Why don't you

My students wrote these messages after class. Our topic that day was about talents/gifts.

My students wrote this on the board

In CCD (Continuing Catholic Development), we discussed gifts/talents

I really enjoy teaching and getting to know how children perceive the world

Our discussions are never boring

Always insightful, at times noisy and most of the time funny

So last time, we were talking about gifts/talents

I asked each and everyone of them what their talents are

Interesting how children
perceive themselves and what they think they're good at

It can be as trivial as eating

or one even said, his talent is annoying people

to which I said, a talent is a gift to oneself and others

It should be something that give joy not only to you but to your family, friends, people around you

I don't believe in false humility

I believe that if we're good at something, we should always share it

Parable of the talents

Keep striving to be the best person one can be

in all aspects

So I was so touched when my students wrote this on the board just after

I dismissed them

Though this is a volunteer job
I feel like am compensated everytime

Whoever said teaching was a thankless job

I think I have just been paid til retirement!

Enjoy Christmas!

Is there an unselfish deed?

Today's Wednesday
Am on my 2nd year of teaching CCD (Continuing Catholic Development)
Last year, I thought will just try it out
Since my son was anyway going too
If you read the blog regularly
You remember how nervous I was about teaching kids
After awhile, you gain confidence
You get your own style
You get your groove
And you get to know and love the students
It then becomes easier, fulfilling

When I signed up again this year
My hubby asked, he thinks I sign up for too many pro bonos
I said, yea, am enjoying it
And part of it is am saving up points
til I get to that desired destination
the one that doesn't involve credit card points, haha

So today, it was raining so hard
And I just let go of my driver so no one to drive me
Such a shallow predicament, you might say
But in Manila, it can be if you're used to it

Was I tempted not to go, yes
Especially since it was raining bad
And my son's varsity practice got cancelled
So he's home early
It was tempting to stay home and be comfortable
and not take a cab

But then, one's gotta do, what one has to do
The guard got me a cab, no problem
Off I went to class
I even had another class join in cause their teacher was absent

I taught, we discussed, had activities, played games
Class ended
Mom came over to me and said her daughter always looks forward to CCD class
Another mom said, her daughter said she has the best teacher
Is it worth it?
You bet it is!

So while in the cab going home
I thought, it was worth going to class today
I enjoyed it
I feel good
Which made me think of that episode in Friends about doing an unselfish thing
When we do good things, we feel good, does it become a selfish act?
Nah, we do it without the intention of feeling good, it is after the unselfish act is done
that the good feeling comes in

Whether unselfish acts turn to selfish satisfaction
I want to look at it as a win-win situation

Happy middle of the week!

School for worry warts

An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."

Got this a long time ago , again, from a friend.
I always give this advice to worrywarts
At a children's party recently
I was asked , so what worries you?
Not a worry, just annoying things
Am the reverse, they say not to sweat the small things
I only get irritated with things I know I can do something about
Otherwise, if something's beyond my control
I let go and just make the most of the situation
Secret to staying young and happy

Keep smiling, there's so much good in this world.

Rainbows

Saw a rainbow last Thursday

Just a reminder how life is

After the rain, comes the rainbow

After every trial , comes joy

May you all have a joyful week ahead!

Dream

DREAM - from my friend Rica, her gift last Christmas

this is how it is now (uploaded wrongly)

I still remember this

how it was before

Whenever friends of mine or people come here

They are amazed

I am also amazed for something that just started as a dream

to have been given and made into a reality

All great things start from a dream

Most good come from wishes

Prayers move mountains

If everyone would hope

Everyone would believe
Everyone would have faith

Then all dreams can come true

Though The Greatest grants them

We should work hard to realize that dream

Most importantly, I think, maintain your integrity

In all that one does

Honesty is still the best policy

The harder you work for something

The sweeter it tastes in the end.

Keep dreaming!

Siem Reap's Catholic Church

After watching the sunrise by Angkor

We had to head back to hear Mass for my birthday

They only have 1 mass everyday and it was at 6:30 in the morning

I was pleasantly surprised that in this dominantly Buddhist country

I can still find a Catholic Church

It was small and modest

but somehow gives you a real connection up there

I was even touched that the nun came up to us & asked me to read the reading

And thought what a nice gift and honor from above

There were like 15 of us in that small chapel

4 from our family

and several really small children that I can assume the nuns were taking care of

It was simple, solemn and sincere

It's heartwarming to know that despite the minority

They still keep loyal to their faith

In these times where the world's direction and moralities

are justified by comfort and worldliness

It is encouraging to see steadfast men & women

who stay true to their journey to holiness

God bless His people.

The Story of my Dress

This gown was sewn the night before the wedding!

There's a story to this gown

It was made the night before the wedding!!!

I am one of those women

Who is lucky enough to have my own cutter/seamstress

I don't really need to go to a designer

since my seamstress is a very good one

Months before the wedding, been texting her

But she never showed up to our appointments

Until a week before the date!

She asked me to buy a chiffon fabric

which I objected to

but she said I don't have a gown yet with that fabric

So, I let her talk me into it

Until...

I saw the gown and it looked like curtain!!!

I just couldn't wear that thing!

So I had to tell her how it's not me

and that I won't feel comfortable wearing that, blah, blah, blah

I saw her concern when she suggested

Ma'am , I'll just make you a new one

I didn't think , at first , that it was a good idea since

it's the afternoon before the wedding!

She might not show up!

To cut a long story short, she delivered the dress

at 8 p.m. that night and fit was perfect!

You know what she said?

She was able to finish my dress and do it herself, not her staff

because she didn't get a single call or text from her other clients

Even from the one whom she was supposed to meet with

She said , she couldn't believe how that happened, there's no day where

she doesn't get a text or call

And she said how amazed she was!

I got goose bumps when she was telling me that story

I believe in angels

And it just amazes me that even with something

as trivial as what I'm going to wear

The angels work hard to make me comfortable and stress-free

And all I could think of was

It pays to believe...

Have a blessed Holy Week!

Earthquake alert!

We had an earthquake tonight
We were about to have dinner and I suddenly felt dizzy
Kinda like you're being rocked
Kids and I stayed together
And honestly, my reaction was not to hide anywhere
I'm kinda confused anyway what with all the info regarding earthquakes
In the olden days, they tell you to hide underneath a table
or door jambs
Such is not the case nowadays

All we did was, we prayed
Beats anything
Kids and I, after the Japan calamity happened
have been trying to discuss the proper logistics
where to go for cover
what to do
how to prepare
but at that moment
I was quite calm and all I could think of was pray
to guide us, to protect
After several seconds, it stopped

I think my kids were scared
though I must admit, my youngest has admirable faith

At the end of the day, we can prepare as much as we want
But things happen when you least expect it
People in Japan were doing their everyday thing
maybe at work, at home, sleeping, in the train, whatever
when it hits, it hits
though we should prepare for eventualities
what matters most is we should everyday be prepared
Live life to the fullest
For us to try to always be a blessing to this world in little and not- so- little ways
Be at peace
And try to always have a clean soul
Because whether it's tomorrow or 50 years from now
It pays to be ready
Sometimes, we need to be reminded
We're in this journey
to reach a final destination anyway

Life's good, live it well.
When lived well, what's waiting is even better.

Stay safe!

Pink, White & Green

Rainy day in Manila
Kids went on half day
Picked them up
went to Muji
as my eldest also wanted the pen of his younger brother
Had lunch at Hi Street then Home Depot with the kids & hubby

LRI alone to check on my client's needs

I must say
This must have been the most
not- so- tiring day I've had for the past several months

Gotta go
cooking ravioli for the kids tonight

Stay safe!

Busy Wednesday

Yesterday was so full

Started with a Mass for Mama Mary's birthday

then did some organizing at home then at Wilcon

As soon as it opened!

After that chose some wallpaper designs

then home depot

then St. Luke's

then a children's party

then the site

then pick up kids

then teach catechism

finally home

Phew!

The only time I get to sit is when am in the car

But am not complaining

am actually amazed of the energy

I guess there's no better high

than loving life itself

Enjoy the last day of work for the week

Off to a Board Meeting!

Happy birthday, Mama Mary!

To the Mom of Moms
the best woman ever
The one who's got in her resume
raising the best One who ever lived
May you show all mothers the way

Happy birthday, Mama Mary!

Mrs. W

Yesterday was my first day to teach

I have never been that nervous, EVER, in something I have to do

I've always been confident about anything & everything for as long as I remember

Thanks to my parents esp my dad who always believed in me

I can face the most intelligent, famous, respected, most handsome/beautiful, richest

person in the world and I would know what to say

I never get intimidated

First time yesterday

and I'm not exaggerating

that I actually felt insecure

How will I teach 8 year olds about the most important topic of all?

I volunteered to teach catechism to kids from international schools

Kids, for me, are the hardest audience

How can I impart these values to them knowing

these can help them become better human beings someday

Teaching is indeed one of the hardest jobs in the world

I got to know the kids in so many levels yesterday

And honestly, got to know a side of myself a bit more

The kids couldn't pronounce my name

So one girl asked if it's okay to call me Mrs. W

I like that

I think it's cool

And I think it's sweet

Lots of people call me differently

I would know from which time or place

I know a person by how they pronounce my name

So 10 years from now, when I'm at the grocery store

and I hear someone call out Mrs. W

I would definitely know that that was a student

And I just hope he/she has grown into

an amazing, faithful, good- hearted adult

I sure hope so.