Bonding time with the kiddos

I am really taking advantage of the extra day-off we have this summer. Instead of the regular five-day workweek, the university came out with a four-day workweek scheme with 10 hours per day policy. So, I can be at home in the province for longer weekend break.

As you know, my three nieces are at home for the summer break. They are big enough to be babysat but still children to look after. I love spending time with them. This weekend, they made me climb the tamarind tree on the side of the hut to get them some ripe fruits. It was I think about 30-35 meters high. When I was at the top, the children were shouting, “Tita, you are too high!” Even my siblings got shocked that I climbed. I had a couple of videos taken by Jai and Tan with funny narrations (like, what I did was unexpected of a professional at my age and youth leader. As if!). I was doing some acrobats, going from one branch to another, doing my “signature moves.” If I may remind them, I was once a child (and still is at heart) and climbing trees was one of my favorite past times.

Later, Ayeka, the youngest, played guessing game with me. She would pick two similar-looking leaves and then asks me to guess which leaf is which. I was right 99%. She giggled every time.
I love my nieces. And I like children in general. I imagine come the time the Lord let us build the orphanage, I will get a chance to be blessed by more kids.

Eloquent Atonement

Received with a grateful heart :)

Song dedication

Background:

In high school, somebody dedicated a beautiful love song to me. Turned out he’d be my ‘longest-standing suitor’ (in the open :P) if I had to say. He’s a nice guy (my Mom actually likes him!) but I know that we’re just meant to be friends. And we are friends. Anyway, I personally like the song because it speaks to the heart. The words were brilliantly matched with an enchanting melody. It was composed by Louie Ocampo and interpreted by one of the most respectable singers in the Philippines, Martin Nievera. Hence, every time I hear this song I feel a sense of "ownership" as if it was made for me. Silly. Anyway, here’s the lyrics:

You Are My Song
Martin Nievera

You are the song
Playing so softly in my heart
I reach for you
You seem so near
And yet so far
I hope and I pray
You'll be with me someday
I know down inside
That you are mine & I'm your true love
Or am I dreaming...

How can I
Each time I try, you say goodbye
You were there
You look my way, I touch the sky
We can share tomorrow and forevermore
I'll be there
To love you so
You are my song

I know for sure
That we were meant to fall in love
I look in your eyes
I know what you're thinking of
I try not to say
The words that might just scare you away
I know down inside
That you are mine & I'm your true love
Please, no more dreaming...

How can I
Each time I try, you say goodbye
You were there
You look my way, I touch the sky
We can share tomorrow and forevermore
I'll be there
To love you so
You are my song

Maybe we can last until forever
And I know that we can make it through
With you in my heart, in my soul, you're my love
You're my song

You are my song

We can share tomorrow and forevermore
I'll be there
To love you so
You are my song

You can listen to the song in youtube. Sorry, wasn't able to link it here.

Enjoying AI 7

I watched the previous performances of American Idol Season 7 survivors and was blown away by the Top 7. Wow. The competition is getting more exciting as the days come. The young Archuleta gives me chills! Syesha was simply amazing! The rest is wonderful. They are all getting better and better. Great week.

a lil' aunt-spoiling-time

Just came back from a weekend at home.

The sky was all-day cloudy yesterday. Then it rained at noon and showered again late in the afternoon. I was supposed to do some housekeeping at home—practically planning to do some laundry, but when I saw the sky, thus, told myself maybe I should enjoy this dayoff. So, I did.

I prepared lugaw (rice porridge) for breakfast for the kids. My nieces were delighted to hear the good news as I announced that they can play in the rain after we eat. So they did. All three of them; running around the yard, playing water gun fights game, enjoying the rain. I love to watch them as they laugh and make merry. It’s a joy to see the kids having fun.

Later at night, they played hide-and-seek with my sister Jai. And that was really a rumble! It was vacation, alright.

Delightful day

One Sunday afternoon, I was enjoying a tank game with my seven-and eight-year-old nieces. As we chat, we remembered that my little sister, Tan, will be celebrating her 17th birthday on the 22nd of the month. What followed made my day.

Jing (8): “Tita (aunt), prepare spaghetti on her (Tan’s) birthday!”

Ayeka (7) “Yeah, Tita, it’s good!”

Me: “Oh, was it?”

Jing: “Yeah. The one you cooked on New Year’s Day. Delicious.”

Ayeka: “That’s right.”

Me: “Okay. I will.”

The kids said every word with gleam in their eyes. As if they just told me a brilliant idea. I was so flattered by the children. Now I got to make sure that spaghetti will come to be.

In search of a new idol.

I try to catch up with American Idol Season 7 mainly because for the second time, another Filipina made it to the Top 10. This season’s darling is Ramielle Malubay, 20, from Florida. Unfortunately, she was voted out of the competition last week. She made it up to the Top 9 though. Jasmine Trias, I think, stayed to make it to the Top 3 then. Anyway, I would still try to watch AI. Performance-wise, I think David Cook is getting better and better every week. I think it’s because of his good choice of songs. We’ll see.

Not the usual me

Last night, we had a reunion with our college friends to celebrate one of our friends' passing the bar. (Wow, we already have a lawyer in the group.) She invited us to a restaurant named Amici in Tomas Morato. After dinner, my friends decided we go out and check our blockmate who performs at a bar in Manila. So we headed to Sofitel and saw Alotte and her group. She changed a lot (physically) but still sweet and friendly as she was. It was almost 12 midnight and they pointed to head near the bay (MOA in Parañaque). I've not seen these pips in a long while and they simply wouldn't want to part ways that easy. We stayed by the bay a little while then decided to have coffee at Starbucks. Rhoni's shift at work is at 3am so we went to MetroWalk Ortigas close to her area. The reunion was finally over around 3:30am and the three of us got home at 4:00am. Pwew! I've never done that before!

What are the surprises at the reunion? Two of my friends are getting married next year. And the plan? We'll have a summer getaway on May 16-19 in Cebu. I hope I can come.

Power vs. Strategy: Pacquiao-Marquez Bout

I should have written an earlier entry on this… well, I forgot. Anyhow…

The Pacquiao-Marquez fight was one of the most exciting bouts I have seen so far. It was boxing in its purest sense. I should call it “Power vs. Strategy.” I like the fact that Pacquiao is no doubt the stronger fighter; his ace is his power punch. He has excellent stamina and endurance. On the other hand, Marquez is a strategist. He is strong, yet, Pacquiao can withstand his blows. But Marquez’ used his mind in this fight. Besides having a reach and height advantage, Marquez brilliantly strategized his attack. It was hard for Pacquiao to guess what’s his next move. And his counter attacks are hitting Pacquiao.

Pacquiao won by split decision concluding the 12 rounds. Some say it was questionable, despite Marquez being knocked down on the third. It’s obviously a close fight. I personally would still give it to Pacquaio. But the best part of the show for me is boxing. It was a classic fight. I loved it.

--

Whenever I think of boxing, even if just for sports' sake, I just couldn't ignore the fact that Oscar de la Hoya always crosses my mind. Just like now. What can I say, I'm a big fan. I love Oscar.