HBD Labs

Maligayang Kaarawan Labs :)

Bakasyon sa Pinas

Quick post lang po. Masama kasi pakiramdam ko ngayon dahil sa ubo.

Jan 16 - flight papunta sa Pinas. Pwede na daw ako dumalaw sa amin kasi lagpas 100 days na kaya sa amin kami tumuloy, yeheyyyy! Ang dami na palang nabago sa bahay namin. Pina-renovate kasi. At may bagong kotse na sila mommy :) Pero ngayon ko lang naisip.. di pala ako sumilip sa room ko. Wala na kasing gumagamit ng room ko. Dun kami natulog ni Kenkoy sa master's bedroom.

Jan 17 - pinagupitan ko si Kenkoy sa barbero. Ang ganda ng gupit. Mura pa. Php50 lang :) Tapos bumili kami ng black pants & black shoes na gagamitin nya for the wedding.

13th bf-gf anniv nga pala namin ni Labs sa araw na ito kaso nasa Pinas ako tapos sya nasa Brunei naman.

Jan 18 - Malaki ang nabili ng bro-in-law ko na barong for Kenkoy kaya pumunta kami ni Kenkoy sa Tabora sa Divisoria. Nakapili naman agad ako ng barong. Php210 lang pero maganda na.

Wedding ng pinsan ni Labs. Masyadong serious ang ceremony. Ok din naman kasi solemn talaga. Wala nga lang romantic o lively songs.

Jan 19 - Lumabas kami ni Kenkoy kasama ang family ng Kuya ko. Nanood kami ng Disney on Ice. First time namin manood ni Kenkoy. Naaliw kaming lahat. At na-enjoy ni Kenkoy kasi kasama nya ang mga pinsan nya sa panood.

Ang kulit nga lang ni Kenkoy pag kasama nya yung dalawang pamangkin ko. Non-stop ang kwentuhan nila. Simultaneous pa magsalita yung tatlo. Ewan ko nga ba kung paano sila nagkakaintindihan eh sabay sabay silang nagsasalita.

Hilig pala ng mga pamangkin ko ang Pokemon. Binilhan ko sila ng tig-iisang toy figurine. Sila ang pumili ng Pokemon character. Eh si Tasha pinili si Aipom. Tanong nya sa Ate nya...

Tasha (4 yrs old): Ate, what's the power of Aipom?
Francine (7 yrs old): Agility. (Ewan kung totoo. Hindi kasi ako nanonood ng Pokemon, hehe)
Tasha: What's agility?
Francine: Agility. (Hwehehe, basta yun na yun)

Tapos ayun, ang Pikachu ni Kenkoy nawala na agad nya. Wala pang 24 hrs nawala na. Sayang ang Php200.

Jan 20 - Nagsimba kami sa Parish of the Hearts of Jesus & Mary, West Triangle QC (aka Two Hearts). Sa wakas nakadalaw din ako sa simbahan kung saan kami ikinasal ni Labs at kung saan bininyagan si Kenkoy. Matagal ko nang plano na dumalaw sa Two Hearts. Buti naman at natuloy kami. Kinuha ko na rin ang baptismal certificate ni Kenkoy. May typo error nga lang sa middle initial ko kaya balikan ko na lang daw.

Ipinasyal naman kami ng in-laws ko sa Mall of Asia. First time namin ni Kenkoy sa MOA. Pumunta kami sa Science Centre (tama ba?) Naku! Na-overwhelm si Kenkoy sa show. Feeling nya ata babagsak sa kanya ang mga planets. Panay ang yakap sa akin. Ang nagustuhan ni Kenkoy na part ay yung iniwan muna namin sya sa playground. 30 mins sya dun. Laru lang ng laro.

Jan 21 - Wala lang. Sa bahay lang kami ng in-laws ko. Nagpahinga. Bumawi ng tulog. Tinuruan ko na rin si Kenkoy para sa spelling exam nya.

Jan 22 - Binalikan ko ang baptismal certificate ni Kenkoy. Ang ganda ng certificate nya. Nakalagay lahat ang godparents nya. Sa ibang Parish kasi 2 names lang ang inilalagay.

Medyo napa-reminisce na rin ako kasi very special ang Two Hearts para sa amin. Humingi na rin muli ako ng tulong at blessings kay Lord. At nanalangin na rin na naway lagi Nyang papatnubayan ang samahan namin ni Labs at ang pamilya namin. Ayun, senti mood ako sa Simbahan.

From Two Hearts tumuloy ako sa mall para mamili ng mga dadalhin pabalik sa S'pore.

Jan 23 - Pabalik na kami sa S'pore. Buti napagkasya ko ang gamit namin sa maliit na bag na dala ko. Hirap na hirap nga lang akong pagkasyahin. Na-miss ko tuloy bigla si Labs. Magaling kasi si Labs mag-empake :P

Ang dami ring padala ng mommy ko. Lagayan ng mga scrap items ko, bra for me, Hopia, Happy Peanuts for Labs, briefs, shirts, socks, Thomas train, Oreo & Chips Ahoy for Kenkoy. Buhos magbigay ang mommy ko ngayon. Na-senti tuloy ako. Hindi ko kasi kinalakihan yun. Siguro kasi nakaluluwag na si Mommy ngayon kaya ganun.

Ok, tapos na po ang kwento. Salamat sa pagbabasa. Hindi pala quick post. Mahaba haba pala itong naisulat ko, hehe!

We are back home :)

Kagabi ang dating namin ni Kenkoy mula sa Pilipinas. Sabi ni Kenkoy pagkakita niya kay Labs sa airport -- "Papa is so gwapo." Naks! Parang may hihilingin sa Papa nya. Ang lakas humirit, hehe! Pero wala naman syang hiningi. Gwapo lang daw talaga ang Papa nya :)

Nakakatuwa din si Labs dahil naglaba sya, naglinis ng bahay at naglinis ng bathroom & toilet. Alam daw nyang maiinis na naman ako pag inabutan kong madumi ang bahay kaya naglinis sya. Ang galing. Natuwa ako sa effort nya :) Malinis nga ang bahay. Malinis nga ang bathroom & toilet. Medyo nabawasan nga ang labada. Plus 10,000 pogi points for Labs :)

Time Out

Bakasyon po muna si Lit Coo ng 1 week. Ring bearer ulit si Kenkoy kaya kailangan naming umuwi. Si Labs naman ay kasalukuyang nasa Brunei... gaya ng dati, business trip. Mago-online ulit si Lit Coo sa 24th of January.

Hanggang sa muli.

Movie Marathon

Balik na naman sa pagka-movie addict si Labs. Dami ring naming napanood nitong mga nakaraang araw. Ako naka-3 movies. Si Labs more than 10 na ata. Ngayong araw na ito naka-tatlong pelikula na agad sya eh, hwehehe!

Mga napanood ko kasama si Labs...
I Am Legend --- ok lang. Walang dating sa akin :P

Rush Hour 3 --- laugh trip. Sarap panoorin.

The Pursuit of Happyness --- wahhhhhh! Tulo naman ang luha ko dito. Ang ganda. Sa movie parang kasama rin ako sa struggles ni Mr. Chris Gardner. At nung nag-succeed sya, kasama rin ako sa natuwa for him. Dagdag pa na mababaw talaga luha ko sa mga father-son movies.

Bonding moment na din namin ni Labs itong panonood. More movies pa ang naka-line up. Kaso paubos na ang popcorn. Kailangan ng bumili, hehe!

Itching to Scrap

Daming dapat tapusin this year -- Kenkoy's Baby Book, Kenkoy's 5th Birthday Album, Family Christmas Album (2000-2007). Kailangan ko matapos lahat ito bago dumating si baby #2 dahil siguradong mas mahirap akong makakuha ng oras pag may bagong baby.

Gustong-gusto ko ng mag-scrap. Wala lang time *hayness* Naiiyak na ako. Gusto ko na talaga mag-scrap :(( Sana magka-extra time ako.

Meaningful Message

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin--gross and mouthy comedian of the 70's and 80's--could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate post 9-11.

A wonderful Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more but have less, we buy more but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get! too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less!

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw away morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this to at least 8 people...who cares?

George Carlin

New Year... New Plans

At kasama na rin sa new plans ang pagbenta ng condo unit sa Pinas. Paki-PM na lang po ako kung meron mang interesado o kung may kakilala kayo na gustong bumili ng unit.

Eto po ang ilang detalye:
57.50 sq m. Loft Type (2 storey), 2 bedrooms, 2 T/B condo unit between Ortigas and Makati Central Business Districts. Few minutes away from Megamall, Shangri-la, MRT station. With clubhouse & pool. 24 hour security. Unit is brand new, ready for occupancy and unfurnished.

Year of the Rat kaya...

At dahil bagong taon... usap usap kami ni Labs kung ano ang plano namin para sa bagong taon.

Bagong taon... bagong pangarap... bagong plano... bagong pag-asa.

Medyo na-tuliro lang ako sa isang nasabi ni Labs. Sana raw Year of the Rat magka-baby kami para pareho sila ni baby #2. Kung ganun eh di dapat within 3 months mabuntis ako. Shocks! Hindi pa talaga ako ready. Kung ako masusunod sana 3-4 years pa. O kahit next year na lang, pwede na rin.

Wala pa namang mutual decision. Although pag nag-decide kami na "go" yun na yun dahil nung kay Kenkoy... nung nag-decide kami dati... ang bilis... nabuntis agad ako :)

Kaya hinahanda ko na si Kenkoy. Excited na rin sya na magkaroon ng kapatid. Pag nagka-baby daw hindi na raw ako ang yayakap sa kanya sa pagtulog dahil kasama ko na si baby. Papa na raw nya ang yayakap sa kanya ;) Alam na rin nya na unti-unting lalaki ang tyan ko gaya ng ipinagbuntis ko sya.

Hinahanda ko na rin ang sarili ko. Kahit 3-4 years pa ang gusto ko pero pag sinabi ni Labs na gusto na talaga nya this year ay papayag na rin ako (pero kung pwede tumawad na Year of the Ox na lang eh mas maganda para sa akin hehe). Sa aming dalawa, na kay Labs pa rin ang huling salita :) At wala namang kaso sa akin yun dahil kadalasan ay iniintindi naman ni Labs ang nararamdaman at ang pananaw ko. Hindi conflict yun sa amin dahil hindi naman makitid ang utak ng mister ko :)

Kinakabahan pa rin ako... na natutuliro. Akala ko mga 3-4 years pa. Akala ko nga solong anak na lang si Kenkoy. Ganunpaman, si Lord na bahala sa mga plano namin sa buhay. May His will be done :)

The Contribution of Filipino Catholics

Finally, something positive about Filipinos.. Here's something very positive written by a foreigner named Steve Ray, about Filipinos. Steve Ray authored many best-selling books, among which are, Crossing The Tiber (his conversion story), Upon This Rock (on the papacy), and just recently John's Gospel (a comprehensive bible study guide and commentary). Steve is also currently filming a 10-video series entitled, Footprints of God. The first two videos are out: Peter, Keeper of the Keys, and Mary, Mother of God (now available here in the Philippines).

STEVE RAY'S OPEN LETTER TO THE FILIPINO CATHOLICS:

We stepped into the church and it was old and a bit dark. Mass had just begun and we sat toward the front. We didn't know what to expect here in Istanbul, Turkey. I guess we expected it to be a somber Mass but quiet and somber it was not- I thought I heard angels joyously singing behind me.

The voices were rich, melodic and beautiful. What I discovered as I spun around to look did not surprise me because I had seen and heard the same thing in other churches around the world. It was not a choir of angels with feathered wings and halos but a group of delightful Filipino Catholics with smiles of delight and joy on their faces as they worshiped God and sang His praises. I had seen this many times before in Rome, in Israel, in the United States and other countries.

Filipinos have special traits and they are beautifully expressed as I gazed at the happy throng giving thanks to God. What are the special traits which characterize these happy people? I will share a few that I have noticed-personal observations- as I have traveled around the world, including visits to the Philippines.

FIRST, there is a sense of community, of family. These Filipino Christians did not sit apart from each other in different isles. They sat together,closely. They didn't just sing quietly, mumbling, or simply mouthing the words. No, they raised their voices in harmony together as though they enjoyed the sense of unity and communion among them. They are family even if they are not related.

SECOND, they have an inner peace and joy which is rare in the world today. When most of the world's citizens are worried and fretful, I have found Filipinos to have joy and peace-a deep sense of God's love that overshadows them. They have problems too, and many in the Philippines have less material goods than others in the world, yet there is still a sense of happy trust in God and love of neighbor.

THIRD, there is a love for God and for his Son Jesus that is almost synonymous with the word Filipino. There is also something that Filipinos are famous for around the world - their love for the Blessed Mother. Among the many Filipinos I have met, the affectionate title for Mary I always hear from their lips is "Mama Mary." For these gentle folks Mary is not just a theological idea, a historical person, or a statue in a church-Mary is the mother of their Lord and their mother as well, their "mama."

The Philippines is a Catholic nation-the only such nation in Asia -and this wonderful country exports missionaries around the world. They are not hired to be missionaries, not official workers of the church. No, they are workers and educators, doctors, nurses and housekeepers that go to other lands and travel to the far reaches of the earth, and everywhere they go they take the joyous gospel of Jesus with them. They make a somber Mass joyful when they burst into song. They convict the pagan of sin as they always keep the love of Jesus and the Eucharist central in their lives.

My hope and prayer, while I am here in the Philippines sharing my conversion story from Baptist Protestant to Roman Catholic, is that the Filipino people will continue to keep these precious qualities. I pray that they will continue loving their families, loving the Catholic Church, reading the Bible, loving Jesus, His Mother and the Eucharist.

As many other religions and sects try to persuade them to leave the Church, may God give the wisdom to defend the Catholic faith. As the world tempts them to sin and seek only money and fame and power, may God grant them the serenity to always remember that obedience to Christ and love for God is far more important than all the riches the world can offer.

May the wonderful Filipino people continue to be a light of the Gospel to the whole world!

Alphabet for Parents

A co-N@Wie shared this one...

*Alphabet for Parents*
By: Sister M. Benedict, O.S.U.
St. Claire School, Cleveland Ohio

*A* sk your child daily about his day at school – activities, play, problems

*B* elieve that corrections made are in the best interests of your child

*C* onsult with the teacher about your child's progress, character, attitudes

*D* emand respect and obedience at home and your child's success is guaranteed

*E* ncourage your child to prompt acts of generosity, self-sacrifice, self-forgetfulness. "What else may I do" should be your child's motto

*F* amiliarize your child with the best in literature, television, recreation

*G* ather your child's associates together and get to know them well

*H* ave high, but realistic ideals for your child; respect and develop his talent

*I* nspire your child by your own example and through heart-to-heart talks

*J* udge a situation only after listening to both sides of the story

*K* now where your child is after school and on weekends

*L* earn with your child through your selective reading and personal study

*M* anage your home schedule – chores, television, etc. – for your child. Don't let these activities do the managing

*N* otice changes in your child's attitudes, emotions, interests, appearance

*O* pen new doors of experience for your child by encouraging lessons in art, music, athletics, foreign language, typing, domestic and mechanical arts

*P* ray with your child. The family that prays together, stays together.

*Q* uiz your child before tests or other competitive events

*R* efrain from open criticism of any type of authority in the presence of your child

*S* eek for yourself the kingdom of God, and your child will follow you

*T* each your child the art of self-control, the beauty of inner virtues, the honor of patriotic service, and the social graces of refined people

*U* se all the available opportunities your city and nation offer to develop and perfect the talents of your child

*V* enerate your religion: the sacred liturgy, the sacraments, the things of God. Your child is "another you": he will do the same

*W* elcome suggestions, both laudatory and critical, with an open mind

*X* Examine your child's work with interest, encouragement, and recommendations

*Y* ield to your child's requests for exceptions or favors only when the best interests of your child will be served.

*Z* ip into this privileged task of rearing your child in the image of God with hope, zeal, confidence, and with gratitude in the One whose creative power you share.

Rental Fee

Pataas na ng pataas ang rental fees ng bahay dito sa S'pore. Yung iba mga 50% increase. Laking pasasalamat namin sa Diyos dahil 4+ yrs na kami dito sa inuupahan namin pero di pa rin nagi-increase ang landlady namin.

Kahapon bumisita ang aming landlady. Nabanggit nya kay Labs (sila lang ni Labs ang madalas mag-kwentuhan kasi sa Chinese language ang usapan nila) na nagtaasan na raw halos lahat ng paupahan dito sa S'pore. Pero di raw sya magtataas (sana nga po Lord).

Kumikita naman daw sya. Kumikita rin daw kami. Ayos na daw yun sa kanya. (Wow! Ayos talaga kung ganun, hehe). Kung magi-increase man daw sya ng $100/month... bale wala din daw. Buti sa kanya bale wala lang ang $100/month.

At mahirap daw makahanap ng tenant na marunong mag-alaga ng unit. Salamat naman at natutuwa sya sa pag-alaga namin sa unit nya.

Pasalamat talaga kami sa kanya :)

Salamat din sa Diyos :)

Feast of the Holy Family

Every year natutuwa talaga ako kapag Feast of the Holy Family. Malapit kasi ang wedding anniv namin sa Feast na ito. Saktong-sakto tuloy ang Readings, ang Homily, ang celebration sa pagce-celebrate namin ni Labs ng anniversary :)

Celebrating our 7th Year of Blissful Marriage

Side by side...
Year after year...
That's how I want our lives to be...

Happy 7th Wedding Anniversary Labs :*