A tea and a cake

our very first china bought in Pottery Barn New York , 15 years ago
with the leaf napkin ring which was our first napkin ring as well, given as a gift, when T & I were just engaged

my co-lector,Angeli

tea for nightcap

Good weekend

Saturday was spent just relaxing at home, doing whatever one pleases
Late afternoon, went to hear Mass

Dinner

Then my co-lector,Angeli, came over for a nightcap

Easy, quiet day

Enjoy what's left of the weekend!

Serenity

den bathroom

the family room at dusk

same room come evening time


Happy New Year!!!

Hope you all had a merry Christmas and a happy celebration

Been quiet and just basking in the serenity before the busyness kicks in

Love being busy and active

But nothing beats quiet time at home with the family to rejuvenate and recharge

Am all set for 2012!

Here's to great beginnings!

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!

Excellence

Pacific Coffee, Hong Kong

A student at 41

stylized Filipiniana portrait (no model)

the finished product, was going for monochromatic

We've moved on from still life to portraits

Though I must admit, as a student now

I'm totally not diligent

I'm the one who doesn't do my homework

Though I have informed the teacher already

That is not my purpose here

I do my work while in class

But outside, I will not get the inspiration to do it

The class IS supposed to be therapeutic for the busy everyday life

Believe it or not, I eat a lot

Well, my painting classmates believe that now

Though I'm the thinnest, I eat the most

I'm the first one to get up to eat

I burn them all, I am so active, I practically don't sit still

In class, I'm also the one my classmates love talking to

I guess I'm an easy target

While the others concentrate so much

I'm always available to be disturbed

One time, the teacher already threatened to separate me and my classmate

For talking too much, haha

Is this a traditional school or a casual class?

Seriously, our teacher's great

He brings out the best in us

So do my classmates

I've always liked school

Save for the first year in U.P.

I'm a geek in disguise

I love learning

Am a teacher too but always a student
And funny how at 41, still loving it

Happy weekend!

Portraits

My stylized Filipiniana portrait

At painting class today, we moved on from still life to portraits

I was like a kid , at first, complaining, "'aahhh"
(Well, I'm the youngest in the class)

But our teacher's so good, I have no idea how I was able to draw a face!

I can never do this on my own

I just turn into a different person when am in that class

Teacher shows us

We follow and interpret

And all my classmates are so into it that it's impossible for anyone not to try hard

Good thing, the portrait needs to be stylized hence the thin, long neck

and big hands

My painting class is really exciting, fulfilling, and a must-go for me!

Happy long weekend!

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.

Still life

Another still life, avocados

finished work

Guess whose work is hanging on the kitchen wall

We're still on still life in painting class

Can't wait when we can do more varied subjects

So today, I had to finish my batirol in class then start with the avocados

And guess who got her framed work?

It's now hanging on our kitchen wall

Replacing the one we got in Paris, hahaha

Owner's original always better, isn't it?

Have a good weekend!

Take time for ten things

I want to share with you these words of inspiration from a friend sent through my e-mail many years ago. It's posted on our refrigerator and I would everyday read and remind myself.

Hope it inspires you as much as it inspires my everydays...

1. Take time to worship, it is the highway of reverence which cleanses and restores the soul.

2. Take time to work, it is the price of success.

3. Take time to think, it is the source of power.

4. Take time to read, it is the foundation of knowledge.

5. Take time to help and enjoy friends, it is the source of happiness.

6. Take time to play, it is the secret of youth.

7. Take time to love, it is one great sacrament.

8. Take time to dream, it hitches the soul to the stars.

9. Take time to laugh, it is the singing that helps life's load.

10. Take time to PLAN, ORGANIZE, LEAD AND CONTROL, it is the secret of being able to make time for the first nine things.

It's almost weekend, take time...

Mom, the student

Me after painting classes, wearing my glasses

My work at art class today!

Just got home from art class

As usual, I feel energized and inspired

Everytime we meet, we see each other's improvements

We talk, we bond, we laugh

Really a good class

It's one of the things I look forward to

When I see my classmates

Most are older

But the zest they have for life

And the wisdom & maturity they've gained from it

Is admirable

I've met young people bitter about life

And to think they still have a lot to see and experience

But these classmates of mine are so full of positive energy

My kind of people

I've known them for a short time

But my gut tells me how wonderful they are

Such a positive, encouraging group

Non -judgmental, modest

Despite all of them to be highly successful

I guess true wisdom means knowing the difference

Between a successful and a significant life

To which if we live right

We may be both gifted with

Enjoy your weekend!

Weekend

Just when I thought I can laze around this morning
I remembered I have the annual renewal seminar for lectors

Gotta go, enjoy the weekend!

Studies in painting

My earlier studies on tonal values...

Just sharing.

Happy Wednesday!

Where I'm at in painting class

My newest work, still unfinished

My unfinished work, doing tonal values

Remember my post regarding taking up painting classes

Well, this is where I'm at right now

I enjoy the class, teacher is very encouraging

Work gets you to be in a different level with yourself

And I mean not just the skill part but the mental & emotional

Yummy comfort food everytime

But most of all, the fun, kind, inspiring classmates I have

Yesterday as I was crazy busy and honestly tired

I was tempted not to attend class

But the thing that really urged me to go

Was the camaraderie and company my classmates bring

Most of them are older

And the wisdom that I learn from them is uplifting

I always go home fulfilled and looking froward to the next class.

More than what I signed up for!

Palm Sunday

It's Palm Sunday today. Start of Holy Week.
May we find the time to meditate and focus on what's eternal.

Have a blessed one!