Music Box

When I was a child I used to own a light pink vinyl music box. It was a present from one of my mother's students.  I was so amazed with the plastic ballerina doing pirouettes to the melody playing. It was so magical, so divine. I think it is every little girl's dream.

I am not a good dancer. I can't even follow simple steps and I always wonder how a plastic ballerina spin so gracefully.
Unfortunately, my music box is no longer in my possession.  

The jewelry box I bought from Mahmoud Saeed five years ago. It's not musical but I love the dragonfly design and it's inexpensive.

A good night sleep (FB-less night) despite my inflammed tonsils, a morning prayer, a cup of coffee, two Salonga songs back to back on my shuffled playlist, beautiful sunrise, another great blog from Mrs. Yu, the good news of  typhoon Falcon leaving Ph. - seeking a good life!

My old nano.

Love Takes Work

Let me share with you ten simple guides we follow in our marriage.

Letting patience and understanding work together - We seldom fight. We fight the problem instead. We always work together with patience.

Always rest on the positive outlook 

Kiss each other goodnight / Call, just to say "I love you"- This is our daily dose of affection.

Kneel in prayer together - It is always important for us inflate our faith.

Retrospect through good memories 

Hold hands

Taken by Jem Jabal

Continue dating

Living within our means - Habang maikli ang kumot, matutong mamaluktot. (Literally: While the blanket is short, learn to curl for you to fit in it. Meaning: Refers to situations when resources are scarce, one should learn to be thrift and adapt.) We've learned to live observing this old adage.

Don't make mountains out of molehills

Saying sorry when necessary 

Taken by Jem Jabal

Have a blessed Sunday!

Praying for Jem's safe trip to U.S. We couldn't have picked a great place for holiday if not for her. I'll always remember the few months we've spent together.
Good luck to all your endeavors Jem. Take care!

En Route to my Heritage

Watching TV patrol and seeing Bernadette Sembrano's Filipiniana Terno made me think of Dita Sandico Ong's indigenous fiber creations. I am also happy to know that 10% of the Filipinos have retained the traditional culture. At least may 10 percent pa!

Photo Credit: The Filam

Photo credit: Google images

Having the modern Filipiniana way!

The Dita Sandico Ong wraps are made of dyed banana fiber and abaca.

An obi-style top I've used during a traditional Malaysian wedding ceremoy in December 2010, courtesy of my friend Norren Saporna.

The good thing about the Dita Sandico Ong designs is that they can be worn in a multitude ways. You can actually play with them!

Photo Credit: http://kevintatco.multiply.com

Photo Credit: Google Images and Smilebox

A Terno worn by TV personalities during the State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Photo Credit: Google Images and Smilebox

Photo Credit: Google Images and Smilebox

There are many Filipiniana attires to choose from - Tapis, Maria Clara / Panuelo and Baro't Saya. The Barong Tagalog is always the best choice for men. This is the Filipino-style - very pleasing to nationalism!

Tasting the Filipino culture is also like having hot pandesal for brekky, bibingka, sago't gulaman, banana/kamoteQ for merienda, mangga't bagoong, puto't dinuguan, Adobo for lunch and sweet and sour Lapu-lapu for dinner!

I'm proud to be Pinoy!

Happy Birthday Dr. Jose Rizal!
& Happy Father's Day!

Welcoming Changes

Life becomes difficult when we anticipate changes. And sometimes it is more difficult for me to welcome these changes if they would only mean being apart from my family but they are truly inevitable.

I love my family and by simply seeing them around completes me.

Is it worth working overseas? I often ask myself. It is so hard to balance career and meeting the needs of my family. Sadly, I always fail in this!

But like a book, life is a collection of chapters which always include unforeseeable changes of events. We must learn how live through with these chapters and acceptance must always come to the forefront.

Sooner, I'll be facing another difficult change but my faith in Him is paramount. He will surely help me see through each chapters and He will give me strength to welcome changes instead of worrying about them.
For the meantime, I'll enjoy the moment that I have because....
Time doesn't come back!

With our sweet Shan

Missing those sweet innocent smiles!

With Ricky Mataac's Kian and Anne

Growth is the only evidence of life.

She adores children.


All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.
  -Anatole France-

Making life a fantastic friend!

A share of coffee after the heartbreaking NBA playoff game. Classic songs from my white old Nano. A date with Dayne due to mutual concession. The excitement on hoping to see great tiangge finds at Bugis.

Making life a fantastic friend!