My Dream Life (backyard pool)

I heard or read somewhere that it is a very good exercise for your brain and well being to visualize all the good things, feelings, wonderful thoughts you inspire your life to be.  So, here is my exercise for this month.  I have looked through different photos on the internet and borrowed pictures that made me happy and placed them on “My Dream Life” drawing board.

I can envision Alex, Allie and Greg splashing water around in this sleek and minimalist pool while I lounge on the chair putting down the latest novel that I’m reading to watch and listen to their laughter that’s feeling the air.  The surrounding foliage swaying in the cool breeze and the sweet chirping of the birds make this backyard retreat such a wonderful oasis after a full day running around town.

During warm summer weekends I will enjoy entertaining the rest of the family.  Hayden will do her somersaults while Alex, Allie, Tavi and baby Joey will be clapping their hands with glee.  I can almost hear baby Marley’s sweet cooing under the pergola while Joey and Anastasia entertain her.  On the other end of the pool Kane and Magnus are busy wrestling away.

Hold it, what’s that?  I smell the delicious aroma of food that my mom is busily preparing in the kitchen.  Wait until you see my “dream kitchen!”

***swimming pool photo borrowed from Architectural Digest.

Gadgets: A mom's necessary evil

In today's parenting world where only the rich people can afford to have 24 hours nanny it's always a struggle for a parent like me to juggle work, family, and everything in between, which often times fall through the cracks.  I find myself sometimes dreaming of having all the help around the house so that I could just simply relax and enjoy being with the kids without feeling guilty of neglecting other necessary things that had to have been done yesterday.  I guess I'm not the only one, so, I'll stop feeling sorry for myself now.

No judgement please!  This is how I use the 21st century technology we call iPhone and iPad to sneak a few moments to take care of the other important things that need to be done or else everything else piles up like the domino effect.  Not my shining moment, but, a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do!

Allie and Alex entertaining themselves

I encourage every mom out there to use all necessary ways and means to and their power to harness their guilts and worries to embrace the gadgets and other technology that can gain a minute or two in this never ending cycle, "our so called LIFE."

Summer Is Here

I can't believe I've been gone this long from posting on this blog!  Blame it on fb.

Let's see, so far here are some of the highlights this year.

I finally took a 3 week vacation and had a blast at my high school and elementary reunions.  I accomplished a goal of going to a place I've never been before in the Philippines thanks to my cousin Dara and a dear friend Lisa's generosity and who took me to Tagaytay.  I sadly missed a Spain trip with best friends Ilay and Bunay and explored Hong Kong instead.

The lab hired a much needed help but somehow I can't understand how I'm exhausted and feels like the work days got shorter and my to do list got exponentially longer.

Bailed on an overnight camping trip on Leo Carillo Beach due to "over sensory kids overload syndrome," even though it took me 3 hours driving bumper to bumper to get there on a 4th of July weekend and 2 hours driving back the same snail's pace after spending maybe 1 hour tops watching my sister and her boyfriend set-up the huge family tent and probably ate almost a half of the huge, sweet and delicious watermelon. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE KIDS!

I have been eating salads for lunch for the past week or so. I seem to be enjoying a nice glass of Shiraz, or Rose or Muscat Canelli on any given Fridays or Saturdays.

Yup! Definitely, summer is finally here.  Bring It ON.......  Here's to more posts in this blog:)

Goodbye Manay Amy

I got a phone call from the Philippines this morning and received a news that my cousin, Manay Amy is in critical condition.  On my way home from work this afternoon, I got a text that said, "she passed away."  She fought a long and very hard battle with a nasty disease. Now it's time for my cousin to rest. I am so sad but happy that she is not suffering anymore.  Rest in peace Manay Amy.

The Big 4-0

My reaching this magic age next month is inevitable.   I never had problems with the previous milestones, but this one, I don't know. ..... Somehow I feel the need that I should be feeling something.  I can't seem to pin point what it should be though.  Which brings me to the fact that I probably should just embrace this with grace.  

Let's see, what about a list for what I should be thankful for before reaching the Big 4-0. 

1. Wonderful Family and Friends
   
2. Excellent Health
3. Incredible Job and an Exceptional Boss
   
4. Freedom to do, think, feel, whatever I want, whenever I want
5. Beautiful roof over my head

This list could probably go on and on, but I won't bore you with it.  For those who will be reaching another milestone, here's a little secret, it only gets better and better. 

OcToBeR BluEs

We had pouring rain overnight.  The sky is so gloomy and dark right now.  The heater was turned on to keep the cold, damp air away.  This weather reflects what my family is feeling right now.  It has been hard for my family these past couple of weeks.  

An uncle of mine, who's also my Godfather, passed away from a massive heart attack. He lived a good life. He stayed in Iowa for the slow-paced day to day life, I guess California was just too much for him.  

Then a few days later, my cousin in the Philippines followed.  After a wonderful lunch and the Christmas tree bought (his final request), he slept and went into a coma.  His was a long fought battle, ever brave and ever strong. 

They will surely be missed.  

Furthermore, the day we found out about my cousin, I found our fish not scrambling to get his food and  he was lying next to his castle, lifeless.  His was the only one we could attend in person.  We buried him in the backyard next to the two previous ones we had before him.

The "circle of life" witnessed by my niece at a young age of almost 7 years old by next week.

Sadness and Hope

There was this deep sadness in me when I heard about the calamity that hit the Philippines.  My only consolation is the fact that my friend Buday kept on updating me on how we can help the victims from wherever we are.  I also have friends that posted in FB excerpts  from news about the countless good Samaritans that risked their own lives to save others.  From where I am standing, it seems so incomprehensible to fathom the depth of sadness from those who where affected and those who were helpless in the midst of this catastrophe.  However, I have this firm belief in the goodness of everyone, the collective strength of the people, and the unshakable faith that life will go on.  My hope and prayers go out to  those who are affected and also to those who had the strength in them to help others.  May we find hope in every smile we receive today, and that little glimpse of sunshine.

Saturday Blues

On my way to the gym this morning, I found out that my car was broken into. They took my radio. Mind you it was in a gated garage! How in the world did they get in without being noticed? My car was one of the 3 cars broken into. On the bright side (yes there's a bright side), they didn't break my windows.

I felt violated and scared. I guess no gym for me today.

Gloomy Tuesday

I just heard that my cousin is in the hospital again. He was diagnosed with "soft tissue sarcoma" last year. When we visited last April he just finished his chemo and radiation and looked good. He just celebrated his birthday end of August. On a bright note, he's a fighter and has a lot of faith.

Last Sunday I received an email from my friend that one of our dear friend's mom just passed away. It just made me sad to think that both her parents are now gone. However, it's comforting to know that our friend is also the "strength" in her family. I can imagine her now, just taking charge of any given situation.

As I'm writing this blog, I am deeply saddened that unfortunate things do happen and it can happen to anyone. We live, we die, and for some of us, we fight.

Please say prayers for my cousin, that he overcomes this hurdle upon him, and for my friend's mom, that she may rest in peace, and to my dear friend, that she may have extra strength and faith that, this too shall pass.

New School, New Friends, New Beginnings

I was lucky enough to accompany my sister to drop off Hayden for her fist day of school at Holy Family. At first, I thought, "new school, new faces, this looks like waterworks in the making." I am so blessed for being around my niece's transformation from being in the tummy, a cute baby, and now a 2nd Grader. Boy, time flew by so fast! We got to the school, auditorium was filled, parents looking flustered, some kids were smiling, some apprehensive, and some sleepy. Hayden had a stoic face, I thought to myself, "I hope she's alright." Finally, I had the courage to push through the crowd and ask a mom where the 2nd graders were. Low and behold they were at the other end of the auditorium. We finally got there, and guess what brought a smile to Hayden's face, a girl with open arms saying her name and giving her a huge hug! Hayden said with full relief, "Katelyn!" At that moment I knew she'll be alright. I guess mother's instinct is one hundred percent reliable. My sister was smart enough to enroll Hayden to the school's summer program in anticipation of the "new school." On the other hand, I remember a horrible first day of school at Colegio de la Milagrosa. I mean, waterworks, holding to my yaya for dear life, and imagine this, rolling on the floor to let them know I was not feeling it! My mom was smart, she transferred me to Pilot Elementary School.

Much Needed Rest

At Sundown

Our Bay Window

It's only Tuesday and I'm already beat. Luckily, it will be a short work week for me. I'm taking off on Friday, yay! I'm quite happy just to be sitting here in the living room watching people walk their dogs and their kids , enjoying a very calming view and putting my thoughts into words so that I can share them with all of you out there. I do hope that all of you are already unwinding from a long day's worth of work. Think good thoughts my friends. Life is good!

The Run

The anticipated run finally happened. What an experience! It was the AZTLAN 5K SUNSET INDIAN X/C RUN on grass, dirt and hills. I couldn’t sleep the night before with crazy thoughts going through my head, missing the run altogether due to traffic, falling, leg cramps, side-stich, and the worst, chickening out at the start line.

It was definitely hard for a first race, a little scary sometimes because of the uneven terrain; the first uphill trail was insane (literally through the trees), some obstacle courses of fallen branches and the worst part was when 60 yr olds just wheezed by me like they do this on a daily basis. The best part was the crowd dotting the course cheering us on and giving us support and I was lucky enough that my family got there to see me at the finish line.

The ARC running club is just an awesome group! They inspire and motivate me to “just run.” Before I left, they handed out trophies for the women’s group, age 30-39, and both the 1st and 3rd place went to our group. I bet the ARC also placed in the men’s group, I’ll definitely find out later.

It feels great to have checked off this first 5K in my “to do list,” I am now looking forward to the next race!

Just Run

I joined the ARC Running Club end of February this year. I never thought of myself as a runner, but since I was feeling bored going to the gym, this was such a blessing for me. This group has members as young as 5yrs old to 60 yrs old, from different walks of life, and multitude of reasons why they run. Most of them have done multiple marathons; some did triathlons, others 5k’s or 10K’s, still others the iron man competitions. One member has a goal of training for ultra marathon. This group is quite special; they care about how you can achieve your goal. It’s funny because, I have a couple of them who asks me religiously how many times I ran in the week, and my constant answer is,” twice” (we meet twice a week, hahaha). I still haven’t captured the state where I can run by myself and run often. I just want to be able to lace up my running shoes without thinking about it, and just run. I’m a little apprehensive right now because my first 5K Run is in one week and I haven’t done the necessary preparations for it. I guess you’ll know what happens in a week.

The Slump

Never in my wildest dream thought that California would reach the brink of bankruptcy. The legislators and the governor haven't agreed on how to solve the state's deficit. In the meantime, recession finally hit my family with a big blow. My mom received a third day of furlough last week, in short, a 15% pay cut for her. There's an impending pay cut for UC employees, that would include me, and one of my sisters will be laid off next week. Life sure can throw a curve ball when you least expect it!

Welcome Sunny

Sunny's baptism was yesterday. He was wearing a cute white outfit and a playful smile for the occasion. It was a solemn ceremony without fuzz, or a piercing cry when the water was poured on his head. Boy, sixth godchild and counting, whew! It sure is a nice yardstick of age. Let me see, Frederick, Roxanna, Hayden, Nathan, AJ, and Sunny. Welcome Sunny to our Faith!