On A Wonderful Day Like Today

Zoe had her very first day of regular school this week. She’s three years old and is enrolled as Senior Nursery. Funny, I kept telling myself: one day down, 16 years to go! Hahaha. That's how I really felt. My daughter's no longer a baby ~ she now officially a student and will be in that status for so many years more. And you know what? On that very first day, even while in the car, she kept telling me "bye Mommy!" as if she wanted me to scram, go home, go away, I'm-on-my-own-now, that kind of thing and as I reaction, the more I hugged her and didn't want to let her go. But oh she did very well. She never even looked back as I left her room. Oh, the adventures of being a mother. Truthfully, I couldn't stop being sentimental. Anyway, would you believe that on her very first day and for the rest of the week, she already had to do homework?! Bah! She has books on Math, Reading and Science and the teacher gives them around 1-2 pages of homework each day. Bah (...

Wee! I am officially a Stay At Home Mom for one week...and it feels really good. After working for 13 long years with the same company, I am finally FREE! (Well, at least for 5 more days.) :-) At any rate, I think Zoe is doing a bit of "lambing" by getting a little sick last night. She and I cuddled together until she fell asleep. Hay, my kids are really my heart. They make me who I am and I love them so much. Wish me luck guys on my next endeavor!

I still remember when I went to France a long time ago. It was a wonderful and unforgettable experience. I love the food they served us and the romantic places we went to. I also kept those lovely little trinkets which I bought as souvenirs. I also still have those little key chains and statues that I got from a religious store in Lourdes and they have been memorable keepsakes of my trip there once upon a time. The only thing I wish I had known about during that time were the available translation services that would be extremely helpful in my trip there. There is also an available service de traduction now that could have helped me in touring along the different places in France. Anyway, there might still be a chance to go back, who knows? And I really hope to go back there again. You see, that time, I was only there for about three days. That's so short a time to really tour the country. But one thing I do know. If I had stayed a bit longer, I may have to get professional trans...

Cara Mia is in fault for the added pounds in my weight this week. In particular, this is the main culprit! Now I'm feeling some kind of heartburn... a yummy kind of heartburn.

The good Lord granted me another year of life and I'm very grateful for the many blessings that He has given me all these years. And so, to give thanks, we travelled on a pilgrimage to Antipolo on my birthday, May 13, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Being Mary's month, many folks go up to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage to visit the Black Madonna and pay homage. Masses are held every hour from 5am to 12 noon and then again in the afternoon starting at 4pm (I think). After the mass, we headed to the pasalubong area. A trip to Antipolo is never complete without these good ol' suman and kasoy. And then we headed to ever-reliable McDo for a non-stressful breakfast. We went back home after that and then left again to do my b-day-related government errands: a trip to Philhealth for a correction in the name of a dependent (their fault, argh!), my driver's license renewal, and trips to the municipal hall (for cedula), the baranggay hall (for baranggay cleara...

My sister arrived last week from Iloilo for a 2-day visit. She bonded with Zoe and Luigi to the max and it shows in the pictures here. Also, with my sister here, I also realized that Zoe's eyes really look more like hers than mine. Let's compare. Zoe and Tita: Zoe and Mommy: See?

We had a team-building activity last April 17. It was my first time to have something like this in my 13 years of working with the company. And although I had already had a "secret" plan cooking up (more on that next time), it was, I think, worthwhile experiencing. Anyway, here are some of our pictures. Our current feelings: Jumbled-up letters activity: Lunch-break: Group pic: (Sigh) ~ I'll miss OAGC.