A Slice of Life

In memory of a friend...

Have you a friend that you momentarily shared a bond with and then you both parted ways - each living his/her own life - but in your hearts you know that when you see each other you would jump for joy or delight? I have a friend like that. And this morning I found out that she died..

Joecel was my brother's high school classmate and that meant that there was a ten-year difference in our age. She was a really intelligent, determined lady with a very bubbly personality. The word "boring" was alien to her. But despite that ten-year difference, she remains a strong presence in my memory. She treated me like an equal and yet i felt that if something ever happened to me, she would be ready to help out like an older sister would.

My friendship with her was not the usual kind where you both memorized each other's life story. In fact, i know very little of her. But the moments that i spent with her were powerful enough to leave an imprint. Here are some of my experiences with her:

1. ) I once had a benign mixed tumor removed just below my left ear when i was in my 3rd year of college. When i started to notice the growth, she helped recommend a skilled head and neck surgeon. It was a tricky procedure since the tumor was planted right smack in the middle of my facial nerve and one tremble of my surgeon's hands, half my face gets paralyzed. During the operation, she scrubbed in and was present in the operating room. It was a nice feeling, knowing you have a friend in the background during a very invasive procedure.

2. ) I was preparing for my board exam (in Medical Technology) and i suddenly had bouts of hyper-acidity. I was getting quite worried about it but, like the good doctor that she was, she reassured me and explained what was happening. I was getting tense and stressed about my upcoming board exam. She prescribed antacid to be taken 15 mins after a meal. From then on, whenever i experience hyper-acidity, I would recall her words and do the exact same thing she recommended and each time it worked.

3. ) She constantly encouraged me to go after my dream, what i wanted. After passing my board exam, i was tentatively considering working in the U.S. but wanted to leave right away. She suggested that i apply as a student intern for a hospital in New Jersey on a student VISA. She had the applications and she gave them to me.

4.) I applied as a volunteer Med Tech for a government hospital in Cebu and you all know how hard it is to be accepted to a government hospital, even as a volunteer. You had to know people who could pull some strings. Joecel very kindly offered to be one of my references as she was working in the hospital that time. I guess that was enough since she was a superb doctor and her credentials were strong. I was accepted.

5.) After joining my GK family, we chanced to meet in Manila and I had dinner (in Banana Leaf) with her and her friend. My husband was with me but he was still a boyfriend back then. We had a great time. And she was so happy about my joining GK. Although initially she was encouraging me to go after my old dream of becoming a doctor, when that dream changed, she was still there, cheering me on.

She was such a determined individual who was not selfish at all. When she succeeded, she also wanted the people around her to succeed. I cannot fathom how a person like that had her life snatched away while other people who do not even bother to contribute to anything get to live to an old age.

Joecel was pregnant with her second baby, Nate, and was scheduled for a ceasarian section this Dec 22, 2010. This morning, she had a cardiac arrest and was immediately brought to the hospital but the doctors were unable to revive her. Her doctor friends came at once, including her OB. But all were in vain. Too late.

Not even her baby, Nate, was saved.

She was very close to our family. She was constantly ready to help us.

Before my brother met his wife, everyone in the family was ready to have her as an in-law. That was a personal joke that we all remember fondly. That's why we were so happy when she had her own family. We wanted good things to happen to her as she had wished the same thing for us. That's how close she was to us.

This morning, after that shattering phone call from my brother, I took out the rum cake that was a Christmas gift from another friend. The cake was a favorite and we would slowly eat it, relishing it. I gazed at the cake, only half of it left. Lifting my knife, I brought it down to take a slice and paused. Somehow, I couldn't bring myself to cut up the cake without thoroughly giving a thought to how it would be best divided so that everyone can have a share of its wonderful taste. I tried several times. At last, I took a deep breath, thought carefully and then started cutting.

We will never be sure when our number is up and for that reason alone, it is important to approach life like there's no other chance to do certain things. No procrastinating. It is also important to put a balance to everything. In my case, be a wonderful mom, a supportive wife, a mission-ready servant, a loving sister and daughter, a friend to whoever needs one. I agree with a fellow blogger's musings, "it is so important to try and find joy every day - in the simple tasks of life, in the world that surrounds us, in our family, and in our friendships. For me that is perhaps the truest definition of 'living life to the full' ". Joecel and the rum cake reminds me, a normally slow-paced individual, to live life to the fullest and to be there for everyone. An impossible feat? Hmm. But then again I do have the everlasting memory of Joecel with me.

Joecel, you will be sorely missed...

Joecel with husband, Dave, and son, Justin.

Resorting to Crazy Bands

In my very determined effort to live out a healthy lifestyle, I have resorted to some kiddie tactics!

When I tried out the hydration program (drinking 8 glasses of water everyday), i found it difficult to keep track of the number of glasses of water I 'd already consumed as the busyness of the day settles in.

A week into my program, I began to forget the number of glasses midway thru the day. It was too bothersome to keep a notepad and pencil and keep a tally - this doesn't work when you are on the go. It had to be something that you can keep on your body. Finally, with some bit of inspiration from Pia's Nickelodeon channel, i thought of crazy bands!

Crazy Bands: Fun and Function.

Here I am, blogging on these bands that have made

kids crazy and adults wonder at its appeal.

I finally found a good reason.

Crazy Bands are a line of shaped bands established in late 2009. Crazy Bands is a privately-held company owned by Gina Childers. The crazybands.com domain was registered October 15th, 2009. They are made of silicone so that means you can wear them even when taking a bath! It won't turn to melted rubber after exposure to moisture - unlike your ordinary, garden-variety rubber bands. They are bigger, stronger and thicker than most rubber bands and they come in different shapes!

The shapes I have are:

heeled shoe

cloud

key

skull profile

some kind of animal with a fat tail standing on its hind legs

a man walking

wand

fish

cap

christmas leaf

I wear the bands on my left wrist so every time I drink a glass of water, I move one band to my other wrist. Left to Right. Cool, right? So, for all the mommies out there going through the same hydration program, this is a good way to keep track of your hydration progress.

And what's even cooler is even after wearing, when you take them off, the bands jump right back into their original shapes!

Micah found it fun and liked wearing it on her wrist, too!

I'm going to try to infect all health-conscious GK workers back in the office! Crazy Bands, here we come!

Battle of Wills: No one wins

Yes, it has happened. Clash of the Titans 2010. Pia vs her mom.

It was a string of "No!" "Why not?!" "No, Mama, no!"... for 10 minutes. Pia wouldn't give in. I wouldn't give in. We were at an impasse.

The debate:

First Party: "Pia, finish your assignment!"

Second Party: "Mom, finish na, no na!"

Pia's assignment was half finished. She counted all the pencils, safety pins, pots, question marks, etc. and wrote down (with a lot of resistance) the numerals but had yet to write down the number words. She was tired of counting. I was getting tired of her excuses ("i want water!", " look at my necklace, mom!", "i want to watch the big TV", "i want to write with this ballpen!", etc., etc.). And i was running late for work.

"Pia, if you don't finish your assignment, i will leave na!" I threatened. She replied, "No, Mama, no!" and sat on the floor to cry.

"Pia, get up. The floor is dirty."

Who would have thought that my little angel 

can exasperate the heck out of me!

Pia gives me a frown, her eyebrows scrunched, her eyes shooting daggers at me. She was the typical petulant kid.

I couldn't say whether she was just acting or if she was really serious.

And so it went on for another 10 minutes of yelling, supreme stubbornness and heartfelt defiance.

My patience was running out. Aarrgghhhhh!

I did the most childish thing: I went to my room and closed the door. However shameful this experience was, I will post it as a reminder to myself that kids are kids but parents should remain parents. And in this instance, sadly, I had failed to remain as one. (heartbreak) (tear)

End. 

Less Post, More Time with Kids!

The reason I have not been able to post lately is that my husband and I have come to an agreement. We only open our laptops or watch T.V. if our kids are asleep. If they are still awake, we have to spend our time with them. We have been so busy lately and we were spending less time with the kids, which is not good at all. The result, we have a happier set of kids! Leaving them each morning to go to the office is more difficult now since I'm the one having the anxiety attacks. My friends tell me that it's separation anxiety. Haha. Nevertheless, I can't wait to get home everytime the clock strikes 5pm... See you soon, angels!

My angels Mikhaela and Raphaela (their real names)!

Their nicknames: Micah and Pia

A Short Post: Micah's Progress

A short post:

Having brought Pia and Micah to the doctor this morning for their check-up (since both were sporting cough and colds, respectively), I had the pleasant experience of witnessing another of Micah's progress. Tita Rose (Dr. Buzon) was talking to me, giving instructions/advice on healthcare for the kids when i noticed from the corner of my eye, Micah playing with Pia's silver charm bracelet. I thought she would only throw it away, but to my surprise, Micah held the bracelet at its ends and brought the whole thing up against her neck, while grinning at Pia! She probably got the notion that the long silver string thingy around her Ate Pia's neck was similar to the trinket she held in her cute little baby hands. Trying to be like her ate. Aww, Micah...

A Lady Turns 60 In A Red Dress

Perhaps the most wonderful thing I have ever done for my mom was collaborate with the other siblings for a surprise 60th birthday party!

The whole family minus Ate Jing...

My mom turned 60 last July 1. But the planning started all the way to the beginning of the year. Last Christmas, in fact. There were some hectic calls between me and my sister, Janice, in CDO as my other sister is based in NZ and my brother is male. Hahaha. So the nitty gritty of the plans fell into our laps (my sister got the heavier end of it though, I only got the tail-end).

Janice (or Ate Jiji, as I would call her) took care of the bookings, the RSVPs, the production of the party favors (yes, she baked all 100 packs of goodies to give away AND managed to assemble the packaging composed of a 7-inch diameter round basket and red plaid cloth to wrap up the baked goodies), the birthday cake, the stage decor (a stage adorned simply with the numbers 6 and 0 made up of tiny ballons in 3 different colors) - which was pretty much everything! And yes, we ordered the balloons, in case you're wondering.

I, on the other hand, pretty much sucked at the stuff assigned to me. I was to take care of the thank you tags for the favors and the AVP. I delivered on the former, but not the latter. Yeah, I'm the bomb.

So, in trying to avail of the promo rate for the airline tickets, we (Mari, Pia, Micah and Ate Cheche) got the frantic pleasure of rushing to the airport at an ungodly hour of 2 in the morning. We got to CDO bright and early though and my sister came to pick us up. After breakfast in her lovely home, Pia and Enzo (my sister's only child, for now) going crazy playing and Micah laying claim to the couch for her morning nap, we finally got around to finishing up the party favors. Which took us several hours as some of them were just coming out of my sister's oven.

At the airport waiting for our 4am flight.

Blessing came in the form of a CFC Tito, who's also an ardent GK volunteer, who lent us his car for the duration of our stay in CDO. An extra car was a treasure! After preparing for the party which was to start at 6pm, I was holding back tears as black eyeliner was being applied when Mari, walking by, asked if i wanted to ride with my sister. Surprised that he would consider not driving me to the venue, I told him that I was riding with him as were our two girls. "Are you sure? It's a pick-up truck." Mari verified.

Uh-duh. Didn't we own a pick-up as our family car for at least 2 years?! I'm like the super pro in riding pick-ups!

Or so, I thought.

When I came out of the house, I stopped dead in my tracks. It was not just a 'pick-up' truck. Looming over me was this huge monster truck, all sleek and black. No step boards. And I had on a mini dress and 2-inch pumps. AND the rain had died down to a drizzle. Oh, great.

Challenge #1: The monster truck. My daughter, Pia, is tall for her age.

One of my aunts said from the back of the car, in a droll voice, "Yeah, Jaja, we literally crawled our way in..." Oh, heck.

Challenge #2: My mini-dress.

Climbing in was far easier than jumping out in 2-inch heels. I was either going to sprain my ankles or flash my undies to the bell hop. Thankfully, I did neither. My husband came to my rescue (after assisting my 3 aunts crawl back down from the truck - good thing they had donned on long pants, not dresses) like a knight in a shining armour. He blocked the most sensitive view from the rest of the world (yes, my husband's a giant). I managed to simply slide down with as much grace as could be possibly derived from such a situation.

Immediately, I bumped into a few grannies and gramps at the hotel lobby (who didn't recognize me right away either because of old age or because i looked like a film star that night - obviously the latter!) and hugs and kisses were flowing all around. I escorted my kids and The Seniors to the elevator up to the seventh floor while Mari parked the car. As we entered the ballroom, there were more hugs and kisses from old friends and relatives.

At 7 o'clock, my Mama arrived at the scene and entered the room to our loud "Surprise!". The look on her face was precious. She saw her 3 sisters (all the way from Cebu) and gave a cry! She saw me and the kids and couldn't believe her eyes (previously, we had given our regrets to coming home for a simple party that was to be celebrated in the house on the 3rd). She saw everyone she had invited for that simple party in the house and couldn't believe her eyes. Everyone was there except for the parish priest whom she had belatedly invited that morning when she was hearing her birthday mass at 6am. Haha!

The 3 sisters. With friends. With the children With more friends.

minus one.

After the whole birthday greetings, hugs and kisses, a patter of cries of delight, everyone finally settled down for dinner. After dinner, my Mama blew out her birthday cake and then sat down in the middle in front of everyone as her friends rendered a presentation that they had been practicing for several days now. Then there was singing and dancing.

Mama's walking group serenaded her.

That whole time, the kids were running around playing and dancing, too. Pia got too shy to sing for Nana (so she gave a more private presentation when we got home the next day).

The Grandkids. Left to Right: Enzo. Pia. Micah. Bea and Migi.

Missing: Mico (New Zealand) and Diko (Manila).

My other sister, Ate Jing, called after getting bored waiting for us to talk to her through chat during the party. She complained that all she got was a view of Migi's broad back. But she did see a bit of the action. That was the only sad thing about the party - that Ate Jing and her family were not around to celebrate with us. But we were pretty sure that they were with us in spirit. We had all anticipated this event.

Ate Jing was online that night, trying to get a glimpse of the action.

All in all, it was a success. The Lord made everything possible except for the video. I guess He has his reasons for that. But that video is soon to be posted in this blog, too. We couldn't let all the footage go to waste! We invested a lot of time and effort for that. So, when the Lord permits, you will be enjoying the clip sooner than soonest!

"They say to watch out for a lady in red..." But in our case it was so you could learn how a fine lady passionately loved and raised four children who love her back just as fiercely.

Happy Birthday, Mama.

A Determined Micah

I came home a bit weary from the day's work and preparing for our trip this Thursday to the province for my mother's 60th birthday. When my 2 angels saw me, they were delighted. They seem to cherish more my arrival these days probably because my husband, Mari, is away in Singapore for the GK summit - which, to my great happiness, was a resounding success! Hurray GK! Hurray to the service team!

I'm writing this blog because i want to make a mental (and i guess literary) note of Micah's progress. Micah and Pia were just finishing their dinner. When Micah saw me, she squealed in delight and began sauntering towards me in her mini little "duck walk" (she had just learned to walk independently) way - I didn't know that was even possible! I guess it's because she had on a pirate smile. When she reached me, she threw her whole body towards me, so obvious in her trust that i would catch her.
Then she made a motion, this new- found eager way of telling me that she wanted me to nurse her. I could almost hear her add, "this instant. Mama!". Since she was not yet done wid dinner (wanting to skip directly to milk and sleeping), i tried to distract her by swinging her in the air several times. The trick worked for a bit but when i put her down on the floor, she made a beeline for the door to our bedroom. I was puzzled. Until i realized that she wanted to get inside our room because that's where i always nurse her until she fell asleep! As the French would say it, "Incroyable!" Incredible, indeed.

Micah playing with Ate Pia's

fuschia boa - the drama princess taking after

the drama queen.

So I went to get the keys to our room from my bag and she followed me. I gave her the keys and she held the bunch in her tiny hands, a big smile on her face still. As we were near the door, she lifted her hands as if trying to place d keys in doorknob. I smiled at her and took the keys from her hands. She was willing to give them to me. I opened the door and i gave Micah what she asked of me that night. A loving time with her busy mom.

I love you, Micah.

A happy colon, a happy me

Tips for a better digestion: (I am currently trying my best to follow these tips) Source: Colonzone.org

1. Don't Eat Too Much

It sounds simple, but it's true.

How much should you eat? Well, only eat as much as you can carry using 2 hands. If you eat more than this, it can put a burden in your digestive system. It won't matter if you eat the most organic, natural fo

ods in the planet, if you eat too much it will cause more harm that good. Overeating is one of the main causes of acid reflux.

2. Don't Drink Ice Cold Drinks With Meals

In fact, I would not drink any liquids a hour or so eating. If you have to drink while eating, I recommend drinking just herbal tea or warm lemon juice. If you have poor digestion, drinking peppermint tea is also beneficial. If you drink while eating, it simply dilutes the enzymes in your stomach. The acid becomes diluted, and weak, and as a result your food can't be completely digested. This eventually leads to gas, bloating, and yes, a clogged colon.

3. Have Your Meals 3 meals apart.

I know everyone loves to have their snacks, but our stomach and intestines need time to digest your food. 1 hour isn't going to cut it. So, please cut down on those desserts, potato chips, and snack foods. Try to eat regular meals spaced apart equally throughout the day.

4. Eat in a Comfortable Atmosphere

Don't eat in a high stress environment. Eat at a place where you can be attentive to your meal. The environment should be relaxing - not tense. When you eat, chew your food slowly, and use your saliva! It's part of your digestive system too you know.

5. Don't Eat After 8 PM

Why? Well, our digestive system is usually weaker during the evening. If you must have a huge meal, eat it during lunch instead. A lot of people also force themselves to eat when they're stressed, but don't do this. If you're upset, or not feeling well, consider just drinking some soup or tea.

6. Consider Talking a Walk After Eating

I usually take a walk around the neighborhood for 20 minutes or so, after eating a meal. Walking really aids digestion, so I suggest you follow this.

7. Do Not Eat Greasy Foods. Consider Digestive Enzymes

Greasy, and fried substances are extremely sickening, disgusting, and deadly for your health. Avoid refined carbs. If you must have an unhealthy huge meal (like a Chocolate Sherbert cake), consider taking some digestive enzymes while eating. I know the Garden of Life has a good brand. If you have weak digestion, I would also take digestive enzymes, as they really help in breaking down those proteins, fats, and carbs! If you don't have sufficient stomach acid, consider drinking some lemon warm water 15 minutes prior to a meal. Alternatively, you can try taking some malic acid, or vitamin c instead.

8. Consider Eating A Little Spice Before Meals

Pickled cabbage and ginger are awesome choic

es, as are umeboshi and sunamomo. These fermented foods really help your digestive system, as they help increase the acids. Commercial products are not that good, however. If you want to aid digestion, I suggest making homemade fermented foods!

9. Take a probiotic

Probiotics are basically human strains of bacteria that you can take in a supplement. These microorganisms are beneficial bacteria that aid digestion. Unfortunately, we don't get a lot of these in our diet due to pesticides, refined sugar, and insufficient intake of greens.

10. Practice Food Food Combinations

Always eat fruit alone - don't combine it with other foods. This means not putting bananas in your cereal! Fruits are ok if you mix them with other fruit, but some fruits are just not meant to be mixed together. Don't eat any dessert after you eat fruit, and more importantly don't eat fruit after eating meat.

11. Limit Veggies to 4 Types in 1 meal.

I sometimes put all my veggies in a blender, and blend them together to make eating them easier. Try to eat cooked veggies most of the time. If you have a weak digestive system, raw veggies are a no-no. Some veggies make you susceptible to lots of gas, such as brocolli. If you eat them, try to cook them with spices such as ginger. Indian food really make great use of these spices with all of their foods (which is why I love Indian food so much !)

12. Increase Digestion with Spices/Tea

If you feel sluggish after a meal, you need to ignite your digestive system. To do so, consider drinking some spicy tea such as peppermint during meals. Don't eat until you feel hungry.

Hope this works out for me!!!

True Love

Somebody asked me, "What is true love?"

My answer: "True love is having a set of rules, foolishly trying to impose it on your partner, expecting him to comply with your set of rules, then when you yourself break one of your own rules, your partner forgives you."

(An answer based on experience.)

From Yellow to Orange: Our Country Wins!

No i am not shifting my support from newly-elected President Benigno Simeon "NoyNoy" Aquino III to his billion-spending ex-opponent Manny Villar. I just came from Congress this morning to witness the proclamation of the country's Pres and VP. From there, Mari and I headed imediately to Gawad Kalinga's monthly (2nd) Builder's Night at the Rockwell Tent. Yes. Believe it or not, GK's primary corporate color is orange.

My NOY bracelet. :)

The experience at the Congress was unforgettable. I was there to witness history unfolding. The proceedings went on smoothly. The only notable thing was the gusto that the crowd exhibited in showing their support for their winning candidates. On one side of the hall, were the yellow supporters of Pres Noy. Onthe other side were the distinctly massa supporters of VP Binay. It was almost like a meeting of the class A and B and the C, D, and E classes. Unbeknownst to many (especially the people occupying the floor in the middle, each with his or her own desk), there was a large scattering of people who were strongly for both President Noy and Vice President Jejomar, melding the two distinct segments. This is a winning mix of people - a phenomenon where the Philippines and the Filipino people come out victorious. This also spells a winning tandem between the pres and vice.

Imagine, with the top two men in the government pulling in the support of the people from across the social classes, they already have majority of the people's support. Now, with this in place, we only need a key to start the engine. To my mind, this key is the harmonious and supportive relationship between the two top guns. What will propel the whole vehicle forward is the passion of the volunteers... Without caring, passionate volunteers, our country will never move forward. If we don't watch out, our country might never hoist itself out of the ditch it has been stuck in for many years.

On to the GK event...

What is a GK Builders Night? It is a monthly gathering of passionate GK supporters where there is sharing of best practices, learnings and a consistent honoring of ordinary everyday heroes.

Smart's Mon Isberto talked about a concrete way of engaging a community and implementing socio economic projects.
GK Payatas 13's printing enterprise and fashion show.

Human Nature's Dylan Wilk: "I have nothing against those (talking about other Asian) countries, but the Philippines is my home." - Dylan on patronizing Filipino suppliers instead of the usual China, etc. More: "When minimum wage goes up, the economy of the country goes up. Money circulates fast, so (this means) more commodities, more jobs." Cited the budding Citronella production in Bicol. 

Here's more on how Human Nature does it the GK Way:

• As a social enterprise, we fund the expansion projects of the poor communities supplying us. Since we are buying all their products, we are duty-bound to support them.
• Lemongrass profits 1m per hectare while rice profits at 50 thousand per hectare.
• For rejected products, the cost is shouldered by the entrepreneur instead of the poor community so as not to discourage them. Php 700 thousand was lost and shouldered by Human Nature.
• My (Dylan's) sincere hope and desire: that the kids and grandkids of my employees from the GK community be born in the same conditions as I did.

Dino Pineda: "When things don't work out, don't give up. Don't leave the people behind."

Peejay Nobela: a GK resident; now a call center agent and enterprise owner.

Upcoming: First GK HOPE Ball a fund-raising/auction on October 8, Peninsula Manila. I met Belize Balkir (Chairperson for the Ball) and husband Jonathan Crooke (General Manager of Peninsula Manila).

Entertainment was provided by: John Lesaca, one of the country's premiere violinist.


End.

The Pia Butter

A letter to Pia:

Dear Pia.

This morning I break fast with you and your Papa in our brand new dining set, while Micah was in your bedroom playing. I saw with my eyes how you slowly blossom from a toddler into a little girl, your independence and maturity in place. After giving you your morning bath, toweling you dry, making you cry by refusing your pleadings to put on the dirty green dress that you are currently obsessed with, hugging you for comfort and sitting you down next to me at the breakfast table, you surprised me as you asked for the bread and proceeded to put peanut butter spread on it. I had gotten so used to preparing your food for you.

Pia having breakfast.

Papa and I exchanged glances full of emotions and veiled thinly with tears we were desperately trying to hold back... To top it, you exclaimed, "Pia Butter!" - Papa and I burst out laughing. With wise eyes, you smiled at the both of us, silently conveying, "I know it's peanut butter but i wanna call it Pia butter".

Pia's peanut butter (brand: Peter Pan).

Pangga, it is these little moments that i like to go back to when I am old and when my hair is white. Moments of pure joy mixed with a hint of sadness. Joy for the maturity you've reached every time and sadness for the loss of your dependence which falls from my hands in trickles. These moments are the butter to the bread of life... Did that make any sense at all to you, Pia? All I'm saying is that without the butter - without the Pia butter (and the Micah butter, too!) - life would be as bland as solo bread.

I love you, Pia

Mama

Silver Spoons

I woke up this morning with Pia gone and Micah sitting up on the bed looking at me in a quizzical way, uttering, "Owww???" This brought a smile to my face and the moment i hugged her, Che-che appeared by the door on her way to pick Micah up and prepare her for her morning bath. My morning was promising to be a blissful one!

I have this bad habit (some of you who can relate might not think of it bad though) of making absolutely sure that things that come in sets should forever remain in sets (for example, Pia's toy blocks - all 100 of them, Pia's Aquadoodle set, Micah's tipping Chicken Toy, Pia's marker, my plates set, etc.). No room for what-ifs. This simply means that I hate loosing any single item that is part of a set. So, imagine my ire when I found out that I was missing two teaspoons and one salad fork (or perhaps you can't! Hahaha!). I told my 3 angels that it is of utmost importance that these items be found! Or I would die in frustration!, I silently told myself...

Regimental Silver Spoon

About 20 minutes later, reflecting on my ridiculous behavior, I started to laugh at myself. Oh my God, Jaja, you should've seen yourself: ranting and raving on about the do's and don'ts of caring for things and the how-many-times-have-I-told-you-this-before's. My 3 angels (all of them from humble backgrounds) were staring at me as if I had just gone crazy! Trying to compose myself, I told them in a more quiet voice, "You see, when you all are building your own homes, you will understand why I 'almost' blew my top". Uh-oh, I couldn't be more wrong. These ladies didn't have the luxury of growing up with a silver spoon in their mouths (and neither did I) so they couldn't relate to the point i was driving at. For them, material things come second only in a list of priorities where happiness, a full stomach and sound shelter occupy the top three entries.

Lesson for the day, one word is not enough even for the brightest person. No one is exempted. Instead of focusing on the frequency of giving out the instructions, perhaps what should matter is this: where does it place in your list of priorities? Is it high up or down low. If it was the latter, perhaps more thought should be given on the matter first? If it was in the former, then by all means, rant and rave away!!!