40 days

This week we observe the Season of Lent . It starts on the day of Ash Wednesday (which was February 22, 2012) and ends on Black Sunday (which falls on April 7, 2012) . In this season, it is our time to take a pause on our daily activities and take a personal breather and recharge our spiritual side. This is our chance to renew our personal conversation with our Creator and reflect on our doings for the entire year. It is also our chance to repent on our sins and to spent time together with our loved ones.

Have a Blessed and enlightening Holy Week to all!

Month of March

March is Fire Prevention Month and Earth Hour. Aside from the end of school and Graduation season here in Philippines, we commemorate these two important observance that is very significant in our daily lives. Fire Prevention and Earth Hour is co-related to each other if one could observe. This relates to our environment, the preservation of our Mother Nature and the proper use of our electricity that is generated by the electrical power plants which is in turn powered by our Natural Resources. Usually, fire occurs because of electrical wastage and abuse. The use of unattended candle due to blackouts and the improper use of electricity that results to short circuits causes it. Thus, it is important that we have to once in a while remember our basics and preserve energy. Because preserving energy is one way to preserving our natural resources and keep our Mother nature to its healthiest form. 

Tomorrow, March 31 , is the celebration of Earth Hour. Usually, we encourage every household to spare 1 hour of lights off and to observe a no-use of-electrical power. Because if every one will cooperate, Mother Nature benefits. So thus, we.

Blog"gig"

I just discovered about blogging about 3 years ago but really didn't mind it. Since I'm not a cyber freak, I really don't have any idea of what "blogging" is all about until my office-mates earned money from it. I just took this seriously by last quarter of last year. This I discovered is like a diary of one's personal experience, interests and anything one can talk about. I find it very advantageous for the following reasons:

• Interesting, because it's not only sharing my inner most thoughts but the fact that I came to meet new friends aside from Facebook. 
• Productive too compared to Facebook because of the earnings I'll be getting. (Note: As of now, I haven't gotten my fair share because I'm still starting and still learning.)
• Amusing, because aside from getting new friends here, I discovered different facets of people's personality in their own site design which I find it interesting.
• Informative, because of blogging, I came to know new facts and insights through blogger's topics.
• Charitable. Through this, many are organized to create a group which they do for helping other's.
• Fun. I am thankful that I was introduced to this because I enjoy doing my journals on a daily basis. I just discovered writing is fun especially if fellow bloggers are following you and that satisfies me and challenges me to do better in my writing.
• Self-fullfilled.

These are some of the things why I love blogging. I hope that it will continue helping others. Long-live blogosphere!

Passing Away

Today, around 12 noon, our grandmother passed away in her death bed. Not in the hospital but at home. She's the mother of my mother-in-law. We were just there last night to visit. But the entire family is just waiting for her farewell. They knew that it will be coming soon. My Mother-in-law pass by yesterday at my grandmother's doctor and honestly told her there's nothing more they can do because her kidney is totally not functioning well. The doctor even told her that eating in solid and liquid form is avoided already. More so, even if admitting her in the hospital won't help because she can easily acquire virus now that her immune system is very weak. The aunt of my husband told me that half her body down has no sensation at all. This morning the siblings of my mother-in-law were at their house because they knew they're just waiting for hours.

At this time, I recalled how also my other grandmother passed away. I was there in the hospital in her last breath. My grandmother passed away peacefully like she's just sleeping. But it was really painful seeing my grandfather beside my grandma. He talked to my grandma like she just listens. That's why I was kind of traumatized this time. I only saw once the grandmother of my husband in her bed. But I never came to take a peek on her after that because it pains my heart. Now, the entire family grieves with the lost of a family member.  And I pray, that "Lola Toling" will rest in peace. She's now pain-free and worry-free because she's now with the Lord.

Magnum explosion

Since there is no excuse for me to indulge of anything I want to eat because I am still in my first trimester, I am craving recently for Magnum ice cream. While it's already advertised in the television, I told my husband to buy me one. It looks creamy and velvety in the inside and smooth and chocolately at the outside. And not to forget the crunch you hear when you take the first bite. Oh! can't wait to take a bite on it. For only Php50.00, one could taste its royalty as what the commercial brings us. I think I'm gonna buy one 'cause were going to the mall today to buy some stuff.  Hmm.. can't wait to be off in the office now.

Responsible Parenthood

I just remembered yesterday about the news I saw last week in the television. I told my husband if he has seen it. And yes, it was also featured in the internet. It was about an Indonesian boy of about 8 years old who is already a chain smoker. I was totally shocked when I heard it. And caught my attention thus glued myself in the TV. This boy started smoking at the age of 4 years old and even his parents gave him money to buy cigarettes. Even drinks coffee with it. I was really stunned and dismayed about this. The parents are very much responsible for this boy especially it's health. I worry about the child's lungs. At age 4, it's suppose to be a fragile and delicate organ system that must be taken cared of. As a mother, I'm very much protective of my daughter's health even to the extent of not going outside the house especially near night time because of mosquito bites that causes Dengue fever.

Children should not be exposed in such vices. I am much confident that Philippine government won't tolerate such acts especially to minors since Indonesian government don't have policies on that. However, the parents are the responsible people to teach their children and must be a good role model  to their children. It is said that the family is the first hand information of their children thus parents must exercise.

As of the moment, this 8-year old Indonesian boy goes into a 1 month rehab for him to be a normal child again.

Full-packed weekend

It was indeed a memorable weekend for my family. The birthday surprise and homecoming was a success. I guessed it right. My mom got teary-eyed upon seeing my brother in flesh together with his wife. Everybody got shocked on the following days as my relatives got to see them one-by-one. I missed my brother. He's no longer our younger 'baby' brother like we're used to. He's grown up into a fine, responsible man. And that makes me a happy and proud sister.

Anyway, when we got to our dinner place, my mom wondered why there are many seats prepared for us. We joked her that we invited some of her former hospital-mates. She just flashed a grin in her face. I told her mom you can't just backed out because we made this special for you. So she just stayed and played with her grandchildren. Then came her sister and the husband. This was not a big surprise for her because all along she knew it. And then after a while, we got a bit hungry, so started the dinner. And then arrived my brother and his wife. That was the most heartfelt reunion. That moment, I felt that I missed my family very much. There's no other thing in this world that is valuable to me than my family. It was so good to be reunited again!

The wait is over

There are two events I am looking forward this first quarter of the year and this is the most awaited moment. Today marks the birthday of my mother and the homecoming of my brother. Finally, we will be complete for a while. My brother and his wife will be here for a surprise birthday for our mother as well as taking their 2-week vacation break. We booked dinner at a buffet restaurant and ordered this beautiful flowers for our mother's 62nd birthday. This is made by my florist office-mate.

See how beautiful this bouquet of flowers are? Mind you this weighs a bit because it composes dozens of roses in it. I very love its creation. The fact that these are a bunch of roses which my mom adores. I bet my mom will surely love this and I think she will get teary-eyed once she'll receive this in which my brother will hand over this to her. Oh! I'm looking forward to 5 o' clock this afternoon. 

A Surprise Birthday and a Homecoming

Tomorrow, March 23, my mom will be turning 62. I am excited since we will be celebrating it which will surprise her. My sister had been talking lately for this occasion. And I hope she did not even have a hint that my brother and her wife will be home from London just for her birthday. This is the surprise. However, when I talked with my sister a while ago, my mom said she knew about the plan (I hope not of my brother's coming home). When my sister 'cross-examine' her about her knowledge on tomorrow's planned dinner at Chippen's, my mom was hesitant. She don't want to have a big party and spend. But my sister insisted that we should celebrate for her special day. All she have to do is to be present since we have prepared everything for it including the expense. She agreed in the end but with a condition that she don't want too many people. Or else, she will walk out..duh I hope not mom! Secretly, we invited her close sister and the husband and the family of my sister-in-law. Everybody don't know about their homecoming. I hope not even mom. I am very excited too to see my brother and her wife. Excited because  first when they moved to London, I was still pregnant with Mariella. But now that they are already playful and can walk, I would be happy to share with them the joy these two kids bring to us. (The other one by the way, Danna, is the daughter of my older sister).

I am looking forward for tomorrow!

"75th Araw Ng Dabaw" fever

The heat and excitement is on! Tomorrow, March 16, will be a special non-working holiday for us Davaoeños as we celebrate the 75th Araw Ng Dabaw. Today, I had a taste of what might be the situation of the big event. As we headed to my OB-Gynecologist in downtown area, the traffic was terrible! Not only because everybody are busy in the preparation but some of the major streets in Davao are under construction. Thus making the vehicles decongested and re-routing was done which caused a bit chaos. Some of the major streets were closed due to some areas that were used for bazaars and some events to highlight and welcome the festivities tomorrow. Per my office-mate, PAGASA is predicting it will be a rainy day for us. So be prepared and bring your umbrellas and jackets with you for your safety. For your quick reference, here I am posting the schedule of activities prepared for this occasion.

So come to Davao City to experience what are in-stored in the City. Happy 75th Araw Ng Dabaw to everybody!

Dating and Courtship (Part 2)

As in my previous post entitled "Dating and Courtship," I am making a continuation of that story. So here it is: When I already found a plot about courtship, I browse to the story itself. It's quite interesting and heartwarming since I again remember the "heart-melting" moments when I was on that stage. Their story was, I would say, a match made in heaven. It's because both prayed for their right partners from the very start of their lives. As in when they we're still babies! Of course their parents started praying for the right partners of their children when they were still babies. Parents also has a major role in finding our right partners. Not to meddle but just to guide their children. This is the proper love story to be followed to individuals who are still searching for their right partners and couples who are about to take their relationship into the next stage which is marriage.

Click below for the whole story. I didn't help but share this story with you because I know it will melt your heart. 'Cause it did in me. Hope you will enjoy!

Courtship: A Love Story 

by Jennie Ethell Chancey