Loving Life Each Day

When I was six years old, thoughts of growing up to become a nurse started developing in my young mind.  Throughout my formative years I would pretend I was wearing a white uniform, white lace up shoes, and a white triangle cap on my head.  I would fold a piece of white paper shaped like a nurse’s cap, clip it on top of my long curly hair, and walk around the house with my plastic stethoscope hanging on my neck.  I would check on Nancy, my doll and every relative, stuffed animal and living animal, bug, frog, and anything catchable within 100 feet of the house for life signs: temperature, heartbeat, and pulse. Life was great at 6 years old knowing my life’s calling.

My family knew I wanted to become a nurse (figure that one out without additional clues), but in “adult truth” world, also known as “reality” nurses do not make a good living in the Philippines.  Separation from family to work abroad for gain was never entertained in my family.  Immediately, in the game of life “reality world” scored 1 and my 6-year old dream scored 0.   My dream was boxed up, put away, and never opened again.

I went on with my life like a good little Filipino daughter should: graduated in  business school.  Worked hard and honored my family and myself with awards, promotions, and significant career ladder steps achieving other life goals in ‘reality world’.   I couldn’t ask for more in terms of my career, family, and life.   The results were all very fulfilling.

But just like the old saying, ” first love never dies”,  my nursing dream rested silently in my heart.  But with a change in “reality world” events, a nursing education opportunity knocked at the door again. This time I was not 6 years old and I had satisfied all expectations often placed on the perfect Filipino daughter.  I grabbed this living dream with much passion never to let it slip away again.

After passing entrance exams a month ago, I received the approval of my application to get into nursing school.  It was one of the best days in my life.  On June 1st, 2009, I will go to school part-time and still work full time in my business career.

I have mixed emotions just like a little child on her first day of school.   I also have a  new note pad, pencil, and school clothes like a 6 year old; however, there is a veil of consciousness that holds feelings of excitement, skeptical doubts, enthusiastic attitude and nervous feelings surrounding the fulfillment of a dream.

Happiness is……never giving up on dreams because they all can come true someday.   Mine is coming true today! …

… wearing scrubs and carrying a real stethoscope, I will be on this for the years to come and still ..

loving life each day !

25 Things About Me that you don’t know yet.

When Joa tagged me, I knew this is a challenge. I am not as interested about myself as much as I am with all my friends. When I was working on my list, I found out so much about me that surprised me too.

1. My real name is Elizabeth and I enjoy discovery, trying out new activities, not afraid of challenge, loves to compete. I love to start new projects, but completing is a whole different story. I have a lot of ideas, making them happen is not one of them !

2. Been hospitalized only four times in my life (1) gave birth to my son in 1985 (2) gave birth to my daughter in 1989 (3) gall bladder removed in 2003 (4) passed out from a reaction of heart burn pill and allergy medication in 2008. Enjoys the attention and care in the hospital – so those four times were a blast!

3. I talk fast… think fast… walk fast… eat fast…. If you see me moving slow – there is something wrong with me. I have nothing against slow people, it is just my energy can’t keep me in one place too long. I probably could pass to having ADHD.

4. Kitchen is the place where I unwind … I cook, I wash dishes by hand and go down in my knees cleaning up. I enjoy experimenting on flavor and texture and tweak the recipe a little and come up with my own style. (1) Like my arrozcaldo with sinigang mix (2) my stir fry veggies with kaldereta mix (3) my beef stew with pancit bihon on it.

5. If I get comfortable with a pair of shoes, I wear the same pair until it gives up on me. I am into high heels shoes and wished that tennis shoes comes in three inches heels !

6. I am not into bags. I get bags as gifts (signature ones) from my officemates on birthdays and holidays – sometimes I think they are thinking I couldn’t afford to get one – I ended up giving those bags to my sisters who appreciates them more than I do. I just have to have a bag and the only time I changed it when it is falling off of its handle.

7. I maintain a spreadsheet of my budget. I record money coming in and where it is going. I had the same style since I started working. I just have to audit myself and that is the accountant in me.

8. I keep a diary and I have a whole drawer full of them.

9. I am into losing weight. I know I am not that heavy, but if I see an ad that shows that irresistible look of flat stomach and sexy curve – I am all over it. Had tried from kankunis tea, to all kinds of diet pills, to weight lost program, to running, to weight lifting. I own a bowplex tread mill and the whole bowplex gym thing, I used to be a member of Bally’s to 24 Hour Fitness, owns so many sets of dumbbells and the newest addition is my exercise ball.

10. I have a strong attraction to tall guys. I have always enjoy looking at them and admire their long arms and legs and body. Hehehehe opposite attracts !

11. I get terrible head ache when the smell of perfume doesn’t agree with my taste. I use CK one, Light Blue by D&G, Tommy Girl, Happy, La Coste Pour Femme. For Jeff I only let him use Hugo Boss.

12. I had lasik surgery to correct my vision 5 years ago. I will do it again in a heartbeat if I have to. It was one of the best things I did for myself.

13. I have been putting serious thoughts on getting a second career – to be a registered nurse is on top of my list. To be an actress and make serious money is actually NOT on my list hehehehe !

14. To play piano is in my forever to-do-list. I enrolled some years ago and bought myself an electric piano. I need to find time and do it again.

15. I sleep with one flat pillow under my head and another pillow on my side position in a certain way that it touches my left face and my left arm resting on top of it. If it’s not the right exact position – I won’t be able to sleep.

16. I eat one piece of dry toast and peanut butter for breakfast and a cup of coffee everyday.

17. I get up at 5:00 in the morning and goes to bed at 11:00 at night on work days. I take long naps on weekend to make up for my lost sleep.

18. I am punctual (very), I like to be on time on meetings and dates. I normally get to the meeting place 30 minutes earlier.

19. I love reading quotes and words of wisdom.

I had this one for a long time and have used when my first marriage failed:
“The Glory is not never falling, but in rising every time you fall” .

This one I used when I keep hitting my goal and missing:
“ Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man, but soon or late the man who wins…. Is the man who thinks he can !”

This one when I am sad:
“ Depression thrives in privacy. Break the silence and you will weaken its grip on you.”

20. I admire lawyers over any other professions in the entire planet– too bad Jeff didn’t finish law school, one thing that strongly attracted me the first time I met him. Same reason why I read John Grisham’s novels. Same reason why I sat in front of my Business Law and Taxation class when I was in college so I can look at my law professor eye-to-eye. I just love their oozing self confidence !

21. I only have a couple of shows I enjoy watching, Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters, American Idol (seasonal). I watch news every morning to get the traffic report, weather report and updates on the economy.

22. I find grocery shopping relaxing, using coupons, finding items on sale. I prefer doing grocery shopping alone and enjoying one good long hour of just pushing the cart isle by isle and reading labels and nutrition information. I even go to card section and spend time reading cards.

23. Where ever I live, I always find time to find the best church with a lively pastor. Someone who would keep me awake for an hour. I love God and I know He loves me and I have to find a way to spend time just for Him. I have alone time early in the morning where I just think only Him and talk to Him. A special time I devote to connect to our Father.

24. I buy $1 lotto ticket every time I go to convenient store. It only takes one set of numbers and luck to hit the jackpot. I just love the adrenalin rush every time I go on line and check the winning numbers. After losing, I would sit next to Jeff and we would talk about what are we gonna do if we win. It was so much fun to day dream - our dreams had taken us to different parts of the world already- isn’t that cool ?

25. I take a bath at night before I go to bed and wash my hair twice a week. Pssshhh I don’t take shower when I am not going anywhere on weekend – so with that said, don’t ever think of surprising me with a visit and you will truly be surprised !

Now I feel I can go on and on and bore you all to death hehehe that’s it - mission accomplished !

… 25 more things about me and you already know that I am lovinglifeeach day !

Each New year signals a clean fresh start.  Just like a new journal - pages are unmarked  and clean - future ready to be written !

On the first day of the year,  I thought of starting my day different from what I have been doing in the past.  It was still dark,  I got up and head into an empty room in the house.  I wanted to clear my heart and my mind and start the year refreshed and renewed.  I knelt down, cried and prayed … and it felt so good.

I put on my running shoes,  grabbed my IPOD and put the leash on Cottonball and at 6:30 in the morning we were both enjoying the cool morning breeze. It was peaceful outside, no cars on the road, no early morning joggers.

As we were running,  I saw a guy standing by the fence tearing some papers - I waved at him and greeted him Happy New Year,  he smiled back - then I thought he could be doing one of those traditions like writing the not so good things that happened last year and tearing the list apart to signal moving forward. I heard some people are throwing the list on the fire.  I think that would be fun to do.

Off we went…   then I saw an older lady with a little dog almost like Cottonball. Hmmm…  opportunity for me to strike a conversation.  I stopped her and asked about her dog - she didn’t seem to be friendly in the beginning,  but as soon as I started talking she loosened up.  She said she lost her other dog and that she was feeling depress.  I could see the tears in her eyes as she was telling me what happened.  The dog ran away and someone had probably grabbed her and kept her.  We talked for a couple minutes but it was too cold to stop from moving,  I told her I will pray for her dog and that whoever found her would have the heart to call her - the dog has microchip on it and a name tag - so returning the dog is possible.

Two-mile run and two people I met along the way.

This year.. l will run more and smile more at strangers……. oppss did I just make a new year’s resolution?

Good things in life  are reasons why we love life each day …  the not so good things in life are not reasons for us not to love life each day.  Problems are the humps in our path of life that signals  “slow down”  there is an important message to watch for.

… it is now 2009 and I will keep sailing along in the waves of life and still loving life each day !

Our electric bill was due on the 9^th, same as the car insurance and some other small bills. December was a tough month, it was when property taxes were due. Being an accountant, budgeting is a simple task to me. However, budgeting is not the issue now,  I got a pay cut couple months ago and I had to pull all our resources to get our finances straightened out. It was tougher than what I thought it would be. I called these companies and requested to give me a few extra days to pay our bills. They agreed to it but they would still charge me penalty. I was frustrated, those were additional expenses. They didn’t even care that we have a pretty good paying track record, I always pay our bills way ahead of time. My husband said that’s just how it is, it is business and nothing personal.

Driving my way home that night, several things ran through my mind. What if I completely lose my job ? What if we can’t pay our mortgage anymore ? It went on and on for several minutes, lots of “ what if’s?”. I was never prepared to answer all my questions.. and I don’t know if I have the answers.  I cried out to God and asked him to comfort me as I was scared.

I got home that night, prepared dinner, talked a little and then head out to pick up the mail. As I was sorting through the mail, one envelope caught my attention. I opened it carefully and to my surprise… it was a check we were told  we will receive on January 19^th.  I broke down in tears … God knows I needed it now. I paid our bills the next day, no penalty was charged.

This was not the first time God came through. He came through at the time the cost of gasoline was at its highest, I was so low in cash and low on gas in my car.  One morning the phone rang, it was a lady who said she has been looking for me because she needed my new address. We moved to our new house three years ago.  She said when I was confined in the hospital four years ago, my second insurance company paid for the remainder of the bill that the first insurance didn’t pay. I told her, I don’t remember paying for anything. She said that the check has been on their books for four years now. They mailed it and came back with the note that recipient doesn’t live there anymore.  She said that she needed to either write it-off or find the recipient. I accepted the check and told her, just make sure that this wasn’t a mistake and she said it wasn’t. How did she even find my number ?   As soon as I got the check, I drove to the gas station and filled up my car… tears rolled down my face… God knows I needed the extra cash.

It is not always material things that God used to show He cares… friends that suddenly would call at the time I was feeling low, emails that would suddenly cheer me up, cards from a friend thousand miles away, a smile from a stranger, the sample packet of shampoo that I found in the mail when the last drop of shampoo was used the day before.  It is always something to reminds us to Trust Him and to let us know that He cares for us.

Why am I writing this ?  I don’t know… I woke up and just felt the urge to share what God has been doing in my life… please feel free to share yours… God is the reason why I am…

…lovinglifeeachday

Keeping in touch through writing letters is one of my hobbies.  Thank heaven for the internet,  it doesn’t cost me anymore on postage stamps to communicate and have to wait for weeks to get the response.  I am good at this and some of you can attest to that.

When I was in high school, in 1981, I communicated with my HS boyfriend through letters almost everyday.  Telephone back in the 80’s was not an option, it wasn’t available. I would walk to the post office a mile away to drop off my letter.  Every afternoon, I would wait for the mailman to hand me letters or cards.  It went on the whole summer.

I was introduced to internet in 1998.  It was through yahoo chatting and e-mails that I met a friend who later became my bestfriend - now almost like a sister.  We emailed almost everyday for several years until I came over.  Occasionally, we still shoot each other e-mail.

I thought this is fun and I hope no one gets upset with me, that I publish one of your e-mail.  I am almost tempted to disclose your name,  but I thought,  it’s up to you to claim which one is yours.   Oh, needless to say, I read your e-mails again and again, especially when I am feeling a little low.

Here you go….

1) Oh dear, dear Chay!!! let me be the first to welcome you to the sisterhood of florence nightingale.and you were right , you tickled me pink…ha!ha!ha!

oh you will enjoy it, my friend!i can feel your excitement from miles away!!!you will love every moment of it.

2) hi, betchik, thank you so much for your card. haha! nakita ko rin ang handwriting mo! hubby got it from the mailbox and son RIPPED it open - he said sorry afterwards (tumili ako, eh, haha!), he said mom, i didn’t know (pano magbukas daw), haha!

thank you for the kind words. you are wonderful, and i am proud to be your friend!

3) Dear Chay,

So good to hear from you. We are right behind you Chay, go for it! I can’t help but admire you for taking control of your life and for having foresight!

Yes, I made a resolution to keep in touch and always find time to “blog” (read, post comments, visit Salitype site, etc.)

Keep blogging (please). I know you will be very busy, but chronicle this chapter in your life, I would be very interested to read about your ***** adventures! You are that person who inspired me to “ramble” and write casually, and for that am grateful. I will pray that you will still find time to attend to your “writing life.”

4)Thank you again, chay!! you’re such a gem of a friend .. such a blessing that i met you here on friendster!! God really does work in mysterious ways, i agree ..

yes indeed!! Salitype is growing in leaps and bounds:) i was just thinking today, if more people keep joining, we all might have to quit our jobs to be able to respond to all posts, hehehehe:) i am already falling behind …

5) HI Chay,

Thanks a lot for the all your inspriring comments, those warm words really give magic to my amateur heart, haha! I actually just take pictures Chay for hobby, it’s a simple happiness money can not buy. Haaahaaa, or money can help? because we can add gadgets to our camera, you see, I do not have a macro lens yet, I just use standard lens, just like you.

6) Hi, Chay! Got to see your comments and other messages you’ve posted on Salitype. It seemed we have a lot in common. Like, loving Michael Buble’s music, being emotional and easy to please. I also like making friends (happy to hear their life stories). Like you, I came from a humble beginning. I love my family so much and the Lord is my Hero. Hope to keep in touch!Take care and God bless!!!

7) Chay, I cannot leave a comment on ur latest blog, for some reason which I frankly attribute to my technologically challenged brain.

So, here I am wishing you a belated but very happy and blessed marriage and a long life of memories together.

Have a great life, u both!

Hi ChaY,

You’re so funny and such a cool friend. Thank you for your intesrest sa book namin ha. Of course naman, gusto mo letter-long pa ang autograph na ilagay ko sa book mo eh. He! He! He!

Hi Chay, I’m not sure anymore if I’ve replied to this message of yours hehehe. But just to make sure I don’t get in trouble, here I am again.

9) Hello Chay! just me dropping by, i just want to ask if you received my e mail with the recipes? if not please tell me so i can send it to you again, tc gurlfriend

10) Thank you Chay for adding me up as well. I do appreciate the comments you left. Don’t mind if you browsed through my profile. No worries really. Take care now. Till next time.

11) .. about the sisig recipe its so simple.. get the pork butt , then pakuluan mo sya for like hmm let say 15 mins , then deep fry mo after that cut mo sya ng maliliit then mix mo na all the ingredients like chop cilantro, chop onions, pepper, salt, lemon and i put some hot chili seeds you can put anything but take it easy sa salt ha kasi hindi sya masarap pag maalat.. try mo yan you will love it.. enjoy and have fun cooking…I will be posting more whinning blogs and about heart aches.. hahahah You take care ..

Hello Chay! I will be having my road trip to Yosemite this coming december…. And also let me know if you want the Filipino style sisig recipe.. You take care…

12) despite the hostile change in the global financial weather, i still survive like a stubborn onion in a veggie garden, always persisting to keep moving on before a pair of feet tramples me like a snail (hehehe).

architecture business in the Philippines is cornered by big architectural firms and big-name architects. so, as a freelance low-profile architect, i am still thankful to have a barely sufficient share of work for my family to subsist. i can feel the unpleasant trend here and am just hoping it wouldn’t be as harsh as what some companies there (i heard) are going through.

it’s so thoughtful of you to ask how i’m doing and i thank you for that concern. i’m also hoping this wouldn’t get worse and that whatever happens we can still live through all these. after all, “life is still worth loving, each day”.

13) I should have told you this before…

YOU ARE MY ‘ONE HUNDREDTH’ FRIENDSTER FRIEND

>  Message number 13 is my most favorite … I saved the best for last.

Your messages are important to me and one of the reasons why I am…

..lovinglifeeachday

This year is my 8th Thanksgiving day here in the US.

As I sat down to write a blog, lots of things just started rushing through my brain.  I was gonna write some serious stuff,  but after writing and revising and re-writing, I gave up !  I will do that later,  but for now, I just need to relax and enjoy this time.  I needed to make a mental note of the things I am thankful for, something to say to our Thanksgiving prayer tomorrow .  I needed to make sure that I have all the ingredients for the foods I will cook tomorrow. I  have to get up early and get the house ready for a few guests coming . Then I worry if I had made enough pumpkin pie and pecan pie to serve everyone.

I found this recipe “Hazelnut Pumpkin Pie” while I was watching the food network channel couple days ago.  This is the first time I made pumpkin pie.  Jeff, who is my official food taster, said it was the best he ever had !

Few days ago, I read one of Che’s blogs about Christmas. The song she mentioned got stuck in my head for days … ” let it snow, let it snow, let it snow”.   Christmas has lost it’s magic in me.  It has been years now, since I left the Philippines. I started missing my family and the foods and the Christmas night masses. I thought, I had to stir it up again. I sang the song over and over and played Christmas carols all day long.  Slowly it came back to me. It was successful. The next thing I know,  I was putting up a tree I bought a year ago. This one plays old traditional Christmas songs, like Jingle Bells,  We wish you a Merry Christmas and a couple more songs.  So my tree is up and some decorations has also been put up.

I emailed my high school friends and urged them to have a “monito-monita” exchange gift. They gave in after so many e-mails I threw in.  We did it even if we were thousand miles away.  We did the raffle and set the rules and we will have an on-line party next month.  Something I am looking forward to.

Now I can sing ” Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere I go ” la..la..la..la.. la..

Have A Happy Thanksgiving to All !

To God… tomorrow as we celebrate Thanksgiving, I want to say, this year is a great one, lots of reasons to be thankful for ! A year I can look back and say I  learned so many lessons and grow deeper in my love and faith in You.  For my family,  old and new found friends, for my job, for a good health, and for all the blessings you have poured in my life … I say Thank You !

To God… I want to say a special thank you for a dear friend, who you sent my way more than eight years ago.  She opened up her door for me,  she shared the food on her table,  she gave me countless free rides, she accepted me like a family,  she taught me compassion,  selflessness, unconditional love.  She is rare find and she deserves only the best… pour more blessings upon her and to that I say Thank you !

…lovinglifeeachday

I started a new project …  Vegetable Garden !

I started this three weeks ago. Today, I was surprised to see how much they changed in just three weeks.  I never thought that it was a challenge to grow vegetables.  Snails and bugs already attacked them as soon as I laid them down.  I poured pesticides all around the area to protect them. Then the next of my challenge is to put a fence all around the area so my dog won’t get into the pesticides.   Whew .. after all that I went through,  I realized it would have been cheaper if I just buy vegetables in the market !

After working in my little garden .. I  realized how plants and friends have a lot of things in common.  From a seed, it grows into a little plant, then it becomes a tree, then eventually bears fruits.  They both require love, care and attention.  They are both an enormous source of joy.

For the fun of it… I name each one of my plants after my new found friends…

Green onion leaves (six of them)

Cilantro ( just one). This is great with salsa !

Yellow squash (two of them)

Cherry tomatoes ( three of them)

Big boy hybrid tomato ( just one)

Strawberries ( two of them )

Sweet Green bell pepper ( six of them) I use this with almost anything I make.

My wish is that our friendship just like these plants would continue to grow and bear lots of fruits !

…lovinglifeeachday

I finally found something that can make my life a whole lot easier.. my new found cleaning buddy - a magic eraser !  I know some of you are clean freak … me.. sometimes depends on the day of the month !

I found some finger marks on our white wall and have scrubbed it with soap and wet sponge,  no luck !   I thought the only remedy was to paint the room again.  Yesterday, I tried this magic eraser and I couldn’t believe my eyes - the marks were gone in seconds.  No wonder they call it magic eraser !

I went around the house and started scrubbing everything I can see that has dark spots on it,  refrigerator handle, drawers, cabinet doors, baseboards.

One piece is like the size of a sponge, it wears out as you use it. I finished the whole thing yesterday and did quite a bit of work.  I got this one as a sample from freebies.com and not sure how much it costs.

Well..  I thought I share this with you.  Anything that can make our lives easier is good thing.

Do I pass as a product endorser now ?  hehehehe

…lovinglifeeachday

Pet sitting exchange is a great idea if you have a pet and you travel frequently.  Pet sitting costs $35 per day in the place where I live.   We have a friend who owns two little dogs, Moo-sho and Chewy.  From time to time they travel and we took this little ones with great delight.

Different dogs have different personalities.  Chewy is a terrier-poodle mix.  He has a great personality, one who can put on a show, but gosh he loves attention.  He enjoys cuddling,  petting and he loves to be around people.

Moo-sho is a female Shitzu, and she is different from the other two.  She is very independent, didn’t want to be cuddled. She is like a police officer on patrol all the time. She watches the two dogs and would bark at them if they go to a restricted area, like upstairs or on the carpet.   She is not very sociable,  and would run underneath the couch when she sees other people.  She hates Jeff, she would run away as fast as she can everytime she sees him.

There’s the three of them - whew ! took me a long time to get all of them in one picture.

There goes my weekend ..  I had a great time playing with the three of them. They are my stress-buster this week.

…lovinglifeeachday

…lovinglifeeachday

A symbol for all that is sweet and good in life – emblem for the 6^th year wedding anniversary.

Be it the 1^st, the 25^th or the 50^th , each wedding anniversary celebrates a moment in the journey of marriage. A mark of the passing of another year together, a deepening of a couple’s commitment, a history of time irreplaceable.

We made our plans a month ago, nothing lavish, just plain fun, simple & memorable. We carpooled and went to work in the morning and got off at noon. For our lunch we decided to re-visit this restaurant where we had our very first date ~ The Elephant Bar ~ a place where dining is an adventure.

We were seated in a booth that couldn’t be more prominent. Jeff ordered NY steak & Niu niu coconut shrimp  (hmmm  … not sure what Niu Niu means).  I had shrimp & chicken jambalaya served with steamed white rice (hehehe I got to have rice !)

Our next stop was LA….. we bought a ticket to watch a musical show “Wicked” in Pantages Theater.  The show is at 8PM and we got there way too early.  We hang out around Hollywood Boulevard, bought some souveniers,  took some pictures, listened to some talents who were singing and selling their CD’s along the Hollywood Boulevard.

We went to Starbucks for our very much needed caffeine as I was feeling tired and weary from walking.  It was still way too early,  so we went to the Chinese Theater and it was good that they still have the movie  Mamma Mia.   Oh my life !!!   I had a great time watching and singing along - with familiar songs of Abba, like  Dancing Queen, Get a chance on me - who can resist not to sing along ?  The island where the movie was filmed was sooooo beautiful - the story was just romantic and the scenes were just captivating.  One of the best musical movies I ever saw.

We had a little snack and head to our show “Wicked” . A  2-1/2 hour of live broadway musical show.  A story about witchcraft and witches and magic. The comedy acts of the lead stars gave a good dose of laughter and kept us all awake.  The stars powerful voices made this show enchanting.  We enjoyed every part of it - no wonder it was so hard to get a ticket !

Something to commemorate our 6^th….

It was the 6^th of September, six years ago

You and me and my bestfriend

No cathedral setting, no fancy gown or organ played

The ring on our fingers and heartfelt vows, spoken that day, stayed

The years have flown by

Unforgettable times, good and bad

Sadness and joy, sickness and health

Poverty and wealth, we’ve seen them all

Through all life’s seasons

Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall

Our enduring commitment

Shines through as we continue our journey together….

I got a card and a ring … and he got a card and a poem !  Fair enough ??? LOL

… lovinglifeeachday

Olympics has been keeping me up late at night almost every night.  Swimming, gymnastics, basketball , volleyball are a few of those I enjoy the most.

Watching these incredible talents, some part of me feels that I share
in them. I think this is a widespread feeling, and one of the reasons
that so many people find the Olympics moving and inspiring.

My thoughts …  we don’t have to be an athlete, at any level, to identify
with Olympians. For sports are a human activity, and the qualities that
go into making a champion — aside from sheer talent — are ones we all
understand. In a million different ways, we’ve all struggled, we’ve all
sacrificed, we’ve all worked hard for seemingly unreachable goals.

From
a God’s-eye perspective, a single mother who for 15 years has
worked night and day, 7 days a week, so that her children can
go to school is as big a winner as Michael Phelps. But because life
isn’t scored as a game, with winners standing on podiums, we rarely get
to celebrate our own achievements. The Olympics, that great
metaphorical stage.

We are all
Olympians, fighting the great fight, wanting to bring home the gold !

…lovinglifeeachday

Love comes from the most unexpected places ….. la.la.la.la..llaaaaaaa remember that song ?  Well, have no intention of blogging about love here,  just a short announcement to check out a new friend who I met here in the blogosphere  - check out my list and look for MJ - I found her through Jo.  We have been exchanging notes  and I just enjoy her so much…. you would too !

hehehehehe the photo says it all…. she must be fun to be around.

MJ, if you chance upon this… can I use this picture for my blog ?   What a *** ,  you already posted it before you got my permission !!!!

hahahhahaha    

… lovinglifeeachday   

Come with me and get to know me … I’ll show you a typical Betchay day.  I didn’t post pictures while I am getting ready for work.  Photos didn’t pass the screening committee, you need parental guidance to view them !

Hooorruuummmm …I normally get up at 6AM and must be on the road in half an hour.

From home this is the road I travel to get on the freeway - a 3 mile stretch lined with cow farms,  farm houses. To me those are a lovely sight… a picture of simple lifestyle, low profile, no rush to get to work kind of thing, no pressure & no stress. Hay sale at $13 a bale sign on the right ! Friends that come and visit us, especially those who grew up in the country absolutely love the smell around this area, the rest of them.. no wonder they have all kinds of excuses every time I invite them over uhm  uhm uhm  ( joke only) !

Then I get on the freeway.  I have traveled along this road hundreds of times, on light traffic, heavy traffic, rainy days, hot summer season. No other route to work except this freeway, I stay here for 25 miles. The lane I was in, I literally call “the FREEway” because it is free to drive here.  Notice the 2 lanes on the left side- next to the yellow spikes, those lanes I call “PAYway” - it is a toll road and would cost you $4 in the morning and $9 in the afternoon (rate varies during the day) cheaper in the middle of the day and at it’s highest on rush hours and goes down again late at night. What do you call that Tes ?   highway robbery  ? LOL

Here…  I am almost to work, after the light, I turn right onto the parking lot. This is where I get on the celphone to report to hubby that I got to work safe.

Beep .. beep..
This is the parking lot and this is my parking spot… psshhhh well no one knows but I own that spot, okay ! I get really upset if I get there and someone park their car in that spot. And oh yes that is my baby… my small red car. Yes !! I almost make it to the middle of the white lines huh. Parking is a challenge, I am telling you Che !

This is my little “home” away from home - what ya say Eng !  Nice and cozy and a little messy !!!  I have tons of paperworks and  this is the best  I can do to organize everything  and pack in one small room. This is my home from 8AM til 6PM.

This is my desk,  picture me there working, on the phone, on the computer, talking to clients, eating, drinking coffee. Name it I’ve done it there - even fell asleep and bumped my head on the monitor !

Hey Alfon - I will show you the architects crib next time !

This is the icing on the cake  ! I get a nice window view <look Jo !>, ya know when I feel like reminiscing or day dreaming - I do it here.  We are a mile away from the airport, I see planes all day long. I love it !  … I’m leaving on a jet plane, don’t know when I’ll be back again, oh babe I hate to go  la..la.la.la)  yeah nice memories of traveling !

Anndddddd this is what I am talking about Dollz,Juz,Gemz,Halz,Denz, Profz ! this is the picture of the real gang member  !

Not to embarrass myself any further, this is the inside of my car. I have dumbbells and shoes and all kinds of things that shouldn’t be there. That’s me,  I exercise when I am on traffic and I have to have extra shoes all the time - just in case !

I normally get home at 7PM … and then I turn into a housemaid, a mom, a wife, a dog sitter. I call it a day at 12 midnight… then the cycle begins again…. thanks be to God !

Now you know why I am ……

lovinglifeeachday

I wasn’t into writing anything today, but as I was getting ready to shut my computer off,  my finger made a last final click on the " All Blog Section" of Friendster and some new guys just caught my attention. Joselyn who I found thru Cherie - she called me "Chay" which I thought was another cute name to add to my long list of names family and friends just absolutely love to baptize me- then I called her "Sel" ! Nice to meet you Sel ! I enjoyed reading your blogs today and was so thrilled following you as you leave your mark in mine, Che and Tes’s blogs  !

Another blogger with the name Elizabeth, blogged about Pastor Joel Osteen’s message today on "Recognizing what Battles to Fight ". Pastor Joel always start his message with  "Well God bless you!" Joel asks some
very important questions: What is the prize of the battle? Are you
choosing your battles carefully? Are the battles you’re engaging is
worth fighting for?  (I need to look into my battles and make sure they are all worth fighting for !)

Another lady with the name Cherie, wrote about a beautiful love story about a gentleman in a hospital rushing so he could get out of there quick. He has to visit his wife who is in the nursing home, she has Alzheimer’s Disease.  He visits his wife every morning.  "Will she be upset because you were late ?" The older gentleman replied, she no longer knew who he was and that she had not recognized him in five years now. "And you still go up there every morning even though he doesnt recognized who you are?"  The gentleman said, "She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is."  What a beautiful love story !

Hayyyyy I learned so many things about people today - I loved it and I enjoyed it ! I wish I have more time to sit here and read some more , but  have to prepare for work tomorrow.

Reading and connecting with new friends are some of the reasons why I am…

…lovinglifeeachday

Oh by the way this is not a cooking lesson … this stuff barely pass to being called empanada. I think I overcooked it and made the outside cover a little crunchy, and the inside was just okay !

I am good in following direction !!! errr… sometimes… okay ? Those that knows me well are absolutely shaking their head in disbelief.   Surely, for this one,  I followed the measurement and the temperature setting and the length of time to cook it.  Well.. just that my oven’s temperature was not the same as the one who gave me the recipe…. yep found a good excuse !

Baking/Cooking was on my list of things I wanted to learn this year.  More to come …

I deserved a tap on my shoulder… right MOM ?  She is my number 1 fan  and one of the reasons why I am…

…lovinglifeeachday   

Jeff woke me up with a cup of coffee served in bed,  how sweet is that, pshhhhhhh would have been sweeter if he made eggs and biscuit  huh !  He is so much like his parents. His mom and dad, whoever got up first would make breakfast for the one who was still in bed, but they never serve breakfast in bed for fear of making a mess. They told us a lot of things that kept their marriage fun… for 55 years. The dad  would get the bed ready for his wife, like pull the cover and took the pillows out. The mom was in charge of making the bed in the morning.  They make fun of each other and they giggle like little kids. T’was fun to watch them !

I got up and tackled one of my biggest chore this weekend - to trim the roses up on this arch on the entrance to the rose garden. While I was working, I saw a big pigeon flying back and forth on the arch. It was chirping  loud and I thought she was keeping me company.  Little did I realize that she was sending me a message, when I saw the nest tucked neatly in the middle of the branch, and in it was 2 little ones. She has left her little babies on the nest and she was worried that I will hurt them.

I got as close to where I can see the little babies, they were sleeping peacefully, minding their own business. And there I was,  almost cut the branch that held their tiny home. I was careful not to disturb them and I decided to leave the branch intact to protect their home until they are ready to flap their wings and fly. I will come back in two weeks and check if they are gone.

The mother bird stayed really close the whole time I was there. She was back and forth, sort of warning that she was watching me closely.

I thought about my mom for a second how she watched us 5 kids and made sure we were loved, protected, sheltered, and nourished.

I wonder where is father pigeon … maybe flying somewhere looking for foods for his family, like what a good dad does.

From the bird’s eye…. and me leaving them alone and still…

lovinglifeeachday

Update: Yesterday I take a quick look at the nest where the baby pigeons are.. well they aren’t ready yet. I have noticed for a couple of days now that the mommy pigeon never leave the nest. I guess she is making sure the babies won’t fall off the nest as I had cut the big branches that supports and protects the nest.  I will check again in a week or so.

Woke up this morning and found a package in the front door !  The fun in Vegas didn’t end there - it is still going on as we exchange pictures and souvenirs.
We live in different states, but these guys knows no bound in showing how much they care.

Thank you guys !!!!

Friendship isn’t how you forget, but how you forgive
Not how you listen, but how you understand
Not how you see, but how you feel
Not how you let go, but how you hold on.

Friends
Here’s nothing as nice as someone who shares
your laughter, your secrets, your wishes and cares,
someone who’s there through your good times and tears,
who stays by your side as your friend through the years.

Josie is from New York, Dolly is from Georgia, Gemma is in San Francisco, Halli is in Hanford, Dennis is in Buena Park and me … I am just an email away !

One of the reasons why…. I am…

…lovinglifeeachday

I am wealthy… extremely wealthy. I talk about it, write about it, take picture of it and never was ashamed of it.  I work hard for it and very proud of it. I am surrounded by my wealth, proud to say I am one of the wealthiest person living on earth.

Look… you are too, don’t be envious !

I am talking about my family and friends. They are my wealth and my everything. We can lose our jobs tomorrow or our house or our jewelry, or our car.  We all know that those things can be replaced, but not our loved ones.

I read an article about a wife who was on the beach with her 3 little girls, they were all dressed up like they were going to a wedding.  The guy asked the mom, if they were heading to a beach wedding. The mom said they were not, it was her 10th year wedding anniversary and her husband was at work and that he couldn’t get off. She then decided to celebrate the anniversary with her 3 little girls, they all dressed up and she took the girls out for some fun.

When was the last time you celebrate your anniversary ?  I do mine every year, if we have money we go out of town, if we don’t - we just eat out and celebrate over a nice meal. It is being together, finding time, and giving importance to our loved ones.

Congratulation goes to my friend Dollz who just had her 23rd wedding anniversary, and to Hallz  who will be celebrating her 20th…. I am so envious my friends !!!

Opppsss, how young are we ???

…lovinglifeeachday

Let’s come up with a name for our friendship ( My Blogger Friends),  suggested by one and agreed by the rest ! HAH, just like high school huh ?  heck, why not ?  it was fun, besides basketball team has a name, group dancers has a name.

Alright, must admit I am not good at giving names. And here is why… my son, I gave him the name Psalm and he didn’t like it hehehehe as if he can do something about it - well he said, he wanted to change his name !! Sooooo I gave him couple of suggestions, how about Mark ? Luke ? John ? Matthew ?  Judas ?  hahahahaha and he said, no I will just keep my name then - voila !

The next one is my daughter, her middle name is Faith and of course, upon hearing her brother contesting about his name, she said she didn’t like her middle name either. Jeff said Faith was a name popular in the 50’s like Grandma Faith hahahhaha, good try Jeff !!!  Oh well, just say you don’t have a middle name then.

The third one is Kacie (my dog)  he didn’t like his name either and won’t come to me when I use that name, so we called him Cottonball and that name works for him, he looks like one anyway !

Okay, back to my topic … team name ! I went to the park last night to clear my head and to think of a name that will fit our personalities, who we are, what we do, our purpose.  As I was walking, I saw this big gap on the brick on the ground and I thought, this needs a filler !!! <ding> <ding> <ding>  A FILLER ????  yes a filler is that stuff you put in where there is a gap or a space ! "THE FILLERS " Wait don’t raise your eyebrow Che, and stop blinking your eyes in disbelief Tes , and hold your laughter Eng  and make sure you don’t spill your coffee  ! I analyze the word carefully and its meaning.

" A filler is used for filling cracks or holes in a surface."

"It is a copy to fill space between more important articles in the layout of a magazine or newspaper."

"It is anything added to fill out a whole."
"It is the tobacco used to form the core of a cigar."

Are you still with me ?   We are like fillers, we fill the gaps or hole in each other.  We support each other with our messages. 

Okay, my blog is now open for comments and suggestions or revisions.   I wish I can think of more for you to choose from.  "La Pluma" is a good one, but sound hispanic.  I like the "Soul Catchers" too, but the question is … are we ? 

"The Fillers" 

… lovinglifeeachday

Hmmm… I wonder if I have to go back to the park and think some more, maybe I will bring my dictionary  next time.

What makes Betchay happy ?  I pondered this thought one morning on my way to work. I let a car cut in front of me and she waved on the rear view mirror as a gesture of thanks for letting me in - it made me happy !  I got to work and someone already unlocked my office door - it made me happy ! I turned my computer on and there were several messages from my high school friends - it made me happy ! I went home from work and my daughter cleaned the kitchen and had dinner ready for all of us - whoaw that blew me away - it made me happy ! I got on-line to check my emails - my blogs have comments from my blogger girlfriends -  it made me happy !

I realized that my happiness is not in material things, nothing tangible, nothing  that can be stolen from me. Happiness to me is in good family relationships, on friendships built through the years.

Lately in my quest to pass on happiness to others, I found couple of nice friends on line.  Hey you dear on-line girlfriends (Tes, Che & Eng) meet my new found friend "CC" !

Happiness is a choice we make everyday…..

…lovinglifeeachday

"Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live"

… lovinglifeeachday

I am back from Vegas and my mind was still elsewhere… again I will just ramble. Glad to be home. Sad that the reunion we planned for a year was over. Weather in Vegas was 109 degrees. Gained 5 lbs in 4 days. Saw Cirque O - endearing ! Dinner at Bellagio buffet - yummy ! Stayed late at night every night - my eyebags !  We had Portos cheese roll and empanada every morning. Stayed one night at a suite in Palazzo Hotel and had karaoke singing contest - gents vs the ladies - of course the ladies won! Checked  Hoover Dam…weather  was hot - we got there, took some photos, turned around and left. Got an invitation from a nice family who served us arroz caldo, tokwa, lumpia, palabok, and fried penoy.   I will never forget the hostess, she was an entertainer and everything else - rare species in the US ! I deposited $6 in the slot machine and wished at least to double my investment.

I had a great time !  Each one of my friends did something for each other that was so generous - from gifts, free dinner, free hotel accommodation, lots of laughter, and the most touching was they gave up their family time to nurture our friendship. Much appreciated !!!! 

Words are not enough …  " What happens in Vegas… Stays in my heart"

…lovinglifeeachday   

Where did June go ?  seems like yesterday when I wrote my blog about last Sunday in May and today is the last Sunday in June ! We are approaching the second half of the year, and the next time you blink, it is Christmas time again !

Speaking of Christmas..  we were looking for a movie to watch for our Friday family night and  it was my turn to pick a movie. Comedy is my kind of movie and we found this movie " The Stone Family " Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton, etc.  I didn’t realize it was a movie about a Christmas family gathering. Ohh I love watching a big family reunion around Christmas time, it was noisy, it was chaotic, it was busy … suddenly I missed my family . The music added a soft touch - well of course when do you hear a Christmas song played in the middle of the year?  The movie wasn’t all that funny, nonetheless it served it’s purpose to me- I got entertained !

Moo Sho is a dog we will be dog sitting for a week, her owner are on their way to Boston, to chill, relax and do their annual trip. We take turns dog sitting, and this is our turn. Cottonball is having a great time, they play a lot, share food and water and even sleep together. Sure fun to watch them.

Next week, I am heading to Vegas for my High School reunion - the TV ad says "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas "  pshhhhh … we’ll see if I can keep my mouth shut.

…lovinglifeeachday

Today is another record breaking heat… so I thought instead of whining and complaining about it, we made a plan last night to make today a fun day.  Heat is really not the problem, my problem is I get anxiety attack every time I run the A/C. I just cannot afford to pay twice as much on our electric bill.  We bought couple of electric fans and that was helping out a little bit during the day. We turn our A/C only at night when we are ready to bed… it is working out great.

This morning, got up early and tackled my never ending chores … laundry.. dusting..mopping
etc… etc..  When I got done inside, I went outside and finally got into this weeding & trimmings  that I have been wanting to do for a long time. I went through my to-do check list - and yessssssssss  Mission Accomplished at 11 in the morning !

I got on my bathing suit and me and my li’l pooch stayed in the pool all afternoon.  I love dark skin, so I went in there without sunblock and yessssssssss I got the tan I been wanting for months. We were both tired, but we had fun.

After blogging about today,  I would get on Grisham’s "The Chamber" , the suspense level is getting high, just can’t put it down anymore. I was almost tempted to sneak in and look at the ending,  I just didn’t want to lose the excitement … " the lawyer grandson will defend his grandfather who is 4 weeks away from the gas chamber" .

Today, I rewarded myself a generous piece of Buco Pie from Goldilocks, a hefty serving of rice with ginataang laing and sisig. I didn’t make those, we had lunch at a Filipino turo-turo.   

Yup…  today was a warm, fun, whine-free, wet, lovely day. 

Andddddd I never want to end my weekend without reading blogs, today I found a couple of interesting blogs and I bookmarked them so I can go back and sneak back in again.

…lovinglifeeachday

Yup… my favorite… Mango Smoothy !!!  And this is the best part of my summer… making fruit shakes.  I’ve tried mixing mango and banana, strawberry and apple, kiwi and banana, pineapple and mango. They all taste so yummy and so refreshing.

This will be a busy summer for me.  4th of July weekend, I will be heading out to Vegas for a weekend of fun with my high school friends.  This is the second year in a row we will have sort of a reunion. This is my first time for a long time to travel without my family.  We made a reservation to watch Cirque du Soleil.  It’ll be a nice break for all of us !

My step-son Logan and 2 of his friends are spending summer here in our house.  It will be a blast for these kids.  This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Logan’s friends. This is their first time to get on a plane, first time to be in California, first time to be away from their families, first time in Disneyland. They are all so excited that they are jumping off their skin just thinking about it. I am excited too…

…lovinglifeeachday

Quotes and Sayings are few of
those I enjoy reading.  There are sooooo many on line, some are
hilarious, some are easy to relate to, some are inspirational.  I was
looking for a quote for Father’s Day  when I came across this one.  The message hit me hard, I liked it right away, it makes sense to me !

The quote says:

"I have never been a material girl.   My father always told me never to love anything that cannot love you back ".

Isn’t that a nice quote and true ?

Wait… this is where it hit me even harder,  when I read who the quote
came from !!!

Fathers Day Quote by: Imelda Marcos

What ??? LOL .. well…   ahem.. ahem … she sure didn’t listen to her dad, did she ? or could be the author just happen to have the same name… oh well…

…lovinglifeeachday

The man who sacrificed so much for his 5 children. He worked so hard to put all of us to college. He spent countless hours working to bring food to the table, to provide roof over our heads, to give us the best life ever. He made it all and today we wanted to thank you and honor you as "The Greatest Father" we’ve ever known. We thanked God for you and we prayed every single day that God would bless you with more years to live, so that you will enjoy and reap the fruits of your hard labor.

We are who we are today …. because of YOU  ! Thank you Tatay !
You are the best, we love you !!!

Happy Father’s Day To All Fathers !

…lovinglifeeachday

He was my first born. Twenty-three years ago, after more than 2 days of labor pain, a 6-lb baby boy came to this world. He was the first baby in the family. I never had trouble having to find a baby sitter as grandparents, aunts and uncles always came through to care for him - he was very much loved and spoiled ! 

Like any other boy, he was very active, he was all over the place. If he was not sleeping, he was climbing off the ceiling, chasing  my mom’s chickens and ducks, annoying the dogs, running around the neighborhood.   

On most of my company outings and parties where kids were allowed, he was always there. He was my body guard, my constant companion. He enjoyed outdoors and loved to be around people. He was never a shy boy.
   

He was outstanding in school. Scored high grades, got him admitted in one of the best schools "Notre Dame".  On his freshman year, he scored in the school’s test evaluation to have the IQ of a senior student.  I was very pleased and proud of him. 

He messed up in his senior years and hang out with the wrong boys.  In as much as parents wanted to avoid this part, there was only so much we can do. Kids have to learn the consequences of their actions. As a parent, the best I can do was to help him get up and start all over again.

Today, at a young age of 23, he is having a great time of his life, he has found his place under the sun, he is dreaming, he is planning, he is making good decisions.

Our kids will always be kids and no matter what they do, we will always be behind them, either pushing them to move forward or pulling them up so they can get up. 

Psalm 127:3  says, "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him"

Happy Birthday My Son !  I miss the boy that you once were,  the boy who always wanted to tag along with me, the little boy who would come running when I get home digging in my purse looking for "pasalubong" (gift), the boy that made my life meaningful and the boy that inspired me to keep going in tough times.

"My heart will sing …. how great is our God"

…lovinglifeeachday

Today, she graduated high school.  We are so proud of her accomplishment.  With her high school diploma, she has also finished half of her associate degree in college.  She worked so hard to have made it this far, we are so proud of her !

Off to the college she will go…  she wanted to be a nurse !

Congratulations to all "The Graduates" ! You all should be proud of yourself. Keep moving forward ! 

…lovinglifeeachday