Hello 2013!

...looking forward to a year of wonders and blessings!
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Last night's New Year's eve celebration was simple....traditional media noche feast, soothing violin's music in the background, sweet fragrance from scented candles, chilled wine and the two of us.

New Year's eve celebration for two...

 Today, I woke up refreshed! I had a very good sleep that I thought 'what a good start for a new year!'.

While browsing the net, I found this powerful proclamation in a blog site:

"Today, I receive all GOD's love for me. 

Today, I open myself to the unbounded, limitless, overflowing abundance of GOD's universe.

 Today, I open myself to GOD's blessings, healing and miracles. 

Today I open myself to GOD's words so that I become more like GOD everyday. 

Today, I proclaim that I am GOD's beloved, I'm GOD's servant, I'm GOD's Powerful Champion! 

And because, I am blessed, I will bless the world, in GOD's name. AMEN.

It was just so appropriate for the 1st day of the new year that the message hit me hard.Thank you GOD, indeed, for these 1st day blessings!

 2013... I look forward to your wonders, challenges and blessings! I am hopeful...

12-12-12: A very special post....

....our wedding was 14 years ago but the celebration continues to this day.

I am writing this en route to Nha Trang City.  12 December 1998, exactly 14 years ago, we took the plunge, so to speak.  And what a plunge it has been since!!!
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12:00 am, 12 December 2012:  

Happy anniversary, loves! Thank you for 14 years!

For us, it was never a roller-coaster ride....it was more of a leisurely drive! Sure, there are the occasional bumps in the road but our marriage is more of a comfortable cruise along a newly-paved road. Thank you for this!


Thank you for loving me despite my imperfections! Thank you for saying that I am still the sexiest for you! Thank you for bearing with my nightly snores! Thank you for cleaning up my mess! Thank you for the everyday patience! Thank you for just listening to me when I rant! Thank you for giving me foot massages even if your hand hurts, thank you for the lovely flowers...

More than these, thank you for understanding - for saying that I am not less of a woman just because I did not bear us a child, for loving me in my weakest moment, for celebrating with me all my achievements, for holding my hand when I was sick and frail, for crying with me when I felt sad, thank you for being faithful and kind....

Thanking the Lord for another good year...

 12-12-12: the 12th day of the 12thmonth of the 12th year -  the last time, at least for another century, that the elements of the date are identical....for the Mayans, the end of times as we know it...

12-12-12: the 2nd cycle of our seven-year itch, our 14th wedding anniversary, the start of yet another blissful year...

Although, we won't be together (again!) on this day, I look forward to celebrating it "properly"  when I come home... :)

I love you! <3

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And the passing years will show

that you will always grow ever more beautiful....

in my eyes....

For Dalas....

..... not just because its Father's Day!
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My father is not the orginal "Dalas" - my Lolo Celo was. Although he has 4 other brothers, the moniker was sort of passed on to my father. Lolo was known for his hilarious quips and witty remarks which my father, undeniably, inherited.
 
Ask for Dalas in our small barrio in Pampanga and everybody would know where to direct you. My father is that famous! Or its probably just because he knows everybody else in the barrio and could engage them in an exchange of playful banter.

 Tatang only finished elementary. He told me once that he was sent to high school but he had to walk about 10 km a day to go to school. He almost endured his first year but decided to quit because his tsinelas (sandals) gave up (he said that was the sign). :)

After quitting school, he worked as a farm boy until he met my mother whose father was a contractor. He joined my lolo in the construction business and became a skilled carpenter. And just like, I guess, everybody else with a growing family and a meager salary, he was forced by life's circumstance to work abroad.

Tatang with his not-so "little girl"....

It was perhaps difficult for us growing up without him - I don't know, I can't remember. But I can imagine how that could have been more painful for him. In a way, we are blessed - inspite of (or maybe because of) this period in our lives - all 5 of us siblings turned out well.

My father's life is not outstanding - he is a simple man living a simple life. Yet, I have the utmost respect and admiration for him. He rose above his deficiencies and stood resolute amidst all challenges.

He is the most patient, the most giving, forgiving and the kindest person I know. He'll give his last centavo to those who need it. He loves my mother sooooo much we sometimes do not understand why. :)

With the ONLY love of his life

He is not without fault, of course. He is funny bordering on "corny". He would regal anybody who would listen with stories of his childhood, his love story, his life abroad - that my youngest sister suggested that he makes a recording of all these stories and play them per chapter to save him the effort. He worries too much - even of inconsequential things. AND, he loves my mother soooo much...:) But all these make us appreciate him better, love him more.

All blessed and grateful...

So to DALAS, on this Father's Day and everyday, THANK YOU! May our good LORD continue to bless and keep you!

P.S> Basti is growing up to be the next "Dalas" in the family - having your wit and antics. Just a little short of your "poginess"... :)

2012 Philippine Independence Day!

PROUD to be PINOY!!!

Google's tribute to 2012 Philippine Independence Day!

Happiness all over!

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away...
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The official purpose is all-business - witness the processing of high level PCBs in the non-combustion facility of UNIDO in Bataan, Philippines. BUT coming home this month created several beautiful memories that will forever be etched in the memoirs of my life.

First, the ROMERO's FAMILY ANNUAL REUNION. For years now, it has been the clan's tradition to hold its yearly gathering in February. It also serves as a celebration of Lolo Celo's birthday who has passed on and probably anticipates this yearly event in Heaven as much as everyone in the family does.

Simple joys at the Romero's Family Reunion 2012...go orange!

Second, the GRADE SCHOOL DAY of the niece and nephew. I have always enjoyed watching the showcase of talents at the Montessori School during its GS Day. This year, the celebration coincided with my duty travel. How I enjoyed watching Alex sashaying gracefully to Tango and Basti swaggering to Rumba with the Banana Boat Song (6 foot, 7 foot, 8 foot...bunch!). There's talent in the family after all! :)

Awesome talents at the Montessori Grade School Day...

Third, of course, was my BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. I turned ONE! Last year, I said "Life begins..", so there.... It was a simple celebration made special by family and friends. The "radicals" (he..he..) of AUF Batch 87 came and it was sheer fun traipsing down memory lane! It was a night of wit and intelligent repartee!

I turned 1...!

 And then there's BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Part 2 - Fontana  Water Theme Park. It was Basti's first and the little guy just savored the moment. I can still vividly remember his expression while swimming in probably 5 inches of water in the wave pool saying "Ninang, ang saya saya ko!". Pure happiness there!! It was also my opportunity, eherrrmmmm, to don my swimsuit again! As they say, NO GUTS, NO GLORY!!

All smiles at Fontana Water Theme Park....

And then it was over...:(

Of course, the mission and the annual leave had to end. Time to go back to Vienna where the hubby awaits. Its always the same feeling - torn!! While I am excited to go back to the comforts and safety of my surrogate home, a huge part (pun intended :D) of me longed to stay. So, there I was at the NAIA with a luggage-full of native vegetables, tocino, longganisa and Mother's homecooked dishes, emoting like Ate Vi!

The 20-hour trip over and the cute chauffeur from Emirates waiting with the limo (ok, ok.. its free service from the airline...he..he..),  Vienna's sunshine greeted me. And look what awaited for me at home! This pretty bunch absolutely dissolved all the melancholic feeling....thank you, loves!!

Blissful contentment.....

Wait, it aint over yet! Almost zombie-like having almost no sleep, a party awaits...this time its the Aguman Kapampangan's fete for Feb-Mar birthday celebrants! What a delight!!!

Felicity of Community...

Then, 15-hours of glorious sleep....Thank you GOD for all these!!!