moving up

Time really flies so fast, we had our recognition/ moving up for our salingket daycare center. This is our first and very memorable occasion for us.. I am not a pro in making avp's , but I am pretty sure that I put my heart and creativity to it..After long nights of compiling the highlights of our efforts, this is the snippet of how salingket came to be... My mom's passion..my dwelling..our Pride....All for the Glory of God.

MISSING PIECE

In my growing years, I have always been astonished by families who go to church on Sunday and kiss each other as a sign of peace during mass.. Until now, I have always been touched during weddings as the bride marches to the altar to meet the groom, and a debutant on her last dance with a man so called “father”...I have been blessed all my life but I haven’t felt the true meaning of the word. This has been the missing piece in our life…

I can still remember when I was 10 years old when my dad left for the states to work. I’m really not close to him but I can still remember the short time I, and my brother had with him. For some reasons, our parents’ marriage didn’t work out. Since then, our father didn’t communicate with us anymore. My mom tread paths of raising me and my brother.. I felt anger and hatred at time because at our age that is the only feeling you need to have in order not to pain. I have lots of questions which in my young mind cannot contain. My brother and I grew up anticipating that somehow there will come a time to have a glimpse of dad… This never came…

The hoping years ended, and came the acceptance that it will not come anymore..

As years passed, mom reaped the fruits of her labor of being a single parent. We have our own families now, and where we are now is because of her.. She taught us to be strong and not to become a victim of any painful circumstances. She had perfectly filled the missing piece.. Time really heals, and as it passes, the thought and the hope of seeing or hearing dad didn’t even cross my mind..

Until August 2007 came.. I was assigned to go to US for an event. With that, I took the chance of searching for my dad. I went to Los Angeles with my cousins to search for him. I had mixed feelings. I am afraid that another rejection would relive my anger again. I don’t know the words which I have to say, a lot of things running my mind and I am continuously praying that at least he may have the guts to acknowledge me.

August 19, 2007 the plane American Airlines touched down LAX. Straight from the airport, we took a long drive to Lancaster. Mile per mile my heart is pounding faster and faster. I can’t seem to find a perfect sitting position as my cousin norjelyn drives. After two hours or so, we finally reached Lancaster. This is his place. It was a house at the corner of the street. I still can’t believe that it is happening.. my hands are sweating as my cousin parked at the front of his house. I prodded myself heavily as we come near the door of their house. This will end my years of anticipation.. I just wanted to have a glimpse of him.. Norjelyn knock into the door as I sit on the bench outside the door. A man opened the door and asked her to come in. It was him. He was ultimately shocked to see me.. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel anything. He was a complete stranger to me except for the fact that his face, hands, feet resembles mine. He welcomed us and introduced us to his partner..” ma, si nor, si ica, atsaka si JO.., Jo Kristine”. I don’t want to reveal any of my emotions but I finally heard my name from the man who gave it to me. It was a complete silence while we were on his house.. It was hard to bridge the long gap. I can’t even look into his eyes and ask him how he is. It was already late so we decided to stay overnight.

The next morning, he prepared breakfast for us. Both of us can’t find the right topic to even start a conversation. After eating, my cousin and I went to the room and I asked them that I wanted to talk to dad. I will never let this opportunity pass..

He was in the kitchen washing the dishes when I approached him. .It was this time that I have seen him this close and face to face. The lines on his face, the thinning hair and his teeth were a clear sign that he has grown old since the last time that I have been face to face with him when I was ten years old.. I broke the silence as I told him “ daddy, pwede ba kitang yakapin?” The stranger who opened the door when I came in broke down into tears, embraced me so tightly and said, “ anak patawarin nyo ako..” words that I have been longing to hear all my life.. with so many questions and so little time, the only thing that came in my mind is to ask him ” naalala mo pa ba kami ni osep?, twenty years na hindi tayo nag usap, baka hindi mo na kami kilala, kinalimutan mo na kami” . His voice breaks as he said, “ walang araw ng buhay ko na nawala kayo ni osep dito sa puso ko.” I broke down and felt his words sincerely.. There were a lot of questions unanswered, but these were his words that I am now holding on all the days of my life since I came to see him.. I know that my dad had a lot of hard times and pain, much more than what we had when he left us.. I don’t know if I will ever see or talk to him again. Only God knows. I talk to him in prayer where no boundaries can hinder. We have different lives now… but the words that he said are enough to say that I have found the missing piece in my life..

YOUNG AT HEART

It's our Nanang Orang’s 80th birthday.. It is very easy for me to find descriptive words to tell who nanang is and why is she so special to our family…

Our nanang is one of the not so famous people in this world that I admire..She is an epitome of a woman with joy and gladness in her heart. Every morning when she wakes up, she would prepare the hot water while whistling to her favorite tune..She never goes tired of making milk for my twins and coffee for me every single day.. At her age, she can still take care of our meals and prepare it lovingly..I hardly seen her being grumpy and complain about anything..She just enjoys every day that she is with us and she always hold on to happy thoughts and always proud of her pamangkins and apos here in the Philippines and in Dubai.. I am very blessed because at my age, my mom, my kids and my husband can still experience her love and devotion to us..

Orang, short for Maura is the sister of Tatay Freddie, my mommy’s father..Matandang dalaga ang aming Lola same with her two older sisters who passed away already.. She, and her two sisters were the ones who raised my mom and her siblings..

She is now 80 years old but she doesn’t look her age..she still wears a striking nail polish and dangling earrings whenever she wants..she laughs and always find something to be happy about...Sometimes when something worries me, she would always give the best advice,” may awa ang Poon…” Nothing worries her meek spirit because she firmly believes this..

Nanang is now 80 years old, her body gets old but not her young spirit..Every night I pray for more strength and health for our nanang, more coffee, more sumptuous and loving dishes to serve, more pocket books to read, more stories and laughter to share, more life and good health… We love you our dear nanang, our gratitude to you will forever be..

MY DANNIE AND GABBIE

This is my Dannie and Gabbie performing on stage at Montessori de sto nino. It's so amazing to see that they are now growing up smart. My heart leaps whenever I see them on stage..

disheartened

Al Jazeera English - Asia-Pacific - Witness: 'We just followed orders'.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2009/11/2009112654959580381.html

I haven't updated my blog for about a month now because of my busy schedule but, the news break about the Maguindanao massacre really dampened my spirit which I need to share in my blog. It is disheartening to realize that there are a lot of people now without conscience, no human spirit...they consider themselves most powerful and they are willing to trade lives for their hunger for power. Up to now I still can't believe of the gruesome incident that had happened. This is now the world and the country that we live in, it is so depressing...I pray that the victims will be given justice if not in this life, definitely on the next.Let us pray for our country especially for those who hold position in the government.

I got a link of the news exclusive interview of a witness..an eye opener.

PMS What is it???

I think this is one of the important things any guy and every husband should know about----PMS - Pre Menstrual Syndrome.. Every month, I am not spared of experiencing this syndrome. Aside from having my migrane which leads to vomitting, and disminorrhea, It is a point in my life that I feel very depressed, irritable, impatient. I feel that I am worthless and life seems gloomy. At times, I cannot even control my temper and emotions.. Sometimes, I even think I am nuts because of this unusual behavior, and this is one of the culprit, PMS!

What is PMS? Here's one of my research:

Premenstrual Syndrome: PMS is a disorder characterized by a set of hormonal changes that trigger disruptive symptoms in a significant number of women for up to two weeks prior to menstruation. Of the estimated 40 million suffers, more than 5 million require medical treatment for marked mood and behavioral changes. Often symptoms tend to taper off with menstruation and women remain symptom-free until the two weeks or so prior to the next menstrual period. These regularly recurring symptoms from ovulation until menses typify PMS, premenstrual syndrome.

Characteristics:

Over 150 symptoms have been attributed to PMS. After complaints of feeling "out-of-control", anxious, depressed and having uncontrollable crying spells, the most common complaints are headache and fatigue. But symptoms may vary from month to month and there may even be symptom-free months. No women present with all the PMS symptoms. Characteristically symptoms may be both physical and emotional. They may include physical symptoms as headache, migraine, fluid retention, fatigue, constipation, painful joints, backache, abdominal cramping, heart palpitations and weight gain. Emotional and behavioral changes may include anxiety, depression, irritability, panic attacks, tension,lack of co-ordination, decreased work or social performance and altered libido.

So women need not feel that they are going crazy for these two weeks every month. They are experiencing an exaggeration of normal function. PMS IS REAL--

So, guys and Husbands I hope that you will find patience and understanding to your partner during this period. I tell you it's not easy. You just have to be quiet and let time pass until these hormones regulate...hehehe....Ba'jo