Hearts

Thaad and Jessica got matching shirts which they wore to school on Valentines Day. The hearts light up... all six, when they are together. When they start being separated from each other, the hearts, one by one, turn off. In separate classrooms, all the lights are off... at break time, they see each other and their hearts 'glow'. Hmmm.... that's kind of cheesy but a really good idea... it's fun to be young!

Another Bird

Don't you just hate it when you run to get your camera to take a picture of some instant and random thing and then the camera couldn't because.... "Shutting Down.... Batteries Discharged"? I am a victim of this situation, not just once but a few times. This morning, back to garage after driving Thaad to school, there was a little bird (again!) who wanted to get out of the garage, it almost hit me in the face while I was acting like a crazy paparazzi who's having some mechanical trouble.... but that's not the end of it.... I heard chirping around the yard. Aha! birds! I did not see them but the sound of them brought me a renewed hope.... SPRING!... it is almost here.

Bird, Oh Bird

One day while at work, I got a call from Jas. She was freaking out, telling me that a little bird was flying around the house. The bird was probably also freaking out and trying to find its way out. Since it is winter, all the windows are kept shut. I told Jas to open the deck door and let the poor bird out... and that was exactly what she did... after a while of chasing it around and creating a big mess with tangled thread and all... which has left me wondering--- how did that little bird get in the house? Do you have an answer... or maybe a guess?

<3 <3 <3

Bong is busy with homework everyday that I [lovingly] kid him that he's not fun anymore. But the fact is, he is the most loving person in the whole wide world. He has been recently reassigned to the Ford Engine Plant in Romeo, about 1.25-hr drive from home.... wakes up early and even leaves while I am still busy dreaming... comes home after work &/or school and diligently does his homework for his masters program... never complains with being served left-overs for dinner... and ends his day with his special time with God. All these, he does for us and I can never be more proud and blessed. Valentines Day is over and done. I was too busy being sick and worried and upset about a lot of things that I totally forgot to even greet him.... no complaints from him... it's either, he's too nice, or he also totally forgot. My friend, Sharon, told me that she insisted that her fiance, Chris, take her out on a date because next Valentines, they would then be married and it will be different. Why? Is marriage an excuse not to celebrate? Well, it is actually the reason why everyday, we celebrate!

To my Bong: Thanks for the love! <3 <3 <3

For Lyndon

Death comes like a thief in the night... Lyndon passed away on Sunday, February 8th. Even in his last moment, he was of service to his loved ones. He just got in the church to pick up his little princess, as they would refer to her, YenYen, from her catechism class, when he collapsed. He never got back. On Valentines Day, we will be saying goodbye to him for the last time. Everyone will miss him. He always found something funny in everything and everyone. He did not need to think twice, he was just always willing to help. Two little girls just lost their daddy and it breaks my heart that they will grow up waking up each day that daddy's side of the bed is not warm at all. I am sure though that they will always remember him for his gentle caress, his loving yet commanding voice when he summons them and his warm hugs and kisses. I will especially miss him for his laugh and for his constant invitation to watch a funny youtube video or listen to a funny song. Uting, being his wife for almost a decade, will be the one missing him the most. Love will keep him in her heart forever. His memory will keep her strong for the sake of their princess, YenYen, and their little fairy, Anika. Instead of celebrating the birthdays of Anika and Yen, we will be celebrating Lyndon's wonderful life. He is going home to his Creator and one day, we will all join him too. For now, we have to go on living, putting our trust in God... for His ways are not our ways.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:6-7

Bahay Kubo

I have been thinking about vegetables. Not the ones that I can easily find at the nearby grocery store. I was longing for the ones that I used to cook and eat in the Philippines. After 25 miles or so and fifty bucks from my debit card, I got my vegies.... and a couple pounds of pork belly and fresh shrimps with heads on and some salmon heads, from a Vietnamese store. With all my compra and some culinary skills.... that's what's for dinner tonight!

My Little Calendar Girl

There were no digital cameras yet. Bong was just a budding photographer. It was one hobby that cost a lot. But since it made my husband happy, I agreed to buy his first camera, a Canon EOS, which he still keeps. This is one of his first photographs of his favorite subject, my daughter, his daughter, Jas.

It is an old picture, frayed and scratched, it is a reminder of the art that has been put aside to make way for some other things that can't be put off for now. He says, "someday....".

"Tuesdays with Morrie"
Starring : an old man- the professor Morrie Schwartz
Also starring : a young man - the author- Mitch Albom
Plot : Life as it should be lived.

I started reading this book in September and because I was "too busy doing things", my reading was suspended for a while. Now, jobless and bored at home, I picked up on my reading. I finished the book with tears rolling down my cheeks.

Let me just quote Morrie....
"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they are busy doing things they think are important. This is because they are chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."

Today, Thaad asked if I wanted to go to Denys for food. The restaurant was giving free breakfast. I brushed him off by saying, "it's too cold to go out and eat. I'd rather cook food and stay warm at home". Derek and his mom came by to pick Thaad up. After an hour of waiting in line, they finally got to eat. Meanwhile, alone at home, I felt a little pinch in my heart. Maybe my son just wanted to hang out with me and I was not paying attention. And Morrie said, "the most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in." Today, I got an 'F' in Morrie's class.

Spell Check

While browsing over some clearance items at the Home Depot, I overheard a couple talking...
Wife : This tool caddy is really nice and it is just ten dollars.
Husband : Where was it made?
Wife : I think it was made here in the US.
Husband : Let me see... (after examining the item) does C-H-I-N-A spell USA?

I thought that was funny but that has really made me to pay attention to the items on the shelf. If this is how we can help the economy in our very little way, then so be it! Buy American! Clinique instead of Lancome.... Ford instead of Toyota.

Can I still shop at the Dollar Store?

Getting to Know Me

Not to bore my readers, here are 10 things about me....

1. Everyday, I have peanut butter sandwich and coffee for breakfast... and anytime during the day, I still crave for peanut butter. If I sleep over at a friend's house and I could not find peanut butter in the morning, I really get frustrated :( ... just kidding, friend.
2. I was diagnosed with diabetes last year. I take my medication regularly, although sometimes I need to be reminded by Bong. But it is not the diabetes that worries me... it is not knowing what really is happening inside my body... is my liver functioning well?... are my arteries not blocked with fat?... etc. etc... this makes me really nervous.
3. It is just soooo cooold in the winter that sometimes I even wear my heavy coat (the one I use outside) inside the house.
4. My sister, Sybil, passed away in September last year but every now and then I still think about it in disbelief... that she will really not be there anymore when I go home to the Philippines. I guess I miss her.
5. I celebrate my birthday twice every year. When I graduated from HS, I (including my parents) found out that my birth was not registered at all. The hospital corrected this error and made a veerryyy late registration of my birth. Nice... Here's what they did: Date of Birth-April 10, 1961... Date of Registration: April 9, 1961. Would this mean my birth was reported first before I was actually born?
6. I am not married to Renato. I am married to Baby Boy. Oh, how lame! Another birth registration blooper. Who should we blame?
7. My name is Casilda and I do not drink alcohol at all. When I was in college, I drank a bottle of beer. I was red all over for 3 days. This why I keep myself away from alcohol.
8. I never watch scary movies because I get scared (duh!). So when my kids watch one at home, I stay in another room... but then I keep asking them, "What happened?".
9. When I was younger, my two front teeth were really bad. It was such a pain (literally) that I had them pulled out. So, don't be fooled by this smile...
10. It took a really long time for me to do this list. I was really careful that nothing that I listed would incriminate me in court. :)