tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56254373287092370442024-02-18T22:58:33.484-08:00beauteinbloombeautehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505214423018503375noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625437328709237044.post-5361908104616575732012-04-11T03:45:00.002-07:002012-04-11T17:49:37.942-07:00Of heavenly hosts<br />
When I was about five or six,<br />
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our father would take us to a show.</div>
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A grand and spectacular pageantry,</div>
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unparalleled in design and artistry.</div>
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The goddess of love ushers in the night;</div>
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her regal presence sparkling so bright.<br />
A hypnotic and captivating beauty;<br />
An embellishment of the nebulous skies.</div>
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As the breathtaking night unfolds,</div>
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Jove enters with his majestic court. </div>
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Displaying his four radiant moons,</div>
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it was a heavenly spectacle to behold.</div>
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Orion, with his brilliant procession,</div>
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parades two of his most glorious stars.</div>
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A dramatic and sensual slow tango</div>
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amidst those celestial colorful clouds.</div>
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As the silver crest takes its final bow,</div>
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resplendent escorts join in poignant curtsy.</div>
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The august moon descends in slumber</div>
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while all the earth rests peacefully.</div>
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Traces of this childhood memory</div>
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appear blissfully on some quiet nights.</div>
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A tug in my heart as I see the big dipper,</div>
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a reminder of those days with my father.</div>
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After my mom died, my father spent a lot of time looking at the night sky. My sister and I would accompany him as he carefully observed the planets, moon and stars. We would climb on the deck near our rooftop as he mounts his telescope on a stand. Turn by turn we would explore the curves and surface of the mysterious moon, or maybe it was Venus or Jupiter gracing those special, quiet nights. This is one of my best memories with my father even if it carries a certain tinge of sadness as I know how he painfully missed our mother. It is priceless and incomparable for he taught us to appreciate the silent beauty that is laid before us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFp_kDcX8scLD_sGbXEM3YOK95oQZQ95oKryJD33Z17PPcL_VDugsrZU0eh_jaqZZm9-pX5C0fiani1eqSdpzaYSdQCDgJyxjiEFVWPkFF1qEeWDC3oF5vXUYJuV2z4VVOjhbHH7GM_g/s1600/Jupiter_and_Moons_Sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFp_kDcX8scLD_sGbXEM3YOK95oQZQ95oKryJD33Z17PPcL_VDugsrZU0eh_jaqZZm9-pX5C0fiani1eqSdpzaYSdQCDgJyxjiEFVWPkFF1qEeWDC3oF5vXUYJuV2z4VVOjhbHH7GM_g/s320/Jupiter_and_Moons_Sized.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Jupiter and its many moons can be seen <br />
with a backyard telescope.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2aSvrLuAh8pWfFKNOKf_T0V6TcOZvKA9We-suFe8TDbum2AAXU6MEARKd8le3DF2NqTeIiYGPW1hS-Mmg5pNL8jGx5V3LTE7sgK8SvC5HOV_YAWoNqZliZ7vqbc5u6jKnqGvl7MONyk/s1600/venus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2aSvrLuAh8pWfFKNOKf_T0V6TcOZvKA9We-suFe8TDbum2AAXU6MEARKd8le3DF2NqTeIiYGPW1hS-Mmg5pNL8jGx5V3LTE7sgK8SvC5HOV_YAWoNqZliZ7vqbc5u6jKnqGvl7MONyk/s320/venus.jpg" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Venus is brightest and<br />
easiest to see on a dark night.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Orion with its gaseous cloud<br />
is one of the most<br />
visible constellations.<br />
The belt of Orion is easily seen<br />
as three bright stars in a row.</td></tr>
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</div>beautehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505214423018503375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625437328709237044.post-48627735861243703202012-04-07T18:24:00.001-07:002012-04-11T05:44:07.823-07:00New Resolutions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2009 Tagaytay, Dondi Narciso</td></tr>
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The first part of the year is over - the scale hasn't budged, my bank book's last entry was 14 January 2012, books to read at my beside are piling up, useless things need to be discarded, the thank you note for Sal and Julie I needed to mail last January for those candied pecans still sits in my drawer, the new bank account for the kids has not been opened, so many things left unchecked: enroll in writing classes, take Spanish lessons, learn Japanese cooking, file US visa applications, apply new medical insurance, talk to new brokers for house listing. The only check mark is a clean bill of reproductive health from my ob-gyne as I passed my pap and hpv-gene test will flying colors. But I forgot, I haven't gotten the mammo.</div>
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I always felt that January is the only month that gives permission to have a fresh start for the new year always carries renewed hope. But then it is April, the greatest feast in our Christian faith occurring on this very day, the 8th day of the month. It is the highest expression of our faith, that Christ was dead and is alive again, a lesson in believing that in dying of the self, one will rise again. So it is in this belief of rebirth that I set out with my new resolve to have a fresh start, to rebuild those lists and change them to guideposts for living for the only thing that gives life meaning are those lists filled with generosity and love.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2009 La Union, Dondi Narciso</td></tr>
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These are my April resolutions:</div>
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1. To always honor a new day that is given by sitting quietly in gratefulness and in prayer, ahead of all the calls, emails and things that need to be done.</div>
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2. To bless the food that is laid before me and to give thanks for the hands that tilled the soil so I may have the earth's rich bounty. <i>(the tribute I did with Dondi really moved me as I have seen the sacrifice of the people in the mill)</i></div>
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3. To remember that food is meant to nourish and not to punish my body by eating in excess.</div>
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4. To care for my body not merely by looking nice and neat but also by spending daily walks or a good workout in the gym and having regular check-ups as well.</div>
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5. To see my work as a gift to serve struggling students who have come for desperate help.</div>
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6. To give my best in all I do as a sign of gratefulness for a life that is blessed with a husband who will give me the world if he can only put it in his pocket, uniquely wonderful kids, strong family ties, supportive and loving friends, and a job that is flexible in hours and rewards our family generously.<br />
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7. To love more deeply, beyond words and appearances.</div>
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8. To smile as often as I can even when the day is not as cheery as I wish it would be.</div>
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9. To spend a few minutes a day to talk to my kids with no judgements and advice giving.</div>
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10. To be more forgiving of myself and know that I am not wonder mom.</div>
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11. To laugh more with my husband and have quiet conversations as well.</div>
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12. To never tire of dreaming the wildest dreams and aiming to turn them into reality, ridiculous they may seem.</div>
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13. To carefully choose great company whether it be of excellent books or loving friends.</div>
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14. To always honor a day that has ended by sitting quietly in gratefulness and in prayer, after all the calls, emails and things that I have accomplished.</div>
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15. To remind myself that when things get really tough, tomorrow is always a new day for a good start.</div>
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</div>beautehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505214423018503375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625437328709237044.post-55015901818735949042012-04-07T03:42:00.015-07:002012-04-07T07:49:45.353-07:00Homage to the Creator<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwi1en9HJzVaP1i4tEyqty-B9L6U_47E06g1boPEwUrpgw1HafYRbKj4MK7Wv3tVZjopI0TGgHLviFkQmHkEUUCQzAUv7SIixR07O5GvUBSsqWYTsQNJ-NQG7Q3857oQUNA2G2rXGO6Uc/s1600/brahma+kamals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwi1en9HJzVaP1i4tEyqty-B9L6U_47E06g1boPEwUrpgw1HafYRbKj4MK7Wv3tVZjopI0TGgHLviFkQmHkEUUCQzAUv7SIixR07O5GvUBSsqWYTsQNJ-NQG7Q3857oQUNA2G2rXGO6Uc/s320/brahma+kamals.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brahma Kamal, the flower of the Hindu God, Brahma.<br />
It blooms once a year but some legends say once in every 14.<br />
The fragrant flower appears only at night and<br />
remains for four hours before it dies.<br />
It is an auspicious sign if one witnesses it bloom.</td></tr>
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<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The flower of the Hindu god awakens<br />
as the golden sphere quietly rests.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">A purple crown of reverence,<br />
at the foothills it is proudly laid.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If a flower honors creation by its presence</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">what immeasurable glory does man bring;</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">From the earth he did not take root</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">but was carved in the Maker's own hands.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Man's existence is Divine's expression;</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">sealed with His precious breath of life.<br />
To be love is to live man's true essence;<br />
the greatest homage given to the Creator.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div>beautehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505214423018503375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625437328709237044.post-10211684645767377342012-04-02T11:15:00.060-07:002012-04-07T23:23:31.326-07:00The Promise<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JcWHDAs6RLO5zj0U7kw6pyhNWDaMiDAVjDCfz8fKmMRv2hF-fjs2pPnYKCmKgGmAxlQsJ3e3IEiStMHjBsVAdE7dRcO-vUCqytng2xt-8df7QxD_LaokDTxfBmBSgJDKiHCJiLN1z5Q/s1600/bride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JcWHDAs6RLO5zj0U7kw6pyhNWDaMiDAVjDCfz8fKmMRv2hF-fjs2pPnYKCmKgGmAxlQsJ3e3IEiStMHjBsVAdE7dRcO-vUCqytng2xt-8df7QxD_LaokDTxfBmBSgJDKiHCJiLN1z5Q/s400/bride.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2010, Sri Lankan bride, Dondi Narciso </td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
As the soft rain caresses your body<br />
and blossoms of peach sprinkle the footpaths,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I will dance with you.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
As the warm sun kisses your face</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
while hydrangeas of blue line the promenade,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I will walk with you.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
As the cool breeze strokes your hair</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
along cascading amaranths that adorn the fields,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I will sit with you.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
As the cold wind touches your skin</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
amidst flame leaf flowers that blanket the earth,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I will lie with you.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
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<br /></div>beautehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505214423018503375noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625437328709237044.post-1360964046624663102012-04-01T01:52:00.037-07:002012-04-01T05:50:52.555-07:00What the joy in her smile really means<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
A beautiful woman seated on a flowery cushion,<br />
Light dancing on her face in an early afternoon.<br />
Her radiant smile brings joy around her<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">As she gazes at the baby wrapped in her bosom.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">It makes me wonder what she thinks,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">or what the joy in her smile really means.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Is it the promise of years for her youngest of 7,</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">or the bliss of being mother once again?</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The best moment I've had with my mother,<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">captured on the 7th of October.</div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I treasure this more than any other,</div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">An assuring memory of love that is forever.</div></div></div><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">****************</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The memories of my mother are mere fragments of an early life. She died when I was 4, I'm not even sure if the memories I have of her are imagined or real. The photographs though fading and old are the only things I hold on to when I want to feel the assurance that all will be well for a mother's love endures and outlives her passing.</div><div><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>beautehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505214423018503375noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625437328709237044.post-19076102739951669762012-03-29T23:29:00.024-07:002012-04-02T19:55:50.755-07:00A Celebration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">One Saturday morning, I donned a white dress.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> With wooden beads and book of prayer,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I set out for a day of mourning,</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">A friend's father whom I barely knew</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">was being laid to rest in a garden filled with dew.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">What greeted me were grateful hearts and faces smiling</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">for a man so rich in goodness outlived time's passing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GxfzRzgRxAGU5q5EwkGxX4L7bJ40dMI1w2juxZO89-9y3JI7Mvc-vPx-IiBsyReEgR5CaUJOfU1dkJBs8Rz2DtQPyuUDMlaMZHKQM3dRtpV1ezB-QTqa9ERPG8buUKnoivvJE83p3hc/s1600/flower+for+the+dead+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GxfzRzgRxAGU5q5EwkGxX4L7bJ40dMI1w2juxZO89-9y3JI7Mvc-vPx-IiBsyReEgR5CaUJOfU1dkJBs8Rz2DtQPyuUDMlaMZHKQM3dRtpV1ezB-QTqa9ERPG8buUKnoivvJE83p3hc/s320/flower+for+the+dead+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I dislike going to funerals because it leaves a heavy feeling that lingers long after everyone has gone home. But this was different because behind the quiet, heavy sobs, what I experienced was peace and joy that was very uplifting.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I never really knew Amy's father. I would see him when I hitched a ride from school or when I visited Amy in their house. It was a mere "good afternoon" or "kumusta po." I gathered that he got married at 44 years old and retired at 48. He spent the good part of his life taking care of his kids - a favorite daughter and a favorite son. He was their private chauffeur, driving them around to their different activities whether it was school-related or otherwise. He was their tutor and taught them the treasures that can be found in a good book and even asked them to memorize passages from Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I realize the lightness I felt that day was the joy of celebrating a life that was marked not by one moment of greatness but one wherein the little, simple and quiet things elevated a man to greatness. Looking at the happiness in the neighborhood kids' eyes when he calls the ice cream man to give them a treat, visiting the slums to give hope to the poor families or occasionally, seeing sadness in his children's eyes because he said "no" to their indulgence so he can help out those who needed more and knowing that through this, his kids will learn the value of giving and sharing are snippets of a principled, contented and happy life.</span><br />
<br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The Prophet says life and death are connected. I realize that Amy's dad often talked about his death casually because he did not merely understand this, he embraced it. Life and death are linear passages to get to our final destination. We must go through life before death and we must go through death to reach the final place where our souls can truly sing and dance. But the important reminder is no matter what kind of life we are given, we create joy and happiness in simple things - sharing a story with our kids, reading a good book, having a simple meal with people who are important to us, giving help even if we have very little, seeing the good in all things, laughing, smiling and thanking more. And when we have ended our passage, those we have touched and shared our lives with can sing and dance too because they know that we have wonderfully and thankfully enjoyed the entire ride of this journey called our lifetime.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">As Amy said goodbye to her father, she held out their special book, now very old with brown, dog eared pages and lovingly read a passage as if she were a girl of 16 who is reading to her father in their home in Sikatuna.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, "Speak to us of Children."</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">And he said:</span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Your children are not your children.</span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.</span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">They come through you but not from you,</span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.</span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">You may give them your love but not your thoughts.</span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">For they have their own thoughts.</span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">You may house their bodies but not their souls,</span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.</span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.</span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.</span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.</span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.</span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;</span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable. </span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div></div></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=5625437328709237044&postID=1907610273995166976" id="fck_paste_padding" lj-cmd="LJLink"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran).</span></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=5625437328709237044&postID=1907610273995166976" id="fck_paste_padding" lj-cmd="LJLink"><br />
</a></div></div>beautehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505214423018503375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625437328709237044.post-88514071047134249902012-03-28T20:03:00.051-07:002012-03-30T02:14:16.573-07:00WaitingAt fifteen to four, I sit and wait<br />
with a party of fifty or even more.<br />
Some in white and some in stripes,<br />
always as the clock says fifteen to four.<br />
<br />
Familiar yet nameless faces,<br />
we await with all our patience.<br />
Some days we have warm exchanges<br />
while there are days I simply read my pages.<br />
<br />
Today, I chose to sit and mull over,<br />
how minutes quickly turn to years after.<br />
Everyday for twelve years plus one more,<br />
I sit and wait at fifteen to four.<br />
<br />
A thunderous noise broke my quiet ponder<br />
Stomping feet with bags on rollers just as the day before.<br />
Upright I sit so as not to miss what I always came here for<br />
And as I gazed ahead of me, I see the three I love eternally.<br />
<br />
<br />
****************<br />
Josh will be a senior this year in Xavier, the last of three. All these years I would sit with mommies, faithful yayas, and drivers in the waiting room and I can't believe it's almost over. I've been waiting for 17 years in all but I will never tire of waiting for my three boys whether it be in the waiting room or as minutes quickly turn to years after, in our quiet rooms for a visit back home.beautehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505214423018503375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625437328709237044.post-46355979304335660402012-03-27T21:41:00.024-07:002012-03-30T01:45:20.094-07:00Teardrop <br />
i<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> lie</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> awake</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> my first</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> heartache</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> to utter my</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> goodbyes oh </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> i always tried </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> upon this bed</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> i've silently wept </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> letting this go is</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> my heartfelt wish. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> there is none that</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> nears to the pain</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> i bear, awake or </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> in dreams it is<br />
ever near.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>beautehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505214423018503375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625437328709237044.post-53386633910070159382012-03-26T17:05:00.021-07:002012-03-27T16:04:49.655-07:00Two cypress trees<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6VKSI77wztS1AFdlqopb1TKw_DzEgK4vaKyHLLSWIewrYPbMzao0_ExIBN0LUS0D-nIGzp4ePCaBpqGFiZQa0sGxeE_IgsY_ctxNKkhpKjLCFvuMfqjsP1V5BEx6SstJRts_qhbHCr4/s1600/cypress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6VKSI77wztS1AFdlqopb1TKw_DzEgK4vaKyHLLSWIewrYPbMzao0_ExIBN0LUS0D-nIGzp4ePCaBpqGFiZQa0sGxeE_IgsY_ctxNKkhpKjLCFvuMfqjsP1V5BEx6SstJRts_qhbHCr4/s320/cypress.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> 1889, Van Gogh, "A Wheatfield, with Cypresses"</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<br />
In the house where I lived</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">two cypress trees stood.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Mang Nestor, our driver,</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Nely and Trining, our caretakers,</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Alice, my babysitter,</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">the others I don't remember</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I know they were 7 in all;</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">they chattered, they bantered</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">as they passed through our gates</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">with noisy laughter.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">There, upright they stood</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> regally and tall.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In the house where I lived</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">two cypress trees stood.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">My mother would bake a cake</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">on those happy Sunday afternoons;<br />
or with her Singer,</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">sew fancy smocked costumes,<br />
while we'd play hide and seek<br />
until we'd see the moon;<br />
little feet with hungry faces<br />
there we would sit<br />
in the canopy of braided foliages.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Surely, upright they stood </div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">firmly and tall.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In the house where I lived</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">two cypress trees stood.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">One day, people came by</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">hoping to say their last goodbye.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">For my mother they prayed;</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">in the quiet of the night,</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">her spirit took flight;<br />
a soft breeze in a<br />
warm, and lonely night.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Truly, upright they stood </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">bravely and tall.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In the house where I lived</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">two cypress trees stood.</div></div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Every ray of sunshine<br />
that brought laughter in our home,</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">or dark clouds of sorrow<br />
that brought tears at our door;</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Those colors ever so green </div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">silently witnessed it all.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Always, upright they stood, </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">faithfully and tall.</div></div></div>beautehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505214423018503375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625437328709237044.post-81023023090520651042012-03-25T17:21:00.016-07:002012-03-27T16:49:53.560-07:00A thousand pieces<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWlpwstqKR7HqOPB85I2cPHD3yjukxBDn2NTOKOCDCq55ZJSriWIg7xUPSOjBh9eMCQ4FZ0UUwMawQPksM8Q2EV2GyRVXgoqZZ-Y-CYSTA5O1zuDdmc9pPnkmaDmgUfFttpr9GNC7ovE/s1600/puzzle+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWlpwstqKR7HqOPB85I2cPHD3yjukxBDn2NTOKOCDCq55ZJSriWIg7xUPSOjBh9eMCQ4FZ0UUwMawQPksM8Q2EV2GyRVXgoqZZ-Y-CYSTA5O1zuDdmc9pPnkmaDmgUfFttpr9GNC7ovE/s320/puzzle+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Jennifer Vranes "Breath of Provence"</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
As I look into the horizon,</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">I breathe in the beauty </div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">that is before me.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">I take a step.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">I hesitate.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">I move back. </div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">Which path to take I ask,</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">the linear strip of sky<br />
that greets the earth<br />
where I can soar<br />
with unrelenting certainty;</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">Or the path less taken,</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">where I can dance and be free</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">with violets</div><div style="text-align: center;">amidst the golden fields </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">of unending majesty.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A thousand pieces</div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">all kept in a box,</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">waiting for me to unravel its beauty</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">as I decide the piece </div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">to begin my journey.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVtJXS5yosaYEbTfsEQgZG80OnF6y6Qd0zb19ReVYVmD_o_yjEeD2zvelJnOvjhsjvh1G-BOHz6ZRz3Fg_bYu9zilP_WVHeIqKHfVD10hetGotSNObLthdfv0b_iZyAFe-n0jNhT1GAk/s1600/puzzle+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="62" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVtJXS5yosaYEbTfsEQgZG80OnF6y6Qd0zb19ReVYVmD_o_yjEeD2zvelJnOvjhsjvh1G-BOHz6ZRz3Fg_bYu9zilP_WVHeIqKHfVD10hetGotSNObLthdfv0b_iZyAFe-n0jNhT1GAk/s320/puzzle+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div>beautehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505214423018503375noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625437328709237044.post-70933899691129978592012-03-25T05:42:00.009-07:002012-03-27T00:00:18.636-07:00In the stillness of my soul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd08_i_FhNsRMAm40N53C3_BsoHQKxJ7Nv7OUde1_pM8bXSa_Rf3GdE5lasOXIoUUsFLMU6qluP1wHMHby6cWh4jpdjz1DW9JCnpbn_gJKopNnFPqQjl_7ddiNQRYkYKHeqdb9GVcIJLw/s1600/dondi's+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd08_i_FhNsRMAm40N53C3_BsoHQKxJ7Nv7OUde1_pM8bXSa_Rf3GdE5lasOXIoUUsFLMU6qluP1wHMHby6cWh4jpdjz1DW9JCnpbn_gJKopNnFPqQjl_7ddiNQRYkYKHeqdb9GVcIJLw/s1600/dondi's+tree.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Photo by : Dondi Narciso)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">By the light of the moon,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I sit in loneliness.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Head bowed down;</div><div style="text-align: center;">defeated.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My mind races;</div><div style="text-align: center;">fear is what it speaks.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I lift up a prayer</div><div style="text-align: center;">of supplication.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My heart stirs;</div><div style="text-align: center;">hope is all I hold on to.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A whisper,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hear.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Is it the wind</div><div style="text-align: center;">making music</div><div style="text-align: center;">caressing my being,</div><div style="text-align: center;">The rustle of leaves</div><div style="text-align: center;">creating a melody</div><div style="text-align: center;">soothing my spirit?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Silence.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hear nothing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">In the stillness of my soul,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the sweetest voice emerges</div><div style="text-align: center;">softly singing,</div><div style="text-align: center;">cradling my whole being,</div><div style="text-align: center;">My spirit soars;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Love is what gives meaning.</div>beautehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505214423018503375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625437328709237044.post-80085702452165803612011-08-31T21:19:00.001-07:002012-03-27T00:17:19.528-07:00BELIEVE IN YOURSELF<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxaHDA08gMKG-_AYy6bnb8zP26PxIUksugKa05NWxp3ORm8p0jaUxSINhfS8t5XIsqe2QJLU8VvmWsT1ETN-KQoZPiQhzDW8IXVlwGrfdaYZc3ULDyS6wV-1FdcYshmqE7XgnnOKrp4aM/s1600/IMG_0418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxaHDA08gMKG-_AYy6bnb8zP26PxIUksugKa05NWxp3ORm8p0jaUxSINhfS8t5XIsqe2QJLU8VvmWsT1ETN-KQoZPiQhzDW8IXVlwGrfdaYZc3ULDyS6wV-1FdcYshmqE7XgnnOKrp4aM/s320/IMG_0418.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I went to Baguio last Summer with my highschool bestfriends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had a great time but I really missed my family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think I can only do this again if I can convince my boys to be with me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We went to Chocolate Baticol obviously famous for their hot tso-ko-la-te</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and I chanced upon this framed poem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A great "pick-me-upper" on those days when you're really feeling blue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnSBFKs2oWPLx30o4vbHX7AZ8q79buDHAe-c-ik9wl_kaN82btZsvF7Kn9iiAzDMbApEmKMURP5jTwhQTs6juMRFDqdP6NSGuSsRMjZsfhTBSDaTnCkKKIyeSMFxeOSHFiIVgMBKAaKY/s1600/IMG_0432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnSBFKs2oWPLx30o4vbHX7AZ8q79buDHAe-c-ik9wl_kaN82btZsvF7Kn9iiAzDMbApEmKMURP5jTwhQTs6juMRFDqdP6NSGuSsRMjZsfhTBSDaTnCkKKIyeSMFxeOSHFiIVgMBKAaKY/s320/IMG_0432.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3L5roCwAiaaaNqk9BJ7_tuXYMS0kV4torrHGH5kJFWD9CvNp5wUxkxuyPMNOkNUt5eTWC05cXIAAgU7wbd_DBOYTe1JOtg2ZF42yAX_BgazjFR41YwlAPxfDAOXSOnKF2Pply3GNXag/s1600/IMG_0431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3L5roCwAiaaaNqk9BJ7_tuXYMS0kV4torrHGH5kJFWD9CvNp5wUxkxuyPMNOkNUt5eTWC05cXIAAgU7wbd_DBOYTe1JOtg2ZF42yAX_BgazjFR41YwlAPxfDAOXSOnKF2Pply3GNXag/s320/IMG_0431.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>beautehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505214423018503375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625437328709237044.post-20047399697896405682011-08-31T21:18:00.000-07:002011-08-31T21:18:40.312-07:00LAYERS ON A HOT DAY?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a HOT, HOT DAY: 36 deg C but with the humidity, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">it felt like it was in the 40's.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Miko and I went to COLD LAYERS for SNOW ICE CREAM - layers of shaved ice cream with all sorts of toppings.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkk87yiyeqW-UD50ZD6ttTzmwn-hRMlG2Z1gBFREn21q44YG_4DfLP_NB1xdrNlra1IzN-tQz62g_pC6jlby9U2Qc4sywmXEP0EDZWRK4a_DgSRXa_HafCeZAEugvOozNvZdtubirtd8/s1600/IMG_0317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkk87yiyeqW-UD50ZD6ttTzmwn-hRMlG2Z1gBFREn21q44YG_4DfLP_NB1xdrNlra1IzN-tQz62g_pC6jlby9U2Qc4sywmXEP0EDZWRK4a_DgSRXa_HafCeZAEugvOozNvZdtubirtd8/s320/IMG_0317.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Miko's FIRST CRUSH: rainbow sprinkles, rice puffs, bananas on shaved strawberry ice cream</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">( MY kids hate being photographed, May 18, 2011)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KIQvGSnbk_x6RimXFE-DI0nVQuMQfAuLlHBlLTZE9t0gSwEawBpkJ-u__34uWVyk6Jkj4RrRXoKITWbtVJlnrjFwblHC8xu3NDn3rT3rVB5aCoR6GpERwTOdYzWMD5Zw-HvvADs3dWk/s1600/IMG_0316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KIQvGSnbk_x6RimXFE-DI0nVQuMQfAuLlHBlLTZE9t0gSwEawBpkJ-u__34uWVyk6Jkj4RrRXoKITWbtVJlnrjFwblHC8xu3NDn3rT3rVB5aCoR6GpERwTOdYzWMD5Zw-HvvADs3dWk/s320/IMG_0316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG11IwX-WX-R_1kXdGMVcbg1r6aiFDeGVoKP_d_djnOu2i_IWewc_hDi-9jDaT28LNDci2h6zL8ZTJi4YjUi_gd3eAtXAwCUUA9_-Eu5JQ9qVkQ3IsgM_QOT_ecQ3eDFlqJybepThoagQ/s1600/IMG_0311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG11IwX-WX-R_1kXdGMVcbg1r6aiFDeGVoKP_d_djnOu2i_IWewc_hDi-9jDaT28LNDci2h6zL8ZTJi4YjUi_gd3eAtXAwCUUA9_-Eu5JQ9qVkQ3IsgM_QOT_ecQ3eDFlqJybepThoagQ/s320/IMG_0311.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was HEALTHY SOY for me: a guiltless pleasure!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since Miko started college two years ago, we get to spend less and less time together. This is one of the rare occasions we went out for ice cream on an ordinary day. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> He talked about his plans of shifting to MMA(multimedia arts) in CSB and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> his T-shirt designs which hopefully, he can market soon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was another priceless moment for me.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>beautehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505214423018503375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625437328709237044.post-45618045264245477782011-08-31T21:17:00.001-07:002011-08-31T21:17:47.909-07:00It's TACO TUESDAY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our BONDING MOMENTS are usually centered on food but it is great because we get to talk about my kids' friends, activities and plans. If I'm lucky, I get to know about their secret crushes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiKj4o3fZB7iLcyYGnQuxnXmb0Ucrphnc_bxTdyK7ZT-YFyjX27oQ_nbW_1XQCrn3BRS4wlw8VfjXAuE6gcmdXiHoFlrtbIy_nbpQDj4A9PQsRyZVIEWGEhScwHRHp51KhucmQBQjBcA/s1600/IMG_0297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiKj4o3fZB7iLcyYGnQuxnXmb0Ucrphnc_bxTdyK7ZT-YFyjX27oQ_nbW_1XQCrn3BRS4wlw8VfjXAuE6gcmdXiHoFlrtbIy_nbpQDj4A9PQsRyZVIEWGEhScwHRHp51KhucmQBQjBcA/s320/IMG_0297.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joshua waiting for his DOUBLE Burger at ARMY NAVY (MAY 17, 2011)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2QPoFeYcb6VmpWsPkt6FF9O_w6DD2jUCuvNCVnPOhF6BjnSlMQVrLr6F-rR936z7FlzpTlRK6XXUuEyeA66IhnN_Pu9zhOqF6yk8F-sMuM1vZEn_9SxEe58VCMLqWyHJA00idsTQMms/s1600/IMG_0298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2QPoFeYcb6VmpWsPkt6FF9O_w6DD2jUCuvNCVnPOhF6BjnSlMQVrLr6F-rR936z7FlzpTlRK6XXUuEyeA66IhnN_Pu9zhOqF6yk8F-sMuM1vZEn_9SxEe58VCMLqWyHJA00idsTQMms/s320/IMG_0298.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Free iced tea comes with every order of SOFT TACOS on Taco Tuesday.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OOPS, at least I remembered to take a picture after taking a bite</span>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joshua was just too fast for my camera, before I could snap, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">he was half-way through his double burger.</span></div>beautehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505214423018503375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625437328709237044.post-77444594520781410502011-08-31T21:17:00.000-07:002011-08-31T21:17:04.929-07:00DINNER DATE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-a8JLIzyolI2CYbB9JrzSSJEYNsnlppOHTZa2r9RwbVKBDnY1N9tYiQKJZLAXSOIMsxWNf7jkCyvR-OUydTvkGhQl89V1pCzAhRX0mgl8_pbeCrcmZmx944nyJR5CxUy4_RdH5aD0y-4/s1600/IMG_0216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-a8JLIzyolI2CYbB9JrzSSJEYNsnlppOHTZa2r9RwbVKBDnY1N9tYiQKJZLAXSOIMsxWNf7jkCyvR-OUydTvkGhQl89V1pCzAhRX0mgl8_pbeCrcmZmx944nyJR5CxUy4_RdH5aD0y-4/s320/IMG_0216.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Joshua and me: dinner by the shores of Boracay. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Thank you Ninang Cynthia (April 5, 2011)!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Menu:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lobster Bisque</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Succulent Oysters</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Melt-in-your mouth Gindara</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Angus Steak ( no need for adjectives)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fMTP7HPIUDys18_BsmbUB63b-vVWrlzXW5Wa0GHZo8NtA5pcQkCnBLBkKlFOn0iZQ0b6_B2NKX1N9l6yMLBHtixW_utuDqVcf4JwK0GPA99kjuBBT7YjR4R2MsjOPkCW49QLxRRmPHc/s1600/IMG_0219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fMTP7HPIUDys18_BsmbUB63b-vVWrlzXW5Wa0GHZo8NtA5pcQkCnBLBkKlFOn0iZQ0b6_B2NKX1N9l6yMLBHtixW_utuDqVcf4JwK0GPA99kjuBBT7YjR4R2MsjOPkCW49QLxRRmPHc/s320/IMG_0219.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qurvbwthxldhpyHbD24QejJb4puP-ViocPlmbaYCIi5_11SKCPHgAIwU58S2e_7cYsOeZujxsASmYMXw-0zKqjGiOH826DM-7EKyV8rITEvX4Vn_Q4gV58qImP3967DWj1T2FzVuBZs/s1600/IMG_0220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qurvbwthxldhpyHbD24QejJb4puP-ViocPlmbaYCIi5_11SKCPHgAIwU58S2e_7cYsOeZujxsASmYMXw-0zKqjGiOH826DM-7EKyV8rITEvX4Vn_Q4gV58qImP3967DWj1T2FzVuBZs/s320/IMG_0220.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Usually these types of dinners are meant for couples but it is as sweet to have it with one of your many loves - be it your child, sister, mother, father, or grandfather! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzz-Oa5EtLPUj7WnOEpJbpN6VT-KYARQ20-wZcXFiaWOymM2-50u8NGr_UE-WIMn8hkP8tt7XCWE4w03EKr1FupUPE1bxZq6o4RTD57N0yE8sRCWKuhfnTH8ZkFUNZa8Bapc0zR3Ka3I/s1600/IMG_0215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzz-Oa5EtLPUj7WnOEpJbpN6VT-KYARQ20-wZcXFiaWOymM2-50u8NGr_UE-WIMn8hkP8tt7XCWE4w03EKr1FupUPE1bxZq6o4RTD57N0yE8sRCWKuhfnTH8ZkFUNZa8Bapc0zR3Ka3I/s320/IMG_0215.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Every moment was priceless because who gets to have a candlelight dinner </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with your teenaged son by the beach?! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>beautehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505214423018503375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5625437328709237044.post-36061717063529115672011-08-31T21:16:00.000-07:002011-08-31T21:16:25.205-07:00THE BACKSEAT DRIVER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxt_J7XZbvB75uj7lybgwgxASwxcqKju5YZyFt4mcATkyuQrWDZXm1fGW5fFZVMwWU8V0hZrIasY5-mFNYctmmgRculHsAo1jDZhD9YZBXaVEP-pmiuG75zPEYo4bEpmnGGXlDaMKlls/s1600/IMG_0291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxt_J7XZbvB75uj7lybgwgxASwxcqKju5YZyFt4mcATkyuQrWDZXm1fGW5fFZVMwWU8V0hZrIasY5-mFNYctmmgRculHsAo1jDZhD9YZBXaVEP-pmiuG75zPEYo4bEpmnGGXlDaMKlls/s320/IMG_0291.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The view from the backseat: Gab driving us to the clinic (May 16, 2011)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever since my boys learned to drive, I have become a backseat driver </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(literally and figuratively). I panic too much and when that happens, I talk too much too, but it has lessened over time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a weird feeling when they finally got their driver's license. I was both happy and sad at the same time. Happy because they can take their own trips to the barber shop, drive to their games , save on driver's salary and gas by as much as 20K a month or even get them to do some little errands.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, I am also sad because this is another reminder that soon, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">my boys will be full-grown men. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joshua is still 6 months away from getting his non-PRO so I get to bring him to his activities even if he is the one driving so I still have a few more months until I get into the "I-feel-useless" mode.</span></div>beautehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10505214423018503375noreply@blogger.com0