To the man that I loved FIRST!

Ever since I started to stare at people, the first man that I have loved was Papa Gary.  All through out the years he has been very patient with me.  He is always there to give support and to give advice on what are the right things to do.







He is the perfect husband a wife could have.
He is the perfect father a child could have.
He is the perfect buddy a son could have. 
He is the perfect protector a daughter could have.
He is the perfect brother a sister would have.
He is the perfect friend a brotherhood could have.

He is smart and yet simple in his words.
He is firm and yet gentle;
He is serious and yet funny; 
He is giving and yet humble;
He is silent and yet sweet;

He is everything a person could ask for.
He may have his flaws but I do not see it at all!
He is not perfect but we LOVE him!

I always think about spending my free time with him, but since I am far away from home I am thankful to have the technologies that we have now!
I would like to thank the following:

1. Internet - for being available to surf online
2. Facebook - for being updated to what is happening to him and my family
3. Viber - for the free text message that my brother and I do
4. LINE - for the free call to give me the opportunity to talk to him and my family
5. Skype - for the free video call.  For me to see how they look like everyday.

I also would like to thank the people who is always there for Papa Gary!
With their presence, I know that my absence will be filled.

1.  Mama Inday
2.  Gboy, Laine and DJ
3.  Mika
4.  Louise
5.  Mama Lena and Papa Nestor
6.  Tita Ninang Lynley and Erika
7.  Tita Ninang Judy and family
8.  Tita Mye and family
9.  Tita Liza and family
10. Tita Baby and Tito Ninong Boy

To all my Hernandez and Diaz family, thank you for keeping Papa Gary happy and inspired.

Yesterday was his Birthday and I wish him Good Health and determination to help himself in his everyday undertakings.  We will always be here for him especially ME. I am a certified Papa's girl. :D

The GREATEST GIFT a FATHER could have is to FEEL the love of his FAMILY!
The people whom he spent his entire LIFE providing for a good FUTURE!

Xoxo

WOW Wednesday!

Have you ever thought of doing something so simple but you never imagined how valuable it is until someone sees it?

Well, this video is something to look at to.  I would like to share this to everyone.

A very noble act from a brother - sister perspective.
Very smart! ^_^



I hope that we can all take this as as simple example of giving something to the one that we love.

Xoxo
 

Day 4 of 16: "Sweet 16 days in PINAS"

from http://mailninja.ru

One day to go before Christmas and I did not let that day pass without doing anything!  My BFFs and I (from college) planned to have lunch at our house.

Every time I go back to San Pablo City, Laguna, I always ask my BFFs to have a get together in our house and I am very lucky that they always agree to that, maybe because I cook lunch? :D

This day was not any different.  I was up early to start preparing for our lunch. 
My father even cooked grilled Tilapia and Bangus for us! So Sweet!
Yum! Yum!

Every time we are together it seemed like it was only yesterday.  I don't feel any gap between us and I feel so blessed to have these wonderful ladies in my life.  I don't have a sister that is close to my age and that's why I know they were heaven sent to me!  I know that from the deepest part of my heart.

Eating together is a lot of fun but eating together with the people whom you value so much is worth all the time that you can have.  This was exactly my feeling at that time.  It does not matter if I cannot shop outside or do something else, as long as I am with my BFFs then I don't care how long it takes for us to finish our stories!

We've been together for the last 10+ years and I don't think it will end anytime soon!  My family love them so much in as much as they loved my family.  They have accepted me and my family for what we are and that is what matters a lot to me.

To Athena, KC and Ochen! I thank you a lot for spending one day with me!  I will always appreciate your presence personally or even virtually.

Tin was not able to come because of work but hopefully soon we can get together again! 

Love you girls!

Xoxo

Day 3 of 16: "Sweet 16 days in PINAS"

One celebration that we all anticipate every year is our:

"Hernandez Christmas Party"!

Well this is a Christmas Party / Reunion in one and every December all kids (even adult) look forward to it.

A few years back, we used to celebrate our Christmas Party in any of my relative's houses.  However, since the family is growing and growing, we opted to rent a place instead on where we can celebrate this awesome Party!  Normally we rent a private resort in Calamba City, Laguna.   

For last year, we celebrated in one of the private resorts in Calamba City, Laguna. It was at Piscina de Jillen and we rented the place for 8 hours, 9am - 5pm.  

Majority of us arrived at lunchtime (okie I admit Filipino time)! 
Yay! Just in time for eating!!

Normally, we have pot luck every occasion. It depends if we want to buy per family or we want to cook.  

For this specific event I don't think we bought any food :D

Nevertheless, we were all full because of the food that was prepared.  I thank all my cousins and tita for preparing the food!









Before we formally start the program, similar to what we have practiced before, Tita Baby gave her opening remarks.


We (Hernandez Family) seldom see each other.  Since we live and work at different places, it's quit difficult for us to gather often.  Therefore, we take advantage of the Christmas season to have our yearly get together.

Then the program ran as follows:

1. GAMES, GAMES, GAMES
2. Gift Giving

I enjoy being in front of everybody and thus I volunteered to be the MC for this event! Yahoo!!

One of the games that we had was care of Ate Tina.  It was the Oreo Challenge!  I don't think there is a need for me to explain, it was clearly shown in the image below. :D

We had several games sponsored by Ate Tina, me and Mama.
It was good to see that we all had a lot of fun!

Ate Tina, being the host for this year's celebration, gave all of us a personalized shirt!  We even had a very nice tarpaulin only for this event.  It was like an instant photo booth! (pressure to the next host!)

Here comes the Big, Bubbly and all-out-energy Hernandez Family.

Herbano, Tolentino and  Family 

 Hernandez, Garcia, Fandialan and Antazo Family

Aizel and Family

 Hernandez Family

Bautista Family

Hernandez and Ellerma Family

 Diaz and Fernando Family

 Aside from the eating, games and get together, the most awaited time of this event was the "Gift Giving".  Where once a year we share our blessings to the entire family. 

Whether big or small the important thing about gift giving is the spirit of Christmas. It will always be the thought that counts!

To my cousins and titas who gave their time and effort for the gift-giving, a big "Thanks" to you all!

You made the little ones (even the adults) even more excited about Christmas!

This is one of the reasons why I love to spend Christmas in the Philippines.  One of the reasons to keep me going and bring happiness to my family. :D










Xoxo

Happy Friday: What is your average word per day?

According to one of the blogs that I have read "Amazing Women Rock" on an average, women uses 20,000 words per day while men uses 7,000 words per day.  Aside from the fact that women is more talkative than men, I would like to dig deeper into the reality that people use a lot of words to communicate on a daily basis.
 
Need I say more?  The post above says it all. 
I was happy to see this post from my brother (Mika) and I would like to share this one to all of you!

That simple act of saying "Thank You" will mean a lot to anybody who felt our sincerity.  I don't think it will mean any harm to us, since it's just 2 out of the 20,000 and 7,000 words that we spit out everyday! :D

Just my Friday Morning sharing to all of you!
Happy Friday! Happy Life!

Xoxo

Day 2 of 16: "Sweet 16 days in PINAS"

What is the other best thing about Christmas?  Yes, it is definitely the food!  This is the time of the year where we stop our diet plan for 2 weeks and eat out hearts out.

Few years back, my husband (together with his parents) made it a tradition to go to Excelente a few days before Christmas.  This is where they buy their  Chinese Ham and Bacon.  This is where I learned about it.

I am not an expert in giving food critique but as far as I am concerned, I loved their Ham and Bacon and I would like to recommend it to everyone.  This is just my simple and sweet statement about Excelente.

Last December 22, 2012 - we (my husband and my parents in law) were up at 4am and we headed to Excelente early that day.  We arrived at 5:30am and a couple of people were already queuing up even before the store officially opens.  This is how well known this store is, people (from all over Luzon like Batanggas, Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal) will make their way here in Quiapo (early this morning) just to line up and get the ham that they were longing for.

Well, we were not any different.  We came all the way from Angono to line up as early as 5:30am.  Because of this effort, we have the vantage point to be entertained first.


------------------------

That same day, my husband and I prepared to have lunch at Cainta, Rizal.
This is where, we are going to meet another two of my BFF, Leah and Betchay.

Beth and her husband once visited us here in MY.  This time we visited them in their house.  The best part about visiting Beth was that we don't need to worry about getting hungry.  They always have something to eat! This does not fail to satisfy me. 

While we were having our lunch, I told Beth that I am going to attend a back to back wedding the following week.  However, I do not want to hire a make up artist to do my make up.  On the spot, Beth taught me how to do my own make up!

That was so cool and simple! They (Leah and Beth) even lend me their make up sets! Cool friends!! :D

This was me with the make up, I know, I know not much difference, but if in person there was!  Love the simplicity in it.

These are my two best friends!  They will tell me what they think even if its the sad truth and yet we still stick together and enjoys our bonding everytime we get together.

I will see them both on April! Can't wait!

-----------------------

Special moment with Betchay was when she spit out this statement at The Donut Theory.  Another was when she hosted my Kakaibang Bridal Shower

Special moment with Leah was when they Visited MY for 3D, 2N

Xoxo
 

Happy Friday: I want to share with you my "WHYS"

I am often asked "Bakit ang saya mo lagi?"
"Why are you always happy?".

My simple answer would be "There are many reasons to be happy about!".  These reasons kept me up and running and smiling all day.  These are the reasons that I would like to share with you all so that it will not be an effort to be happy.

Remember that "Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response".  You have to have the desire to be happy because it's not instant.  Happiness is an action from your heart and not just a facial expression.

Some people might find it hard to be happy but there are some quick tips that I would like to share from my personal experiences.  Something that we all do but just don't realize its potential in making us all happy.

Here you go:

1. Nobody is perfect, even I am not perfect and I can never be one.  In order to be happy, we need to accept that we have our own flaws and failures in life.  These things are not good to look at but it does make our lives more colorful.  This is the same principle with the people around us, they too have their shortcomings and these are but normal.

2. Human beings have the tendency to look at the flaws of other people and sometimes we feel happy if we say bad things about them (at their back).  This is something that we should avoid because it does not give a healthy relationship with people.  If we do not have a healthy relationship with people then we are attracting negative vibes and thus defeating ourselves to be happy.

3.  Relationships are powerful to make one person happy.  The more that you have a good relationship with your family and friends the higher possibility that you can be happy.  One thing to maintain such relationship is if we learn how to listen.  Not just listen perse but listen from the heart.  Your friends, relatives, loved ones will feel when you are listening from your heart or not.  Therefore it has to be sincere.  This is another way that I feel happy within.

4. Responding to every situation is good but responding with positive enthusiasm is even better.  Learn to say YES in every good thing that comes your way.  If something is not for you and you want to say NO then say it in a nice manner where the recipient will feel the sincerity from your words.  Saying YES to positive things attracts more positivity in life.

5. Everything happens for a reason, may it be big or small, may it be grand or simple.  With this in mind, we need to be thankful in everything that we receive whether it is good or not good.  "Thank you" are two powerful words that we can use without any cost involved, we should say them more often.  I  personally like saying "thank you" even with the simplest act from a stranger.  It's also our way of appreciation and contentment.

6. Laugh Loud!  You will feel most happy if you are able to release that positive energy through a good laugh.  Mind you, this is very contagious and if you do it right you will never realize its potential in making another person happy. No need to elaborate because of all the things I have written here this is the easiest of the easiest!

7. Stepping into the stairs without seeing the end of the path - this is having a positive outlook in life, this is FAITH.  Knowing and believing that something good is yet to come and giving thanks in advance is what we should all do.  Personally it makes me happy to think that something BIG is about to happen and it will happen not only to me but to my family and loved one as well.

Happiness is but just a word that starts with letter H and ends will letter S.
However it may sound, whoever say it, we create our own Happiness and if we do it right it is like a puzzle that will fit perfectly in our Life's landscape!

Keep everything light and you will feel light.
Carry the world on your shoulders and you will never see light ~

Xoxo 

Day 1 of 16: "Sweet 16 days in PINAS"

In reference to "Our sweet 16 days in Pinas.  Let me start off by sharing my day 1.


As early as October, I have already arranged for a meet up with two of my very dear friends from Accenture.  KC and Anna!



A bit of a story for these two wonderful people:


I met KC in Accenture and we both worked our way up our career ladders as an HR Professional.  We became close friends from HR Academy and the rest was history.

It was the most perfect decision that I asked K to be my Made of Honor.  I never realized that I will have a very dear and sincere friend as her.  Since then, i treated her as my sister.

Anna was my buddy when I was in Accenture, she is very frank and very upfront when it comes to telling the right things to do.  Her honestly was the behavior that kept me attached with her.  Her work engagement is something that one should have! Patient but fierce!

I asked Anna to be my MC during my wedding and without any delay, she responded "yes" immediately.  I was very happy and everything for us was again history.  I looked at her as my sister as well.


Even though I was no longer in the HR Team, I always meet with them from time to time because it always feels light to spend time with the people you are comfortable with.

Being an OFW is not any different!  Every time I go back to the Philippines, I always make time to meet with these two beautiful ladies.  They are my strength and inspiration!

Till we meet again! :D

Xoxo

Our Sweet 16 days in PINAS!

 

With this poster, everyday is a holiday for me and my husband.  However, nothing beats a TRUE Holiday in the Philippines.

What is the best thing to be an OFW? To have the chance to go back home!! And when we do, we make the MOST of it!  This is exactly what my husband and I did when we went back.

Last 2011, we did not celebrate Christmas in the Philippines.
Last 2012, was different.

We flew back to the Philippines last December 21 and we made each moment of our stay there memorable!

This is quite a story so please bear with me! :D

December 21
- Sweets immediately went to LTO to renew his driver's license
- I had my "mani-pedi" then immediately went to meet up with my insurance officer
- I went to CG2, to meet up with my BFFs, Anna and KC
- Read more Here :)

December 22
- Our yearly tradition to go to Excelente to buy our bacon, ham and queso de bola 
- Sweets and I went to Cainta to visit our BFF Betchay!  Leah and Ning - Ning was also there and we had a lot of fun over lunch and merienda.  Beth even taught me how to do my make up!
- Read more Here :)

December 23
- Sweets and I left early in the morning to go back to Laguna and prepare for our "Hernandez Family Reunion".  One day of laughter and fun and energy games!
- Foot massage!! 
- Read more Here :)

December 24 
- Spent the day at home in San Pablo Laguna and did some errands here and there! Went to market early that day to prepare for lunch.  My BFFs are coming over and I need to make sure we will have a hearty lunch and a lot of laughter.
- Mass before Christmas day and celebrated Noche Buena at Tita Marilou's house.
- Read more Here :)

December 25
- Christmas Day!!! Woohoo!! I am no longer in the young age where I will go to my Ninong and Ninang's house to ask for "aguinaldo".  Instead, I bought some chocolate cakes and personally delivered it to some of our Wedding God Parents!

December 26
- All day in San Pablo Laguna and spend the rest of the day outside to buy food not seen here in MY.  
- My husband met with his high school friends. 


December 27
- On my way back to Angono, Rizal. Would you believe that while I was in the bus, I was writing the Wedding Program for my cousin? Well yes and it worked out very well at the wedding.
- Had my mani - pedi again =)
- I met with my closest friends and had dinner at Banapple, Ayala Triangle.  We were able to see the lights but not full blast.  

December 28
- Up by 4:30am and went on the road at 5:30am to attend a wedding in Sta. Rosa Laguna.

- Read more Here :)

December 29
- Another wedding! This time in Novaliches!

December 30
- Thanks Giving with our family friends
- Dinner with Sweets' bestfriend, Jepoy

December 31
- Lunch at my favorite cousin's place in Antipolo
- New Year's celebration in Don Benito, Angono Rizal

January 1
- Up at 7am and went on the road at 8am to go back to Laguna.  This time in Calamba for the "Diaz Family Reunion" - More Story Here :)


January 2
- Lunch and merienda with our very dear family friend Zach and Cecil.

January 3
- I went back to Laguna to prepare for my birthday celebration! Really now, what is it to prepare??
- My husband went to meet up with his college friends - unfortunately no one turned up and thus my husband went and buy his MANILA shirt 


January 4
- Very special day for me and my sister!  Yes we both celebrate the same birth date!  Before the dinner celebration, I accompanied my father for check-up.

I was very happy and glad to celebrate this day together with my family!  There is nothing more I can ask for

- Read more Here :)

January 5
- Did some last errands before finally flying back to MY
- Mani - Pedi "again"

Everything sounds easy, but mind you, it was not!
Prior to coming back last December, I had to make a lot of planning and meeting arrangements with my friends and family to come up with these schedule.  

I thank of the my friends and family who was patient with me in my arrangements.  I was very happy that all of the schedules went as planned.

Til next Christmas, New Year and Birthday Celebration in Pinas!
Watch out for the individual stories here!

Xoxo

 

2013: First Sharing!

I know from the deepest part of my heart that 2013 has a lot to offer!  Not only for me but for the rest of my family and loved ones.  Therefore, before it comes to reality, I am already declaring it.

The "Law of Attraction" is the name given to the belief that "like attracts like" and that by focusing on positive or negative thoughts, one can bring about positive or negative results.

With this in effect, what would you choose?
If you ask me, without a doubt, I would like to choose the positive one! No one else likes to be surrounded with positive energy than me! Therefore, I share this positive energy back to you, the people I care about, by thanking all of of you for all of the things that I received and will still receive!

If you have read my blogs, it's nothing new when you see me thanking people.  I do this because this is how I can give back the blessings that I have received. My blog about "What are you reaching for?" is basically my alphabet of "Thank Yous", if you feel lonely and felt that there is nothing to be thankful for then this is the perfect blog for you, in an instant your eyes will twinkle and you will have that "aha" moments! :)

So the first thing I would like to share for this year is: 

Share the happiness within and sharing it with all your heart ~
You will never realize that someone else will be thankful for that act! 

Xoxo

Starting the year BRIGHT!

LET ME WELCOME 2013 with a BIG RED and BRIGHT BANNER!!
2012 has been a fulfillment year not only for me but for my family!  
Now I am looking at 2013 with a lot of anticipation and optimism that it will bloom and be more exciting than the previous years!

Here is to positive thinking, positive thoughts, positive people and positive YEAR!

Xoxo