a SMILE in my HEART

I am living with the line "Happiness is a choice,suffering is an option" for many a months now. It is not an easy ride especially when sad days make their presence felt sporadically. Circumstances that arrive at the doorsteps without an invite from me may dampen my spirit.

As my age rises to the ladder, however, I deliberately made a decision to be happy and content with the present.Series of depression,sessions of tears at night and sagas of resenment and pain I realized were way beyond the quota. My MAJOR PLAN to be happy started of course with a fervent prayer asking the Lord for His guidance and approval. I told Him I wish not to dwell in the past nor worry about the future.

It is a day-to day effort to try to look at the beauty of the world around me and bask in joy and appreciation.I take Lucy Torres's idea that each time someone feels down the wire,write on a paper at least 3 blessings encountered in a day and unknowingly,more than that number would appear .I do it now and then and it is therapeutic.

My every day random prayers will surely be filled with thanksgiving. I am no hypocrite,my conversations with God and all the saints are still bombarded with the deepest and shallowest desires of my heart and soul. Nevertheless, I take into full disclosure my gratitude for EVERYTHING that I have in my life. Like:

• the gift of LIFE,LOVE,FAMILY and FRIENDS-most precious
• my work as a clinical instructor,with rest days and pay
• my house angels: Mayet and Daisy
• my clean,clear face and long ,healthy hair
• Philippine Star and James Patterson's novels
• new friends in Raidis and Mark
• Katy Perry's songs especially Teenage Dream
• the Aquino sisters's audio rosary I play on my itouch
• margarita sent by my Koyang Mark
• high-pitched voice of Jakjak
• These are only a few of the many raesons why I am happy. People I meet and greet each day would often ask me, " Bakit ang ganda mo"? "Sinong nagpapaganda sa 'yo?" "Blooming ka ha." "Tzie,anong sikreto mo"? Here now is my answer:I live my life the right way.
•  I pray a lot though there are times I am lazy to recite my novenas and pray the rosary,I ask for the Holy Spirit's intervention to take away the "devil" beside me.
• I share whatever I can, be it time to spend with a lonely friend or a sick patient, material things that won't leave me dysfunctional if I  give them away.
• I've forgiven myself for my past misdeeds in the similar manner, I forgave those who have hurt me. I learned not to take my life too seriously, I get to laugh at my actions and adventures.
• And yes, someone is really making me giddy and feel like a high school gal with a crush. He is simply too strong on me each time I see him, he takes my breath away,causing my heart to lubdub,lubdub in an irregular pattern. A snob guy who has no idea at all that he is the latest and happiest addition to the reasons why there's a BIG SMILE in my HEART these days.

fab finds

What a girl wants. She'll never have too many pairs of shoes. They are needs,not wants. Ever puzzle why Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City is an envy of every Eve? The Manolos are the culprits.

As I was "wasting my time" on dapattylaurel.blogspot.com,an entry was about these innovative shoes that she could fold and roll.Huh? How can you roll shoes? Curiosity led me to visit the website: www.suelas.com. The designs were nice and pretty. There were so many to choose from. I was hesitant to buy because they sell online, I have no idea how the works happen and all. But I think Patty Laurel is credible,besides the company is in partnership with Gawad Kalinga.I assumed this might be real and so I ordered a pair on the net,paid thru BPI and yes, after 2 days, an LBC package arrived at home.

I carefully tore the plastic envelope soon as I saw it. The ever shallow me was excitedly nervous. And yes, the SUELAS shoes were in my hands. They were there. Instead of the conventional practice of trying them right away with my feet, I read the package and tried to flatten them,roll them and fold them. Would you believe,they were obedient!Hehe!

After convincing me of their unique features, it was time to walk along the house with the blue flats in my feet. I was worried they might hurt ,they didn't. Success on my first-ever-try online shopping. Plus, I was able to help in a tiny way Gawad Kalinga. Not bad to have many pairs of shoeeesss,really.:)

Dainty nicey.Lazo blue

Flatten them all you want.

No need to hold your dirty soles.

This handcrafted shoe bag is made by Gawad Kalinga Payatas 13. Buy  a pair of Suelas now.:)


I was never into eyeliners.With my age, this stuff did not belong in my kikay kit. I thought they would just make my already round eyes bigger. Mascara I would apply every now and then,which seldom occurs. Cheek tint and lipstick plus my matte sunblock are my basic company and I'm ok for the day. Then one fine not-so-busy morning, I came across this little pencil on my drawer asking me to please take it out,I pulled and opened it.A Revlon pencil eyeliner. Nothing to do, I tried it. Didn't like the result. Imagine a pre-schooler having a hard time with coloring books.

As I was browsing fashion and show biz magazines while watching TV, I couldn't help but focus on celebrities's eyes.One common denominator- eyeliner. Alright, I will give my pencil one more chance.This time, I noticed the difference. My eyes turned "glowing" and "expressive". I quote my friends here,owkei.:) Di ako mahirap i-convince. Totoo nga. And so, my relationship with eye pencils has turned 360 degree-turn. I declared to the world my penchant for it. Ever my character.

Because I am in a loving-eyeliner mode, expectedly, I'd try to find a good,practical find. I met it at The Face Shop in SM. I want to give credit to their staff, they know their products, they were patient in teaching me how to use and apply the eyeliner.

 I told the sales staff I am a beginner in pencils meaning liquid is out of the discussion. She introduced me the Extreme Brush Pen eyeliner. I instantly liked it upon application.It's liquid in a pen,a great combination. It does not smudge,it dries in seconds,it stays long for hours yet easy to remove with eye make-up remover. It does not leave me with Raccoon's eyes.

I am still in my kilig stage of relationship with this product. I am using it everyday kahit nsa bahay lang ako FBing and Twittering. Dunno till when this will last,what I know right now, my eyeliner is making me happy.:)

Mamang's lines

Awhile ago,as Mamang and I were having our merienda of pancit canton and lobster balls,Mayet( my mother's yaya) checked the blood pressure of Daddy Cris. He was not feeling well. Mamang blurted out, "Yan pag alang asawa.Alang magbante." Then I told her," Naku Ma,pano nyan,wala rin ako asawa.Sinong magbabantay sa 'ken?" She immediately replied,"Ako!" Awwww,Mang,I know that in spite of the stroke and all,you will always be my number one supporter. You really love me to the moon and back.

Afterwards,I showed to her my niece Kadie's video playing the piano and singing Twinkle twinkle Little Star plus Jakjak's latest photos.Mamang began to cry. She told me," Munta na ka America." Genie in a bottle,where are you??

I do not want to sulk in a corner and focus on what I have not. It is not because I don't care about my life in the future nor I gave up on my dreams already. In the deepest part of my heart I keep this prayer that I may be in USA to finally see and hug my whole family.Before and after Mamang's health condition,it has been her fervent wish that I may see the skies and greens of America. Sad to say,my employment visa is moving slower than a turtle.:( That is why, I always have this weirdest plea to meet Tiger Woods so he can bring me there.

For the meantime, I switch on to Facebook and overseas calls to connect with the most-treasured people in my life. Till I see you all "live."

Celebration of Feast of Our Lady of Assumption

On Friday,August 12,2011,my school-employer,University of the Assumption (UA) community held a festive celebration of the Solemnity of the Assumption. 
PART ONE: Holy Mass
The day rightfully began with a mass celebrated by Archbishop Aniceto and Bishop Pablo David,together with our UA priests.

I was looking forward to this mass after I learned that Bishop Pablo would be the homilist.I hold him in high regard. His brilliance and intelligence is amazing. He is one of those very few who can manage to capture my ultra-limited attention span. I am a kiti-kiti. I get to be restless at no time at all. May pagka-ADHD, di mapakali anytime and anywhere. But not with this man. I can sit still and listen attentively when he speaks. 

I love his voice. He is able to send his message well and clear to everyone,including the grade schoolers who were also present at St.Thomas Aquinas Courtyard(STACY). Bishop Pablo's homily began with an issue hot as freshly baked pan de sal- the controversial "artwork" of Migdeo Cruz displayed in CCP. According to him,di tayo dapat magalit ke Cruz,wag maging bayolente kasi may sakit s'ya. He said it with immense candor.

I jotted down a few of Bishop's points of view that morning.These include:

• Assumption is the collateral gain of mankind from the Ascension. Last year,Bishop was able to shed light as to the difference between the two As. He once more reiterated it. This time,with emphasis on the significance of Assumption of Mama Mary to every human soul.
• The surest WAY to THE WAY is the Blessed Mother. The sweetest Virgin did not have second thoughts in accepting God's plan for her,to conceive without sin,and carry our Savior Jesus Christ. How fitting for her to be assumed into heaven so God can show us that we,too,with His infinite love and forgiveness,may also join Them up there.

Bishop's wisdom and knowledge is a rarity in the market. I told Harry,I'd like to have him as professor.I know I won't zzzzzz in the classroom, I will definitely learn tons of facts and information. However,given his deep intelligence,I imagined he'd give very difficult tasks so 'wag na lang.:)

Happy for Mary: Humpz,Raidz,Sel,Mam Chi,Gorgeous,Mam Jeannie & Harry.

Color of the day was BLUE of course,Mama mary's color.Here are my former instructors,classmates and students turned colleagues joining the festive day. In my school,our prayers always conclude with "Mary assumed into heaven,pray for us."

Every year, UA favors us with 1 cavan of rice plus cash gift. My Mamang was excited with the bigas she kept on asking me when I will bring it home.The moolah was enough for me to buy a new eyeliner which is my current obsession.:) Thank you,Mama Mary.

Thank you,Bishop Pablo for making time to be with us in UA for this celebration. Do you know that all this time I get to store in my brain all the things you share in your homilies,given the fact that I am so forgetful? 

Flower offering for Mama Mary.

Presenting now, two precious photos with the two of the most-precious and loved men of Pampanga Archdiocese. I brought my DSLR on this day because I planned to have a Kodak moment with them.Here they are:

Mitzi the stalker. Bishop Pablo and I.

Cabalen: Apung Ceto and I.

Ansaya ko..as in.Goal met. Mitzi has succeeded in grabbing photo opportunities with the bishops. I feel "holy" when I see them,maybe I need these chances so that I may always be on the right path of life.

Our Level IV students with CIs Mark and Raidis.

Me and the kids.

UA faculty 

Roll the pay.Our HRD staff.

PART TWO: Salu-Salo

Preparing the salo-salo.

My department thru ANURSE provided us with an unpretentious and simple yet palatable lunch meal of chicken fillet and buttered veggies.

At STACY,fiestang-fiesta na with lots of food well-prepared by the different departments. Delectable delights to choose from:

Inihaw na liempo and chicken.

Sinful.Crunchy chicharon

Gwardya sibil ng buffet table.

"Healthy"option- Lechon.

Wagi ka Dean.

Plain and prints.Raidis and Chz.

My chair,Ma'am Yock.

Mam Yock and Mam Jeannie

Happy Fiesta,CON!

After relishing the food,we can't help but manage to wish the best of luck to our cholesterol and triglyceride levels.Moreover to our waistlines.:(

Salu-salo together.

At STACY.

PART THREE: OLA Chorale Competition

Grade school kids performed an intermission number. They danced to the tune of Sumunod,Sumayaw to the crowd's delight. They were so cute,especially my pamangkins Ann-Ann and Donya Cunanan. They showed a stellar performance,such lovely girls.

Ann-Ann is a GForce .

Whatta smile,Ann.:)

Donya ni Doc Totoy.

CON cheer!

For two years in a row, our College of Nursing bagged the Championship award in the chorale fest.Yeheeeyyyyy! I knew we'd win in spite of my limited erudition in music.Salamat,sulit super my screammmmm!!

WINNER

Congratulations to you guys. The pagod and sacrifice proved to be all worth it. We are truly proud of you.Cheers!!

Jump with joy!

The CHAMPS

 I was raised by my mother to be a Marian devotee. In my childhood years, she'd bring me along in church to attend mass and to always remember to ask for Mama Mary's help in anything I do.I still feel awkward to write and share about my relationship with God and Mama Mary. I might not do justice in expressing their immeasureable care for me.

 In my lifetime, I am not sure if I can thank you enough,Virgin Mary for all the intercessions you have and will continously give me and my family. Others might question your role in Jesus's life,I don't and I won't simply because my faith tells me so. I know that you'll always be there,no matter how histrionic and twisted I may be.

Thank YOU,Jesus for sharing with us your Mother. Such a most precious gift.Can we ever be worthy of all Your love? Thank you,Mama Mary for having the patience to listen to the deepest and shallowest desires of my heart. You never fail to  attend to my caprices,be it my Mamang's recovery,Boo's best possible treatment for his health,or my chance to see Kobe live,to have long and healthy hair,or the possibilty of meeting my one and only love.

In sincerest gratitude, I hope and wish I won't be a cause of disappointment to you.

Sorry for those times I was not a good girl.

Thank you for loving me all this time.

Please continue to be there for me and my loved ones.

Mary assumed into heaven,pray for us.