God works in mysterious ways. There's a reason for every season.
Sometimes I just can't fully comprehend why things happen.
But
Maybe we are not supposed to understand.
Maybe we are to experience life the way we chose to live it and whatever our path leads to.

The night of my 45th birthday, my Dad called me and told me that he wasn't feeling well.
He must have been in pain that he forgot to wish me a "Happy Birthday!".
That night, my brothers took him to the hospital.
He had a mild heart attack and had some kidney problems.

A few days later, I flew in to Manila to be with him.
My brothers and I thought we had to say "good-bye" to a very special person.
2/3rd's of my Dad's heart had already been damaged by his previous heart attacks.
When I saw him, my heart couldn't bear the pain he's going through.
But with prayers, love and support - we are lucky that Dad recovered!

He's not totally the same.
He still has to go through dialysis and there are side effects and complications that the doctors are still trying to iron out.

Seeing someone you love helpless and in pain is just too much to bear.

When I was learning how to walk, my Dad was there to guide and teach me to walk. When Dad was having a tough time walking, I was glad that I was with him to guide and be his “stand”;

When I was learning how to use the spoon and fork, my Dad was there to feed and teach me; When Dad couldn’t feed himself, I was glad I was with him to help him eat and rub his back when swallowing was tough. (The ventilator temporarily damaged his throat that made it painful to swallow or talk)

When I was learning how to use the bathroom, my Dad was there to guide me and change me. When Dad couldn’t go to the bathroom like he used to on his own, I was glad I was with him to help him.

When I didn’t know how to speak, my Dad was there trying to understand my ramblings. When Dad couldn’t form the words, I was glad I was with him to try to understand what he wanted to say.

It is so painful and scary to be in this stage in one’s life. I wasn’t brave all the time. But I tried not to show it to him. Patience and love is the key – I guess.

BUT there’s no better nurse to my Dad than my Mom. She tirelessly looks after him, changes him, prays with him, and cooks for him. We didn’t have any private nurse now that Dad's been home – and Mom did most of the work! Seeing Mom takes care of my Dad is a true testament of her love for my Dad. That truly is TRUE LOVE!

Definitely “for better or for worse”!


I pray that Dad will continue to get better and that my Mom and my brothers who will be with him in the Philippines will have the strength, patience, resilience and faith to get through these very trying times in our lives (once again!)


One thing I can say is that we are blessed that with all the troubles and challenges my family's been through,
The love we have for each other is what keeps us stronger in times of these adversities.


My life seems to be on hold. I can't go on my day unless I know that this day is going to be a good day. I'm scared that a shoe will drop any day but at the same time, I know that God will take care of us.

Our world online has been a big help. Your words of love, support and prayers have helped me get through these chaotic times.

So to my "family" in this online world of ours:

People are all different, unique in every way.
Some express comfortably through spoken words,
Some pour out their feelings through written paragraphs.
Some understand a person just by seeing his/her face,
Yet some can just relate to another person just by hearing his/her voice.

Because of the internet, our world is getting smaller.
We can reach out and “say hello” as quickly as one’s browser loads.
Twenty five years ago, when I first moved here from the Philippines,
How I wished there’s a quick and inexpensive way to –
Say hi, how are you and what are you up to?
Share pictures, videos and chat online.

Back then (seems so ancient), post/mail takes two weeks if you’re lucky;
By the time one receives the letter and responds to any questions,
The story is already obsolete or lost its momentum.
If all these online functions were accessible then,
I probably wouldn’t have been so homesick almost 25 years ago.


Except for my 13-year old who does not truly use
the cell phone, email or any online social network,
Have you noticed that every one seems to be online at least once a day?
Whether you’re checking your kids’ grades in Power School
Catching up with friends thru Twitter, Blogger, WordPress, Motherhood, TST, Facebook, Friendster, Linked In or Myspace,
Following the market’s ups and downs (down..up...down...up...down..) or
Just chatting with family and friends far and near!
[ Thanks Mr. Al Gore for inventing the internet :) ]

To talk and listen about almost anything,
To pray, laugh, smile and be mad.
To support and be there for each other,
Even before actually shaking each other’s hands.


My husband is jealous of the online-circle.
He thinks it's a coven (ha!) that is supplanting his position in my emotional life.
He even mentioned that he might reformat my hard drive in order to reformat my membership. One simple innocent swipe of a magnet might reinstate him into his prior A-list role! (lol)

In a busy, hectic day –
Sometimes you just feel like posting your feelings, stories and questions.
Sometimes your partner is not there to entertain
your sometimes nonsensical views and questions.
Sometimes you just feel like “typing” away.

However, one has to realize
That there’s still nothing more uplifting and rewarding
Than the actual inter-personal interaction with your family and friends.

It is great that we can connect online,
Just like the 100 rainbow snowflakes my 8-year old made,
We all have stories to share and listen to,
We are individuals in this one big colorful world of ours!


You can send away big ((((hugs)))) and kisses ♥ ♥ ♥
LOL (laughing out loud), ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing),
LTM (laugh to myself), FMTYEWTK (far more than you ever want to know),

Keep a balance and give your loved ones tight hugs and kisses,
and plenty of quality unplugged time.


A big thank you for all your prayers. love, support and recognition:


Please visit and say hello to these wonderful women who took time to give me sweet "pat-in-the-backs". Their blogs are inspirational and their comments and inputs are just comforting.


Lori of "When We Listen" ( http://whenwelisten.blogspot.com/ )







Tami of "Diary of a Mad Woman" ( http://tami-diaryofamadwoman.blogspot.com/ )






Onna of Toddler Crafts ( http://www.toddlercraft.net/ ) awarded me with free advertising thru Dominique's site, "From Dominique's Desk" ( http://dominiquegoh.com/ ). You'll see GottaLoveMom's button on her site.
Felicia Kramer of "Another Bright Idea" ( http://feliciakramer.blogspot.com/ ) shared her Premio Meme award. My fellow Thursday-Sweet-Treat is one talented and compassionate artist. Go visit her site, too.

I'm sharing these to all of you:
Please visit the following sites, you'll be coming back for more!

http://offthebeatentrek.blogspot.com/
http://tami-diaryofamadwoman.blogspot.com/
http://whenwelisten.blogspot.com/
http://feliciakramer.blogspot.com/ http://dominiquegoh.com/
http://buckeroomama.blogspot.com/
http://apartyof6.blogspot.com/
http://ofmiceandramen.blogspot.com/ http://chocolatecovereddaydreams.blogspot.com/
http://www.pinknotesdiary.com/
http://frommomtomom.blogspot.com/
http://www.itsabeautyfilledlife.com/
http://www.greenadoptions.com/
http://letkidsplay.blogspot.com/
http://www.bellamiajewelry.blogspot.com/
http://annettepiperjewellery.blogspot.com/
http://beginningfresh.blogspot.com/
http://minyards7.blogspot.com/
http://anitacmccants.blogspot.com/
http://bigdogprayers.blogspot.com/

A view from my one of my brother's condominium in Global City, Manila.
I wish someday the entire Philippines will be like Global City.
Although it's superbly expensive to live there - maybe someday it will more affordable
to live in a more civilized community.






Prayers, love and faith have helped us these past few weeks...

How do you get to the light at the end of the tunnel?

Once I get to the light at the end of the tunnel, it's always nice to have that apple-pie with vanilla ice cream, halo-halo or mojito depending on how tough the walk is!
Artwork by my 8yo using PAINT.

Happiness is not something you just think about
It’s something your heart beats to.

Happiness is not something handed to you
It’s something you aim for.

Happiness is looking at your child’s eyes and he smiles back at you;
Happiness is being with someone who cares for “all” of your being;
Happiness is something to share with someone – and it’ll definitely blossom.

Happiness is not just being “content” - it is a “work in a progress”
Once you get a claim on it, it should be something that drives your every hour.

Whenever happiness seems to be taking a break,
Just force yourself to put on a smile :) and it will definitely sneak back in your life.

Every day we make choices.
We cannot change the past.
We cannot change what we're born with.
We cannot change how people react.
We cannot change the unexpected.
How we react to these changes,
Our attitude towards the choices we make,
leads us to the path of happiness.


Wishing everyone pure happiness.

What makes you happy?

“Your birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of “you” to the world”...

I’m a Seven-Eleven baby! Makes it easy to remember so my families have no excuse not to remember my birthday. (smile)

I was born in the Philippines 45 years ago. There's a 12 hour time difference, so I should be singing Happy Birthday to me around noon tomorrow.

I’m not sure if it’s a Filipino tradition BUT I don’t remember having boxes of presents for my birthday (maybe I’m just getting senile, lol!) but one thing is for sure, there’s always pansit (noodles) to celebrate long life. My mom always makes pansit every birthday celebration, my Dad comes up with the amazing BBQ sauce for the beef-k-bab and every family member makes sure to be around for my birthday! Birthdays used to be a huge gathering of families...

Having a Filipino mom and a Jewish mom(in-law) makes me doubly blessed! I get both traditions when celebrating birthdays! How lucky is that?

So when mom (in-law) asked me a couple of weeks ago, if you can have anything in the world, what do you want for your birthday?

I smiled and said – To be with my family. I wish those who are in the Philippines are here with us…but that birthday wish may not come true – not for a long time…

Just being with the family is what I ask for. Having a fun and peaceful time with the family is what I long for!
(Although winning the lottery would be awesome because I can get my parents and brothers in the Philippines a better place and traveling back and forth won’t be hassle!)



Last year, a week before my birthday, we were in Smuggler's Notch, VT. The day we left for VT, we received a devastating news - my youngest brother in the Philippines was diagnosed with dengue fever. Dengue fever had already taken the life of my 15 year old niece the year before, so you can imagine the agony that that news had created. But Thank God, on the eve of my birthday, after nights of back and forth overseas call, we finally got the news that my brother was out of critical condition! (I sure hope Novartis gets to complete their research on coming up with a cure !)

So it was a super treat when my mom (in-law) gave me a day of relaxation at Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa in Vermont. It was a superbly relaxing day! The massage was stess-reliever and that waterfall was truly refreshing! As I was in the spa resort, I asked myself "Why do I deserve such luxury?" I am truly blessed!

BUT it seems like my life is not complete without tragedy. It's like a depressing soap opera, better yet, it's more of a telenovela! That night, another bad thing happened that my 18yo and I will always remember! I sometimes wonder, how much more tragedy can one family handle?

My every optimist husband always says, "It could be worse...it could be worse..."

A few months ago, I didn't know what "wtf" means, (DH then informed what it stands for). At times, I feel like saying "wtf"!
I can't curse or utter the whole meaning of "wtf", but it would probably make me feel better if I can just yell it out on top of a mountain or something!

But honey is right, it could be worse...I'm still blessed that I have a loving family!
Life really does not really suck that much! Just a few detours here and there...

So...

Try not to take little things for granted.
There's always something good and fun, you just have to move towards that direction
and let the bad thing runs it course.
Hug your little crumbcatchers, grab that phone and say hello to someone and just see that life can be beautiful!


So what about you, if you can have anything in the world, what do you want for your birthday?

I've been offline (and will be on and off for the next few months to deal with some pressing projects and issues) but I would like to say thank you to those who tirelessly pray and give me well wishes and to those who came to visit and left such sweet comments. Your support and presence truly mean a lot to me. I will be responding to your emails and comments soon.

Before I share my week with you, I would like to say thank you to the men and women who selflessly serve this great nation of ours so that we can enjoy the freedom that we sometimes take for granted. (Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!)

Thanks to our RCI timeshare, we had a fun and relaxing Independence Day week in Williamsburg, Virginia. ( A much needed change of scenery!)

We stayed in the resort most of the days just hanging by the pool, reading a book, writing and just chatting with the family. We're so happy to have honey's parents with us, too, especially since Dad had his heart attack a few months ago.


I saw some families gathered together and having fun - a sight that made me miss my families in the Philippines. I was able to call them overseas and followed-up on Dad's battle with painful gout and other health issues. I remember the times when we used to one big family! Someday, I say to myself, someday we can all be together again!


Being in Williamsburg, Virginia made me realize how lucky we truly are. We visited various historic sites that made this nation, a great nation!


You should read and review the Declaration of Independence. (If you have HBO, check if you can watch the John Adams story)


"...We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..."

Everyday despite the chaos, there's always something to be thankful for!

Being in Virginia, we also had some time to be upside down! I don't know about you but after my 3rd child, I can't seem to get into those roller coaster without getting nauseous.


At Busch Gardens, my 8yo was so excited to finally able to go on the big-kid rides such as the Big Bad Wolf and Loch Ness Monster.


After one ride in the Big Bad Wolf roller coaster, I had to skip the rest of the roller coaster fun. My 8yo and 13yo went three times at least on each of the roller coasters. There were no lines, can you believe that?