the aftermath of typhoon 'Ondoy'

It suddenly came like a triple bolt out of the blue for which no one was prepared. The typhoon Ketsana also known as ‘Ondoy’ began on Friday evening with rain and wind warnings from the local PAGASA weather centre. Utterly unrelenting, the rains quickly turned into floods and by Saturday afternoon, the whole Metro Manila was swamped. With the heaviest precipitation in 40 years, typhoon Ketsana ‘Ondoy’ dropped about 17 inches of rain on the Philippine capital, equevalent to a month’s worth of rainfall all in 24 hours! At the height of the flood, about 80% of Manila was submerged. The storm affected some 2 million people, wreaking havoc on both lives and land.

Unexpected strong currents pushed flood waters into people’s homes, turned many of Manila’s busy streets into swimming pools and tossed floating vehicles around as if they were toys. Survivors were rescued from the roofs of their homes, some after 10-hour waits in the cold downpour. No one was spared…

When I heard this alarming news, I was like – in total disbelief! It’s sort of a big blow and it hits me hard. First thing that came to my mind was to call upon the Lord and ask for His help to protect my people. And then later that day, I get the chance to watch the breaking news on CNN and had seen dozens and dozens of unbearable photos slides over the internet - I was in tears…it's painful to watch my own people suffer... there's this achy lump in my throat, and it hurts like a bad sore, and while I watch my fellow Filipinos desperately gripping so hard and doing their best efforts to save their very lives....the pain just swell even more...

Ketsana’s destructive impact left behind Philippines in pain, anguish and in sorrow. Filipinos were devastated and fearful for their lives brought by Ondoy’s wrath. Hundreds of photos and video clips show debris from the typhoon which left hundreds of people dead and hundreds of thousands homeless, still scatters squatter areas. Trash, mud, water, woes afflicts hard-hit areas such as Provident Village. The desolation was palpable. The devastation and desperation was unbearable...

The photos shows residents of Manila do their best to come to grips with life.

No books – no classes
Elementary students, done so far all ways to dry their textbooks following the flood.

Playground amidst trash and debris. Kids play on a passenger jeepney toppled (one would notice the "Jesus is Lord") during the onslaught of typhoon...

A family eats on planks of wood just outside their still flooded home

Amidst this situation, Filipinos have never stop showing kindness. They still manage to show their true spirit of ‘bayanihan’, its most distinct and unique Filipino trait that has been part of their culture for ages. Even before the floods subsided completely, civilians of all ages had helped mobilize and rescue and relief efforts were underway. Government step up it’s clean up drive to prevent the outbreak of disease and clogging of drainage. Facebook, Twitter, e-mails and text messages carried news about which relief centres needed which goods the most. Local and international churches mobilized. Families supports and shared the grief. Friends sympathized. Colleagues extends donations. International charitable organizations, even students were motivated to raise funds for relief. Hundreds of relief operations were conducted. Rescue efforts are still on-going. Help for typhoon relief continue to pour.... People around the globe were touched and moved. People are compelled to give and aid at this time of need.

Now all that's left is to clean up and cope. The aftermath has already passed by, so now we are just having to deal with the tragedy and the loss of life. My heart really goes out to the victims... But things that I am so proud about Filipinos? Filipinos are resilient, persevering, resourceful and by God, forever searching for that silver lining... They are always ready to pick up the pieces. More than willing enough to start anew and move on with their lives, no matter how hard it is. No matter what kind of calamities, storms and adversities they’ve gone through, there is always the will to survive. That is because Filipinos hearts are always full of HOPE and optimism. There is always the sense of trust in God and humanity. The presence of anticipation that God’s provision will come along the way. Filipinos are faithful and so is God! With great gratitude and beaming faces, they will and are ready to face another brighter day. I take pride in the fact that Filipinos can take whatever fate they deal with...and has always emerge stronger than ever..

The life we live nowadays is never safe anymore. There’s always the parallel risk surrounding to it –- natural disaster, economic downfall, environmental concerns, global warming, virus outbreak, political plight, terrorism, cultural chaos. We can never be hundred percent secure anywhere, anymore at all. However, on the positive note, we can always find assurance and security in the presence of our Creator. When storm like this hits – who do you wanna call? GOD. Yes, God it is. Because we can find refuge and protection in Him. He extends His hands to everyone who comes to Him. And he gives His grace and mercy to every mankind. All it takes is an acknowledgement that He is the ultimate provider of all things. God can and will provide exactly what we need and when we need it, for His timing is perfect.

At the end of it all , we get the chance to see the greatness and goodness of our Lord God and the compassion in the hearts of others too. It is very comforting to know that we can always find strength and hope in Him specially at times like this....

reading matters

I’ve been a lifelong reader. The pleasure of a good book is one of my favorite things in the world. I love to lose myself in the world of a novel. To become best friends with a character. To curl up or snuggle up in the silence of the early mornings or late nights hours, wrapped in the deliciousness of a book. I think many people approach reading the wrong way – they try to force themselves to read and see reading a difficult and tedious chore. I see reading as a wonderful thing. Reading is a joy. A time of peace, of adventure, of exploration, of just enjoying a good story. It allows me to step inside other minds and understand the world from different points of view. Although, it is rather hard to accept the fact that the new digital revolution threatens the values of classic reading.

Reading is a basic life skill that most people take for granted. It unlocks remarkable powers. Imagine just for a moment that you cannot read the instructions on a bottle of prescription medicine or that you find it difficult to read the job adverts in the local paper. Reading is a great way of learning, that’s for sure. It is estimated that there are nearly 900 million illiterates in the world today -- and two thirds of them are women. Reading leads to literacy and literacy is the key to unlocking the cage of human misery; the key to delivering the potential of every human being; the key to opening up a future of freedom and hope.

I consider myself a dreadfully voracious reader. A bookworm. A bibliophile per se. I have this constant thirst for a far more genuine and revealing piece of writing. I enjoy reading literary and historical works as well as narrative yet stirring work of fictions. I read various types of genre - classic, contemporary, fictions, non-fictions, christian books and references, bestsellers, paperbacks, etc. I also find memoirs - accounts of a person’s life story and history interesting. I think such stories of life are very moving, empowering and inspiring. Agonizing at times and mostly the end of the story leave me marvels at the main characters, every details and significant turn of the events in their lives.

Obviously, I have a slight book obsession which is beyond cure. I read. I browse. I admire. I collect. I write reviews. I analyze. I let the book take me into a world. I learned to immerse myself in the world of a book, and forget about the world around me. This is related to being in the moment, or finding the state of flow — time seems to disappear, and nothing else exists but my book. For me, I discover and nurture the joy of reading, I treat it as a voluntary thing, a hobby, a passion. It is a wholesome and healthy activity too and it is good for you. But if you treat it like a chore, it will feel like one.

How do I discover the joy of reading? Well, I start by finding amazing books first. If a book bores me, I move on to another. And one thing important detail that matters when reading, look at the things that surround you, beyond the book itself – where you sit, how quiet, how comfortable you are because you want your experience to be more pleasurable as possible.

Reading really is important, and that there are some solid reasons why that is so. There are practical benefits and less tangible rewards of a life filled with reading. Personally, reading matters to me because - I discover. I explore. I understand. I gain knowledge. I learn. I unravel things. My passion for reading is not just for constant continuous learning but most of all for enjoyable experience too.

back-to-school jitters

Hello everybody! Today marks the first day of school. I am sure some of you are probably wishing it’s still summer and that you could ‘ve stayed in bed just a little bit longer this morning. Yup, it’s hard to imagine that summer is over, sleeping-in is over, no more late-nights and definitely, long-days has come to an end.

I don’t know about other moms out there, but I am having a little bit of a back-to-school jitters too…mixed emotions though. Both relieved and worried? But I know I’ll be fine after couple of days, once my kids and I have settled and back on our good-old-normal-school-days routines. Anyways, I only sense some tummy butterflies when I think of the to-do list and some back-to-school challenges such as these – who wouldn’t be?

breakfast preparations
pack lunches (ideas, ideas, ideas!!!)
bathroom competition
missing socks,
forgotten planners
gym days
laying out clothes the night before
homeworks, homeworks & homeworks
newsletters, announcements, schedules
science projects
term papers
school choir
Christmas plays
field trips,
parent-teacher conferences
bullying & other performance concerns
recitals
winter blues /snow episodes
clutters, clutters, & clutters
papers, papers & papers!!!
the list goes on and on…whew!!!

But you know what? In spite of these back-to school anxiety, I am also looking forward to another full 10-months of new learning process for my children. I am glad that they are ready to take on new challenges and take it to the next level. Homework, researches, home reading, journals, spellings & math problems & quizzes you name it…They can be tough and sometimes tedious tasks to do you know, and not only for our children but for us too. But hey my fractions skills is refreshed! True, some school activities can be bit over the top and it’s tough on our part especially when we moms, have loads and tons of other chores to do on top of our full time jobs, not to mention a basket of clothes to iron or stacks of papers waiting to be filed away!

But on a positive note, homework and school projects really is a key part of a child’s education. It’s there to help students remember and understand more of the school work. They develop study skills that they will use after graduating high school and later on foster into independence, responsibility and time-management skills.

I can hardly believe that my son is a Sixth Grader now and my daughter is in Grade 4. It only seemed like yesterday when they were just in kindergarten. Anyways, last night as my kids and I bid our goodnights and said our prayers, they shared me their excitements and jitters too. They expressed their expectations, hopes and goals for this school year. I am touched because theirs’ were so simple, honest and pure. If their young minds can set some simple goals and raise their bars higher, why can’t I? Their honest to goodness goals motivate me to make this school term a more meaningful, less stress, more easier, more enjoyable, plenty of educational and fun stuffs activities and lots of interesting learning experiences for both kids and parents.

Bottom line is -- Education is a key tool for any children’s bright future. And no matter what my children want to do with their lives — I guarantee that they will need a good education (coupled with strong faith and values) to do it. They’ve got to work for it and train for it and learn for it. And I promise them from the bottom of my heart that their ‘dear mother’ will be there to support them in every step of the way.

just dropping a line or two

As you can see, I haven’t been updating my blogs for a while now, you can’t blame me, I’m having too much fun enjoying the summer! The sun, the beach, the lakes, picnics, backyard bbq, brisk walks, movies, and meeting up with friends. With summer being "almost over" and the kids now getting ready to go back to school, so with the parents! Honestly, I am not at the very least ready for this yet! Time really does fly so fast…(sigh).

So many wonderful things have come and gone. The list goes on and on…but I have to say that I have been really blessed. Just the thought of having a chance to live in a moment is more than enough for me to feel thankful.

I’ll try to catch up and write as often as I can. I hope I could spare some time and just write on, and I totally don't mind because there's so many words, so many thoughts and so many praise reports that I'd like to share and write about and yet so little time...

Until the next entry then.

vintage buttons - a new fashion statement!

I’m a huge fan of button embellishment. Buttons are often small works of art, examples and reflections of the styles and times. Something about buttons is so cheerful. And I think there is nothing more exciting than vintage buttons. It’s classic. Traditional. Antique. A bit of nostalgia. A bit of drama. A bit of the past and the best of the new!

Even when I was young, I’ve already loved buttons. I don’t know about you but buttons simply draws my heart and attention. My mother, who was a seamstress then used to pull up an old-rusted rectangular tin from her “tokador”, inside were array of colorful vintage buttons, ribbons, and beads. My sisters and I would go through each piece, ooohing and ahhing. We were not allowed to take or keep one from her collections because it supposed to be one of my mother’s personal possessions. It wasn't the monetary worth of the piece that we got excited, but the bright or muted colors, the textures, the designs and the stories the pieces told that captivated us.

I want to share with you these photos of my latest find --my little treasures: F.A.R.M. vintage button bracelets. F.A.R.M. stands for Fabulously Absolutely Rural Made. F.A.R.M. button bracelets are innovative and have very inspiring designs. It is unique, cute and chic. It ranges from simple to the sublime ones. Do you know what I like most about F.A.R.M. buttons bracelets? Each piece adorns a woman’s wrist so stunningly and beautifully without giving away any show-offs nor any flamboyant impression and whatsoever. Possibly because F.A.R.M. has a natural appeal of exquisiteness, there is a presence of organic element in it and it has an effortless style and sophistication. Its assortment of colors does not make you feel overdressed or flashy at all. But it simply gives any woman an utter flattery, lifts her mood, brings color, and definitely enhances her fashion sense.

F.A.R.M. has a look of vintage fashion, not to mention it commemorates history. I thought others would enjoy wearing a small piece of history as much as I do. I’m probably a hard critic to please. But the moment I saw them, I was instantly drawn to this beautiful creation and fell in love with it. The color combination is superb. They are just so pretty and attractive in a very dainty way. Each piece is truly unique and each is one-of-a-kind. Each bracelet includes a distinctive variety of old, used, discarded, collected, sorted, retrieved, and even rummaged ones!

F.A.R.M. buttons bracelets are exclusively designed and elaborately created by a lady named Bidibidi. Every piece is artistically handcrafted by Bidibidi. Her choices of patterns, colors, contrasts and combinations reflects her impeccable tastes in arts and they absolutely show a fabulous and inspired craftsmanship.

Bidibidi is a multi-talented woman who has a deep sense of purpose. An artist who has a huge passion for vintage (particularly buttons), watercolor painting, prose and poetry…who is into organic farming and currently runs her own farm “La Huerta”, providing local employment to the Baaoneous. She advocates, encourages, educates, and promotes sustainable agro-tourism that leads to the preservation of eco-system in rural areas, as far as regional provinces. Her diverse interests caught the attention of Agricultural Department and an article was written to cover her success story. Recently she was awarded as an “Outstanding Rural Woman”. Bernadette known as Bidibidi amongst family and friends. She is a woman who’s not only have a big heart, but speaks from a heart as well, a woman who describes claims that “her life is her art and her art is her life” and who’s work is not limited to arts and crafts. I am so happy and proud of her. And she happens to be my friend’s older sister you know.

I love the fact that F.A.R.M. originates from a hometown Baao, a small-rural town in Bicol where I grew up. I also love the fact that F.A.R.M. has a story to tell. It is about women who live a modest and simple lives, yet with big hearts and big dreams. That each bracelet is made by great women with dedications. Women who are dignified, resilient, diligent, and hardworking. Who believes, shares and supports for a common cause. F.A.R.M. signifies women empowerment. It rekindles friendship. It brings joy. It links connections, interactions and relations between family, friends, old-friends, classmates, colleagues, acquaintances, even neighbors. It blossoms women and bonds them into a genuine sisterhood-relationships. I am totally touched by the impact of it. I felt that I am connected to some women whom I have never even met. Each piece reminds me of my inner feminine side, my fashion sense, my childhood, my alma mater, my humble beginnings, of where I came from and my ancestral roots.

And remember, a bracelet is an equal opportunity adornment for all types of women; mother, daughter, grannny, aunt, sister, niece or BFF...no matter how short or tall, BIG or small, young or old... a bracelet is just the right accessory, and the perfect choice for a gift!

Obviously, F.A.R.M. has an extensive button collection to choose from. F.A.R.M. bracelets are abundant with interesting buttons. And every time I look at one of the F.A.R.M. new photos I discover a new button! A new look, new feel, new mood and a new excitement! Ladies! Let's Go! Let's accessorize!

the mom i am meant to be

There is no greater privilege in living than bringing a tiny new human being into the world and then trying to raise him or her properly during the next 18 years or so. Doing that job right requires all the intelligence, wisdom and determination you will be able to muster from day to day.

Everyone has an image of and some basic assumptions about what a mother is. We have all experienced of being mothered in some form or another and we have complex feelings about that experience. What becomes clear now is the extent to which a mother and a daughter/son relationship is focal from the day the baby is conceived in her mother’s womb to the early days of mothering. Mothering is such a joy to almost all women, but what is also missing in the understanding of mothering is there is also an extent of how painful sometimes it can be and how exhausting, and often a thankless, occupation. In the world of media, art or literature, and other fantasy world, we are exposed as “happy mothers” or sometimes "super moms". We reared with the idea of children fulfilling our dreams and yet with little idea of how that should come about.

When I try to examine this ancient biblical ideal of a motherhood, we do not find the stereotyped mother or a housewife occupied with dirty dishes and laundry, her daily life dictated by the demands of her husband and her children. Nor do we find a hardened, overly ambitious career woman who leaves her family to fend for itself.

What I find is a strong, dignified, multitalented, caring woman who is an individual in her own right. She is her children’s mother, her husband’s partner, and she is completely trusted with the responsibilities to nurture, protect, care and to bathe her children with the greatest love and attention.

I believe that a mother is special human being, a very pure and deserving entity who disciplines a child by her virtues, values and emotions. But in the eyes and level of understanding of youngsters, a mother is just a mom, guilty of doing mom things – setting out restrictions and house rules, and making demands, and sometimes preventing children from making certain turns, life turns.

Mothers are also classified as “good mothers’ “bad mothers” or “good enough” mothers. Universally, all mothers are determined to assert to be “the best mother” of all times. We mothers try to explore in every fantasy and reality of it all. And at times, we fail. But you know, it is in the failing that we succeed and in the badness that we “transcend” into “good enough” and make “great mothers”.

As a mother, I have learned a lot of things. I have learned to deal with temporary frustrations and abundant joys of motherhood. I can recount how I am transformed from having second thoughts of motherhood to embracing it, and I’ve learned how to love my children more than ever by accepting God’s unconditional love for me.

My son Andrew is 11 years old and my daughter Ashley is 9 years old, pretty much, they are now in their pre-teens and sooner or later I will be facing much bigger challenges in raising teenagers. Don’t get me wrong, Andrew and Ashley are both very delightful and lovable. They are both equally competitive hardworking and exceptionally good and made me a proud mother. But as they are growing and developing in sizes, heights and all, their level of thinking and behavior changes and matures too. This transition is what worries me a bit. I am having trouble giving away a dash of freedom to them even in choosing what kind of hair cut or hair style they want to have. I am used to the idea that I run the show most of the time and they are just the actors who always have to follow orders from the director, to act out the script and expected to give their best performance. But it seems that this is not the case anymore. And so I have to consider to make some changes as well accordingly.

Being a mother has plenty of challenges and thousands and thousands of chores!!!! Pretty much you have to flip your hat from time to time from one role to another, one moment you are a director, next you are a chef and then you become a symphony orchestra conductor. And why is that so? Because it is a conductor’s role to synchronize the various instruments to produce a dynamic rhythm and a pleasant sounding music.

Here’s an overview of mothers’ functions: organizer, supervisor, adviser, counselor, teacher, overseer, nurse, tutor, cook, nanny, janitor, seamstress, caretaker, a ‘cool’ or perhaps a-not-so-cool-mom’, a friend, but here’s my favoriteone: a guardian angel. Here’s also the list of a mother’s specialized areas: homeworks, projects, researches, piano lessons, swimming lessons, drama club, spelling bee, sports fest, play day, birthday parties, dentist appointments, parent-teachers-conference, and a lot more, the list goes on and on… Couple of times I had moments and almost “losing it”. Most of the time I had given and given until I had nothing left to give. There are times I find myself frustrated, angry spirit was quickly replacing my "good mommy" attitude.

All moms experience moments when they feel unequal to the responsibility of motherhood and think: "I just can't do this"! "I don't have the strength and wisdom for raising this child". But you know what? In spite of it all, I am going to face all these mothering challenges for the next couple of decades, I am so determined to continue my role. It is a significant, and most rewarding role of a lifetime. It’s not easy but I don’t know what I would do without them either. They give me so much joy and meaning.

I think moms need to have the confidence and support they need to connect with their kids. I try to understand my kids’ temperaments and learn to value them more. I also learn to discover their learning style. I believe too that teaching them to pray plays a significant role. When they realize that talking to God is as natural as talking to their friends, they begin to enjoy prayer. I think listening to them and investing in the relationship is very much needed. To me, discovering and capturing my children’s amazing God’s given gifts and imagination is such a wonderful experience. It is almost like taking advantage of beauty’s nature in my own backyard.

And of course, the ultimate goal for mothers of faith is to give each child an understanding of Scripture and a lifelong passion for Jesus Christ. This is, I believe, the most important responsibility for those of us who have been entrusted with the care and nurturance of children. Every mother has dreams for their children. We know what is the best for them,but it is not for us to decide. It is God's plan. We are there to mold them as how God wants them to be. All we need to do is to trust God fully, give Him all our fears and worries. And never forget to pray and ask for His wisdom, guidance and protection.

That's what moms are meant to be. To all moms out there: Hats off to you! and Happy mother's day!

each new day

It’s quiet. It’s early. Outside it’s still dark. Morning hasn’t broken yet. All around me are still in their slumber sleep. In a little while, a new day is coming. New every morning. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of a new day…..The solitude of a morning will be replaced and invaded by the decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours, I will all over again be exposed to the day’s demands and again, I have to make a choice. And I am free to choose…between right and wrong decisions…

But I’d rather choose goodness.
And if I succeed, I will give Him thanks
And if I fail, I will seek His grace
And then when this day is done,
I will rest my head on my pillow and rest

So that I can draw physical and spiritual strength from Him again...

Ready to face another new day.

sugar and spice and everything nice...

Sugar and spice and everything nice, that’s what my little girl Ashley is made of!

Yesterday was my daughter's birthday. I have to pinch myself and believe for myself that Ashley really had already turned 9 years old. It's not so long ago when she was just this cuddly and chubby-creased baby in my arms.

I remember the day she was born. So pink. So cute. So soft. So delicate. And hmm smells so incredibly good too. The moment I set my eyes on her, I thought to myself, she is the most beautiful girl on the entire planet earth (i think that's how every proud mom felt about their own child). It’s not really that hard to recall the time I gave birth to her. Who would forget a 1 and 1/2 day of labor pains! I won’t. That’s 36 solid hours. I won’t forget the excruciating pains I went through with her. Little I knew and realized on day 2 that she was distressed too. In as much as I wanted her to come out, she couldn’t because she was also struggling. I thought she was too comfortable in the warmth of my cocoon-like womb that she does not want to come out at all. But for some reason, my ob-gyne and I didn’t have a clue why suddenly the umbilical cord was found tied up and encircled on her poor tiny neck. But she was such a strong baby and a brave one so to speak. She held on to me tightly as much as I held unto her. I tell you, there's nothing like labor pains, it is the mother of ALL pains...well at the end, it is so worth it. I am rewarded with an angel sent from above. How fitting the saying "no pain, no glory" is!

I also remember the first day she was home from the hospital, couple of days after she was born. She was wearing this baby pink cotton dress, matched with pink mittens and bonnet, wrapped in pink soft and fluffy blanket. Her clothing almost matched the color of her cheeks – pink! She was surrounded by all her cousins, aunts and uncles. All gaping at her, wanting to touch her, cuddle her and sniff her, and I even beg them to be quiet and not to wake her up just as yet. As if she knew what exactly was going on, she suddenly woke up from her serene sleep, opened her eyes and there! she gave us the most incredible sweet smile that made everyone say "awww"...

Ashley is such a happy child, she loves to frolic and gives everyone a sweet and adorable smile that just makes their hearts melt away. I have so much happy memories that I can recall…from being an infant baby, to toddler, to pre-schooler, to kindergarten. She likes to hum and dance even she is still in the baby crib. Ashley just makes my day after a hard day’s work. I used to take plenty of photograph of her. And she would always give me her best smile the moment I have my camera with me.

Even she was just in my tummy, she moved a lot every time I read a story on her. From day 1, Ashley already loved books even before she learned to speak. In fact she started reading a book before she turned 4 years old. She also loves pink a lot. There’s the pink blanket, pink socks, pink dresses, pink sweater, pink head band, pink toys, pink dolls, pink tutu’s, pink ballet shoes, pink books, pink bikes, even her room was painted pink and purple. Seems every single thing she have is in pink!

But now according to her, pink is no longer her favorite color. She said, “no offense mom but I am ‘almost’ over pink color” Take note, she uses ‘almost’ so not to hurt my feelings. She also said that pink is not that “in” and “cool” anymore and in fact she now likes the shade of blue. Out with the pink, in with the blue! And red, and yellow and orange!

I was like…this is not happening….it can’t be real! How can this be? My little girl does not like pink anymore. And you know what does that mean? It’s like a casual announcement without being warned. That she not a baby anymore. And before I know it, here comes a girl now emerges. I just remember her in her bibs, diapers, and pigtails, carrying her baby bottle. Now, I saw her just walked across the hallway to her room carrying her DS electronic game.

From pink to blue. From the Teletubbies to Treehouse. From Brahms lullabies, Barney’s songs to the Hanna Montana, the images of a girlhood have been projected.

There are numerous of things that I like about my daughter. I like her when she welcomes me with her hugs and kisses and tells me she misses me so much and asks me how's my day. But what I like about Ashley most is - (even she had outgrown her love of pink colors and barbies). She has this big and beautiful and generous heart and has a very genuine spirit. She loves God so dearly and she thinks that God made such an amazing job creating everything in this entire world. She also made it quiet clear that she and Jesus are very close friends.

Ashley is described by her teacher as an outstanding bright and hardworking student who strives for excellence and is always up for a challenge. I describe Ashley as a very loving and gentle-mannered girl who has a young mind, strong spirit and has a determined dream.

As she turned 9 years old yesterday, I can see that she has grown into such a lovely little girl. But to me she is still a baby. And she will always be my baby. That’s my girl. That’s my Ashley. I just want to thank God for her life. I wish her a bright future ahead of her and all the good things in life...Happy Birthday sweetie!

the twilight saga

Previously, I did not understand why few of my friends and colleagues have become so obsessed and fixated with Twilight movie and its books series. Not to mention million of swooning devotees and fans out there. I had been avoiding the stacks of books with those distinctive covers with black and red graphic designs every time me and my husband go for our usual run for adrenaline boosting beverage – our favorite espresso rich café latte with a shot of Hazelnut @ Starbucks, and then do our usual fun thing to do, browse and gape at the latest release of bestsellers at Chapters. For some of you who don’t know, Chapters bookstore (Canada) is the counterpart of Barnes and Nobles of States.

It’s actually my son Andrew who noticed the book first, that was last year and told me that it’s going to be a huge movie soon and it’s about vampires and such. I had a quick peek at the book and I thought, nahhh, not really my cup-of-tea and besides, I am not a teenager and it’s way out-of my league and I am not going to read a book that is aimed to adolescent mind-set and accommodates age-bracket half my age, let alone about wolves and vampires!

Despite its world-wide popularity, and the fact that the Stephanie Meyer’s debut novel has sold $42 million copies, I just can’t help but well, smirk a bit. For me, literature is about Shakespeare, Dickens, Tolstoy and among other classic writers. I would think to myself too that I am such a snob, that my bookshelves at home hold the complete works of these mentioned authors. But then I also knew that new and promising novelists get reviews in literary newspapers, such as New York Times, etc.

Last weekend, I finally watched the Twilight DVD movie at the comfort of my home with Noel (my husband). And guess what? Let me wear my heart on my sleeve - I loved it! Far from my impressions, expectations and predictions - I instantly liked it! The minute I heard the intriguing narration and saw the first few act scenes and later on met the leading characters Isabella Swan and Edward Cullen……I got instantly carried away and now, I am now completely so into it! Vampires and the swooning drama of high school love affairs might not be my thing, but after watching the movie and read the first few chapters of book, I just couldn’t help it. I guess I have to literally eat and swallow my words then.

Technically, my only intention is to watch the movie out of curiosity and there goes the saying - “curiosity kills a cat!”. It’s true, inquisitiveness can lead one into dangerous situations. I think, I am afflicted with some kind of Cullen syndrome. Me for one, is probably one of the girls out there who are swooning a lot of times for every single thought and sight of ‘Edward’. I don't know about you but I could easily self-diagnose the symptoms of my recently acquired “Cullen syndrome”.

Now here's the recap - the story revolves between a sad-shy-silent-sufferer junior high school girl named Bella Swan and a handsome and mysterious Edward Cullen. Bella is supposed to be just an average-looking girl with fragile and slender body structure and very fair-skinned. She has a long straight dark chestnut hair, brown eyes and a heart-shaped face. Bella recently moved to a cloudy, rainy town of Forks, Wa. Her dad is the sheriff and after few years of being away from him and the town, she’s understandably awkward and lonely. Even at school she makes friends but does not truly connect with. Until she met Edward Cullen.

Edward is an aloof, soulful Volvo owner. He is the object of infatuation and member of the awfully-close “vegetarian” Cullen clan, a brood of chalk-white brothers and sisters who love to play baseball. He is 107 year old vampire, transformed by his “father” Carlisle, who snacked on him in order to save the younger mans’ life. He’s got a very pale skin with an intense and smoldering stare, obviously a killer look. You would feel that you are in danger but you won’t mind risking such danger. He is dangerous and at the same time always so quick to protect you (I mean Bella) in every possible way. He has to resist and control himself of not devouring Bella romantically and physically as he refuses Bella’s desire to be a vampire too. This part is the most interesting part of all.

To me, Twilight is a captivating fantasy, an immortal love and life saga of modern day. It is a phenomenally-popular movie ever about vampire. It has the elements of fascination, temptation and plenty of imagination. It captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. The apple, which is the forbidden fruit, represents the temptation versus the choice and inner struggle of a chaste relationship.

I would also say that Twilight really bites, the vivid characters are very capable of sinking their teeth into one’s imagination and pulls us away from reality and bring us into a fantasy place. I think the sentimental plot of Twilight is the undying romanticism which makes the story so fascinating. My husband found it a little bit cheesy. Overall, I love Twilight, even though it’s not well written and there are plot holes and inconsistencies. But, isn’t that what true love is - to be able to love something so much that the flaws cease to matter? The Twilight book lacks of irony and cannot measure up with Harry Potter’s series which actually have some depths. But generally, a book doesn’t have to be an everlasting piece of literature to be worth reading. Twilight does not possess the literary depth level but it creates characters and settings that are so real - star-crossed lovers, deep woods, high school hormones.

And that’s the thing: any writer who can create a world so vivid and compelling, well, then, I think that’s what makes a good book. Stephanie Meyer had achieved that. She did an amazing job in creating imaginary-almost real characters out of a dream. She combines suspense, romance and adventure rolled into one. Her description of the characters’ emotions are so existent. The publication of the Twilight novel made Stephanie Meyer as one of the most promising new authors. A prediction that proves to be true.

To all Bella-Edward followers out there: Hang-in there with patience. I bet you are all looking forward with much-anticipation to the sequel on the screen! Me too!!!

cold comfort

Outside my window..... cloudy, breezy, bright green growth appearing on the trees, light pink buds on cherry trees, a squirrel scampering across the backyard privacy fence. Yes, it's already April, but it's not getting any warmer here in BC. As if spring is being put on hold. Would you believe we had snow falling last night? It didn't stick though, it's only some sort of rain with slight snow. I have been really patient waiting upon the glimpse of the sun...

I thought I'm over with wool winter coats and knee high boots. Getting in to work this morning is somewhat harder than I imagine. I just wanted to stay at home, unfortunately, I couldn't just stay at home, like so many other people, some days are extremely busy and important days and I had few concerns red-flagged on my task lists, couple of which needed my undivided attention and have to be taken care of in-a-matter of urgency, you could call it a "right-now situation"!

Time like this, all I wanted to do is to snuggle up at home. Maybe watch an old-time favorite romantic-comedy movie...or better be, sip a cuppa hot-chocolate drink with cinnamon and marshmallows and gather around the fireplace with my family. I have a much better idea though, I think it might be time to dig out some books for an evening of reading. Digging up my piles of dusted books is very comforting. I get a great deal of consolation from my array of books. I find reading very relaxing, specially when you feel ill, stressed, or overworked, you need something old, loved, and familiar to get through. I like dipping into something good-old fashion classics or really light or amusing ones when I just need cheering up.