Thank you, 2017!

I'm just glad and thankful that before this year ends, better things started pouring in.  Frankly, I can say that I had a not-so-good 2017 start and until the 3rd quarter of this year, some things were still difficult to understand.  But my hope kept its fire burning--- that good things will come to those who patiently wait.  And indeed! God never fails to amaze me with His bountiful blessings in His right timing!  All glory and praises to HIS Name!

One of the best things that happened this year is the birth of our second child, a bouncing baby boy!  This cheerful baby resembles her mom a lot.  Always smiling, always happy.  He's truly a blessing to my family!  And I couldn't thank God more for this gift!

DJ's offering day, Feb. 25, 2017.  Photo with Bro. Benefrido Santiago
& Taytay resident minister, Bro. Jericko De Jesus

I had the chance to go back up to Baguio again this year, through the company of my best church buddies.  We really are supposed to stay in Pangasinan and Baguio was just a side trip.  One of the most memorable times of my 2017--- vacation with good friends!

Baguio boys: MJ, Khel, Mayor Carford, Xian, Narvin
(not in photo: Czyrus & Czarwin)

Mountain of houses has never pleased my sight :(

had a good faith matter discussion with MJ's tito, with Razel

bed sharing

early morning view from your place

...and the smell of the green rice field

never forget the worship services wherever you go!

batis na malinis... there is still hope to preserve nature's beauty!

career-wise, i get to visit Iloilo again for a very touching CSR project / experience.  A community we nurture, together with Gawad Kalinga, gave me a different perspective about "less fortunate" families--- families who live in a community where there is no electricity, and school travel for kids becomes a reason for their frequent class absences.  i, together with two good men, were assigned to document this "reality" but was instructed to avoid producing a pitiful story angle.  seems difficult but that "reality" made our assignment naturally easy to accomplish.  Kids greet you with smiles on their faces whenever they come across you, elders do likewise and acknowledge your presence cheerfully.  NO TRACES OF POVERTY, even if they have lesser than the standard households here in Metro Manila.  Children knows their responsibilities at their young age--- domestic responsibilities even.  Children are eager for education, and the community as a whole has been supportive of this.  Youth organizations established weekly tutorials for the younger ones, and "bayanihan" community services are regular on weekends.  Time well spent each day.  This is how they live without television, computers, laptops, and other gadgets--- simple but fruitful life.  More social interaction and community awareness.  One could wish to live in the community and forget all the complexity that modern living has to offer.

documenting their story w/ Joaquin, Raymond & Issa

Early morning pose with the neighborhood

community service FTW!

the regular Zumba session on weekends led by the Youth organiztion

Another blessing before this year ends, I finally got my long-awaited "movement." It has been three years and many thoughts of giving-up when this has been finally realized. although, the official paper confirming this "movement" hasn't been distributed yet.

For the many, many times I've traveled by plane, this is the first time I got really upset over a local flight.  Yes, i've had numerous and countless delayed flights before but this one topped them all!  I was scheduled for the earliest flight last October 16 to discuss an upcoming company activity in our offices in Iloilo.  I got the earliest possible flight so I can start my rounds early and have ample time to stay there in case needed, before the scheduled flight back to Manila.  Then this happened:  arrived in NAIA Terminal 3 at around 3am.  My boarding time reads 0350.  I checked in and waited for the boarding time.  It was a little past 4am when people began inquiring at the Cebu Pacific desk which at that time was manned by a couple of the airline staff. We were supposed to depart at 0420 and no advisory was yet to be announced.  A few minutes after numerous desk inquiries, announcement said that the flight will be delayed (as we expected) and that we should wait for  the next flight announcement at 7:00AM! Like, huh??? 7:00AM and WAIT for further announcement??  So do we have much choice?  After waiting for another three hours, we approached the airline desk to inquire.  We were told that an announcement will be made in a few minutes.. then the much-awaited information was announced: "...please be informed that your flight will further be delayed.  Please wait for the next flight announcement at 10:00AM"  Another 3 hours???  I've called my boss already to inform this unacceptable situation, but told her i'd be waiting until the next (and hopefully the last) flight status announcement.  I began inquiring on the updates about the situation at Iloilo International Airport, since I began hearing comments  from other passengers that the flight will be cancelled and that they are opting to reroute to Roxas then travel by land to Iloilo instead.  A few days earlier, a Cebu Pacific aircraft overshoot the runway of Iloilo International Airport and was stranded there for days.  Perhaps it would be possible to clear the situation from there rather than waiting for the delayed announcement from the airline?  And besides, I've checked PAL website earlier and they already announced cancelled flights to all of their scheduled Iloilo-bound trips.  Why not do the same, Cebu Pacific?? Whyyy??? So even before 9AM, the airline desk was already being swarmed up by irate passengers.  I've decided to wait and wait until they finally announced, minutes before 10AM, that the flight will be cancelled already.  7 hours of waiting in vain is just... WOW.

no sun has risen yet, i was already waiting near the boarding gate

Cebu Pacific desk getting busy attending to irate passengers
and at the same time inquiring about the flight

1-pc chicken joy-rice, and a bottle of water to ease our disappointment
plus one-way trip voucher to any local flight of destination

my boarding pass stamped with "claimed meals" isa lang naman yung meal na ibinigay :P

I've struggled to find a perfect business to 'supplement' my monthly income.  Things have been uneasy, financially speaking, this year and the blessing that came toward the end of this year should change my financial storyline--- for the better.  But I still need to plan for a long-term (savings) goal.  The numerous buy and sell products have somewhat helped me go through the year.. some of them are the following:

ladies shorts... managed to sell a few pieces  with a very
generous supplier willing to settle on a consignment basis

had one buyer but i had to recall since product wasn't original

good products, but not really the business product i was hoping for.
we still use these at home. really very good products.

the most successful among the products i sold. pagkain pa rin
talaga ang love ng mga Pinoy customers!

in one of the most 'sensationalized' crime stories that happened this year, one story (un)fortunately happened in one of our projects.  so when media reporters have to come and cover the story, I needed to be there.  Other than the bad story that the news covered, it was a pleasant reunion with one former colleague, Chino Gaston, and meeting a new face from the other network, Jasmin Romero.  The latter had the juicier detail of the drama though as it was their network who had the first exclusive coverage of the developing story.

friends by profession: ABS CBN's Jasmin Romero (leftmost)
and GMA's Chino Gaston (middle)

Health-wise, I haven't been a hundred percent healthy this year.  Found out that my triglyceride, uric acid, and bad fats have sky-rocketed after I submitted myself to a doctor's check-up when I felt once that my blood pressure also shoot up.  I was given numerous medicine prescriptions which I had to consume for a month.  Then I have to undergo a series of blood chemistry to monitor its improvement.  In the end (or after three blood chem results) I decided to just restrict myself to a strict diet (and veer away from the daily meds) as the doctor advised anyway:  LESS rice, NO softdrinks, LESS coffee... and some other things i love, i have to give-up--- or at least LIMIT, LIMIT, LIMIT:  peanuts, sweets, PORK (bye, sinigang), BEEF (or any red meat for that matter).  Then FORCE myself to physical activities.  Since I am not a very sporty guy, I decided to take the stairs always when going down, and walk the stretch of Shaw Boulevard after work--- from our office (Puregold Shaw area) to Kalentong, or sometimes up to Starmall.  Yep, it's traffic anyway. I also got a second-hand bicycle courtesy of my ever-reliable dad, and got used to take the stairs of the LRT station going up. Yes, going up!  I also forced myself to drink a lot of water not caring if I go to the restroom more often, and take my daily dosage of buco juice.  After a few weeks of keeping this routine, results are quite pleasant--- I even lost my frequent heartburn!  Now all I have to do is to maintain this discipline unto the coming year.

February 3, 2017

December 19, 2017. pwede na ulet lumamon!

In a few hours, it's going to be a new year.  A couple of things to look forward to for the 1st month of the year:  DJ's 1st birthday; mom's homecoming.  Then, let's take it one at a time.  God is good always, all the time!  As for me and my family, we will serve Him faithfully.

A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO ALL!

musings...

I've always wished to blog more often and whenever I get to post an update, like now, I am happy.  I feel I have accomplished a long-time backlog duty.  Blogging used to be a big part of my everyday life since it became a hot item online.  Today, blogging has gone a long way.  Most "surviving" bloggers are those who make it as a living.  Very seldom, from my bloggers friends list, that I still encounter updates that are diary-like, or an update of his/her personal day-to-day experience--- the primary reason of the web logs' existence when it began more than a decade ago.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

God's grace has been very evident this year.  For many, many times, my financial status has been on an all-time low and very often I struggle on how to make both ends of the payday meet. We've had a lot of unexpected expenses recently and the "emergency" fund I've been wanting to put up hasn't materialized yet.  I'm always longing for the next payday!  I've been trying some sidelines to supplement my income but these seem to be picking-up too slowly, or do they even progress at all?  I'm not removing publishing a book on my bucket list.  Not only I am thinking that it will make me some money out of it but more importantly, I can leave a legacy to my family, and to my country as well.  But yeah, it's a long work before I can have it running.  I've always thought that having a business is far better than being an 8 to 5 employee.  I hope I will soon have the courage to do just that.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

DJ & Daddy Jon :)

My son serves as my breather everyday.  Never does he frown on me.  Whenever I come home from work, and when he sees me, I'm thinking if I look like a clown.  Or maybe my son is just too jolly.  His smiles instantly take away my exhaustion from a day's work and hours of messy traffic.  His teeth are beginning to come out so recently he had a slight fever.  But this little boy is a fighter.  His appetite will not make you think that he is sick at all.  Reason perhaps why he recovered from his fever pretty fast.  Time flies... soon, we will all witness him walking already!  I'm looking forward to him growing up like a boy, and eventually a man, we dream of him to become someday.  I know what I've whispered to God in prayer before He gave us our little boy, and yes, His will be done!

On another note, my one & only favorite daughter now wears eyeglasses.  Her lens grades are 150-75, validating our suspect that she already needs to wear eyeglasses.  She often complained of having a headache and so, thanks to Aba, her eyes were already checked.  I hope there is still a possibility that her vision becomes better someday.  Too young for this thing. :(

Aya in front, the only kid who wears eyeglasses in their group.  Photo taken earlier today during their chorale practice.

Passing Eight Years of 08.08.08

9 years of blessed union

Today, I am being thankful for reaching this milestone in my life as a family man.  11 years ago I met my future wife, two years after we got married.  Today, we have surpassed the eighth year of our marriage.  I'm still treasuring the fact that most people around us see us and regard us as a "perfect couple."  But yeah, nothing, no one even, is perfect in this world.  We do have petty quarrels, word fights, and even misunderstandings--- not a few, but yeah, not too much either.  One thing that keep us stronger each day is the fact that we are both God-fearing, we adhere to the Christian teachings and instructions on how to live a family life.  We love our two kids so much since we consider them as additional blessings to our married life.  Life isn't easy, but we are taking things one day at a time.  Then we realize that by God's grace, we are able to survive all trials that are coming our way.  Many wouldn't think that we are financially struggling as expenses increase and yet my source of income has become stagnant for the past three years.  But it's just awesome to note that we never become empty. We may have less, and lesser, but never empty.  NEVER. God is good all the time that is why I always encourage my family to be steadfast in fulfilling our obligations to the Lord.  There may be trials, yes, but our loving Father will always be there to embrace us.  He is the center of our lives--- our family life.  My kids will grow up faithfully serving Him as well.  Aside from the basic things that we provide them--- food, clothing, shelter, health & education, one of the most important things we will never forget teaching them is to love God above all.  Our faith will be their faith, our values will be their values, and it is the legacy we want them to inherit when time comes that they will need to live independently.  Meanwhile, as we still have this strength and life, I pray to God for a stronger union and a more blessed life with my wife and kids.  Next to God, I love my family more than myself.

Happy 9th anniversary, wifey! I love you kahit para sa yo... "I'm nothing." hahaha! :P

Of Everyday Commuting

Commuting in the Philippines hasn't been pleasurable since I don't know when.  For one, we lack wide roads so even major highways are clogged-up by jeepneys & buses which cause endless traffic especially when school year is on-going.  Yes, the traffic these days don't care if it's rush hour or not.  Most of the time, it's heavy traffic the whole freakin' day.  Metro Manila was able to put up three light rail transit lines traversing north to south, then east to west.  But their condition isn't that pleasing either.  Most of the time, if not everytime, commuters of these light rail transits have to endure long lines, delayed trains, and too much crowded coaches.  

Yesterday, I chanced upon a student lying on the platform when I took off at Pureza station.  She must have passed out for maybe one of the following reasons: too much heat, she's not feeling well, or maybe she lack sleep and hasn't taken her breakfast before hitting the road going to school.  For whatever reason, I felt sorry for her condition.  Good thing the security personnel of LRT line 2 were alert so they immediately assisted the poor lady.

The student was immediately assisted by security personnel.

Since the lifts in (almost) ALL of the train stations are not functioning,
they have to carry the patient using the stairs.

Some tips when commuting in Metro Manila:

1) Be ready to go to a "battle."  Especially during rush hours, you will need to fight your way into getting a ride.  Jeepneys are full, buses are standing room only, and train rides are way too crowded that you need to queue for a long time in some stations just to get up the platform.

2) Fill up yourself.  When you feel you are hungry, make sure you eat right before going out.  You will have no idea how long will it take you commuting before you can grab a snack wherever.  If it's not too much for you, always carry a bottle of water.  Fill up you wallet as well if you plan to book Uber or Grab.  Prices are sky rocketing during rush hours, and as they say, when there is "high demand."

3) Bring a towel.  Not only for air pollution to cover your nose but also for the amount of sweat that your body will release when commuting.  It may be good if you can bring an extra shirt which you can change after you reach your destination so you'd remain "fresh."

4) Bring a fan.  Those folding fans or those rechargeable mini fans--- they help a lot.  Especially when you ride LRT 1, (MRT) 2, and 3.

5) Always be on guard.  This is an old but is always a useful tip.  Pickpockets are anywhere.  Guard your things and pockets and stay alert all the time.  They know where you keep those expensive gadgets.

6) Pray.  Always ask for God's guidance whenever you leave home, that He may keep you safe throughout your journey, until you come back home safely to your family.

Morning Bonding

after church services today and before i go to work, i passed by home and went to see how our little boy is doing this morning.  i'm too eager to spend a few minutes with him under the sun for his "paaraw" and i'm just glad he's awake when i reached home.  he's caught cough as well as the people surrounding him have cough caused by the changing weather.  but he's OK.  when i carried him today, he seems extra affectionate.  and he's starting to play with his saliva a lot.  teething?  this early? i don't know.  he's just turning two months on the 16th. noticeable though that he didn't cough even once when i was carrying him.  he's just staring a lot and playing with his mouth and hands.  this pogi little boy is heavy for his age.  he drinks a lot of (mother's) milk and nobody can stop him if he craves for it.  good thing, wifey has a lot of milk supplies :D

Still debatable up to this moment on who resembles the face of our baby boy.  i really think it's the PUIGs on my grandmother's side.  i'm pretty sure he's one of them, haha!  on my wifey's side however, they also identify our baby boy's face to some relatives.  but of course, he's too young to determine who really looks like him.  for as long as he's pogi all the time, it doesn't matter.  i'm really excited to see the future of my kids.  his ate Bones has grown up already and since his addition to the family, she takes good care of her baby sibling everytime there's an opportunity.  sweet sister.  feels good to be a dad, and i thank God for all of these blessings! :)

Ang biyaya ng pakikibahagi sa Banal na Hapunan

Hindi sapat ang mga salita para bigkasin ang taos-puso kong pasasalamat sa pakikibahagi sa banal na hapunan ngayong 2017. Mula nang ako'y mabautismuhan sa loob ng Iglesia Ni Cristo, laging malaking biyaya ang dulot ng okasyong ito hindi lamang sa aking kundi maging sa aking sambahayan. Tinuturuan ang mga kapatid na lubhang mahalaga ang okasyong ito sa Iglesia dahil dito sa pagkakataong ito ipinadarama ng Diyos ang pag-ibig Niya sa Kaniyang mga anak, subalit mapanganib naman sa mga tumatanggap ng bahagi na di karapat-dapat. Dahil dito, kinakailangan ang ibayong pagbubulay-bulay sa sarili at pagbabagong-buhay bago sumalo sa banal na dulang. Sa naging bahagi ko sa pagbabanal na hapunan ngayong taon na ito, kapiling ng mga kapatid, upang gunitain ang katawan at dugo ng Panginoong JesuCristo, nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos sa pagsusugo Niya sa kapulungan ng banal sa espiritu--- nakapagbigay ito ng panibagong lakas at mas matibay na pananampalataya, higit sa sapat para harapin ang lahat ng pagsubok, pag-uusig, at kahirapan sa buhay. Mahal ko ang aking Diyos, ang aking Panginoong JesuCristo, at lagi kong ikinararangal na ako'y Iglesia Ni Cristo!

#IamOnewithEVM
#IkinararangalKoNaAkoyIglesiaNiCristo
#IsulongAngIkapagtatagumpayNgMgaGawainSaIglesia

Feeling blessed!

Jon, Jhun, Chin and Ateng kagawad sa PNK :)

Before calling it a day, I would just like to share how happy I am today for having a blessed, fully-booked day for different church activities. Starting of with a powerful early morning worship service where we witnessed the preaching of our beloved Executive Minister, Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo, as he led the dedication of the new house of worship in Universal City, Texas. Then our district held a Get Together for all PNK presidents and teachers. It was a day full of fun, games & food. Our supervising minister, Bro. Richer Cortez, was present throughout the event and food was literally overflowing! It was extra nice seeing former colleagues from the previous locales, Village East & Centennial.  I get to chat with them while having lunch and caught up with updates in the former locale where I was enlisted.  Afterwards, I came rushing home to catch an hour rest before I take my little girl to her choir practice.  They are practicing English hymns as well in anticipation of the English worship service for our locale.  But I think CWS won't be happening very soon... yet.  My little girl did inform me that their choir practice next week will be adjusted to a later time, together with the other children choir members.  True enough, they will hold the English hymns practice for the moment until everything is cleared up that we will be having CWS in our locale.  When we arrived home, Ate Eula was already waiting for her for their weekly committee-prayer.  :)

Next "adventure" which I least expected, me, together with my co-officers were treading a forest-like path.  After visiting some of the kids in the subdivision, we were going on to the hilly part of the area where some kids reside.  The visitation is for the weekly committee-prayer, and at the same time a reminder that they will be transferring to a new place of worship starting next Sunday, February 12.  The fruit of our devotional prayer has already been granted and the PNK in the new Villamor Residence will start already on the said date.  All glory to God!  Going back to the visitation, I said "adventure" because the trail going uphill was like a hiking trail.  It made our visitation more meaningful.

sa kapatagan man...

...o kabundukan...

...maging sa tubigan...

...tutuparin namin ang aming tungkulin...

...akay ng pag-ibig at pananampalataya!

Thank you, God, for this VERY BLESSED day! :)

Birthday Twins

Pamunuan ng mang-aawit, Village East, Marso 2014

Halos tatlong taon na rin nang mahiwalay ako sa mga kapamatok kong ito sa tungkulin... ang grupo na talagang pwedeng-pwede kong maipagmalaki pagdating sa pagtupad ng kanilang mga sagutin sa Iglesia.  Dalawa sa nasa pulutong na ito ay buong puso kong ikinararangal kung ang pag-uusapan ay pangangalaga sa mga korderong lingkod ng Diyos!  Tagapag-ingat, tagasubaybay, TAGAHUBOG ng kinabukasan ng mga mang-aawit sa lokal na kanilang kinabibilangan.  Bago sila, matagal-tagal rin akong naging "katiwala" ng mga kabataang mang-aawit. Hindi maipaliwanag sa damdamin kapag nakikita mo ang bunga ng mga pinagpapagalan para sa mga kabataang mang-aawit.  Hindi mahirap pangasiwaan ang mga batang ito.  Hindi rin madali.  Pero masarap sa pakiramdam. Oo. Kumbaga sa wikang Ingles, "priceless!"  Walang katumbas na anumang materyal na gawad.  Biyaya ng Diyos at ating karangalan kung tayo ay pagtiwalaan Niya ng gampanin sa loob ng Kaniyang bayan.  Sa biyayang nabahagi ko, nakaugalian ko nang humubog din ng mga magiging lider sa hindi malaon na panahon.  At hinding-hindi ako nagkamali sa mga pinili.  Alam ko, udyok ito ng Diyos sa akin dahil sila talaga ang karapat-dapat.  Sapat ang mga panahong natanaw nila at natutunan ang mga katangian ng isang lider sa bayan ng Diyos.  May nakita man silang pagkukulang sa mga naunang lider sa kanila, nagsilbi itong aral para lalo silang maging karapat-dapat sa inihandang pagkakataon sa sandaling sila naman ang nasa unahan ng Iglesia.  At ang panahong iyon ay dumating sa kanila--- taon na rin ang binibilang hanggang sa mga sandaling ito.  PANATAg.  Ito ang salitang gusto kong sabihin lagi sa kanila.  Ang kawan na matagal na panahon naming iningatan, ngayon ay nasa kanilang mapag-arugang mga kamay.

ang orihinal:  si Lyca Timotea
(larawan mula sa FB nya)

At ngayon sa inyong SABAY na kaarawan, ang hiling ko... sa iyo, Ate Lyn, ibayo pang kalakasan ng katawan--- malayo sa mabibigat na karamdaman para lalo pang magamit mo ang buhay at lakas sa pagtupad ng iyong mga banal na sagutin sa Diyos.  Alam ko kung gaano mo kamahal ang mga "anak" mo sa PNK.  Walang makakaagaw sa iyo ng karapatang iyan dahil lagi mo itong ipinananalangin sa Diyos.  Batid Niya kung gaano ka kaligaya sa piling ng mga kabataan, sa pagtupad nila ng kanilang mga tungkulin.  At lalo kang maligaya kapag dumating ang mga panahon na kasa-kasama mo na silang tumutupad ng tungkulin sa mga pagsamba.  Hindi nasayang ang mga pagpapagal.  PURIHIN ANG DIYOS!  At salamat sa pagsapit ng iyong kaarawan ngayon ay may pagsamba sa Kaniya... pagkakataon para sa mga unang oras ng buhay mo sa araw na ito ay SIYA agad ang iyong makasama at buong galak na pasalamatan!

"nung ako'y bata pa...."
(larawan mula sa FB nya)

Sa iyo, Lily Jane, bata ka pa lang, malaki na ang potensyal mo na maging tagapanguna sa bayan ng Diyos.  Nasaksihan ko ang kabataan mo, hanggang sa maatasan ka ng gampanin na lalong maghahanda sa 'yo sa mga kasalukuyan mong sagutin.  Nasaksihan ko ang dalamhati mo kapag may pagtupad na hindi perpekto.  Nasaksihan ko ang kaligayahan mo kapag busog ang kaluluwa mo sa biyayang natamo sa maghapong pagtupad ng mga tungkulin.  Nakita kong napagod ka, pero patuloy na nagsisikap HUWAG LANG MAGKULANG SA PAGDADALA NG TUNGKULIN.  Nakita ko kung paano ka nagtatanggi ng sarili alang-alang sa pagganap ng mga saguting iniatang na sa musmos mo pang gulang.  At ngayon ay marami ka nang narating.  Marami ka nang MAS NAUNAWAAN.  Nadaragdagan pa ang mga karanasan, kaalaman sa mga bagay-bagay sa Iglesia.  Lahat ng iyan ay biyaya sa iyo ng Diyos.  Dahil isa kang mabuting anak sa mga magulang mo dito sa lupa, at higit na masunuring anak sa magulang mo na Siyang tunay na Maylikha sa Iyo at nagbigay ng buhay.

Sa inyong dalawa, maligayang, maligayang, maligayang kaarawan ng pagsilang!  Talagang meant to be kayo na mag-tandem, pati birthday, pareho!  :D
Hiling ko sa Diyos na lalo Niya kayong pagpalain, sampu ng inyong buong angkan, para hindi lamang dito kayo maging maligaya na kapiling sila, kundi higit lalo na sa Bayang Banal na inaasam nating lahat na marating.  Malapit na.... kapit lang, mga besh!

Little Girl and Daddy's Day Out!

roller coaster ride with my sweet girl :)

An extra day off turned out to be favorable for me as I was able to bond with my little girl before I come back to work tomorrow.  Today has been declared as an extra non-working holiday in order to "give the people full opportunity to celebrate the holidays with their families and loved ones" as per Proclamation No. 117 by the Office of the President of the Philippines.  So, wifey, our little girl, and my father-in-law went to Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall to spend the day eating, shopping, and for fun!  The baby in the tummy eats tremendously!  Wifey gets hungry every now and then but for as long as we have food to eat, just go and eat!  We bought a few baby items in the department store then afterwards, the little girl and I walked to Worlds of Fun to get a few rides and play some games!  I was thinking that my little girl would love riding the roller coaster but she enjoyed riding the bump car more.  Afterwards, we played a few machine games that dispense those tickets.  Spent just enough money for this priceless bonding time, then we called it a day!

getting ready for the bump car ride!

Some realizations today, our little girl is speedily growing up.  Reality is, she's going to be an elder sister very soon!  I crave for more time with my two girls, and soon with the baby boy.  It's just a blessing that I am not too fond of night outs with other people.  I prefer to  dedicate my time with my family whenever I am not in the office and/or I am not in church.  I'm not getting any younger either.  Now I am counting the years that I still need to earn for a living until our youngest graduates from formal school and gets his own job and have his own family.  I think it's what most parents consider as fulfillment--- when they get to enjoy their grandchildren being with them and seeing how their kids become contented with their respective families.  Wow.  All these flashed to my mind today and I am more determined to do better this year and onward.  "Para kanino ka bumabangon?" - asked one of the coffee TV ads and I think I just have a clear answer for that.

Now I'm asking, when will this coffee company get me as their endorser?  I'm willing to risk my heartburn and sip their coffee just to get that exposure I've been longing for.  Haha, kidding. :P