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!

Humor Me : Seen and Heard

at A-ha restaurant in Siem Reap, Cambodia


Friday's usually a carpool day for the whole family
My youngest gets dropped off, then my hubby, then me at San Antonio, then my eldest
Normal days, my husband brings the kids to school
Fridays, I need to get ready early and ride with them
So, while on the road, my thoughts went to the conversation we had yesterday afternoon
And figured how witty the remark was and how I should come up with a Seen and heard
segment in everydayflair
So humor with me, and here's to the first of Seen and heard, everydayflair edition


Scene: while preparing merienda (snack) for my kids yesterday
I was being the usual stereotypical mom giving them "words of wisdom"

Me : Guys, you should live your lives that you become blessings to other people, make it easy for them
Eldest : Quietly looks at me but I suspect thinking ( When is she going to serve that food?)

Then my youngest responds with this comment:

C: Mom, maybe bro is a blessing, you know, a blessing in disguise.

Hahaha, those two love to tease each other. Kids really say the wittiest, funniest things.

Happy weekend!

Summer break

At Essensa's poolside

I woke up with a terrible headache
Have so many details to fix today
as tomorrow's a big day for my eldest

Have to prep for tomorrow
but also have 2 parties today
which are good friends so we can't say no to

Yesterday, my co-parent hosted a lovely swimming party
The whole day was just spent chaperoning
Went home really tired and exhausted
Thank goodness for my massage last night

Am off to 2 parties again, despite the terrible headache
and tons of things to do before we leave

Oh well, the perks of having a lot of friends
There's always a celebration to fill up the calendars

Happy weekend!

Little Big Man

w/ Nani & her youngest

Was in my son's school the other day

Waiting for him to come out of his varsity practice

When I spotted this cute baby of Nani's

Babies really smell so good & fresh

And look who's wearing the chambray

He looks like a small , big man

With Nani having all girls and 1 boy

She was asking me how boys are

Her baby was laughing at my antics

So she goes, oh you're really used to boys

I said, so much easier

No dramas, no taking time to decide

Easy, umcomplicated

And they adore their moms, haha

I think I have enough personalities to fill this house
If there's one more, that would be riot!

For my husband, that is, haha

Enjoy the weekend!

I don't just kick balls

Yesterday, after my CCD class
Went to pick up my youngest
His sched is so full
He already had varsity practice from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
then they had "socials" for team building after that
And, yes, as a Mom, I think I can say it
He's still an honor student

I was never an athlete
So, I never fully understood the joy it brings
My son told me when he's playing soccer
he doesn't get tired (he's also in the basketball varsity and his tennis coach gearing him for competitive play)
I guess, since he enjoys it that much

So yesterday, my eldest and I wanted to go home after CCD class
And told him, I think he had enough time of playing

In the car, he seemed quiet and I know it's because he left earlier than everyone else
And that is already almost 6 p.m.
So, I asked him, "Do you really enjoy kicking?" (was trying to tease)
And I was dumbfounded when his maturity overpowered mine
with a response
"I DON'T JUST KICK BALLS, I PLAY THE GAME"

And there I was, 40 years and my 9 year old son just proved
I have a lot to learn about life.

Well then, keep playing the game.
It does you good!

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.

So long, partner

Watched Toy Story 3 with my children at Powerplant last week.
Funny, entertaining, full of lessons.
Was crying so hard at the end of the film.
My eyes were swollen after the movie.

Lots of things to take with you considering the characters are moving paper.
Friendship, teamwork, hope, loyalty.
Sticking it out through hard times and good times.
Helping even those who don't deserve it.

Letting go, in so many different levels.
As a mom, I can relate to the Mom's anxiety.
After all, your baby will leave one day , and, hopefully, you've raised him well to be able to face the world.

Being selfless on the part of Andy.
He wanted to take Woody to college but thought Woody would be better off being played and with his friends,
Also to make the little girl happy.

Great movie, so many lessons in life in such a simple, at times, prosaic plot.

Life, most of the time, can be like the movies.
Lots of challenges but more often than not
Despite all the mishaps and atrocious events
Viewer is assured of a happy ending.

And that is why, despite the swollen eyes,
One comes out content and happy.

Happy mid-week!

A gift from the best

Remember when I posted this book wanting it for Valentine's Day? Well, I got a different gift but this morning, when I woke up, my kids were ready with their surprise gift.

They gave me a card which I'd like to keep for my eyes only.

And a dedication on the book which I feel I want to share.

"May all your birthdays be an event to remember".

Thank you, my babies.

And yes, thank you for the wishes.

Love to you always.

Thank you for being the best and biggest event in my life.

Blue without you

photo credit : my 8 year-old

I seem to be wearing a lot of blues lately.

Pardon the blurry, not so focused shots, the one behind the lens is my 8 year-old.

He had better things to do but Mom just had to ask him to do a mini photo shoot, he complied, not without hesitation and here's the end product.

Was busy today, did the usual grocery shopping then had a meeting with the architect. Quite exciting, actually. Can't wait to decorate the space.

Will show more in the next post.

Gotta get ready for my massage.

Time to chill out and relax....