zye's fun moments while taking a bath was captured. He doesn't hate the water, but he's not very comfortable whenever water is poured over his face. The trick is to have something for him to play with. In this case, all I got was the baby oil bottle.

Desperate times calls for ingenuity. Or something like that.

Flowers for me

Thanks to Pat for this one. My first tag after a long while....
This tag is all about “FRIENDSHIP OFFERING” with someone whom you know, to someone whom you already knew or will know in the future, globally.

::: Start copying here:::
here are the rules for this tag;
1. copy the badge and put it on your blog
2. link back who pass you this tag
3. spread this tag to at least 7 or more bloggers who you think you are friends with.

”And lovely are the blossoms
That are tended with great care,
By those who work unselfishly
To make the place more fair.
And, like the garden blossoms,
Friendship’s flower grows more sweet
When watched and tended carefully
By those we know and meet.
And, if the seed of friendship
Is planted deep and true
And watched with understanding,
Friendship’s flower will bloom for you.”

I think I'm friends with Jenny, Kathycot, carla, Rocks, Manel, Sweetpea and Irmee. It's been awhile but I hope you still remember me sisters :)

Holler!

YES!

After having spent almost 3 weeks in my new job, I finally found the time to update the world with what's hapening with me. Therefore, assuming that I do have a bunch of people actually wondering what I've been up to, or if I (hopefully) have an audience, then allow me to spend a few spaces to tell you how this brewery have been for the past few weeks.

I am now officially back to the corporate world, or so. Technically, I'm back to the world of students. Teaching? No, not yet at least. I am more into administrative works and basically dealing a whole lot with discipline. And for those who know me well, I'm pretty sure they're all saying, "That's not gonna be a problem for you."

My first day buddies

I was so excited to blog about my first day which was put off to my first week and now, well almost first month. I had some shots of my first day companions: My bag and my planner. Yeah, I'm back to planning things now! And I'm loving the feeling of writing down things. All that's happening, all that needs to happen, all that I hope would happen. I think it will also allow me to write more poetry, songs or maybe even short stories.

My planner's new look. Yes, it's my starbucks page merged to my old planner

Right now, I've got tons of backlog that I have to work on. But no worries. I'm just living my life on day at a time. Just enjoying the blessings that I have...and the blessings that are yet to come.

The other half

Last October 31, my hubby, Dingdong, went to Hongkong for a three-day vacation.

Yup, just him. It's like a trick or treat deal. Of course, it wasn't a treat at all for us to be away, but it was a good thing for him. A good deal for their group's hardwork.

I'm just posting a few of his picture to document his travel. If he could have it his way, I know that he would opt to have the details into writing. But it's not his style. I cannot re-create the moment here though because it will be a different thing. So let's just allow the pictures to weave the words for him.

Thanks for the pasalubong daddy!!! I loved it! Mwaaaaah!

Happy moments at the Legend

Last October 25, Mama and Papa (my MIL's parents) had a joint birthday celebration. It was a simple dinner get-together with Mama and Papa's children, grandchildren and the one & only great grandchild (to date, that's Zye of course!)

The dinner was held at the Legend Hotel in Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong City. We had a feast of native dishes and I loved their inihaw basket and the variety was just right -- eggplant, shrimp, tuna, tofu, liempo, tilapia. Two cakes were brought: a simple chiffon cake (no icing at all) for the oldies and a to-drool-over smores cake. Everybody had fun taking pictures because the Legend restaurant was all-dressed up for the holidays. Colorful, shiny balls inside tall, cylindrical vases were all around the place. Of course, we had our share of captured moments as well.

On weddings

On December, hubby and I will be celebrating our second year wedding anniversary. But we're actually couting 6 blissful years of being together, sharing almost everything and anything. Last October 17, we attended my cousin's wedding. It was funny because their reception was our first choice when we were planning our wedding two years ago yet this was the first time that we got to see the place (Yeah, we did almost everything through the net..saved a lot of time and gas!) Just posting a few of our photo-escapades during that day. After our wedding, all the other weddings just seem to be a way of reliving our memorable day. It's just like falling in love over and over again!

SMILE.

You may kiss the bride....

Having fun with the camera @ The Oasis

Mamu and Daduds joining the kodak moments

We were the guests at table 5. Souvenir sweets from SanFo Treats.

Wish me luck

I will be starting out on a new job tomorrow.

After eight months of staying at home to take care of our kid, this will be a new thing for me to deal with. I'm not scared with the job, I'm scared of getting homesick and suddenly missing our son. I'm scared that he may look for my hug when he wakes up from a not so nice sleep.

Truth is, I'm not really scared. Just a bit sad that I'd only have the evenings to share it with him.

Sniff, sniff. I'll just give you a really good hug in the morning and make sure that it lasts until I come back from work.

Just sharing

This will be short.

Just a few minutes ago, our son tried out his first two steps without holding on to anything. And this was really such a happy sight for me because I can really tell how scared he still is to try out his walking capabilities. Now for the first time, there were no fear in his eyes, just eagerness to get somewhere.

*Sigh*

Happy, happy day!

After thought

Today, I was given a job offer.

I had set in mind certain things. I expected that this day will be a sweet ending to the many times I have been interviewed. I assumed that I will go home victorious, knowing that I have been led to what's best for me.

It didn't turn out the way I planned it in my head. But then maybe that's just the thing. I had my hopes up and pretended that it will go my way. It was only when I got home that felt so ashamed of my initial reaction. How could I have been so ungrateful? The truth is I wasn't qualified at all yet I was considered for something else because they thought I can still have it my way in the near future. Who was I to complain when I have been promised a prosperous future? Shouldn't I just trust that indeed my life will not be harmed at all and that a great amount of favor has always surrounded me.

So now I say, yeah, I am very much blessed. And today, today is just a great day.

The boy and the clown

Zye's thought: "Hmmm..I never thought this Ronald guy likes striped clothes too...we kinda match...I should have my shirt changed. I wonder where he had his hair done. Sweet!"

Picture taken just last Sunday.

Great hopes for tomorrow

I will be up for a job offer tomorrow. I am hoping that they will be giving me an offer than is more than what I have set my mind to. Oh, I've set my price lower because I didn't want to get disappointed. Like what I always say, Expect the worst and hope for the best. I go for the latter part most of the times.

Wish me luck!!!!

Here I go again...

My husband and I just watched Max Payne a few hours ago. I'm not going to review the movie because it didn't really create a big, lasting impact in my head although I'm pretty sure there's gonna be a part two of it. I thought Mark Wahlberg is turning out like a Nicolas Cage type but my husband was right, I think he is trying to be more like a Bruce Willis kind.

So what I would really want to talk about are the films whose trailers I saw and liked. First on my list of movies to watch out for is Disney's "Bolt". I love the plot that Bolt (oh, the lead character is a dog by the way) thought that his whole life was for real when the truth is he is just playing a role in this TV thing. Next on my list is Brad Pitt's "The Curious case of Benjamin Button". Honestly, I would just like to know how this movie will end seeing that Benjamin's life was backward in a different sense. Laslty, (but I'm not yet decided on this one) is "Twilight" which I think is a love story with magic or something else. The trailer was kind of short so I didn't really get to absorb if the characters were supernatural or something else.

So does this mean I'm back to my addiction? Hmmm...yes, I am in deep thought.

**********************************

Note: I now know that "Twilight" is a lovestory between a teenage girl and a vampire. There. I honestly thought he was a werewolf during the trailer.

Photo fun

Eat your heart out, John Lloyd! The heir to your throne is here! hehehe...

Yeah, twas a great wedding. Definitely front cover material! *Wink*

My hubby is such a heart breaker! *Loveyou, dhe!*

Hubby enjoyed doing these from the Photofunia site. Posting the best of what we came up with.

One word tag

I snagged this one from Pat. It's just like those quick pop quiz that you'd have to say the first thing that comes into your mind...but in just one word.


1. Where is your cell phone? bed
2. Your significant other? Dong
3. Your hair? longer
4. Your mother? laugh
5. Your father? hardwork
6. Your favorite thing? food
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your favorite drink? coffee
9. Your dream/goal? entrepreneur
10. The room you’re in? bedroom
11. Your hobby? writing
12. Your fear? death
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? europe
14. What you’re not? overweight
15. Muffins? chocolate
16. One of your wish list items? nikon
17. Where you grew up? Pasig
18. The last thing you did? tape
19. What are you wearing? haltered
20. Favorite gadget? cellphone
21. Your pets? none
22. Your computer? neo
23. Your mood? hungry
24. Missing someone? none
25. Your car? blue
26. Something you’re not wearing? shoes
27. Favorite store? rds
28. Like someone? yup
29. Your favorite color? blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? month

You can snag this as well. :)

Expectations

What is life?
It is joy and sadness wrapped together.
It is the laughter and tears happening
at the same time.
It is pain and comfort
running in circles
Trying to find a way to your senses.

It is your greatest dream and your wildest
fear caught up in a web.
It is your success and defeat
glued up to bring the best of who you are.
It is the best and worst days of the year
rewinding in the blink of an eye,
giving you the glimpse of what's ahead.

Life is just what you expect it to be...
and more...
even more.

_______________
.jdd. 10172008
getting ready for what is to come.

The 7-years that was....

Like what I have said in my previous post, some of my college friends and I met up last September 23, 2008. It was funny because like what Cez said, it has been seven years since we've seen each other. I couldn't believe it's been that long. But it was nice because we picked up things as if it was just last month.

I think we were eleven in the group. Let me see, that's me, Cez, Che, Monti, Lean, Carlo, Rhine, Razel, Eric, Marvin -- nah, make that ten. We ended up being together because of several group projects which had to be done simultaneously. That and our organization as well.

It would have been nice if I could post our old pictures and compare it with how we look right now. Some of the skinny ones before are now on the chubby side, some who were chubby before added even more weight, some lost a few pounds, but mostly everyone looked almost the same.

Eric and Marvin weren't able to make it while Razel made it while we went out for coffee. We spent the night singing our hearts out at Kamarada and hung out at Starbucks afterwards. It was nice to have seen everyone again and we were kidding ourselves that hopefully the next reunion will happen sooner and not count another seven years again. Maybe next time we'd all find the time to visit Monti and his family who is already living in Singapore. That would be nice.

The thing about reunions is that you get to relive the good old days and remember how simple life was back then. It's also a very good way of rekindling friendships and assuring one another that we still have each other inspite of the distance. Until the next one guys, best of luck to everyone!

From L-R: Lean, hubby Dong, me, Che, Razel, Carlo, Rhine, Cez and Monti

A short rant

Hmmm....

I still have tons of things to do today. And since I need to finish most of it, I decided to bring my tasks with me as I wait for my husband in the mall.

Since it was still going to be a hefty two-hour wait, I did my writings at Bo's coffee shop in Robinson's galleria. First, it was a good wifi spot. Second, their coffee isn't too expensive as compared to the others. (Although the coffee strength can get better) and lastly it wouldn't cost you anything if you need to plug your laptop to have it charged.

I figured I'll use my credit card instead of the cash that I had. What do you know, they don't charge it in your card not unless the minimum order is P200. It was the first time I encountered such rule in a coffee shop. Maybe it was wrong of me to assume that they don't have a minimum. But I have used my card in so many (and I mean many!) coffee shops and none of them needed a minimum amount to be able to charge your purchase.

I wondered if that was really the case or that guy really didn't know how to do the charging thing. How can I not think that when it took him 5 minutes before he told me that they had a minimum amount before you charge the purchase in your credit card. Hmm....I should have gone to Figaro instead.

And then...ZYE turned one!

Long overdue post. But the memory of it is still fresh in my mind.

Last October 4, Zye turned one. There was no fancy party, not even a home gathering for that matter. We planned a simple day ahead for our families to share together.

Inspite the fact that Zye will not be having a first birthday party, I was still excited. Maybe it was because I have been reminded of my not so good condition before I gave birth and here he is now -- strong, happy, actively crawling, walks confidently when his hand can hold on to something, shouts and claps at his own definition of happiness while his teeth (he's got three now!) peeps through.

Wow. And I thought that it has been ages. But here he is celebrating his 12th month in this world. We wanted something new and diverted from the usual KTV bonding to a few games of bowling at Green Valley Bowling Alley (the one near Valle Verde). It was hilarious! While everyone else were busy figuring out how to get a perfect game, we were busy laughing our hearts out as some have never gone bowling. We counted the number of strikes that we get (collectively) since most of the times our bowling balls end up finding their way to the canal. Zye enjoyed the colorful balls after the game. He was asleep while the whole game was going on.

After bowling, we went for a good, quiet dinner at Grilla Libis. Well, we actually dined at Old Spaghetti house (which was the non-smoking area located at the ground floor) but ordered food from Grilla (second floor, smoking area). We got their ultimate barbeque platter and sizzling veggies (which was more like pinakbet on a sizzling plate). Some of the boys got a few rounds of drink so we got the spicy sausage trio, cheese sticks and calamares while chatting our hearts out.

A few minutes while the family conversation was getting started we decided to light the candle on Zye's cake and sing him his birthday song. My sister brought this racing car themed birthday cake which we all loved (including Zye!) The cake wasn't too sweet that we all ended up taking off most of the icing on it (Zye was first to taste the icing)

We decided to call it a night at around 11 in the evening happy with how the day turned out. I think more than anything else, each one of us just feels so blessed that Zye is turning out pretty well. The bonding that our families have is also something that we are all thankful for. Nothing beats celebrating with them. The day was just perfect.

We love you Zye! Mommy and Daddy will do their best to give you the best. And just in case you don't always get the best of everything, we'll make sure that our love will be more than enough to fill up all the spaces between better and best.

You are our miracle, God's gift. Our little angel in disguise.