4. Friends
New ones and old ones, the ones that remain through it all. Pressure counts for a lot, makes diamonds and breaks coals.
I'm thankful for this time, and all the other chapters in my life when something highly intense happens. I am shown what my friends are made of and who they are. Adversity brings out the worst in people, it's true. But it's when the best in people shine the brightest.
I am thankful, deeply grateful for the blessings that have come my way through these people; who, but for a chance meeting or quirk of circumstance, would have been total strangers, not bound to me by blood or other, more tangible relation.
These people are the ones who restore my faith in the human race; replenishing the hope that maybe the world is not going to end anytime soon, that the spark of human kindness continues to burn in the heart of this cut-throat, modern civilization.
You guys know who you are. And in case I haven't told you enough, THANK YOU.
***
Thus ends my THANKFUL series. Of course there are a lot of other things I'm thankful for. The experiences, for example. I've been taught a lot of things over periods like these. But above all, these are the things I'm truly thankful for.
What are YOU thankful for? Have you conted your blessings lately?
Friday, September 5, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
THANKFULLY BLESSED LIST: FAMILY
3. FamilyIt's a classic scenario. Growing up, we wish we had different parents, different siblings, different upbringing, different households...different anything from what you have at the moment. Ad nauseam.
You swear you'll never do it like your parents did and are horrified by the saying that we all grow up to be our parents. We have sibling rivalries. We ignore some, fight some, rival some. But when you finally grow up, certain things fall into place. You realize that no matter what, someone's got your back.
Of course it's a given that you all love each other (to each his own way of loving, though). Growing up begins to take away the cringe-worthiness of expression little by little. It's easier to reach out, easier to understand. It's easier to recognize the bonds that hold you to the family that bore you.
They say this happens especially when you have a child of your own. I agree. I still draw the line at becoming my parents but for all I know, I just might turn out that way (which one, I wouldn't know). I'll probably have to ask my daughter (and other children, hopefully) when we get to the stage when we're finally not killing each other over curfew.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Ooh! I Got An Award!
Got this award from Mommy Angel Mec! Just when I was feeling down in the dumps, she popped this one on me out of the blue! She's got a second sense about people, this Mom!Rules of this award are :
1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs
I am awarding this to:
Jonas-For a brave, BRAVE man who, I dare say, is an honorary lady in my book. Your integrity in the face of adversity is incredible (although it's more than I can handle to try and keep up with your horse, Mr. White Knight!).
Johnny-For being one of the rare people I know who stand truest to themselves. You have such a beautiful soul and a generous heart!
Rei-There are few words to describe the kind of person who would stand by you through clear, present and mortal danger...in a red bikini and live to tell the tale of your friendship. You are my ageless soul-sister. I will be so put out if we don't meet up in our next lifetime.
Carver-Because I *heart* you! Your work makes me crack up when I need a laugh awful badly. Your talent inspires me no end. Plus, I AM A SHAMELESS FAN GIRL. Is there a fan's club I can join?
There are others who I wan to give this award to but these are the few I have who I know blog on a regular basis. You guys know who you are. I *HEART* you no less!
PARTY PREPS: THE LAST DETAILS
I spent the last few days mucking about in maintenance and other practical life matters, that I realized that I was backed up a few entries. So, to make up, here's the last of the Party Preps!
***
Since we couldn't splurge so much, if at all, I went gaga over Oona's invites.
TADAAAAAH! Likey? We too!
We sent one to the oddparents and re-sent a reminder to everyone a week ago.
We also posted the event on Facebook.
But people who are sometimes tamad as they are to RSVP or even go through email and mark their calendars, still managed to lose the details or forget until they're pestered about it.
Ang ku-cute ng gawa ko tapos 'di man lang binabasa! (But people still came so all's well!)
We still love them though and put it down to the comedy of errors with which most of our family events are usually marked (i.e. our wedding and Oona's birth).
THE OUTFIT
Of course she has an outfit! Quite a few to be exact.
I loved being a little girl with all the girly trappings of ribbons and flounces. I want to make darn sure my little girl has her girlhood. There's going to be time enough for jeans and shirts anyway. And RF, more the fashionista these days than I am definitely agrees.
So, RF and I went on a serious hunt with Oonapotpot in tow, combing the malls in Makati.
Over at Greenbelt there was not much by way of boutiques that would fit our budget. Most are in the upper tier of income-spending. Still, it is always nice to walk through the park even during the rainy season.
At Glorietta, the dresses in the baby shops and children's section were adorable but were way over the budget and too gownish.
It was a pity there were only casual clothes at Gingersnaps. They don't have much by way of party frocks. Frou-frou was the order of day but we wanted Oona to be able to wear the dress for other formal occasions or just when she (rather, we!) feel the need for frills.
We went over to Landmark but the choices were limited to the long baptismal gowns in organza and
tulle with matching bonnets Oona would hate. She just hates things on her head. We didn't want her dress to be impractical or itchy either. Girly was good and a bit of formality with personality, but nothing uncomfortable. I'd hate for her to develop a bad rash because of cloth. She would be wearing the dress all day and sweaty babies make for a grand tantrum for babies and everybody else.
Finally at SM Makati, we landed this pretty number! We were looking for Little Bitty but couldn't find it. Nevertheless, this seemed just right.
It's simple, we know, but you should see it on Oona! Shows off her chinita-ness, her skin and doesn't overwhelm anyone from the ultimate focus of attention: Oona.
Oh to have a daughter to dress up!
We had a bit of a problem with the shoes, as this is the best we could find. At least it's off-white too. Besides, nowadays she's in her sandals or barefoot, so buying a pretty pair she would be only be wearing once and would quickly grow out of, wouldn't be practical.
We also managed to snatch a dress that she could wear after for the party at Max's with a pair of tights and her squeaky sandals. It's the exact miniaturized version of Tita Diday's 70's retro mini dress. (We're daring her to wear it for the party. We'll see if she takes us up on that!)
OTHER DETAILS
We're going to buy a few extra candles and maybe, a few more giveaways if we can afford it. Pictures and coverage would probably be done the old-fashioned way. . . whoever has a camera, bring it and click away! As it happened at our wedding.
RF and I are still thinking of what to wear, but at least the more important bits are taken care of. We don't know what's going to happen on Sunday. We're nervous and excited, of course. I'm just hoping Oona enjoys the day as much as a one-year old can!
***
Since we couldn't splurge so much, if at all, I went gaga over Oona's invites.
TADAAAAAH! Likey? We too!
We sent one to the oddparents and re-sent a reminder to everyone a week ago.
We also posted the event on Facebook.
But people who are sometimes tamad as they are to RSVP or even go through email and mark their calendars, still managed to lose the details or forget until they're pestered about it.
Ang ku-cute ng gawa ko tapos 'di man lang binabasa! (But people still came so all's well!)
We still love them though and put it down to the comedy of errors with which most of our family events are usually marked (i.e. our wedding and Oona's birth).
THE OUTFIT
Of course she has an outfit! Quite a few to be exact.I loved being a little girl with all the girly trappings of ribbons and flounces. I want to make darn sure my little girl has her girlhood. There's going to be time enough for jeans and shirts anyway. And RF, more the fashionista these days than I am definitely agrees.
So, RF and I went on a serious hunt with Oonapotpot in tow, combing the malls in Makati.
Over at Greenbelt there was not much by way of boutiques that would fit our budget. Most are in the upper tier of income-spending. Still, it is always nice to walk through the park even during the rainy season.
At Glorietta, the dresses in the baby shops and children's section were adorable but were way over the budget and too gownish.It was a pity there were only casual clothes at Gingersnaps. They don't have much by way of party frocks. Frou-frou was the order of day but we wanted Oona to be able to wear the dress for other formal occasions or just when she (rather, we!) feel the need for frills.
We went over to Landmark but the choices were limited to the long baptismal gowns in organza and
tulle with matching bonnets Oona would hate. She just hates things on her head. We didn't want her dress to be impractical or itchy either. Girly was good and a bit of formality with personality, but nothing uncomfortable. I'd hate for her to develop a bad rash because of cloth. She would be wearing the dress all day and sweaty babies make for a grand tantrum for babies and everybody else.Finally at SM Makati, we landed this pretty number! We were looking for Little Bitty but couldn't find it. Nevertheless, this seemed just right.
It's simple, we know, but you should see it on Oona! Shows off her chinita-ness, her skin and doesn't overwhelm anyone from the ultimate focus of attention: Oona.Oh to have a daughter to dress up!
We had a bit of a problem with the shoes, as this is the best we could find. At least it's off-white too. Besides, nowadays she's in her sandals or barefoot, so buying a pretty pair she would be only be wearing once and would quickly grow out of, wouldn't be practical.
We also managed to snatch a dress that she could wear after for the party at Max's with a pair of tights and her squeaky sandals. It's the exact miniaturized version of Tita Diday's 70's retro mini dress. (We're daring her to wear it for the party. We'll see if she takes us up on that!)OTHER DETAILS
We're going to buy a few extra candles and maybe, a few more giveaways if we can afford it. Pictures and coverage would probably be done the old-fashioned way. . . whoever has a camera, bring it and click away! As it happened at our wedding.
RF and I are still thinking of what to wear, but at least the more important bits are taken care of. We don't know what's going to happen on Sunday. We're nervous and excited, of course. I'm just hoping Oona enjoys the day as much as a one-year old can!
I'M GETTING "PUBLISHED"!
Well, interviewed actually. Online. But it's basically the same banana.
Hehe. Watch and be mesmerised!
Dance, banana, dance!
Anyhoo, back to earth, Kate Hughes of Databazaar came by Scraps Away! and liked what she saw. So much so that she's asked me to participate in their site's blog feature articles called PrinTales.
*smugnessss* Let's take a moment to worship me . . . . . . . . . Alright, moment done.
Basically, Databazaar is a website for and about mostly printers. Desktop printers, large-scale printers, you name it, they know about it. They have information about faxes, paper, ink cartridges and different brands. Their articles in PrinTales are stories of people who do creative stuff with their printers.
And I'm being intervyoooowd! La-la-la-la-laaaa!
Of course, I have to come up with a project "with a special twist" to showcase on their site. The twist is to personalize it somehow for Databazaar and the project is whatever I can think of.
At first I thought it would be easy-peasy. But scrapbooking, per se's been done; cards and giveaways are out; framed stuff, someone's wrote in about that too. I wanted to be spectacular! Well, I could settle for original. Or at least, hasn't been featured yet.
So, my deadline being on September 2 and having no other time to do it, I did it during the weekend. I went back to basics, to way back when I literally threw scraps together and came up with something (Recycling is good!) like gift wrappers, notebook covers, etc. It was easier this time because I can jam things together using digital materials and I don't have to worry about the mess.
After it's approved, I shall post it and sleep! It's simple enough but I hope it shall be liked.
Again, the dancing banana!Yay! Shake it, baby! Shaaaake eet!
Hehe. Watch and be mesmerised!
Dance, banana, dance!Anyhoo, back to earth, Kate Hughes of Databazaar came by Scraps Away! and liked what she saw. So much so that she's asked me to participate in their site's blog feature articles called PrinTales.
*smugnessss* Let's take a moment to worship me . . . . . . . . . Alright, moment done.
Basically, Databazaar is a website for and about mostly printers. Desktop printers, large-scale printers, you name it, they know about it. They have information about faxes, paper, ink cartridges and different brands. Their articles in PrinTales are stories of people who do creative stuff with their printers.
And I'm being intervyoooowd! La-la-la-la-laaaa!
Of course, I have to come up with a project "with a special twist" to showcase on their site. The twist is to personalize it somehow for Databazaar and the project is whatever I can think of.
At first I thought it would be easy-peasy. But scrapbooking, per se's been done; cards and giveaways are out; framed stuff, someone's wrote in about that too. I wanted to be spectacular! Well, I could settle for original. Or at least, hasn't been featured yet.
So, my deadline being on September 2 and having no other time to do it, I did it during the weekend. I went back to basics, to way back when I literally threw scraps together and came up with something (Recycling is good!) like gift wrappers, notebook covers, etc. It was easier this time because I can jam things together using digital materials and I don't have to worry about the mess.
After it's approved, I shall post it and sleep! It's simple enough but I hope it shall be liked.
Again, the dancing banana!
Yay! Shake it, baby! Shaaaake eet!
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