Happy Birthday Ashly!

My second niece just turned two last Sunday! Happy Birthday Baby Ashly!

She's my eldest sister's 2nd child - the youngest for the next 5 months. She's again pregnant. Hopefully, it'll be a boy this time.

I've seen Ashly only once. That was during our vacation in Capiz the summer of 2009. She's now living in Tarlac (where my brother-in-law's family is) while her parents are working in Dubai.

When I saw her, she was just this cute little baby..



And look at her now....





I haven't recognized her at first look. I had to look for that signature look of her eyes and eyebrows. And not to mention her "triangle-holed" nose. Haha! We have something in common. :)

I just got these pictures from the facebook account of the wife of the brother of my brother-in-law (huh?! nosebleed. Hehe..) My sister is being tagged and she also tags me in all Ashly's pics. It was our only way to somehow witness her growth. It's like a fiesta at home when we have new pics of her, gathered around the computer adoring every part of her. It's so funny at times when there's just two or three pics and my mother would spend as if eternity in looking at the pictures all over again. And again. And again. Haaaayyy... Sometimes, a bulb would light up above my head. What if, I'll just give them another apo. Haha!

The family in Tarlac once in a while sends us CD of her videos. The usual cutie "firsts" of a child. Her first walk. First dance. First words. Just imagine the faces of my parents. The Lolo and Lola longing to embrace their little angel once again.

Last Sunday, we celebrated with her from afar. We had a super lunch, remembering her birthday. It was such a happy weekend since my sister from Davao also came home.

We called her and I was so amazed! She was already talking! My father's heart almost melted when she said, "I love u, Lolo." Ohhh... I was teary-eyed. It was so sweet of her. But I guess, my mother got a little jealous. Ashly has not mentioned Lola. :P And yes, I admit. I got a jealous, too. I wish she remembers our playtimes :(. But of course she doesn't. She was just a little less than a year that time.

I pray that you would grow into a wonderful child Ashly!

Love,

Tita Mai-mai

Alugbati is Malabar Spinach

Now I know!!! :)

Last night, I was cooking alugbati and kalabasa (squash) for dinner and I came to question myself about the English translation of my new favorite leafy vegetable. I immediately "googled" it and yes! It is Malabar Spinach. Sounds weird to me. :)



These leaves may not be even known in other parts of the Philippines. Or some would even think it's just one of those grasses. Haha.. I didn't like eating this before. It was so slimy for my taste. I even cursed it(literally) with the mongo. I always cry when I don't like the food on the table. I wasn't considerate of the feelings of my mother who prepares the food. Me and my "maarte" self. Sorry Ma. :P

But I started eating veggies after being fed up with so much fastfood. (Maybe that was 2 years ago). I also got conscious about my health. "We become what we eat." I remember reading that from a cookbook. And when I started living away from home, I missed the alugbati and the mongo and the squash and all others which I cursed before.

Now, I'm always excited for the weekend meals. And when I'm home, my mother and especially my father see to it that my new favorites are always served. :) Thank you soooo much for spoiling me! :)

Friends For Nearly A Lifetime

People amazingly bonded by differences remained to be friends for nearly a lifetime.

Yup... I'm just really so amazed how we stayed to be so strong amidst time and distance. Meet my lifetime friends!

(Lolo Bents, Harvey, Guimo, Me, and Borj.. minus Kuya Edgar and Luvvy)

This is my Pugadbaboy Family. The group was formed during highschool. Can't remember how. Can't remember why. You know highschool years. Teens always desire to belong. And we always go with people who somehow tell so much of who we also are. Our class then was divided into groups. Everyone belonged to a particular group. I was so blessed to be in uhmmm... 3 groups! :) Ahhh... I feel so loved...

I had a girl group called CREAM which was an acronym for our names - Cham, Rizza, Ems(that's me), Aprilyn, and Melody. (So smart of us to have thought about that huh.) This was actually my first group ever in highschool. But we haven't really sustained the bond because some went to other sections already. :( But of course, our hearts remain loyal to each other. I miss you girls!

My second girl group (actually semi-girl group because we had one boy), was the Healthy Babies. Our then DJ friend, Kuya Chester of 98.3 Home Radio (still my fave station!), gave that name to us because almost everyone was healthy/chubby except ME :) (By the way, Kuya Chester is now a policeman. Isn't that amazing?!?) These girls are my other lifetime friends. We've been through a lot together. Can't imagine my life without them. Though each one's busy building their families, their careers, we still see each other, especially during the important events of our lives. I never would have survived highschool without you my dear friends. I love you all!

(Just some of the HB. We're actually 11. Haven't scanned the pic where we're complete.)

And the third was the Pugadbaboy. This really is a unique group. The extremes, I guess :) The upper extremes I must say. :)

We had "The Valedictorian" with us. Oops.. That would not be me (sadly). That's Guimo. The most intelligent and humble creature on earth. He's so blessed with lots of talent. An awesome writer and "drawer". Hehe.. (Kinuha mo na lahat Guims.)

We had "The Talkative." Well, I'd rather say, the most vibrant, the most outgoing, and the most "happy" man on earth. That would be Borj. He's a singer, a dancer, a photographer, a director, choreographer, dubber, best actor (He can make a comedy script so dramatic and the other way around. Could you imagine how brilliant that is?!) And wait, before I forget, the sought-after prince. :P

We also had the "The President". The grand slam president, Harvey. Everyone loved his leadership. We couldn't let him go even if he ousted himself from office. Haha! That was a very memorable moment. The most responsible and organized person! So admiring! And hey, he's a walking bookstore. You need stapler? scotchtape? extra ballpen? My gosh! He had it all!

We had "The Quiet Artist" but charming Kuya Edgar, my most gentleman bestfriend. Everyone loved him. He was the mabait type. He sings, plays the guitar, draws well, and a mathematician! What more can you ask for?

We also had "The Singer". That would be my other bestfriend (girl version:) Desiree. But I call her Luvvy. She's also a dancer, an actress, and a beauty queen!

We had "The Scientist", Bents. I call him Lolo Bents. (Because again it was a family. We had our own roles :P). He just soooooo loved science. It's as if he knows every scientific phenomenon on earth! Whew!! You need not to read a book. Ask Lolo Bents and he has the answer. Hehe.. And he was the grandslam Most Punctual!

And we also had the Uhhummm... Me... Omg! Who was I again? I wasn't the singer nor the dancer nor the artist. How come I wasn't the upper extreme?! Oh! I remember! I was "The Contact Person". Haha! What a role!

What I love about being in a dominant guy group is that, a girl feels so taken cared of. I feel protected and secured and so loved :) Luvvy and I are sooooooo blessed! :)

The family had a reunion because Lolo Bents came home from Mindoro(his workplace). We always do that. We see each other when he comes home...To catch up on things. Just minus Luvvy and Kuya this time. (work related excuse). But we had Sahara with us. :) Papa Guims' "love interest". Hehe.. Sometimes, she plays to be the cousin.


(with Sahara)


So fun to be with you everytime guys! Ours is a living proof that friendships grow amidst time and distance! Love you all! Huggggggggggssss!!! :)

On Being A Teacher

I've been teaching for a little more than four years. And I'm still loving it. My first year was a blast. "I was born to teach." That I held in my heart. I was so fired up! Every moment was as if living a dream. Standing in a room filled with hungry minds just made me so eager to be at my best always. The styles of teaching and the values I learned from my teachers were my weapons. I had nothing more. And as the years passed, I learned how to be a teacher on my own.

But those four years were not all shining moments. There was one year (the 3rd year) when I questioned this path. I got tired. I got so used up that I thought the best thing was to give up and find another career as early as then so I wouldn't have to regret sticking to something I don't really love.

Those were dark times. I didn't find any joy in anything. In the classroom. In making my lessons, exams, grades. Everything seemed to be a burden. It was hard waking up in the morning. I always had my shoulders sagged and my feet seemed to be very heavy when it was time to go to work. I was always wishing for holidays. I had several plans of skipping classes. I was deeply convincing myself that it was for me but I found no affirmation at all. My heart was so dry for teaching.

I didn't know exactly what was the turning point of loving it back. But I'm so glad I'm loving it back! :) Now, I again am saying, "I was born to be a teacher." Now, I am better! :)

1. I prepare my lessons well and so ahead of time.
2. I'm looking for ways to make my students enjoy my class, learn my lessons, and not just learn them but retain them.
3. It's not about what I know but how I am able to make them know.
4. It's how I love math that I'm able to make them love it also.
5. It's how I value my profession so they'll be inspired to be educators, too.
6. I always make sure that I start my day right so I'll feel good about myself and that I can share the joyful experience with my students.

My fulfillment as a teacher is that my students would go out of my classroom with a smile in their hearts and that they'll desire to come back the next meeting not because they have to but because they'd love to.

Non Stop Missing

It's been a little less than a month of missing each other after Ate My has transferred workplace. We're still in the emotional stage. Our messages would always be how grateful and blessed we were of having each other, that we miss our wonderful moments together.

It's quite funny for me sometimes because I'm getting used to not having her around but at times when I'm reminded that this would mean forever, I find myself half sorrowful. And every everytime that happens, I would visually tap my shoulder and would half-talk to myself saying I would be ok.



Maybe that was two weeks after her transfer, I visited her new world. It was a laugh-filled moment, as it always is when we don't see each other for long. We talked a lot, as what it would always be also when we failed to update each other for quite some time.

I felt a little tight in my throat when we were in her cubicle and when she said she was glad to see me and that she missed me so. I did not say any word because surely my tears would accompany whatever I would have said.



Well, I know this missing wouldn't stop. What I'm hoping now is that when I think about her, I would forget the pain and just experience pure joy.

Grow

I was listening to an Audiobook "50 Things I'm Going To Do Today" by Brian Johnson and the first thing that he said was GROW!

Then I smiled. :) I flashed a big smile even in class. But I was sure that not one of my students saw me. I was seated behind them all. They were busy with the exercise that I gave them. I was in my computer class. The one I was so excited about for so long. It was something I dreamt of. Computer + Math = paradise!!!

When it was offered to me, my cells were as if jumping and running and screaming. I felt my blood rushing through my every vein! Then I started my research. I've prepared for months. I was not that excited. Just so-so... :P

Some of my plans for the subject were not possible. Some of the softwares I prepared wouldn't run in a diffrent operating system. I got frustrated at first. But there were even more wonderful opportunities for better teaching the subject which came along.

I again remembered someone saying, "Everything I need comes to me." So I just take it easy because things just unfold right before my eyes as I need them.

And here I am enjoying every chance of growth! :)

I'm loving this teaching life! :)

I believe I am at my best state as a teacher! :)

A Different Life Without Her Near

I've been preparing for this moment. And I'm grateful because she prepared me before this would really happen. When everyone was caught unaware of her transferring to another workplace, I found my heart at ease. She's been praying for this. And I have been praying for her.

Ate My, my closest friend for the past two years has transferred to Davao.

I'm not good at letting go's. But as the circumstance would ask, I could manage. Like what she has always reminded me, "It's a process."

And I'm now in the process of letting go. Not letting HER go. But letting IT go. What am I really letting go? Hmmmm... Everyone says it's ok. She would just be 3 hours away.. Yeah. I know. Davao is not that far. But it still would be very different. We've lived under the same roof for 2 years. I see her more often than I see my mother. And it's painful to visualize a day when she wouldn't really be around physically. Thus, I'm letting go of some things which we used to have but will never be having anymore...FOREVER.

But I choose not to mourn. Because apart from the physical presence of our friendship which would now be broken, this is a moment to celebrate. I celebrate her victory because this is a dream come true for her.


For two years of being together (as friends not just workmates), I'm blessed to be a witness of almost every aspect of her life. Ate My is my co-worker, my housemate, my friend, my "co-fabulous" woman, and my sister in Christ. :)

As a worker

She's a goal-setter. But definitely more of a go-getter. She knows what she wants. She knows how and works hard to get it. She always looks for ways to increase her value as an employee. She's undeniably an asset of the university. She never stops learning and thus she offers better outputs everytime.



I'll miss her wisdom about career, goals, dreams, and being a teacher. I'll miss her vibrant aura in the office, giving smiles to everyone.




As a teacher

Her students adore her. She's a favorite. She always desires to be a role model and an inspiration of her students. She studies hard so she can impart more. To some extent, she gets to know her students' personal lives so she can understand them better.



I'll miss her pursuit of always being the best educator everytime.



As a housemate

She's so cheerful. The Bachelorette's Quarter is of different atmosphere when she's in it. She's the source of loud laughters and silent cries (sometimes also loud when pain is just so strong. She couldn't fight the urge to shout it out :P).



She's a generous giver and sharer. :) We share a lot of things. The rice cooker. The knife. The plates. (When she was gone, I realized I haven't had my own knife for 2 years. Amazing realization. :P)

She has become my sister since we started living in BQ together. We do almost all things together. We cook together. We eat together. Going to the market. Washing clothes. Singing in the bathroom. Gardening. Walking. Playing badminton, bowling. Birthday dinners hopping. Tuesday nights out.




We became each other's confidant. We talk about almost everything, if not everything. We love talking after work. We find ourselves resting at the sala, opening a pack of Mr. Chips or Cream-O or offering each other apple or orange. Silence would reign for a while. Then we would look at the emptiness and she would suddenly pop up a question. Two possible things would happen. Either we would end up laughing at the top of our lungs or hugging each other because we were already shedding tears.


I'll miss her presence in BQ. It's a whole different world without her there.



As A Friend

She's so loving. She has a gift of making people feel good about themselves that's why she makes friends easily. She has a genuine heart. She gives light to her friends' soul. She's so fun to be with. She's so honest with how she feels and is not hesitant to tell even the most embarrassing things about her. She makes you laugh. She makes you cry. She's with you physically and emotionally. She has a good ear for people in pain and a good hand for people in need.



She's the closest friend I have now. Noone understands me better than she does. Sometimes, we just look at each other and we understand. I don't share my life too often. Only few people know the real me. But she knows me so well. She would know how I feel by just looking through my eyes. (I'm usually good at hiding my feelings but she still can read me. Haaayyy.. Disadvantage. :P)




I'll miss hanging around with her. She brings out the best in me. It's just so rare to find a person who would connect even through the soul.


As A Woman

She's so fabulous. I just admire her womanhood. Her beauty from inside radiates on the outside. She's a picture of strength and fragility in one.



She can do a lot of things on her own. She can endure every trial. But at times, she can be so delicate that it would need a lot of care to handle her.


I've somehow seen her grow into a beautiful butterfly. And now, she continuously flies with colorful wings which evolves and becomes more colorful each day. And I'm so excited to witness her fly even higher...to an even more beautiful garden.


I'll miss our "fabulous women" moments. We both enjoy our womanhood sooooooo much that it would be different not having her near enough to share every fabulous event in our lives. :)




And now that she has started a new life away from here, I still hold her so close to my heart. In that way, I feel her near from afar.