A terrific dream in the making

I finally decided to quit my job a couple of months ago and put up a business of my own. Coming from a demanding and stressful job, I guess it's time for me to fulfill my dreams. I just can't believe it took me this long to realize where to invest my time and savings.

I've spearheaded several events for the companies I used to work for - from budget proposals, supplier selection, detailed work plan schedules, logistics preparations to effective executions. Now, with my whole family to support me on my new endeavor, it's definitely time for me to put my expertise to the table.

After going through extensive trainings and seminars, my mom and I decided to put up our own events management and catering business, called Caterrific Catering Services (thanks to my ever reliable partner in crime, PJ, for suggesting the name!). We cater to all kinds of corporate and private or personal events, from serving breakfast, luncheons, dinners, and buffets for wedding receptions, parties, trainings, seminars, and private events like family gatherings and romantic dinners for two.

So if you're looking for a partner to make your events a successful one, without having to worry too much about exceeding your budget, then why don't you try us out? Check out our website for more details.

Thinking catering? Think Caterrific! We're more than a caterer.

Backseat driving

My son CJ, always mimics his dad when driving.. Here's one way to know if your child can be a good driver in the future.. =)

The newest addition to our growing family tree

Warmest wishes to my sister Reich, who is now a new mom to a healthy and cute baby boy - Santino Lorenzo Calpo.

Btw, my nephew's first name was actually my idea.. Fresh from watching "Goal 1" and "Goal 2" in dvd, I went to my parents' place and blurted out to my sister that "Santi" is a good name to consider in their list (Santi, short for Santiago was the name of the lead character in the movie). Who would have thought that both parents of Santino have the same grandfather's name, Santiago? So there it goes...

To our little Santi, welcome to the family! ..can't wait for your toddler years!

Grand Riverstone Village (Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Philippines)

For those who are looking for a nice and affordable place to live in, check out the Grand Riverstone Village in Dita, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. We went there this afternoon to see the model units, and I have to admit that the place is not bad at all. In fact, this could be a promising investment for those who are looking for a house and lot in the south area. After all, Sta. Rosa, Laguna is now a city and developments have been very evident with the rising of different malls and establishments. To give you an idea, below are 2 sample computations:

1. Lot area: 36sqm
Floor Area: 22sqm

Total Contract Price: 550,000
Down payment: 50,000 or 3750 for 12 months
Monthly Amortization for 25 years is 3,884

2. Lot area: 45 sqm
Floor area: 22 sqm

Total Contact price: 613,000
Down Payment: 43,000 or 3166.67 for 12 months
Monthly amortization for 25 years is 4,457.00

Interested? Don't let this good opportunity pass! Call/text Rubi Teruel (63.9209199874), and she'll give you more details on this new housing project of PAG-IBIG.

Baguio City: Panagbenga Festival 2008 schedule

It's February once again! Aside from Valentine's day, one of the things I look forward to during this month is the celebration of Baguio City's Panagbenga Festival - commonly known as the flower festival of the Philippines.

I certainly hope we can get-away from work for at least 3 days this month to see what Baguio City has prepared for this year. It was too bad that we missed to go there last year, for some reasons I don't remember now..

Thanks btw to my office mate Quick, for sharing with me the schedule for this year, which I'm happy to share with you also.. :)

FEBRUARY 1 - GRAND OPENING> DRUM AND lYRE AND Street Dancing, Opening and Blessing of Market Encounter.

FEBRUARY 22-24 - Abanao Nights= nightlife

FEBRUARY 23- GRAND OPENING PARADE> Parade composed of schools…

FEBRUARY 24- PARADE OF FLOATS AND BANDS> most awaited time which you can see a thousand flowers bloom and the bands on thier exhibitions…

FEBRUARY 24- MARCH 2- SESSION ROAD IN BLOOM> be at our very own Session Road and have the arts of the city be urs…

MARCH 2- CLOSING CEREMONIES WITH PLAYGROUND DEMONSTRATIONS AND EXHIBITIONS

ComQuaL Closing Event

We held our very last ComQuaL event last 7 July 2007. It was a last minute preparation, but I'm glad that everything went well... Thanks to all of our member companies who were able to make it, and for those who were not there, I definitely hope to bump into them again one of these days. Congratulations to MISNet Inc., BPO International and LST for winning the CQL Excellence Awards!

To my ComQuaL family, I will definitely miss working with you guys, or at least with Winks and Mr. C, since I'll still be seeing a lot of Kim, Usoa and Ester.

No more 30-ish Fish

Time surely flies. It was like a few months back when PJ posted something about his turning 30. And now, he's counting down to his last 12 months before his age gets kicked out of the calendar! :)

Happy 31st birthday to my mahal! I hope you had a great time. There were no surprises for this year but I know you had fun! Our simple salo-salo with my whole family together with PJ's family made our celebration a success! So, with that, I would like to thank my family and my special thanks to Ding, Emily, Cel and the 3 kiddos who went to our new place to celebrate this occasion with us.

And to you birthday boy, I wish you more blessings and am looking forward to celebrating more blissful years with you as my lifetime partner! Muah!

My Visual DNA

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Story of My Mushy Wednesday night..

Prologue:

Thursdays suck. If Kimmie thinks that Monday’s the worst day of the week, I don’t think it will ever surpass Thursdays for the top spot. After all, who wants to wake up as early as 0530H in the morning, force my two boys to get-up and fix the bed while I take my bath and start with my morning chores in a span of less than 30 minutes, and then rush to the car by 0600H to drop CJ off in my parents’ place and then finally drive as fast as we can (140km/h) headed for Makati in a mad rush to beat the 0700H license plate coding scheme time. Then, you’ll just find yourself working from 0700H to 1900H. Argh! Just by typing all of these makes me feel tired already.

After 3 consecutive Thursdays of either coming in late for work (forced to commute because of missing the color code deadline) or not coming in at all, PJ and I decided that it’s best if we let CJ sleep in my mom’s place every Wednesday nights. We thought that this would save us time, gas expense and not to mention that "harassing" feeling every Thursday mornings, considering that it’s a futile effort to wake up at 0530H.

Hence, we started the new set-up last night.. Sniff... we didn’t drop by my parents’ place anymore since CJ was already asleep by the time we reached Sucat. Sniff.. As soon as I entered our room, I just found myself in tears from loneliness that there’s no toddler running and playing around. I got so used to the feeling of CJ’s presence and with the noise and laughter he brings to our home. Sniff.. So, I thought I was over it after dinner. I drowned myself in some paperwork that I brought home last night. Thinking that I was really sleepy because I can barely see what I was typing in my notebook, I went up to our room and left PJ with his PC games. Well, after what seemed an eternity of trying to get sleep and putting CJ out of my thoughts, I just found myself crying again! Sniff… It was hard for me because CJ always hugs me before he sleeps, and we pray together…I missed his smell..his kisses..his sweetness, his naughtiness… After I realized that there’s no chance I’ll get that sleep, I called for rescue.

Epilogue:

PJ immediately went to our room and was surprised to see me crying. Of course, he knew what it was all about! In all fairness, he tried his best to console the “OA” mommy he was hugging. He even volunteered to fetch CJ at such an ungodly time, which I declined right away.

Calling for him was actually a smart move for me. What happened next between us made us sleep faster than you could say "Good night!"….:) J

Moral Lesson:

“It” is a proven sleeping disorder remedy…

Number 5

Thanks Chrissy for tagging me in this another interesting meme. Sorry it took me this long to do it.

Number 5

INSTRUCTIONS: Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add your blog to the bottom slot, like so.

1) Pointless Drivel
2) Shelli’s Sentiments
3) Curiosity Killer
4) Chrissy
5) A dose of Conne

Next select five people to tag: (if you haven’t done it already)
1) Sty
2) Cito
2) Jackie
3) Maan
5) Aileen

What were you doing 10 years ago?
10 years ago – Summer time. I was probably getting ready for my Fourth year high school or busy spending time with friends for a summer outing or just reading dozens of novel books.

What were you doing 1 year ago?
I was with my family at Saisaki restaurant in Alabang Town Center to celebrate the May celebrants in our clan. (Good thing I still have my organizer )

Five snacks you enjoy
1) Pringles
2) Dried mangoes
3) Cheese sticks
4) Dunkin Donuts’ Choco Butternut
5) Turon/Banana-q/Camote-q

Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
1) On Bended Knee (BoyzIIMen)
2) The Journey (Lea Salonga)
3) Your my you (Nyoy Volante)
4) Knocks me off my feet (Stevie Wonder)
5) I wanna know (Joe)

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1) Secure my family’s future, after all charity starts from home. – a house of our own, educational plans for my siblings, nephews and nieces and cj,
2) Donate money, food, medicines and toys to my chosen orphanages and some churches
3) Invest my money to a promising business
4) will lend some money to relatives so they can start their own business
5) Go for a European tour with my family

Five bad habits:
1) I speed-up at intersections when driving. (PJ insisted I put this as my No. 1 bad habit although he has only seen me doing this once..)
2) I have a tendency to smoke (more than 3 sticks in a row) whenever I'm depressed and stressed out.
3) I sometimes don’t finish reading a certain book that I don’t find that interesting from the start..
4) you can find my money almost everywhere – in my bag, my wallet, my table, my drawer…(oh no! not that I have a lot of money!)
5) When driving, I only fasten my seatbelt if: PJ’s around, I’m in Makati or if I’m in an area where there may be traffic officers..tsk tsk..

Five things you like doing:
1) bond with my family
2) sports - Although I have not been active for the past months? years? (obviously)
3) go for out of town trips with family or close friends
4) watch movies
5) singing

Five things you would never wear again:
1) fake eyelashes
2) sunflower clips
3) butterfly clips
4) McDonald's Birdie Mascot Costume (because I like Grimace's costume better...haha!)
5) any sandals that have more than 3 inches heels

Five favorite toys:
1) my laptop
2) my cell phone
3) my siblings
4) CJ
5) PJ

Chanos' Reunion

Last April 28 I had my very first reunion with the Chanos' group - my college friends! It was supposed to be a whole day affair but some things never changed...we all ended up waiting for the last person to arrive which by the way took me two hours before I finally met up with them! Nonetheless, it was all worthy. I never realized how much I missed them and how much I missed our college days, escapades, group studies, the neva-ending brain storming for our thesis, the pancit canton near PLM, the professors, the parties, the library, Rny's place, ahhhh the exciting life of college!! (Taxation II classes are not included in my list! darn! I don't even want to remember that professor!)

Our first stop: Asian Hospital (Filinvest, Alabang) We visited Thonnie who gave birth to her son 2 days earlier. Thonnie (another chanos) was one of my closest friends in college, my buddy... The short visit was enough for us to talk about almost everyone in our batch especially our blockmates. And I'm proud that most of us are now successful with our own careers..It was also nice to hear about what had happened to those who we didn't like much during college, our other blockmates who are now married and who have their own families. Ex-suitors, ex-boyfriends, ex-lovers...Like they say...those were the days. So to Thonnie who refused to posed with us in this shot, your loss! Haha! Cheers to the new mom in town!! Congratz!! Next stop: Festival Mall
Since we're too hungry to actually take our time to decide where to eat, we went to the nearest restaurant as soon as we have parked the car. Thanks Emman and Gandz for the lunch treat! :) We were all recharged after having that heavy lunch at Teriyaki Boy, so we then headed to where else but the Videoke Bar! We didn't even realized that we've been singing and dancing and munching and drinking for the next 3 hours! It's just unfortunate that I had to call it a day at 630PM since PJ is expecting me home by 7 for our late night Subic trip. :( (kimmie, if you're reading this, I know exactly what's on your mind - Conne, you're a KJ, as always - shadap....)

Anyway, I definitely had fun! It may be short but it was definitely worth my time..I enjoyed every single moment of it! haha! Obviously, I've missed them that much! I can't wait for our next get-together, hopefully soon and by that time, I wouldn't allow myself to be the "KJ" in the group.

Trivia: *chanos chanos is the scientific name for milkfish

10 Random Weird Facts About Me

My good friend, Thonnie tagged me with this one. So, here are 10 Weird/Odd facts about me:

1.) I get hiccups everytime I drink softdrinks. I don't know why! I'm not sure if there's any scientific explanation to that, that's why I don't drink softdrinks that much especially when I am in public places or when I'm in a meeting.

2.) I eat green mangoes with fish sauce (patis) + sugar + iodized salt. Take note, it has to be more of sugar and not too much fish sauce.

3.) I cannot sleep without a blanket! Even if it's the hottest part of the year, I have a hard time sleeping without a blanket. Not just that, I prefer a soft-textured blanket.

4.) I refuse to watch horror movies and I can't stand cold-blooded movies. Just like recently, we watched 300. PJ has been begging me to watch it with him, so I finally agreed! He watched and I snuggled the whole time in his chest just like a baby. I know, I am such a kill-joy!

5.) I hate milk, can't stand the smell of it, but I love halo-halo. I remember, my family had to drag me to finish a glass of Anmum when I was still pregnant. No to any dishes with milk - which only makes sense if I say I hate cheese.

6.) I don't eat caramel and nuts in chocolates.

7.) I love fresh strawberries but I don't eat strawberry jam and strawberry sundae.

8.) I prefer to eat the thigh part of the chicken. Gravy's purpose for me is not as a sauce but as a soup.

9.) Most of the times, I only wear my make-up when I am about to go home from work.

10.) I am supposed to be the key-keeper of our office, but I always tend to forget my keys.

Here are some of the things Kimmie added on my list - her unsolicited opinion.

11.) You think that Lemon Chicken is a weird dish! God knows why, though. It’s usually the come-on dish of today’s most popular restaurants (i.e., Super Bowl, Temple, etc.)!

12.) Every time a camera’s within your six-mile radius, you’re always ready with a smile and sexy pose. And, the cameras are not even always pointed directly at you. J

13.) You’re very girly-girly. But today’s the first time I’ve actually seen you wear a skirt to the office!

Hmmm...come to think of it, 50% of what I have come up with are all food related. Tsk..tsk..not a good sign! :)

Tagaytay trippings

Just recently, we had another one of those Tagaytay evening trips with old friends Liann and Cocoy. I remember the first time our group went there together, I was about 6 months pregnant, and we finished at about 1am! This time around, we went out with, now a toddler - CJ - so he can also spend time with his Ninang Liann and Tito Cocoy. As usual, we went to our fave dining place - Gourmet's Cafe! Aaahh...... Just the thought of the place makes me wanna come back and have another of their famous Caesar's Salad, fresh from their own garden! Oh, and I also love their version of Seafood Pasta!

After dinner, we stopped by Starbucks for dessert and coffee of course. We then left CJ with his lolo (my dad) who works and stays in Tagaytay. His lolo was more than happy to baby-sit, too happy that he's asking for a tip for his services! :))

I swear, 5 hours of non-stop talking with this couple is not enough! Whenever we get together, we just can't stop reminiscing on how each one got into each other's arms. PJ and I, btw, played cupids to these 2 lovers and they in turn became one of our closest friends! The four of us were officemates before, and I'm glad that after all these years we still manage to get together.

Goodbyes and Hellos

This is just a very quick post. This week and next week will be busy-moving-stuff weeks for me.

First move: Office
Our project will end in 2 months and here we are, busy with the relocation! Our timeline: 5 days! So far, we're moving things as planned following my detailed schedule of activities. I just have to worry about how we will manage to fit all items in our new office. I will surely miss my second home, the privacy, the balcony, the washroom, the views from the windows, the training and conference rooms, and most especially the elevator...

Goodbye Cacho! Hello Regina!

Next move: Home
Finally!!! Next week, we will be moving out of my parents' house! Well, well, well, it's about time, right? Now that we're perfectly adjusted as first-time parents to our CJ, we've decided that it's finally time to go out and explore independence! We found this two-storey house in Paranaque, about a 5-minute drive from my parents' place. It's nice and well-maintained and we knew that this was the house to get, the first time we saw it. Although it may not be the best one we've seen in terms of opulence and size, it's not the worst either. But location-wise and budget-wise, it's perfect! We're very excited to get the ball rolling for this new chapter in our lives, and we just can't wait to fill the house with our own furniture - one piece at a time...

Goodbye to extended family household! Hello independence!

Solo Flight, at last!!

Yesterday marked the very first time I drove alone for a considerable distance - from Makati to Sucat (our home)!!! Yooohoooo!! The past few weeks since I got my driver's license, PJ has been giving me the liberty to drive the car even without him. But on those occasions, I was always accompanied by someone else either my cuzin Cito or some friends who would always be willing to be of help by staying awake and look out for any trouble that may hit us. But yesterday was a different story. PJ decided to stay home so I drove to Makati for work with my cuz and dropped him off near my office leaving me enough time to park car before 7am (not that I'm an early bird for work, it's because we're color coded on Thursdays! haha!) I haven't had the chance to practice on my reverse parking before, so since it was still early, and there were only a few cars parked, I managed to park it after several trials. Hmmmm...it took me more or less 5 minutes before I was able to fit car inside the parking lane. Whew!

Anyway, cuz texted me late in the afternoon to confirm that he's already on his way home, and that my angels will be there to guide me on my way home. I certainly hoped he didn't mean heaven when he said home! LOL! Honestly, I really got nervous with a mixed feeling of excitement and nervousness because it was my first time to drive alone from Makati and at night time, and its still peak traffic hours! I left the parking lot after I said my prayers and off I headed to the first independent driving of my life. There! After about 45 minutes of intense driving, I got home complete, safe, sound and most of all, the car was intact, not a single scratch! Yipee!

Please allow me to thank my family and friends who prayed for me on that night; My best friend - my eyeglasses! Thanks to my angels and to my companion from above!

Can't wait for the next one! =)

What Every WOMAN Should...

This is actually an email from Mitch which later on Kim and I answered back - turned out as a good meme so I'm posting it here.. For the love of my life, I didn't include Kim's reply below. LOL! Sorry have to edit some of my original answers as I don't want people getting the wrong idea.. =p

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

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
....one old love .....
she can imagine going back to...
and one who reminds her of how far she has come.(C: Depends on what "come" means here! LOL! Oooookk, let's not elaborate further on this one.. =))

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
...enough money within her
control to move out and
rent a place of her own
even if she never wants to or needs to...(C: Just enough but with a little help from PJ - for CJ's luxuries =p )

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
... something perfect to wear if
the employer (C: Check!) or date of her dreams
wants to see her in an hour... (C: The date of my dreams (who else?!) prefers anything I wear! Haha!)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
... a youth she's content to leave behind...(C: Youth can also come from within... I intend to feel the youthful energy within me till my gray days. Bow.)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
....a past juicy enough that
she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age.... (C: Hmmm....)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
....a set of screwdrivers, (C: I'll probably just borrow...)
a cordless drill, (C:na-da...)
and a black lace bra... (C:minus the lace...)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
...one friend who always makes her laugh .... (C: Lots of 'em! I just have to hear Winky sing her "Be my guest"
and one who lets her cry... (C: cry out of what?)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
....a good piece of furniture
not previously owned by anyone else in her family... (C: Check!)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
....eight matching plates, (C: I only have 4)
wine glasses with stems, (C: flowers lang, walang stem..)
and a recipe for a meal (C: Check!)
that will make her guests feel honored. (C: Just by being invited in my place is already an honor! haha!)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
....a feeling of control over her destiny... (C: Hmmmm....)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
...how to fall in love without losing herself... (C: I believe you'll lose yourself one way or another - either you become better or worse)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
..how to quit a job, (C: Just look at my CV)
break up with a lover, (C: Check!)
and confront a friend without ruining the friendship... (C: depends...)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
...when to try harder ... (C: ahhh...I'm good at this one!)
and when to walk away... (C: always trying hard not to..)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
..that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips,
or the nature of her parents... (C: I am very much aware of all these..)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
....that her childhood may not have been perfect...
but its over... (C: Absolutely!)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.....
...what she would and wouldn't do for love or more... (C: Check!)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
...how to live alone...
even if she doesn't like it... (C: proved it already!)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
...who she can trust,
who she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally... (C: still on the learning stage..)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
...where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing... (C: don't think she has a charming inn in the woods)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
... what she can and can't accomplish
in a day...a month...and a year... (C: pretty muck ok with this one)

"People say what we are all seeking is the meaning of
life...
I think what we're really seeking is the experience of
being alive..."
-Rudyard Kipling
(C: Cheers to that!)

A Well Spent Lent

Last year we went to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte to spend the Holy Week holidays, this time around we just stayed home and attend the masses at our parish (Miraculous Medal National Shrine). Although, we were not able to push through with our plans of spending the holidays in Tagaytay, it was also a good thing for at least the Holy Week for us has been more solemn and fruitful.

In addition to that, I was able to attend our scheduled service since CYC-Central Youth Choir, my second family, was assigned to sing on Good Friday. (I know it may sound absurd, since almost all of us are no longer youths. Well, we were, 12 years ago, when the group first started! :) ) Too bad, we're only 6 yesterday-Sty, Rubi, Conne, Duanne, Poch and Jeff, and of course our kikay organist La Belle Armi and Angelo on the guitars!

Anyway, it was indeed a long mass, almost 2 hours! We underestimated the number of people so some of the songs we sang were the what we call "the emergency songs." One of the songs I've always love to sing on Good Friday is the "Tao sa Krus" a very touching and moving song, sang right after the priest shows the Crucifix to the people.

Lyrics: Tao sa Krus
(Sorry have no idea who the composer is)

Tignan masdan, ang Tao sa Krus
Sya'y ating kaligtasan
Halina't sya'y sambahin...

Hanggat ang butil ay di mahulog at mamatay
Ito'y hindi lalago, 'di magbibigay buhay..

(Oh no! I can't remember the 2nd stanza)

Bridge:
Anong laking kahiwagaan, kababaang loob
Naging hamak na tao ang Diyos sa pagtubos
Dugo't tubig ang umagos sa pusong inulos
Huling patak, pag-ibig pa rin binuhos!

The next one is a new song (for us) written by Manoling Francisco, but definitely got my heart the first time I heard the song on one of the albums of Bukas Palad.

If I Could Touch You
by Bukas Palad
Written by: Manoling Francisco

If I could touch You, I'd heal Your broken palms
If I could hold You in my arms
I'd call the soft breeze to caress Your weary arms
I'd call the moonbeam to dispel this darkest night
If I could touch You, I would

If I could hear You, Your words of anguish
If You'd just whisper in my ear
The sadness weighing down Your heart that no man sees
If You'd just call me, I would sing of flaming hope
If I could hear You, I would

Long have I waited for you to hear My cry
Long have I waited for you to answer My plea
What you do to your brethren You do it for Me
I am in the brokenness and woundedness of man

COUNTERPOINT:
Yes, you can touch Me
I'm in the least of your brethren
I'm in the weak and small
I need your hands to bear My weary arms
I need your touch to heal My wounded palms.
Yes, you can touch Me
Yes, you can hear Me

Other songs we sang yesterday were: O, Hesus Hilumin Mo, Sugatan Mo Panginoon Ang Aking Puso, Hesus ng Aking Buhay, Halina Lumapit sa Akin, Pagkabighani and Anima Cristi.

My other sentiments this holy week:
I miss the old days when our group will go for Visita Iglesia after the Maundy Thursday mass. It would be a convoy of about 2-3 cars just to accommodate everyone including non-members who wished to join. After finishing 7 churches, we would go to a convenient store to have midnight snacks and coffee. Ahhhhh, those were the days..those were the younger days..This picture was taken after the New Year's Eve Mass 2007. Jackie and Atz were present - fresh from Singapore and Australia.

How do you feel...On Great Difficulty...

As I am writing this post, I myself can't really give a concrete answer on the above title.. This is one of those times when you say, "When it rains, it pours."

I just know that I feel better somehow just by reading these 2 messages from Ralph Marston. I wish I can say that I am one of the "Others" who choose to feel energized and inspired even in a challenging situation or in great difficulty. After all, these things are blessings in disguise, right? Whatever I feel, whatever difficulty that I am experiencing right now, I know that I have my family and I have God to help me get through all these..

Hope you get inspired and motivated also by reading these 2 messages:

How do you feel?

It may seem that the way you feel depends on how much things are going in your life and in the world in general. Yet the exact opposite is true.

The way things are going in your life depends on how much you choose to feel. Your feelings are your most sincere expectations. Every part of your life picks up on those expectations. Your thoughts, your actions, your words, and the results that come from them all take their cue from the way you feel.

Some people see a challenging situation and feel dismayed. Others will see the same exact situation and know that they can choose to feel energized and inspired.

Life does not arbitrarily impose itself on you. Rather, through your feelings, you select which of life's many offerings you wish to accept.

How do you choose to feel about things? Whatever it is, that is the way your life will play out.

On Great Difficulty

Are you encountering difficult challenges? That means you're ready for great things.

Are the problems becoming more critical, complicated and demanding? That puts you in a position to make an enormous positive difference.

Take a step back, take a deep breath, and consider it an opportunity. For that's exactly what it is.

The challenges that come your way are precisely the ones you are now able to handle. If they're becoming tougher, that means you have become stronger.

You've grown so much that you're ready to move to a higher level now. Take the opportunity to do so.

For in great difficulty is great value, right in front of your eyes, begging to be created. Choose now to be the one who creates it.

Lola Pura's 86th Birthday Celebration

Further to PJ's post on the above subject, like to acknowledge all people who came to celebrate our lola's birthday last Saturday. Relatives - close and distant, old and new friends, past and present neighbors, waiters, caterers etc... LOL! The night before her party she was worried that no one will come aside from us! So cute!

It was a last minute preparation from all her children and grandchildren, but it didn't stop us on making that day a huge success for our beloved granny! Too bad that my "Ta Tess" wasn't able to take a leave from her work in the the US. She was the missing link for that birthday and family reunion.

Anyway, we all made our contributions one way or another to make it a memorable birthday celebration for her. I especially like what we, the grandchildren (special thanks to Jannie, Johnby and Ivan) did on the movie presentation as one of the highlights of that party. Ahhhh....just watching this makes me reminisce the old days when we were all here in the Philippines, in one community, living in the same area, having lunch and dinner together on weekends, playing games with all our cousins, the "harutans" and the "kulitans," the never-ending picture takings, the out-of-town trips...Not that we don't do those things anymore, but it's not the same when the others are already a million miles away.

This is the second and last part of the presentation we showed last Saturday... (special thanks to PJ for the technical assistance) Sorry I had to cut the last few slides...



The Roman clan has certainly grown so big! And I just realized how lucky I am to be part of this family. We may have a lot of differences and we may have petty quarrels within the family, but who doesn't have anyway? The more important thing is that, we love and we care for one another and we all love the same Mother, Grandmother, great grandmother and friend, our "Lola Pura."

To my dearest lola, hope you enjoyed your party. Happy 86th birthday! We love you...

Weekend get-away @ Puerto Galera (Part 2)

Let's have a recap: Kim and Mitch, my 2 loudest friends, forced me to go with them to Puerto Galera last weekend. Why? Simple. They needed someone to pull the plug when the volume got too loud! Peace guys!

Still on Day 1:
1830H - Kim and I went to the boat station to change our schedule for the following day. We were initially scheduled for the 1545 trip, but we found out that we needed to check-out by 12 noon. We were a little lucky that the 1245 trip still had 5 available slots.

This is a pretty cool shot of the sunset silhouette.


1930H - Dinner time! Kim and I made instant friends with a gay waitress on one of the resto bars while we were on our way back to the room. Don't be surprised if you see lots of them there, they have invaded the whole White Beach resort! LOL! Nothing against them! In fact, they provide better service compared to the other M/F waitresses. So, we decided to have our dinner @ Paul's Beach Bar and Bistro. Their grilled kebabs are worth your Php110+!! After that, we got ourselves coffee from another bar and we walked for an hour just to burn some of those calories from that heavy kebab meal!


2030-2200H - Shopping, haggling and more shopping!!!
Got myself a "kikay" beach dress,(don' know actually what they call that, but that's my version!) souvenir shirts for my 2 boys, blue earrings to go with my blue swimsuit (kelangan talaga terno ;P) razor-back shirt for my dear friend Sty, and these pictures for Chrissy! LOL!

2200-midnight... - Spent the rest of the evening in the sand drinking beers with the girls. The bar that we chose offers "banig" or sleeping mats for free that customers can use if they want to drink or dine by the beach. The moon was perfect that time also! So, we talked everything and anything under the moon till midnight! Ooopps, I forgot! I was the first one who called it a day, since there's no chance that these 2 would retire by 12. I was really too tired and exhausted to spend another hour awake...

(To be continued..)