The Lighthouse and Me

I've only seen lighthouses in pictures and in movies but never get the chance to really see them up close. I thought, lighthouses were built just for sightseeing and those who wanted to have a wide view of the sea and ocean. But yesterday, I learned how important a lighthouse is to seafarers and fishermen.

My attempt to take a good photograph of the Parola

I had a great time joining my daughter in their school's annual tour which was in the historical BagacayPoint Tower also known as Parola Watch Tower in Catarman, Liloan Cebu.

"This Lighthouse stands at a towering height of 72 feet in an uphill area
overlooking the splendid Mactan Channel. It sits on an elevated 5,000-sq m government property, 22 km from the main road. The Tower has an active focal plane of 146 feet. The Present tower built in 1908 is white, octagonal and concrete made. The landmark was built in 1904 by virtue of an executive order issued on July 28, 1903 by William Howard Taft, who came to the country in 1900 as president of the Philippine Commission and later appointed US governor general. This light point was originally established in 1857. The Light point flashes white light source at every 5 seconds. For the past 101 years, this white octagonal tower has provided guiding light to mariners, navigators and fishermen from coastal towns in Northern Cebu."(http://www.waypoint.ph/)

Late in the morning, it rained so hard I thought it'll never stop. Good thing the sun came up just as we were about to embark on the journey. The sunny afternoon weather made it really perfect for the nature tour. I never regretted taking the time off though it was also a somewhat birthday leave for me. The view was spectacular I can't help taking pictures of the tower and the view surrounding it. I also climbed and braved the 93 steps going up the tower with my daughter but felt cramps on my leg while descending the staircase.

Alex while going down the stairs

View from the top

Looking at the light house standing so proudly, I felt serenity deep within. Amidst all the noise of children around me, I felt peace just by staring at it and while listening to the sound of the wind. There's a kind of connection between me and the lighthouse. Like the lighthouse, I have a role of giving light to my loved ones and those who might need it.

Alex and Jaz with the lighthouse at the background

More pictures here.

Birthday Girl @ 29

She is at the stage of her life where she has a full grasp of her destiny. Yes, destiny is indeed at hand. She's married to the most amazing person who puts up with her worst moods, nasty habits and that despite her imperfections embraces her for who she is and for who she's not. She's blessed with the smartest and the most adorable daughter a mother could ever have. She has a family who supports her every decisions and directions in life. She is surrounded with friends who continue to be her wonderwalls and reaches out to her anytime, all the time. She has a career who provides her with opportunities for learning and growth and supports her family's needs.

See? She has the best of everything. With that, let me propose a toast to the birthday girl, the phenomenal woman, the lady behind this blog, alessaundrei's mom, earl's mhalove, achi to sistahs and bro, tata to ma and pa, ate lou to cuzins, miss mha to some, lutz to quite a few, momgoddess...MHALOU!

Cheers!!!

(Photo credits to Greza)

PMN E-Zine

Allow me to brag a little about my first ever article posted at Pinoymomsnetwork e-zine under Travel Section. At first I was hesitant to submit my article as I am not that confident about my writing skills. Thanks to Raquel for the opportunity and for tweaking my article a little bit to be pmn material.

I was really thrilled! You can read my article here.

Preggy Look

Incident 1: (college classmate who was in our office for her job interview)
Jem: Oi, congrats!
Me: Huh??? (clueless)
Jem pointing to my tummy
Me: Oh no…I’m not pregnant!
Jem: Ha!? I challenge you. You should loose some weight gyud!
Me: Okay
(Wicked me: I hope you don’t pass the interview.)

Incident 2: (Tia – 6-year old daughter of our Expat)
She was showing us some dance steps learned in school. I tried to follow her steps.
Tia: Nooo, you gothith all wrooong!!!
Me: Ok, I’ll try to practice at home (while doing the dance step again)
Tia: Thaths why you thon’t getith becauth you have a baby in your thummy.
Me and the rest of the people around bursting into laughter.

I don’t know if it’s something I should be happy or be offensive about but some people often mistake me for being pregnant. I really wanted to have another baby but it seems my body isn’t ready yet. During my last visit, my ob advised me to lose some weight coz maybe that’s one of the reasons why it’s difficult for me to be pregnant again. Well, if it’s really meant to be, it’s meant to be. But for now, I am contented having a preggy look.

Sinulog 2008 - Colors of the Festival

The rain didn't even dampen the festive mood. Rain or shine the parade must go on.

Here are the pics taken during one of the country's grandest festivals.

(pardon the pictures of a novice photographer)

SINULOG 2008

...the contingents in their most colorful and unique costumes

...graced by the country's brightest stars and most sought-after product endorsers.
...enormous giants, colorful floats, beauty and elegance

...to the delight of the kids and kids at heart!
more pictures here.

PIT SEÑOR!!!

In Pain

It's been three days now and I still feel this throbbing pain in my left shoulder. Woke up last Wednesday with this excruciating pain right below my neck that getting up was such a chore. As in, sakit gyud! I have to turn my body when looking to the side and turning back (like a robot).

Ben-gay, alaxan and salonpas didn't seem to have an effect on me maybe because of the inches of fat on my skin. LOL!

Hope this will heal before weekend...before the Sinulog activities take place.

Infidelity in Marriage

One of the most painful experiences we go through in our marriage and perhaps in LIFE is finding out your better half is cheating on you. Worst is when he or she admits to the mistake.

I am not talking about my own marriage here. Knock on wood…God forbids!

I am talking about a friend whose marriage is about to fall because of her husband’s infidelity. Last Saturday, I received a message from her asking me if I have any knowledge whatsoever about her husband having an affair with another woman. She said she’s been hearing rumors from other people about the affair but she wanted to investigate further. She also told me that they suddenly drifted apart and they’re not in good speaking terms the past six months.

The following day, she sent me another message informing that her husband admitted to the crime so to speak and that even my husband knows about the affair. What a shame! But my husband told me that he doesn’t want to complicate things and stick his nose in their situation -- the reason for his silence.

I really don’t know the reasons behind the problems in their marriage but cheating on your spouse is totally taboo. If I were in her shoes, I would definitely feel devastated and I would fight hell for my right as a wife to the extent of killing b**ches who gets in the way. And these cheating husbands should also be taught some lessons. I used to think that her husband is the sanest among their barkada but I guess men will always be men. They easily succumb to temptations especially when it comes to women. I’ve personally talked to my friend yesterday and she admitted that perhaps she is to be blamed as well. The culprit has been they fail to find TIME for each other. She was focused on her career trying to support her family’s needs while her husband is passionately managing a resto-bar and a mistress. She said she doesn’t deserve all these crap and even thinks of ending the marriage. I told her to hang on if she thinks it is still worth it. As the song goes, “Don’t give in without a fight”.

At some point in our marriage, I had doubts about my husband having an affair. My self-esteem was quite low at that time and I had this insane suspicion that he’s replacing me for some hot chick in his friendster network. I even tried some crazy stuff just to gather some proof but they weren’t strong enough to support my allegation. So, I just allowed the issue to die. And here we are still holding on. Circumstances like these make me hang on to our marriage and love my husband even more. I do have doubts sometimes considering his profession but more than that I trust him to be faithful all the time. It’s the trust that’s really important. He may look at other girls in a lustful way but at the end of the day, he will always come home to me.

Trying Yoga For the First Time

While cleaning our stack of dvds and cds this morning, I found this Yoga dvd which was given to me by a friend two years ago. I never get the chance to really view it as it got lost somewhere in the piles of dvds and cds. I've been wanting to try yoga because I've heard that it relaxes the body and mind. It's like you're in the zone for relaxation and you get a renewed energy after. It is also said that health and well-being are the benefits of yoga.

Anyway I plugged in the dvd and started following Patricia Walden on the video. At first, the poses are quite easy to do but then midway, they became challenging and complicated. I had to stop after 30 minutes because I felt my arms and legs started to ache. But for a beginner like me it wasn't that bad despite my seventy kilo weight. Haha!

I hope I could do this everyday and really sustain it until I could do the poses with ease. For the past years, I've been really trying all sorts of stuff just to lose weight. But my dilemma has always been, I'm good at the start but never get to finish or continue what I've started. The culprit has been my insatiable appetite for food and eating. I know it's just a matter of discipline which I admit, I truly lack.

So, way to go yogi wannabe!

High Five

Today.

Woke up at 6am with the morning drizzle. I still want to curl up in bed but I have to force my sleepy body to be up and about as I still have to cook spaghetti and pick-up some cupcakes. Yep, when you speak of spaghetti, it sure is somebody's birthday.

Who else but my precious daughter - Alex is turning a year older today!

She's now five years old.

She's been really excited about her birthday and has been talking about it since, well, last year. She had great plans for her birthday like a Dora Party with mascots and all but due to financial constraints I have to pull through a simple yet memorable snacktime (read: little party) with her classmates in school.

Pictures taken here.

We brought packed snacks for her classmates to share in school. I also ordered Jade's special cupcakes with her name printed (in icing) on it.

We have no major plans today though I took a day off to be with her the entire day. Of course, we wouldn't miss going to church later in the afternoon.

So, Happy High Five Birthday Langga!

"You've grown to be such a sweet and smart girl (though trying to outsmart us sometimes). But mommy and daddy loves you so much and you continue to bring in happiness into our lives. I pray that you'll grow up to be responsible, God-fearing and kind-hearted person. Chase your dreams and we'll support you all the way --- even if it would mean being a rockstar someday."

Just Playing

My entry to PMN's Fam Pics this month would be photos and excerpts of the poem "Just Playing" by Anita Wadley.

Let the lines of the poem and the pictures speak for itself. You can read the rest of poem here.

When you see me sitting in a chair “reading” to an imaginary audience, please don’t laugh and think I’m “just playing”. For, you see, I’m learning as I play. I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods, please don’t think that because I enjoy it, it is “just play”. I’m learning to follow direction and see differences. I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body, please don’t say I’m “just playing”. For, you see, I’m learning as I play. I’m learning how my body works. I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I’ve done at school today, and I say, “I just played”, please don’t misunderstand me. For you see, I’m learning as I play. I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in my work. I’m preparing for tomorrow. Today, I am a child and my work is play.