of wedding nights

A very close friend is getting married before the year ends. This early, I am already thinking of what to give her on her very special day. I want something that will have a lasting effect on their companionship so giving her a bridal lingerie is on top of my list. I am pretty sure she will appreciate it very much as it will showcase her almost perfect body during her wedding night. Sounds exciting huh? I can’t wait for her stories after…

ako ay isang iska!

huli man daw at magaling, makakakuha pa din... hehehehe!! i got this really nice planner from a fellow iska just a few days ago. she is currently taking her masters degree in diliman and when she found out that they were still selling centennial planners, she thought of buying me one. thanks grl!

randomness meme # 1

randomness...feed your mind and your blog

1. Who are your favorite authors?
Haruki Murakami, Nicholas Sparks, Umberto Eco, Mario Puzo and Sophie Kinsella (diverse? I know!)

2. What are your favorite books?
Books that are written by the authors above. 48 Law of Power. The Art of War.

3. What kind of books do you tend to read? Sci-fi, Romance, Mystery...etc...?
Depends on my mood. When I was pregnant, my OB advised that I veer away from heavy and mystery books. She asked me to read light and funny novels so that's where my fascination for Kinsella books started.

4. Do you prefer to borrow books from the library or buy them?
I buy my own books. Or I have my friends and family give them to me as gifts.

5. Do you prefer hardcover or paperback?
Paperbaks are easier to read while in bed but I want to preserve my books for Lizzie and Santino so I prefer them to be hardbound.

6. What was the last book you read? What are you reading now?
I just finished Memoirs of a Geisha. I am rereading How to walk in high heels (no new books for me)

7. Do you read everyday?
Yes. I make it a point to end my day with a book.

8. On average how many books do you read per year?
A lot. I really do read a lot. That's why I have really poor eyesight.

9. Do you belong to any book clubs?
Nope.

10. Recommend a good book.
The Emotional Vampires.

weekend chores

Weekend always means I have to be a little domesticated. So, as always, I came up with a list of things to do for the weekend:

1. have the carpenter replace all the locks of our house
2. treat Bob's mange. bring him to the vet (again!)
3. supervise in the general cleaning of the storage room.
4. call up shine. ask her when she's getting the crib ( i wanna free up some space in the house)
5. replace defective outdoor lighting.

Most of the time, being a mom and a wife can be really taxing and stressful but everytime I being to whine, I stop and tell myself that this is the most rewarding job any human being can ever have.

Hard as it may be but I have no qualms about it. I love it.

health buff

Because of his drive to really look good and fit on his 30th birthday, my husband has been very diligent in lifting weights and building his body. He doesn’t need to enroll in a formal fitness center because there is a mini gym complete with all the equipments at my in laws’ place. He spends a couple of hours at their house before heading home. I am seriously contemplating on purchasing our own set of gym equipments for the house and I have been searching for the best suppliers online. You see, I support my husband’s cause and any quick weight loss program that will be good for him is pleasantly welcome.

friday's feast # 3

Appetizer

What is the weather like today where you live? H-O-T! It's not actually hot. It's humid. And I don't like the feel of humidity in my skin. It gets sticky. Early mornings are fine though. Windy with a touch of sunshine.

Soup

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how career-minded are you? 10!

Salad

What type of window coverings do you have in your home? Blinds, curtains, shutters, etc.? I have blinds in my room and curtains everywhere else.

Main Course

Name something that instantly cheers you up. Strawberry ice cream!

Dessert

How many times do you hit the snooze button on a typical morning? Depends on the day. 3 on average with 3 minute intervals.

lizzie's low low low low

Don't dare her to dance because she will gladly accept it. Sometimes I think she will be a great cheer dancer in school -- be it as a 'gawi or a pep dancer. This is her version of Florida's Low. Medyo wala pa sya sa mood nyan ha?

litratong pinoy # 14: when east meets west (pag-aaral)

When East meets West. This is how our love story goes. Marrying someone from another school is like marrying another culture, another heritage. Different views in life, different memories in school, different places frequented, different everything. Who would ever think that a man from Espana could fall in love with the girl from Diliman? I guess it's really not about which school one has been to that can bring people together. It's all about fate. It's all about destiny.

Kapag nagtagpo ang silangan at kanluran. Ito ang kwento ng aming pag ibig. Ang pagpapakasal sa isang taong produktong ng isang unibersidad na iba sa pinanggalingan mo ay parang pagpapakasal sa ibang kultura, ibang ugat. Magkaibang pananaw sa buhay, magkaibang alaala sa kanya kanyang paaralan, magkaibang tambayan. Sino ang mag aakala na ang isang lalakeng galing pa sa Espanya (UST) ay mabibighani sa kagandahan at katalinuhan ng babae ng produkto ng Diliman (UP)? Silangan man o kanluran o kahit sa pa man, walang kwenta ito sa dalawang taong nag iibigan.

ten years ago

Thanks for the tag, Babs!

The rules are simple.
At the end of the post, the player tags 6 people and posts their names,
then goes to their blog and leaves a comment,
letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
~ I was busy with school, my org and my lovelife. Hahaha!

2. What are the 5 things on my to-do list today?
~ Post LP and WW photos.
~ Cook dinner
~ Play with my daughter
~ Fix my husband's gym clothes for tomorrow.
~ Pray.

3. Snacks I enjoy:
~ street food (Iska ata ito!)

4. Place where I lived:
~ I was living in an on-campus ladies dormitory.

5. Things I’d do if I were a billionaire:
~ Pay debts.
~ Give my parents, in laws and sibling money, houses and cars.
~ Start another business.
~ Travel
~ Splurge, Spend, Shop. LV here I come!!!!
~ Save.

6. People I want to know more about:
~ I want to know and meet more of my blog buddies: Pat, Bunnie, Buge, Alpha and Thea.

Aggie wants to know #1

Topic # 1: Life After the Wedding - the Married Life.

What are the things you want them to know about life after the wedding?

It's true when they say that the wedding is just icing on the cake. What's far more important is what will life be after -- it's marriage. When the lights turned down low and the curtains have been put down, that's where the story of your life actually begins.

Perhaps, it helped that we actually married when we were both of age and were mature enough to understand the consequences of our actions. We were both over 25 and decisions were already never hard to make. The first year was bliss because that was also the year that we had Lizzie - our darling princess. She gave us the reason to strive harder, to earn and save and to make things work in the family. Fights were inevitable but we have managed to stay strong amidst all the storms and trials that came our way.

After 3 years, 3 months and 16 days... I LEARNED:

1. that respect is the ultimate virtue that shoulr be present in every marriage. respect begets respect and it's true they say that love, after many years, will fade but respect should remain constant in yor lives. when you respect your partner, you will never do anything to make hurt her. i don't really mind falling out of love. for me, what's more important is not losing my respect for my partner.
2. that marriage is a two way street. it takes two to tango. there's no such thing as "i find joy in just giving". marriage is give and take. it's all about being sensitive to the needs of your partner. it's about finding ways to make it work each day.
3. that in a marriage (or in any relationship for that matter), it's always the woman who paddles the canoe and who calls the shots. men are generally dependent on their wives so we are expected to be stronger and wiser and prepared about anything in life.
4. that it is a never ending commitment. it is not a job. it is a passion.
5. it's not all about flowers. it's about holding hands and patting each other's back. it's about continuously growing with each other.

And if I were to give an advice for Lizzie if and when she decides to get married?

Well, we will get there... Not now. I am not yet prepared. She's only 2. And she's only learning how not to pee in her bed. :)

crash into me

One of the very many favorite songs I share with my husband. We used to sing this song together in the car while driving home from work. We have these moments you know, singing in the car to ease away the troubles in life.

Youve got your ball
Youve got your chain
Tied to me tight tie me up again
Whos got their claws
In you my friend
Into your heart Ill beat again
Sweet like candy to my soul
Sweet you rock
And sweet you roll
Lost for you Im so lost for you
You come crash into me
And I come into you
I come into you
In a boys dream
In a boys dream
Touch your lips just so I know
In your eyes, love, it glows so
Im bare boned and crazy for you
When you come crash
Into me, baby
And I come into you
In a boys dream
In a boys dream
If Ive gone overboard
Then Im begging you
To forgive me
In my haste
When Im holding you so girl
Close to me
Oh and you come crash
Into me, baby
And I come into you
Hike up your skirt a little more
And show the world to me
Hike up your skirt a little more
And show your world to me
In a boys dream.. in a boys dream
Oh I watch you there
Through the window
And I stare at you
You wear nothing but you
Wear it so well
Tied up and twisted
The way Id like to be
For you, for me, come crash
Into me

poor customer service

Our experience with the sales department of Smart Wireless in Sta Lucia was a nightmare. A real one.

Since there's really no signal Globe signal in the vicinity of our hardware, my husband and I decided to switch to Smart so we can communicate regularly (at low cost!). We got postpaid lines with brand new phones. And since the phones that we wanted are not available in Megamall (our sales agent is based there), we had to go to the nearest wireless center to check out if they have available units. Last Friday, we dragged my in laws to the mall to check out if they have stocks. We arrived at around 7:25, got a number and patiently waited for our turn. There was no other customer there except for us. 8pm, 8:10, 8:15 --- we were starting to be impatient so I went to the counter to ask if we can be accomodated already. Maam, wait lang po kasi wala pa po yung mag aassist sa inyo. Okay. We sat down again and waited. 8:30, 8:45 -- it was nearing closing time so my mother in law stood up and asked what's going on. We later found out that the person who was supposed to assist us was whiling his time at their pantry having coffee and chitchatting. We threw a fit (well it was me actually because my MIL was too sleepy and exhausted to get mad). I got the name of the area manager and the person who was supposed to be in charge and my husband called up his bestriend, JP (who was the Area Sales Manager for Smart Northern Luzon). We filed a formal complaint and is just waiting for feedback from Smart HO. (angry arlyn + angry farah = disaster talaga!)

It was a blessing in disguise that while we were having dinner after that horrible incident, Ryan (our agent who's based in Megamall) sent me an SMS notifying me that there are already available units in Megamall and we can claim ours the following day.

We got the units Saturday evening and got to compare their customer service. The staff in Megamall are far more pleasant, accomodating and proactive than the ones they have at Sta. Lucia. I swear to never go back to that place...

hardware items

I have been complaining to my husband about manually writing the prices on each and every hardware item that we are selling. Can you imagine writing to 100 cans of paint, 50 tubes of fluorescent lights, 100 bottles of paint thinners, 75 cans of glass cleaners and etc? This is really one tough job to do every time I man our hardware shop. So when I learned about Dymo labels – the convenience it will bring and the amount of time and energy that it will save, I didn’t have second thoughts of ordering for our store. Can’t wait for those labels to be mailed to me so I can do my thing the next time I visit the shop.

world class profession

I was tagged by Aggie and Pat. Thanks so much girls!

1. Copy and paste everything to a new post and Add your name next to your profession (or profession-to-be for undergrads) in the list. Make sure your name is linked to your blog/webbie2. If your profession is not in the list then simply add it to the correct alphabetical place. For example, if you want to add PLUMBER then it should be placed in between ONCOLOGIST and QUEEN3. Tag as many people as you can and witness how your technorati will explode! 4. Don’t forget to link back. In your case, link back to www.mckhoii.com

THE WORLD CLASS PROFESSIONS
Blogger - Mary, Vannie, Farah
Business - Vanniedosa
Doctor -Finance - Pat
Nurse - Mckhoii,Aggietha
Teacher -
Stay-At-Home-Mom - Mai, Aggie, Vanessa
Office Girl - Farah

Tagging Val, Abie, Em aka Babs, Maver and Thea.

on being domesticated...

I was browsing through Aggie's page when I found this. Thought it best to share to fellow working moms out there how I do the monthly budget. I swear this can be a very rough and tough and challenging job but after every balance has been made, I feel rewarded.

How many sq meters is your place, and how many people live there?
I’m not really sure about the exact measurement but my husband said that our floor area is big. It’s duplex type and 5 people (Hubby, Me, Lizzie, Yaya M and Yaya A) live there with a small dog (Bob).

How much is your electricity bill monthly? Water?
Electricity - 4500 average monthly except during the summer when I pay more (around 5500)
Water – 1200 (that’s already with association dues of 425). This is Manila Water already but I still prefer to have our drinking water delivered. So its additional 400 for drinking water.
Other utilities?
House Rent - 9000
Internet - 999 (SMART Bro)
Mobile Phone Plans – 1200 for hubby and 800 for me
Fuel/Gas – Hubby gasses up every 11 days as he works 25 kilometers away from our house and 1 full tank costs 3500 now (Mahalia Jackson I know!). So, it’s 3500*3= a whopping 10500!!! (thank heavens for LS)
LPG – 690 as of the latest purchase (May 12, 2008)
Sky Cable - 680
PLDT landline - 600
Maids (Two) – Yaya M is my daughter’s nanny so her main task is to run after her. Monthly salary is 2500. Yaya J is my all around helper. She cooks, does the laundry, cleans the house, irons the clothes, cares for Bob, watch over our house. Monthly salary is also 2500. Yaya M and Yaya J are childhood bestfriends so their working relationship is really great. If Yaya J is sick, Yaya M handles her tasks. I take care of the little girl.
Groceries? Market?
Groceries – 2500 to 3000 monthly- includes toiletries and breakfast items, laundry detergents plus the maids’ toiletries (if my grocery budget goes over 3k, I flare up hahahaha!
Market (Menu) - 4000 (1,000 per week – Market Day is every Sunday morning)
Milk – very cheap now since Lizzie only drinks Milo with Milk once a day (breakfast). The big can of Promil Kid which I bought for her more than a month ago is still there. Mga 5 timplahan more. Haha.
Pampers – no more. I am training Lizzie to sleep without nappies anymore. Hooray to that! 
Rice – I get my supply from my brother. He sends me a sack every month. Good news is we don’t finish the sack in a month so tipid talaga 

We pay for some other things like gadgets and we have Pondong Pinoy too (yipee!) but all the rest go straight to BDO - our beautiful family bank ;)

friday's feast # 2

Appetizer
If you could live on another continent for 1 year, which one would you choose?
I'd say Oceania - I want to travel to Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Nauru, Tonga, stay a little and visit friends in New Zealand then settle in Australia.

Soup
Which browser do you use to surf the Internet?
I still rely on IE.

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you know about the history of your country?
I was good in history when I was a lot younger. I forgot everything after my CS operation 3 years ago heee! I would give myself a 6 though.

Main Course
Finish this sentence: Love is…
...never having to say you're sorry

Dessert
Have you ever been in or near a tornado?
Nope. We don't experience tornados in the Philippines. Save for the small "ipo-ipos" we have back home. Hehehe

mama and her famous gifts

My mother in law’s taste for gifts is incomparable. She also has a penchant for jewelries. Her choice of gifts for us would either be a nice, sturdy bag for the girls or really good shirts for the guys. On my 30th birthday last January, she gave me a lacoste classic bag and surprise of all surprises, inside it was a very beautiful gold chain that has a letter F attached to it. I almost cried when I saw it. I was really overjoyed with her gift. I wonder what she will be giving to my husband when he celebrates his big 3-0 in September.

litratong pinoy # 10 : DADA

Anak, wag kang mag alala..

Hanggat andito si dada ay ligtas ng ligtas ka....

(child, don't worry about anything.

for as long as dada is here, you will always be safe...)

Opo mahal kong ama...

Salamat po sa pag aruga nyo...

(Yes, my dear dada...

Thank you for your love...)

getting to know you

I remember telling myself just this afternoon that I'll stop doing memes first and try making a post worth reading. Bumababa na naman EQ ko! Hahaha!

Anyways, I snagged this from Aggie when I passed by her site to drop a tag. Thanks sis!

1. Name: Farah Romina
2. Spouse’s name: Arthuz Cloyd
2a. What you call your spouse when you’re mad: Artushong!
3. Child/Children’ s name/s and age/s: Alyssa Claudia who is fondly called Lizzie.
3a. Pet’s name/s and breed/s: Bob the Pug
4. Wedding date/s: March 11, 2005
4a. Your relation to the Best Man at your wedding: My hubby's best friend.
4b. Your wedding souvenir: bath salts/scrubs
5. Your birthday: Jan 27
5a. How many hours your mom was in labor with you: Almost 24 hours. She had a hard time delivering me.
6. Spouse’s birthday: Sept 26
6a. what you guys did for his/her last birthday: We had a very quiet dinner at Tong Yang Hot Pot
7. Address / General location: Cainta, Rizal bordering Marikina and Pasig
8. Your job / company / line of work: I work at a BPO located in Eastwood
9. Your spouse’s job / company / line of work: he owns a small construction firm
10. Your school course : UP Diliman BS Tourism 1999
11. Your spouse’s school course : UST AB Lit 1999
12. Your interests: photography, cooking, writing and the domestic life
13. Business: (if you have) construction company
14. What part of the Philippines/ world are you from? I come from the land of chili and pili
15. What part of the Philippines/ world is your spouse from? Born and raised in Manila but his mom is from Cagayan Valley and his dad from Masbate..
16. Last celebrity you saw in person: Chuvaness at Pepper Lunch
17. The number of SMs (as in, Shoe Marts) you’ve been to: 10? Almost all I'd say.
18. Social networking or blogging chuva you’re part of: Friendster, Multiply and Facebook. I also maintain 2 blogs which I diligently update almost regularly.
18a. Your IDs on those sites, if you want NaWies to find/add you: farfar or wifeynibangis
19. Kapamilya o Kapuso? nada
20. Complete the sentence: One time I got drunk…that I almost killed the person who got me to that very uncompromising situation heeee...

Snag away!

reality check

I so wanted to do this tag but nobody seemed to remember to tag me huhuhuhu! Thank God for Thea who remembered! :)

Are you deeply in love with your spouse or boyfriend/Girlfriend? If you do, let’s try how well you remember the moment of your life with him. But before you put yourself in the hot seat please read the rules of this tag first.

RULES:
1. This tag should be passed on to your closest friends.
2. Visit the blog of the person you’ve got this tag.
3. Leave a comment on her/his tag post. Be sure to thank her/him for this tag.
4. Highlight and link all the list of people who accepted this tag by visiting their blog site.
5. There are 10 questions that you need to answer but you will be the one to write the 10th question for the next person you want to pass this tag.

Here are your questions: Be Honest and True!

1. How did you meet your husband/wife or boyfriend/girlfriend?
~ We met through a common friend. The friend was my college barkada and his "text mate". They were actually going out a few months before we met.

2. Where did you go on your first date?
~ We had coffee at Starbucks, Libis then we headed to Tagaytay! =) That was a Saturday, August 10, 2002.

3. When was your first intimate kiss?
~ September 28, 2002

4. How many girlfriends/boyfriends he/she had in the past? Do you honestly know?
~ He had so many flings. As in so MANY. But he had 3 serious girlfriends before me.

5. What is his/her ethnicity?
~ Filipino

6. What is his/her favorite food?
~ Menudo.

7. What is he/she like if he/she is mad?
~ Very talkative. Like a girl. I swear.

8. What are the things he/she did you thought is the most romantic thing he’d/she’d ever done?
~ Wrote poems for me. Drove me anywhere I wanted. Bought me things I didn't need. Gave me his ATM so I can monitor his spendings (this was when we were still bf-gf). Went home to Naga with me to meet my dad and brother. Dragged me to their house so I can meet his family. The list can go on and on...

9. Describe how he/you proposed to you.
~ He proposed with his mom, can you believe that? Hahaha! It was during lunch at their place on January 4, 2004.

10. (My question) Is he rooting for Celtics or Lakers?
Celtics baby! We were actually cheering our heads off this morning during Game 6.

THEY PLAYED ALONG:1. Soujourn2. Pinay Mom in Czech Republic3. See Me for What You Will4. Lainy’s Musings5. Our Journey To Forever6. Sheng’s Simple Thoughts…7. Pinay WAHM8. Me and My World9. coicoi’s World10. BLOGSILOG11. A Mother’s Horizon12. Because Life Is Fun13. Dzoi14. A Reality Bite15. Thea is bloggerhappy 16. Changing Lanes 17. Pit Stop

I am tagging Aggie, Abie, Buge and Alpha. :)

wordless wednesday - ANIMALS GALORE

all photos were taken at the avilon zoo in pasig city

out of the ball game

(photos taken last night after the movie date. -charlie's wanton house along marcos)

-sa buhay, yan talaga ang na-perfect ng anak ko... ang kumain ng maayos at madami-

Lola A: Lizzie, tell your mom where you want to go to school now...
Lizzie: Assumption po! (with a very high pitch)
Me: Why Assumption, Lizzie?
Lizzie: Because St. Paul is traffic!

Hahahaha! Naturuan ng mahusay ah? All is good. =)

when the panda strikes

As promised here, the movie date went well. Really well I would say. We got the 7:30 screening because we had to wait for dad to pick us up at home. The little girl was overly excited to go with her back up and all. According to the yaya, she was even daydreaming about the movie hahaha!

It ran for 1 hour and 37 minutes and in the duration of the movie, the little girl was surprisingly behaved and focused. She was asking some questions if the scene was beyond her comprehension but after she gets an answer, she keeps quiet and goes back to watching again.

My daughter enjoyed her first ever movie. I am guessing that she will be one movie addict when she grows up. But more than that, she enjoyed her pop corn and cola more. Hahaha!

share the love

Maver remembered me with this tag. Loved it! The tag originated from Crystal, whose son's life was saved by an organ donation. Let's all pay it forward. Let's share the love.

Rules in sharing Crytal's Love:
Share this award with all those blogs out there that you love. All the people who make you smile. All those that make you laugh. All those that make your day. All those that leave uplifting comments on your blog. **All I ask, is that you include a link to this post with the award and ask your recipient to do the same**

As you may have recently seen on my side bar, I have finally created a custom blog award!! I have wanted to do this for a long time but never came up with something that “fit”. I didn’t want just anything. It had to be something that meant something to me. And what could mean more than Sharing the Love by giving you pieces of my heart??

So I created this award in Honor Of The Donor That Saved Noah’s Life. I share this award with those of you whose love and friendship have enriched my life and made my world a better place. I hope by passing this award around the blogging world we can all help raise awareness of the need for Organ Donation.

I am now sharing the love with my online buddies aggie, alpha, jan, janj, peachy, bunnie and pat.

Kung Kung Fanda

Mama! Dada! I want to watch Kung Kung Fanda.

Lizzie was bugging us the whole day yesterday that she wanted to watch a movie. This is going to be her first time so imagine the excitement that the dad is feeling. There's a different post on how we spent father's day but I just want to document this day as it is going to be our little girl's first time in the movie house. I am quite reluctant to bring her to a dark place that is so new and unfamiliar to her but the dad is persistent and overly excited, and the little one is anxious and eagerly waiting for our movie date. So there's no option left for me but to give in...

Tonight, the Dela Rosas are off to a Kung Fu Panda date in a nearby mall. I'll post photos right after.

Lizzie, it's Kung Fu Panda. Not Kung Kung Fanda. Say it three times.

a father's love (a father's day entry #1)

All parents damage their children. It cannot be helped. Youth, like pristine glass, absorbs the prints of its handlers. Some parents smudge, others crack, a few shatter childhoods completely into jagged little pieces, beyond repair.

I grew up with my dad since my mom left when I was barely 6. She left because she wanted to give my big bro and me a bright future and a comfortable life. And during the time when we were about to go to school, times were really hard for us. So, I was left in the care of my dad who did a superb job in raising me and my brother. He was a mom and dad in one. He was present in all my piano and voice recitals. He made my grass skirt when we were asked to perform the Polynesian dance in grade school. He was always an officer in all the PTAs that he attended. He talks to my teachers when there are issues in school that my young self could not settle. He brings me to school every day for years and picks me up without fail. I remember days when it would rain so hard in our province and I had to ride the tricycle going home, he would wait for me in the "kanto" of our subdivison with a very big umbrella (you know the ones vendors use to sell their goods -- the colorful parasols?). He won't eat without me. He tucks me to bed up until the time I was in fourth grade. He was there in every milestone of my young life -- recitals, proms, high school graduation..

When I entered college, he was still there. Although he let me be during our registration, he was still constantly checking on me. You wouldn't believe but during the first three weeks as a college freshman, he (together with my mom this time) would wait for me for hours at McDonalds, Philcoa because I didn't know how to commute going home to my grandparent's house in Makati. So, we would all wake up at 6, travel (via bus along EDSA) to Diliman to catch my first GE class at 8:30 AM.. they would let me ride the jeep going inside the campus while they spend the day reading the newspaper, books or just talking to each other. My class would finish at 4PM. That was 4 times a week. And he did that sacrifice (with my mom) for three long weeks, until I got used to the commute back and forth.

Two months after school started, I was afflicted with High Fever. Without second thoughts, he left my mom and brother in the province and flew to Manila to watch over me. He stayed for another month. Cooked. Prepared my things. Made sure that the area I was living in was clean and safe (I was already renting a space near the campus then). My bed was a pull put bed and he would sleep on the lower bunk with the thinner foam. The night he left for the province, I felt as if my heart was breaking into pieces. I wanted my dad to stay a little longer here but he had to go home to attend the "Traslacion" as he was a staunch devotee of our Lady of Penafrancia.

I grew my wings and explored here in the big city. But when problems beset, I'd go back to my dad. Always. College grad. Work. Years have passed. My dad was growing old. And so was I. When I got a new apartment, my mom asked my dad to come over again so he can fix my place. Since the place was breand new, he did everything all by himself -- from putting on tiles, to installing the blinds, the wall paper, installing the aircon unit, buying the bed and cabinets, installing planks for my books, painting my door, installing double locks for my safety. Once again, he stayed with me for another month until he was confident that I can live on my own The night he left for the province, I felt as if my heart was breaking into pieces. Again.

When I got pregnant, he was the very first person we shared the good news to. The night before my wedding day, he wrote a note and left it on the night table of my hotel. I was able to read it when I woke up on the morning of my wedding day (they were already out to fix last minute stuff). The note said: "You will forever be my baby girl. I love you Nene. Daddy"

The day when he left for the US for good was the darkest day of my life. I was 7 months pregnant with Lizzie at that time. Fat, heavy and ugly. I had a hard time travelling all the way to the airport in Paranaque but i insisted because it was my dad who was leaving. And the tears that I shed as soon as he checked in on that afternoon in July 2005 was worth a year of tears I would say. My husband was worried because my crying will be bad for my already delicate condition. I was only pacified when my dad called me up during his stop over in China. I felt a little bit okay.

My dad was a great person. He had the kindest soul and the nicest heart. He was always welcoming to my friends. He was very soft spoken. He played the drums, guitars, bongos. He sings really well. He paints, draws, sketches. He cross stitches. He was a mechanic, an electrician, a plumber. He was jack of all trades (not too mention very gorgeous). He may have his flaws but he is almost perfect to me. I wished for my husband to be like my father.

Now after all these years, I would say that a father's life is a life of sacrifice. HIs life may be gone in the future, but his love will stay. It has passed on to me so I can pass it on to my children. A faher's love is never lost.

To you dad, thanks for being the greatest teacher. And the best father in the world. I am grateful for mom for the comfortable life she gave me and Raman and for us, she is superwoman. But I am also grateful to you -- for your presence in my life. Yesterday, Today and Always.

Happy Father's Day!!!

dada's corner (a father's day entry)

I have been tagged by a very dear friend, Em aka Babs. Thanks super! Happy Father's Day to Titan!!

The rule of this tag is for you to brag about "Daddy" (your husband if you have one or your dad if you do not have a husband yet). Started by Mitchteryosa.

Rules:
1) Copy from {Start Copy Here} to {End Copy Here}.

2) Blog ‘Brag’ about your husband - yes, the father of your child/ren. As I’ve said singles may also join by bragging about their own fathers, or even grandfathers. It doesn’t matter! Of course, Daddy bloggers themselves may also join, but you have to blog about your fathers and not about yourselves, deal? Okay. Good.

3) Add your blog in the master list below linking to the post that you just made. Or if you wish, do it as how I’ve done it in my other blog by adding a new page.

4) Leave your comment here and don’t forget to leave your link so you can be added on the masterlist. Yup. Here. Thanks!

5) Let’s not forget Peppermint Creative for the corner border I used for the badge. Masterlist.

When Silence Speaks
Everything About Deye
Etc Atbp
Pinay Mommy Online
Coffee Cup Princess
Garden of Moments
Aeirin’s Collection
Never Dainty
The Long Journey Of My Life
A Mother Of Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow
Everything That Has Breathe Praise The Lord
Can Of Thoughts
Anything And Everything In Between
No Place Like Home
Pinay WAHM
Only In Silence
Bisdak Footprints
Simply Me, Simple Life
Fun Fierce Fab
Confessions Of A Supermodel Wannabe
Embracing Health For Life
Jona Thinks
Whatever Comers To Mind
BOTH SIDES NOW
Why Babie?
My Virtual Closet
My Views On My So Called Life
Mind Bubbles
Vanity Kit
Stripe&Yellow
Em's Detour
Something Purple

Changing Lanes

Pit Stop

{End Copy Here}

Next to my own dad, I can say that my husband is one great man any child will be proud of showing off to her friends. I am happiest with you, dada. You make me feel beautiful everyday of my life. Happy Father's Day and I love you so much!

Why do I love my husband?

• It's always his family before anything and anyone else.
• He is the most generous person I have ever met. Never mind if there's nothing for him, for as long as his daughter and I are contented and fine, he is fine.
• He teaches Lizzie good values. He is strict yet loving. He is firm yet his heart melts when Lizzie starts to be adorable.
• He never gives up on teaching Lizzie new things like the alphabet, animals, numbers and colors. He is her first teacher.
• He is my daughter's Manny Paquiao. Lizzie thinks that when all else fail, her dada will be there to protect her. And this is true.
• He speaks well. Writes well. Sings well. Does everything well.

More about him here.

Tagging abie, aggie, alpha, jacqui, peachy and thea.

jan's coffeebreak discussions

After almost a decade, I am again joining Jan's coffebreak discussion for this week...

What are your top 3 gift suggestions this Father's Day?

Since my dad decided to spend the rest of his years with my mom in California 3 years ago, I only get to see him once a year when they come home for their annual break.
He is blessed material-wise so I thought of other things that would make him really happy. Here's the top three gifts that I am going to give him this Father's Day:

1. A surprise phone call (He calls every Sunday to check on me, talk to Lizzie and Arthuz. It was never me who calls. Although I would at times, they prefer to call me instead as it's cheaper, they'd say)
2. Files of Lizzie's photos (He is an artist. He loves making videos and collages and film strips from scratch. It would really make his day to receive a huge file of his grad daughter's photos so he can work on a kick-ass video that he will again be proud of)
3. drum roll please...
... a brand new grand child!!!
yes, you heard it right. It doesn't matter if it would be Lorin or Santino. But we are really working on another baby. We feel it's time for Lizzie to step up and be an achie to another angel..

That's it for now. Happy Father's Day to all the daddies in the world!

friday's feast - saturday ed

Appetizer
Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist? I am an optimist hands down. Bright, sunny disposition.

Soup
What is your favorite color of ink to write with? I go for the classics. Black and Red.

Salad
How often do you get a manicure or pedicure? Do you do them yourself or go to a salon and pay for them? This is non-negotiable for me. Manis are occasional (weddings, birthdays etc) but pedis are done bi-monthly. Although I can't stand foot spa because I am ticklish, I try to go at least once every quarter. I have my suking manikurista in the mall near my house.

Main Course
Have you ever won anything online? If so, what was it? No. I am too cynical when it comes to winning prizes.

Dessert
In which room in your house do you keep your home computer? In my bedroom.

when love and hate collides

There are things, ways, or people we can't stand. There are also things, ways or people we can't live without and would love to do over and over again or be with forever.
List down 5 things you hate and 5 things you love.
Then, put the link or links of your blog or blogs in the list.
Tag at least 5 people.
(photo credit: flickr)

five hates:
1. Although I can pass as one, I hate loud people.
2. I hate "jologs".
3. I hate know it alls
4. I hate gossip-mongers.
5. I hate people who can't keep their promises.

five loves:
1. I love touching people - hugs, kisses, taps, embraces, pat on the backs.
2. I love bedtimes with my family. I love sleep.
3. I love coffee dates with friends.
4. I love lazy sunday afternoons.
5. I love perfection and achievement.

Tagging my online friends: jody, peachy, alpha, maver and jane.

flickering

Snagged this from Aggie. Thanks sistah! Ü

The concept:
1. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
2. Using only the first page of results, pick one image.
3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Big Huge Lab’s Mosaic Maker to create a mosaic of the picture answers.

The questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food? right now?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. What is your favorite drink?
7. What is your dream vacation?
8. What is your favorite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. What is one word that describes you?
12. What is your flickr name?

Feel free to snag away!

keeps me high

Tulog na mahal ko
Hayaan na muna natin ang mundong ito
Lika na, tulog na tayo.
Tulog na mahal ko
Wag kang lumuha, malambot ang iyong kama
Saka na mamroblema

Chorus
Tulog na hayaan na muna natin sila
Mamaya, hndi ka na nila kaya pang saktan
Kung matulog, matulog ka na...

Tulog na mahal ko
Nandito lang akong bahala sa iyo
Sige na, tulog na muna
Tulog na, mahal ko
At baka bukas ngingiti ka sa wakas
At sabay nating harapin ang mundo