An Afternoon Well-Spent with my Best Friend

I got up at 9 o’clock in the morning today. As usual, I woke up by my little monsters. I bathe them and got them ready for the day. I told my biyenan last night to come over at 1 o’clock to look after the little monsters because I will be going to my best friend’s house in Makati.



Kare-kare made with ♥ by LUBDUB



As always, my biyenan is so early! I was having my lunch with Zephyr, kare-kare from last night when she showed up on our door, it’s only 12 in the afternoon.

ME: Nay, ang aga niyo naman?! 12 pa lang ah! (Nay, it’s still early, it’s only 12 o’clock.)

Anita: Eh naghatid pa kasi ako ng mga bata… (I took the kids to the school) She is referring to her grandchildren,

I consider her as one of the best grandmothers in the world! As long as it’s for her grandchildren, she will never complain. We’re so lucky to have her!

Fast forward…



The Mama they wish they never had!



I was on the bus at 12:45PM and was hoping that the traffic will go smoothly. I still have shift so I wanted to get home at least 6 or 7. Oh! And I don’t wanna miss Juan Dela Cruz – ABS CBN’s fantaserye with Coco Martin as the lead actor. The bus was showing a movie, I didn’t bother to watch since I can barely hear the audio. What got my attention were the scenes where there were doddles on the wall and the scribble, MAMA appeared!

 

Mama Mia! It’s MAMA! In case you don’t know that was a horror flick, I’ve been dying to watch. It’s not available in all cinemas, not even in SM Southmall. I know it’s showing in Festival Mall but Toxs and I was not able to watch it. Nagkatamaran ata.I was really glued on TV until I realized the bus was already in Estrella. The travel time was only 45 minutes.

Jerome, my best friend since Junior High school, opened the door for me. I was touched because Tita Leony, Jerome’s Nanay was waiting for me too. They can’t start their lunch without me. Oh diba, ang sweet! Tita Leony has been also like a mother to me. We ate fish steak and hotdogs – good combination! And Jerome had halo-halo from Razon’s of Guagua delivered to their house. I’m not a fan of halo-halo; they all tasted the same to me. But it’s free, so why complain?

They have their own internet shop. So as usual, I logged on my FB on his tablet. I was surfing the web, checking my news feed while exchanging stories with Jerome. I obliged to visit him because I missed his birthday last February 20. I was so exhausted from work, as in to the nth power, that I didn’t have the energy to travel to Makati and back. Since we became friends, I’ve always been present in all of the occasions in their family, if not at least on all of his birthdays, except this year! Shame on me!

It was nice spending the afternoon with him. We talked about our lives as working adults, ate halo-halo, took pictures together and we even played badminton. Gone are the days when we just hang out together all day, every day. Whenever there’s movie worth watching, we always see it together. I pay for the tickets; he pays for the food. We’ve been friends for almost 11 years already! We’ve been through ups and downs.  People around us even thought that we’ll end up together. But faith decided that we’re better off as friends, for keeps!

I wanted to stay a bit longer but I can’t, I had to go to work. At 5:30 PM. We bid ourselves farewell.

I got home at 7:30 PM. The travel home was such a breeze, no traffic jam except for those MMDA people that allowed BUS A to pick up passengers in Estrella which is only for Bus B. Kainis!

I was telling Toxs how my day went and how blessed I am for having Jerome in my life. He is one of the few people I trust so much. He is the most reliable person I know! He let me borrowed his digicam and his badminton racket. Oh diba!

***To JEROME

I know I don’t say this too often, but I’m so thankful that I’ve met you and we became best of friends. We may not see each other as much as we did before or we may not get in touch all the time, but I want you to know, we will always be friends for the rest of our lives. As always, you can count on me. I will always be here! J J J

The Bathroom Scare

I woke up at 12 midnight from my evening nap to get ready for work today.

And while I was doing my thing in the bathroom, this little bastard, a cockroach, was peeking from the cracks at the side of the bathroom door.

I was like… O_O

I’m scared of creepy crawlers, specifically ROACHES!

I didn’t know what to do! I just kept my eye on it, looking at it intently like a vulture eyeing its potential meal from afar.

What will I do if this little bastard flew over me or started crawling on the bathroom floor?!

I thought of 3 things that I will do worst comes worst:

1.       I will whack it with the dipper with all my might! *evil.laugh*

2.       I will squirt water to it using my breast pump.

3.       Or I bang the door so it will get a panic attack and hide!

In cases like this, I really need my ultimate cockroach killer – a bottle of Green Cross 70% alcohol.

While I was lost in my thoughts on how to kill it, the little bastard crawled out from the cracks, and just before I can do something…

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH, I just let out a shrill cry. I just shrieked!

That little bastard! Hopefully, I didn’t wake up my neighbours.

This may sound ridiculous, but we all have something to be scared of.

So what’s yours?

Thursday Mishaps

The First Mishap

I woke up at 8 in the morning with Zeki squirming and wiggling beside me. Though I still wanted to go back to sleep, with little wormy all up, I knew I won’t be getting any.

So I got up, did my morning routine and while I was putting my contact lens on, I heard a ‘bang’!

I saw our electric fan on the floor! Zeki must’ve knocked it over while she was chewing on the electric cord! (We sleep on the floor so whenever Zeki is unattended, she would chew on anything, from plastic bags to slippers!)  And obviously, her latest victim is our poor electric fan!

Thank God and it didn’t fall on her. Her guardian angel must’ve been an early riser too!

I picked Zeki up, placed her on the bed and lifted the fan. Unfortunately, it didn’t survive the impact. One side of the propeller was broken! I felt sorry for my little monsters because we had nothing to use. I thought of rushing to SM Southmall and buy another fan but it is 8 o’clock in the morning so it’s still close. I also thought of texting my biyenan so they could help us replace the fan, if not at least the propeller. However, I didn’t want to bother them. (Ay! Wala din pala akong celpon!)

Ding!

I thought of a brilliant idea; I grabbed our electrical tape, wrapped it around the damaged propeller and voila! It’s fixed! I fixed it! Excitedly, I attached it to the fan, tighten the cap and placed the cover. Zephyr plugged it to the wall socket then I turned the dial to 1.

The fan is turning… turning… turning… Then I heard a clinking sound! There’s something wrong!

I disassembled it and checked the propeller. The broken side of the propeller was falling off! I tried to add more tape. Still, it’s ineffective. I guess my idea was not so brilliant at all.

I gave up.

I grabbed the folding fan from the drawer and opened the windows and the door.

It would really be a hot day for the 3 of us!

Toxs got home from work at around 4 o’clock in the afternoon. He was surprised that it was hot in the room. He saw me fanning the little monsters while they’re sleeping. Thought I had work later in the evening, I stayed up so they won’t get all sweaty! I explained to him what happen.

Yes. Zeki was the culprit. And she was all smiles when she saw her Tatay.

After he washed up, he went out to buy a new propeller. When he got home, he placed it on the fan and luckily, it fits - the store got the right size!

We rejoiced. Zephyr rejoiced! (Parang nanalo lang sa lotto!) “No hot no more”, he said.

***

Second Mishap

I was still consoling myself from what happened with our beloved electric fan when Toxs’ nieces and nephew showed up on our house.

Just my luck.

They didn’t have their classroom advisers so they ‘claimed’ that they were sent home. What happened with public school these days, letting grade school children out of the school premises without someone to pick them up? When I was in school whenever we didn’t have an adviser, we would be transferred to another class. We were not even allowed to go out.

They were telling me to text my biyenan to fetch them up. Their dismissal time is 3 o’clock in the afternoon and it was only 12 noon then. I don’t use my mobile phone anymore, the screen is all cracked and the battery is no longer stable so obviously it won’t have any load balance. So, I told myself, maybe I’ll just wait until 3 o’clock.

15 minutes after…

The house was in total chaos! Toy were scattered everywhere! Zeki woke up and started crying because of the noise her cousins were making. Zephyr, all pumped up, was running around the house screaming!

What happened to my peace and quiet?!

I knew I had to do something! I reprimanded them to clean up the mess and they have to be done already when I get back. I grabbed my phone from the drawer, recharged it and I took Zeki with me to buy some load. Good thing, the reloading center was just 3 giant steps away from our house. (Pepsi…Seven up?!)

When I got back home, the toys were still scattered on the floor. That’s the time that I lost it! I asked them again to put the toys back where they got them, this time, with a commanding tone on my voice. (Hindi sila makuha sa santong dasalan, edi santong paspasan na!)

I checked my phone and still I didn’t receive the P20 load only to realize I gave the wrong number! (Operada?!) I knew I won’t take another minute for them to be in the house! So, I asked our trusted neighbors, Nico and Gabbie if I could use their mobile phone. I sent a text message to my biyenan to tell them that their apos were in the house and they have to fetch them. Now. And fast!

I told them that Tatay Romy, my biyenon (Tox’s Tatay) is on his way!

A few minutes later…

Thanks heavens! Off they go…

It’s not that I didn’t like them. Of course, they’re family. It’s just that I didn’t like noises in the house or things not in order. I don’t even let my own son, scatter all his toys, and so why let them, right? Call it OCD or what?!

***

Third Mishap

After Toxs bought a new propeller for the fan, and Nanay Anita, my biyenan, came over to the house to look after Zeki, the three of us, Toxs, Zephyr and I went out to get some groceries at SM Southmall.

While I was waiting in line at the ATM, Zephyr was playing hide and seek with his Tatay. They we’re having fun when…

Blag!

…Zephyr as always, bumped his forehead on the store window. I don’t know if there’s something wrong with his eyesight or he just didn’t see it. He got a small reddish lump on his forehead.

I just let out a big sigh. I asked Toxs that we need to go home right away so we could apply ice on poor boy’s lump.

***

Fourth Mishap

Before going home, we stopped by Brownies Unlimited to buy some brownies for my biyenan for taking care of Zeki while we’re away. (Suhol lang!) And while I was waiting for my order, I heard a loud…

BLAG! (As if a meteorite fell of the ceiling!)

And when I turned around… I saw Zephyr on the floor, only an inch away from the table that fell off.

My heart almost burst out of my chest with the sight of it! I’d never know what to do if that table hit my poor boy’s body. He’s only 2 years old. So I know, like the electric fan, he wouldn’t survive the impact.

(Thank you Lord you gave my little monsters bibo angels!)

With that we really need to go home… Ora mismo!

Realization:

1.       Mobile phone is really essential during emergency or not so urgent circumstances. Especially, if you don’t have any relatives within the neighbourhood. (Depende if kapitbahay mo si Spiderman!)

2.       Make friends with your neighbours. In case you need something, they can save the day!

3.       If you have a crawler in the house, make sure you keep all the non-toy objects that she could chew on.

4.       For an accident prone toddler, put him on a leash (Hind yung pang-dogs ah!) or don’t let him stray unattended.

5.       Be thankful for a good parents-in-law. Appreciate them. Give suhol! (You have instant babysitter!)

6.       Believe in angels! Even if you think you don’t have one, your kids do!

Birthday Plans for LUBDUB

For the last 4 years of our relationship, each time that Toxs celebrates his birthday, I always make sure it’s special.

On his birthday in 2009, I planned a joint birthday party for him and his best friend, Rhaian. His birthday is March 5 while his best friend is March 3. I invited all their ONCHING friends – the friends he had since college. (Onching means sex daw in gay lingo!) That was also the first time I met all of them. They were all nice to me and even welcomed me as a part of the group.

In 2010, I made him a special birthday video that showed some of the pictures I took with our favourite music playing on the background and with captions that despite of him being:

1) Dead Hungry (As in patay gutom! Sa payat niyang yon, ang laki ng bodega!)

2) Sleepyhead (Isa siyang MASA – masandal lang, tulog!)

3) Head Turner (Kaso ang lingon, away from him!)

. . . I still love him so much! ♥♥♥

At that time, he was thinking of getting a new phone, so to his surprise I got him a N70. It was only a second hand though. I also drew a picture of us together and an also gave him a birthday card to tie it all up.

He was overjoyed! He said he never felt appreciated in his entire life until that day! Oh well, what the sweetest girlfriend can’t do?

Back in 2011, we had another double celebration. (Para tipid and memorable!) We decided to have Zephyr’s christening and his birthday all at the same time. To make it special, I designed the tarp, with him holding Zephyr, and had it printed super-size! It’s like 4 meters x 2 meters. I also asked my girlfriends to bake a red velvet cake for him with buttercream icing. I just edited a picture of him, made it look like that of Che Gueverra, I just made it in green, red and yellow. He’s a self-proclaimed Rasta, so he loves anything reggae.

He loved everything! He still has that tarp and his reggae’d picture.

Then in 2012, the biggest and the most expensive birthday present ever - a concert ticket to Smash Project 2012 in Aranata Coliseum (Thank youuuuuuuu Araneta! Concert queen lang ang peg!) featured our all-time favourite bands; The Used, Dashboard Confessional, Chicosci, Urbandub and Typecast.  But wait, there’s more! The Cab (Ang pogi nila sobra!), Cobra Starship, One Buck Short and Slapshock.

For an awesome rock and rollin’ concert, smile on lubdub’s face and an unforgettable birthday experience, the tickets that cost me P8, 600 ($215) were worth it! I’d definitely spend it again just to make him happy! We definitely had a blast! ☺☺☺

And for this year, the time flew so fast, I wasn’t able to plan for something extra special yet. I thought of having a full body massage with buffet at Wensha Spa, we could use the sauna and Jacuzzi. However, they don’t have couple massage and we can’t be together since they have gender segregation. I searched on the Web, and found Nuat Thai which offers couple massage for a cheap price. We haven’t experience it yet and it’s been a long time that I wanted for us to have a bit of pampering. Then, I heard about Vikings Mall of Asia’s Birthday Promo. You can come to the restaurant on your birthday with one paying adult, present your ID or birth certificate bearing your DOB and you can eat for free! Since we love food tripping, this would be the best gift.

Last night, I went to their Facebook page, posted a message about my reservation on March 5, dinner time, I gave my contact information and within just about 10 minutes, I got a text message from them confirming my reservation. I was just a breeze!

Since we also want the little monsters to go swimming, we decided to try Swim @ Cecile’s at Casimiro, Las Piñas on March 7 with my biyenans (Tox’s parents).

I’m so excited!☺☺☺

There’s always an Exception

Lately, I’ve been having serious discussions about men being cheaters naturally. I agree on that for sure. I have friends and colleagues who had other women; I had ex-boyfriends who cheated on me and my mother even caught my own father having an affair. However, it doesn’t mean that all men in general, will do the same thing on you. And for that matter, it doesn’t mean it will happen to me too. Not to me.  Not my Toxs.

I may sound idealistic; however I believe in my heart that the man I’m spending my life with now will not do anything like that. He will not ruin our relationship or my trust nor even break up the home we both worked so hard to build. I have faith in him. He loves our kids. He loves me.

I am only human, he also is. We make mistakes. We are subject to temptation. It’s all in our nature. Though we cannot be perfect as couple or we cannot have a perfect relationship because there are times that we argue on trivial things, we could always try to be perfect for each other and create that connection that both of us can only understand.

I have never felt secured in my life until I was with him. I never had that so called women’s instinct. He might have broken my trust once because of smoking when he said he already gave it up, but never the faith I put on him that I am his only woman. I don’t have to explain myself or go to any further details on that. It is what it is. We both respect each other. We put God in the center of our relationship. And that only matters.

Maybe I can say this because we know how to communicate with each other. We say what we feel, what we think with no holds barred. Maybe because he always makes me feel that I am loved and appreciated. Maybe it’s because of that sweet caress on my head while we are watching TV, kisses on my forehead while I was sleeping, laughter we shared on a lame joke or maybe it’s because of that amazing lovemaking we always have.

Generally speaking, we cannot easily ditch that ‘men-are-cheaters mentality’. Men may have different reasons why they cheat. They may be getting in touch in their inner caveman – they like to play fire. It may be because they got bored with the relationship, there’s no connection or spark anymore; or maybe just because they can. Whether its evolution, biology or simple novelty, men do seek different sex partners. However, the decision whether to cheat is entirely in a man’s control. And it also boils down to one thing: you have to know when to put a leash on your man.

So, even it happens to you, just your luck. It didn’t mean that it can happen to everybody else. There’s always an exception.

A Conversation with My Little Man

This afternoon, while I was watching Kourtney and Khloe Take New York, I decided to ask questions to Zephyr, just to check his level of understanding and to my amazement here’s what he had to say:

Me: Zephyr, I will ask you something, okay?

Zephyr: Hmmm… Okay!

Me: What song you do you like?

Zephyr: Hmmm… Twinkle, Twinkle Star! (Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)

Me: Eh, what food do you like? Me, I like pizza!

Zephyr: Rice! Like Rice!

Me: What else?

Zephyr: Rice lang! (He really likes rice with lots of ‘sabaw’.)

Me: What do you like watching on TV?

Zephyr: Hi-5! Timmy! Jake and Pirates! (Jake and the Neverland Pirates)

Me: Eh, what’s your favourite toy?

Zephyr: Like play blocks!

Me: Zephyr, where’s Tatay?

Zephyr: Go to work!

Me: How about Nanay? Do you like it when Nanay goes to work?

Zephyr: No! Like Nanay stay house lang!

Me: Why naman?

Zephyr: Stay house lang! Play with me! (Then he gave me a big hug!)

I was surprised! I know Zephyr is a very intelligent kid but I didn’t know that I can have this kind of conversation with him. I thought he’s not paying attention to whatever I say. I realized that I just have to talk to him more often, with no distractions – TV, toys and snacks. It threw me off all the more when he said that he didn’t like me going to work. I never thought he would say that. To think, he’s only 2 years old and he cares! My little boy is growing so fast, hopefully I can catch up!  ☺☺☺

An Answered Prayer

“Every girl’s dream is to meet a prince, to have that greatest love story and to live happily ever after.”

TOXS, the every beat of my heart <3

I admit, for once in my teenage life, I dreamt of marrying a knight in shining armor who will save me from despair and will offer the world right on my feet. But when you started to grow up and see the world in a different perspective, you will realize that life is no fairy tale. Not every guy you meet will treat you as you want to be. And having a wounded knee is better than having a broken heart. Love is not many splendored things.

When I came of age, I asked God to give me someone who is faithful, responsible and loving. I prayed for someone who will never deprive me of the essential things in life – food, shelter and money; someone who will always be there in ups and downs and will never leave me no matter what the circumstances are; someone who will love me for what I am and will accept my flaws; someone who will never ever have any third party or extra-marital affairs and I prayed hard for someone I can grow old with. I didn’t even know I was praying for Francis Bondoc.

Tokidoki or Toxs, as I used to call him, came into my life unexpectedly. I was not even looking for love because I was mending a broken heart back then. I was too tired and fed up of all failed relationships and ex-boyfriends who didn’t even see my worth. Hallelujah! Toxs arrived just in time and saved me from my misery just before I lost faith in love. It’s God, not love that moves in mysterious ways. We didn’t know each other like John Smith know Pocahontas or like Beast know Belle. It was like the Savage Garden’s hit song, “I knew I loved you before I met you”. Though we barely know each other, the friendship blossomed into something new, something fresh, something you called “love”. When we took our relationship to the next level, I’ve decided that we call each other, “LUBDUB” – our so-called terms of endearment. It is because, medically speaking, that’s the sound that your heart makes, each time it beats. With every beat of our heart, we vow to love each other forever and ever. Amen!

Meeting him was fate, loving him was a choice and now I know why it didn’t work fine with anyone else. God, indeed, heard me well – He was an answered prayer.

And I will never get tired of thanking God for him.   ♥♥♥

The Motherhood Experience V1.0



Zephyr @ 1 month, his first day out! :)



Being a mother is no child’s play. It is a responsibility that not everyone is willing to take. Can you imagine bringing a baby in this world who has no one to depend on but you? It just occurred to me while I was writing this post that it is pretty awesome to have a baby – a chance to play God. You get to have someone you can name and call your own. A blank canvass and you are the paintbrush. The rise and fall of that one person lies in your hand; how you bring him up can make or break him. Though it sounds like fun, it’s kinda risky.

It was late November, in 2010 and Toxs and I were in the second year of our relationship when we received the good news. We didn’t expect it to come too soon since we were still in the process of managing our finances and saving for our future together. I cried my heart out while he was so ecstatic about it. It’s not like I didn’t want to have a baby; it’s just that I was scared of what my family had to say. They didn’t even know I was in any relationship. Breaking the baby news would really throw them off.

Good for us, we were already certain about our relationship that we wanted to spend our lives together. So, when he started working, he set aside a part of his income to our savings.  And when I joined the professional bandwagon, I also gave my fair share. We were not afraid of the responsibility because we both had our jobs, so to say, financially, we were stable. Both of us know how to take care of a baby since he used to look after his nieces and nephew and I took care of my siblings when my mother died, I even brought up my baby brother. I was a graduate of BS Nursing so I am also armed of neonatal care skills.

It was a nice pregnancy. My skin got smoother, my hair got shinier, my nose didn’t grow big as what they said when you’re expecting a baby boy. But of course, I still didn’t escape getting chloasma, linea nigra and striae gravidarum – they’re all classic signs of pregnancy. But that’s fine, it’s my baby monster’s first ever artwork. I was still working until the 6^th month, however when we found out that my placenta was lying a little low, (Thank God, it was not placenta previa!) I had to stop working and need to be on bed rest and to avoid any strenuous activity. Making love was also off limits! I also had to move from Makati to Las Piñas so Toxs and I could be together; he wanted to make sure I’m well taken care of since my family still didn’t know I was expecting.

It was May 6, 2010, my sister gave birth to his son, Artdane, the same day we moved in our studio type apartment. We were both overjoyed for having our little home, though not our own, it is where we were going to build our own family – with love, harmony and lots of memories to cherish. Since I was no longer working, I’ve always left at home alone; Toxs had to go to work on a night shift. So to save myself from boredom, I did chores, played games on my PSP, listened to music, dozed off, surfed the web – and that went on for months until I gave birth. It was bittersweet. I’m happy because I’m with Toxs and we’re having our baby monster but I can’t denied the fact that I lived 23 years with my family and being separated from them, pinched my heart – I missed them.

It was June 2010, only 1 month left for the arrival of our first born. I was checking my Facebook page when I got a YM message from Tita Carol, I got butterflies in my stomach, my heart was racing, I knew she would ask where I am and why did I ran away from home. I didn’t know what I was gonna say. Since, it was online, I finally got the courage to spill the beans, I didn’t know how or why, but before I said it, she already knew. Maybe, she really didn’t know about it; she just had a feeling, motherly instincts perhaps? After my mother passed away in 2003, she was the one who looked after us, pretty much became our guardian. The conversation went on, I told her everything, and she asked for my address, I gave it to her. She said she will visit me. After a week, she did.  My family already knew about it, they were surprised; a bit disappointed but not angry. Ate Nora, one of my mother’s sisters, was really frustrated; she didn’t even think that I could do it. It took her some time to see me and to accept it. A week after, in June 20, she visited me and it became regular. She bought me food, clothes for the babies, things that we need at home. I’m really thankful to her. She even helped us to pay my maternity bill.

Finally, the long wait is over! We welcomed ZEPHYRUS XICU on the 18^th day of July 2010 at exactly 8:25 in the evening. After rigmarole of being almost overdue, all the prayers and natural process of inducing labor, (Thanks to Toxs for his semen, for the prostaglandin!) paid off! Though it was a 2-hour labor, and intense valsalva manuever, it’s all worth it!

Zephyr, now 2, has become an adorable, smart and witty boy! Granting, his stubbornness, which is a part of being a toddler, he’s learning to listen and follow simple rules. He knows his ABCs, 123s, shapes and colors. He’s fond of singing, butt dancing and role playing. And oh! He’s learning how to write.

Before I forget to mention, Zephyr is now a big brother, his sister, ZEKI is now 7 months old. This post is getting way too long; I will tell you more about it on the next part. Watch out!

I’m a mother, a woman, and I love every minute of it.

“Why work so hard for something you can never own?”

“Why work so hard for something you can never own?”

I want to put up my own business. I know that if I want to provide more for my family, I need another source of income. I can’t have another job even if it’s part time because it would lessen the time I spend with my wacky little monsters. I can’t afford not being with them even for a day.

One busy morning at work, while I was having my break, one of my colleagues sent me a chat message via WebEx. He said he was thinking of going part time or resigning from his job. I was surprised because his wife is pregnant and I thought it won’t be the right time to do so. Then he said, his wife is earning more while sitting in the comforts of their home and he was working his ass off. He added up, that soon he will manage the electricity of a small community. He will put up his own solar panel with the help of a company that he just signed up with.  I was intrigued.

At first I was ambivalent because it was like networking though he used the word, ‘leveraging’.  You will just have to pay a certain amount and refer 2 people and that’s how the money will come in. He showed me the account of his wife, earning P405 daily. And that’s only one of the options you can earn. The company will provide you with raw materials so you can make your own perfume, solar panels or even grow your own mango tree. Sounds interesting, right? The money that you have to pay one time is only twice the minimum wage, so it’s cheap!

I decided to give it a go. I just have to check my funds this payday to see if I have enough. Who knows? This could be the start of the realization of my dreams, our dreams.

Wish me luck, or better yet, pray for me! J

The Coming of the Last Pope

The announcement of the Vatican regarding the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI took the world by surprise. It was all over the news – CNN, BBC, REUTERS and so on. The spokesperson of Vatican, Fr. Federico Lombardi said that the pope would continue to carry out his duties until Feb. 28 at 8 p.m., and that a successor would likely be elected by Easter, which falls on March 31.

(Osservatore Romano, via European Pressphoto Agency)

Pope Benedict XVI asked for forgiveness as he announced his resignation, effective Feb. 28

"In today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of St. Peter and proclaim the gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me.  For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom, I declare that I renounce the ministry of bishop of Rome, successor of St. Peter."

I’m not an aficionado of Pope Benedict XVI because I grew up admiring John Paul II for his love for the youth and the Filipinos; however upon knowing his reason for stepping out of the papacy, I instantly gave him high regard. He knew that to govern the Catholic Church effectively, he should have strong mind and body. This is definitely a courageous and responsible act. I don’t know the pontiff that much. I was never interested. But, as I read articles and biographies about him, I got to know him better. He stressed on continuing the living tradition and encouraging greater reverence and beauty in the Mass. He was the guardian of the Truth and the keeper of the Old Rite.

With the new election of the new pontiff coming soon, will this means that we are nearing the End of Times? St. Malachy had a vision about last 112 popes that will govern the Catholic Church, the second to the last, if the prophecy is true, is the Pope Benedict XVI – the Glory of the Olive. The successor His successor, listed as 'Petrus Romanus', foretold as being the last Pope, and in some interpretations, as Satan become man; leading his flock unwittingly to the tribulations proceeding the 'end of the world' and the Final Judgement.

This is sound eerie. We just survived the Mayan Prophecies and the Asteroid Toutatis almost hit the earth, and now this? I can’t afford to see my wacky little monsters suffered from any catastrophes or famines. It would definitely break my heart. However, the best thing to do than to be scared is to renew our faith and be closer to God. Jesus promised that He will spare those who believe in Him.



A Journey to Forever

 “Good relationships don’t just happen; they take time, patience and two people who truly want to work to be together.”

I‘ve been in and out of relationships and had a few heartbreaks. I was never even looking for love until I knew Toxs. We are in the same circle of friends; however I didn’t know him personally. In fact, I haven’t even met him. I got acquainted of him when one of our friends sent his number and we began exchanging group messages.  Our journey to this thing called forever all started with his aching knee.

Yes! You read it right – aching knee. If I remembered it correctly, it was June 16, 2008 when he sent a group message saying that he hurt his knee when he was playing basketball. I used to ignore his group messages except this one. I was in my Sociology class at that time and was so sleepy; I texted him remedies that could alleviate his pain. I also felt obliged to do it since I was a nursing student. It’s a good way to share what I’ve learned.

That few exchanges continued as the day passed by. We got to know each other and found out we are into the same stuff: rock, alternative and reggae music, indie films, out-of-towns, scary movies, cats and dogs, amusement parks, PSP games and the list go on… We also like watching “Witch Yoo Hee”, the South Korean Drama Series shown on GMA 7. I felt something inside me however I know it’s too soon to entertain the thing called “love”. Besides, I didn’t even know if he was feeling the same thing. He used to sing me the theme song of Witch Yoo Hee, Imago’s “Migraine”; it goes like this. ‘Oo nga pala, hindi nga pala tayo. Hanggang dito na lang ako. Umaasa na mapasayo’. I found out that the feeling was mutual.

What we had was not the conventional type of a relationship. It might even get your eyebrows raising.  It was July 3, 2008 when we decided to take our friendship to the next level. We haven’t seen each other in person yet. So to validate our relationship, we met at SM Mall of Asia. The first meeting was nerve-cracking. This could make or break our relationship.  At first, it was a bit awkward; it’s like testing the water. Until, he uttered some picked up lines and I cracked up some jokes. It calmed my nerves and we got comfortable. We ate, watched a movie and watched the sunset.

Time flew so fast that it was time to bid goodbye. He walked me to the bus stop home. While we were walking, he was asking me when the next date will be. I said I’ll check my sked first and I’ll just text him. I was not attracted to him and I know he felt the same way. His look was too rugged for me. His hair was all over the place. His shirt was a bit too loose. And he doesn’t look like his age. I'm not saying he didn't look good, in fact, I thought he's kinda cute. I might sound picky! But mind you, my past boyfriends were all good-looking. (It’s me, it’s me already!) However, above all the ambivalence, I felt something inside me that wanted to continue with the relationship. I felt secured.

The first date led to another, then another, and another… We were inseparable. Our friends even noticed that we were really getting serious in our relationship and might even settle down.  They were right. Two years later, we had our first bundle of joy – an adorable baby boy who we named Zephyr. And now we are going to the fifth year of our relationship; there’s another member of the family – our giggly baby girl, Zakiah. We couldn’t ask for anything more. Our family is complete. We just had to validate our love for each other before God; but that would not be after 2 years!

Though our relationship remained stronger through the years; I can’t say it was perfect.  we had our ups and downs, our differences and own opinions.  Our love is greater than all the petty fights and hang-ups we had.

And that was our journey to forever…

A Glimpse of the Past

When I was brought to this world, this was the role I first played. Growing up, I do as I’m told. I studied hard, had always been in the honour class and had maintained good grades. I did my chores. I did not do drugs or vices. I know I was a good daughter.

I got into high school and grew a little older. Things changed. My views changed. I saw the world in a different way; I got a little hard-headed and a bit opinionated.  Now, I had a hard time doing what I’m told. It’s not because I became a rebel. It’s just that there were things that I had to do my way; I developed a belief of my own. I was in the stage in which I want to try different things; to feel free and to experience life. I went out with friends and got drunk. I tried to smoke but never liked it. I skipped classes, failed some subjects and got tardy a few times. I was not miserable if you’re thinking that way; I was just enjoying myself.

After I graduated college, I went to review classes in preparation for the nursing board exams. The family was having problems with the finances. I stopped attending review classes and started looking for jobs. I know I’m not yet ready for the call center industry. I’m not yet that confident; my first attempt pretty much scarred me for life. Luckily, I had a friend who’s working in an online English teaching company. She gave me a referral and got the job. I was in heaven’s bliss. At that time, I’m having misunderstanding with my father. I had to leave home because I didn’t agree with his decisions for the family’s future anymore; I never agreed anyway.

Now, I had a family of my own. Never been happier! This was the best thing that ever happened to me. And I won’t trade it for anything…

We All Have Roles to Play

Writing has been close to my heart for as long as I can remember. As I child, I used to write poems, essays or even graffiti on the wall - if that would be considered as such. I even had a diary that I maintained until junior high. I just kept my thoughts to myself until I started blogging. It's not like I want to have an audience nor I want to let the world know about my day-to-day undertakings; it's just that I want all the best memories in my life to be documented.

I used to maintain a mommy blog: ikawnamagingnanay.i.ph. I got the inspiration of writing about the journey of my mommyhood from Maqui. She's the owner of www.madammisismummy.com where she keeps all her mummy experiences with his adorable son, Aki. However, the last time I checked, the blog site went on a permanent vacation. Too bad, the journal where I wrote all my experiences as a first time mom has gone to waste - just like that.

Now, I’ve decided to get back on blogging again. You may be wondering why it’s titled like that. I believe that all of us have different roles that we have played, we are playing and we will play in the future. I want to write mine in this blog. So when I will look back, with all the roles I’ve played, I know I’ve played my part and I did well.

I’ll be reminded on how I have lived my life. . .