For Renee

Whew! Another one of our friends is going away. This time it's Renee. It is totally unexpected. The opportunity came to her unexpectedly so the very short notice to us also.

Renee, is one of mine and Bolo's good, good friends. She's one of those who was really present all throughout our relationship. And she's also one of those very few whom we run to in time of need. She has always been dependable, would drop everything she's done to rush to our need -- assisting us in our wedding, when Baby was born, and when my brother died. In fact, I miss her already... Remembering her is like remembering all the good, fun times and mine and Bolo's history...

I'm really so blessed because I have a lot of good, good friends. In all aspects of my life, there are set of friends who is responsible for making each aspect beautiful, meaningful and worth my while. It makes me feel so loved by my God. That is why I am always, truly grateful.

Today, I give tribute to one of those friends who've touched my life -- mine and Bolo's -- in such a special way... Will be missing you Ren, such as we do miss Suzette and Bambie... Know that you are loved by Bolo and I :) God bless you always...

Baby is now a "Delighful" Two!

Last Sunday, November 18, Baby turned two years old. Same as last year, there were a lot of things that needed my attention at work. I had to submit liquidation reports to the org that funds the project I’m handling now. I am not exactly fond of administrative work hehe But I had to do it. So I had to accomplish a particular form, check our budget, compile all the necessary supporting documents. This includes receipts, SOAs, quotations, service contracts of RPs and documenters, etc. etc. It did not help that there were some supporting documents that were not with me yet and I had to wait for some of the concerned persons to e-mail them to me. It made the process took a lot longer than it should.

I so like to digress, don't I? Hehe Actually, the point is, I had but little time to prepare for Baby’s birthday. In truth, Bolo and I did not intend to hold a party at all. We were trying to save for some big purchase we’re aiming for before the year ends. We only planned to buy some cake and ice cream or to eat out. But Bolo’s Uncle Loloy volunteered to donate an entire “goat” for it and some buko for the salad. That changed the whole thing. So it became an opportunity for us to turn the whole affair into something that both our side of the families can share.

It was tough preparing “bag of goodies” for 50 kids. Yup, 50! Bolo has such a large family. He has like more than a dozen very “prolific” cousins hehehe who seemed to take very seriously the that part in the scripture that says, "Go forth and multiply." Just kidding! I wanted to invite a few more friends to the party as well but was afraid I might lose the opportunity of mingling with B’s family. The opportunity, after all, doesn’t always come…

Jeni was there though. So was Candy. Both we’re such a dear, acting more like hosts than guests. Jeni made it more fun for the kids by bringing along 15 beach balls. She helped me shop for goodies for the giveaways and the pabitin the day before as well. Dane’s absence was still very much felt though :) At one point we all wished she was there to share the experience with us. We were all in agreement though about how happy we also are for her for everything that has been going on in her life right now. For my part, looking at the pictures below, I'm looking forward to having one with her and her little one :)

I also missed some of the family who were not there… Ate and her kids… NC Neneth and her kids… Niño…

But enough of that… It was a fun day. Baby was all over the place, running about, dancing… without much of a clue that everything going on was actually for him. I’m hoping we’ll have another chance such as that one…below are some of the pictures taken that day.









With Tita Loren and Tita Cristina


The Abique's


Baby: Nanay, I want Barney, Let Go!


Ang galing ni China! Kinoach mo ito Kends ano? Kaya pala late kayo dumating hehehe joke :)




Baby: Nanay, bakit kina Ate China at Ate Asia, marami? Ba't sa akin isa lang?






Hm.. look at Bolo bing his usual self... mangantyaw ba? :)




















Like mother, like son...


Baby: Hmm.. I did not know Barney could also taste this good...

The Concert

I was surreptiously throwing Bolo side glances trying to gauge whether he's getting bored, annoyed or settling in well as I prayed he would...

It's been a long time since he and I have been to a concert. That fact did not quite sit well with me considering how we both make it a point to watch at least one major concert every year.

Last Friday, we finally did. It was Baby's birthday week. That week too, I had a deadline at work that I could not just set aside so planning for Baby's birthday party was delegated to Friday.

The concert was set for two nights -- Friday and Saturday. Watching the Saturday show was definitely not a good idea with Baby's birthday being the next day. Specially so, since we still needed to see to a lot of things -- Baby's bag of goodies ("loot" bag doesn't sound good to me hehe), the food that had to be prepared, the cake, the games, having to buy the grocery stuff needed, etc., etc.

It took a while for me to convince Bolo to watch the concert with me. The first time I broached the subject, he was noncommital. I knew he did not want to go at all and is only avoiding a possible argument that his refusal may cause.

It did not come easy but in the end we did go. It was Steve Kuban's. And as glaring as that can be, I knew it was not Bolo's cup of tea. But when he stood and danced along with me in the middle of the concert, I felt my heart expand.

My family is important to me. My relationship with my husband is important to me. But my faith is important to me as well. It is the very thing that keeps me sane and centered as I try to work things out in every aspect of my life... So it is very important to me that both really jive well. I'm glad that on that Friday evening, it did.

Baby Igorot

Taken during our recent trip to Baguio. More at my multiply page. Ain't Baby simply cute? :)

Life is a Stage

And sometimes -- or often times for that matter -- things are not what they seem...

During lunchbreak I sat in my working area very close to tears. I could not quite pinpoint what the threatening tears were for. Disappointment? Pain? Anger?

One instant I felt indignant, the next, incredulous, irritated and just downright sad. Then it hit me... life is a stage... and everyone of us have different roles to play.

In an instant I felt old wisdom and beliefs I've stumbled upon in the past and have held close to my heart, come in torrents. Like a balm over the hurt and pain I was feeling, I felt the outpouring of thoughts ease away my pain.

And immediately, I felt myself slide back in a state of grace, of gratitude. Indeed, things in life are not always what they seem. As I sat there thinking about one particular person and the way she's causing me pain, my thoughts were not exactly peaceful. (And how ironic could that be considering I'm currently managing a training course on gender and peace? hehe) But then I remembered, they say not all angels come with wings. Sometimes they come in the form of "fiends" who would hurt and try you endlessly just so you could get over your drama or to help you achieve your own perfection.

For all I know, this very person that is causing me so much pain now is an old soul that is an intimate friend in a previous life who vowed to be the very instrument to help me achieve my full potential in this lifetime. For all I know...

Baby Goes Trick or Treating

Ever since Bolo and I saw some of the kids in their costumes trick or treating during our vacation in Cebu last year, we could not wait for another year to have Baby experience the whole thing too.

For the entire year, we've been discussing what Baby's costume would be. We were also keeping our fingers crossed that work schedules and similar concerns would not prevent us in participating in the event. It turned out I have a training to prepare for this year. And I wasn't exactly 100% with Baby the whole time. Bolo was there though to see him through the entire experience. I went with them to SM though where the event was held. I left when I had Baby and Janin registered. I only joined them again after office hours.

It was difficult finding a suitable costume for Baby. I did not want any of the "scary" stuff because of the "bad" energy it entails. I woudn't want any of the bad vibes for Baby. Luckily, I chanced upon some cute costumes while visiting the mall for an entirely different errand. I fell in love with the "Bat costume" which had some cute headpiece bearing the erect ears. Baby however, would not take to it no matter how the saleslady and I urge him to try it on. On our next visit to the mall, this time with Bolo who just came from his climb, we saw this really cute "Robinhood" costume. Good thing Baby also took a liking to it.

I was tired that day since I was practically all over the place with all the things that I needed to oversee but all the tiredness melted the instant I saw Baby in such high spirits and his basket filled with goodies :)