2011 Wishes

I often find myself jotting a mental note at the start of the year to slow down.  A resolution that has long belonged at the top of my list.  Yet, I continued allowing stress to define my days, leaving no other alternative route.  I breathed it.  I lived it.  Subjecting my being to stress was my way of getting tasks accomplished FAST.

*My anthem 2 years ago.

Then one day, I packed up, locked the door and left stress behind.  In a previous blog, I proudly hanged on to a no resolution year this 2011.  Setting myself free from commitments or resolutions, I believe,  handed me over that invigorating break I deserve. 

But, I do have wishes that were brought to life  by my days in 2010.   At this point, I cross my fingers that one day, this year, all these will come true (or never happen again). 

First,  I wish to learn how to play the piano...exactly like how my friend's husband "makes love" with his piano.  Hehe!

Second, I wish this never happens again.  Ever!

     

What Typhoon Basyang left behind ... an overnight stay at the ICU and a 3-day accommodation at Asian Hospital.  And that folks is what stress is all about.  

Third, I wish that my love for making Mother's Heart necklaces will continue on despite the pain I feel in my right hand and the long hours devoted for making just one.

Fourth, I wish that in some way we inspire the Pharmacy staff ...

... and I wish to provide more employment opportunities to frustrated job-seekers by opening our 2nd branch here :) 

San Nicolas, Bayanan.

Fifth, I wish that my 5th year with J. Bond will be blessed by this :) ...

... where I can park my "wish" car too...

Hehe!

And lastly, I wish that our stars are destined for each other :)

How about you?  What's your wish for 2011?

Thanksgiving Day

I have been blessed and raised by parents who have unconditionally loved and nurtured my every step,  every triumph and every fall. In ups and in downs, I lean on them for strength and courage. I live, love and stand tall because of them.

Mom and Dad circa-70s

Yet, not all are born with luck on their shoulder. 

On this day, I was scheduled to deliver new bead stocks to Sonya's Garden.  Little did I know that a slight slow down along the major road of Tagaytay would lead me to a blue 2-story home that serves as temporary shelter for 32 abandoned children, with age range of 1 month old-13 years old and 1/4 of which are children with special needs.  After a brief introduction and a little get-to-know-you with the head guardian, Sister Carina gladly accommodated my spur-of-the-moment request to hold a simple Thanksgiving activity with the children on the 23rd of October.

There are so much to thank for, a realization that came along after having gone through  a major detour on health a few months ago.  I am  better now, with lesser visits to my doctor, and absolutely feeling blessed for having survived.  That day I first stepped foot at Little Angels Home I knew I was meant to return for 3 reasons ... to meet the Little Angels ... to celebrate the birthdays of 3 special people from the Pharmacy  ... and  to give thanks for a second chance in Life.

On October 23, we arrived well-prepared. Somehow thinking that there won't be much difference from the usual school activities we do.  We thought wrong.

The Little Angels looked happy.  They seemed normal.  But when the games started, we did not finish. 

Everyone craved for the grand prize even by those who did not join the game.  No one accepted defeat and faced their downfall with whining and loud outbursts.  When lootbags were equally distributed, everyone wanted to get the other's lootbag and asked for more.

The story-telling activity did not happen. It was with extreme difficulty to tell a 5-minute story amidst children who were only interested to get hold and claim  the puppets as their own. 

The younger ones opted to play solo. Sharing was absolutely close to impossible (unless they hear a stern reminder from Sister Carina). Then it hit me.  Life for these angels is not about being selfish or winning the grand prize. They are too young to understand.  But rather, it is all about surviving and living life alone.

In a nutshell, Sister Carina shares that these children have been abandoned by parents who can no longer provide.  Once abandoned, they are up for adoption. 

I ended this day with a heavy heart.  I needed more time to get to know each one. The toys, spaghetti, hotdogs, marshmallows, cupcakes, games, balloons, bubbles were not enough.  There was more that they longed for.

 They longed for attention.

They asked for an arm around their shoulder.

The toddlers stretched out their arms up high to be carried, cuddled and swung around.

They sought for affection and warm kisses.

They are not meant to be sold for Php4,000.  Just like the baby in my arms.  All they want is to be loved.

a 13-second video on the Little Angels Thank You performance

I will return for a 4th reason.

Children's toys back then

We're ready!  Not for another bazaar but for this Saturday's Thanksgiving Activity  sponsored by the October birthday celebrants of Generika Drugstore-Bahayang Pag-asa Branch (the Pharmacy).

Remember the toy shopping J. Bond and I did during set-up day? Well, here's some of the loot all packed-up and ready for distribution.

Fixing the loot made me reminisce my childhood days, when computers and internet were still non-existent.  Lol!  But back then, it was definitely fun with lots of INTERACTION.  Now  is a different  thing.  Kids have become so hi-tech and gadget freaks.

So for this coming Saturday, I have opted to share the pleasures that ruled my life when I was a child.  I hope the kids of Little Angels Orphanage enjoy the simple stuff as much as I did.

Bubbles in bear containers

Colorful candies in hammer-like toys

Do kids still play jackstone?  I used to.  A lot.

How about pick-up sticks?

My time was all about Hello Kitty and Little Twin Stars stickers.  Now, it's Anime and High School Musical to name a few.

Prizes for fun games.  I'm so excited to see the Little Angels play bowling.

There's a lot more in store for the kids aside from these toys.  Can't wait any longer to see their smiles :) 

Simple and Initmate Celebration

Even if busy, one should still give time to a bit of relaxation.  Especially when it has something to do with someone's special day. 

And so it was J. Bond's day yesterday (10-12-10).  But the "simple" and "intimate" celebration happened last Sunday. Nothing to do with our current status of being middle-age when life is en route to slowing down, we have actually been this way since our pre-marriage years. We'd rather drown our nights in our own world ... drinks, pizza and with a few good friends...at home. Or, embrace the cool climate of Tagaytay.

Last Sunday, off we went to Tagaytay to celebrate the arrival of middle age.

Started the day with our regular 8:45am Sunday Mass at the basketball court of Alabang Hills Village.  This is where the Alabang Hills Village Christmas Bazaar will happen too ...

Then off we went to Tagaytay for lunch at Bawais.  Known for their home and freshly-cooked Vietnamese dishes and served amidst a cozy and lush eco-environment, Bawais has been one of my favorite destinations in Tagaytay.  Know more about Bawais HERE.

The view while dining in Bawais.

The backyard ...

An nth time visit for me and J. Bond.  The first time for my in-laws.

Two of my favorite dishes.  The first - GOI CUON:  Vietnamese fresh lumpia served with Bawai's peanut sauce.

And second - BUN BO XAO:  Dry noodles with seared beef and vegetables. 

An image that I stare at each time I visit Bawai's.

Articles on Bawais mounted on their wall.

The celebrant right after lunch!  Lol!!!

 A visit to Mary Ridge Good Shepherd Convent after lunch for a few goodies.

This is where I buy Sugar Free Strawberry (real strawberries!!!) jam, honey ...

... and lemongrass soaps too.

Last stop was here to finalize the details of the Pharmacy's Thanksgiving Celebration on October 23, 2010 ...

There's so much to thank for.  Our days.  A year older.  Trials. Successes. Blessings. Even Tears. Dreams. Laughter.  Love.  Life.

TIME TO GIVE BACK.  Meet the Little Angels of Little Angels Home Orphanage. 

I'll surely share the details of our Thanksgiving Celebration  with you soon.  For now, back to reality.  I'm so ready for this :)

 Hope to see you there!