First day @ WORK

My first day in my new job, July 16, 2010.

I was in a hurry thinking that I will be late but luckily, I wasn't late. I was 15 minutes early before 8 a.m. Since it's my first day, I spent most of my time in orientation. I will still have orientation until July 22, I guess, based from my schedule.

I wish that this company will be my last. I'm tired of changing companies every now and then. Employees here are nice. They are all accomodating.

My office? Needs some cleaning. . . . :) The files are everywhere. Need to organize things first so I can work well. But, it's nice to know that I have my own room. Yeah! Maybe because of the confidentiality of my job, that's why.

By the way, I like our President. He's cool.

Looking forward to work with everybody soon. Hope everything goes well.

Confession of a 33 year old MOM

For 33 years now I'm continue searching what I really want with my life. As if I am walking with a blindfold in a very dark road. I still feel the emptiness I have been feeling since I was a child. I keeps on praying for God's guidance so I can really find what I want with my life. But until now, I can't understand.

Last month I resigned because I felt that taking care of my child is the best thing I can do. I am so happy thinking that I can now personally monitor the development of my child. I don't know, there is still something inside of me which remain unsatisfied.

Just this morning I learned that I was hired. So I will work again. Who will take care of my daughter? Can that person take care of her much more than what I can do as a Mom? There are so many questions which has no answers until now?

I don't know if working again can satisfy the longing inside my heart. I don't know.

I want to take care of my child but at the same time I really need money to finance all our daily expenses. Sometimes I wish that someday I win the lottery or sweepstakes so I can have much money and can just spend my time with my daughter without worrying where to get the money to pay our expenses. Sometimes I wish that I just wake up one day and met this person outside the door ready to give us everything we need.

I wish.... I wish...

My Prayer Warriors

Since I was in grade six, I already have this "Lord of Pardon" novena with me. It was given by Ate Mercy when I got sick. I was bed ridden for a month due to sickness which cannot be diagnosed and cured by doctors. Thanks to Kuya Lito, a religious man who prays for me and find the cure for my illness. From then on, this novena has been part of my life. 

Panginoon kong Jesukristo, alalahanin Mo na akong isang makasalanan. Birhen Santisima, ipanalangin mo po ako at lagi pong itatanghal at pupurihin. Idalangin mo po ang makasalanang ito sa iyong minamahal na kagandahan ng mga angeles ng mga profetas ng mga patriarkas, korona ng mga Martires, ng mga apostoles at nang mga Kompesores. Kaluwalhatian ng nga Serapines, korona ng mga Birhenes. Iligtas mo po ako sa nakassindak na larawan ng Demonyo sa oras na paghiwalay ng aking kaluluwa sa aking katawan. O kabnalbanalang bukal ng awa at kagandahan ni Jesukristo, kaligayahan sa Kaluwalhatian, ginhawa ng Clero, lunas sa mga gawain; kasama mo po Birheng kalinislinisan, ay nagsisipagsaya ang mga anghel. Itagubilin mo pong kalingain ang aking kaluluwaat ang sa lahat ng mga tapat na Kristiyano. Idalangin po kami sa iyong pinagpalang anak at  samahan mo po kami sa Paraiso.Walang Hanggan ang iyong pinaghaharian at itinadhanang walang    katapusan at doon ay sasambahin ka namin habang panahon. Amen Jesus. Darakilang Birhen Maria,  ina ni Jesus, anak ng Diyos na nagkatawang tao, na iyong isinilang, idalangin mo po ang lahat ng    makasalanan nang kami ay patawarin. Iligtas mo po kami sa masamang kaaway na nagpapaganyaya  sa amin at ipagkaloob mo po sa amin and kaluwalhatiang walang hanggan. Purihin nawa and banal na pagtitiis at kamatayan ng ating Panginoong Jesukristo Jesus Maria y Jose. Amen Jesus.

I got my Saint Jude prayer when I was assigned in Catbalogan, Samar. I saw it inside the church. From that day, Saint Jude novena has also been part of my life. I always ask for his help and everything I ask through him was given to me. 

As a thanksgiving for all answered prayers, I includes in this posting the entire novena prayer. Hope it will be part of your life too.

O Glorious Apostle, St. Jude Thaddeus, true relative of Jesus and Mary, I salute thee through the most Sacred Heart of Jesus! Through this Heart I praise and thank God for all the graces He has bestowed upon thee. Humbly prostrate before thee, I implore thee through this Heart to look down upon me with compassion. Oh, despise not my poor prayers; let not my trust be confounded. To thee God has granted the privilege of aiding manking in the most desperate cases. Oh, come to my aid, that I may praise the mercies of God! All my life, I will be grateful to thee and will be thy faithful client until I can thank thee in heaven. Amen. 

L. Blessed Apostle, with confidence we invoke thee!

A. Blessed Apostle, with confidence we invoke thee! 

L. St. Jude, help of the hopeless, aid us in our distress!

A. St. Jude, help of the hopeless, aid us in our distress! 

Pray for us, that before death we may expiate all our sins by sincere repentance and the worthy reception of the holy sacraments! 

Pray for us, that we may appease the Divine Justice and obtain a favorable judgement! 

Pray for us, that we may be admitted into the company of the blessed to rejoice in the presence of our God forever. 

                       

Most Holy Apostle, St. Jude Thaddeus, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered thy beloved Master into the hands of His enemies has caused thee to be forgotten by many, but the  church honors and invokes thee universally as the patron of hopeless cases and of things despaired of.

                       

Pray for me who am so miserable; make use, I implore thee, of that particular privilege accorded to thee to bring     visible and speedy help where help almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may  receive the consolations and succor of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly (  here make your request) and that I may bless God with thee and all the elect forever.

L. St. Jude Thaddeus, pray for us!

A. And for all who invoke thy aid!

My very old novena to Our Lady of Prompt Succor was given to me by my sister. I always pray this novena everytime I had a job interview. It helps me in all my job interview. It helps me keeps focused, calm and confident in answering questions during the interview. I was hired three times with the help of this novena prayer.

O Mary, my mother, my friend, next to our Heavenly Father, Jesus and His Holy Spirit, you are our greatest Benefactress.

In your great love for us, you consented to be the Mother of Jesus, our Saviour and our Mother too.

 In fulfilling this commitment, you suffered immensely at the foot of the Cross.

Your Immaculate Heart was pierced with the sword of intense sorrow, and now that you are assumed into heaven body and soul you have not ceased to be deeply concerned for us, until we are brought home safly to our true Fatherland.

And so trusting fully in your goodness, love for us and power of prayer, I come to you, Dearest Mother and beg you to please pray for me to Jesus and with Him to our Heavenly Father for this grace of the spirit that I am in dire and urgent need of. (Mention the grace you wish to receive)

O Mary, you went with haste to aid your cousin Elizabeth, once you knew that she needed your help.

You immediately prayed to Jesus once you knew the predicament of the newly-wed of Canaan. Listen to me then, at this hour of my great need. Our Lady of Prompt Succor hasten to help me. Our Lady of Prompt Succor aid me promptly and favorably I trust in you, Amen.

I am writing this not to forced anybody to believe. This is part of my thanksgiving! I just want to share how my life changed with the help of my prayer warriors.

I also went to Baclaran and pray to Our Mother of Perpetual Help and she always answers my prayers.

Baby's first visit to the dentist

Three days ago, my daughter keeps on complaining about her teeth and ask me to go to the dentist. She said that the dentist needs to check her teeth to keep it healthy. Tuesday afternoon, we went to the dentist but my daughter was not check 'coz we don't have an appointment that time. We just set an appointment if when we can come back.

Today, we comeback at 1:30 p.m. We came late because I have something to finish. Were lucky because the dentist was still out when we arrived. We waited for almost 30 minutes and while waiting for the dentist, we read some books and magazines inside the clinic's waiting area. I read to my daughter the book entitled "My first visit to the dentist", it is the story of Jake and Jessie's first dental check-up and their experiences inside the dental clinic. I think it conditions my daughter's mind 'coz she was not scared when the dentist called her and check her teeth. She stayed in the dental chair 'til the check-up is finished. 

The dentist told me that she has six teeth with a hole. She put temporary fillings on the first two teeth. We need to come back for the rest.

Since my daughter was not scared and behave during the check-up period, the dentist gave her a reward: Five pieces DORA and BARBIE stickers!

 

Honey LOVES Hunny: Loving you each day

Yes! Were now official! I'm so happy! I don't know but my happiness is on a different level. As I get to know him, I've learned how good he is. Maybe he has shortcomings too but I love him more because of that. He calls everyday. We eat lunch and dinner together and talks about everything.

Days passed and we're one month already. He called me up and ask me if I can drop-by the school 'coz he still had class and then we will just leave after his class. After office hour, I proceed to their school. When I'm about to ask for him, his there already, waiting for me. He told me that he just want to surprise me. He introduced me to everybody there. Then he gave me card, roses and chocolates. I was touched! He's the first and only person who treated me like that. Until now, we always celebrated monthsaries and anniversaries. He never failed to greet and surprised me. Even if sometimes he has no money, he will prepare a personalized card or a letter just to show me how lucky he is for having me.

I could say that we also experienced some trials and difficulties in our relationship. Actually, we have lots of that. But making God the center of our life made our love with each other stronger and deeper. Thanks also to my ever patient husband (yes, he is.) for the understanding and unconditional love. Also for always lifting me up everytime I'm about to give up and for always telling me that we are family and that we are ONE. For always understanding all my shortcomings as a wife and as a mother to our daughter.

As I always say, I love him very very much. I may not be that perfect but I will try my very best to be a loving, understanding and a good wife for him and a good mother to our daughter.

Thanks God, I found you my GOD's GIFT!

                                              ---------end-------------

Honey LOVES Hunny: It's a YES!

One Sunday evening, he visited me again. That day, I heard what I need to hear from him. He said that he don't believe in long courtship because for him he will court the person forever once she's already his girlfriend. Yes. He's a very straight forward person.

I told him that maybe I'm not yet ready to be in a relationship again after what I've been through. He told me that he had been into a bad relationship also.

We talk about our past relationships and then he leave. I will never forget those eyes. I can see him even when I went to bed that night. There's something with that guy which I can't explain. He has lots of pains. Well, this time he bothers me. I tried to recall his story. His past relationship. How he lives without a father and how he was treated by people around him. The other side of my mind tells me not believe him because what if he just telling me those stories for a purpose. But the other side of me believes in him. I don't know. I listen with my heart and it says: give that person a chance. That night, I made a decision. I will not let anybody hurt him again and I will take away the sadness in his eyes. I want to see him laugh. I want to see him happy.

I really believe in longer courtship because that will give me time to know him better but this time I want to give it a try. Whatever it takes!

I called him Monday morning. I asked him to drop-by in my office. Before my off, he's there already. Since my boarding house was located just beside my office, he asks me if its ok if we walk around first so we can talk. When we were infront of our door, I face him and tell him that my answer to his question is a YES! After that, I go inside the house. I didn't got the chance to see his reaction.

                                        ------------------to be continued-------------------

Honey LOVES Hunny: First date

Friday, Traslacion. After the parade, Mr. J dropped-by in my boarding house with his co-teacher to ask me to attend mass on Sunday with him. Since I will be going to church also, I said yes.

Sunday. He arrived very early with matching umbrella (very prepared, huh). While attending the mass probably he recornized that it's too hot even if were outside the church so I'm surprised when he gave me an "abaniko". I feel special on this guy. After the mass, we eat dinner then go home. He didn't say anything so I don't bother. After an hour, he called. He said that he just want to make sure if I'm ok and then he read the second article about love and letting go.

Sunday. Town Fiesta. He invited us to go to his Aunt's house and have our lunch there since it's fiesta. I go together with my roommates. While walking, i feel so comfortable with him. As if I know him for so long. Maybe because of the phonecalls for the entire week ( the other side of my mind said) so I just ignore the feeling. While riding a jeepney, he hold my hand. I didn't notice that until we arrived in our house and my two roommates teased me about it.

Monday passed without a call. Even Tuesday. Then come Wednesday, he called. He ask for another date but I turn him down. I don't know. I'm not in the mood to go out that day. When my roommates arrived, they ask me if what I did to Mr. J because he was so sad.

I just ignore that. Who cares anyway.

                                                ---------------- to be continued-------------

Honey LOVES Hunny: When I Met You

This time I want to share with you my own story. The things I've been through in finding my true love.

It was Thursday afternoon. I left the office earlier so I can met my roommate. I went to their school (they were both first year college) but unfortunately, they still have classes so I take a peek in their room. The teacher saw me so I say excuse and ask for Ann (my roommate) to let her know that I will stay outside and wait for her. I waited outside the room for about an hour. After that we went home, eat dinner then chat and chat until we feel sleepy.

The next days were just like the previous regular office day. I report to the office at 8:30 a.m. then leave at 5:30 p.m. My usual boring daily routine. Then one day, I was surprised when Ann dropped-by in my office. I told her to wait 'till 5:30 so we can talk. After that, I've learned that her professor is threatening her that she will not pass his subject if she will not introduce me to him (bad one, huh.). I don't believe when Ann mentioned this. I just laugh 'coz that person cannot do such thing. It's impossible. But since Ann was very young that time, she easily believed from what that guy said. She forced me to meet him so everything will be okay. Just to stop Ann I said okay but I'm not serious of doing that. Why would I do that? I don't even know how does he look like?

Days passed and I already forgotten what we talked about so my regular office life goes again and again. Then one afternoon, Ann is in my office again. I asked her why and she told me that it's time. What???? She said that she will introduce me to her professor that evening after their class. Shucks!! Ann seems serious. I told her that I don't want to go. That guy might not be that serious of meeting me anyway. OMG!!

To make the story short, I go with the blind date. Whew!! I can never imagine myself going to a blind date in my entire life.

I thought everything will ends there but it's not. One afternoon, I received a phone call. It's him! And he's looking for me!

I don't know if I will just lied and tell him that the person he wants to talk to is not there. That I went outside or I'm on sick leave. I don't know what to say! Maybe he realized that I am the person he's looking for so he told me that he just called to read an article about letting go because he learned from my roommates that I'm collecting articles. He read the article and I really like his voice. His voice was like a DJ . . . After he reads the article, he says goodbye.

When I arrived in our boarding house, I immediately confronted my roommates and they were laughing. They find what he did as sweet. According to them, they never thought that Mr. J ( I decided to call him that) was that sweet and "baduy". They only knew him as "mabait" (kind person).

                                                     ------- to be continued-------

Worn out slippers. . . . . . a dream come true

I want to start this blog by sharing to all of you the story of my mother. Maybe her story is quite normal or ordinary to some of you but I still hope that her story inspires you.


 My mom is a product of arranged marriage. Her mother was married to her father at 17. Grandpa was a teacher at that time. An over jealous husband he was, so their married life didn't last and they separated before my mother's first birthday.

My mom grew up with her stepfather. She had 9 step brothers and sisters with her mother's new family. Her real father want to get her but my grandma didn't agree. Being the eldest in the family, my mother took care of her 9 siblings. Even if she went to school in elementary, she needs to go back to their home during recess time to check her siblings and to cook their food. Sometimes she needs to leave her class just to check her siblings.

I can still remembered her story of going to school with just a plastic bag. According to her, she never experienced of going to school with a new uniform and school bag. She didn't even experienced of going to school wearing new shoes, instead what she only has was a worn out slippers (known as "sipit"). 

My mother didn't even went to College. At an early age, she was sent to their relatives and work as a house helper. And, during payday, she will just learned that her mother has already took her salary leaving her not even a single cent. But some person are still good. My mother's Aunt sent her to a Vocational School where she took Cosmetology.

My mother is a good looking lady that is why my father fall for her. Tatay pursued Mama and they get married. Tatay thought that Mama really loves him but the truth is that Mama thought at that time that if a man kisses a woman, she will become pregnant. That's the main reason why my mother agreed to marry my father. Later on, Mama find love in her heart and their marriage were blessed with four children. 

When all of us were studying, we experienced some financial difficulties. It is just normal considering that Tatay is a farmer and Mama is just a plain housewife. I can still remember when I was in elementary. Mama will repaired her old dresses so I can have new dress during christmas party. Seeing the dress made by my mother makes me so happy that time. 

While in high school, my landlady told me that she will kick me out of the boarding house if my mother will not  take care of her son. I know how hard it is for Mama but she did it. She agreed to become the nanny of my landlady's son. I'm crying that time knowing that my landlady is still our cousins.

My family have encountered again such kind of treatment from my Uncles. Tatay was working in the farm that time when my uncle ask for something. Considering that were four whom he needs to send to school, Tatay didn't agree with my uncle. He told my uncle that he works hard for that harvest for his family but my uncle didn't understand and told my father that he (my uncle) can still eat without that farm not like my father who can't feed us without that farm. Father and Mother were insulted but stay quite. My other uncle even asked for the title of our land when Tatay ask for help. Knowing all this thing, I promise to myself that someday, it will changed.

Since Mama is always out of the house to work as a house helper to help Tatay in sending us to school, Tatay got an affair with one of our neighbor. Mama was furious and got a heart attack. I was so angry that time. I don't even let Tatay stay with us. We didn't talk for a long time. Even if he's there inside the house, I pretended that he's not there. I'm so angry because he didn't even value the sacrifices of my mother. I know how hard it is to Mama because I saw how she worked and it's always hurt me to see her serving other people. My father's infidelity made my mother a strong woman. She continuously works until all of us graduated. She always told us to study and work hard.. She told me that we  need  to help each other because she didn't want us to be like her. From that day, I never saw her tired, what I can only remember is the woman fighting for her family and it drives me to persevere also. 

God never failed the person with a good heart. He makes sure that the only thing that can make mother happy will come true. And in March 2006, it paid off. Our youngest graduated. All of us got a job and we requested Mama to stop working and just stay with the house build by my sister for her and for Tatay. Our parents reconciled but sometimes they still argue of the past. 

We love our mother very much and today, we always try to give her everything she wants which she never had during her childhood. I am very proud that she's my mother and if God will give me the chance to choose if who will be my mother in my next life, I will still choose her because for me she's the best mother in the whole world.

Love you very much Ma. You will be my SuperMom forever. :)