I Love THE Other JAMES

To say Kris has a huge influence in me is well,true. As long as I can and when it wouldn't be a disastrous pain on my tight budget, I'd most likely try and discover her shared reviews and finds.She is known to be a voracious reader, I am not, nonetheless, I like to put into good practice the gift of vision with printed letters. Reading relaxes me,no I'm not talking about Nursing books here. Novels I love to hold till the wee hours of the night. Kris has one most favorite author- James Patterson. As you guessed it, curiosity got me and I now have quite a number of his titles.

In the last three weeks, I managed to finish Patterson's 3 books.

• Guilty Wives
• Kill Alex Cross
• The Christmas Wedding

I bought them at National Bookstore in SM Pampanga.Yayyy! They are all discounted at 20%. For a while, I ceased purchasing books because of hectic schedule. I missed James though so I grabbed the paperbacks as they kept on teasingly staring at me.I was happy,smelled them as I ripped open their plastic covers. 

The problem with James is once you start with him, it is just very difficult to stop. Like with watermelon seeds, it's either you do or you don't. I am in continuous awe of Patterson's brilliance and magnificent world of imagination to create characters and plots that never fail to put me at the edge of my bed with heart's skipped beats as the chapters move along. His works are suspense-action fiction novels yet human nature's ingredients like fear,happiness,family,betrayal and love are always present. 

 A heartwarming story about the power of love and the holiday season. With deeply affecting characters and the emotional twists of a James Patterson thriller, The Christmas Wedding is a fresh look at family and the magic of the season.

 Alex Cross is without a doubt my most-loved human superhero. Kill Alex Cross has the US President's son and daughter abducted. And Alex gets a First Lady request: "Please find my kids!"

What happens in Monte Carlo ...could get you murdered.It's an experience of ultimate guilty pleasure of four best friends on a decadent vacation- thrown in prison for murder. I shed drops of tears with this novel. When Abbie, the main heroine learned that her son's taking French instead of his favored Chinese language, the dam broke. She knew that everyone was bracing for the worst even her children, who are preparing themselves of spending a lot of time in France over the coming decades, visiting their mother in prison.
" I want you to understand that I had to stand up for the truth.Your integrity,your dignity, your honor- they aren't for sale.Not ever. Not to anyone."
"You're going to fall in love and, I hope, have children that fill your heart with love like you-like you fill mine."

Please give James a chance. Try him. I tell you ,he's loyal and faithful to his promise to give you an exhilarating helluva ride.

Angels Klaryse and Mykela

Our Two Pretty Princesses

Finally,finally,last March 12, my wish to see these two little girls "live" came true. It brought happiness in an abundant package. Mykee's first words to me were innocently funny: "Hi Tita Mitzi, I'm Mykee. Face times did help a lot,they were immediately willing to talk to me and embrace me.

It was easy to please Kadie and Mykee. They were not picky with food, they're partial with noodles yet they willingly tried and tasted what was served on the table. Kadie discovered a favorite-tocino with rice! Mykee liked Yakult and Chocolait. The winner but of course is the big man in red,Jollibee.During their stay,I thought we had wings on our back already coz of Chickenjoy.

Klaryse and Mykela have diverse interests. They could sing and dance Dynamite and California Girls and move to ballet steps the next. Kadie,for her age of 5, is excellent in reading. They paint and draw, watch Tom and Jerry,tinker with their Ipads and play with their new found bffs here .

I discovered mundane things about my nieces.Kadie for one sleeps on her tummy all throughout the night. She already prefers to sleep alone in bed.Since we have a limited space at home, her soft cushion was placed on the floor and she was ok with it.She is currently at a heightened fascination with all Angry birds stuff. "Tita Mitzi, on my 6th bday,I'll have an Angry Birds party at Chucky Cheese."

"What's your name?"

"I'm Mykela Jenaya Del Rosario from California," in a whisper-mannered answer. Mykee is the "echolalia" of Ate Kadie. Ate's tummy ached during bath times and the 3 y/o tiny girl shared the similar complaint. There would be instances however when she acted like the older sis with reprimands and reminders here and there.

These sweet girls could give show biz child wonders a run for their money with their ability to shed tears immediately with the usual dilemma of bath schedules. It really is in THE blood.Ironically, it's hard to bring them out of pools.

Their lines are forever sketched in my mind:
"Tita Mitzi, your shoes are pretty.Do you like mine too?"
"I don't wanna wear a fancy dress . I just wanna be plain Kadie tonight."
As Kadie was done praying during the Good Friday mass, I asked her what her prayer was."For Jesus to be alive again."
And now for the infamous discovery from child wonder Mykee:
How does the dog sound?
"Arrfff,arrfff!" Ok.
How does the frog sound?
"Ribbit!Ribbit!" And this made us ROFL!!!

I miss them now and then. It's back to Face Time. Till we see each other again "live."Thank YOU God for the embraces and kisses of Klaryse and Mykela.Priceless happiness.

My MEGA Friend

Basketball,Mitzi & Mamang

Tonight, channel-switching on boob tube had its rare occurrence. Supper time at home is TV Patrol viewing as preferred by Mother Hen. Upon informing her James Yap has an important game,she agreed with the RC movement. Knowing how crucial tonight's win is, I lighted a blessed candle in our home altar and prayed for a B-Meg win. I wasn't even able to finish my meal, nervousness and anxiety overwhelm me. Yes my team has its own throngs of fans but the opponent,Ginebra has the biggest base!

First quarter did no good. Ginebra lead by as much as 12.:( Worse, Mamang blurted out our team will lose with a twin smirk. I kindly asked her to please please retract her statement, and when James was focused on TV, she smiled with "Sige,manyambut la." James, please date my Chicken Mother. How Mamang can't help but blame  Ate Kris for the couple's separation occurs with spontaneity. "Malarit ya ing idol mu." Aawww!! High-5s were raised soon as 2nd quarter began. It was a 19-0 run and my B-Meg never looked back. 

It was team effort that brought my team to the Finals. All of the players contributed for the win and as stated by Jason on Webb page, it is all a matter of HEART, composure and execution, which B-Meg showed beyond impression.It's SHOWTIME in the 4th quarter with back-to-back alley oopps(did I spell it right?) of Super Bowles the import.

This is a nostalgic night for me. I wished Kerby was still with B-Meg,he hasn't shine brightly with his team now. I see Tin Patrimonio at the ringside and remembered how I went gaga over her dad many years past(he'll forever be MY Best Filipino MVP). It flashed on my mind how I witnessed live, Kris hugging James with all sweat and that after a game. I smiled looking back at the incidence last year when I saw Pingris in HK Disneyland and managed to tell him how disappointed I was with their performance during that season. He politely uttered "Pasensya na," I don't wish to conclude it was with sarcasm.:)  I miss my koyas, they are all Ginebra fans. Sorry!!!Hehehe!

Less than a minute before the final buzzer, James and Ping hugged each other,PJ Simon and the others soon followed. I wanted to capture that.Cap was smiling and clapping,Danica was there.Sana kahit si Bimby man lang, nag-watch.Lest I forget,never did I imagine I would cheer for Tim Cone yet here I am,wishing and hoping his strategies and game plans will lead my team to A RING.

I quietly blew the candle with a thanksgiving prayer plus a "P.S. Mag-champion po sana B-Meg this conference.":)

Basketball is happiness forever.

Mamang's ever reliable "driver" and "caretaker." Till I get to drive for you and ACkong.XOXO!!:)

Love at First Taste

I could possess a sexy body if only I don't have sweet tooth. I can't live without chocolates stored in my containers and fridge. Moreso,ice cream,cookies and cakes delight my eyes and mouth. I am never selective with food, I munch on anything edible.Until one birthday dinner of my godson, Gab, one small slice of the cake served changed everything. Oh Conti's mango bravo cake, you had me at love at first bite. How could you taste sooo heavenly?? I must have had a big plate of it in a single sitting. It is not "nakakaumay", it 's a suceess in combining the mango taste with the sweetness of sylvana/sanrival topped with a balance of icing and cashews or were they almonds?  It made such an impact I began to dream of it. A little prob here is, it can only be bought in Manila. That is why on the day I was to fetch my California family, I made sure to drop by at Trinoma mall and buy a whole cake for my consumption. Ok, I shared about 1/4 of it with my fam and cousins.:)

UA Employees's Lenten Retreat 2012

Another backlog blog post: This Retreat was held in Carmelite Monastery, Tagaytay City last February27-29. It is quite a sentimental event for the reason it'd be my "last" retreat as a UA clinical instructor.  The 3-day stay was worth it. I bonded with my colleagues, had the chance to know them on a deeper level,  learned important informations regarding the celebration of Lent and Holy Week,  and feasted on sumptuous big food servings.:) Kidding aside, the homilies shared by Bishop Mallari and Fr. Deo Galang, the university president and VP for Finance respectively, were ones for keeps in my heart. These men are simply brilliant and holy. Father Deo mentioned the greatest respect is Respect of Oneself. The song "Love Me for What I Am" of Karen Carpenter best exemplifies acceptance of one's strenghts and weaknesses. He made an illustration of the iceberg. We only see its tip. A person's deepest layer and persona is hidden.We need not judge, rather make time to know and understand the person more. Truthfully correct,right?

Sr.Zeny leading the prayer for a safe journey.

Lornz,my seatmate.

Ma'am Lorna took good care of me. We were room neighbors in the convent. She is a doting friend. Beneath her funny lines lies a heart that is genuinely nice.

First taste of chicken & mushroom pasta on our SLEX stopover.It is good.

My surrogate friends who welcomed me warmly: Lornz,Sel,Russel & Belle

My two closest friends in the Nursing department, Ate Ana and Harry, unfortunately weren't able to join us because they were having their clinical duty in Manila. It wasn't difficult for me because my colleagues never left me and opened their tolerance for me to the maximum limit. It is always a welcome gift to develop new friendships while keeping the old ones.

A devoted wife & mama,a dependable buddy too.

Thank you for this chance to bond with you.

I had to limit my food intake or else, the clothes I brought won't fit anymore.

Good morning, Tagaytay.

Flowers, how lovely are the flowers...

.....blooming in the garden.

Hot mommas.

According to the convent directress, these koi fish commit suicide when there's too much noise.Translate: Mitzi,shut your mouth.:)

Snack bread.

Yummy treat. We were served well.

Mitzi the stalker with Bishop.

With Fr. Jess Layug,our speaker on the 2nd day,and muh friends,the Dominican sisters.

 I am a person with a very short attention span. I get fidgety only after minutes of listening to talks or seminars. ADHD trait posssibly. On this occasion though, I made a resolve to be "serious" in my resolve to get to know God farther and try to be a better girl. God's instruments, the speakers, were able to catch my thoughts and strucked chords in my being.Among the few I remember and ponder upon:

• The essence of SILENCE. "Let the word of God speak to you thru silence. Be patient. The grace of God will certainly do something good.
• We need to express our laments to God. It is alright. In the face of pain and suffering, we must not be afraid to cry out to God and speak to Him what hurts us the most.
• The 2 elements of a Lament prayer are the Lament itself and HOPE. Hope that come hell or high water, when nothing seems to help, we should never lose Hope in the Almighty.

Hi.

The Dabarkads who accept me as the kikay me.

Oh food,how can I resist you??

Tummy ached from laughing out too hard!!!

During a session break.

I love that there's always soup served.

Thanks for the tolerance with our noise,Kuya.

The Girls Pick-Up. I tell you these RNs all have sense of humor that could level up with Jose & Wally plus Ogie & Michael V.

This year's retreat I must say is THE best one in my duration as UA employee. It served as an important tool to help me accept the now and tomorrow with a bright hope and faith that God's love will continue to nourish me with a blessed and beautiful life.