God, Happiness and Life

Belle is Jerome's girlfriend. My partner tells me that these two have been together since September, 2007. Oh! I didn't know that :-) I know from my son's stories that Belle is such a hardworking individual. That she was a working student, way back is quite admirable. I am sure she missed a lot of fun. While she was burying herself with work after school, most of her college classmates were having a hey day, I am suuurrrre. How many young people today can afford not having that? To have a job to support one's studies because one wants to help her parents is quite a feat that is hard to ignore. It takes a lot of character and determination. For all the good things that Belle brings into the life of my son, I thank her. And here's wishing YOU the best Belle. May you continue to live a purposeful life. While at it, enjoy the journey too. And Thank you for being always thoughtful. Finally, today, it is a must that you take pleasure in the company of the pe...

Photos taken last night at Nigel's birthday dinner. The head of the brood, Jerome, Belle, Andre, Nigel, birthday man and Jet, Nige's bossom buddy. Nigel, Andre, the band leader, Jerome, and Jigs The men and a Belle.

Today is Nigel's birthday. That's my stepson who just recently married. Since wife, Myles is back to work at Luxembourg, he is spending his birthday with us. The 'us' who joined us for a small dinner was, of course my partner, Jet his best friend, his bro Jerome(at last), Belle. Jerome's girlfriend, Jigs, another brother, (Joanne-Bebe was supposed to come as well but too tired from work and school; and of course Andre, eldest brother, who joined us belatedly. Right now they are still drinking beer as usual. Jerome is being continuously roasted for missing so many family occasions, including Nigel's wedding. Aaarrgghh. I can't believe Nigel is 30 and married. The first time I met Nigel was back when he was about 3. He did a 'poem' for me - from splendor in the grass. I saw him again when he was already driving his own car, dropping in once in a while to watch my sons' neighborhood basketball games. At that time he was a varsity player for his s...

These are some of the books and toys my children accumulated as they were growing up. I remember taking these photos before they were all given away when we moved to a new place, almost 7 months ago. I gave the books to Bebe. At that time, we were not yet privy to the fact that she has a son. Now, I feel so much better, I don't know why. Perhaps, for my son. He has been keeping the 'child-son secret' for the longest time, though we had already known early on. For his peace of mind, I m glad, the fact is out. As the old adage say, the truth will make us free. And I hope Bebe has the time to read some of them to her son, Wakki. Well these stuffed toys went to my nieces. It's my daughter's, accumulated from way, way back. Again, I show it here for posterity. I remember, her favorite is Garfield in his bathrobe. The rest of her Garfields, I take were given to some toys for charity orgs. The thing is, I love keeping mementos. Cards, restaurant bills, old flowers, gi...

Bebe is my son's girl. I am not sure though if they are still together. But yesterday, she was here to visit, bringing along her 3 year old son, Wakki. As I was out of the house when they arrived, the boy, tired apparently, slept. When he awoke, Bebe brought him to our room to get introduced. He seemed shy at first. Aren't all children like that? They need time to warm up. I gave him junk (mean me!) I knew there was a possibility they'd come for a visit so I got him and myself these potato junk. Aargghh! My partner, gave him a tiny plastic, blue and yellow dancing boy toy. He was hesitant to take it from partner at first, unlike the way he was with the junk from me. He!He! Children will always be children. So easy to get around them. The boy is handsome, looks like Bebe. Truth is, it brought back a lot of bittersweet memories of my eldest child. But I don't want to dwell on things past, especially if if I have to relive not so happy moments :-) One thing though, I j...

I got this email from Myles my step-daughter-in-law. Remember? She is Nigel's wife :-) I take special note of the freezing weather she mentions; which they who are based in Europe are experiencing right now. I really could not imagine how that feels. Much like you are in freezer, huh? OMG! Myles, as I know her is pretty resilient. Weather conditions and all :-) But I am sure, now more than ever, she misses her big hunk of a hubby, who'll be off soon to follow her. So until that time, Myles will have to make do with thermal wear and thermally enabled bed and linen to keep her warm. ==================================================================== Hi Tita, Just taking a break from uploading pictures at the website that Nigel and I am creating. Hope all is well with you and the boys. I have not started reading the book that you gave me. By the way, thanks for the thought. I will read it after i finish one that's been gathering dust over my bedside table. It is negative...

That's Myles, my step son's lovely wife, my partner and me toasting the new year's eve. Nigel was taking the picture on my camera. This was taken after, the fireworks and firecrackers have all been exploded. he!he! I have no photos of those moments. My camera had only 2 MB memory stick. Swell! And there was no way I could upload photos it has taken so far. So I was stuck :-( (Grrr)

In the Philippines it is the Black Nazarene's Day today. Though this is also a significant day for me, January 9 is a day I will never forget until my dying moments - it is my eldest, a daughter's birthday. I was 23 years old at the time. Young and lost. But I thank the Lord that He gave me the strength to hold on and do the right thing. Today, many, many years after, the more I have reason to be grateful to God, for giving me the gift of a child like Lorraine. I am indebted to the Lord, that HE walks with Lorraine, always seeking HIS guidance in everything that happens in her life. I am grateful, that early in her life she found her true calling and that is to be of service to little children; teaching, inspiring, and molding them; to find and explore their potential as useful and productive individuals for the future. To you my dearest Louise Marie Lorraine, here is my wish for you this year: a prospering teaching career, a meaningful personal life, a family that c...

My step daughter-in-law is on a plane back to her bread and butter country. I heard that last night she had a great time, enjoying the company of her in-laws, joking and trying to know everyone better, and watching a step-sister-in-law perform with her band. I believe that it was drizzling outside the whole time, but it surpassed the mood where the brood were, happy with the banter and jovial with their one and only, "leader of the band". Myles is hoping that Nigel, her husband won't take long to follow. I am sure he will, in just a while. In the meantime, we all hope and we all pray that Myles will stay healthy, pretty and smart. Until, the next time, Myles. Take good care. Cheers!

My daughter goes back to her teaching job in Singapore today. She was able to obtain a two week holiday leave from the school where she's employed. She confided that she was wrong in assuming that work in a developed economy is just a breeze. Compared to Jakarta, she says it is back breaking, bone tiring, sometimes, requiring 'blood', sweat and maybe a small glass full of tears to manage. The ever optimist that she is, she finds these conditions a challenge - an opportunity to show her new employers that she is not easily intimidated with work, no matter how difficult it is. She happily, informed me that her boss' performance appraisal for her was very satisfactory, higher than how she rated herself. And despite the 8AM to 6PM job, plus an hour's bus and MRT commute from work to home she seems satisfied, if only for the new things she is learning and the chance to complete a short teacher certificate course in Singapore. I salute my daughter for her diligenc...

Happy New Year to Everyone!!!. I realize it is a very belated greeting. I apologize. Our laptop suffered from the holiday blues as well, I think :-) For two weeks, it decided to just do nothing for us. Only after our son re-installed the OS that it worked again as if nothing happened. Presto the respite was over. Perhaps the telecom provider had also something to do with it as well? Who knows. Whatever. So again all my best wishes to everyone. And despite the gloomy predictions for the days ahead, I hope we'd still find comfort and joy from the 'small' things life provide us, challenges and all. And my prayer is for the Great Gods in heaven provide and continue to graciously give us what we need.