If you're anything like me, you often start your day with a well-meaning, incredibly detailed to-do list that, in reality, has entirely too much on it.

If you're anything like me, there comes a point in your day where you just let yourself succumb to the fact that there is no way you are getting all of this done today. Sometimes that point is early, and sometimes it's not until bedtime. But it's there, nonetheless, almost every day.

As we go into fall and the holiday season and, you know, having a baby, my to-do list is just going to keep getting longer. The amount of things still on the list when it's time to call it a day are just going to keep growing. But here's what I've learned: I would rather do a few things really well than do a bunch of things terribly.

Most of us are always going to have more things we feel like we need to do than we have the time to do them. But, we are also always going to have the things we have to do, no matter what.

Every single month, I tell myself, "I'm going to say yes to more this month, and I'm also going to say no to more this month." I know, it's weird. But over the past year I'm really learning the value and importance in saying no sometimes. What I've learned lately, though, is that sometimes you have to say no to yourself, for the sake of yourself.

There's a lot of freedom in realizing your priorities--the things that have to get done no matter what--and focusing on being excellent at those before you add in seventy-five other things you would like to do.

So that's where I'm at this month. Realizing priorities and making my many to-do lists reflect those. If I can't be fantastic at everything, I might as well be fantastic at the things I have to do, right?

Because I can't do everything. And when I try, I end up looking like I can't do anything.

So cheers to a fall full of prioritizing, becoming excellent at the important things in life, and, of course, many pumpkin spice lattes.
If you're anything like me, you often start your day with a well-meaning, incredibly detailed to-do list that, in reality, has entirely too much on it.

If you're anything like me, there comes a point in your day where you just let yourself succumb to the fact that there is no way you are getting all of this done today. Sometimes that point is early, and sometimes it's not until bedtime. But it's there, nonetheless, almost every day.

As we go into fall and the holiday season and, you know, having a baby, my to-do list is just going to keep getting longer. The amount of things still on the list when it's time to call it a day are just going to keep growing. But here's what I've learned: I would rather do a few things really well than do a bunch of things terribly.

Most of us are always going to have more things we feel like we need to do than we have the time to do them. But, we are also always going to have the things we have to do, no matter what.

Every single month, I tell myself, "I'm going to say yes to more this month, and I'm also going to say no to more this month." I know, it's weird. But over the past year I'm really learning the value and importance in saying no sometimes. What I've learned lately, though, is that sometimes you have to say no to yourself, for the sake of yourself.

There's a lot of freedom in realizing your priorities--the things that have to get done no matter what--and focusing on being excellent at those before you add in seventy-five other things you would like to do.

So that's where I'm at this month. Realizing priorities and making my many to-do lists reflect those. If I can't be fantastic at everything, I might as well be fantastic at the things I have to do, right?

Because I can't do everything. And when I try, I end up looking like I can't do anything.

So cheers to a fall full of prioritizing, becoming excellent at the important things in life, and, of course, many pumpkin spice lattes.

My Li'l Dreamer

M

jhajha

That's Life

Danielle Jade

October 09, 2014...

That day, I got to see a new life brought into this world, my 2nd baby.She was ZERO vital signs-no pulse-no heartbeat! I  was very scared then. But God is so good. He gave me the opportunity of having her in our lives. After a few hours, I got the chance of seeing her from nursery. I couldn't help but observe all the unique features a newborn has. You see, as I was surrounded by the chants of my relatives of how adorable she was, how perfect, and how sweet, I began to think amongst myself of how pure an infant is. Being brought into a world of hatred, lust, and crime, it gives you a peaceful easy feeling as you stare at this newborn.

Her skin was so smooth without a single impurity. Her hair was so soft you would think you were touching silk threads. Of all the beautiful things seen on the outside of this child, I began to think of what kind of child she would grow up to be. It made me wonder what her friends would be like. Who would be her first love. Would she be tender hearted or a tom boy. All the questions of the exahaustable varieties she could be, based on the world we live in. This newborn has so much opportunity after being born into a world that is full of options. Before I walked away from the cold glass viewing window in the nursery, I glanced around at my family and realized it was our job to raise this baby to be the best of its ability. I turned around and smiled at them all as I walked away wondering if they were thinking the same thing.

DILATION AND CURETTAGE

It was very traumatic when we heard and found out that I am into an unembryonic pregnancy. The ultrasound showed us only an immature placenta without an embryo forming. Then I was bleeding for two weeks. I was very scared. My OB- gyne told me to undergo D & C for me to be safe. It took me a long while before I agreed with them. I just had my D & C a week ago. I felt sad I lost my baby.

I AM NOT ALONE

Running errands and talking on the phone, 

I am pleasantly reminded that I am not alone.

Little tiny hands a precious rounded knee 

pushing and twisting that no one can see. 

Oh sweet child kicking up your heels, 

it is our little secret that only I can feel. 

I look forward to your birth, 

when I can kiss your skin, 

but for now I will just smile, 

As I feel you play within.

Baby is on the way...

I am 8 weeks pregnant for our 2nd baby. Thank you guys for keeping posted and following my blog. I hope I can post alot more better this time. Help me pray God will bless me with this pregnancy. And that this baby will grow in the Lord...:)

NEPHEW Ralph Kristian

My sister-inlaw just gave birth to a bouncing healthy baby boy last January 04,this year. Such a lovely baby...

Love you baby Rap². May you grow with the Lord and be good to your parents and the people around you...

Stay healthy and huggable as you are right now..

You're part of the Family now...

Welcome and God bless you always...

Life has knocked me down a few times, I've seen things i never want to see again, But one things for sure, I'll always get back up, i will never stay down.

Life is traveled only once..Today's moment becomes tomorrow's memory..Enjoy every moment; good, bad, happy, or sad;because the gift of life is LIFE itself.

It's funny how I am good at giving advices to others but when it comes to helping myself, I don't know what to do!  

WHO DO WE CHOOSE TO LOVE?

How many people cross our path in a life time? Well, if you are reading this, you are alive. If you are alive it means you were born. If you were born you have or had a mother. That’s one person. Now, add in the doctors and nurses that were there when you left the comfort of your mother’s womb plus a dad who, hopefully, was still on the scene. Then include a whole slew of relatives (you had no choice in the matter) forever connected to you through your family tree.
Over the course of your life, hundreds, even thousands, of people will smile at you, frown at you, or even ignore you all together. You will have close relationships, break them, and just plain lose touch with people that, for one moment in time, were part of your life. A few, a very select few, will enter your life and stay. Stay till either you bite the big one or they kick the bucket. Very few will be with us at our end. Will they be the right few? Will they be people of honor? Of character? Or, will they be leeches, bottom feeders that are there to pick over our bones without a passing thought or moment of remorse?
We make choices every single day. We decide what to wear, what to eat, where to work, where to live, and where to be. Some people spend more time picking out a new pair of tennis shoes then picking with who they share their time.
In a recent obesity study report, carried by all the news services, you have more than a 70% chance of being overweight if your friends are overweight. Who we hang out with matters and not just for our bottom line. Our friends are a reflection of who we are. Our spouses are a reflection of our inner soul. Einstein once said “Without someone to love life is miserable.” But the question is who? Who do we choose to love? How do we know the difference between Mr. or Mrs. Right vs. Mr. or Mrs. Right Now? The saying goes, “ Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer,” but leaves out how to differentiate between the two.
Seriously, if we are going to make it in this world or have a fighting chance of making it, we have to know who to trust. In a book that I read a while back, “The Seven Levels of Intimacy” by Matthew Kelly, the key to picking soulmates, bunkmates or roommates lies in one very obvious fact and that is “People aren’t going to treat you any better than they treat themselves.” If your friends are irresponsible drunks, if their lives are out of control, if they lie to themselves…well guess what? They are going to create chaos in your life! People who have lost control over their lives are going to be looking for company. You can either hop in the car with them and go for a ride, or step away from the vehicle.
So very simply, that’s rule #1, “Unless you want your life to go down the toilet, avoid others who are flushing their own life away.” Rule #2, “Perceptions are deceiving.” It’s always calmest right before the storm. There are a lot of “stable looking” individuals out there that are barely hanging on- people with no savings; cars that need repair held together with duct tape; paycheck to paycheck people. When the ground opens to swallow up these people, you don’t want to be standing nearby, much less next to them. Rule #3, “Can you trust this individual?” If there is a pause or hesitation in answering this question, then you can’t. As I said before, people that let themselves down, will take you down.
That leaves rule #4. “Do they have your best interest at heart?” And I’m not just talking lip service. Do they go out of their way to help you, assist you in being a better person without looking for a hand-out? Look at your past experiences with the person you say loves you or has your back. Do they? Do their actions reflect self interest or devotion? Jane Fonda once said to Lindsey Lohan after her third or fourth arrest for DWI and cocaine possession “This isn’t a dress rehearsal, you only get one life.” If we could all remember that, we might be a little more careful with who we travel down the road of life.

DISCONTENTMENT

Sometimes it is difficult to find contentment in the life that has been assigned to you. The grass always looks greener on the other side. For this reason, if it is your desire to be a virtuous woman, a godly wife and mother, you cannot be too careful to guard against high expectations. While there is certainly nothing wrong with possessing an ideal of peaceful and harmonious home life, there is the danger of allowing those beautiful dreams to spoil for you what should otherwise have been sweet contentment in your present situation. For then comes the rain cloud of discouragement, because your wonderful vision may not be your present and daily reality.  You may be one who feels unappreciated, neglected, or even rejected. Possibly you do not think your family is as godly as you would desire. Maybe you do not think your father is taking enough spiritual leadership in the family. Perhaps you are simply tired of living the same life year after year. There are many reasons why seemingly unmet needs can cause frustration with your present circumstances and produce a restless longing for change. You must guard against this kind of thinking, because a discontented heart quickly leads to covetousness. The important thing to remember is that there are no needs that have been left unmet. Our life may not change in the way we would want it too, but that does not mean we cannot have contentment! You must accept your present circumstances the way they are. You must accept the people in those circumstances and, yes, even accept yourself with all of the flaws that a sinner saved only by grace can possess! It always seems like there is someone else who looks like they have a more exciting life. Maybe their family appears more godly than your own. A wise friend of my mother's had an interesting thought. She said that although many families seem to be very godly, every family has its own area of weakness and blind spots. She pointed out that even if they look very spiritual, we do not know everything that goes on in their home, therefore, there are probably many things we would not approve of in their life, if we knew about them. We must not compare our family with the families of others. The Bible says “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves are not wise.” (II Cor. 10:12). God has placed you in your particular family for a specific reason. There may be areas in which He desires you to grow. A situation that provokes the temptation for a bad response frequently presents an opportunity for character development and growth in the Lord. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be whole and complete, wanting nothing.” (James 1:2-4). The best place for us to learn the things God wants to teach us is in the home setting. There, if you fail the test, the ones who love you are quick to forgive. In the world, people are not apt to be so understanding. The world can be a harsh teacher. You can thank the Lord for the imperfections in your family, because they give you the chance to learn and build character, while providing a way to demonstrate day after day a Christ-like attitude in spite of frustration. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (I Pet. 1:7. “But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:6-7). True joy and contentment are found deep within our spirit, and the only sure way to possess them is through a change of heart. The solution to your problem is found at the feet of our Savior. “Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness”. (Psalms 107:8-9).

FRIENDSHIP

A friend is a person capable of loving irrespective of whether he is being loved or not.  Friendship can exist between the same sex: man-man, woman-woman, or opposite sex: man-woman. It transcends age and could subsist between even an old man and a small boy.  Human beings also establish friendships with their pet animals such as cats, dogs, horses, doves and parrots.  Friendship can also be felt in familial relationships between father and son, mother and daughter, husband and wife, brother and sister, elder brother and younger brother. Yet, more than friendship, love is the binding force in familial relationships. In a deeper sense, love is below friendship because it is an above/below relation, one of hierarchy and condition.  It is implied, then, that friendship is freedom plus equality.  It involves choice and volition. The concept of friendship needs exploration because often a man is known by the company he keeps; knowing the company helps one to know oneself and develop his personality to the fullest.  

Each of our friends mirrors a rejected or acknowledged trait in us.  They happen to be our friends because it is ourselves in different forms, and a unified vision of them constitutes to the sameness of our identity. Generally, friendship exists for three reasons:  a)  virtue  b)  usefulness  c) pleasure.  When virtue is the reason, friendship exists for the sake of friendship; where both like each other and cherish each other for some creditable values in the other’s personality.  You wish to be the friend of that person for the sheer personality that he/she has.  It has a magic in itself.  It attracts you.  And it is mutual.  You know that you would even die to swear your friendship for that person.  But you also know that the other would make you live than die for him/her.  It is somewhat platonic in concept in as much as the other may not be/need not be all that intelligent and good looking, useful or capable of giving pleasure.

A friendship of the second kind is formed for the utilitarian value of it.  How useful so and so is to me?  What can I benefit from him?  Can I use his car?  Will he use his reputation and influence to fetch me a good job?  Will he lend me money in need? Thus a person may ask and maintains relationship for practical, professional, and political reasons.  I remember the friendship I made with two others on a bus on my way home to Laguna.  It was extremely useful for killing time during the journey.  Further, all of us had to go to the bus-stand to continue our onward travel.  Therefore we took an auto rickshaw till the bus-stand and shared the money.  But then, once we boarded our buses to our 

destinations, we were looking forward to meet our people at the hometown.  That is the quality of this friendship; it is useful but lasts so long as the need for utility persists.  Once we do away with the utility need the friendship eventually dies.  It holds good only for that moment and need.Friendship of the third kind is formed essentially on account of the pleasure the relationship is capable of giving.  He is a joker.  The moment he enters, you forget all your worries.  You cannot but wonder what new joke he has got up in his sleeve to make you roar into laughter.  And he never disappoints you that way.  She is cute, intelligent and charming.  The very notion that she is your friend makes you feel proud.  That she walks, talks and takes tea with you is enough.  You are on cloud nine.  The point rests here:  How good is he/she in giving me pleasure--physically, emotionally, mentally and materialistically? Now to the question:  Which of the three is good?  It appears that type A is good, but it is not as useful or joyful as the other types.  Type B is good, yet it falls short of longevity and quality.  Type C too is 

good, but how long one enjoys only pleasure in life?  How many jokes can a person take in a day? And does it give the same pleasure as it gave to him in the beginning?  Doesn't he reach a saturation point, a mental and emotional exhaustion?  Where he would rather prefer to be left alone to himself?  Would prefer to shed a tear inside rather than go on laughing at the follies of the world?

In close observation, it would be revealed that all these type differences are not watertight compartments.  They overlap with each other.  A relationship started on the basis of usefulness may also get elevated to the status of virtue in due course.  Similarly a virtuous friendship also could soon impart usefulness and pleasure.  It would be an ideal package to have all the three together.  But you see my friend, how difficult it is to form relationships?

LUST AND LOVE

Love doesn't exclude lust, just the opposite: if you don't lust for her, chances are you don't love her. And lust may lead to love.

If you still feel attracted when your lust is satisfied, then it's love. Most people confuse lust with love; the difference is that while lust is self-serving love is unlimited and unselfish..

 

Is it lust, or what?

IT'S LUST IF : 

* You're totally focused on her looks and body

* Even before you know her name, you're already fantasizing about what she looks like naked and what it would be like to have sex with her.

* You don't care about anything she has to say

* It wouldn't make a difference to you if you never had a conversation with her. Furthermore, you don't bother to return her calls promptly and you can easily go for days without talking to her -- until you get horny again.

* You only want to be with her to have sex

* You make excuses not to spend time with her, except for sex.   

And if she asks you for a favor, you tell her you're too busy. But if you have to be with her and not have sex, she gets on your nerves and you find yourself fantasizing about other women.

She's your booty call

* After you go out trolling for tail with your buddies on Friday night, you then call her at 1 a.m. for some drunken action. Ah, the booty call.

* You leave after sex

* After having sex with her, you look for the easiest way to leave. No cuddling, no breakfast the next morning, just "I gotta go."

IT'S LOVE IF : 

* You have great chemistry

* You get lost in your conversations, and the hours pass like minutes. You're more than willing to listen to her when she talks about her day. The chemistry between you is remarkable.

* You find her beautiful

* Even if you catch her with no makeup on and her hair pulled back while she's unclogging a toilet, she still looks beautiful to you.

* You want to spend time with her

* All you want to do is to be with her, whether you're having sex or not. Even if she tells you that sex will have to wait, you don't care.

* You see a future together

* You experience the strange feeling that your life would be totally empty without her. You tell your friends and family that she may be The One, and you're even thinking about marrying her.

* You introduce her to your family

* It becomes very important to you that your parents like her, and that she gets along with everyone close to you.

* You include her in all your plans

* Whether you're going out with your male friends or taking your dog for a walk, you want her there with you. And if she's not there, you can't get her off your mind and sneak off to give her a quick "I miss you" phone call. Of course, you don't tell your buddies.

* You are more romantic

* All of a sudden you find yourself listening to cheesy romantic songs and thinking of her. You send her flowers and love notes to work and set up romantic evenings candlelit dinners at home.

* You always take her side

* If someone says anything even slightly disparaging about her, you immediately rise to her defense. Furthermore, in social gatherings, you always agree with her even if you disagree behind closed doors.

* She makes you want to be a better man

* She challenges and motivates you. She makes you happy, and you'd do anything to make her happy.

* When it is love, you catch yourself thinking about how much fun you have with that person and when it is lust you catch yourself thinking about their body.

YOU KNOW THAT IT’S LOVE WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE SEX TO FEEL CONNECTED TO THE PERSON. YOU FEEL COMPLETE AND HAPPY JUST HOLDING HANDS OR TALKING WITH THEM AND WHEN YOU DO HAVE PHYSICAL CONTACT AN EXPLOSION TAKES PLACE EACH TIME WITH A FRESH AND NEW FEELING EVERY TIME. LUST IS A QUICK SATISFYING FEELING THAT QUICKLY GOES AWAY AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE!

Love is when you want to spend the rest of your life with that person, despite their weaknesses. Lust is a strong sexual attraction usually based on physical appearance. Once that physical desire ends, your interest in them may also end. “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind" --William Shakespeare Mid-Summer's Night Dream.

If you love being in their presence even when nothing sexual is involved. I think that if you are with a person that you truly are in love with, lust is a natural thing that comes with it. 

Ask yourself, "If I could never have sex with this person for my whole life, would i still love this person?" Think about it.

It's love when you rejoice for your partner's happiness, even if that means being away from you. It's lust when you rejoice for being together, even at the cost of your partner's happiness. Usually, we are somewhere in between. 

The KEY to true Love and Romance are not like recipes that you can use for that perfect relationship. That Key is unique to every couple and relates to their social cultures and values. Almost every human relationship has its ups and downs. When people can focus on the important and valuable stuff that makes it all worthwhile, rather than curse the stuff that causes pain then they are on the way to finding true Love.

When the two of you have no problems in committing yourselves to freely demonstrate such qualities as compassion, respect, compromise and dependability, then you may have found true LOVE.

If you love someone, you look forward every morning to waking up to seeing their face, and you genuinely care about what they have to think and say. Lust is seeing the person only for their physical attributions, and although you feel a strong attraction to them, you really don't care what they have to say or think.

Love is when u cant see ur self wit no one else when she is beautiful not sexy and just cute when u talked to her about nothing for hours and think is cute love is u make plans wit her in ur future

Lust is when u look at her and say damn she sexy i just wanna have sex with her.

I'M SO BLESSED

I don't regret anything in my past. I like looking back and smile. Some of it hurts but I'm stronger and know better now. I haven't felt so great for a long time. And now, I realized I've been blessed for 31 years and counting. I've been into alot about life; troubles, anxieties, deceptions, sorrows, griefs, disillusions, failures and discomfort. And now I'm only sensing success and happiness.

It is then that I realized life is so beautiful and worth living. The only lesson I learned is that "there is always sunshine after the rain."



A heartfelt gratitude to all who take time greeting me on my special day. I can't name you one by one but God knows who you are.I love you all. To all my Katambay in TAMBAYAN 2011 group in facebook, thank you for staying with me in the group. I just hope you enjoyed the stay and each others company. 


It's blessed 31 long years of existence for me. I never regretted a thing in a day. I am capable of everything I do. And I am the only one accountable for what I do.

Thank you Lord for being so considerate despite my weaknesses. It's you alone who I can depend on. 


My pleasure to those who came and celebrate with me. I' m just so blessed to have many people who loves me.


Happy 31st Birthday to myself...


Cheers!

FUNNY MARRIAGE TIPS FOR HUSBANDS

Sure your wife married you because she loves you and she obviously still does. But that does not mean that she loves everything about you. There are definitely some things that she absolutely cannot stand about you. You'll want to steer clear of doing any of those, especially when she's already upset or busy. Given below is a list of some tips that you might want to remember, to avoid unnecessary conflict.

• The wife is always right. Even when she's wrong, tell her that she's right. She'll go on a major guilt trip when she realizes that she's wrong and you'll be the bigger person.
• Find diplomatic ways of telling her that she could do with some weight loss. Never tell her directly that she looks fat in something that she's wearing. The most popular way to do it is go "You look fine, but don't you think the other one brings out the color in your eyes better?" or some equally efficient variation of it.
• Always pick up after you eat, change clothes, or fix something. There's nothing more annoying to a wife than having to clean up after a sloppy husband.
• Never assume that she's in charge of preparing all the meals. So don't walk into the house and proclaim that you're really hungry and want to know 'what's for dinner?'. She gets tired too and might appreciate your help in preparing the meal.
• No matter what she says, a woman always appreciates a gift more than the thought of you getting it for her. So next time, don't simply tell her that you 'thought' about getting her something. Go ahead and actually get it for her.
• Women don't understand the importance that men give to sports. So don't try to explain it to her by simply staring at the TV while she does all the work. Plan all your share of the work around the time of the matches. She can't complain about it then.
• Forget important dates like birthdays, anniversaries, bill payments, kids' doctor appointments, school programs, etc. This way, she'll give you such a hard time about it, you won't have a choice but to remember it the next time.
• Take off your wedding ring, for whatever reason ONLY if you want to ensure that you NEVER win an argument with your wife ever again.
• Encourage kids to act silly by laughing at their antics if you want to test their moral fiber. They'll fail miserably and they'll take you down with them when they're grounded or punished!

FUNNY MARRIAGE TIPS FOR WIVES

Women are strange creatures. They expect, and when they expect, they want. When they want something and they don't get it, they get annoyed and depressed. They miss that crucial step of telling the person that they expect something from, that they expect it. And that little step leads to many many arguments and fights that are both unnecessary and frankly, quite irritating. So, for all you wives, or newlyweds, here are some funny tips for a successful marriage that you would like to exercise for sure.

• Be glad that you're not the center of your husband's universe, once in a while. Imagine having him around you all the time, not being able to have some alone time (read, gossip time with the girls).
• Let him make the important decisions like what car to buy and what's the best (insert electronic item name) in the market, unless you're well versed with the stuff.
• Don't ever tell him that you think a bald man is sexy or a guy with a mustache looked really appealing if you don't truly think so. The next thing you know, he might go bald or begin to grow a mustache!
• Spoil him by doing all the household chores, taking care of the kids, running errands, and letting him just come back home, eat, watch TV and go to bed, for some days. If the guilt over your hard work does not kick in within a few days, you can always go shopping at his expense!
• Don't be extremely chirpy if he's had a hard day and you've been at home. No matter how hard you work at home, you're bound to be a little, tiny bit more relaxed than him. So give him a break and throw in a foot massage and back rub once in a while.
• Men love sports, period! If you don't, then don't try to understand it. Or worse, don't try to get your husband to do something during a live game, that you know can wait for a little longer. He'll be annoyed and won't do it properly. That's all the fuel that's required for an argument that you can never win.
• Try your hand at fixing something yourself. Even if you're not sure how to do it, and especially if you want him to do it. You'll do a shoddy job, and when you show him your handiwork, there's little chance that he'll be able to resist the urge to show you 'how it's really done'. Major ego boost for him and you'll get the work done too!

AN EYE OPENER

This is a powerful message in our modern society. Sometimes we may seem to have lost our bearing & our sense of direction.

One young academically excellent person went to apply for a managerial position in a big company.

He passed the first interview, the director did the last interview, made the last decision.

The director discovered from the CV that the youth's academic achievements were excellent all the way, from the secondary school until the postgraduate research,

never had a year when he did not score.

The director asked, "Did you obtain any scholarships in school?" the youth answered "none."

The director asked, " Was it your father who paid for your school fees?"

The youth answered, "My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees."

The director asked, " Where did your mother work?" The youth answered,

"My mother worked as clothes cleaner.".

The director requested the youth to show his hands.

The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect.

The director asked, " Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before?"

The youth answered, "Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more books.

Furthermore, my mother can wash clothes faster than me."

The director said, "I have a request. When you go back today, go and clean your mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning."

The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high.

When he went back, he happily requested his mother to let him clean her hands.

His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to the kid.

The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly. His tear fell as he did that.

It was the first time he noticed that his mother's hands were so wrinkled, and there were so many bruises in her hands. Some bruises were so painful that his mother shivered when they were cleaned with water.

This was the first time the youth realized that ...

1. it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes everyday to enable him to pay the school fee.

2. The bruises in the mother's hands were the price that the mother had to pay for his graduation, academic excellence and his future.

After finishing the cleaning of his mother hands, the youth quietly washed all the remaining clothes for his mother.

That night, mother and son talked for a very long time.

_____________________________________________________

Next morning, the youth went to the director's office.

The Director noticed the tears in the youth's eyes, asked: " Can you tell me what have you done and learned yesterday in your house?"

The youth answered, " I cleaned my mother's hand, and also finished cleaning all the remaining clothes."

The Director asked, " please tell me your feelings."

The youth said.....

Number 1, I know now what is appreciation. Without my mother, there would not the successful me today.

Number 2, by working together and helping my mother, only I now realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done.

Number 3, I have come to appreciate the importance and value of family relationship.

The director said, " This is what I am looking for to be my Manager".

1. I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others,

2. a person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done,

3. and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life.

the director said, You are hired.

Later on, this young person worked very hard.....

1. and received the respect of his subordinates.

2. Every employee worked diligently and as a team.

3. The company's performance improved tremendously.

A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he wanted, would

1. develop "entitlement mentality" and would always put himself first.

2. he would be ignorant of his parent's efforts.

3. When he starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when he becomes a manager,

4. he would never know the sufferings of his employees and would always blame others.

For this kind of people, who may be good academically,

1. may be successful for a while, but eventually would not feel sense of achievement.

2. He will grumble and be full of hatred and fight for more. If we are this kind of protective parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying the kid instead?

You can let your kid ...

1. live in a big house, eat a good meal, learn piano, watch a big screen TV.

But when you are cutting grass, please let them experience it.

After a meal, let them wash their plates and bowl together with their brothers and sisters

It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because..

1. you want to love them in a right way.

2. you want them to understand, no matter how rich their parents are, One day their hair will grow gray, same as the mother of that young person. The most important thing is your ...

1. kid learns how to appreciate the effort and

2. experience the difficulty

3. and learns the ability to work with others to get things done.

A GATHERING...

We are celebrating the 4th wedding anniversary of my beloved brother (my super father-like brother). He used to snatch my cigarettes. He doesn't like seeing me smoke...


Same old fashioned celebration; a dinner together, sing along, with a bottle of liquor.


After a long time of being away from them, I realized there's nothing like HOME. It's totally different when you're at home. It's like a breath of fresh air.. There is always this warm and pleasant welcome from the family.


I love the thought that I have the best family ever. Despite of all the troubles I had brought to the family before. I appreciate the acceptance and understanding. I have nothing more to ask.


I am the eldest of three siblings. Our youngest sister is in Tottenham London right now. My brother who is 4 years married now is here in the province with mom. They waited for more than 3 years before God bless them an angel..My brother's wife is 6 months pregnant now.


I am so thankful to God for giving us our mom who raised us and mold us to become better persons. We lost our dad when I was about 19 years old due to rheumatic heart disease. 


I have gone through a lot of troubles before but I am still blessed with a loving family.


If only I could turn back the hands of time....


Happy 4th wedding anniversary bro...!
Missing you little sister...be home soon so we could gather altogether again...

LECHE FLAN RECIPE

Leche flan is a favourite and popular dessert in the Philippines. It is similar to a cream caramel. It is sweet and rich.

Leche flan is a must during Christmas, New Year and fiestas. Nowadays, making leche flan become part time job for some family who would like to earn extra money. Since making it takes a lot of time, busy people would just like to buy it over the counter or order leche flan for the Holiday celebrations, you will now find leche flan being sold in the market and delicacy stores or order over the phone and deliver to your door.

Like any other popular dish, there are many variations in making leche flan, but the classic recipe only calls for eggyolk, sugar, evaporated milk, condensed milk and citrus flavourings. Steaming is the traditional method for cooking leche flan, and is usually prepared in an oval shaped metal pans called Llanera and steamed over moderate heat until set.

It takes a while to master the techniques and perfected this recipe but it is worth it.

Ingredients:

12 egg yolks

2 cans condensed milk (14 oz.)

5 cans small evaporated milk

2 cups fine white sugar

2 tablespoon vanilla or

¼ teaspoon grated dayap rind (optional)

You will also need the following:

• Llanera

• Steamer

• Strainer

How to make the Caramelized Syrup :

• In a stainless steel pan, dissolve 3/4 cups of sugar, add 1/4 cup water over medium heat, do not stir, just swirl the pan gently, caramelize in low heat if you don't want it burnt. Pale brown means sweeter and too dark means bitter. When you have achieved the desired color, pour the syrup in the llanera and make sure to coat all the parts of the pan.

How to make the Custard:

• In a mixing bowl, combine all the egg yolk, condensed milk, evaporated milk, sugar and vanilla. Use a whisk to mix thoroughly but gently to prevent bubbles from forming. Remove any solids by using a strainer.
• Pour the mixture in the llanera and cover it with an aluminum foil, so that the moisture from the steam won't come in the pan as it will become watery.
• Steam Cook for 40-45 minutes, or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Remove the llanera and let it cool at room temperature. Then refrigerate for several hours before serving.
• To unmold the leche flan- run a sharp knife around the edge and carefully invert it unto a platter or serving dish, let the caramelized sugar flow over the leche flan.

This recipes makes 4- 5 llanera of Leche Flan.

Leche flan is a popular dessert to to eat with Suman (sticky rice) or serve with sweetened macapuno (young coconut) and ube (purple yam), or just serve as it is.