January's Over

I can't wait for this winter to be over. The snows aren't melting and the snowbanks are getting to be a nuisance in our daily life activities. It might be fun to play on the slopes but one has to come down sometime and get back to life's reality. Plenty of deadlines, chores, not to mention gearing for the Spring, aaahhhh...what I would do fo that glimpse of warm weather right now.....

55? Yeah, right....

...that sign seemed more idiotic in this weather. The road are really horrible even on a 4 wheel drive. Although it is also idiotic to be taking this photograph with just one hand on the wheel not knowing if the other cars around will hit me, slide or go down the ditch. I really hate driving in the snow but I also wanted to capture the moment; look back and wonder," Why do I live here again?"

It can be .....

....an upside down world sometimes. Just don't forget to turn that frown into a smile and everything will be just fine.

The Angels are Flapping Their Wings...

.....and sending down snows to create a winter wonderland for Dylan Brady Burke's christening event. The roads were slick, the snow kept coming and driving was a little bit scary.

From the moment the ceremony started he wasn't the least interested, I thought he'd rather play in the snow.....(hmmm, in a few years young man...^_^)

It was great to see the proud parents (Ruby and Derek) blooming with love and affection. Great job guys! He's a very active, happy and knows- what-he-wants little guy. Enjoy the moments for those are what memories are made of and what were left with when they're all grown up and on their own.

Crosswalk

This is a typical crosswalk in the city where I grew up. This is early in the day so it's not crowded yet. In other parts of the world some people take their sweet time crossing the crosswalk while you sit there watching their sashaying rears reach the other end of the street. Why can't people hurry up instead of walking like they have all the time in the world? Where I come from, if you don't hurry you get run over. Streets are for motorized vehicles not for walking so in a sense, it's a privilege to be given the chance to cross the street on foot. We hurry up to walk to the other side of the street so we don't detain the people that's waiting for us to cross.People in cars have places to go too......

Thank God for Friends!

Thank God for friends!!

They make my day bright,

They make my feeling light.

They make me feel pretty,

They make argument not petty.

They agree that we can disagree;

We don't have to be talking

Yet, we've plenty of understandin­g.

All Hail!! To the FRIENDS in my life

I hold them dear and hold them tight

...forever in my heart!

****NonetteSummer****

The Human Seasons

Four Seasons fill the measure of the year;

There are four seasons in the mind of man:

He has his lusty Spring, when fancy clear

Takes in all beauty with an easy span:

He has his Summer, when luxuriously

Spring's honied cud of youthful thought he loves

To ruminate, and by such dreaming high

Is nearest unto heaven: quiet coves

His soul has in its Autumn, when his wings

He furleth close; contented so to look

On mists in idleness--to let fair things

Pass by unheeded as a threshold brook.

He has his Winter too of pale misfeature,

Or else he would forego his mortal nature.

------John Keats

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up though the pace seems slow--

You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than,

It seems to a faint and faltering man,

Often the struggler has given up,

When he might have captured the victor's cup,

And he learned too late when the night slipped down,

How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out--

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far,

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
- Author unknown

I am not my Mother

It's ironic that the toughest job in the whole world can be so rewarding and satisfying at the same time. When I was growing up, the notion of becoming a mother was as far away from my mind as my dreams of ever getting out of my surroundings and comfort zone. Granted that my mother has imperfections, I told myself that I can never be as good as a mother like she is and still is. Fast forward to more than a decade later I find myself in a role in life that I don't have a map or detailed instructions on how to be. I thought it can't be that bad seeing myself as very adaptable and pliable if you will to changes and challenges. I felt a bit scared at first because I don't know if I am doing the same thing that my mother does and I don't know what is going to happen next. Though I have the loving and wholehearted support of my better half, it's still a bit disconcerting to know that I don't know what the future lays ahead. The role of being a mother have brought so many changes in my life. I never thought of all the things that my mother went through till I have become one. Some might say,be careful how you treat your mother,it will come back to haunt you sooner or later....after all it's a circle of life. I don't think I gave my mother a hard time but then again, that's just how my mother was and still is. She makes me feel like I wasn't anything but the good kid. I don't feel spoiled by my parents but I do feel that I have the best childhood with them inspite of the day to day hurdles we as a family experienced. Now looking back at my childhood, I wonder if my son would ever feel the same way. I strive to be the best mother that I could possibly be for him yet sometimes I felt inadequate compared to my mother. I have to worked on my patience more, I have to keep my ears open and listen more, I have to make minimal demands to what my son can do and I have to do all the things that I think will be best but to me these are all unrealistic especially in today's tired, hungry, frustrated, 40++ hours working mother. It takes a lot to balance career and motherhood. Life today is very different than what my mother has been through while we're growing up. The whole world is changing with so many technological gadgets and discovery that creates a whirlwind of distractions for our kids. And the changes are more pronounced especially coming from a little place in the island. I am finding that being a mother is hard and tough job, it has its rewards and satisfactions. I will do it my own way and enjoy the rewards and satisfaction I can get however big or small they might be. I will be content on being myself, after all, I am not my mother. I never go on a day without an all-knowing argument about this or that especially now that he's getting bigger,growing and knowing more each day. Still it is very comforting to know and hear my son say, I love You,Mom! GoodNight and Sweet Dreams ---and that just warms my heart!

How far would you go....

...in the name of love? Would you be willing to honor a pact between you and your loved one in the name of love? What if the choice is not what you wanted at all? What if later on you find yourself weak and unable to make the right choice? How would you know that it's the right choice? Would you let fate take your hand and lead you to the right one?What if the choice is against what your heart wants? These questions have been running through my head after reading a thought-provoking book entitled The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. The same person that penned the tear-jerker (or as most guys would say,Chick-Flick) book turned to movie - The Notebook. I don't want to give away too much about this book. If you are an avid reader you 'll just have to read this one to be able to feel what I felt while I was reading it. Suffice it to say that I was reading it with a box of Kleenex overnight when I was alone in my bedroom. I had puffy eyes to show in the morning but I just couldn't put the book down so I finished reading it. There were funny and romantic moments in the book. I would say that it's very well written and I am glad to read a love story from a guy's perspective. Most romantic novels I've read has always been written by female writers. If you're interested to read for yourself I can have you borrow my copy, if not, maybe your local library will have a copy. Better yet, own one and maybe it'll become a treasure in your bookcase.

Nature Therapy

Waves crashing to the rocks,

Seagulls competing for the days catch,

a little bit of clouds to filter through the sun's rays,

sea breeze playing with your hair, aaaahhhhhh....nature therapy,

there's nothing like it!

Oh , and these rocks? Perfect foot spa treatment for those calluses......

I wish you enough........

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.

I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear so much bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough " Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."

My friends and family, I wish you enough!

Sometimes it seemed we can't get enough yet there are times that we just about had it. My hope is that through these few words (not mine) above, we can differentiate which is the most important aspects of our lives from those that are only frills and have no meaning at all. I wish you enough time to find the answers of all your "why's." I wish you enough...

Lights Show

This place is great for all ages.Just got back from strolling here tonight. It's so beautiful and they even have a free christmas concert but we did not stay for that one because we have to get back and check on Daisy which have been waiting patiently inside the car. Check out the link below for more info....

http://www.lasalette-shrine.org/

New Beginnings

(please click the photo for the text)

Happy New Year 2009!

May this year brings as much golden opportunities as the snow that has fallen upon us and may we will be able to weather through each one with faith in our hearts, purpose in our steps and steady guidance from up above.

May this year be full of love, peace and happiness for family, friends and the whole world.