Happy Birthday: My all around girl!

Today is a milestone!
Today is a very special day for me and my family!
Today is when the angels sings and dance their wings!
Today is when friends are delighted to have a friend like her!
Today is when a husband is most proud!
Today is when the sons are blessed to have a special mom!
Today is Ate Ytche's special day!

This woman is not just like any other woman.
Let me describe her because even; 
(1) Webster cannot describe her; even 
(2) Google cannot search her

Maricel: a person, powerful and brilliant!
              a daughter, accomplished and will do anything for her parents!
              a sister, reliable and precious!
              a cousin, acts like a sister and all around friend!
              a friend, a family that you can choose and choose to keep!
              a boss, superb and a encouraging!
              a colleague, fun and helpful!
              a wife, a true angel to her husband!
              a mother, a blessing to her sons!

I can describe her in all the words that I can think of but to make it simple.
Maricel is the best cousin of them all, a best friend that i could never have, a mentor that help me strive and a supporter that all i can have!

Love you ate! Alam mo yan!

Xoxo

              

How do you want to be remembered?

two weekends ago I was talking to my Ninang and we were talking about my classmates - because she was my HS Principal and one of my professors in Psychology, specifically Thesis.

As I reflect back to my college days, I was just thinking about the things that I did and having a hard time thinking about what i really did and what my friends / classmates did (yes sometimes my memory is bad).  As I was slowly recalling the events and stating names of my friends from college, Ninang would think differently, she recalled the study that I made for my thesis, she would recall the thesis of my friends and I was just in awe to listen to that.  I can't even recall my own study back in the days!  How can it be?

As I reflect and thought of my own answers - I thought that I might not be so focused with my own study (thesis) and that my intent was just to finish it and graduate.  Is this really the way to go? I think not and I was totally wrong!  You see, as I mature with experience (yes I suppose so) I believe that the only thing to make us remember things is to give utmost attention and focus to it.  Whether it is at school, at work or at home.

I'm good with dates (well not perfectly good) but I know the important dates of my life and my family.  I know every detail of my first meet up with Sweets (only if it was just less than 15 min) from the last detail that he was wearing a pink Accenture shirt.   I can easily recall because its engraved in my heart and because that event was important to me.  Now how do I relate this to memory? 

People will be there and we will interact with them, we will talk to them, we will share ideas, we will even disagree with each other, in short its a never ending discussions of good and bad things.  When we interact, we will create the first impression and we will build a relationship -- it's now up to us on how to make those first impressions last and make those relationships work, so that down the line when we talk about 10 years after -- these people who became our friends, our chosen families, will remember something good (or bad) about us.  

Memories, to make it simple, is black and white, never gray.  It's just good or bad and not in the middle.  My suggestion would always be, to create good memories with our families and friends -- memories that they can remember even if we are far apart, memories that will make them want to be with us again and catch up, memories that will last a lifetime.

Have you thought of someone who made that impact in your life that it will be hard to forget?  Be that person to someone and you will live a life that is worth living!! 

Xoxo

Basketball: a lot like LIFE

I have been telling you guys that I am not a sporty person. I didn't play any serious sports back in the days because I am afraid -- maybe because I was wearing glasses and I don't want to break my glasses because of any ball hitting my face.

Now on to today, I still don't play any sport but I am now a fan of a Basketball, only because of my husband. Yes I was encouraged to watch even if I know my heart will be beating so fast because I want the team to win.  As I was watching the games, whether live or via TV, I was slowly internalizing that really, this ball game is all about life.  Let me share with you what I thought! 

1. We can be a star - in any ballgame there is always a star player, someone who just can't help but score whether on the inside or the outside.  In life, we can also be a star - be good in what we do and be successful in what we want to be -- but like in any ballgame - you will not be a star player without the help of your team.  In life, we will not be successful without the help of our family and support system.

2. We have limited Air Time - in any ballgame, player rotations happen every now and then, substitution will always be there -- not because the players are not playing well but because the coach believes that the players need to re energize. In life -- we will not always be in the lime light, people will replace us for whatever reason, so when we have the Air Time - let's make it worth it! 

3. Help the other player to shine - self recognition is important, most especially if you are a star player.  In this ballgame it is not always the case. The players need to play with the team and make others shine as well.  They are all playing FOR the team and WITH a team! In life, we also need to give a support system to others, we need to help other people to be successful. Once we do then we are also successful.

4. The coach is there for a reason - no matter how great the players are, if they don't know how to listen to their coach then what's the use of having one!  Coach is there to strategize a game plan to help achieve the end goal (which is to win) and the players need to trust their coach.  In life, I'm looking at our parents as the ultimate coaches in our lives. They will never give us a play that will ruin our lives and thus it is always good to listen and trust our parents! 

5. Bilog ang bola - no matter where the ballgame takes us, whether we win or lose, at the end of the game, learnings will emerge and the players will know how to play harder. In life, we are not always on top of our games, we can be at the bottom and that's not bad.  Life is a continuous journey that we need to travel in whether good or bad, what's important is that we are able to learn from these journey and the learnings will lead us to success! 

How about you? How do you relate this ballgame into your life?

Xoxo

I'm not busy, I'm just lazy!

Yes and I will not deny it! 

I am so guilty of procrastinating these past few weeks and I can't blame it to anything or anyone else but myself!  I know its not a good habit and so before I reached my one month procrastinating period -- I will end it now! 

My last post was about Pope Francis' visit here in the Philippines and how it touched my life -- it was just so sad that after that successful visit of Pope, a tragic incident happened next -- we all know about our Fallen 44.

Many have given their opinion and feelings about the incident and listening to all of them just makes me wonder and ask why these things are happening.  I know after we've all talked about it, we will all go back to our normal lives and I don't know how we will learn from all of these.. I guess we just have to pray (a little harder) not only for the President, for the SAF of PNP, for the victims, for the perpetrator BUT to all of us.  May we all be guided with the teachings of the Lord and that we all do good to others!! 

I wish nothing but the best for my country and countrymen. I am just an ordinary person but I know I can make a difference starting with my family! 

Xoxo

Pope Francis Thank you sa Malasakit

We were all very blessed because Pope Francis visited the Philippines.  In that 5 day journey everyone waited patiently to have a glimpse of the Holy Father.  We all attended mass and listened attentively in his homily.  We were all fixed in our TV sets feeling the holiness of Pope Francis.

After that visit, what's next for all of us?

I didn't have the chance to see Pope Francis personally but I patiently waited and watched TV and listened to the radio to know the latest update about Pope Francis.  Even if I know he can't see me, I waved my hand when he arrived and went out of his plane, I waved when he was in his pope mobile, I prayed in his mass and clapped with joy with his homily -- again -- after that what's next?

In the 5 day visit of Pope Francis, I learned a lot! But let me share with you the top learnings that I got!

1. Family is our foundation - no matter what we do, family will always play a big part in our growth as a person and as Christians.

2. Simplicity - we don't need to be glamorous and seek attention from other people.  We have to stray away from material things that eventually eats our personality.  We have to be simple.

3. Ask for help - when Pope Francis said that we need to learn how to beg, the first thing that came to my mind was that we need to learn to ask for help.  We are not perfect and we cannot do everything on our own and thus asking for help is the way to go.   This might be easy to say but it is very difficult to do simply because many of us thinks that we can do everything on our own.  Remember: asking for help is not a weakness but a realization that we are not perfect.  Even Pope asked all of us that we continue to pray for him, he knows that asking is a form of strength!

4. Share your blessings - If we have extra money then giving something to our brothers and sisters is a good thing, but we don't need to be rich to be able to share.  We can give our time by visiting the orphanage and making them feel that they are loved.  We can give our wisdom by patiently listening to our lolos and lolas at the home for the aged.  We can share our knowledge by teaching the out of school youth for free and helping them achieve their dreams. Most especially sharing ourselves without asking anything in return.

5. Feeling in Silence - when Pope Francis talked to the people who were stricken by typhoon Yolanda, who've lost their loved ones, source of living, houses and more, Pope Francis said that no words can make the situation any lighter because what's lost is lost.  What he did was to be silent and feel the same feeling as these people.  Sometimes, it's more appreciated if all feel in silence.

I will never forget this visit! Not because I saw Pope Francis in person but because of the learnings that was given to me.  The inspiration to be the greatest person that I can be.  The challenge to share the love of God to everyone!

I hope that this visit will last forever, not in physical appearance but in our lives!

Xoxo

2014 Hernandez Christmas Party

It's a yearly thing! Every Christmas, it is a must that we all get together for a reunion and a whole lot of fun! That's how HERNANDEZ celebrate the season of loving and giving!

It has been two years in a row that we celebrated our get together at Maria Paz Resort in San Pablo City.  

This is where both children and adult can enjoy because aside from the swimming activities for the kids, adults can have time to just relax under the sun by their cottages and grass.

For this event, we rented three gazeebos.

Of course foodies will not be missed.
What we do is that each family will bring a dish (voluntary) and we all did!  Buti lahat ay naki cooperate. :p

Picture taking can never be avoided.

Before we start the program, we have to fill our stomachs first..

Then on to the games..
Mama and I will always be the game masters because we really love games!!

Kids were tentatively and excitedly listening to the mechanics.
They are all my nieces and nephews and inaanak! Oh my, I feel so old!

My first game is "Bring down the Cans".
With the help of a ball -- all they have to do is to throw the ball and bring down all the cans! That easy!

The kids enjoyed and so I want to make sure that the not so young peeps will also enjoy! and they did! Go Ate Kay!

The second game is "Dig the coin"
A container has several gold coins and there were all covered with flour.
They just need to dig and get the coins without using their hands!
They were all very competitive!  Go Erika!

The third game is care of Mama Inday!
All they need to do is to stack the paper cups until they reach the starting point!
Go Go Rachel and Gillian!

Now the fourth game is all about me and Sweet!
We were busy discussing (with smiles) on how we will implement this game with the help of my trusty pink luggage (from Malaysia)!

The balloons have prizes inside it.
There were cash prizes and cellphone loads!

All they need to do is to pop the balloon with the use of dart pins (Thanks Papa Gary for buying them!).

We started the game with the kids!
Careful with my luggage kids!
More energy Chobe!!

Let's see if Aaron will get it!!
Nice shot there!!!
KL: Tabi kayo jan kids at baka kayo matamaan!!!

Ofcourse hindi magpapa talo ang mga matatanda!
Buena Mano si Tita Ninang Lynley!
Look at how they were all lined up!

At more players!

At the end some won cash and some won cellphone loads.

The most anticipated part of the party is the exchange gift and gift giving.  The kids, even the adults were very happy with what they received!

It will always be fun hosting our yearly Christmas Party because I see a lot of joy in it!  The next Christmas party will still be held in Maria Paz and I am sure that it will be a hit!

Xoxo

January 4: Araw ng magaganda! ^_^

No matter how busy we are, I always make sure that every year we will celebrate our birthdays!  I am excited every start of the year because Louise and I celebrates our birthday first! 

Yes -- for those of you who are not aware yet -- Louise and I have the same birth dates, January 4 and we were both normal delivery (so no interventions done).

With that, I am very lucky to always celebrate with my Twin! Yes twin kase Hindi naman kami nagkakalayo ng edad! Mga isang dekada lang! Hahaha! 

On to the simple celebration.
This year, we decided to celebrate at Arabela.  It was my first time there (taga Laguna Ako pero first time) and we celebrated with our immediate family! 

Arabela is located at Liliw Laguna and is 2 hour drive from Angono Rizal -- road trip muna bago ang kainan.  The restaurant opens at 11:15am and when we arrived there was already a long queue and we need to wait for our turn. Instead if just waiting in line, we decided to roam around the shoe stores! For those of you who are not aware, Liliw is the shoe capital of Laguna!! We waited for at least 45 minutes I think! 

When we were seated it was very easy to choose from the menu, simply because all were best sellers!  I can now attest that they are great food! 

They have pasta, pizza, rice dishes, fish, steak, salad, pastries, shakes and coffee! 

Their famous Puding!

Kesong Puti Pizza

It is always great to eat with family in a great restaurant!!

We will sure go back to Liliw!! 

Xoxo