A moment is forever

Photo Hunt 59: Colorful

I took this photo last Christmas. It was such a colorful occasion because it was Vito's first Christmas. I love the colors of Christmas: red and green. And in this photo, i like the way the lantern was captured, putting emphasis on my joys: Vito and my husband, Lincoln.

Here's another colorful shot:


Updated: 05/29/07

Kids and dads

Last week, I read about the importance of kids' playtime with their dads in the article entitled Parenting Advice: Why Kids Need their Dads. Fatherly play proved to have a lot of developmental benefits, specially for male kids.

Research shows that physical engagement--like wrestling, roughhousing (when not carried to an extreme) and warm, playful interaction--helps boys learn to regulate and control their behavior, deal with a range of emotions, and adapt to a variety of situations.

During playtime, a child is given the chance to observe his father's facial expressions and variations in movement, and eventually, will help the child become a 'good manager of emotions.'

According to authors Jim and Charles Fay, roughhousing teaches your kids that you love them, that you're strong enough to control them, and that you won't control them unless it's necessary. Your kids learn that you're powerful, and kind
and gentle at the same time.

Vito and daddy during playtime:




I am very thankful that I was blessed with a husband who values quality time with our son. He makes it a point to let Vito hang on to him while he's doing pull-ups. They also do some baby yoga. During Vito's swimming, his dad also guides him through the water even if he isn't a swimmer himself. Those are just a few endearing things my husband does.

I am glad to see Vito enjoying every moment he has with his dad. Each time I see them having fun, I cannot help but smile.

"Oh God, thank you for these life moments."

Photo Hunt 58: Cooked/ing

Here is a picture of Vito after his swimming practice. Looks like the sun is cooking him up.

"Kuya"

From L-R (Males) De, R, Dad, Da
(Females) A, Mom, Me
1986

I am the youngest in a brood of 5. Our sister, A, joined God in paradise in 1987 when she was just at atender age of 6. I grew up with my three protective brothers R, De, and Da. Since R got married, we hardly had the chance to get together and hang out just like in our younger days. The last time we were complete was on my wedding day in 2005. From then, it was always a twosome date: either R and me, De and me, Da and me. I get to meet De every month and Da, average, and R, seldom. There was even one occasion that De and Da stayed in our house for a night. On the whole, it was R who was hardest to catch with his high profile career and growing family. That's why last night was special, it was a first: R, Da and me!

(L-R) R, Mom, Me, Da, De
On my university graduation day

I met R and Da last night for a scrumptious meal. Da, the youngest among my three brothers, works for an international development agency. He is based in Davao (our hometown) but is currently here for a 2-week business trip. R, our eldest brother, is a sales manager in a multinational company. He resides in Pangasinan with his wife and three kids.

We exchanged a lot of stories to catch up with each other's lives. *Sigh* Conversations up close and personal are, indeed, a gazillion times better than text messages or phone calls. Da told us a lot of stories about his job, our relatives in Davao, the community and of course, politics.

Some excerpts that gave me a good laugh:

1. Dar was telling us how intelligent our nephew Miggy (De's son) is. He is around 2 yrs old. Our mom was teaching Miggy about animals. On one page, there was a picture of a tarsier. My mom, thinking that pointing out the tarsier will be too complicated for Miggy, said "Miggy, this is a monkey."

The little boy replied, "No, lola. It's a tarsier."

2. Miggy is already potty-trained. One time, he got stuck in his potty. Miggy said, "Help, Lola! Help!" My mom tried to get Miggy out of the potty but he was just too heavy and my mom, who's over sixty, does not have enough strength to pull him out so my mom said: "Help yourself Miggy. Lola cannot help you. You're so heavy." Miggy was able to get himself out after some time.

R shared to us the recent developments of his children. He also talked about his marriage and his career. We asked him if his three-year-old son can already speak straight. He said, "Yeah, straight Japanese." He further, shared:

"Pero nakakatuwa dahil naiintindihan siya ng ate niya (Rinrin). May isang beses, sabi ni Arwin 'a, a.' Sabi ko naman anong 'a, a?' Sabi ni Rinrin, 'papa, sabi ni Arwin tingnan mo raw 'yung paa niya.

I was sitting beside them, relishing the moment and feeling like a kid all over again.

After our biggie meal, they brought me home. As I laid in bed, I realized, "My stomach and my heart has never been this full."

Monday Photo Mom

Pathway from our house; Makes me feel like a bride everyday. Thanks to our neighbor's bougainvillea flower plants.

I discovered the wonders of macrophotography last weekend.

The Language of Flowers or, Say It with Flowers
(Excerpts)

Rose; any color; "Love"
Rose; deep red; "Bashful shame"
Rose, single; pink; "Simplicity"
Rose, thornless; any color; "Early attachment"
Rose; white; "I am worthy of you"
Rose, withered; white; "Transient impressions"
Rose; yellow; "Decrease of love, jealousy"

© 1975 - 1981 by David Wallechinsky & Irving Wallace

On Poverty

In 2006, the US$12.4 billion net worth of the Philippines’s 10 richest is equivalent to the combined annual income of the poorest 9.8 million households. [Davao Today, 2007]

I was born with a compassionate heart. I become teary-eyed at the sight of innocent children living on the streets. I pray for them constantly, that in spite all the hardships they are facing, there is a better future waiting for them. I could just imagine what a struggle each second is for them...

But yesterday was just a horrible experience for me. As usual, after every office day, I walk my way to the bus stop where I take my ride going home. I walked from Julia Vargas in Ortigas to Megamall and went through the overpass to get to the other side. But before I got to the other side, the child 'beggars' pulled my hair to get my hair accessories. I was not able to react. Yes, I was hurt and felt harassed. I did not know what to say to them. Should I have shouted? Should I have scolded them for their wrongdoing? I really do not know.

I, the staunch advocate for poverty reduction, was questioning myself what I did to have caused such an action from the streetchildren. If they asked for my hair accessories, I would freely give them. I was not acting elitist to deserve such a deed. My dreams belonged to them.

I cannot blame them for what happened, though. And it even gave me a stronger reason to support the plight to alleviate poverty. Because I do not want more children to inherit wrong values. I want to give them access to education or to livelihood training. I want to help them dream like how other children dream.

But I am just an average person, who can only do so much. Our politicians have the greater capability to make a difference for our nation because they are our leaders and the drivers of the country's economic status. I pray for a better Philippines.

I haven't lost hope. I hope you haven't too.

Belated Happy Mother's Day

An Ode to Mom

Almost five years have passed since my father died. After his untimely demise, mom has stood both as a mother and a father to me. And in some way, I think I have not given her due credit for that. I grew up idolizing my father. His was a story that inspires me so much to succeed and make a difference. Yet, all those years I never realized that behind my father's success was a loving and motivating wife. I never realized that mom was powerfully working in the background. And today, I would like to talk about HER: my friend, confidant, protector, my father and my mother. Mom, this is for you.

I admit that I am not always so easy to handle. I am stubborn, a girl who has a free mind. Independent-minded and relaxed as I am, I know mom has had a hard time dealing with my strong yet carefree personality. Yet, mom never grew tired of reminding me of my duties and responsibilities as her daughter. She never fails in recognizing my abilities and correcting my faults. As a daughter, I feel I have messed up some things but mom stays by my side unceasingly with her unconditional love. And I feel twice the pain whenever I cause her heartaches.

She had a lot of stories to share about how she felt when I was still in her womb and what were the things that she did. She sang songs and read fairy tales to me so I would come out as a good singer and a good speaker. She believed that in doing so, I would become a more intelligent and talented person.

True enough, I grew up passionate about music and singing. I joined singing contests during my childhood in Davao City and once, tried the Metropop Songwriting Festival with my friend and ally, Winfred. I, too, grew up as a straight-A student, notching honorific citations and awards from elementary to college. Well, maybe mom knew about Stephen Covey's "begin with the end in my mind". Haha. Even during her conception with me, she already had a picture of what I am going to be and more or less, it came to be me.

Whenever I am away from home, I would feel incomplete. It is because my sense of home lies within mom. It is that certain feeling of security and belongingness that only she can fill. Mom is really a great mom. I am confident because she believes in me and she is honest about the way she feels. She would tell me if I look awesome or if I look devastated. She knows when something is wrong without me telling her about it. I guess that's what they call mother's instincts which eventually lead to mothers know best. Is it a result of getting nourishment through their umbilical cord or is is just a law of nature? Well, I really do not know. But I hope that whatever that is, I hope my kids and I would share the same connection.

It's hard to admit that it's only know that I have come to fully appreciate my mother. From her worrying nature to her warmth and loving ways to the nagging morning wake-up routine. Everything seems so beautiful now, her strengths and fallibility... She's a woman. She's my mom and my dad. And she's so good at it you'd think she's a pro. Love you mom.

o=================================o

My gift to my mom and mother-in-law:

My mother-in-law

My Mom, the bestest in the world

I made those using Photoshop. Thanks to the downloadable page kits available over the internet.

A lot of people greeted me on Mother's Day. Too bad, I don't know them all because my mobile phone was reformatted. Anyway, thanks to everyone who greeted me! Much love! Mommyness is pure happiness!

o=================================o

Tina, welcome home

I've been kind of busy lately. One of my best college buds and sorority sisters, Tina, was here in the country for a short visit. She now lives in the US. So, we went out with our other friends and sorority batchmates to get together and catch up on each other's life. Well, all I can say is that I really missed them a lot: Jaycee, Tina, and Grace. Unfortunately, our other friend, Luise, missed the date.

College days

(L-R): Jaycee, Grace, Me, Tina, Luise, and Marvey)

(L-R): Grace, Me, Tina, Jaycee, Luise

At present
(L-R): Jaycee, Me, Tina, Grace

o===========================o

What is a Sorority?
If it is really anything at all,
A sorority is not entirely
A flower,
National conventions
Monogrammed rings
Worn-out rush songs
By-laws
Membership standards
Or a pearl-encrusted pin.

And it is not entirely
An institution
A creed
A legacy
An obligation
Or a way of life.

If you are really going to insist that it is something, a sorority is:

Moving into the house for the first time and slowly learning that all beautiful people have fat legs, use mouthwash and wear last year's shoes.

Sitting next to an alumna you don't particularly like and being nice because you have a common goal and she has been where you are now.

Long, tired hours of black coffee and study hall when you still can't remember the Renaissance architects or the anatomy of a paramecium.

Borrowing a skirt from Betsy and a blouse from Jennifer and shoes from Stephanie and a coat from Cathi and passing it all off as your own.

Sitting on the back steps listening to your pledge sister with helplessness because she's lost and she's lonely and it seems like the whole world just fell into a bunch of ugly little pieces.

Coming home very late one night and closing the door to tell your sister who's seen you through the hardest years of your life that you're happy now and you're getting married.

And a sorority is, I suppose, a kind of evaluation. You grow up inside these elegant halls and perhaps you do learn more of this circus we call life than if you lived somewhere else.

You learn that a football player is sometimes just shoulder pads and that skinny arms sometimes hide a great man.

You learn that some lecture halls are just watery echoes and that there are silent rooms for your deep rivers.

You learn that no matter where you came from, or who brought you here, you still have to find that one small acre that belongs to you on your own.

You learn that the world is made up of people you're not going to like, and you learn to live with them anyway.

You learn to wait because change is slow and change isn't always right.

You learn that there is still a lot left to believe in and a whole lot more to hope for.

You learn that love has never been easy and that it's a long time coming.

And if you're very smart or very lucky, you learn that no matter how big or how messy the world becomes, what is precious and what is enduring will always be the same.

And in the end, a sorority can only be a better way to stumble down the back steps and out the front door.

–Anonymous

o===========================o

Parenting Yoga

Photo credits: crienglish.com

I was reading about Yoga over the Internet and amazingly, after some Nth clicks, I was brought to a page about parenting yoga in Xiamen. It showed photos of a recent yoga session campaign in China, which endeavored 'to tap the intelligence potential of the babies.' I found it very interesting since one of the things Vito likes very much during his playtime with his dad resembles photo#3. It got me curious and was led to several more sites on yoga for kids.

Some points I got from my readings:

1. Babies receive many benefits from yoga, especially from the bond it fosters between parent and child.
2. Babies who move with freedom as well as intentional guidance learn early about relating to gravity and relating to people.
3. The physical contact of a loving adult fosters trust and starts baby on the lifelong journey of learning about relationships—to one's self, to others, and to the world. This contact can also ease a young child's nervous system while bolstering his immunity, circulation, and physical growth.
4. When children learn techniques for self-health, relaxation, and inner fulfillment, they can navigate life's challenges with a little more ease.
5. Yoga with children offers many possibilities to exchange wisdom, share good times, and lay the foundation for a lifelong practice that will continue to deepen.
6. Yoga with baby can serve as a microcosm of our parenting as we experiment with how to be with our babies, read their cues, let go of our agendas, and respond to challenging moments in a safe, loving space.
7. People clean their bodies, but they don't clean their minds. Paying attention and having quiet time to cleanse the mind needs to be a practice. If our children see us honor this, they will honor it also.

If you too are becoming interested in parenting yoga, read the full articles here: Yoga to Bolster Baby Development, Yoga for Kids, Mindful Parenting on and off the Mat

Asthma and Children

In a survey made by the Asthma Insights and Reality in Asia-Pacific in 2005, it was found out that in eight major urban centers in the Asia-Pacific, the Philippines had the highest incidence of work absence due to asthma with a percentage of 46.6. Such a scenario tells us a lot about the kind of air that we breathe. And if it affects adults in that severity, then it follows that the effects to children are even worse.

In a recent article entitled "Children with asthma have more emotional problems," it was revealed that many children with asthma have a higher risk of having behavioral and developmental problems. The article was based on a study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, which collected data from a national health survey in the United States.

The lead author of the study Dr. James A. Blackman said that:

Physical health, psychological well-being and school performance are all connected so they should be looked at as a "total package."

The good news is that there are people doing something to intensify research on child asthma. Watch this video:

On May 5, Saturday, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand will have an Asthma Balloon Day to raise funds for child asthma research. They will be having various activities across NZ all dedicated to widen the knowledge base on child asthma. To know more about this initiative, visit the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation Website.

NZ's move is a laudable one. I hope that the Philippine society will have the same drive to make a difference for asthmatic children. Air maintains life and gives nourishment. If the air that children breathe is polluted, then what nourishment does it give them? I'd classify that as junk food.

I hope that we can make solid steps to combat what exacerbates asthma in children - air pollution - to create livable communities, and the larger picture is a generation of healthy and bright Filipino kids. OUR KIDS.

Vito's 1st Swim

Being devoid of the faculty of swimming is one of my frustrations. Then, I married a man who, like me, cannot swim. The worst I could think of is for my kids to inherit the same incapacity.

Yesterday, I introduced Vito to swimming. I know it's kind of late. Vito is already a year old. Others as early as a few months old are already exposed to swimming. I guess what really took me so long is my personal fear and the process of overcoming that fear for my little one.

I bought Vito a small pool and his own swimming trunks Monday evening. Then, yesterday, he finally had his initiation.

It is really heartwarming to see Vito learning to swim. It makes me think of the many things he can enjoy.

Being an environmentalist, I have always seen not being able to swim as a deficiency. It has robbed me the opportunity to fully enjoy nature, to confidently snorkel, dive, and try other water activities.

Vito, mum's wish for you is that you'll be able to experience life in all its beauty: breathtaking sceneries, interaction with nature, and being able to commune with the earth incessantly, without limits, without reservation.