On a quiet Sunday morning

Gotta love moments like these. Obviously, Bryan is his favorite :) Love a guy who loves dogs. Loving Instagram, too! A whole to of love going on today.

Eyes On Japan

8.9 earthquake, crippling tsunami, nuclear threat... Do what we can where we can to help. Keep praying and hoping.

March 5, 2011 : Hello, Baby Girl

Isn't 3d a wonder in itself?

Finally got to see our baby again, today. Surprised to see it this well developed and healthy compared to the last time we saw it. An even bigger surprise, God's most precious gift wrapped in a tidy little pink bow. Hello, baby girl!

She looked so calm and peaceful. My heart leaped when we saw her smile twice! It was like she knew we were watching and that it was more than just mommy and daddy there. What made it even more precious was that when the doctor said, "Abaw! Kabalo na siya mag pray!" (Wow! She already knows how to pray). Her hands were, indeed, clasped together as we do when we pray. How cool is that? She gets that from me! ;-)

Almost 3 more months left and still have so much to do. Better get a move on before I get too big.

Her picture is not that complete as it will be in a few months. Her fat cells aren't up to speed as of yet but she will get there, according to Dr. Palmares.

Words cannot express how excited we all are. Imagine! No pink for her though. Mommy (thats me) detests pink. Yellow and pastels are more my thing for her.

Forgiving but not forgetting. Lessons from EDSA.

Feb. 22-25, 1986... A time that will live on in Philippine history and one I was honored to have seen a glimpse of, even though I was about 5 years old back then.

It was a time of great suffering, oppression, strength and victory. Most importantly, it stood for the character of the Filipino. We overthrew a government with prayers and faith then. From different walks of life, we moved with one stride.

I could still recall the look on my father's face back then and how during the latter days we were sent to Dallas in the event that things would get even worse. But until now, I firmly hang on to the same values my father and my family had then. Standing up for what itsright and fighting for the bigger victory.

25 years later and we finally have an Aquino back in the reigns. People hang on to the promise of hope and the continued vision of a new Philippines. One that should have happened then but continue to hope for until this present day. We all have our opinions and I certainly have mine.

But what does bother me to no end is the idea that Marcos be buried in the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani. Like many others I have to gravely disagree. Yes, we must forgive, and I laud P-Noy for forgiving the man who had his father assassinated and threatened his own life as well. But to forget holds much deeper measure than meets the eye and it is more than just mere politics.

Allowing Marcos to do so would be a tremendous insult to those who not only risked their lives and ultimately for those who really lost it for the pursuit of freedom. They believed it to be true and fought for it with their whole selves. 25 years later, its okay?

For those who were not yet born during EDSA, it has become one of those reasons for suspension of classes, a highway and another date to remember for the history exams. By allowing such a move would give the impression that well, it could be easily forgiven after all. It was not that big a deal. Would Marcos' burst into flames if it weren't burried there? Marcos should be burried in his home, like the rest of us common folk. Yes, he was a good leader but for those who suffered so much and lost more, it does not matter. Hitler, Kim Jong Il, Saddam, Bin Laden are morbidly good leaders to have those many people follow in their causes. Brilliant as they were, you don't see any of their native countries burrying them as heroes!

But then again, this is just me and the voice that I project. Though anyone not hear me or otherwise, I don't know if it will make the difference. Its just sad. Might as well bury everything else that EDSA stood for along with Marcos.

Valentines is in the air

Ahhh.. love... Young love, first love, greatest love, last love, tragic love. Whatever it is, it can get pretty contagious and messy at times. But when you're swept up in all its glory... Hayayay!

During my childish and fantasy filled days, romantic days like this should be on a deserted beach, walking by sunset. Flowers filling a room. Carriage rides. Fireworks. All the components to a very cheesy Hollywood movie.

But we eat it all up like chocolate. But we have to grow up and smell reality at some point. Yes, for some, we may get just that, but the question is, is it genuine? Is it really from the heart?

I used to be such an Anti-Valentines person. Purposely so. I was single for most of the Valentines Days of my life. I finally had my best Valentines Day last year, when Bryan proposed, minus the fireworks, the candles and whatever. But I wouldn't have changed it for anything else in the world.

Happy Valentines Day, everybody.

Giving my baby a plus

Its amazing how technology has come into play even during the earliest stages of our lives. It was an amazing breakthrough back then when we were told that talking or singing or playing classical music to the child while it was still in the womb would help significantly in its development during its life outside the womb.

Now, we have Baby plus. Strangely, its just a series of beating sounds that goes on for about an hour. But its supposed to do so much for the child.

For those curious moms-to-be out there, the site is http://www.babyplus.com/

Special thanks goes to Margaret for lending me her unit. Now I just have to find time every 1 and 9pm to do this and it takes an hour per session.

The little one has been kicking up a storm these past few days. Thank God for this miracle.

On crossing over...

Just heard the news today that one of my favorite characters in the show, "Touched By An Angel" passed away recently at a young age of 47.

I used to "chase" the Hallmark channel just for this show. I even pleaded with my dad to subscribe to another cable network just for Hallmark and this was the only show I watched!

It was a few years after I graduated college and this show really inspired me in more ways that one.

John Dye played the Angel of Death on the show. And for the first time ever, Death was not as scary, ghoulish or psychopathic as it was portrayed before and even until now. He was kind, gentle and calm. Although the series was a work of writers and their imagination and experiences, it is a truly wonderful truth about Death. For those who have their hope and faith, it is not something to be feared but embraced. It only means that you are going to a better place. A place that has no bounds, no illnesses or hate. Only love and overflowing joy. So whats so bad about that?

To John Dye, you will be missed. So here's to the wonderful lessons and memories.

3 lessons learned over Sunday Lunch

1) To have more patience for those who know no better. Believe me, they come in droves!

2) To be grateful under any circumstance. Remember, it could always be worse.

3) Always treat people with consideration and respect. You could be in their situation someday.

It really gets you to a deep place when you spend a little time with people who fail in all 3. Honestly, I had a splitting headache and I wasn't paying them any attention anymore. But its hard to "ignore" them when you're in a private room for lunch. Egads! Hope we have a break from these people for a while.

Tick Tock Tick Tock

Don't we all just love new beginnings? Like everything just magically disappears and we can start anew everytime the clocks strike 12 on New Year's Eve. But that's just my imagination talking and everything resumes as normal the minute you wake up the next day. Preferably, minus the hang over.

I can still remember the beginning of this year like it was just yesterday. One of the most memorable new years I have ever had, to say the least and true enough... 2010 will be a year I will always remember.

Looking back, I got engaged! Married! And now expecting a little bundle of joy. Could I ask for anything more?

One of the guilty pleasures is looking at my old blogs from years before and see how far I have come. I've always been into journals and it does enable you to see things and how you learn to see the future in a much brighter place.

This will probably be my last entry for 2010. And what a good year it has been. Dreams came true this year. My God is good beyond measure.

Now, I can honestly, I don't fear being 31 or 35 or even 50. I have God's best with me and another blessing to come very soon.

God is here yesterday, today and tomorrow. Thank you, Lord!

Paris 2007

It was in my visit to Paris in 2007 that I saw this billboard on the way to the airport:

On Twitter today I saw the news that the girl in this ad, Isabelle Caro, who has had anorexia since she was 13 years old, died at a very young age of 28 last month.

Brings us back to reality. Amidst all the food and merry making, there are people like this in need of a lot of help, support, love and understanding. Kudos for her bravery then to stand up for what she knew others were going through as well.