Protected: Our Valentine’s Surprise

May

12

A Love Note to Mum

Photo taken in Singapore, 2006.

I just finished reading an article about attachment parenting, when I thought of you, Nanay. Just like the mum in the article, you are unselfish and dedicated, too. You have always put your children’s needs ahead of your own.

I will never forget the time when I was still young and you always fixed my hair (you made sure I always go to school neat and tidy), prepared my lunch and snacks, mend my school uniform when needed and made costumes for my school presentations. You took care of me when I was sick. You would cook noodles soup for me and give me gentle back rubs just so I could fall asleep. When I experienced my first heartbreak, your presence comforted me. You even let me sleep in your room until I was okay.

You were there when I gave birth to our two precious children and you guided R and I all the way. You are my nurse, doctor and go-to-person each time I needed to ask something about the kids.

You have always done things for me and my siblings with love, never demanding a payback. You never showed your frustration on us by screaming or name-calling but instead you have remained that quiet force that made us think for ourselves what we have done wrong.

You are our prayer warrior. You never directed us on what to do with our lives but always trusted God’s guidance for us. And judging by the way my siblings and I are living our lives now, I’d say, we are very much under His guidance and grace.

Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for loving us with all your heart. Thank you for raising us to be the best that we can be. Thank you for being the wind beneath our wings. You are God’s gift to me and my siblings.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Love,
C

Posted by mrsmarikit | 1 comments

May

02

Busy with School

Career Shift / Instagr.am Love / iPhone / Life in Australia / PP: PS CS 5

Just like that, the first term of school is almost over. I’ve got two weeks left and a final paper to submit. I am enrolled for next term and have signed-up for the workshop in September. Yes, it will be full steam ahead when second term starts! But for now, I’m savouring this second and final essay I need to submit next week.

Two weeks ago, I thought I was going to quit school. I was working on my paper while my daughter was on school break. I was so busy day and night that there was even a period where I slept for four hours or less for three consecutive nights to fit in my schoolwork. I thought my body would not cope with the stress but somehow it did, thank God. As soon my scheduled went back to normal, I fell a little sick (just cough and cold) then felt better and now I’m back to my usual (crazy) self. Hee. It was like I experienced a second wind and I’m eager to do my schoolwork again.

The past two days, I spent my study time (days when both kids are at school) in the food court at the shopping centre near where we live. I was aiming to go to the library but they changed their schedule to open at 9am to 10am, I am already free by 9-9:15am. So I headed off to the food court and had the most productive time working on my paper. I was not that productive studying at home because of the lure of, well chores! I kept telling myself that the beds need tidying up, the laundry baskets need to be emptied and the list goes on. Then, by the time I face my laptop, I have already lost focus and I spent less quality time studying. This is my new routine and I’m loving it! Maybe I should try the coffee shops around, too.

Since blog posts are boring without photos, here they are. In this photo, I was watching a video of Carl Rogers (father of person-centered therapy) with his client in preparation of my second school paper. I am planning to buy more books about his work and teachings.

This one was taken today while I started work on my paper. I’m so grateful that I finished the first four pages in just 2 hours, that includes being able to establish the framework of my essay.

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Mar

13

The Little Girl’s Project

Instagr.am Love / iPhone / Life in Australia / Love Notes to Amelie / PP: PS CS 5

In order for Amelie to practice composing letters, making cut-outs and drawing, I thought of a mini-project. She will make and post cards for the members of our family and in return, she gets a card back. Cute, isn’t it? She started making cards for her friends at school and is very excited doing it each time. Too bad I don’t have photos of the first few cards she made for her classmates.

We’ll start as soon as I source more supplies. Oh, and I better warn our families too so they’d be ready with their cards for the little girl. This is going to be exciting!

Amelie’s favorite girl friend in class gave her this card during the first week of school.

She asked for Amelie to make her one, too! Sweet, no?

Posted by mrsmarikit | 3 comments

Mar

12

What is your Life-Verse?

iPhone / Life in the Philippines / Marikit Speaks / PP: PS CS 5

I have been a Christian for two decades now but I never had a life-verse. There are a lot of beautiful teachings in the Bible and all of them were equally my “favorites”. Until last Sunday, when once more, the church message really touched my heart and challenged my soul. It was during that service where I finally found my life verses.

“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.

My victory and honor come from God alone.

He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.”

Psalm 62:5-7 NLT

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Mar

09

Five Minutes to Post

Instagr.am Love / iPhone / Life in Australia / PP: PS CS 5

Last Saturday, I had the chance to visit my school for the second time. There was a scheduled Academic Workshop for all the first time attendees and flexible delivery students of the school. I almost didn’t go because Friday night I was swamped with a lot of things to do and wanted to rest that weekend. I also thought that I can make use of the presentation slides for the workshop instead. But I was so glad that I went.

The topics were very helpful in the preparation of the school requirements, which will later on dictate our module grades. I don’t think I’d be able to fully understand the details of the workshop the way it was explained by one of the instructors of the school. She is pretty good. Also, I met a lady whom I sat beside with and by a stroke of luck I learned that she belonged to the same course and is enrolled in the same subject as I do! We compared notes and encouraged each other to complete the course within three years.

On top of these benefits, I was able to take these snapshots of my quick visit to the city.

The train station is almost empty on a Saturday morning.

By my lonesome.

Maximized my waiting time.

It’s my first time to try Nudie’s coco water. Nothing beats the real thing.

All the students at the workshop agreed that this is our toughest challenge, time management.

After 5 hours in the workshop, I was raring to go home.

Oh, in case you’re wondering, what do I mean by this post title? Well, it took me 5 minutes to make this blog post. Hee hee.

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Mar

02

First News Day

Instagr.am Love / iPhone / Life in Australia / Love Notes to Amelie / PP: PS CS 5

I got so excited yesterday about my dear A’s first news day in Kindergarten happening today. I thought of many topics but Amelie said ‘yes’ to only two, either her favorite Barbie movie or our day-out at the beach. Since Barbie was her topic during her last storytelling time at preschool last year, I thought we’ll go ahead with the second option.

So last night, I printed these out just before I went to bed. Thankfully, I have 4×6 photo papers ready. And over breakfast today, A and I “rehearsed” briefly on the points she can share with her classmates. I wonder how it turned out. I hope she had fun.

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Feb

26

A New Chapter

Instagr.am Love / iPhone / Life in Australia / Marikit Speaks / PP: PS CS 5

This marks my first week as a student. I started school (on flexibly delivery) last week and so far, I am enjoying it. This course, which I hope to finish within a maximum of 3 years will help me land a career in the helping profession. A lifelong dream that I claim by God’s grace will come to fruition soon.

I have to share that while I was at the height of my career in IT software consulting, I have felt tugs in my heart to consider a career shift. But the lure of money, ego and my stubborn heart led me to many more years of unhappiness where I was.

And I can’t thank the Lord enough for this opportunity. For giving me a supportive husband, family and friends who cheer me on. This is not an easy task, I tell you. With my busy day-to-day schedule, it is a challenge to finish chapters upon chapters of books required to finish the course requirements. But I’m not complaining. I am enjoying all the new learning.

A week before school started, the hubby helped me rearrange our little lounge space to fit my study table. I like it that I have a relaxing view of the skies and our neighbors’ trees.

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Feb

16

Instagr.am Love – Week 6

Family / Instagr.am Love / iPhone / Life in the Philippines / PP: PS CS 5

This blog category is moving in snail’s pace. I found it so troublesome to sort photos on the iPhone because you can’t tell right away which ones were taken using Instagr.am (IG). Gah! So after downloading on my Mac, I painstakingly went through each one and picked out the IG photos I haven’t uploaded yet. So, here they are. My 2nd to the last installment of our Manila Holiday photos. Whew!

Playtime at Power Plant Mall, Rockwell:

My kids will never get tired of play areas like these.

Oh, how we miss Ate J. She helped us a lot during our holiday.

Sy was so scared of the car rides. He’s hanging on for dear life!

Happy girl!

Lunch at Cafe Juanita with my charms and mother-in-law:

The beef mechado was good but the sinigang na corned beef was nothing close to Sentro’s version.

But this dessert I love!

My charms in the Bellagio pool.

Had a massage treat from my mother-in-law.

Last Day at Filinvest, Alabang:

Default pose with Jollibee.

Amelie enjoyed her quick trip to the salon.

The kids rode this carousel a gazillion times already. Hee.

The mall was gearing-up for the Chinese New Year.

Clark, Pampanga trip with my fam-bam:

You can’t tell from the facade of the building how cozy the restaurant is on the inside. – @C Italian Dining.

Lounging while the staff were working on our orders.

Bellissimo!

The food’s great and so was the bill. Ha ha.

C Resto had a lot of popular patrons. This one was written by Jimmy Santos, TV Host.

Solid! Hee.

Found this the daintiest of them all!

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Feb

14

Heart’s Day 2012

Family / Instagr.am Love / Life in Australia / PP: PS CS 5

We had our family dinner out at Phoenix (again) last Sunday. The major reasons why we dined out was 1) I was unwell that weekend and didn’t want to cook and 2) We celebrated a big milestone in our little family’s life (blog entry to follow ). So we thought that it’s fitting to make it our V-Day dinner, too. Hee.