GottaLoveMom

I me t Amma , the Hugging Saint", five years ago at the Javits Center in New York.   and since then, I've carried or worn my mala beads. People from all over the world came to experience her embrace, which is known to give comfort. Her teachings encourage people to love, serve, conserve and practice -- all about peace and happiness.

Growing up in the Philippines, my mother raised me and my brothers to help with the household chores. Therefore, when I became a mother, I knew my children would be doing chores, too.  When my children were younger, they took turns vacuuming, mopping, folding the laundry, and dusting furniture. For some reason, dusting tchotchkes wasn't a popular task. They'd rather vacuum and mop than dust. My children weren't looking forward to doing the chores, but they all knew that they were all expected to help out. Getting my children to do their chores was easier when they were younger. Teenagers, I found out, love to negotiate. However, since my children were expected to participate and contribute around the house, getting them to help out wasn't as difficult. Together with my husband, we set some guidelines: Schedule a day when chores get done. Identify expectations. Be specific. Compromise, pick your battles. Express gratitude.  It is my hope th...

My husband and I rarely go out to eat but when we do, we always want the experience to be worthy of our time and money. Last summer, we discovered Seasons 52 by the Menlo Park Mall. We were greeted with a warm welcome when we walked in. We didn’t have reservations so we sat at one of the booths at the bar. Our waiter was very attentive.  The drinks, food and dessert didn’t disappoint. The tab was less than $100. We were so pleasantly surprised that we left a tip higher than the normal 20%. A few months later, we brought my daughter and son-in-law for her birthday – and the dining experience was another memorable one! A few months ago, we got together with 4 other couples, and again, we were pleased. If we had known ahead of time, we could have booked a  private room for our group, for a minimum tab of $500. However, what got my husband and I excited was the happy hour, also known as “Sunset at Seasons” , which is daily from 4pm to 6:30pm. Last ...

How do you describe yourself? What tickles your imagination? I am the proud mother of three beautiful children, the complementary half of my life partner/soulmate, and a nonprofit professional and philanthropist. I love travel, art, languages and people of other cultures.  I also like to keep busy, to continuously learn new things, to connect people, to find solutions, and to help others.  I also like the odd and peculiar, and things that are rare and hard to find. What’s your morning routine?   I am a morning person.  I’m usually awake around 4 AM -5 AM.  I use this time to just lie in bed, and reflect and mediate.  This is when I thank God and the Universe for all that I have and have gone through, and for what the current day will hold for me.  I also plan out my day and figure out which things need to be done, when and in what order. What is your everyday “go-to” outfit? I’m usually simple.  If it’s fall/winter, I wear...

Today is the feast of Saint Valentine, who, according to Wikipedia , was a martyr who was imprisoned for officiating weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry, and for ministering for Christians who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. Aside from LOVE as a common denominator in those aforementioned events, I don't know how such event morphed into a day of a dozen red roses, a box of chocolates and Hallmark cards. But aren't you glad someone invented the modern version of Valentine's Day? Love, what is it really?