A New Beginning: A Filipino Mom's Journal: May 2006

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Does God have an email add?

It would have been so convenient if we only knew God's email add. Sometimes it's just too hard to guess if we're interpreting His signs correctly. It's during times like these that I wish I could simply write Him an email to ask what He's trying to tell me. Then, He'd reply to my email, and ... darahhh!!! ... i'd get specific answers to all my questions! Wow!

I've always thought heaven's a lot more high-tech than us here. Who knows maybe He does have one ;)

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Looks Can Be Deceiving

Has it ever happened to you that on the outside you look troubled, worried, haggard and it seems you’re carrying the whole world on your shoulders but deep inside you’re actually happy, at peace and contented? That’s exactly how I see myself right now. I guess the difficulties we encounter in our everyday lives may manifest in our physical looks but only God knows what’s in the deepest recesses of our hearts and minds. Only He knows that I value the blessings much more than the trials, and even statistically speaking, the former far surpasses the latter.

Sunday, May 21, 2006

The Birthday Party

Ok ... let me just see how far i can write coz in a few minutes i gotta cook Mama's special menudo for mah Bong & mah Thiel.

Thiel's party was held at a Jollibee branch near our place from 4:30-6:30pm last Monday (May15). The party coordinator at Jollibee originally quoted a price for a party package with a minimum of 50 persons, but we were able to bargain for a 30-guest package. They also agreed not to include the 'pabitin' and 'pinyata' so almost 50% was slashed from the cost! We had a very short list of guests that includes only the closest of our friends and their kids. Let me try to name all of them:

Irene w/kids Roneen & Christian
Christy w/kids Angel, Ryan and Christopher
Geng w/daughter Angel Veron
Kit w/daughter Mica and Lola Chayong
Kuya Mike w/kids Kimi, Briel & Alfea
Raquel w/kids Raniel, Renelyn & John Ace
Our Ninang Via w/grandchild Kylie
Ate Dads w/niece Den-den

plus us - the celebrant (Thiel), Papa Bong & Me
I guess that's it ... 27 all in all ... I remember we had some spare food that we brought home.

I could say the kids and their moms (and a lone dad, aside from papa bong -- kuya mike) had a great time because of the games. I felt just like a spectator coz i was carrying Thiel all the time, so all i could do was watch the games and kiss the V.I.P. in my arms. The celebrant wasn't in the best of moods. I guess he was still trying to get used to the place. His focus was on the balloons that surrounded the room. The moment he saw those balloons he wanted to grab them and play with them right away. The sound system was irritating because there were only a handful of people inside the room (w/c wasnt so big) yet the music & the mic were in full volume. I couldn't help but blame it for Thiel's unusual fussiness. I called the attention of one of the staff and requested to lower the volume. She did but after a few minutes, it was back to full-blast! Grrr. The party host started late, probably waiting till ALL the guests arrive. I think the food was served only during the last 30 minutes of our time slot. And I didn't have enough time to eat because while hurrying up to eat and trying to feed Thiel, the host called on us go to each table to pose with the guests for pic-taking (sigh). Papa Bong was the official photographer while Ninang Irene also took some shots from her digital camera so i hope to upload the pics here soon. The Jollibee mascot was part of the program and guess what! Thiel got scared of him and cried. Then all the other babies cried too - Mica, John Ace and Christopher. It took a while before I could pacify my Thiel and I had to do a lot of coaxing and explaining and showing to him that Jollibee is harmless and that he's a friend before he got comfortable with him. (break ... gotta cook first ... will continue later)

(am back ...)
I wouldnt say the party was a disaster. Coz as i said, i think the guests enjoyed and that's what's important. Maybe it's just from my point of view as a first timer when it comes to holding a children's party in a famous fast-food chain that made me feel uneasy. Besides, Thiel gets to bring home lots of balloons and his birthday cake which we forgot to slice and give to the guests. He was also able to make some neighborhood kids happy by distributing extra give-aways packed on a plastic bag which had different toys and stickers. He himself had so much fun when the kids were all around him as he gave them the bags.

I was so touched when we opened the gifts. It seems everyone made extra effort to look for the nicest gifts for Thiel. It made me feel their love for him and how special he is to all of them. Thank God for loving friends. Thanks so much, guys. Your presence alone is enough, but you gave more. I love you all!

P.S. Special thanks to Kuya Mike for patiently waiting for us while Bong pays the balance and giving us a ride home.

Monday, May 15, 2006

D-Day

The birthday celebrant is fast asleep right now. His morning nap was delayed due to the early pleasant surprise visit of his ninong rey (venzon) and ninang evelyn (dy), my former boss and co-worker, respectively, at sss.

He was unusually super duper hyperactive today, from the time he woke up. It was as if he's aware that it's a special day for him. As soon as he opened his eyes, i sang him the birthday song. His papa did the same when i brought thiel downstairs and his papa was in the kitchen preparing breakfast.

We went to Sto. Domingo church to give thanks to the One who has given us this wonderful angel. There was no more mass. I think the masses during weekdays are only up to 8am. We probably got there past 9am. So, we just prayed and afterwards, took some pics of thiel and he had fun walking at the long corridors outside the church.

It's a good thing that he's resting right now so that he would be fresh and ready for his small celebration late this afternoon. i hope (ill do my best) to narrate the details of the party next time.

I praise and thank our dear Lord for Thiel's first year on earth. Thank You for his good health, for guiding me in taking care of him, for Your protection and for Your provision. Most of all, I thank You for the miracle that is Thiel.

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y M Y D E A R S O N ! ! ! I l o v e y o u ! ! !

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

I didn't notice it's been more than a week since i've last updated. I guess i was just having so much fun with Thiel that nothing can be more important than being with him. Besides, i got so many things on my mind that i wanted to write about and once i sit in front of my pc, i always end up undecided which one to write first, thus not writing anything at all... nyahaha!

Till next time ...