My Daughter’s Second Birthday

I realized that it is true that the eldest children usually experience the best memories.

Unlike my daughter’s older brother who celebrated his birthday at Shakey’s restaurant when he turned two, my daughter simply had hers at the park. It was just a simple morning picnic. I was contemplating of making her birthday celebration as a post-zumba party but since it rained, we just had a simple breakfast together with my relatives. I ordered a Peppa Pig-themed chocolate birthday cake online at Kaykeshopper. It was a simple yet very picturesque event.

Kuya Vladimir & Nathalia having their morning jog here: 

Actually, ours was just the second leg of my daughter’s birthday celebration. The first part was held in Pampanga when my cousin, her “mimi,” took her to co-celebrate the event with my cousin Pearl Anne’s birthday on November 13. Hami had her own cake-blowing moment there, next to Pearl’s.

Apart from the two birthday celebrations my daughter had, I also bonded with my kids the following day at the mall. 

I shopped for their Christmas outfits while I still had the moolah from my 13^th month pay. This Christmas, the three of us – Hami, Vladimir, and me – will be in terno. We’ll wear white tops, maong shorts, and white sneakers. I can’t wait to see our cute photographs together soon!

(Also read: http://missvalenzuela.blogspot.com/2016/12/matchy-matchy-fashion-in-budget.html)

Nothing beats the happiness I feel whenever I’m with my two beautiful kids. Soon, there will be three of them. I hope, Hami, my soon-to-be middle child will grow up adorable and upright. I love you, Hami! 

Single Moms Are Super Moms

What I like about my job being a writer for the government is that I get to have a glimpse of other people’s lives.

Yesterday, I interviewed a pretty single mom for my article to be published on our local magazine. I was able to talk with her mother first and I noticed that despite their economic hardship, their Filipino values of hospitality and respect were still conscientiously observed in their humble abode. Upon seeing my interviewee’s kids, the grandma urged the two little girls to come to me to pay the traditional “pagmamano” as a sign of courtesy.

I was moved by their very accommodating and transparent nature. Since I also sensed that my interviewee could be my potential informant for my academic paper, I invited them over to the People’s Park. I was contemplating of giving them a simple treat at Jollibee.

I maximized the opportunity that I had with them. I urged them to visit the social welfare office, which had been consistently providing them with financial assistance, and fortunately, she was able to stumble upon the good news that the single mom is recently accepted for the Cash-For-Work program. It’s a program wherein an indigent person will be given the chance for a 10-day employment and after rendering service, he or she will receive more or less Php 3,500. My lady-interviewee will be assigned to help in the repacking of Christmas baskets for the holidays.

She was also given food assistance during the time of our visit.

After the visit and photo opportunity we staged at the social welfare office, we proceeded to the park for a photo shoot. I can see from the faces of her daughters that they had fun playing at the park for a little while. Before sending them home, we ate at Jollibee.

It was a pleasant sight to witness the excitement of the children when they requested for french fries and chicken joy. (I suddenly missed my son.)

During our conversation, I realized again one bright side about being a single mom: it’s better to go solo that be with someone who will just always stress you out. And by the way, single moms tend to become more beautiful because they get to have more “me-time.”

Hoorah to all the single mothers out there!

Sudden Decrease in My Happy Hormones

I was happy last night because I was able to eat in a posh restaurant, Mary Grace, which was part of my bucket list. I dined out with a new priest friend who just finished his report that day in our masters’ class. It’s nice to have a breather from all the tiring and worrisome experiences I’ve had lately.

Today I’m a little overwhelmed with all my tasks at hand – I still need to write one more feature article for our Valenzuela Ngayon magazine, I have to do editing stuff for the same, I need to pay attention to my tedious qualitative research, I have to review for my upcoming exam, my daughter’s celebrating her second birthday on Monday (which is also my examination day for my MA) but I haven’t prepared anything for her because there are still bills to pay, etc.

I want to buy a humongous CHOCOLATE without hurting my tooth.

I’m trying to recall how to be a person of gratitude again so that I could concentrate on things that matter over little concerns that can be ignored anyway. I need peace of mind.

Perhaps my drained disposition today is because I lack sleep due to the loud snoring of my brother and my daughter’s repeated wailings last night.

Whew.

I’m wearing my bloody red lipstick now. I’m about to finish this blog in a few. I promise to reward myself with sweets after lunch. And I’m hoping that my good friend Tim will meet me later for some intellectual exchange of thoughts.

Dear Friday, I’m lazy today but please be good to me.

A Review: The Power of Positive Thinking

Today I have just completed reading my constant companion – a book entitled, “The Power of Positive Thinking” written by Norman Vincent Peale. This was lent to me by my cousin, Ate Bambi, who had been a sounding board at the time when I was still down.

This book helped me lot in my workplace and in my personal life in general. It is composed of 13 chapters and I think it is best read according to your choice topic, depending on your mood for the day.

Its 13 chapters are:

1.       Believe In Yourself

2.       A Peaceful Mind Generates Power

3.       How to Have Constant Energy

4.       Try Prayer Power

5.       How to Create Your Own Happiness

6.       Expect the Best and Get It

7.       I Don’t Believe in Defeat

8.       How to Break the Worry Habit

9.       Power to Solve Personal Problems

10.   When Vitality Sags, Try this Health Formula

11.   How to Get People to Like You

12.   Prescription for Heartache

13.   How to Draw Upon That Higher Power

To make sure I’m not missing out any chapters I attached a post-it on its inside cover to track the chapters that I have finished.

I don’t think it’s still out in the market but if you get the chance to get one, I guarantee you that it’s going to be a soul soothing read! It will help you break free from whatever emotional turmoil that you may have. Even if you read it over and over again, you will continue to feel enlightened.

My Second Favorite Day of the Week

Apart from Sundays, which I consider my non-negotiable family day, Thursdays are also sacred to me because it’s my “me-time.” Unlike Sundays which are our strike-anywhere-funday-with-kids after attending the holy mass, my Thursdays have to be prepared for – it’s my once a week master’s class.

Thursdays.

It determines what stuff I should be doing on my Saturdays, whether I should go to the library to study or render overtime at work so I could write an article.

It is my once a week opportunity to check different dining places in Quezon City area.

It’s my mall ratting schedule to check cool stuff and to buy little gifts for myself.

It is my all-about-me day.

With all the responsibilities I have right now – mother to Hami, writer for Valenzuela City, business owner of Sucaba Link, Master of Arts student, and everything else in between – Thursdays have become my breather, and my time to ponder about my life.

On my way home last night from Trinoma, I was trying to reflect if I’m headed to the right track. Almost instantaneously, my mind answered me back, “Do not fret. You may find yourself in a grey area right now, but surely your investment on your masters would take you somewhere someday.” I concurred because I’m also tired of overanalysing anyway. What is important I guess is that I’m surviving each day alright and I have my parents who are still supportive to me.

And for keeping myself resilient, here’s my little self-reward yesterday, Thursday.

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