Lean at 10, 10 about Lean

It was Lean’s Bday last March 10, and he just turned 10… We went Splash Island in Sta Rosa Laguna and had a fun-filled water-activities with cousins and family.

SO much about the fun-blog about this (I havent saved the pics yet), I just want to talk about this amazing kid Lean who happened to be our 2nd precious kid. 10 things about Lean:

1. Lean is a bubbly, funny, cute, chubby boy.
2. Lean likes food. He likes any food, and likes to explore new food (like his mom)!
3. Lean is an early-riser, even on week-ends.
4. Lean is a “heavy” sleeper, meaning, he can “drown” or “smother” you with his legs and arms while sleeping.
5. Lean likes Lego (and look-alike Lego) and has a plenty of it. He can build even while watching TV.
6. Lean dreams of being a chef, a robotic engineer, or an inventor.
7. Lean is a Big Brother to Aliya, he reads her stories and teaches her iPad games techniques, and arts.
8. Lean has a plentiful of drawings of castles and kingdom. He is fascinated on stories about knights and dragons.
9. Lean loves world history book, he has a thick book about that, and reads it when he’s bored with techi games
10.Lean is so gentle and obedient, one you can rely upon when you need a hug, a massage or even just a reassuring smile, with pat on a leg/shoulder, when mom needs one.

TSP: Fun Session and Nighttime Stories with Aliya

Every night, Aliya will always have her books before sleeping. It’s what she call “istoyi-taym” She gets not just one book but several books for her to “read,” well, she just actually telling stories “bulol-bulol” from the pictures. When its time, she asks me to read for her. And that’s our finest moment! And mind you, it’s not “solemn” reading good for a sleepy child, but she likes it to be complete with all sounds and actions and mimic of voices. That’s why at the end of it (4 stories at the minimum), mommy was exhausted, and Aliya was “alive” again.

Come to think of it, i been doing it since Jolo was a kid, then with Lean, and now Aliya. It’s seems that while my kids can “graduate” from this ritual, their Mom cannot!

Well, I know, when I’ll look back at it, it’s our finest moment!

Progress Report: 101 in 1001 days

It’s been a month and a-half since my last progress report re my 101 list, and I’m not sure how I fare this time after 40 days because of holiday rush and festivities. Anyway, I will now do my “inventory”….

Great! I have scratched 4 of my goals!
1. First, the homecoming of my brothers and their families are truly memorable although we wished we had spent it longer! Time flies when we are really enjoying!
2. Second, the festive Christmas raffle and bingo was a hit! I actually won the grand prize of TV (weee…I hardly won on anything!) but I have to give it away for re-raffle… Gladly!
3. Third, the Christmas Charity Toy/Gift-Giving (the “Project K for K”) was doubly-fun and twice as successful! Thanks to all donors and volunteers!
4. I bought 2 good mattresses for our bed upstairs. Now Jolo and Lean are sleeping there… I like the bed too that I sometimes sneak in beside them.

I made progress on my several goals,
5. I have added some entries on “Doing First-Time” and “Adventures with Kids”
6. Finally been able to fix lighting, install vinyl flooring & redo paints in the house!
7. I read number of books this month (despite of toxic schedule)
8. I have several photo galleries thru SmileBox and Movie Maker and have posted them in my blog and YouTube.
9. Because I’ve already emptied the “donation box” last month, I’m allotting boxes again.
10. The “Tap-on-the Back” Challenge “reaped” what it “sow” when I announced the recognition of 6 audit staff. in return, they commended also in email a number of people as their mentors and inspiration! This effort multiplies exponentially and have given a boost to number of people.
11. Although the holiday season put “chaos” on my financial planning, I was able to save a portion (without thinking) to the mutual fund and forget about it (until now!)
12. There are few glitches on some of my goals, that I don’t know if I can do anything more (It’s about increasing my sales by 50% and about coming up with new pillow designs to sell)… Well, I believe i still can turn it around! That’s the spirit.
13. Started the “Team 17″ aimed to boost more my staff’s spirit and team efforts.
14. My spirituality was pinched (or tapped) a little after few talks with a friend and my Kuya… and also after reading the books “The Shack” and “Angels and Demons” (this deserves a blog entry, but don’t know yet how to articulate it…)
15. Started planning for the 75th birthday of Mama Abe.
16. Inspired few people in earth (directly or indirectly) to do the 101 in 1001 days!

Malaysian Movie 2007 by Bong Ngii

Here’s our photos during our Malaysian travel in 2007. The motiff and theme and music of the Smilebox production is brought to you by Bong Ngii (no other than Lee Andrew – pen name of Lean)!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

See also other SmileBox creations at Digital Photo Collection at my page.

Boracay 2008 @ SmileBox

Make a Smilebox slideshow

See also other SmileBox creations at Digital Photo Collection at my page.

Project K for K! Another Hit! (Episode 2)

Event: Project Kindness for Kids (Share-a-toy!)
Place: The Garage, Matungao Bulacan
Date: December 24, 2009
With : Family

Yes, another episode of Project K for K was held at Matungao Bulacan, Bulacan (our hometown). We have prepared toys for about 150 kids within the vicinity and we gave it away on the 24th. It’s been fun, warming experience having brought smile to kids. Plus, the “cousinhood” was having a really great time volunteering during the distribution…. Some of our nephews and nieces even waited on the line to receive their share of toys as well, then they distributed candies. It was also a plus-experience for Chuko and Deanne as, aside from having fun too, Chuko also need “community service credits” even on vacation as required by their school back in US.
Christmas is really for fun, fun, fun and giving, giving, giving! What a wonderful blessing being a part of a blessing to others (even in simple ways…). What a wonderful feeling! Life is really meant for these moments!

See also related posts:
Episode 1

The Holiday A-Z Photos!

A - St Agatha’s Resort Grand Reunion & Papi’s Bday (#18) (# reference in previous blog)

B – Boat Ride up to Cruz sa Wawa at Bocaue (#20)

C – Complete Cousins

D – The DAY (my day) (#10)

see also pictures here: Ways to Celebrate a Bday

E – Eucharistic Day of Lean (#4)

F - Family! (#16)

G – Gift-Giving for Kids (#13)

H – Home for Holiday – Chuko & Deanne (#12)

I – “I” Moment at our Christmas party… Audit Bday Tribute (#7)

J – Surprise Bday Treat for John-john (#1)

K – moments with Kuyas (#22)

L – night with SVS at Lorna T’s house in “Dahil May Isang Ikaw” (#2)

M – Kuya’s visit at our house @ Marilao (#23)

N – New Year’s Eve (#21)

O – Opening of Seri Asia (#9)

P – Party! Party! Puregold Audit Family (see this also) and SVS Family! (#6)

Q – Queue at Charity Gift Giving

R – Raffle, Bingo & Games on Xmas Eve (#15)

S – Star Awards for Auditors (#8) (more info here)

T- “These are the Days” (#21) A Music Video @ YouTube – click here

U – Unstoppable “Sports Tournament” – Swimming, Bowling & Basketball

V – Dinner date with Verna and later on with SGV Friends (#5)

W – Wacky Photos! (#14) see more here

X – Xmas Spirit! with Daddy & Mama!

Y – bYe Time… 1st round (#24)

Z – Z-read, bYe… 2nd Round (#25)

The Holiday (A Recap)

December had passed just like a breeze, leaving me dizzy, disorganized and “bitin.” There is a feeling that I could have done more or differently… but then, I realized that every moments that passed during this holiday were all blessed, memorable and joyous! So, I have to recap it here in my “time capsule:”

1. We gave a surprise simple birthday bash for our old friend, John-john. We know he was so happy, just as he thought we have already “forgotten” him.
2. A get-together with SVS Partners for Ron’s birthday, at Casa Milan (the famous house of Lorna T at “Dahil May Isang Ikaw”). Always a great night to spend with close friends!
3. The SGV friends gathered in Judith’s condo for a simple, laugh-filled dinner!
4. Lean’s confirmation… his entry to Eucharistic world!
5. Dinner date with my very good friend, Verna, at Glorietta. We had oyster and beer and a goooood conversation!
6. The Christmas Party of Audit Pipol is such a hit! We had a fabulous time with their presentations and games! They really took effort to prepare.
7. The Audit Pipol surprised me again with a birthday program. As much I feel uncomfortable with solo spotlight, I enjoyed it much! Thank you!
8. The “Star Awards” for Audit Pipol… that garnered a good review!
9. Seri Asia’s soft opening at Alpha Land. Another inspiring (and daring) business move by our friend Flor. Congatulations!
10. The DAY…. my big day! What full-packed day! So here’s the way to celebrate a birthday! a. Charity-gift-giving (Project K for K); b. Lunch with my PG Auditors; c. Swimming at Ace Water Spa with kids; d. Xmas party with SVS Pipol! (wheeew!)… See photos here!
11. Great time bowling with Kuya Ricky, Dad and kids!
12. Kuya Lito and family arrived on the 22th (seeing them again after 10 years is such a blessed, exciting moment!)
13. Another Project K for K with my cousins, nieces & nephews… we brought joy to 150 kids with our toy gifts.
14. The sunset jump shots— super-duper goofying time in the farm doing wacky pics!
15. The Christmas EVE! The long-awaited family raffle, bingo and gift-giving! with TV and digital camera as grand prizes, it actually went to me and Kuya Lito, so we have raffled it off again! Wow Moments!
16. The Christmas morning! Being together again (the complete family) after so many years is just seem so “unreal”
17. Christmas shopping spree with Mama at Puregold Shaw! thank you Boss!
18. The Outing! The great family reunion and overnight outing at St Agatha Resort at Guiguinto! Really bonding moments! It was Papi’s Bday too!
19. Night-out at Buslo’s with Kuyas and Ates and Tito and Dad and Cousins… Where did they go after… What? “Petals?”
20. We went to Malabon and “namasko” and the family ate at Shakey’s on the 31st.
21. Boat ride with Chuko and Deanne and cousins! another highlight of the holiday!
22. The new year preparation, highlighted by a set-up movie theater! I’ve also made a “These Are the Days” music video clip for family affairs.
23. Relaxed moments (after a day at work on the 2nd) with my 2 Kuyas. Bonding moment with Te Leli and Deanne while swimming at Cool Waves on the 3rd. Chuko’s bonding with the dogs and cats!
24. Took leave (on first office day of the year!) and went home to Marilao, where Kuya Lito and family had dinner. The cousins were having fun and bonding moments.
25. The BYE day! On the 6th, we had a despedida dinner for Kuya Lito at Gerry’s Grill at MOA… and off they went to airport… not much to say, it was just a “teary” moment…!
26. Double BYE day! when we went back to Racks MOA to have dinner with Kuya Ricky who will be leaving also on the 9th… not much to say, but another “frowning” moment!

Hey, this should not be ended-up with “sad’ moments! We were just sad because we really had a GREAT time during their stay and this holiday, and it should have more… more… more! The HOLIDAY was really Fabulous, Blessed, and Memorable! We were all Happy in its truest sense!

See also the Holiday Photos A-Z
Check out also aann’s recap of holiday — yes we were together most of the time — experiencing the same great moments!)

“Blessed & Lucky” (These are the Days @ YouTube)

Here’s my tribute to my whole family, kins or clans:
Regardless how “huge” is our family, we remained intact, happy, excited, close and harmoniously together! And to think we are now “breeding” the 3rd generation,
We are really indeed blessed and lucky being born in the right time and right place with right family….
See this music picture clips of our glorious times together…

“These Are the Days” by Natalie Merchant of 10,000 Maniac, our favorite song… see it in You Tube

see also these related entries
Holiday Photo A-Z
The Holiday: A Recap

Project K for K: A Success! (Episode 1)

Event: Project Kindness for Kids (Share-a-toy!)
Place: Letre, Dagat-dagatan, Caloocan
Date: December 19, 2009
With : SAMAKA group, EVC and SGV Staff, Ex-SGVeans, Puregold Auditors, SVS Staff, Papi, Jolo and Lean

It was a success! We have brought smiles and joy to almost 700 kids with our humble gift of toys and food packs! The supports from different groups within my sphere were overwhelming! The SGV Staff and Ex-SGVeans were there with our dashing Boss Manny Clarino! My PG auditors were there to help me before and during the event (buying grocery raffle items and soliciting more donations)! Friends like Bel Fernando and Mary Sumera Demetillo also joyfully volunteered. Our SVS Staff, led by my dear friend Flor, also took efforts overnight packing gifts and stuff! Also, the SAMAKA group who organized the kids on location! Thanks to all of you! Of course, a lot of appreciation as well to all who have sent their pledges, donations in kind, and lots of cheers and encouragement! Salamat! It was a success!

What a wonderful day to start celebrating my birthday! (This is just one of many ways!)

Part 2 of this happened at Matungao Bulacan… (my next blog…), and Part 3 will push-through this January…. (because of donations still pouring in!)

By the way, I can now slash one of my no. 58th on my 101 list re this, but definitely I will repeat it again in December 2010…

See related entries:
Project Kindness for Kids
Project K for K: An Update

Sunset Jump Shots!

The pictures were taken at our favorite farm that witnessed a lot from our childhood days! Taken during sunset, that’s also our favorite time to play!

We just had a great, great time during and after our gift-giving activity, the day before Christmas! If there is one moment that I will choose to just “stood still,” this will be it! I came to believe that life is CREATED for moments like these. No other trimmings, no other frills and fuss, no fancy place and ambiance… but just laughs, fun, and great time… surrounded by family and loved ones and nature and blessings! (Made even better with the presence of my brothers Lito and RIcky and their kids, especially Chuko and Deanne plus Te Leli! – whom we have not seen for 10 years….)

Memories are made of these! Wow!

Progress Report: 101 in 1001

It’s been 110 days now, that is 891 days to go, and there are still 92 goals to do…
But I think I’m still on the right momentum. Most of my goals are progressing as most of them aim to do repetitive acts before i can say “I’ve Done It”. Or some of them requires too many menial steps before I can say I am satisfied!
Anyways, I reviewed my lists and this is my progress report:
1. Since the family get-together is fast approaching, I am cramming preparing for the itinerary and still coordinating with them the final plan. I have visited some sites (actual and virtual).
2. My parent’s house project is almost done! I just wish I could buy Mama a very nice curtains before Christmas (pro tem the window glass which is not yet in our budget).
3. Have painted the house (actually those walls that are eyesore)
4. Have installed and fixed the lightings and electricals
5. Teaching kids about things and stuff… (but have to spend more time engaging them about religion and spirituality)
6. Have updated and posted the pictures of stuff I want to sell online
7. Created several digital scrapbooks
8. I am learning to cut kids’ hair (aliya’s cut now is courtesy of momi)
9. Organizing and gathering sponsors for my charity gift-giving. I have received substantial pledge from my former boss who started it all!
10. Keeping up with my reading and writing.
11. Have started working on training materials for my staff.
12. Walking again….
13. Having great time seeing and connecting with old friends…
14. Been conscious about promises, punctuality and procrastination!

my Aliya….

Aliya is growing up… fast… the changes maybe subtle, but it’s there! Here’s a smilebox slideshow showing her “transformation” in four months (from August to November in 2009)….




Make a Smilebox slideshow

and here's her slideshow during her 1st year on earth....



Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Goal #5: Lesson Plan for Kids

My goal is to have conscious effort to teach kids about life’s lessons. Teaching them, among others, Religion, Generosity, Finance, History, Art, Right Manners and Having Dreams….. I really made it sure to have moments with my two boys talking and making stories. Time is short and I believe that most of the lessons we’ve learned were gained while we were still kids….
For this goal, I will consider this complete if I have taught them (or at least, talked to them about) 101 things related to above areas in life and many more. So here is the partial list:

1. Recite “Ama Namin” (“Our Father” in Tagalog) – (Lean already knew the English version since he was 3)
2. Story of the Fisherman’s Wife who was never satisfied, a lesson about greed (Lean)
3. Playing fair and square (while we were playing chess) (Lean)
4. About winning/losing without cheating (while playing Snakes and Ladder) (Lean)
5. Reading aloud a book about “Beliefs” (Lean was having fun counting the word “beliefs” I mentioned)
6. About habit formation at around adolescent years (Jolo)
7. Taught Jolo to save money for something he really wants to buy.
8. About being generous (Lean brought a spare Lego for his friend Aaron)
9. Talking about the course they want to take in college (it doesn’t matter even if they change mind every now and then)
10. Doing the best he can in every project he handles (Jolo)
11. About working hard, and about sowing and reaping (as Lean play the “Farmer” online game)
12. Rewards and consequences in attaining goals
13. Helps Jolo form his habit to clean his face every night, among others.
14. Helps Lean form his “4-things to do” habits every night. (Toothbrush, take a pee, clean his feet, pray)
15. Washing dishes every weekend (Jolo)
(see as the list grow at “Lesson Plan for Kids” at “My Life’s List” widget)

For our future curriculum, we will include:
a. Jolo’s lessons in Civics and history (2 facts everyday)
b. Art attack with Lean
c. Generosity-in-Action, when they accompany me in distributing toys for less-fortunate kids this Xmas
d. More practice on Po and Opo
e. Read World History to Lean (his favorite)
f. loving siblings
g. open bank account in their name
h. about being a friend
i. buying and using money (Lean)
more…….
(see as the list grow at “Lesson Plan for Kids” at “My Life’s List” widget)

My Boy!

I am amazed (and a bit saddened) by sudden changes happening with my boy Jolo. He is not quite a boy now… and he’s not quite a teen yet! He is 11 and as if suddenly the transformation seemed “overnight.” Physically, he grown fast (he is almost my height), his voice became husky, his face is more “serious” and he now chooses teen’s apparel and stuff. His demeanor became more subdued (no longer the wacky guy who goofs around). It’s not that I really mind, it’s just that I’m not yet prepared….
But, what preparations do parents need really? I don’t know! But well, I know we have “experienced” his boyhood and growing up, without moments spared, so I think I have to embrace now this new phase in his life with same glee and amazement!

Jolo Before (one-and-a-half years ago), wacky, playful, rough and sweet!

My litte boy, Jolo! (just a year ago), witty, charming, full of delight, curiousity and awe!

My BOy! (just early this year), thoughtful, creative, still awes at nature, funny and adventurous!

Jolo, “raw and unwashed” (recently), subdued, camera-shy, mindful, artistic and still my boy!

Aliya in 365 days….

Random Pictures Taken In September 2009…

ALiya’s growth in 365 days will be chronicled in my subsequent blogs…

Giving Up… Letting Go… Saying Bye… Moving On…

I am not a quitter!
But there are things, situation, habits… and people that we have to let go… for me (for them) to grow, to prosper, to live on!

This week and last week are just that:
saying bye (but not giving up) — to a favorite, good friend who will be going back to States, and we don’t know if it is (again) for good or she will be coming back here (also for good?)
saying bye to another favorite friend who will be leaving for San Francisco, too. The prospect of seeing him again is quite too far (again), say 2-3 years.
letting go – two good audit staff are resigning (as their mentor, I really want them to explore/grow more, but at the same time, I feel bad because of feeling of “inadequacy” by not providing them enough reasons to stay…)
giving up (but to where it goes, I’m glad)…. our clothes and things for the flood victims! (included there is my “benchmark pants”… the one I want to squeeze into someday…)
saying good bye to the things we’ve lost during the flood… we are not complaining! we are not badly hit and, thank God, we have no serious casualty from our family, friends, or people we personally know.
giving up the habits of unconscious credit card spending….
saying good bye to my 7lbs… (really!!!)
giving up the plan to arrange my “adopted” sister’s medication… because she is giving up HERSELF…. (this one I still have to reconsider… I should not really give up on her)
letting go of the concept and image of Jolo as just a kid… I have to accept that he is a “grown” boy now! (whaaahh).
giving up the thought of keeping these people, things, situation, habit… with full understanding that “giving up, letting go, saying bye….” is just a phase for us to move on, grow and have better perspective….

Life goes on and on and on….

Blessings & Expectations

“The size of your blessing is determined by the size of your expectation.”

This is just another nice week! With only few glitches and hang-ups, but nevertheless productive and blessed week!

I am blessed, because:
I got great friends around and old friends still around! I’ve seen few friends from the old times (see my previous post here and here)
I felt again the power of a closed-knit family that decides as one, after consulting each other (regardless of age)
I was able to make efforts to make few drastic projects;
I am well and healthy (only one star on my blood test);
I am in the position of “touching” someone else’s lives;
I was able to run errands and do favors for friends in need! (or just be there to boost them)
I am surrounded by “loves” of my life.
I am moving along and making progress (a lot) in my 101 tasks

Since I am more focused with my goals and expectations, everything falls in place and blessings keep pouring in.

Life is so great, that I do not want to miss the chance to enjoy every day. To enjoy my NOW!

I will remember to say this every morning when I wake up, “I expect great things to happen today!” It’ll be fun, try it too!.

Celebrating My “Friendship Month”

It’s seems I can’t get enough of seeing old friends and reliving the past!
As if I have declared this month as Friendship Month!
Last Friday, I saw my old buddies from high school. Had a great time and good laughs about our adolescent life. We are now constantly in contact.
Last night, we (the SVS sisterhood) met one of our best friends (Romel) from college. We haven’t seen him for 6+ years when he went to Rome. We also had good hearty laughs when we remembered our good old days, especially our antics with our professors.
Also, since last week, we’ve been communicating with our other best friend, Carol, who is now based at LA. We convinced her go home (for good or for awhile), just to relieve her of her worries due to recession there. Well, courtesy of sister Flor, she’ll get her plane ticket (a job and a condo unit here, or a papi, perhaps…)
As I celebrate friendship, it also means keeping in touch with my old friends from the old days in anyway I can (thru text, email, fb, fs).
And more than anything, I make efforts to keep connected with the people that are constantly with me everyday (my family, my papi, kids, staff, friends and colleagues). I am enjoying more the time being spent with them. No hang-ups, no pre-occupation, no pressure.
Just a sheer delight of my “NOW” being with them.

Just a Great Week!

It’s because I was anticipating everything great will happen this week, then it did!

It’s because I have changed my mindset to focus on things that I should do more (or less), to be aware of how I will spend the day and having the feeling of excitement and enthusiasm as I tackle the goals I set. This past week, I’ve been into goal-setting, list-making, and just acting (taking over the habit of procrastination). And it feels great! Having achieved something is very encouraging that makes me move forward further!

I became more aware of the gift of time and how are we powerful to spend it (or waste it – our choice)!

Here are the sample of my week’s “triumphs”

finally held the general assembly for SVS
it goes with the preparation for the presentation material and setting up policies
had a great spa treat from a friend
inspired the PG staff thru email tips
cheered-up friends in hotspot situations
having great, great time with papi, with lots of laughter and fun!
started to do things I dreaded most or ignored
issued number of policies and procedures
sent letter of intent for the retail business
been offered with transfer of her franchise to us
ideas, ideas, ideas for business
started contacting business partners in retail
got the approval for new PCs for my staff
treat of pancit (noodles) from my staff
have started developing my exercise routine
more playtime with kids
had bonding moments with mama and daddy
received help when most needed and least expected
etc. etc. etc.