Beginning with Empty

Impeccable timing, setting the mood just right. Ella Fitzgerald singing behind me, theme song from the Wizard of Oz, Somewhere Over the Rainbow.


To count exactly, it's been 14 days since I left the world of development work. I told myself I will never be coming back. A job that would give you totally natural high for doing something good for other people, for nation building, for future's generation sake. That had me busy for one point five years. Sacrifices, sacrifices everywhere!


Just got an SMS from my junior worker, er, former junior worker, telling me that my replacement just came in, reporting for duty. I told her that I would be dropping by the office the day after tomorrow to orient the newbie.

Pressing on the letters on my phone, I said, "This is it, I think". My inbox is full, and so my life, I think further. It's time to unload, to empty it out!

Is that possible? Am gathering all the positive vibes in the world, and they're telling me it's okay. For what is good about life is that every day offers endless possibilities; it's just a matter of choosing what's good and meaningful, something that would make you happy, not just for now, but for the long run.

I'll start empty. With all smiles and eyes closed, it will just be like planting another seedling when the previous one didn't make it through; like filling up my cup of coffee again after it got spilled; like waking up in the morning because I know I have a new day waiting for me. 

It's, plainly, starting anew, welcoming another life's chapter, building a new "cathedral" with all-improved features. 

I'll start empty. Let me start with emptying my phone's inbox, then play with my kids.

- Ireen -

Of Books and Cookies

What to fill if you have so much time in your hands at home? Apart from cleaning the house or doing the laundry chore, there are, of course, other things that you can do that can make your day meaningful and worthwhile.


Feed your coconut once again and buckle yourself to different adventures by going back to your previously-acquired-but-unread books or visit your favorite bookshop.


Pick up one of John Grisham's latest legal novel, The Litigators, that you have parked somewhere in your book shelf. Or, start with Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project before her newest book, Happier-At-Home, hits the market. If you have read one of Malcolm Gladwell's masterpieces, just ensure you have not skipped "Outliers", an insightful explanation to the success stories of some of the famous people in the world.

Reading is always being in love!

Books are, or reading is, significantly, the most fruitful way/s to spend your time at home.


Grab your apron and your spatula once again. It's time to return to cooking or baking. These endeavors are couch-potato busters, and will provide some good exercise while you shuttle yourself in the kitchen prepping up the ingredients. Cooking and baking can also make you feel loved and be loved by your family if they get to be your food testers.

Home-made Chocolate Crinkles

 

Chocolate Crinkles recipe used is from www.simplyrecipes.com

Once cooled, bottle them up for the kids!

It's been almost a month since school started, and, among the usual headaches of parents are thinking about what lunches and snacks to be prepared for the kids. For snacks, aside from the all-time-fave-and-good-old chocolate chip cookies, surely, kids would love, Chocolate Crinkles. Like the choco chip cookies, crickles are a no-fail snacks treat for kids.


Reading and cooking, definitely, should be on the list of things that you ought to do at home to keep life's dullness at bay.

San Juanico Bridge of Love

This blog story is already past due, and I'm trying to make a run for it before the month of love bids farewell.


Work brought me to Tacloban City on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2012 (like I had a choice?) It was just a one-day activity but I spent two days for traveling because of the limited number of flights to and fro Cebu-Tacloban City.

But it was all worth it because I was able to step on Tacloban City for the first time.


It was like a review of my history subject when I went to MacArthur's Park in Palo, Leyte, and saw the statues of General Douglas MacArthur and company on the beach site where he landed on his return to the Philippines at the height of the World War II.


Considering it was Valentine's Day, seeing and crossing San Juanico Bridge became the most significant experience. Aside from the fact that San Juanico still holds the record as the longest bridge in the Philippines.  The 2.16-kilometer bridge connects Tacloban City in Leyte to the municipality of Sta. Rita in Samar, and spans the San Juanico Strait.

Because of the story behind San Juanico Bridge, I call it as the Bridge of Love, a token of love of the Philippine's late "strong man", President Ferdinand Marcos, to his love and wife, Imelda R. Marcos, who is a native of Leyte.  It was so timely for me to be at this place on Valentine's Day.


We were billeted at Leyte Park Hotel: there was love all around, minus the drizzle -- the decorations and the Valentine party that the hotel put up in celebration of the Day of Hearts. What's good about it was that we were given free tickets to the party. Oh, goody!

Entrance to Leyte Park Hotel, Tacloban City

Valentine ambiance inside the hotel

Hotel cottages

Paintings inside the hotel's function room, Apollo 108

Afternoon snacks: dinuguan, puto and vegetable lumpia

Snap shots of San Juanico Bridge

Choco Sundae on a Sunday

Weekends are special. They are supposed to be that way, especially for one's family, one's friends, and one's self.

Stay away from take-home work, away from all the distractions of modern gadgets, to concentrate on the most important people in your life: your best friend; your girlfriend or your boyfriend; your darling sister or your loving brother; your daughter or son; your mom or dad; your wife or your husband.

That's what I have promised myself for New Year's resolution. Last weekend, we went to Portofino Beach in Mactan, Cebu.  The two successive weekends before last weekend, we were in the pool at Sandtrap Bar and Restaurant in Banilad, Cebu City.

For this weekend, we spent it nicely and simply. We indulge ourselves to the most "comfortable dessert" of all, that for me, brings back home and nice yesteryears -- Jollibee's chocolate sundae. It's so delicious and comforting that it almost gets through your soul; you will soon realize how lucky you are to be surrounded by families and friends.

That's what happened today, Sunday. February 12, 2012, two days before Heart's Day. For me, it was good, simply good.

-end-

  

Beach Time

My kids and their "Papoy," enjoying the beach

Like most kids, mine have very strong attachments to water. For three straight weeks already, you can find find them dip in the water with their "Papoy" (father).

Last weekend and the weekend before that, we were at Sandtrap. It's a sports bar and restaurant located in a secluded lot, going to Maria Luisa Village, at the back of the old Foodland supermarket in Banilad, Cebu City. 

It is owned by a foreigner and, of course, frequented by foreigners. Inside, there are two tennis lawns and a small swimming pool. Aside from swimming and playing tennis, you can play pool or billiards inside.

Even bouts of asthma can't stop my kids from dipping into the water, in utter violation of the doctor's advice of not going to the pool. Right. For this weekend, we did not go to the pool, but went to the beach instead.  No one is stopping my kids  and, of course, their consenting father of getting closer to the water. So, we went to Portofino in Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, and despite the drizzle, my kids really enjoyed the day, swimming, testing their beach boards with their father.

Portofino Beach by the day

I know that these weekend getaways are just some of the things that my husband is doing to cope up with time lost without the kids. He had been assigned in Manila and had to go home only on weekends. It was a good thing, actually, being able to value time with kids. Just like what my friend, Gretchen Rubin, is saying: THE DAYS ARE LONG BUT THE YEARS ARE SHORT. Before we know it, kids will be grown-up and we can no longer bring back time, for them and for us.

Manny Paquiao, The Best Ever

It's just been minutes since Manny Pacquiao was declared winner in the May 8, 2011 fight with Sugar Shane Mosley! He is still the world's WBO welterweight champion, for the 14th time!

Photo: Associated Press

It's very timely for us that for the two consecutive fights of the "Pambansang Kamao" (National Boxer; "kamao" means fist in Filipino) since the bout with Miguel Cotto somebody in the family celebrates his/her birthday. So, there's more reason to be happy about today.

Our own MGM Grand

We enjoyed the game so much. We watched throughout, beginning with Charice's rendition of the Philippine National Anthem onwards to the 12th round. We were with Manny, hoping and praying that he would win. We were there when he gave Mosley a knock-down and when Mosley pushed him down. Just as we hoped and prayed, Manny emerged victorious; everything is indeed worth celebrating.

Happy Birthday, Dottie!

While we were jumping up and down during the boxing match, our kids were very oblivious about the excitement going outside the house. They were playing Moshi Monsters and the others were very disappointed when the grown-ups had to snatch the tv away to put outside for the boxing viewing, and which, ended their game on PS3. They do not care so much who's Manny Pacquiao; they're too young to be concerned or very interested about the fight.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Roming

After watching the live fight on cable television, the celebrants blow out their candles. The children went back to continue their computer games, while the adults watched the replay of the fight. As of this writing, the kids are still glued on the computer screen while the adults are still trying to fully satisfy themselves with Paquaio's fight by watching the replay.

During the fight, the commentator says: "Manny Pacquaio, the best ever? Maybe." Our answer is: Of course, he is! No doubt about it!

Congratulations, Manny! We're so proud of you! Continue being humble and God-fearing, That's the reason why you are so blessed.

-- Ireen --

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

It's another insomniac night for me and I was thinking about the week that was, and how long I was unable to update this journal.  The week was indeed very busy especially in the European part of the world, in a city called London.  It seems like everybody wanted to go to that place, no matter how much price they have to pay for the plane tickets and all! 

Well, if I had the money, I'd surely be in London, too, to witness in person the much-awaited union of Kate Middleton and Prince William last April 29, 2011.

Photo: The British Monarchy

Since I don't have the means to go to Westminster Abbey and also because I was not invited, I just glued on the televised ceremony of the historic matrimony.

Yes, I got the royal wedding fever, too. I purchased whatever affordable reading materials about Kate and Prince William. I read every novel news about the couple that came out each day prior to the wedding.

At long last, they finally tied the knot! Every moment was beautiful and perfect, like a  fairy tale where a commoner marries a royalty; some parts of it reminded me of "Princess Diaries" (starred Anne Hathaway) and Paige Morgan in The Prince and Me (starred Julia Stiles).

Photo: The British Monarchy

Anyway, now that Catherine Elizabeth Middleton and Prince William Arthur Philip are married, I pray that they will always live in love and serve as an inspiration to all couples in the world.

Cheers to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge! 

Kate Middleton: Soon-to-be Princess

I have always believed that our lives have long been written prior to us being born. Funny thing is, it's our lives but we never get to hold a copy of our life stories to guide us through, because, I guess, we are meant to be actors, rather than directors. Such is a life of a girl who is soon to become a Princess. Her name is Kate; Middleton is the last name.

I was seven years old then when I saw a real wedding of a real princess and a real prince charming -- not the ones I was used to see on tv and those that my kids are so fond of watching now; you know, Cinderella story (?), Princess Aurora (?), Belle (?), etc. I am talking about the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana on July 29, 1981. 

Perhaps, I was right all along to observe that between these two, it was Princess Diana who was the happiest, such happiness exuding from the inside out, that her face was amazingly a picture of total love and joy. The marriage apparently was not equal at both sides, that unlike the happily-ever-after stories that Disney Princess movies usually depict, the love story of Princess Di and Prince Charles ended sad and a bit tragic.

Twenty years later, a similar wedding will soon unfold on April 29, 2011: the nuptial of Prince William (son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana) and Kate Middleton. Looking at them is like history repeating itself, but in a way correcting itself. Unlike Princess Di and Prince Charles, Kate and Prince William now are a picture of a couple so in love with each other, with equal love on their eyes, if I may exaggerate. 

Who is Kate Middleton, by the way? Well, unlike Princess Diana, Kate has no royal ancestry to speak of. She's a commoner, a daughter of hardworking individuals who happened to be very industrious so were able to provide well in life. 

The meeting of Prince William and Kate was not at all a result of any royal match making, rather, a spontaneous girl-meets-boy-boy-meets-girl kind of thing.  Who would ever guess they would finally end up in each other's arm? Like I said, we're just actors in a life story already written for us, that at times, no matter how hard you try to change the course of things, you keep coming back to the original story line. 

I say, this is what happened to our girl named Kate, England's next Princess. Who could stop it? After all, it's all written on her name: Catherine Elizabeth "Kate" Middleton. She was named after royalties at birth because she is really destined to become ROYALTY.

-- Ireen --

Liz Taylor Bids Goodbye

Although Liz Taylor was already the glorified, golden girl before I was born, I felt sad to know that she passed away. My parents actually were a big fan of hers, so I grew up hearing her name in conversations among elders and, of course, admiring her face on magazines and many movies that replayed on the television. She was at the pedestal of the women who have the prettiest faces, that I likened her to a fallen angel.

Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, in real life, Liz Taylor died at the age of 79 on March 16, 2011 in Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California because of congestive heart failure, a condition wherein the heart cannot pump oxygenated blood enough for the needs of the other organs of the body causing failure of the kidneys to excrete sodium and other body wastes. If this happens, the body retains too much fluid that swells up other parts including the lungs, thereby causing shortness of breath.

Although Liz had experienced numerous health problems in the past, her life had always been as colorful as the world she lives in. She was a talented actress through and through; a wife to seven husbands; a mother; a grandmother and a great grandmother; a survivor; and a humanitarian and HIV/AIDS activist. 

I believe she lived life to the fullest and impressed the world so much that she can live anytime she pleases. May eternal light shine upon you, Liz!

-- Ireen --

Bruno Mars Live in Cebu and Manila, Philippines

When I see your face

There's not a thing that I would change

Cause you're amazing

Just the way you are

And when you smile,

The whole world stops and stares for awhile

Cause girl you're amazing

Just the way you are . . .

Yes, it's confirmed! Bruno Mars is definitely coming to the Philippines at different cities on the nights of April 7, 2011 in Cebu City, and April 8, 2011 in Manila.

Isn't that something to watch out for? Your, our coolest singer ever, who gave us hits like "Just the Way You Are" and "Grenade," not to mention his rendition in Travie McCoy's "Billionaire", will be holding two concerts on the said dates.

In Cebu City, the venue will be in the Waterfront Hotel in Apas, Lahug, while the Manila Concert will be held in the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

The concert is entitled Bruno Mars Live, The Doo-Wops & Hooligans Tour. Below are the ticket rates for both gig schedules:

Araneta Coliseum 

P6,150.00     Patron (Reserved Seating)

P5,280.00     Lower Box (Reserved Seating)

P3,710.00     Upper Box A (Reserved Seating)

P2,65000     Upper Box B

P850.00      Gen. Admission

For inquiries, you may call Ticketnet at 911-5555, or the promoter's hotline numbers in Manila: +63917-5555415; +63917-5555475; +632-5773265; and +632-5867275.

Waterfront Hotel (Cebu):

P4,999.88     VIP

P2,599.88     Gold

P1,299.88     Silver

P888.88     Bronze

You may call Waterfront Cebu for inquiries at: +(6332) 282-6888 Local BRUNOMARS, with hotline: +63922-8731043.

Bruno Mars' concerts will be opened by 29-year old Michael Copon, a budding singing artist of Filipino and German-American descent, who released “Let’s Get Nasty” on iTunes in September last year. Copon has appeared in the "Backflip" video of Raven Symone and in the famous "One Tree Hill" series. He also starred as Blue Power Ranger Lucas Kendall in “Power Rangers: Time Force” and “Power Rangers: Wild Force.”

Bruno Mars a.k.a. Peter Gene Hernandez is also half-Filipino, someone who's very worthy to be included in my blog; of course, this is on top of such amazing talent this man has! See him more in http://www.brunomars.com

-- Ireen ---

March 20 is Spring Equinox

Spring Equinox or the Vernal Equinox, which happens on March 20, 2011 at about 11:21 p.m. at Coordinate Universal Time (UTC), marks the first day of Spring season in the northern hemisphere, and autumn in the southern hemisphere.  The Spring Equinox is also known as the March Equinox.

We learned from our elementary science that the earth goes around the sun on its axis termed as Rotation. The Spring Equinox or the Autumn Equinox happens when the axis rotation of the earth or the earth's North to South pole linear form is parallel to the movement of the earth around the sun. And when this occurs, it means that the length of day and night is approximately similar, or 12 hours at almost all parts of the world. 

That is why the word "Equinox" is named as such because of its Latin etymology: "aequus" that means "equal" and "nox" which means "night" -- the time when the length of both night and day are almost the same.  

Equinoxes actually happen twice a year. That means there are two instances in a year when night and day are about the same length. While the Spring Equinox or Vernal Equinox is the first day of spring, the Autumn Equinox or Autumnal Equinox signals day one of the autumn season.

For this year, Autumnal Equinox will be on September 22. 2011.

God Save Japan

Watching through the Internet the tsunami that recently caused havoc in Japan made me shiver. It's like a scene from the two movies I've seen a year or two ago: The Day After Tomorrow and 2012 -- so apocalyptic, catastrophic, and so deathly.

For a while, work at our office took a standstill while we were glued to our respective monitors watching the horrific works of Mother Nature.

As of this writing, the Japanese people have started to account for everyone and everything that mean to them.  Destruction of property is very immense and the death toll is rising to more than a thousand. 

It is during these trying times that we
hold hand to conquer challenges of
Life, making us strong to face them.

In this country where tsunami has become a part of life, it was still tremendously taken aback by the power shock of an 8.9 magnitude earthquake on March 11, 2011, which was followed by a 33-feet high tsunami.

Severely damaged are those coastal areas near Sendai and Tokyo. Countries along the Pacific rim of fire, including Russia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Hawaii, were alerted for a possible rise of waves within the next hours after the Japan tsunami. 

While Japan is measuring the effect of devastation, the fear is not yet over, because of a leak on its Fukushima  nuclear power plant caused by the earthquake, which, according to news reports, could cause potential additional disaster if not addressed within the next 24 hours.

   

United States is preparing to help Japan; Los Angeles
firefighters hauling equipment to be sent to Japan
for relief operations.

Countries all over the world are starting to move and calling out everyone to help in the relief efforts for Japan.     God Save Japan and pray that no further harm befall.  

-- Ireen --

Meeting the Philippine President

I am lucky to have lived long enough to know, not through history class, six Philippine presidents, including the most recent one.

During the 2010 Presidential campaigns, I was positively vocal about the tandem of Mar Roxas and Noynoy Aquino. When the sudden shift of history happened, that's after the death of former Pres. Corazon Aquino, Noynoy's mother, and when everybody seems to be really reminiscing what the Aquinos have made for this country since the 1986 People Power Edsa Revolt, I became more passionate about the state of Philippine politics that I voted for Noynoy and Mar. 

In discussions among friends, I always point out that the Philippines has always been blessed because despite of the greedy, mindless leaders that have sat and ruled the nation, there has always been a Higher Being watching us, Filipinos.  

The toppling down of the Marcos dictatorship, the peaceful Edsa Revolution, the impeachment of Pres. Joseph Estrada, and the death of Cory Aquino are proofs that, indeed, there is "Someone" up there, watching over us, shaping our political story, and has always been levelling things for us when the going gets very rough for each ordinary Filipino.

Now, I am so glad that the Philippines is blessed with a leader in the person of Pres. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino, who I see to be very truthful in his words that he will never steal from our country's coffers.  

The Lady of Edsa: A monument of the 1986 People Power Revolt

Never for a single slim moment in my life that I would ever be given a chance to meet the President. The person, who had always been a common topic with and among my friends, has turned from abstract to a physical being, when I had to be part of a group that went to Malacanang Palace on February 24, 2011 for a forum with Pres. Aquino.

Photo Op with the President

I was very happy to be there, hearing the President's speech while sitting just about four meters away from him, and having luncheon inside the Palace, my, oh my, I said to myself, this is definitely something for the wall to be mounted for my grandchildren to know. 

A souvenir from Malacanang Palace

The forum was attended mostly by selected local mayors, national  government agencies, and foreign development funding agencies (WorldBank, Asian Development Bank, AusAid, JICA, Millennium Challenge Corporation). 

These mayors were from the different municipalities all over the country that were able to avail of the government's poverty alleviation program called KALAHI-CIDSS Project (KC Project).

In such forum, these mayors made a proposal to Pres. Aquino, saying, in principle, that  poverty can be addressed when a poverty-reduction mechanism like the KC Project becomes part of country's program. To know more about the KC Project, go to http://kalahi.dswd.gov.ph/

-- Ireen --

Buying Shoes for Kids

The number of times in a year that I run to the malls to shop for my kids' shoes can definitely be counted by the use of my fingers.

Shoes for Salve

My husband and I usually buy them shoes before school opening, of course, that's to match the school uniform, and sports shoes for the P.E. class.

Sometimes, we buy them another pair if an occasion calls for a specific kind. On top of these,  my kids each have two pairs: one for casual walking or strolling, and another for Sunday wear.   

It's part of our home economics that unless and until the kids' shoes are worn out that they get to have a new  pair. This part actually arrived for, at least, my kids' Sunday shoes. So, last weekend, we all spent scouting the Ayala Center (Cebu) for their shoes bearing in mind a set of criteria.

Shoes for Yentl

For Salve, her Sunday pair of shoes is among the latest in girls' flats from S&H: made of silver-dusted and pink-colored synthetic cloth, and with silver and red shiny studs design at ($8.86).  What I like about Salve's pick is its flowery in-sole. 

For Yentl, we tried about six styles but no pair fitted her, so we ended up getting her a Tweety silver-white-blue stride. The plus factor for Yentl's pick is that from $13.30, we were able to get the pair at $6.64. The in-sole is well-padded that makes very comfy.  And for both shoes, good thing they are all "velcro-ed", which makes fastening very easy.   

Having all two girls (Salve and Yentl) is quite an advantage for me, in terms of buying shoes, because I only have one department to scrutinize -- the girls' shoes section. If I have both girls and boys, I bet, I (as well as the saleslady) will have migraines while hauling boxes in the shoes department. That is why, nowadays, people resort to buying online as a very wise form of shopping; I completely understand their predicament.

When it comes to children's shoes, I find it best to do regular shopping with my husband. Other than the reason that he gets to pay for them, my hubby is a good critique.  Because he also knows our girls very well (quite expected for a father), he has a very good fashion sense in selecting the best shoes for my girls.  The common scenario is that, either I choose, he evaluates and approves, then if the kids okay, we buy them, or the girls get to pick, we do the critique, and if they're fine, we buy. Of course, there are negotiations and explanations in between, especially if the choices are too expensive.

As far as we are concerned, shoes do not reach the cashier's counter without our "pre-approval considerations." Actually, there are only two: (1) style and comfort that should always go together, and (2) the price, which should be justifiable for the kind of shoes to be purchased.

Style and comfort are twin criteria, hence should co-exist; absence of one will render one's purchase very  useless. This makes sense, really. Why? What would you do with a grand style when you're not comfortable with your toes in them? And it's going to pay less service when your shoes are fully comfy but transform you as somebody from either the circus or the outer space.  

Style, therefore, should not be taken for granted.  I always believe that shoes mirror a person, his character and personality, and that shoes are accessories that when used stylishly can enrich a person's self-esteem. 

Although my kids are still too little to talk about such big words as "self-esteem," I believe they are not too young for me to help them in this area of personality development. I only aim for them to grow up as normal as the other kids of their age, away from the ridicule of other people because of the kind of shoes they wear.

Price is a  big consideration. In these times, mindless shopping is a no-no. It's now a rule of thumb to be able to get something that's worth your pay, bearing in mind quality, comfort and style.  Do not ever splurge on kids' shoes (unless you're a billionaire), because their foot sizes grow overnight. In line with this, make sure to buy one size bigger so your child can maximize the length of time that she or he will be wearing them.

--Ireen--