Back to the Yesteryears...

My mom (and brothers) came here for a short 3 weeks visit and because we teased our mom that this vacation was for her. We actually decided on a couple of shows that my mom would surely enjoy and remember from before.

This was highly recommended by my brother, Eric. Jersey Boys and Frank Valli do rang a bell and I decided to go for it when I found a ticket on sale for a weekday spot. I told my mom that we are watching Jersey Boys and she said she doesn't know what Jersey Boys was... Ooops! To make the long story short, we did enjoy the show (a lot) with the rest of the senior citizens in the audience. I guess a lot of the younger set of audience decided to watch a different play that they are more familiar with. My youngest brother was blown away with this play and the songs that goes with it. Rated AAA :)

* Jersey Boys- September 19, 2012

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JERSEY BOYS

September 19, 2012

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Vancouver, B.C.

We also decided to do another oldies but goodies show for our Vegas trip. Australian Bee Gees looked like a promising show with a good rating online so we went for this. 

My youngest brother looked wide eyed and out of place as they sang their songs but he ended up enjoying when he heard some songs that he finally knew which was a total of 2-3 songsl. Me and my younger brother, Eric knew a bit more but my mom enjoyed it and danced to the last few songs by the end of the show. 

* The poster

We also got the chance to take a picture with the Australian Bee Gees... Mom was like a Starstruck fan excited to get a picture taken with the group lol

* Not a wax figure...motion at the end :(

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THE AUSTRALIAN BEE GEES SHOW

September 30, 2012

Excalibur Hotel and Casino

Las Vegas, USA

From a Mother to being a daughter once again

It was nice to be a daughter once again. Not having to be the one taking care of everyone.

It was refreshing to be the one being taken care of this time around.

I didn't realize how much I miss my mom until we saw each other last September.

...How she listened, comforted and just loved me with all my imperfections. No judgement.

I wish you guys were not so far away...

Beyond all lessons, beyond the model she provided, 

my mother gave me a parent's ultimate gift;

she made me feel lovable and good. 

She paid attention. 

She listened; 

she remembered what I said.

She did not think me perfect, but she accepted me, without qualification.

-Fredelle Maynard

MISS YOU GUYS

For the Moms...

Adapted by Jim Fowler

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place,

but have not love,

I am a housekeeper ­ not a homemaker.

If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements,

but have not love,

my children learn cleanliness ­ not godliness.

If I scream at my children for every infraction,

and fault them for every mess they make,

but have not love,

my children become people-pleasers ­ not obedient children.

Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh.

Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.

Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.

Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.

Love accepts the fact that I am the ever-present "mommy,"

the taxi-driver to every childhood event,

the counsellor when my children fail or are hurt.

Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, and runs with the child,

then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.

Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection.

Now I glory in God's perfection of my child.

All the projections I had for my house and my children

have faded away into insignificance,

And what remain are the memories of my kids.

Now there abides in my home scratches on most of the furniture,

dishes with missing place settings,

and bedroom walls full of stickers, posters and markings,

But the greatest of all is the Love

that permeates my relationships with my children.

Mandarin Lessons at Tzu Chi

Kimi started her Mandarin Chinese (immersion) at Tzu Chi.

We were contemplating if it was a bit early or if she will have too much on her plate right at this point since she is doing full day school as well for this year. We decided to try it out anyway and reasoned that we had Chinese when we were in the Philippines right from pre-school anyway. We can pull her out if she really hates it, you just have to say goodbye to half of the tuition fee. It was a good price of $190 for every Saturday of a whole semester (5 months).

We were able to witness the start of the class and the teacher spoke at least 98% mandarin, and I could see the blank faces of Kalen and Kimi as they try to decipher what the teacher was instructing them through her hand gestures or through the other classmates who came from Chinese-speaking families.

I asked Kimi how it was at the end of the class, and she said that she doesn't understand but she will learn in time... (Whew!) Atta Girl :)!

* First Day at the Chinese class

I just loved this poster gracing one of the wall...

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MANDARIN CLASSES

Burnaby, B.C.

Sweet Break with DQ

When there's a will... (and boy, mom can have that will)

...there is a way.

We are in the first week of school with the gradual entry, and yet we found a way to get together for another last hurrah...

I came on the second shift of  the meet up and missed Mommy G who was already on her way to work but was able to catch Mommy S and Mommy Jo :)

We spent the day at the play area in Brentwood and went to DQ with the Buy 1, Get 1 $0.99 for a sweet break...

* DQ Promo Jrs

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BRENTWOOD TOWN CENTRE

Burnaby, B.C.