Thoughts on Turning 40

on my first birthday

I'm writing this post two days before I turn 40.  I guess when you reach this age, it is but natural to look back at the past, see where you've been, what you have done and accomplished, ponder on the things you left undone, words left unspoken, chances not taken and wonder what could have been. I'm two days short of being forty and I feel like I have nothing to show for it. I see people I know living the life I've always wanted, doing the work I've planned to do when I was twenty years younger. I see people I know living my dream.

Two days from now I turn forty. And life is far from the life I thought I'd have when I was just a teenager.

Yes, life didn't turn out the way I wanted. I've made mistakes that had turned my life upside down but       regardless of whatever mistakes I've done, whatever chances I didn't take, whatever things and words I didn't do and say, I always realize I have everything that makes life worth living.

My smart, talented and opinionated fifteen-year-old son --  I worry about him every day, I complain about how hard it is raising a teenager, I get stressed when he argues with me but in spite of everything, I'd rather be a mother rather than a single woman travelling the world. And I'll never trade him for any other boy.  If I have to live my life all over again, I'll do the same things I've done, walk the same path I've walked, commit the same errors I've committed just to make sure I'll still have him for my son.

My son, Toots, when he was ten years younger.

Hunny Bed - I know he loves me.  He is my second chance.  He takes care of me and of my son.  He does everything to make me happy and I live for his embrace.

My parents and my sister -- No matter what happens, I know they will always be there for me.  We may not agree on everything ...or on a lot of things but they are my stronghold on this earth.  I feel very blessed that I still have my parents with me and I pray for many more healthy and productive years for them.  My sister and I no longer spend as much time as we did before, but she and I will always be the best friends that we were when we were just innocent young girls playing make-believe.

This was taken today during my advance birthday celebration.

My little nephew, Emilio -- He is such a joy!  Playing with him makes me feel like a child again and because he looks a lot like my son, he reminds me so much of my son's toddler years.




Lastly, I have job I believe I am good at, a job that allows me to touch the future and change society one child at a time.  Not many successful people can say that about their job.

These are the things that matter.  I'm turning 40 on Tuesday.  I don't have much to show based on the world's standards but God has given me everything I need to keep me happy....and that's what's really important.

Greek Birthday

I turned another year older yesterday. God, in His goodness and generosity, has blessed me with so much. I just felt the need to celebrate.

We went to a Greek restaurant, Cyma, located on the fifth floor of Shangri-La Mall. Most of us have gone there before but this was our first as a family.

with my son

with my sister

It's a Greek version of  baked macaroni. It tasted and felt a little weird at first taste but the more I had it, the more  I liked it.

This is Greek paella.  Loved the taste!   It was flavorful with a hint of lemon.

This is some kind of an appetizer.  Bread with flaming cheese.  The cheese is on fire as it is served.
I  loved it but nobody loved it more than my son did.

We had gyros but I wasn't able to take a picture of it.    Sorry.

That's all of us....my son, me, my sister, her husband, my dad, mom and Ruel

So anyway, this is how I spent my birthday.  We went to hear mass in the afternoon as we weren't able to catch the early morning mass.  I woke up too late.

It was a stressful (don't ask me why) but happy birthday, ending with a birthday dinner with yummy buko pandan for dessert.

Dear Monday v. 5

a link-up with Megan

Happy Monday friends! It's time once again for another round of Dear Monday!

Dear Monday, you're supposed to be stress-free today with the suspension of classes.  Still, why am I so stressed? Is it because of the tons of work  I have to do, even on a non-working day?

Dear Saturday, you were specially busy last week!  You made me cook up a storm!  It left me exhausted but entirely happy for my son who celebrated his thirteenth birthday.

Dear Sunday, you were a delight! You filled my stomach to the brim!  Hahaha! Does it even have a brim? Oh what the "h", it's just an expression!  We celebrated our mom's 70th birthday in advance at Midas Hotel. I had a glorious time eating everything their buffet had to offer.  Sorry, I didn't get to take lots of pictures of the food, specially the pretty desserts.  I was so busy eating!

I can't remember enjoying a veggie salad as much as I did this one!

       I had grilled seafoods too! Yum!  And I could live on their bread and cheese! Oh, I can feel my mouth watering again!

Dear Mom,  happy birthday in advance!  Thanks for taking care of me and my son! I hope you will still be strong enough to take care of another child of mine sometime in the very near future!  We are all very lucky to have you!   May God give you many more happy birthdays!

Mothers never stop being mothers. See? My mom still fixes my hair!

Mom at almost 70

Dear family, I am really so blessed to have you! I know we are always noisy and oftentimes arguing over little things, but still we do love one another and that's what's most important.

Dear paperworks, I hope I get to do more of you this week!  I really need to!

Dear God, thank you for the love and the blessings!  Please continue to bless the people I love!

My Greatest Blessing Turns 13!

Exactly thirteen years ago today, God gave me my greatest blessing.

in the nursery

He gave me a healthy baby boy...

a cute healthy baby boy!

peacefully asleep in my arms

Looking at your tiny little face always made me smile!

Ninang and I had so much fun goofing off with you!

             And I loved kissing your chubby cheeks and biting your cute tiny chin!

You were a brave baby.  You never cried during immunizations.  Needles never scared you. Grimace did not scare you either.  I think he was the one who got scared ....

when you kept climbing all over him on your first birthday!

You were a happy little boy who charmed strangers with your songs and dances, and with your sweet adorable smile!

                          And everyone ooohed and ahhhhed when they saw how handsome you looked during Ninang's wedding.

God did not only give you a good memory, a talent in writing and drawing, a good singing voice, He also gave you a talent in playing the violin.  As Sr. Corazon once  said, "He has a magic touch."

I was so afraid you'd make a mistake during your first violin recital.  You were not nervous at all but I was shaking and it felt as if my heart was in my throat.  

But you performed excellently and then I knew I shouldn't have been nervous.  So I was never nervous again during your succeeding recitals.  

If anything, I was just soooo proud.

Whenever I  hear people whisper, "That's talent." or  "He's so good." while you  playing, I always want to stand and say, "That's my boy!"

And that's how Grandma feels too!  

She actually feels so proud when parents of other violinists and pianists would call her "Manuel's grandma"

I hope you know that everyone is proud of you!

Even though you have grown to be so naughty!

And though Grandpa and Grandma get annoyed with you sometimes...as they are in this pic,

I want you to know that we love you and we will always love you no matter what.

       We have loved you ever since we learned that you were in my womb.

We still love you now that you're thirteen.

And no matter how old you'll be or how tall you'll get, we will always love you.

I will always love you.

You will always be my baby.

You cannot stay in my arms forever...

but

you will always be in my heart.

And though I know that someday some girl might steal your heart, she can never change the fact

that you loved me first.

I am your first love.

And you will still love me in a very special way forever!

That is my greatest blessing, of which I am so thankful for!

I hope and pray that you realize:

your giftedness,

your goodness,

and that you are loved.

I hope and pray

that you discover more of your gifts,

that you develop the gifts that you have,

and that you use them for the good of others, and for God's greater glory.

I hope and pray

that you'll have true friends who will remain your friends for life,

that your burdens will remain light,

that you succeed in all your endeavors.

I hope and pray

that God will keep you safe, healthy and strong,

that He will bless me so that I can provide for all the things you need,

that He will help me give you a happy and comfortable home, 

that He will help me raise you to be a respectable, productive citizen, a loving Christian and a faithful Catholic,

that He will give you a long, happy, and fulfilled life, 

that He will give me a long life to spend with you and with your future children.

I hope and pray 

that God will give you many, many, many more happy birthdays.

Happy Birthday my son!  I love you very much!