Vivid Memory: Day 31 of Blog Every Day in May

Today is the last day of the Blog Every Day in May challenge and the last prompt is a vivid memory.

I have so many vivid memories that I was actually not sure if I wanted to choose one and write about it.  Sometimes I'm weird like that, I get lazy to make those kinds choices.  But I decided to finish the challenge with you guys so here I am.

I am just going to tell you my most recent vivid memory -- a moment on my wedding day.

While I waited inside the car, my friend, Niki saw me, opened the car door and said, "I hate you, ang ganda mo!"  (I hate you, you're so beautiful!)  

I don't know why but the minute she said it, the floodgates opened and the tears started streaming down my cheeks.  I couldn't stop them.  Nikki had to go in and wait with me.  I cried and laughed and cried and laughed and cried again.  I didn't even know exactly the reason I was crying at the time and I still don't.  Whenever Nikki tried to tell me something, I'd start crying all over again.  It was crazy.

The driver, a man probably in her early 50's turned to look at me.   I think he was a romantic because of the way he smiled at what was going on.  He said that he encountered a lot of brides who forced themselves to cry while I, on the other hand, just couldn't stop.  He handed me a box of tissue paper so I could dry my tears and blow my nose.  That was just fortunate because the tissue paper I had in my pouch was all wet and soggy.

Needless to say, I ruined my eye makeup before I even marched down the aisle.   I was lucky my makeup artist was there and did something about it.

Sorry, I don't have a photo of this moment  My photographers were too busy doing something else.

I have something taken probably five or ten minutes after.

That's me and my friend, Nikki after my makeup artist retouched my makeup.

and me, marching down the aisle...

What's your vivid memory? Head over to Jenni's to check out other stories like this.

And to Jenni, thank you for a great challenge. I had a wonderful time writing and reading what others have written.

I Wish... v. 1

I wish I wasn't doing three different things at the same time -- cooking, doing the laundry and writing this post.

I wish I wasn't sweating profusely right at this moment.

I wish there were no dry clothes waiting to be ironed and folded.

I wish there were more than 24 hours in a day.

I wish summer vacation was longer.

I wish I didn't have to go back to work on Monday.

I wish we didn't have a new vice president for academics, a new grade school principal, seven new teachers and that my friends didn't resign.  I'm not comfortable with change. In fact, I fear it and this kind of change is just too big. I do not know what to expect.   It's stressful.

I wish my husband wasn't stuck in traffic.

I wish I didn't know any secrets and that I didn't have to keep them.

Songs of My Life: Day 29 of Blog Every Day in May

Today's Blog Every Day in May prompt is five songs that speak to you or bring back memories.

When  I was planning my wedding I asked one of my friends if she knew of a nice song I could use for the wedding.  And she suggested this.  I listened to it and I was sold.  Sounded like it was written for me!




Ever Ever After was the song we used for our wedding reception entrance.  We also used it in our wedding audio visual presentation. So every time I hear it now I feel a certain kind of bliss inside.




This may sound weird but Ruel and I woke up before 5 am on the morning after our wedding and we watched the movie Tangled on DVD.   This song has since been one of my favorites. It always gives me a light, happy feeling.


We watched it against the backdrop of the rising sun for the TV was right in front of the window which gave us a 180 degrees view of this...

I took this from behind the glass window.

 I've always loved this song so I was really so happy when three of my young friends form Brigadoon sang it for us during our wedding reception.



Sorry but I could only think of four songs right now.

What about you? What songs speak to you or bring back memories?

Happy Days: Day 28 of Blog Every Day in May

I have been feeling low for a couple of weeks now.  Two of my best friends at work resigned at the end of the previous school year and with the opening of the next school year just a week away, somehow I just feel so lost without them.  

Since I'm feeling a little nostalgic today about all the friends who have moved on to find greener pastures and left me behind, this post is for them.

Dear Blog Readers : Day 27 of Blog Every Day in May

To my dearest readers,

Writing for today's prompt, a letter to your readers, gives me a great opportunity to thank you.
I know I am not much of a writer, not much of a storyteller, not much of a cook, not much of a crafter, and not much of a photographer.  My life is not that interesting and for the few times that it is, I usually leave the juicy part out, for fear of having people I personally know read it, or for fear of hurting someone close to me or to my family.  I do not write about fashion or makeup. I do not offer giveaways.  Despite the things I seem to lack as a blogger, you have continued to visit.  For that I thank you.

When I was a teenager, I used to write about my life, my thoughts and feelings in a secret notebook.  I used to pretend I was writing to a friend named Dyna as I always started every entry with, "Dear Dyna".  However, Dyna was not real and therefore could not answer my questions, could not say anything for me to know that what I felt was normal and okay, or that someone understood.  I stopped writing to Dyna more than two decades ago.  I still write about my life and my thoughts at least thrice a week hoping one of you could find my secret notebook, answer the questions of my heart or just leave a kind comment and usually, you do.  Your comments always lift my spirits.  They're actually one of the things I look forward to every day.

So again, a big thank you to all of you.  I have visited everyone who has ever left a comment and I am very thankful for the opportunity to have a glimpse of your world, and to somehow know that there are people out there, people who may not be of the same culture , who may not have the same coloring as I have, but people who are a lot like me in many aspects.  You have found my secret notebook and because of that, I know I am not alone.

Confessions : Day 23 of Blog Every Day in May

I guess it's time for the ugly truth about myself.  Prompt for today's Blog Every Day in May challenge is your top three worst traits.

As embarrassing as it is, here they are.

1. I am always afraid.  When going up a flight of stairs, I always have to hold on to the banister.  

   When I get inside an elevator or when I ride in amusement park rides, or any ride at all,  half of my 

   brain would always be on the possible accidents that might happen.  When I'm in a mall or movie 

   theater, half of my brain would always be thinking of "what if's" and they'd always be in the
   negative. Oh, I'm even afraid to type examples of my negative "what if's".  When I'm 

   walking on wet pavement, I'm always afraid of slipping and falling.  When I'm in a wet market, I'm 

   always afraid that the guys holding the chopping knives would suddenly start fighting.  I very 

   seldom take risks. I'm afraid of   failure and rejection, and just about everything else.

                                                          Source: google.com.ph via Marie Claire on Pinterest

2. I procrastinate too often.  When there's work to be done and I know there's still time, I usually wait
    until the last minute before I get up and actually do it.

                                                                                 Source: google.com.ph via Marie Claire on Pinterest

3. I am oftentimes lazy.  This is embarrassing but it is true.  My idea of fun is staying in bed all day
    and/or watching TV all day. And well..I always want to have fun.

                                                                         Source: google.com.ph via Marie Claire on Pinterest

Oh my! I've realized they make the worst package!  No wonder I never get anywhere in life!

I wish  I didn't put myself in such a bad light here.  What are your three worst traits?

You want to see what other people's worst traits are? Head over to Jenni's

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What I Learned from Life: Day 23 of Blog Every Day in May

We are on day 23 of Blog Every Day in May and today's prompt is things you've learned that school won't teach you.

Here's what I learned from the great teacher called LIFE:

Not all friendships last.  A lot of friendships fade away.  When I was in school, I thought I'd have my friends beside me as I went from one crossroad of life to another.  Our husbands would be friends and our children would be friends.  I was so wrong.  That's not the way life works.  As you go thru life's changes, you change and your friends change too.  And sometimes these changes are so big that no matter how hard you try to keep in touch, there will come a point when you'd look into your friend's eyes and you'd realize you don't know her anymore.

The world can sometimes be a cruel place.  There are bullies in school but no one ever told me they'd be in the workplace too!  There are power struggles, intrigues, serious boot licking, etc. etc.  The worst thing is, not everyone plays fair and you can't run to your mom every time you have a problem.  You have to fight your own battles.

You cannot control everything.  There is at least a sense of control when you are in school.  If you want to have a good grade, a perfect score, you simply study hard and most of the time, you get it.  Out in the real world, there are very few things you can control.  There are a lot of factors that come into play -- your family life, your co-workers, subordinates, superiors, traffic, finances, and even strangers.

A college diploma does not guarantee a good life.  Our teachers used to tell us that we had to study hard and finish college so that we could have a good life.  I learned that a college diploma is not a guarantee.  It is merely a passport to a world of opportunities.  If you want the good life, you need a ticket.  And that ticket is composed of different things such as hard work, perseverance, passion, commitment and courage.  I remember teachers mentioning hard work and perseverance as essential values that one has to have but no one ever mentioned courage.  I am learning the hard way that that is what I need.  I have to  dare to face my fears of failure, rejection and of many other things.  I have to dare to be the best I can be.  Otherwise, I'd just be like someone who dreams of travelling, gets a passport but is afraid to fly.

What about you? What has life taught you?  Link up at Jenni's and tell us.

The Awful Truth - Day 22 of Blog Every Day in May

I actually have so much I want to say that I don't know where to start.  I have so much I want to say that I don't know if I have enough energy to talk about it.

I will be writing my thoughts as they enter my mind and  I hope that for the sake of those reading this blog, they will enter my mind in the most organized way possible.

The recent elections have left me disappointed, frustrated, sad and mad all at the same time.  I cannot understand the basis for which our people chose their candidates.  I cannot understand so many things about our people.

When an ordinary person applies for a job, no matter how low the position is, he will have to prove thru his clearance from the  National Bureau of Investigation that he has no police record.  But why is it that when we elect our leaders, men and women to occupy some of the highest positions of the land, we do not care if there is a pending case against them. We do not care if they have been in prison.  We do not care if they have caused terror by planting fake explosives around a hotel. We do not care that because of that action, hotel guests, both local and foreign had to be evacuated from the hotel.  We do not care if such act scared off foreign travelers from visiting our country. Sure, he said he was fighting against a government which according to him was corrupt, BUT, was that reason enough to do what he did? Was that reason enough to scare men, women and children? Was that reason enough to scare people like me?  I think NOT.  But why did he come out of that incident a hero? Why did some members of the female population develop a crush on this man? Why did he get elected as a senator even if he was imprisoned for that act of "terrorism"?  And why is it that even with the knowledge that he was one of the highest spending senators even from his "office" in prison, we elected him again for a second term?  Why?

Teachers like me are not allowed to gamble. We are not allowed to drink in public. We will be out of a job once we are proven to be having premarital or extra marital affairs.  We might even lose our license for this immoral conduct.  BUT why do we elect leaders who are known gamblers and alcoholics? Why do we elect leaders who are famous for their extramarital affairs? Why do we elect leaders who have children from several women? Why do we elect leaders who cannot stay true to a vow they took in front of the altar?  Knowing this, why do we believe that they can stay true to  whatever oath of office they make with one of their hands on the Bible?  Doesn't it ever enter our minds that our leaders, the ones who have all the access to public funds, the ones responsible for our future and that of our children should uphold the highest level of  moral standards?

We constantly complain about our plight. We constantly complain about the way our country is being managed.  We constantly complain about corruption, traffic, pollution, etc. etc.  and we constantly blame the ones in government for all of these problems that we see around us.

Have we ever paused to think about  our part in all of these? Have ever stopped to ponder on  the things we have done but shouldn't have done ? Have ever stopped to think about the things that we should have done but didn't?

If we continuously vote the way we do, I wonder if we have the right to complain.

If we don't even know how to segregate our own waste, if we continue to throw our garbage in the streets and in all the wrong places, if we continue to disregard city ordinances like smoking ban in some cities,  I wonder if we have the right to complain.

If we continue to succumb to bribery just to get out of a traffic violation or to have our papers processed quickly, if we continue to sell our votes, or knock on the mayor's house to ask for money for every little "emergency" we have,  if we continue to practice our brand of corruption and power play in our schools or in our offices , no matter how trivial or little they may be, I wonder if we have the right to complain.

If we cannot even do the simplest thing for our country like stopping and standing at attention during the playing of our national anthem in public places like malls,  do we have a right to complain?

I CERTAINLY DON'T THINK SO.

We are the ones who put our so-called leaders where they are and we are certainly part and parcel of each and every problem this country is facing.  We cannot blame anybody but ourselves.

For as long as we continue doing the things we shouldn't, for as long as we continue not doing the things we ought, for as long as we continue living only for ourselves and with complete disregard for the welfare of others and of our nation, we will never see the changes that we say we want to see.  Whether we like it or not, real change can only happen if we start with ourselves.

That, I think, is the awful truth we do not want to think about.


Head over to Jenni's and see what others are ranting about.

Picture Perfect - Day 17 of Blog Every Day in May

I haven't written anything for the Blog Every Day in May challenge for two days because I have been too sick to think and type.

If it weren't for the painful muscles in my arms and thighs and the discomfort that fever brings I would have enjoyed the last two days.  It was a welcome change not to do any house chore.  My husband was so sweet to take care of the cooking and of me.  I don't like getting sick but I wish there were more zero-chore days.

Today's prompt is : A Favorite Photo  of Yourself and Why.  Well, I have a lot of favorite photos of myself alone but that's just because I think I look great in them and that would make me seem pretty shallow.  I have  several photos of myself taken with other people and I would like to share those with you today, instead.

I have a lot of pictures growing up, a lot with my mom or with my sister but very few with my mom AND my sister.   And now that we've grown, photos with both my mom and my sister have also grown rarer and rarer.   This, I think, is the best one that we have as adults.

    If that was the best photo we have with our mom as adults, here is the best photo my sister and I have with our dad.  My sister is the one on the left.  This was taken during our Singapore trip with our dad.  Mom is extremely afraid of planes so she didn't join us.  It was a special time because we do not get to do things with our dad anymore now that my sister and I are grown-up and have our own plans and itineraries.  So having him join us in this trip was something special.

I think this picture is so fun!  My sister took this of me, my dad and my son at the Universal Studios in Singapore.

And here are some of my favorite photos taken on one of my favorite days --my second wedding.  There is really nothing spectacular about these pictures but if you look at the faces of the people in each picture, you'd see the happiness that I and everyone else felt on that day.

This is the one we're framing.

If you'd like to see more of my wedding photos, plus some inside scoop, click here.

And then there's this one taken on my mom's birthday some three years ago.  I think this is a great family picture.  It is truly reflective of what our family is.  That's my son acting all wacky again, and my parents who don't like seeing my son act that way.  Look at their faces!  And there's my sister and me who just don't care as long as we get to have our picture taken.

Pictures truly paint a thousand words.  They remind us of who we are and where we've been. They help us remember the past so that we may in some way relive a moment that has been lost forever.   Come to think of it, I think this is one of the inventions I am most thankful for.  Oh, where would I be without my pictures?

I know I've gotten overboard with this post.  Sorry!  Just got too excited.  I hope you enjoyed some of my best loved pictures.

 What is your favorite picture? Link up at Jenni's and show us!

My Long Happy List - Day 14 of Blog Every Day in May

Source: Uploaded by user via Marie Claire on Pinterest

I know I should be writing about 10 things that make me happy.  But it's so hard when to narrow down a long list with just ten so can I just break the rule, please?

I'm going to list down as many as I can, okay?

1.  being with my loved ones, specially my son and my husband

2. listening to my son play the violin

3. surprise presents -  I love presents on my birthday and on Christmas Day but I get giddy with 

   happiness when I get wrapped presents out of the blue.  That just makes me feel so special.

4. eating Zambales mangoes - I have said this and I will say it again, I thank God I'm alive every time I eat one and eating my mango ref cake just makes me think of heaven!

5. cold showers on a hot day

6. finding shoes that fit - My feet are really tiny and I have a terrible time every time I go shopping for shoes.

7. cold drink on a hot day - I love milk tea except that I learned they don't use milk but creamer.

8. cuddles - 

9. tickles - Ssshh.... this is a secret ok?  My husband might tickle me even more if he knows about this.  But here's the thing, it's like I have a love-hate relationship with tickling.   I don't like being tickled and yet I enjoy it.  Weird, huh?

10. a really good book -  Books that leave a smile on my face and make me wish it hasn't ended yet really make my day.

11. playing with babies -  Oh, this would just make me forget the time!

my nephew, Emilio

12. air conditioning

13. feel-good movies

14. travels

15. occasions that allow me to dress up

16. snail mails 

17. long chats with friends

18. sunrise

19. free days

20. nature

21. stage rehearsals and performances

22. my favorite time of the year - Christmas and everything that's connected to it

What about you? What makes you happy?

Head over to Jenni's and see other lists like this one.

I Miss...Day 12 of Blog Every Day in May

It's hard to write this post without getting a little sad.  Usually, when I remember the people or things I miss, I try my hardest to think of something else just so I wouldn't be sad.  But today, I am forced to face all of them.

Let's start with my grandparents on my mom's side  (I didn't see my grandparents on my dad's side anymore).  They doted on me.  My lola (grandma) taught me the alphabet, taught me how to count, how to pray, etc.  My lolo (grandpa) was my first friend. We played pretend together and we did magic tricks whenever guests were around. I was the magician and he was my assistant.  Lolo and Lola were taken back to heaven when I was in 4th grade and first year high school respectively. I think of them often and regret the fact that I wasn't by their side when they passed away.  I hope they know how much I love them.

I miss my son.  Yeah, I know he lives with me and we see each other all the time. I miss the "old" him.  He was a lot different then.   He was such a happy little child, with a ready smile for me and for everyone.  I miss his free hugs and kisses and I miss his chubby little hands that didn't try to break free from my clasp, his innocent laughter  that rang around the house all day long.   Oh, why do children have to grow up so fast?

I miss the old me....specifically my 20-year-old self.   Yes, that girl was naive and inexperienced. She tried to get home before sunset, never went out at night with friends (hmm...she sounded boring I know) but she was carefree and full of hope and she had every right to be.    She had no responsibilities similar to those of young professionals like herself.  Life was easy and the future was full of promise.  I terribly miss her.

What about you? What do you miss? Link up at Jenni's. 

Selling Myself Here: Day 11 of Blog Every Day in May

How could I possibly sell myself in ten words or less?  

Should I just list down my best traits?

Hmmm...

1. fiercely loyal
2. lively
3. charming
4. passionate
5. God-fearing
6. compassionate
7. cooperative
8. nationalistic
9. talented
10. versatile

Not interesting enough.

I figured what I needed was a slogan.

I couldn't really decide on only one so I decided I'd just share with you some of the ones I thought of.

* Delighting the world since 1974

*Maybe you're dreaming....maybe NOT

And then I tried to think of the things I was most proud of myself and one of the things I remembered was how fiercely loyal I was and how loyalty can be so easily bought in this day and age.

So I came up with....

* Can't buy me.

Then I thought why not summarize everything? Money can't buy my loyalty, I think I'm pretty great and valuable in many aspects so guess what I came up with?

Claire....PRICELESS.

How would you sell yourself?  Link up at Jenni's and see how others are selling themselves.

Moment : Day 9 of Blog Every Day in May

I'll be sharing with you all a moment in my day for today's Blog Every Day in May post.

This afternoon, I attempted to organize some of my things. It was just an attempt because I really wasn't able to organize much.  It was during this attempt when I found these dried rose buds.  They came from the very first bouquet of flowers that Ruel gave me.  I dried them and kept them with the intention of framing them, something which I haven't been able to do after all these years.

Seeing them again made me miss Ruel more. He is away on a business trip again and I miss him terribly.

A lot of us are posting our "moments".  Want to see some of them? Head over to Jenni's.

Pieces of Advice: Day 8 of Blog Every Day in May

I'm linking up with Jenni again for today's Blog Every Day in May post.

Today's prompt is "a piece of advice you have for others".

I'll make that PIECES of advice.

1. If you are a parent, spend as much time as you can with your children while they are still young. Children grow up so fast, so don't wait till you're not busy. Somehow, we will always be busy, but our children will not be young forever.

2. Save as much as you can while you can still earn.  Even if you think you have enough money in the bank, there will come a time when you will direly need it and you will realize you never really had enough to begin with.  Invest your money in reputable financial institutions.  Money is not everything but hey, we need it for ourselves, and most specially for our children.

3. Try to live life according to God's will.  I always like to hear this..."Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all shall be given unto you besides."  If it is God we seek, I believe that we will never go wrong.

Any advice for me? Link up!

Things I'm Afraid of - Seventh Day of Blog Every Day in May

Source: Uploaded by user via Marie Claire on Pinterest

I'm linking up again with Jenni for Blog Every Day in May.

Today's prompt is: The Thing(s)You're Most Afraid of

I consider myself to be more on the paranoid side and I have a lot of things I am afraid of.  Here are some  of them in no particular order.

1. snakes

2. rabies

3. environmental catastrophes ( I don't even like mentioning them specifically)

4. fires

5. leaving this world without having seen my children have a good and happy life

6. eternal fire

7. cancer

8. road accidents and all other travel-related accidents

9. my parents leaving me

10. growing old alone

11. failure

12. rejection

13. hot oil when cooking

14. being alone in an unfamiliar place

15. leaving my comfort zone

16. fortune tellers

17. the unknown

I have so many other things I am afraid of.  I realized that a lot of them are actually stopping me from becoming the person I want to be, and from living the life I want to have.  I know that I must find a way to conquer them if I want to live the life I was born to live.  But I don't know where to start or how.    In fact, I'm even afraid of starting. Do I make sense?

What are you afraid of?

Source: dreamcultures.wordpress.com via Marie Claire on Pinterest