cONGRATULATIONS TRISHA

The Proud God Mother...thatsssssssss me.... I want to shout to the world that Trisha won burger competition in New Zealand... 2 pointsbehind only from the National Champion and made her as first runner up... I am truly proud of Trisha for being a good cook... in her younger days in the Philippines we let her cook her own food but with our supervision...its astonishing that she even learned how to bake a tasty bread and got recipe that impressed other nationality... Trisha you brought honor to Filipinos as well...go home and I will have a marching band to salute you.....CONGRATULATIONS TRISHA!

True Colors!

I really appreciate this picture! this was taken at the wedding of my sister in law Sharon. What makes this picture special is the quarrel before this was taken. The alcohol issue that prior to this I asked my husband to bring a truck of beer instead of me as his wife....a picture paints a thousand words but not the real feelings...smile for a picture brings good memories....true memories I hope.

Bless my Dad's Soul!

This year, I missed my cousin Diamel. Being in Dubai she missed the Cemetery event, together the fun of looking up tall apartment kind of tombs.

The widows are always present, never fail to give flowers and candles to their late husbands...

I always present as ever....giving in to my mother's happiness and yearly tradition.

Last year our costume party was a success, no party this year, families who joined the party accounted their bad luck to the affair, not wanting to commemorate again the day of the dead...a western tradition that still taboo in our country.

Printed Job

It is so nice that in my work in Provincial Planning of Batangas Province, I got an opportunity to design and create an important manuscript that will be used by the whole Province. I will forever treasure and keep this important document in my heart. It is on the process of printing now and I am truly excited to have my own copy and show my friends and relatives how proud I am. For me, this one is already a remarkable achievement.

Thank You Lord for the Miracle!

The fence that prevented the car from continuous rolling.

Thank you Lord for the greatest miracle..... I was stunned when my mother told me that my beloved cousins met an accident in New Zealand. My Aunty Bambi and her 3 daughters, Chinnie, Trisha and Abby as the driver. They were cut by a fast car and as a new driver Abby instinctively stepped on the break and moved the wheel. The car hit the fence, the wood flew and land just in place of the wheel that prevented it from another rolling.

Jesus took the wheel for nobody was hurt, no scarce or muscle pain occurred.

God, thank you very much, I will not know what shall happen to me and my family if something bad happened to my God daughters, my much loved cousins and Aunty.

To you Castillo Family in New Zealand…please take a good care of yourselves for me, because I truly love all of you.

That incident made me appreciate the love of God more…a very good testimony of God's love to our family.

Sharon's Wedding

My sister in law finally tie the knot with her boyfriend Jong. As my wedding gift to them, I acted as the official photographer and shall create their wedding album...a new career for me...wedding photographer.

Work Issues!

I inquired to my Aunty Norma about the condition of my sick uncle through text message.

She replied with “ He is fine now and actually driving his jeep.” Relieved in hearing his fine condition, I informed mommy that my uncle is already healed and able to drive his jeep… what surprised me is the reaction of my mom.
Mommy: “Driving? Travelling? Why, where is he going?”
Me: “ Mom, but he is a driver, remember? He is working already!”

I once received a text inquiry, looking for my brother:
Texter: Hello, good morning, where is your brother?
Me: He is not here in the house, already in Hospital!
Texter: What ? in the Hospital? Why, is he sick, what happened to him?
Me: Hello…nothing to panic about… he is respiratory therapist and on duty
-----0-----

My officemate: Hey, where are you going?
Me: Well, I am on my way up!
My officemate: Wow congratulations, another promotion?
Me: No! Another transfer of location! From first floor to 2nd floor!

Text Away to Far Away!

Walking to her life long dreams, everybody bid her farewell with a smile!

Diamel, after passing series of Nurse's examinations and exerting so much effort in improving her qualifications and become more deserving in good paying job, now strong enough to fly to Dubai. Being my constant companion, I can be a good testimony to her hardships and her grip to lifelong dreams.
Now in her walk to her lifelong dreams, we wish her good fortune and God’s grace.
Grab it Diamel! I am missing you at the same time smiling for you…not need to be emotional now , rather should be excited with your wonderful journey! I will continue to hitch with your van wagon, I hope you don’t mind!

The Devil and the Duck

Forwarded email by a friend worth sharing to you....

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm.He was given a slingshot to play without in the woods.He practiced in the woods; but he could never hit the target.Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner.As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck.. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved!In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his Sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.After lunch the next day Grandma said, 'Sally, let's wash the dishes'But Sally said, 'Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen.'Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?'So Johnny did the dishes.Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, 'I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper.'Sally just smiled and said, 'well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help?She whispered again, 'Remember the duck?' So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's; he finally couldn't stand it any longer.He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, 'Sweetheart, I know... You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.'

Thought for the day and every day thereafter:Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... And the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.)....whatever it is... You need to know that: God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life... He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you.The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness; He not only forgives you, but He forgets.It is by God's grace and mercy that we are saved.

Go ahead and make the difference in someone's life today.Share this with a friend and always remember:God is at the window! When Jesus died on the cross; He was thinking of you.

Secret and Maturity

My being so transparent with my emotions called attention of my department head. Being my senior, she's more experienced and knowledgeable in working in the Government and in doing public service. After talking to her 'I suddenly realised how young I am and how much more should I know. There are things and plans i should keep to myself as a secret. The ability to keep quiet and secretive is another sign of employee's maturity. I really value the way she talked to me, some words hit me straight to my face, but gave me a knowledge no school can provide.

Public service is a sacrifice of your oneself, bounded by rules every where you go. Courtesy t o everybody at all time should be observed. Be polite to everybody even to hardest kind of People. Everything I will do shall reflect to the office I am serving.

I am a government employee, a public servant and not just me.

The Lambs!

One of the religions here in my country promotes peace and happiness. You could see the members generally happy. Don’t care about people issues, just happy. You do them a favor and they are happy, they praise God and forget about you but they are happy. The goodwill of people to them is because of God, blessings from God and not because of people around that did them a favor, everything from God. The members always smile and contented. They are obedient to the leader and follow his commands. They believe in their head’s interpretation of the Bible, to his dreams and to the whispered knowledge by God to his ears. He artistically converts his likes to Bible verses. You are unlikely to question their knowledge for its Bible based and disobeying means low in faith. You must be open handed and share your financial blessing to be blessed more and more. They got Sunday mass, watching dawn, MWF bible studies, but they are happy. But once you ceased from going to their church, they will accused you of running away from God and seemed waiting for your curse for not following God. No family special occasion is acceptable to absent from Church’s activities, God above all. A practice of saying sorry Lord will be implemented and you will not feel good enough, hitting your conscience and never contented in your status with God…but they are happy…always trying to please God in all their ways. Followers seemed taboo in many ways, but they are happy.
They are happy to know God, happy to have a promise of 2nd life and they are happy to have an assurance of eternal life from Jesus, who died in the cross. Is that really all to be happy?
I felt it odd to be like that, obeying without question, listening to somebody you didn’t really know the credentials and believing of what you can’t see. Seemed numb and in another dimension. But they are really happily blessed. Consoled that if today is bad day, only God knows the reason and they are happy. Amazing! Are you not curious of their being happy too? God is my director! God Bless you more and more as you read my blogs!

Loving is something to do!

Love, love ,love...there is no such thing as "nothing to do"... go love, love love! Not necessarily making love. (LOL) but LOVE!... Happy weekend!

God is my director! God Bless you more and more as you read my blogs!

Love is not apple!

Albert Einstein declared the innocence of gravitation in falling in love. If it's not gravity, so what really is the thing that causes for us to fall in love?
All I know is the crucial participation of first impression in falling in love!
When people meet, first impression is the key that opens the potential good future together, everything you say and do after that will be filtered through it. Seeing as by no means to know when, where and who you will encounter, be always prepared for such situation and do some conscious groundwork to get right first impression.

I think simple smile will going to help. Smiling, will show magnificent aura, acceptance and will appear so attractive and likable even if not that much physically beautiful. This might cause someone to fall in love with you but to stay in love is another issue.

Blocked World!

The world will remain wonderful even in the midst of miseries... Just don't look down, rather look up to our God of mercy and see his wonders. Your perspective is the color that paints your world, don't let troubles block your sight and fade the colors of your world.

Be the painter and not the Model, dictate the color of your world!

Tawa-tawa for Dengue Fever

Herbal medicines are not that utilized here in my place. Though it can be found everywhere, people prefer over the counter medicines from drugstores, medicines with very good advertisements and name recall. However when a Television Program discuss medical property of a certain plant, with human testimonies, though still no Medical studies and proven healing properties, everyone acquire interest, fuzz around and cramming to search for the plant.

One of those is the so called Tawa-Tawa herbal plant or asthma weed. It’s like Julia Roberts after the Pretty Woman movie, box office hit. The plant was discovered to cure the fatal dengue fever and saved many lives of dengue victims. Well, it does not really fight dengue virus but it is perceived to promote the development of blood platelets and softens the effect of the dengue virus. It has certain property within that believed to stabilize the membrane, preventing internal bleeding and aids in healing process while body is coping to fight the viral infection of dengue.

I personally experienced the healing property of the plant that scattered around our house like wild grass. One of my cousins who was confined and with dropping number of platelets, after drinking tawa-tawa tea, astoundingly survived the danger of dengue. Once a child got fever, a tawa-tawa tea will be the first aid. My other cousin Arjhon who got slight fever and stomach pain were confined in hospital. As suspected dengue victim, almost a bucket of tawa-tawa tea was forced to him without the knowledge of the Doctor. No significant findings other than fatty liver after series of medical test, no dengue and no nothing but still stomach pains. After a week of confinement, we found out that he only suffered dyspepsia or indigestion due to over eating (maybe aggravated by our secret medicine. LOL).

If we just further analyzed the first symptoms and not panicked for dengue, the worst condition will be just a piece of over the counter pill. People tend to overdo it; too much eulogy for Tawa-tawa plant could also be dangerous.

More can survive from Volcano explosion

than stomach blast.
Everything in excess is really bad.

This plant could be just around your house. Tawa-tawa plant is like a wild grass, sometimes reddish in color, very small leaves and sometimes flat in the ground.

I don't need, but I do WANT a million!

I need a million if I desire something to buy, a car, a house or a new widget,
but I have an old car, home to stay and no time for new equipment.
I need a million if I have severe case of illness or cancer to heal,
but I am healthy enough and need no medication nor a pill.
I need a million if a want to transfer to a beautifully stunning place,
But my tropical place is so enticing and ideal place to stay.
I need a million if I have to sue somebody and bring a claim,
But I have civil liberties and fair enough to have shame.
I need a million if I have grand occasions and event to fund for,
But I am simple and need no more fancy customs.
I need a million if I need to renovate incredible part of my own,
But I am normal enough to pass preference of my love.
I need a million if I don’t have God of provision and wealthy,
But my God is rich and bestowed contentment in me.
I don’t need a million!
But I do want a million,
I’m no hypocrite to admit that I WANT it!

Funny Bones 2

Kid: “Nanny look, boats!”
Nanny: “Those are not boats, they are yachts.”
Kid: “Nanny, what are yachts and how do we spell it?”
Nanny: “Oh you are right; those are boats…B O A T S
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Woman carrying sick baby, entered doctor’s office.
Doctor: “Bottle fed?”
Woman:” No, breast fed”
The male doctor checked and squeezed the woman’s breast repeatedly.
Doctor: The problem is you don’t have milk in your both breasts!
Woman: “I am the NANNY! DOCTOR, I AM ONLY A NANNY!"
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The eggs that the Nanny bought turned out to be rotten, she stormed back to the grocery and told the vendor, “Sir your eggs smell bad!”
__________________________________________
Mother asked the Nanny to buy 2(Two) newspapers, 1 Philippine Inquirer and 1 Filipino Star, the nanny came back and said: “Madam, no Philippine Inquirer available, so I just bought you 2 Filipino Stars instead!”
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Nanny: Huh u huhu!
Madam: Nanny why are you crying?
Nanny: I got so many pimples Madam hu huh u!
Madam: What causing that too much pimples of you?
Nanny: I hardly sleep at night Madam hu hu hu!
Madam: Ha? And why you can’t sleep at night!?
Nanny: Because I have big problem hu hu hu!
Madam: What is that problem?
Nanny: My PIMPLES hu hu hu!
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The maid burned a hole in her boss uniform.
Boss: Hey what happened to this? How did you burn this?
Maid: Secret! I‘ll never tell!
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I overheard our neighbor’s Nanny, “Jun jun, chew your mouth! come on chew your mouth Jun jun!
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Caller: Nanny this is your boss, I got an accident and need cash!
Nanny: Oh no, you are just a prankster! Fool!
Caller: You fool; I am your real boss!
Nanny: Excuse me; my boss calls me “CUP CAKE!”
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Once, I asked the Nanny, “Do you know where is Netherland is located? “Madam, I think it’s where Peter Pan lives” she answered.”

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Neighbor’s Nanny telling her ward to climb down the stairs: “Down to earth! Down to earth!”

Have you seen her sleep?

Every morning ,when I woke up, I would hurry to my Mom’s room. I would watch her breath in and out for a minute, if she’s not snoring Iwould pay close attention to her breast if still moving or pumping. After assuring she’s still alive, I would call her and would ask her how she feels and how was her sleep. That’s my daily routine before doing my morning agenda.

Then she would rise up before my schedule of leaving for work, the traditional courtesy of “Mano” or grabbing and kissing her hand. She would bid and wish me blessings from God everyday. I could feel her hands dry and rough, evidence of hardships she conquered for us. I know she stares at me as I leave for work.

When I was young, my mom,as a public school teacher was the one who leaves me at the house. Every morning she would kiss me and leave a mark of her lipstick in my cheeks. I watched as she walks away, 100% assured she will come back home for me every afternoon. I could still remember how secured I was with my mother and how happy I was having her lips marked in my cheeks. At night she leads us in prayer, directly talking to God and asking for guidance, then my brother and I sleeping in both sides, leaning in her arms, funny that it was an issue where she should face in sleep, my brother made sure to hold her hand all night and me would hold her breast. Mother,our refuge.

My Mom stood up strong enough in receiving medal of valor for my father who died in a battle when I was a baby; she worked hard every day for me and my older brother. She acted more as a father in discipline and was armed by thick leather belt of my father. “Someday I don’t want people say that having no father made you grew morons and undisciplined individuals”, her fear for our character brought her to use force to us, her children. But her constant nagging and scolding were because of her true love to us. We will not be like these without the values she instilled to us. We might genetically good persons but moreover its how Mommy raised us.

Now I am the one who leaves her every day, the one I was waiting to come home, awaits for me now every night.

My mother who carried heavy bags of goods to sell as sideline, in order to sustain our education, could hardly walk now ,her legs were not as strong as before. Now partly dependent to somebody’s help and the once strong lady is getting older and weaker as time passes by. The independent mother who gives her life to us needs us. The giver is slowly transforming into receiver.

More often than not, her too much asking now hurts me, I believe she still can do all she wishes for. Part of me could not accept that my idol, my refuge and my hero is not immortal at all. It angers me to pity her and could not stop the pain of my mounting insecurities. With her weakend body and long list of medicine maintenance, how long will I watch her sleep?

How much time do I have to wake her up in the morning? I can’t imagine life without my Mommy. Reality that nobody can change, someday we need to part our ways. But we can still prolong the happiness together, we can still enjoy the time left for us.

Mommy, while you can still read and understand, I am writing this to you.

I want you to know how much I love you, how I praise God for giving you to me as a mother. How proud I am to come out of a body of a loyal wife and greatest Mother.

Please understand my shortcomings Mommy.Please understand that I as individual, got my own life, beliefs and destiny. I am truly sorry if somehow I failed you. I might not the best daughter a mother could have, but God knows I tried to be one and still aspiring to be one.I hope somehow ,I made you proud Mommy and I really anticipate achieving even just half of your expectations in an ideal daughter.

Mommy, no matter what, and how much we differ from each other, rest assured that for the rest of your life ‘I will take care and love you Mommy. I will be your eyes for direction, your friend to walk with and your daughter, who will trade everything just to be with you.

Thank you Mommy,you are the greatest blessing to me and Kuya, I really love you!

Treasure beside my place

A 30 minute drive from my place is the Taal Lake and the famous Taal Volcano. As work dictated, we saturated the whole place to control illegal fish cages in the lake. Work became fun when I saw the place. Clear water, untouched forest, simple living families and foods everywhere for everybody. No wonder even with the great risk of Volcano eruption, people still choose to stay and only Government force evacuation order can make them leave. Yes its home in paradise, except for some environment turbulence.

Fruit bearing trees around reminded me of my childhood where I could climb all trees and get fruits as much as I can. Even children can catch fish for lunch, so fresh air and so clear water for swimming. Serene Place ideal for thinking, so perfect for vacation. With interesting stories from locals, so welcoming and a very nice stop from everyday life. I would like to stay for a week myself, though 30 minute drive from home; it was so distant in everything. So outdated and so unpopulated in every way...encouraging simple living with loving God of providence.

Please let me know your thoughts by commenting in my posts!

Bleeding in Love!

There is this thing that we call instinct... you will know when he is the ONE. The mind might not understand and only the heart can know. Tragic that most of the times,when your heart found the real one... situation dictates that you are no longer the ONE for him. He is the best for you but you are not for him,you can not be with him, well that's not that hard to understand and accept....for some...others have courage to claim it, fight for it, even if it meant diving the toilet bowl full of shit... and then writing your relationship status as "COMPLICATED".

An office mate asked," How could a married lady afford to show so much affection to somebody other than her husband?

I answered like a beauty pageant contestant, "Dear, not all girls got the chance to have the ONE they wished for a husband, the ONE that their hearts yearn for. Sometimes seeing the one across the road is enough, laughing with the ONE is a bonus and just by merely meeting your ONE could be the best thing can ever happen to one's heart even if it meant forever physically separated and bleeding in love forever!"

Please let me know your thoughts by commenting in my posts!

Asking God

Out of nowhere my Bus mate said “ How come God created us to bear child, amazing and why doing it feels so wonderful? We all laughed as we thought of questioning God and how he designed our body?
What if the Vagina were placed somewhere else? In the hands, in the nape… we laughed when our Guy co- passenger suggested in the forehead… ladies will always have blackened eyes, and what if the Guy thing were the one placed at the forehead? Surely you will see nothing, because you got balls to cover your eyes… What a way to Praise God and His wonderful creations... Never question God's purpose, end of conversation.

Please let me know your thoughts by commenting in my posts...let's be friends!

Hunger Strike!

I will use his weakness as my advantage. My stumbling blocks as stepping stone. What is in alcohol, that he would trade my love and sanity?... As he ruins his body... I will love myself more and more everyday. Why should I let his vices destroy my beauty? No Way!


Please let me know your thoughts by commenting in my posts...let's be friends!

Just for fun!

My work gives me opportunity to see different things. I wonder how adults let this child to play with saw... His fingers at risk and his another finger totally shown to everybody...What a toy...

A 75 year old lady washing clothes on top of their kitchen or lavatory...

A teenager busily watching the dismantling activity caught my attention, girls beside me were busy laughing at his butt.

I should always get ready my camera for the funny side of my work.