$1,000 blessing for munchkins. . .

munchkins always look forward to the coming of this season - summer. summer means school has ended. no homework, no quizzes. it's not that they didn't like school. they just dread the monotonous routine they get into from morning till afternoon and the dull uniforms they wear everyday. camps, field trips, outdoors also signify the season and i am tasked to sign them up for day camps for the entire two months starting july until the end of august. this summer though, it's going to be different for them. their activities will be a mixture of camps that was offered by the community centre and by a private organization.

on thursday, april 14, the program and education coordinator of the royal ontario museum, which is among world’s leading museums of natural history, and of world cultures, confirmed to me by email that cerniel and cailean have been awarded a $ 1,000 worth of subsidy. from july 18 to 29 they will be joining other children in ROM's summer club camp for its World Beat program.

the feeling was unexplainable when i received the great news. i couldn't help not to tear up as i read the email while feeling so blessed and privileged for the opportunity they have afforded my girls. and being the recipient of this blessing, my girls and i will definitely keep the blessing working by also being the source of blessing to other people.

with sincere gratitude. . .

silence. . .

some people are just very apt in provoking my emotion. i am unsure though of their purpose for pushing my sensitive buttons. it is really upsetting though when they do. it’s up to me if I choose to react or to remain impassive and not cater to what they are trying to get from me. silence is my best ally and this is my own way of making them stop

gratitude. . . .

thank you God for the gift of being able to listen closely to life. even in the peaceful throb of my heart i could hear you speak softly of truth for me. that voice within me serves my shield, my comfort and my perception, and in times of doubt and insecurity. i am in deep gratitude for letting me use that voice for my personal growth.

happy birthday dearest mother!

to the strongest and bravest woman i've ever known....

distance could never stop me from thinking and loving you

thank you mama  for always being there for me.

for your expressions of  love and comfort
for your guidance and mostly for sharing me your life.

happy 76th birthday my dearest mother!!

middle ground. . .

finding a middle ground between

 feeling free

and

meeting my obligations.

feather on munchkins' caps. . .

wednesday last week, a tinge of worry snuck up on me which dragged me down as mid day approaches. the rest of my working hours were punctuated by deep sighs but no complaints. it was just "one of those days" kind of thing that hovers around momentarily and moves on eventually. life has a way though of helping me out cope and opening up time-tested reasons to cheer up. these are my beliefs.

i wrapped up work conscientiously and dashed out fast not to beat the 5 o'clock rush but more of want to get to the babysitter's house where my munchkins stay after school. i wanted badly to see them and to hear their voices say "good afternoon mommy". at pick up they greeted me with lilting voices and eyes sparkling with excitement to tell me something. "we have a surprise mommy!" they said. on our way home i indulged to the cute snippets of hints they asked me to guess. i was also required to close my eyes, no peeking allowed, until they put out that "surprise thingy magingy" right in front of me. i obliged as i sat on the couch in anticipation. i was more than willing to do what they asked me.  turned out that my girls' strengths and efforts have been recognized by the school and was given a an award in language arts.  they were beaming with pride as they show me their certificates.

their presence, the strengths inside them, and the surprise worked hand in hand and turned my mood around and, as well, reminded me of my own strengths.

congratulations dearest munchkins!! job well done!

april 2011 thoughts. . .

april - my birth month. a month of spring and it's the time when we see the re-birth of the colours and sounds of nature. new growths on the soil and trees unfurl and the golden tones of sunlight have started to embrace our skin. i join nature in the growth and re-birth process with my mind pregnant with significant thoughts, when i grow another year older in a few weeks time. i am going to celebrate the special occasion starting now through reflection and re-affirmation of self.

with another year to my age do i get wiser? it is not inevitable. i continue to learn about life. i want to grow stronger and to be more adept in identifying priorities of life. i would like to explore myself more and the many ways to connect with others. change is something that i will always accept because that is a motion for me to grow. life will forever be a challenge, some things are meant that way. using time and thought and hardwork, i can deal with the challenge and the experiences will be considered a meaningful lesson amazingly learned.

i am april.... i am still growing.