Welcome to my universe! I have so much to share with you: reviews, causes, personal experiences etc. I want to shine a light on the positive things in life, encourage kindness & praise good works, remaining hopeful that a better tomorrow is always within our reach. My heart belongs to my devoted loving husband & our exceptional 2 sons who, I believe, make this world a better place with their strong minds & tender hearts. They are my inspiration. I write to express not to impress.
Along with most schools nationwide, my boys' school participated in Red Ribbon Week at the end of October. The main message was YOLO (You only live once), Don't Use Drugs. Of course, I've always told my kids about the dangers of drugs, but as all involved parents can relate, I hope that they've been listening and follow through in the decisions they make. As they are now experiencing the jungle that is Middle School, I hope that the continuous conversations we've had and messages they receive in school truly help them to make the correct choices as they navigate the road called life. Peer pressure is a real and scary beast. Here is a great video offering suggestions to kids about how to say "no.
Full activities planned! YOLO!
Precious hand prints. They pledged to keep their hands off drugs. I pray they follow through.
Red Accessories Day....because they're "too cool for drugs".
Shades Day...because they're "future is too bright".
And here's a stay drug free shirt I wholeheartedly endorse:
Tacos...yes!!!
So, for adults and kids alike, always remember YOLO and don't do drugs!
Tags: #DontDoDrugs #StayDrugFree
As Filipino-American, I've grown up with the notion or the running joke (depending on how you want to look at it) of time being relative. When a time was set, there was always the question, "Is this Filipino time or American time?" with "Filipino time" being the later option. This works fine during an informal house party gathering or casual get-togethers where arrival is fluid and it's preferable for both the attendees and the hosts for guests to arrive "fashionably late". But when it's a commitment like a wedding, a mass, a rehearsal, etc. being on time is NOT negotiable.
Unfortunately, we have someone in our life that holds our time hostage--always late with a lack of disregard of the stresses that it brings many people involved. For someone in a position of authority and the well being of children in their hands, being on time is and should be priority. Being late sets such a terrible example to children and it simply just lets them down when it is so easy to be counted on. Being late is a deliberate action especially when it is shown as a consistent behavior. Not only do I deplore this behavior but it erodes my respect. Friendship aside, "the late trait" is not amusing, not appreciated and deeply frowned upon.
The above video is obviously a campaign tool for early voting. But putting politics aside, I love that a man in the highest office of our land takes pride in arriving early and considers his greatest strength his ability to do so. What a great example to all.
And guess what? It isn't!!!
I've often heard that time is the most valuable thing. So please, don't waste your own but be considerate enough not to waste others' as well.
I'm so grateful to be able to have a forum to release my frustration. I strive to be a positive person. But when you're put in a stressful position waiting for someone who is chronically late, it challenges that resolve. Only the person can make a change for himself. He holds that power. I hope he exercises it.
I can often be cynical about commercials and public service announcements (PSAs), but I love when I see a piece that stands out and speaks to me. Have you seen the Android commercial with the rock, paper & scissors? If my memory holds correctly, I first saw it in a movie theater & enjoyed it. Aside from the cute characters, the message is solid: Be together. Not the same.
Cute, right? I love the music too. Again, we don't always have to be the same to get along. Celebrate differences!
Because even with all our differences, we are all still the same.
This is probably the hardest advice for people-pleasing personalities. It's okay to not be liked. Just find your people.
I love this advice because I happen to be weird. And I'm good with that. ☺
Some people will never get you, so just keep searching for those that do. It's all a part of life.
This is a great concept, but one of the hardest to implement. The struggle is always there. Fight to be you though. As the saying goes, "do you".
With the current political climate and current events going on in the world, it's easier to find conflicts with one another. But I always try to remind myself that free thought is what we're all about. It's okay to disagree with someone without belittling them. We are living beings cohabiting in this great planet. I hope & pray for peace around the world: Be together, not the same. ♥
We've come to that moment of parenthood that came much too quickly for my preference, but nevertheless, it's here. We are now looking into high schools for my first-born. I've always been a private-school, Catholic school kid & parent so now we're transitioning to the public school system. I've decided to go out of my comfort zone because we're fortunate to belong to an awesome school district with great high school pathway options. I've done some outside research & now it's a matter of talking to teachers, parents & visiting the school sites to get a clearer picture of what's right for my child. We have a clear preference, but I want to make sure we visit and talk to other schools just to leave our options open, and/or solidify our favorite choice. And since I have two sons, I'm doing some preliminary reconnaissance for my 6th Grader too.
Visiting individual school/program booths. It's awesome to hear from teachers & students.
My 8th Grader gets to choose what feels right for him. He chose about 4 that appealed with a favorite in the forefront.
Wherever this kid ends up, I know he'll make a great contribution to the Program.
My hope is that along with a strong academic base, this kid has some great fun too.
One school/program has definitely risen above the rest in terms of what we are looking for. We want to find a balanced high school environment focusing on strong academics and a healthy option of extra-curricular activities. The searching process has only just begun...
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Change is stressful, so here's some funnies to help brighten your day:
When the Huz & I decided we were going to be parents, we made a conscious decision to be very involved parents. We wanted to shower our kids with love, self-worth, confidence & safety--both emotionally & physically. Along the way, it hasn't always been easy--we've had to clean up some pretty nasty human secretions (aaaah, those lovely younger year memories), we've lost sleep both because we've had to stay up to take care of our kids & because we worry needlessly about things we really can't control. And we've had some true moments of authentic sheer exhaustion. Through it all, every moment has been worth it because our boys are thriving--happy, fulfilled, great human beings. And as they continue to mature & make their way into the world, we're going to have to step back and let them. That's what good parenting is all about, teaching your kids not to need you anymore. It hurts a bit, but it also feels just right.
Valuable picture sent to me by a chaperone mom of my kiddo playing volleyball. This was the first day of the Retreat.
This week has been a true test of my sheer will and strength as a mother--sending my 13-year-old, my first-born off on a 5-day retreat miles away, off the grid---no contact! It's been emotional--up & down--happy for him, worried for him, excited for him then missing him. Very much missing him. And I survived. My Huz has survived (barely) & his younger brother (very bonded to him) also survived. We missed him SO SO much!! But we love him and want him to experience everything life has to offer. And he's blessed to have had the awesome opportunity of a powerful spiritual and academic retreat away from everyday life's distractions.
More than ready to welcome him back!
But I'm so so glad to have him home! He has so much to share with us & I want to hear EVERYTHING!
We know they're tired, but we wrangled them for a "Welcome Home" group picture!!
Today, I send my first-born off on a week long academic & spiritual retreat with his fellow 8th Grade graduating class, their teacher, and chaperones. He will be about 6 hours away driving distance, and about an hour away plane distance. He'll be off the grid--no communication via phone--for almost 6 whole days. What seemed like an abstract concept ("oh yeah, he's going on a retreat in the 8th Grade") is now my reality. Make no mistake about it, this is going to be the longest week of my life so far. Although I feel like I'm on the precipice of a nervous breakdown and/or meltdown, I must take comfort in my Faith that he will be physically safe, gain valuable spiritual & academic wisdom & participate in a once-in-a-lifetime experience both with his class and for himself.
Group picture of the Retreat group! May God keep them safe from harm!
And the three (plus, Puffy the Manatee) left behind. We are going to have a tough week.
A chaperone parent was kind enough to send me this picture. He's safe and ready for take-off. ♥
I dedicate this prayer to my first-born. ♥
I wish my first-born the best of experiences--and the utmost safety. ♥
To my very precious son,
Dad, Lil Bro, and I love you SO SO very much! ♥♥♥♥
There's so much tearing down out there. Women, men, older people, children--non of us are immune to hurtful and angry words. I'm craving something positive! So, naturally I turn to music to give me some solace. Here's a song that tells you to be proud of who you are. You are beautiful--just the way you are. Focus on being a good person. That's beauty--that's the light that shines within.
Lyrics to "Scars to Your Beautiful:
She just wants to be beautiful
She goes unnoticed, she knows no limits,
She craves attention, she praises an image,
She prays to be sculpted by the sculptor
Oh she don't see the light that's shining
Deeper than the eyes can find it
Maybe we have made her blind
So she tries to cover up her pain, and cut her woes away
'Cause covergirls don't cry after their face is made
But there's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are
And you don't have to change a thing
The world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful
Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
And you don't have to change a thing
The world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful
She has dreams to be an envy, so she's starving
You know, "Covergirls eat nothing."
She says, "Beauty is pain and there's beauty in everything."
"What's a little bit of hunger?"
"I could go a little while longer," she fades away
She don't see her perfect, she don't understand she's worth it
Or that beauty goes deeper than the surface
Ah oh, ah ah oh,
So to all the girls that's hurting
Let me be your mirror, help you see a little bit clearer
The light that shines within
There's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are
And you don't have to change a thing
The world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
And you don't have to change a thing
The world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful
No better you than the you that you are
(no better you than the you that you are)
No better life than the life we're living
(no better life than the life we're living)
No better time for your shine, you're a star
(no better time for your shine, you're a star)
Oh, you're beautiful, oh, you're beautiful
There's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are
And you don't have to change a thing
The world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful
Whoa-oh-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
And you don't have to change a thing
The world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful
With the current political climate and current events going on in the world, it's easier to find conflicts with one another. But I always try to remind myself that free thought is what we're all about. It's okay to disagree with someone without belittling them. We are living beings cohabiting in this great planet. I hope & pray for peace around the world: Be together, not the same. ♥
