30 na si Tatay Amats

Maligayang Bati aming mahal!!!
Tatay Amats Happy Happy Birthday to you.

The wooden frame of Isay's bassinet is hand-made by Tatay Amats. He is not really a carpenter but I was amazed that he was able to put this frame together a few days just before Isay arrived. It was indeed a labor of love. What made it very special is the love, time and effort that Amats spent making this this frame -- measuring the dimensions, canvassing, buying and cutting the wood, borrowing carpentry tools from the grandfather of Joy (of He cares).

I want to honor you today Tatay Amats by sharing it here that you bring much happiness in our lives by loving us simply in your most unique way. You help me see that the most important things in life are not success or being wealthy or the number of things you have accomplished in life or doing what others expect you to be. We may not be rich, but we never lack in anything.

You made me appreciate the most mundane of things can bring us joy. The butterflies we see or the way the dog of our neighbor barks, greeting us on our way or how the small maya birds in our back terrace ate our left over rice. Simple things that otherwise I would have missed, but you helped me appreciate these and much more.

There are many lessons you have taught me about loving unconditionally, trusting and relying on His grace. I am still learning my lessons I guess. Thank you for being understanding of my complex mood swings and other what-nots. There are many more things I want to share but there are also some things that cannot be described.

Today on your 30th birthday, I pray that He shower His grace and blessings on you.

I thank God for you.

Happy na Birthday pa

Double Celebration. Today August 26th is my sister Jinky's birthday. I want to honor my sister today on her birthday for being the loving and maalaga na sister that she is. She took care of baby Isay while I was in UPLB today. We had a small family celebration at home. We had this torta de los reyes from Aristocrat bakeshop our shared birthday and graduation cake. Salamat Tatay Amats for the cake.

It has been a long (starting at 3am)and memorable day. I thank God for the messages He sent me today, for the beautiful people and my loving family. Thank You Lord for that wonderful embrace this morning. My cup overflows.

ang sablay

U.P. Naming Mahal

U.P. naming mahal
Pamantasang hirang
Ang tinig namin
Sana'y iyong dinggin.

Malayong lupain
Amin mang marating
Di rin magbabago ang damdamin
Di rin magbabago ang damdamin

Luntian at pula
Sagisag magpakailan man
Ating ipagdiwang
Bulwagan ng dangal

Humayo't itanghal
Giting at tapang
Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan
Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan

Ika-Sampung Palatuntunan ng Pagtatapos

Today is indeed a blessing. The last time I have a similar picture was 14 years ago.
Assembly at the Student Union Building then a memorable march towards Umali Hall and Freedom park in UPLB. It wasn't raining this early morning, clouds hung low from the foothills of Mt. Makiling, a cool clime that complements our warm anticipation. Today I was able to wear for the first time the University of the Philippines' Sablay which replaced the traditional graduation gown. I felt proud to be Filipino wearing the Sablay more especially because it contains the alibata. I was even excited to match it with my beaded heeled slippers. Pakiramdam ko Pinoy na Pinoy itong graduation na ito dahil ako ay naka tsinelas. Ang saya lang talaga!!!

Seeing fellow classmates who've become good friends over the 5 years I stayed in UPOU, my heart overflowed with a calm gladness and then some.

Being Parents

The title Nanay (Mommy) or Tatay (Daddy) is a distinguished and noble epithet--bestowed upon you by an innocent child---that you earn through years of hard work. That's because giving birth to your baby does not make you a parent. Parenting is a way of life, a skill (you'll have lots of years of practice), and an art (you'll develop great understanding and compassion) that is acquired over time, based on your positive attitude and your unselfish behavior, and through your diligence. To become a parent means you're dedicated to your children and the plight of children everywhere--it is your long term dedication that secures the title.

Parenting is your sacred obligation...Parenting is an all consuming venture--twenty four hours a day for the next twenty one years or more. It is not for the faint of heart, because halfhearted parenting won't do. Pledge yourself to parenting and follow through. You'll receive many blessings if you do. There is no greater work the Almighty has given.

-- Judy Ford, Blessed Expectations

A new way of life that is very challenging for us right now and everyday the most mundane and simplest things about our little Isay brings us joy.

I thank God for this opportunity which I believe will be a lifetime of adventure.

Answered Prayer

One of my greatest fear in life is to be put "under the knife" and be in a hospital. During the months of my pregnancy, due to a possible complication and a condition that I have, we were primed by our ob-gyn that there is a great possibility that I will undergo a c-section.

We eventually did not take the Lamaze class that we planned because of the high chance of having a cs. All those months, I kept praying still asking God to please let me have a normal delivery. We also asked friends and family to please pray for us.

All those months,I kept blocking the thought of going through the whole ordeal of giving birth because of the possible cs. While other pregnant women (I guess these are veteran moms) cannot wait get it over with, I kept thinking please not yet (and other forms of useless anxiety). The time came 4 days after my EDD (expected date of delivery).

Indeed it was an answered prayer. I had a normal delivery. I want to remember this answered prayer by blogging about it. Also to thank all those who prayed for us and to really thank and praise God for it.

There has been many things that I need to be thankful for specially the past few months but because of the recent daily demands I barely can get around to write about it. When I started this blog, one of my reasons was and still is to have a place to write all the blessings that I received, miracles big and small that happened in my daily life. I also tend to not put in many details that are too personal for the public (as if ang daming nagbabasa ng blog na ito :P) Anyway, I tend not to blog about the "down" times or when I am going through some form of the "blues". But I guess this year this (if time permits) will eventually evolve into a more balanced sharing. I realized that much of the life changing events and turning points in my life are those times when I am going through difficult times. I tend not to write about very difficult times for I felt that it is too personal to share. I am also very emotional, very "raw" at the way I express myself at these times that I opt wait it out until the tide of emotions have subsided. I realized I needed to share these as well.

In the coming entries, I will not be ignoring the "blues" but definitely continue to count my blessings.

A Prayer for our little one

Our Isay is 5 weeks old. Isay turned one month July 21st. She is well on her way to her second month. It seems that time passes quickly and yet slowly. The daily routine seems slow and yet the days fly by as we go about learning the way of life of being parents. I believe beaing a parent is a lifetime adventure of learning. It is a great challenge and at times, a bit overwhelming at times. Tonight, I realized our need for constant affirmation and prayers indeed to be able to do this task that we are given--caring for our little one's soul and all her human needs.

I am qouting from the book that has kept me company through these nine months. Here is a few verse of affirmation from Blessed Expectations by Judy Ford.


May our little one be blessed with love, health and spirit. May we parents, be blessed with wisdom, strength and generosity of soul. As we get to know each other and settle in, bless our family with gentle words and loving smiles.

We welcome you into our hearts today. We love you. We love you, little one. We welcome you in our hearts today. We welcome you home.

This is our family. We come together to help each other, to laugh and to grow. Thank you for each unique member...
We are a beautiful bunch

happy proud parents

During her first sun bathing.




We would like to thank all the people who prayed for us and continue to bless our lives. We want to share to you these first images of Isay. Thank you for the love and support of friends and family-- we will not list them here-- you know who you are. Thank you so.

Offerings are still being accepted :O) when you visit (wink, wink)

Isay is born

Amaris Dalisay.

Amaris ( Hebrew word for God's promise) Dalisay (Filipino word for true and pure)

Thank God for the blessing that is Isay. Her birthday is June 21, 2006, 5:10 pm

May you be blessed always.

Foot in my tummy

The other night, I woke up with a movement in my tummy. It was my baby's foot streching inside my tummy. I can actually see the peak formed as it rises and falls back in place again. I lie there awakened by reality that indeed there is a small life inside of me. I cannot even begin to describe the wonder of the experience. Words fail me and words cannot fully describe the miracle of a growing life. I am in awe and at the same time scared. I feel spiritually blessed by the experience and yet troubled by the passing thoughts of inadequacy. But still, the wonder of the moment sustains me to overcome the many challenges and changes that pregnancy brings.

At this moment in time, I am at a turning point in my life. I am here on the 11th hour full of expectant-ness. I treasure this small wonders and changes everyday. I never thought a foot in my tummy would bring waves upon waves of joy and awe.

Pagbati para kay Marianne

Congratulations to Ate Ardis and Kuya Joe Dean for the birth of their 3rd baby at 2a.m. this morning at Capitol Medical. Warm hugs and our blessings for Marianne Grace.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not forgetting an injustice done; it is the understanding that allows us to set aside the emotional impact of that injustice pertaining to ourselves. When we no longer hold those emotions, and have understanding for the person, we have forgiven them.

--Moon Singer

I've been pondering on a recurring issue of forgiveness. I know that I have been a recipient of kindness and of forgiveness. It is really hard to be human. I now deeply appreciate why we should pray the Our Father daily. I believe it is to constantly remind us that we are forgiven and in turn must forgive.

The complex dynamics of life sometimes makes it hard to practice this.

It took a few days for me to stumble upon an answer to some questions playing in my head the past days. It was mostly about how one can just forget and forgive. But as the verse aptly says it is a process of understanding. This process I think is not timebound for most people.

I remember another qoute that goes: we forgive not something we do for other people, we do it for ourselves, to get well and move on.

Final Manuscript

"Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small. The most difficult things in the world must be done while they are still easy, the greatest things in the world must be done while they are still small. For this reason sages never do what is great, and this is why they can achieve that greatness."

- Attributed by Sun Tzu to warriors of ancient times.

The first time I encountered this verse was from an email from a friend and classmate in UP Open University as his email signature a few years back when we were struggling with paper work for our Masters program in Environment and Natural Resource Management and that friend graduated with flying colors a year back. Recently, I noticed another friend and classmate now using it as his email signature in our egroups for MENRM. There are several of us still working on our Special Problem-- the last and final requirement for graduation this August 2006.

Looking back, it has been five years since 2001 when I first started this graduate program. The subjects I was taking was complementary to my current work for the past five years. My subjects which I studied on distance learning mode such as biodiversity conservation, coastal zone management, and coastal anthropology among others were really interesting and complemented my work in the field.

Right now, I am very lethargic and my energy almost zapped, reading, and doing some revisions to the final manuscript. Currently, I am still waiting for some more revisions and corrections from adviser and coordinator that I need to submit soon. Hopefully before my EDD (Expected Date of Delivery).

I am amazed that I am almost at the finish line. It was really God's grace and perfect timing that led me to where I am now.

My friend El said "I can't believe you are about to graduate from your masters program, we hang out naman".

I guess it was bit by bit, step by step. Gracia rin lang talaga.

He wants us to "ask"

“Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24).

I remember being told that when you ask for something you have to be specific with what you ask for. Simple, but sometimes we are the ones who make things complex.

This was yesterday's meditation in the Word Among Us online. I've been intenting to write about this particular passage before but never seemed to get the right words out. I admire those people who really write well and able to express themselves clearly in writing, about their dreams and aspirations.

There were many times that it actually makes me embarassed to "ask" for what I really want in various settings. One is if a friend is taking me out to dinner or treating us, I would hold the menu and just say "go ahead please order for us" always thinking that I might order to much or something out-of-budget for my friend. In another time, if someone ask what do I want for my birthday, I just say anything climbing gear or whatever, very general category. Sometimes for lack of anything in mind I just say "world peace".

Then in one of my crossroads in 2001, I learned from a sharing of friend that we should be specific in our prayers. Deep inside I thought this is really very self-centered and very demanding. I thought of one of the talks that said God is not a vending machine. But this friend in her sharing says that our Father in heaven even though He knows what we need and what our hearts desire is even before we ask Him, like a true father, He wants us to ask.

I remember a brother in Lingkod shared-- "the greatest desire of our heart fills a great need in the world". God is the one who placed that desire in our heart to be fulfilled-- a purpose. We were created to be instruments of His plan. We may or may not know it right now what that is in our life right now. There will be questions along the way and that is the exciting part-- in discovering these in our life.

He created us to have a full life and He wants our joy to be full, that is why He wants us to ask.

kinasal na po sila

Congratulations Paul and Mhel! May God bless your life together. Thank you for inviting us to your beautiful celebration of life and love.




Happy Anniversary to Rocky and Eve same date--May 26th.

enchanted river

Instead of going to the doctor today, I wish I will be riding a boat going to enchanted river in Hinatuan Bay to swim and bathe in the cool brackish waters.

Seafoods

I miss eating all those seafoods when I visit the project sites. Iam craving for fresh seafoods. Sarap. Pasensya na puro pagkain ang entry ko today :O) kahit tapos na maglihi si Nanay :O)

Seafood pictures from Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur and Davao.

Pagkaing Pinoy

Huge servings of Pansit and Lomi. Sarap kainin with Monay.





Pictures from Davao

That huge serving of pansit and Lomi for less than $2 US.

As I love you

The Gospel today urged me to ponder on this verse. But to be more specific during mass, I distinctly heard that I was being moved to write about "undemanding love", I thought, is it unconditional love that I am being sked to share about?

"This is my commandment: Love one another as I love you"--John 15:12

I was reminded that to truly "love" is to be undemanding, to be understanding and to be accepting of the people around us. More often than not, "if" the person did not deliver his promise(s) to do this, to serve like this, to deliver this---many expectation of ours(imagined or otherwise), the usual human reaction is to ignore the person, give him the cold shoulder, and many other forms of human behavior to let the person know that we were hurt and not ready to express our "love" and be vulnerable to this person again. More often than not, if someone or something do not "deliver" on our expectations, we inhibit to express our love, and sometimes even cease to express our love. I think we do this so as not to be vulnerable.

But to truly love is to be vulnerable. To be ready that the response to our love is nothing. And yet continue to express our love.

I believe that we are called to love the way He loves us. His love is for everyone. He became vulnerable on the cross for all of us. The greatest manifestation of His love.

Writing about it and talking about it is easy. But to truly live and love the way He loves us is difficult. Honestly examine the details of our own lives, let us look at our own shortcomings and see the evident hypocrisy in the way we sometimes express our imperfect way of love. To move from lip service to actually making this way of "loving one another" real in our lives is our daily call in everything that we do.

Lord, I pray for the grace to love the way You love us.