Things I've learned from my Dad

My father is far from perfect but I wouldn't trade him for any other father in this whole wide world. He has always been a silent ally in my endeavors and never questioned me on dreams I'd like to achieve. I believe that this is one trait I will forever be grateful for from both my parents. They never belittle my dreams and encourage me to reach for them... no matter how silly they are.

For his special day, I would like to make a tribute on some things I learned from my father (not in particular order...)

* 2006 Sheraton

1. Actions speaks instead of words. My father has never been a talker. It is so funny how it just runs in the family... I always thought that he was the only one like that in the family when his brother came home for a visit before our wedding. Mind you, it was years since they last seen each other and they just sat side by side with the hi's and hello's and some mumblings then...silence, but they have always been there for each other. I guess they just felt the love through action, not through words... I also felt that love through everyday actions from my dad. Everyday, he makes a way to fetch me to and from school... labor through projects with me all evening and when I fell asleep from exhaustion, I'd find a finish (...and unbelievable) project waiting for me on our folding table...

* 2006 Tiendesitas

2. Hardwork. He worked from dawn until dusk. After office hours, he still makes work his way of relaxation. He would go around the house doing repairs and chores. No one compares to his energy....really! I've never seen him sit still and do nothing...even at night he watches TV and do stuffs he took home from the office.

* 2006 March- Ken's Graduation

3. Save your money even if it is NOT a rainy day. My dad is the thriftiest guy in the whole world. He knows the value of hard work and money and make sure that we know that money doesn't grow on trees. He is very good with using all type of resources to make something useful out of junk. He is the master of invention..be it a kid's school project, a machine to make work in the factory easier and much, much more! Melted candles? He can cook it up into a floor wax.. He was also the one who gave all of us our haircut when we were young(er), now it is only my grandma who agrees to have her hair trimmed by him... I guess he is wise to know that when the going get tough, you need money to fix things... so, SAVE UP!

* 2006 December- Grandma's House

4. My job, your job....nah! No to stereotyping. My dad doesn't do categories. He does what he can regardless of what the society dictates. He does the cooking at home all throughout the years and doesn't make my mom feel guilty for doing so. That's brings us back to actions speaking louder than words... He just does it without complaints and sometimes, I admit, we neglect to thank him for it...so, THANK YOU DAD! I really know now how hard making a menu is and I am just lucky I don't still do cooking regularly... (Thanks to my mother in law :)...)

* 2007 Sleeping through his job...

5. He taught me that Love exists... He may not realize this but I believe in love and fidelity in marriage because of him. When everyone talks of infidelity at this world and age. My dad has always been faithful and still is to my mom in all ways. It was not a smooth relationship but they always try to work things out and celebrate the differences instead of magnifying it.

* 2008 February- Chinese New Year

6. Importance of Family. We used to urge our dad to go out more with friends to unwind but my dad chose to spend time more at home, with us. He is way ahead of us, he knows that Family is the one constant in our lives. Situations may change, some people may come and go depending on your choice, decision but family will be there for you, always! I used to complain about having to eat together but now I realize that I miss that the most now that I am away from my family. 

* 2008 June :( - A Goodbye kiss from Kimi

This was the day of our departure...

7. Don't let people take advantage of you.  He always tells me that I should not take advantage of people and don't let others take advantage of me. If I choose friends, make sure that you help each other out...Friendship are not one way. Each had to put their weight into the relationship to make it work. I didn't realize it then but now it really holds true when you are old(er).
   
... Thank you dad for all these lessons... I wish that you will be able to meet your grandson, Kenzo soon. :(


If there is one thing I wish for, I wish that I don't have to live so far away from you all. That you will be able to see my babies grow up and be able to enjoy them physically not through the means of advanced technology...but I am grateful for it though. I just wish...the relationship was more, personal.

( I wish I had brought more pictures with me from when I was younger...)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH

Happy Birthday Uncle Alfonso...

For someone who loves to go on Cruise Vacations...

* To Grandpa..From Caitlyn and Avery

 * Papa Kangaroo keeping  his joey warm

* Birthday Family plus a singit

* Cuddling to my own Grandpa...

* Sitting like a lady...?! Close your legs Kimi...

* Aha! Getting a taste of the forbidden sweets...

* Shoti loves the dollhouse?!

* Hmmm.....A boy would be nice... ;)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Look Ma, No hands!

* ooooh! No hands!

* Still balanced....

* Wow....this is a record for Kenzo :)

Source: Psychologytoday.com

Soooo Agree...

10 Basic Truths About Keeping Your Relationship Healthy

It's easy to make relationships more complicated than they are.

Published on September 20, 2009

I think it's easy to make things more complicated than they need to be. Here are some basic rules of
the relationship road that will keep you headed in the right direction.

* The Young(er) 'US' :)

...Love to look at the old pictures, bring out those memories once again

1. Successful relationships take work. They don't happen in a vacuum. They occur when the couples in them take the risk of sharing what it is that's going on in their hearts and heads.

2. You can only change yourself, not your partner. If you love someone and think that after a while he or she will alter behaviors you find uncomfortable, think again. If you want changes, put them on the table, so your partner knows what you need. ,<--- so so correct! You can-NOT expect to change someone, change yourself and maybe the rest will follow...

3. All arguments stem from our own fear or pain. When upset occurs, check out what's going on inside you rather than getting angry with your partner. Truth is that we usually aren't upset for the reasons we think we are.

4. Understand that men and women are very different. We're not from Mars or Venus; we're not even in the same solar system. Understanding and celebrating our differences will make living together more peaceful, interesting and fun.

5. Honor each other in some way every day. Every morning, you have the opportunity to make your relationship sweeter and deeper by recommitting to your mate. Feeling respected and cherished by the one you love makes life much nicer.

6. Anger is a waste of time. Anger also is a relationship killer because it makes you self-absorbed and won't allow you to see the good. If you are annoyed with your mate, give yourself some time to calm down and then gently discuss what's going on for you.

7. Get regular tune-ups. Go to a couples workshop, talk with a counselor or read a relationship book together at least once a year. Even if you don't think that you need ideas, and the process alone will strengthen your connection.

8. Find a way to become and stay best friends. For some, this sounds unromantic, but for those who live it, most say it's the best part of their time together.

9. Be responsible for your own happiness. No other person can make you happy. It's something that you have to do on your own. If you feel that it's your partner's fault, think again, and look within to find out what piece may be missing for you.

10. Give what you want to get. Our needs change with time. If you'd like to feel understood, try being more understanding. If you want to feel more love, try giving more. It's a simple program that really works.
There are no guarantees, but couples who practice these techniques have longer and stronger relationships than those who are not proactive in their love.

LOVE THIS ARTICLE... I agree and do most of these tips except for the # 7 Tune up... Just want to share and CHEERS to a Healthy Relationship

Manila Goodies :)

* From Glenda with Love :)

Thanks Mommy Glenda... K and I were literally fighting over who gets to eat what...

..and the food just disappears whenever one is at work...

sigh*

I am looking for the Okoy and learned that he ate the whole thing up...

good thing I ate the dilis all by myself too!!!

Haaaarumph!

It's a Kid's World

We only have one room for the kids to share. It was done way before Kenzo was born so it is a bit on the feminine decor.

* The Fun starts here

The Kimi Sign hangs on the door to their room. This was lovingly made by yours truly hehe! The frame was a gift from Kimi's baptismal in Manila, Philippines. It was actually a frame with 12 places to put a picture in every month. I decided to make something out of it. I used gift wrap from the loonie store and put it on top of the cardboard frame to cover it entirely, then got printed tape from Daiso ($2 store) to cover up the white frame. I bought the lettering from a craft store in Manila and Voila! The Wall decals are from one of the loonie store as well.

* The Bedroom

I love Ikea a lot and it shows with this room. I would have loved a pink themed room for my little princess but I decided to do a primary color themed just to be able to accommodate a boy when the time comes. The crib and the storage bins for the toys as well as the 'V' shelves hanging are all from Ikea. We got the Changing drawer from Sears. I opted for a freestyle border which |I got from different sources. I would have painted the rooms differently but then it was a new house and the paint was still good and neutral so we made use of that.

* Overflowing of toys and Picture Wall Momentos

The toys just keeps on getting more and more...Not that I am complaining :) We got a chain type hanging from the corner to hang the stuff toys in and make room in the floor.

* Book and Toy ledge

* Mini Library

* Photo Cork Board

This little boards actually covers up a little blunder from our initial carpenter attempt :) It turned out for the better anyway.

... Previous Show us your life features the

LIVING ROOM- A Sneak peek of our Living Room

MASTER's BEDROOM- Our Own Nirvana

DINING ROOM- Two in One Room: Dining and Kitchen

Weekend Lunch date(?) plus one...

We had lunch at the nearest Earls at our place- Kingsway Branch.

* Kingsway Dining Area

Knowing K doesn't like American food, I was quite surprised when he didn't argue with me for a lunch here...

...and this is the reason why,

* Prawn Dynamite Roll

panko breaded prawns, mango, avocado, cucumber and togarashi mayo, drizzled maple soy reduction and sriracha mayonnaise, toasted black sesame seeds, wasabi and pickled ginger

...he loves this even without a side sauce to dip it in

A new Addition to our previous order...

* Naples Margherita

housemade San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil, extra virgin olive oil - house baked hand tossed thin 10" pizza crust

And a sure bet... First time I tried this dish, It was a lunch date with my sister in law, Sab... I miss her a lot...

* Prawn and Scallop Linguini

citrus white wine cream sauce, scallops and prawns, grape tomatoes, fresh basil and arugula, toasted pine nuts, grated Grana Padano parmesan

Of course, it won't be complete with Kimi asking for a picture of the day :)

* * * * *

Earl's Burnaby Kingsway

4361 Kingsway Ave.
Burnaby
TEL (604)432-7329
FAX (604)432-7316

Kenzo @ 10 Months

Kenzo is almost at his one year mark :). He is now at the stage wherein he is learning to walk and today he tried walking a few steps without support outside the confine of his crib...clap clap clap! I can see myself getting more busy as he learns to go around the house on his own two feet uh-oh!

At 10 months, Kenzo is wearing size 4 diapers and 9months to some 12 months clothing. He is very active and loves to play with his sister, Kimi. He enjoys doing shouting matches with Kimi and complains whenever the remote control (...or toy)  is taken away from him... He has learned the word MAMA (finally!) and says A-TA (for Atchie, chinese for big sister).

* Natural Charmer

He experienced his first night out in a hotel with us and his first time to swim in a pool :). He loves the water during bath time so it wasn't a surprise when he also enjoyed the bigger tub... 

* Free Playpen that goes with the room in Washington

* Kenzo's First swim

* You said it right... PARENTING IS HARD WORK

* My little guy in his vest...during a get together with friends

Don't grow up too fast little boy...

We love you and Atchie Kimi so much...

Hair Frustration...

Kimi was born with a shiny scalp while Kenzo was born with a head full of hair.

so it was one of my early frustration for Kimi's hair to grow...FAST!

* Then bald Kimi at days old...

* And Kimi now...

Haha! Just kidding!

... with curly locks inherited from her dad

* Kimi now with her big bow headband from Gwama

Thanks GWAMA! Kimi loves it a lot and 'demanded' I take a picture of her

Enearthed! Shirt Tales and Dear God ad featuring... AHEM!

If you are a kid around the 80's, you'd probably know or heard of these characters...

DEAR GOD

* Ahem! This was my spotlight moment he he!

Featuring Dear God. I am the kid on the lower right... the one on the left is my cousin, Michelle

*****

Upper center: Left is my cousin, Jeffrey and the one on the right is another cousin, Jesse.

Don't know the other kids though

and

THE SHIRT TALES...

They were featured on greeting cards and eventually made into shirts...

I found these ads back when we were in Manila way back and kept it as a token of remembrance...

* My cousins Jeffrey, Dennis, and Leo

Anyone wants an autograph!? hahahaha!

Banana Rep and Gap @ Morgan Crossing

It's finally open!

We really plan on going to Walmart only but decided to take a chance on passing by Gap again to check it out...



Everything is 40% off! According to the sales rep it is 40 off until Thursday...Finally got my dad a shirt :) for his birthday.

as for Banana Republic, most are at 30% off, if not all



Gap Factory/Banana Republic Factory
The Shops @ Morgan Crossing

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10.10.10 things I appreciate from my family

I love doing the top ten things to be thankful for about my hubby that I decided to make one for my family too...

10. My dad bonds with me over school projects. He even lose sleep over making some of my projects and I even got awarded for some of it....ssh! That's how good my projects turned out :)

* Dad and me 2006

9. My mom always listens to my problems without any judgements and she never beliitles my petty complaints when I was young. I could even remember her being very concern about a quarrel with a best friend when I was young that when I decided to talk to my bestfriend at her house, she went with me and stayed at the other room just to offer moral support.

8. My brothers are very protective of me. I remember my brother, Eric, being extra cautious when I was dating. He'd check on them and report to me just so I'd be on the know he he!

* Ong siblings 2006
7. I really appreciate the efforts my brother did on my wedding day. My youngest brother who never sang in front of a crowd, sang a song for me and my younger brother, Eric made a speech for us (he never done speech for anyone too!). My hubby also did his first song number on the wedding too ;)

* May 2010

6. My parents also makes an effort to fetch me to and from school everyday via driver or my dad despite the busy schedules. We only had a car then so they really alot enough time to make sure there is a car everytime we are dismissed and I could remember that there is always someone waiting for me by the gate to give my lunch when I was younger.

5. My parents always let me decide. They trust me enough and believe that I will know what is right from wrong.

4. My parents made us sleep in one room. It forced us to spend time together :) which was good.

* May 2010
3. My brother, Eric, came here all the way from Netherlands during the time I just gave birth to help me with things around the house... He paid for the trip to come here and help me plus he brought a whole luggage of gifts for us... Sniff*

* December 2009

2. My parents does errands for me from Manila a lot. They help me with my online selling. I don't think any parents would do that willingly considering they have a business to run too...

* Goodbye single life, hello married life... 2006
1. All my family are there for me when I need someone to lean to. They may be far but I can feel their love even from a distance....

Thank you :) I miss you all a lot!

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