PSI Volunteers at Missionaries of Charity

This isn’t telling the right hand what the left hand is doing.

This is just to remind myself to do outreach at least once a year! I’m really determined to do this! The spirit of volunteerism has been with me, but sometimes my work and my family hinders me from doing so. I’ve always wanted to help others, especially kids.

I was Sunday School teacher to 4-8 year old kids for many years and I miss doing that. :(

Anyway, now that 2009 is approaching, I promise that I will share more of myself and my skills and talents to others especially the ones that need them most---less fortunate children!

Anyway, these are the pics from PSI Outreach last December 13, 2008. I attended the Leadership seminar last June and PSI admin asked those who attended the seminars for volunteers on this outreach. I immediately said yes. I only have to be there and help with the distribution of food and gifts to the kids. No sweat! :D (That’s what I thought: the sun was determined to roast us that day and the makeshift shade was a little help. Anyway, I enjoyed the day!)

PSI volunteers

Kids at Missionaries of Charity---all 900 of them!

Posed with Anselm, a native of India,
who I talked with for almost an hour!

Missionaries of Charity is located in Tayuman, Manila and they can be reached at telephone number (632) 252-3870.

My Hands Were Busy

I never thought this would come so soon. My 6 year old son told me, when I asked him why he wouldn’t let me kiss him especially when we were in school, “I’m all grown up. My classmates would see you giving me a kiss…” I got surprised when he said that. But I followed his answer up with a question: “What’s wrong with me kissing you?” But he was not able to reply as his classmates started coming in. I left the room feeling sad and kind of confused. I wanted to hug and kiss my kids always and let them know that I love them so much.

When I picked him up after school, he explained the reason. He said most of his classmates were brought to school by nannies so it’s expected that they won’t kiss their nannies, and vise versa. So it’s a bit embarrassing for them to be kissed in public because only a few do it there. Ahh, I’m relieved and convinced this time. He just doesn’t want PDA (lovers, as if! lol). I find his explanation reasonable because when we are in our house, he is very loving and would always ask me to lie beside him before he dozes off during siesta and nighttime.

Tonight, as he sleeps, I watch him and I thought, he really has grown up! How time flies! I miss my baby boy! And it saddens me to think that he may someday let go of me---which will surely happen. He will spread his wings and do whatever he wants to, go to places he wishes to visit, etc. Hah…but for now, I will try my best to give all the time and love I can give, for someday, he will be too busy with other things. I will make sure that he doesn’t forget to give Mommy a kiss, even if it means giving it on the way to school, when none of his classmates are looking! *wink* And I will make sure that I will not own the poem below someday. I’m posting this so I will always remember to have time for my kids, kiss or no kiss! :D

My Hands Were Busy

My hands were busy throughout the day
I didn't have much time to play
The little games you asked me to.
I didn't have much time for you.

I'd wash your clothes, I'd sew and cook,
But when you'd bring your picture book
And ask me please to share your fun,
I'd say: "A little later, son."

I'd tuck you in all safe at night
And hear your prayers, turn out the light,
Then tiptoe softly to the door...
I wished I'd stayed a minute more.

For time is short, the years rush past...
A little boy grows up so fast.
No longer is he at your side,
His precious secrets to confide.

The picture books are put away,
There are no longer games to play,
No goodnight kiss, no prayers to hear...
That all belongs to yesteryear.

My hands, once busy, now are still.
The days are long and hard to fill.
I wish I could go back and do
The little things you asked me to.

Author Unknown

Yahoo! I won again!!!

My kids and I went to Philippine Daily Inquirer Office to get the prizes I won in the PDI-Madagascar 2 online contest. Yes, I won again!

Our loot

Gabby and Sunday received their Madagascar books and t-shirt (which fits me, so I think I will be the one to wear it!) from Ched Sarthou, the Product Officer of Inquirer Interactive Inc. They were so delighted that new books were added to their bookshelf! I would have to brace myself though for some storytelling and book reading later!

Sofitel Swimming Pool All To Ourselves!

I am posting our day at Sofitel last December 7, 2008. The kids literally had the pool to themselves!

My Kids "Brush" with GMA

I was one of the happiest persons on earth last week when I found some of my kids’ lost photos. Sometime last year, our computer crashed and not even PC Express can salvage it. It needed reformatting and they had to delete all the files that were there---including some of our several years old photos!

Fred and I were so sad because most of the photos are milestones. Their first walk, their first ice cream, their first bike ride, etc. Good thing because I uploaded some of them on my Flicker site. But of course, nothing compares to having the complete files.

Last week, I was checking all the CDs, old and new, looking for a client’s old file, when I noticed a CD labeled “Ate Honey’s Wedding”. I immediately grabbed and inserted it on the CD Reader and voila! some of my kids’ pics stared at me! I was so happy! These were the pictures that some of my husband’s relatives were looking for. See why:

A grand wedding just finished before Ate Honey's wedding at San Agustin Church and Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was there. We took pics of her.

Gabby was prodded by his grandma and grandtita to shake GMA's hand. Look at his expression, as if asking: "Who is this I am shaking hands with?" :D

Gabby was the Bible Bearer at her Tita Honey's wedding.
We really thought he won't do it but he did---with flying colors!

Sunday enjoyed the shower of petals when the newly-wed couple left.

Nothing compares to the joy of finding lost records of some of our precious moments. I'm so glad I did!

A Day as TinkerBell: Yannie’s 1st Bday Celebration

When McDonald’s first introduced Tinkerbell as birthday theme, I knew it would click especially to moms with young daughters who they want to dress up in whimsy gowns.

Yannie in Tinkerbell costume

Pao in Peter Pan costume

Yannie, my husband’s niece, was dressed up like Tinkerbell on her first birthday. Her mom, Ate Honey, even went to Divisoria, to have her dress made. The green dress had purple petal-like trimmings on the waist for that “enchanting” touch. A pair of white with green wave wings was bought from Divisoria, too. The look was finished with purple ponytails and silver TinkerBell shoes. Her brother Paolo donned a Peter Pan outfit. What well thought of costumes!
Rating: 10

Yannie's Tinkerbell tarp designed by hubby

Since only the name of Yannie will be placed in the dropdown tarps of Tinkerbell characters, Ate Honey decided to ask Fred, my husband, to design the tarp. The guests were happy with the design because Yannie’s face fitted so well at Tinkerbell’s profile. We love the tarp!
Rating: 10

The cake was ordered from Goldilocks. I wasn’t able to get the exact cost from Nenen, the celebrant’s grandma, who gifted Yannie that delicious cake. Yummy!
Rating: 8 for the design, 9 for the taste


The items on the loot bag (which came in a plastic envelope with Tinkerbell prints), were a coloring book, a Tinkerbell rubiks, a magical window frame and other stuffs which I wasn’t able to see because my kids ran off with them! I don’t know if the Tinkerbell kaleidoscope came with the loot bag or they received it as a prize on one of the games they joined. Sunday won as the loudest shouter of “Happy Birthday, Yannie!”. She received a Tinkerbell mini-xylophone.
Rating: 8


The games were the usual McDonald’s games. Bring me, Happy Birthday Shout, McDonald’s Shopping and the Relay for adults. My daughter got sad because the party host didn’t include the Longest Happy Birthday game. She prepared for it while we were on our way to the venue. I love the design of the Tinkerbell Piñata, the kids love its contents. :D
Rating: 7

It was a birthday happily celebrated! Happy birthday, Yannie!

Bye Forever, Robby!

Today is a gloomy day for me and the kids. Robby, our pet rabbit died. She was given to us by their grandfather, Lolo Tiw. She was such a very active rabbit. She would hop happily whenever we take her out of her cage. She would even cuddle in our feet whenever she sees us. She loves the warmth of our skin against her fur. She was also litter-can trained very easily.

Gabby, Sunday and Robby

There was something though that we noticed when we let her out the first time. She can’t sit tight. Her feet slide sideward. There must be something wrong on her feet, we thought. But that doesn’t stop her from moving carelessly around the house. Is she injured?

Yesterday, Fred unknowingly, gave her a bath. And hours later, she was so silent and sleepy. I asked Fred what he did. He told me that he just gave Robby a bath but he just left her to dry by herself! I gasped, “What?!? She will feel too cold…” Then I immediately grabbed a towel, wrapped it around Robby and hugged her. I know it was too late. I can see that Robby is too weak. I gave her food so she will have the energy but she was too weak to eat. She ate so little.

I asked Fred to return Robby to his mother’s house, which is just a block away, because I can’t bear to see her in that state. I would just bring her veggies everyday.

And today, I visited her with a plasticful of kangkong leaves. To my surprise, Nanay said Robby was gone. Just this morning. I was so sad. How will I tell the kids? I know they’ll understand but they will surely be sad.

It was only then that we realized that we shouldn’t have given her a bath. Rabbits don’t need it. It will take away the natural coat of oil on their fur. Hah…we learned our lesson the hard way.

When I was about to leave my mother-in-law’s house, her sister, Nenen, told me to tell the kids that she’s going to buy them a new one. But I said no. Not now. I will cherish Robby's memories first. (Is it too obvious that I am the most affected?:D) I will just let days or weeks pass by before we have another rabbit to replace Robby. For sure, when that rabbit comes, it will be well-taken care of this time.