FEARLESS FASHION

I miss going to the mall. Malling is one of the few things that I consider my alone time even if I'm not really alone. Its been 2 weeks since I have been to the mall. By no means am I what you consider shopaholic. I am more of the window shopper, browsing through racks and racks of clothing and just admiring things. The last time I was at the mall a lot of small stores or boutiques had a lot of urban clothing on display. Most young generations a fearless when it comes to fashion sense. They wear what they want to wear and still look fashionable. Growing up I always wanted to join in the band wagon on what was in fashion but we couldn't afford it. Not being able to afford clothes that were in fashion didn't stop me from looking presentable. Brands don't matter to me, I wear what feels good and look good on me. I am very curios to see what my girls fashion sense are going to be like in the coming years. I can already see a fearless fashionista in my youngest daughter. But we shall see, the oldest will be hitting puberty in less than 5 years. Will things change drastically? Only time will tell.

BEACHY BUT NOT SO PEACHY

With the heat wave covering the country, you find most people near water or do water activities. Although there are still people who prefer to stay indoors to cool off. As for my us, my kids enjoy staying outdoors. That means playing in the backyard, on the swing set, sand box or swimming in our swimming pool. Most of the time the kids are just content swimming in our pool. When it gets to hot though, they will be the ones to actually ask me that they would rather stay inside.

Last Tuesday, we finally went to the beach. The last time we went to the beach was almost 4 years ago. I was actually 7 months pregnant with Kaitlyn and Kayla was 4. The kiddos were pretty excited, Kaitlyn was understandably more excited as this would be here first time to go to the beach. To make the story short, our beach outing was fun but Ralph and I are definitely not beach people. Since there are no cottages where you can put all your stuff and rest like in my country. You have to make do and put blankets and towels on the sand. And sand gets into everything and anything. As for the beach water, you can't let you if you have a younger child. It would knocked around by the wave and carried by the current. I was not used to it. Back home our waters are nothing like that. The kids can swim in the shallow end and not worry about getting knocked over by the strong wave. As soon as we packed up I blurted out " It's going to be Water Parks until they are older for the beach". Ralph agrees with me as he is also not a beach person. Hey, I am not saying I don't the beach period but I'm just not used to the beaches here in America.. If the wave and the current was not that strong I would have loved it. But when you have kids, you tend to gravitate to a place where you don't have to hold their hands in order for them to have a good time. To sum it all up it wasn't bad but it wasn't great either. The important thing is that we had our little family time of bonding..

SOME PEOPLE...

This guest post from Edgardo Rosa

Some people (usually from the older generation) say that we have too much choice. Just take going to the grocery store for instance. The other day I went to the produce section, and counted over 18 varieties of apples. It seems like we used to have just red or green (on a good day!) I then went to the cereal aisle, and I guess I’ve never really realized the ridiculousness of our plethora of choices. There is literally an entire AISLE devoted to cereal! I can’t figure out if all of this choice is a good thing or a bad thing. I’ve gotten so used to all of my choices- that I don’t know what I would do without them. I love being able to scroll through my hundreds of channels from my satellite (http://www.TVbydirect.com) . I love being able to sit down on my couch, decide what cereal I want for breakfast out of around 100 choices, and then sit down to any one of 5-6 news/morning shows. Do you think that all of this choice is a good thing or a bad thing? Are we living in excess, or are we merely utilizing and enjoying choices that are in front of us?

BIRTH MONTH

July is not only my birth month, I share it with my sister as well. We get to have the same age for 10 days,lol. Does that mean we will be equal until she hits her birthday and is officially older than me again? We always use to joke with each other that there is no big and lil sister after my birthday. My sister's birthday is on July 24. My sister and I could have had the same birthday had my mother not elected induction. But since she wanted to be present for my sister's 1st birthday she had an induction and picked July 14. Why July 14? It's my fathers brothers birthday. As It turned out I had other ideas and refuse to share the same birthday with any of our relative, I was born on July 15,lol. I don't want to drag this on so here it goes :




To my one and only sister Mitzi, A Happy Happy Birthday to you. I may not say I love you enough but you are a big part of my heart and my life. You are an amazing sister, daughter and I know that you will be a wonderful mom to Alyssa. I am so proud of your achievement and I love you.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MANANG (BIG SISTER)

TO GIVE

With so many birthday coming and going I can't keep track. Thank God, I know the birthdays of very important people in my life. But when it comes to my friends birthdays I need help. I have already missed a couple of birthdays from some close friends of mine. If it wasn't for facebook I would forget most of my friends birthdays, lol. It's not that I ignore it completely but I forget. The next big birthday will be Kayla's. And a couple of months after that will be my BIL and Ralph and Kaitlyn's birthday. My BIL Larry cooked for me and it was one of the best birthday present from my BIL. He made the best meat loaf I have ever tasted. Birthdays is not about the party, the expensive presents you receive but rather it is about the thought behind every action. I am always thankful for every gift I receive no matter how little or big they are. Someone I know will be celebrating her birthday soon and I think it would be a great idea to send her a gift basket.With her sweet tooth I know giving her a gift basket will be appreciated. If you have someone special about to celebrate their birthday send gift baskets now and hear the joy in their voice when they receive it. After all, "its better to give than to receive".

BASEMENT VISION

It was fun having company here at the house. Mahlou's visit was so much fun and we talked and giggled alot. We really didn't get to go around but we did have a great time at the Mall. It also gave us a chance to hang out and just talk about the changes in our lives. I got to show her around our house which took me forever to get half way decent, lol. I showed her the basement and told her that it was going to be our next big project to do. My vision for our basement is to make it into an entertainment space where we can relax and the kids can play. Since we want to create a nice entertainment space where we can watch movies with the kids and our guest we will have to look at different flat screen lcd tvs. Knowing my husband, he will want a big flat screen. I can't wait until we start that project, its either going to be fun or a pain in the neck. Before I end this post, I just want to thank Mahlou for her gifts and taking time out of her busy schedule to come visit me. Next time it will be my turn to drop her a visit in NY.

MY DAY

I turned _ _ years old today, happy birthday to me!!!

This is the first time that we really didn't do anything for my birthday. Last year I had a big birthday celebration in the Philippines. With the loss of my grandpa I just wanted to have a regular day. Ralph went out and got me white roses, card and a cake for my birthday. He really didn't have to but he said its not a birthday without the cake. My BIL Larry came down yesterday so he decided to make us dinner, his meatloaf. It was great and probably the best meatloaf I have ever tasted. I can't wait until I have the left overs tomorrow for my lunch, lol. I just want to thank family and every body who gave a few minutes of their time to greet me a happy birthday.. Thank you, I didn't know turning 21 (12 yrs ago ) was going to be this fun, hehehehehehhe

END AND RETURN

The past few days have been really rough for me. I can honestly say that It really hasn't sink in yet that my Grandfather passed away. This is the first time that I have really lost someone close to me. I cannot fathom the amount of grief my grandmother is experiencing right this minute. Everyday must seem like an eternity for her without her soul mate, husband and best friend of 61 yrs. My heart aches that I cannot go home and attend my grandfathers funeral in a couple of days. I will keep on missing him, his memories will be kept alive so stories will be passed on for more generations to come.

On the other hand, Ralph is going back to work on Friday. He has been resting a lot in preparation for a rough 12 hour shift. One thing that is bothering Ralph is the thought of not fitting his police uniform. A few days before he got cleared to go back to work he said he was going to take diet pills if he won't fit his uniform. But I encouraged him instead to just lessen his portion and stop drinking soda. He seems to be doing good for the meantime but the real test will be the day he puts on his uniform. I am crossing my fingers and toes that it will still fit him. If worse comes to worse maybe this will be his wake up call to stop drinking soda and indulging on midnight cooking snacks.

REST IN PEACE "LOLO"

This post is dedicated to my late Grandfather ILDEFONSO O. MAGALASANG.

I thought Tuesday was just going to be any ordinary day, wrong! After hosting the 4th of July BBQ we had a very lazy day. Woke up really really late, had lunch, in the pool and hanging out with the hubby. Little did I know that my world was going to turned upside down. It was after 8 p.m. that I got two calls my aunt and cousin in Chicago. My aunt left a message so I listen to that first. I was shaking when I heard the voice mail. I was afraid that something had happened to my mom or my grandpa. I hurriedly called my aunt while I was in the kitchen. She answered with such a sad voice. I knew right then that I was bad.

She started crying and finally uttered the most devastating news I had to hear "Lod, your " lolo" passed away this morning"(Lolo is what we call our grandpa in my country) I couldn't say anything. I just sobbed my heart out on the phone crying with my aunt. I just kept on crying and crying. This is the first time ever I have experience this kind of loss. It was gut wrenching and so deep that you wonder if it will ever heal. I cried for my grandpa, for my grandma, I cried for everybody's loss. But most of all I cried because I was not able to say goodbye. No one had a chance to say goodbye to him. My heart goes out to my grandma who was not able to say she loved him one last time. They were each others best friend and lovers for 61 long years.

To my Grandpa "lolo" Thank you so much for all that you have done, your sacrifices, and lessons will forever be etched in our hearts. I want to say so much but my heart is just so broken. I miss you so much....

Until we see each other again "lolo", I will be forever proud to have been your granddaughter. We love you and will live for your memories and celebrate your life...

4th OF JULY

Ever since yesterday I have been a flutter getting the house in order. We are hosting this year's 4th of July BBQ. Its just going to be family with the exception of my BIL bringing a lady friend as his date. At least I have taken care of the kitchen, family room, and the playroom is half way decent. What I needed was tea candles to put under my oil warmer. I had forgotten to buy them at the store while we were out. I knew my MIL had some stashed in the basement so I went to hunt them down. I looked everywhere and came across some of the Baby Invitations I had 4 years ago. That brought a lump in my throat. I so want another baby so much but things are not going the way we planned. Anyways, I am not going to bore you with my sob story for now. As for the tea candle I could not find it, we must have thrown it out by accident back when we were cleaning up the basement. I didn't give up though, I went looking upstairs in all the drawers and finally found one, lol. I guess it will have to do for tomorrow. We will be spending most of our time outside on the deck or in the pool tomorrow. Its going to be a perfect day to have a BBQ and dip in the pool when it gets to hot..

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!

HOW I RECHARGE

What do you do when you get bored feeling burned out? As a stay at home mom I do get burned out. I rarely do or buy anything for myself. Its all about family, not that I mind but sometimes I need time for myself and just relax. My one form of relaxation and charging my battery is going to the Mall. Not to go shopping mind you but to window shop and go people watching. Most of the time I go home with nothing or with something less than $20. My mantra when going to the Mall is not to spend on one single Item over $25. Even with a very tight budget or no budget at all I do have fun specially now that I have a window shopping buddy, my youngest daughter. She loves going to the mall and looking at different things be it from shoes, bags to clothes. She even loves to try things on and will give very honest opinion if I look good or not. She has a knack for fashion and loves looking at fashion accessories. At one store she was so busy trying on a couple of hats, stackable rings, necklaces and stacks and stacks of bangle bracelets. She would even ask me to take a picture of her while she tries on some stuff. Even though she tries on those things she knows that we won't be buying any of it. She knows that we are only looking and trying them on. Like most kids she does ask from time to time if we could buy certain items and I would always tell her that we didn't have the money for it. I am proud to say that she doesn't have a hissy fit when she doesn't get what she wants in the mall. She understand and would say " mama when you have money will you buy it for me?". It breaks my heart when she says that but I have to teach my daughter that she can't have anything she wants. Sure, I can very well afford to buy a lot of things but I choose not to. Still, we both have a grand old time just browsing around and at the end of the day, with or without purchase we end up enjoying each others company more.

MY SYSTER, THE CHEF

This post is dedicated to my one and only sister Mitzi.

Last June 22, 2011 in Cebu my sister received her certificate in Advance Culinary Arts. Ever since my sister has had a love affair with food. Aside from my grandma, she is the second best cook in our family. I know how to cook mind you but my cooking is mediocre compared to my sister. She is one hell of a cook! Last year she started going to school to learn more about cooking. I knew she was going to make it and excel for this was something she really love and enjoy doing. Aside from receiving her certificate she also got two awards. The Service Recognition Award and The Student Leadership Award.

I am so proud of my sister for her great achievement. Pay attention culinary world for my sister is about to rock your world, lol. I really didn't get a chance to really express my happiness on her graduation so here goes.

Chay,

Manang, I am so proud of you. The past months have not been really great but you did not let that stop you from smiling and persevering and holding on. How I wish I was there to bear witness as you received your certificate. I am so proud of you manang! I am so sorry if it seems that I am not there for you. I love you with all my heart. I know you will make it big and you will succeed. You are not only a great daughter, sister, friend but you are also a wonderful mom to Alyssa. I love you so much manang!I will make it up to you one of this days..

A GRADUATION

Last June 21, 2011 at Keansburg High School my family and I were witness to the end of Kristen's high school education and the beginning of a new higher learning. Kristen is the oldest child of Ralph's older brother Larry. See the guy with the graduate? That's my BIL Larry, he can be a pain in the butt but he is really a nice guy and a good dad. We made it a point to go to New Jersey so we could celebrate with her and show her how proud we are of her achievement. Watching her graduate brought back memories of my high school graduation. I just want to say that Ralph and I are so proud of you Kristen! Keep reaching for the stars and don't ever give up because nothing is impossible if you try. We love you!

IN TOUCH

Isn't it amazing how everything is so easy in this generation? Long gone were the days were we are tied up with only the phone in our houses. We didn't have any mobile phones back then to bring around with us to keep us connected with our loved ones. My MIL and I talk about how it used to be without the technology and the gadgets of today. She is one of those few mature people that keeps in touch with technology. One of the few things that fascinate her is the advancement of smart phones. It amazes her how such a small device can contain so much information and can do so much as well. When we got out new phones she also got a new one herself. It wasn't a smart phone as she wasn't ready for it yet. I saw that my MIL is slowly asking more and more questions about smart phones and I think she is ready for one. There are a lot of smart phones out in the market and htc virgin could be one of the few choices she can pick from.It will be interesting to see though her using a touch screen phone with her arthritic fingers. I don't think its going to stop her from staying on top of technology and connected to the world wide web.

DADDY DAY

A Happy Happy Father's day to the my husband!

I just want to say that its easy to be a father, but it takes a real man to stand up to his responsibility and a Dad, Papa or Tatay. God has generously blessed my kids and I a man who truly loves his children. I grew up not really knowing my father. God didn't want my kids to grow up like that so he sent me a man a good man. A father who will gladly lift up his kids so they can reach the stars, lay down his life to protect them and most of all love them with all his heart. To all the wonderful Dad out there, Happy Father's Day again..