Green is the Color of Christmas

Our family likes to color coordinate our clothes every Christmas. We had red, green, yellow, and pink from the past Christmases. This year I suggested black because we're sort of gloomy because we're separated from each other. They didn't like the idea. Then I tried on blue because we're bluer than blue (again because of our separation from our mother) they didn't like it either. Ate suggested green because they all have clothing in that hue. I said there's got to be a meaning why we chose green. She said its green because we're green minded people! Haha! Nice one ate!

We're not green minded people but we all agreed on it because green means GO. Go follow your dreams. Go take a vacation. Go explore the world. Go spread some love! That's what we did this year and from my family to yours, GO have a Merry Christmas!

Promises! Promises!

I never believed in new year's resolution. And yet every year I manage to make a list. :D There would always be room for improvement and I just like knowing what those are. This year I will strive to:

~ save save save!
~ find a stable job
~ have more patience
~ opt for gentle persuasion with my son
~ explore the Philippines
~ limit my use of Facebook to one day per week
~ control words that I spoke every time I'm super mad
~ have a stronger relationship with God
~ lessen the use of plastic
~ limit unnecessary buying
~ recycle
~ clean and declutter our home every month
~ read more books
~ believe in the power of love
~ have a fighting spirit! Aja!
~ be genuinely truly happy for others
~ don't feel bad when things don't go the way I planned it

Now that I put it in words, there's no turning back. Bottom line, I will strive to change for the better! 2013 please bear with me.

Domesticated-fied

What a title! lol.

Ever since my mom left us, we've been living on our own. When the idea of her vacationing with my sister for few months came up, I secretly wish she'll refuse. The idea of living on our own is terrifying. Who will cook for us? Who will pay the bills? Who will take care of Riley when I go to work? And whom I will turn to draw strength and ask for opinion for just about anything?

But when I felt that she's hesitant ONLY because she was thinking of us - me, Janice, Eddie-boy and Riley, I know that we have to let her go. I know she needed this. She needed a break. That's all we ever want for her. We want her to relax, to enjoy life, to just think of herself. All her life she always takes care of us. She always work. She is sooooo kind to everyone that I just want her to think for herself once in a while. 

And look what became of us when she did have fun! We became more responsible. More independent. More resourceful. And we became more domesticated. Me doing all the cooking. Janice doing the marketing. Us sharing in washing the dishes. And Riley trying to entertain himself when mama and ninang were busy. Yeah we became domesticated-fied. Whatever that means! And we are grateful for this discovery!

But of course, I still wish she was here in the Philippines with us to celebrate her 59th birthday. 

I Believe

I’ve never been a somebody. I’ve always been the plain one. Never stands out. Or got picked in most parts. That's how I carry on with my life. In my younger years, it has been an issue subconsciously. But now I realize how petty that can be. You see, it doesn’t matter if I’m no one back then. Or I’m not the prettiest. Or the smartest. As long as I believe in something, I know now that I can make it. Regardless of whatsoever! I can be what I want to be. And that's what I want Riley to believe too:

HE CAN BE WHATEVER HE WANTS TO BE. He doesn't have to be the handsomest nor the smartest nor the bravest nor the strongest. He can be whatever he wants to be by just being his plain ordinary self. He can be whatever his heart tells him to be. He can have the life that he deserves. He doesn't have to have superpowers. He doesn't need to be a "somebody" to be successful someday!

Yes, even at two years old, I am certain of this. Anak, you don't have to be good at everything. Don't mind other children if they can count 1 to 10 already. If they can sing ABCs. If they can talk better than you do. Your future would not be shaped by those. If you put your heart and mind into something then you can achieved it. As a song goes “you will when you believe" All you have to do is believe!