Wednesday, November 26, 2003  11:36pm

Celebrations

Happy Birthday Mom!  Wishing you a beautiful day!  Take time out for YOU today.  See you later tonight!

In other celebrations, Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family on the U.S. side of the border.  If you are neither blessed with domestic skill or at the very least know anyone with the desire to spend hours of prep time in the kitchen, you can always pick up a bottle and drink your turkey and gravy.  

At this same time last year we were catching up on some badly needed sleep after our cross country drive from California to New York City.  Its been a little over a year since our move to the east coast.  Goodness where does the time go!  

My family has been blessed!  Jay's contract recently reached its one year anniversary and has been renewed again.  I'm thankful for the corporate and INS powers-that-be that influenced his new contract.  

I'm thankful for good health *coughing spasm*, my family, our new friends here, old friends there, the gift of laughter, internet access, and Kona coffee.  I'm thankful for Trader Joe's...now if I could just find a Whole Foods Market and a Jamba Juice.  

I'd be thankful if someone would pack for me - but that would be wishful thinking - so my entry ends here as I lug out the well traveled Samsonite.  

Monday, November 24, 2003  10:29pm

The End

I managed to get through QuarkXPress.  That software has one heck of a learning curve and I know that in the past 10 classes we haven't really even touched on the full power of it.   

For my final project, I was working on a design for the CD cover of Cindy and Norman's wedding soundtrack.  Their digital pic was used as Exhibit A - as in "Class, come gather around Judy's Mac and let's all learn together why Judy's jpeg files aren't importing properly".   Nice!

Gotta get my hands on the pc environment software so I can play at home and not forget everything I've learned so far.  I haven't fully converted to the Mac religion just yet.  *grin*

Edit:  So apparently,  my Mom went to nursing school with Auntie Nits.  This proves that the small pinoy world is even smaller than I realize AND that my Mom reads my blog on a daily basis!  

Sunday, November 23, 2003  8:57pm

Birthday Fun

Fun was had by all at Rowena's 23rd Birthday and Housewarming Celebration.  The superstars came out tonight and showed some karaoke muscle - yay Marissa, Margie, Auntie Nits, and Jessica!  Crazy laughs with Auntie Nits and Jo's impersonations and Ate Neomi's re-enactments of past banana transgressions.  Delicious food and two thumbs up for that massage recliner -  I'm a new woman after that ohhh ohhh good massage.  So nice to get better acquainted with our church friends in a social setting.  

Thursday, November 20, 2003  10:08pm

Twinkle Toes

Today was Observation Day at the Serova School of Dance which gave the parents the opportunity to watch their children during their weekly dance lesson.  Jessica is quite the little ballerina and loving every minute of it.  Thanks to her Grandma Eldie for the generous gift of ballet classes.  

Thursday, November 20, 2003  10:45am

Picture Perfect

This has got to be one of the most beautiful pictures I have seen in a long time.  Unfortunately, I can't take the credit for shooting this photo.  My guess is that a proud new mommy was responsible for this piece of art.  I am by no means near being a professional photographer so I cannot offer a critique on the technical merits of this digital photo.  However, I am a parent (and human) so I can definitely write about the emotions that this picture stir up inside of me.  This photo captures beauty - everything that is beautiful about a father and that of being one -  a father slumbering with his new daughter evoking a sense of safety and the instinct to protect, peace and tranquility.  I see the fresh innocence of it - a proud new dad cradling brand new life!  It tugs at my heartstrings and warms my soul!   

More pictures of our visit with the proud new parents and beautiful Alyssa are now in the Family Gallery.  

Tuesday, November 18, 2003  9:07pm

Presents

I love presents!  Doesn't everyone!  Today I received one in the mail - a copy of the book "Chicken Soup for the Sister's Soul".  Chicken soup publications always make me teary and today would be no exception.  Yeah I'm emotional like that.  Enjoyed a few uninterrupted moments to read a few stories of inspiration.  

Monday, November 17, 2003  9:07pm

No Place Like Home

I'm back from a long weekend in Toronto *runs directly from the door to my computer*.  It's been a crazy past few days.  As usual, we try to do more than we possibly have time for whenever we're home and so once again it was a marathon weekend.  

We arrived at my parent's house at 5am last Friday morning - slow drive due to the snow and high wind conditions on 81. I think I've memorized 2 CD's worth of Rex Navarrete jokes which kept Jay and I in stitches (who needs coffee!) all the way through upstate New York.  I've been quoting him in that Filipino accent too.  

 After getting a few hours sleep, we ran around doing errands, got my hair cut at my favorite salon (old habits die hard!), visited over coffee with our tenants at the condo to handle some business, dropped in on Jay's parents and then spent the rest of the evening visiting with the west end friends.  Of course, both sets of grandparents had fun with Jessica.  

Got to visit my new niece, Alyssa, who is absolutely beautiful.  I still can't believe my cousin Cliff is a Dad, and a very proud Dad I might add!  Congrats again, Cliff and Aileen.  Don't forget to email those pics so I can post them here.  

Had a wonderful time with the Gamez side of the family at Jon and Christine's Engagement Party in their beautiful home.  Christine does a mean karaoke - you closet singer you!  Looking forward to your big day!  

Spent an extra day in Toronto and postponed our trip back to  early this morning.  Jay was dead tired after moving appliances out of the condo. Very little sleep happened all weekend.  

It's always great to be home, but I think I need another weekend to recover from this one!  

Thursday, November 13, 2003  11:57am

Friends

No, not the group who rakes in at least a million dollars each per episode of this Thursday primetime sitcom variety!  I mean the ones who are in our lives as opposed to on our screens, widescreen, plasma or what have you - provided that you have cable or don't live in San Francisco. *wink wink*

With all the moving we've done in recent years, I appreciate all the friends I've made along the way.  I've met all kinds:

1)  The kind that welcomed me to my new home on the west coast with guides on what to do in the area with a toddler, yummy dinners and yummier desserts, played tour guide, offered baby sitting services and related to every TN visa woe.  2)  The kind that was (and still is) totally on the same page with me on stay-at-home motherhood, that shared conversation and gossip over a cup of coffee, a piece of dark chocolate, a scoop of Cold Stone ice cream, and/or an ice cold Jamba and considered every routine trip to the San Jose Ranch 99 and Goldilocks an adventure.  3) The kind that gave toddler haircuts free of charge, made serious home cooked Mexican, and was my running partner at 6am.  4)  The kind that quickly moved into town, shared a few dinners and stories, established a great new friendship, then quickly moved away again.  

Then there are my old friends - the ones who represent the familiarity of home, the ones who I've known since I was a child and who have shared all of the milestones in my life.  The same ones who I now see 3 times a year at best and share stories and jokes with over email or in lazy weekend phone calls.  Friends!  Treasures!  

Before I go, I must share that I am currently reading "Confessions of a Shopaholic" to the sheer and utter delight of my husband who is under the impression that it is some form of a self-help book.  This would then imply that he thinks that I am...a shopaholic.  *gasp*  Sorry hon, it's merely a novel that I picked up for some mindless entertainment.   Ha!  OK, now I'm really going!

Tuesday, November 11, 2003  8:36pm

Diva-esque

My favorite quote to date is found in an email where Cindy exclaims, "It's berry cute!" in reference to the digital pic of the Burberry baby goodie I found on the weekend.  Comedian sister! 

Yesterday, in celebration of Jessica's sick day, she and I went to see the Disney Picture, "Brother Bear" armed with jumbo popcorn with butter and a jumbo lemonade.  It was "beary" cute.  Ha!  See the theme developing here!  Jessica laughed out loud and sang right along with the bears, Koda and Kenai.  Rutt and Tuke, the pair of moose, had to be Canadian, eh!  

Jessica turned to ask me, "Mom, is this a diva vacation?"  DIVA VACATION?  Where would a 4 year old get that phrase from?  *hearty laugh*  Now that I think about it, I suppose that going to the movies on a Monday afternoon is a luxury and could be considered just that.  

Received the Rex Navarrete CD's from my sister today.  Rex is a pinoy San Francisco Bay Area comedian who busts on typical Filipino life. One word: HILARIOUS!  He did the popular "Maritess & Superfriends" joke which has circulated and re-circulated on email.  Talagang great road-trippin' material for the drive to Toronto this weekend.  *busting a gut laughing*  Gotta make sure to pre-order his debut DVD, "Hella Pinoy", which debuts this December.  Hmm...am I getting paid for this plug?!  

Monday, November 10, 2003  9:43am

On Being Cold

We ventured out to the Woodbury Commons Premium Outlets yesterday with my aunt and uncle - a fair hour and a bit jaunt from where we live.  It was cold and I wasn't quite dressed for the occasion.   Brrrr - I hate the cold!  And by cold I mean 36 degrees cold!  I think this Toronto native got soft while living on the west coast. For someone who grew up in a city where winter temps could well dip below the freezing mark, all of a sudden my new definition of cold is anything under 65's-ish temps.  Or perhaps it's age, but I like to think not!  Ha!  

But it was worth the shiver I suppose because I found a most excellent deal at Burberry.  One newborn niece is going to look awfully cute in signature plaid.  Yay!  In my opinion, awesome deals are worth a bit of sacrifice...usually!  So have I mentioned that I dig premium outlets!  Great fun!  

Had to share the excitement of my find with my sister who, as it turns out, had some hoopla of the furniture kind of deals of her own to share with me.  She wanted to see mine so I got out the handy dandy digicam and emailed an image of it to her.  Silly sisters, I know!  

Perhaps I don't need coffee this morning, I'm way too revved up now without the caffeine buzz.  

And Jessica is home from school today with a bit of a cough so we're off to have some girly time.  *getting the movie theatre butter popcorn ready*

Saturday, November 8, 2003  4:36pm

It's a Girl

Congratulations to my cousin Cliff and Aileen - proud new parents - on the birth of their first child, a beautiful baby girl, Alyssa Victoria, born Tuesday, November 4, 2003 4:24am at 6 lbs. 7 oz.   Yay, I'm an Auntie Judy!  *smile*  Can't wait to meet the newest addition to our family when we're in town this coming weekend.  

Belated Happy 2nd Birthday to Tobin who celebrated his day yesterday.  Don't forget to send over a piece of cake!  Hope you enjoyed your special day.  

Wednesday, November 5, 2003  8:43am

Living Life

So I've been a stay-at-home mom for 4 yrs, well actually, almost 5 this coming February.  It sounds glamorous to those who think that I "watch Oprah and eat bonbons" all day.  It's hardly that!  

The decision I made to be home with my daughter has come with many joys and blessings, and on some days, some misgivings.  There are days when I miss my previous life in a very fast paced corporate environment, the creative and collaborative process, my dry-clean only wardrobe, and being able to pack it in at 5pm (on most days anyway)...and yeah admittedly, the paycheck too!  Who doesn't love a paycheck even after its been slaughtered by the tax bracket!  

Its only been very recently that I've come to appreciate the "at-home" experience.  This life has given me the  opportunities to pursue my passions - writing, graphic/web design, and I'm even taking pictures these days.  So I'm thankful - still hoping to return to the conventional workforce very soon - but thankful nonetheless!  And my credo for today is: 

Discovering Your Purpose: Easier Than You Think!            

"Seems lately I am constantly being reminded of how far I am from living the life I want to live." Said a friend over coffee. "I don't even know what it is I want, or what I'm passionate about. I still haven’t figured out what I'm supposed to do with my life." So often, we externalize "purpose" as if it's some magical answer, just outside of ourselves, as if we could only grasp it, our lives would begin. We think as soon as we figure it out, we could get that degree, that job, we could start that business, we could "change the world." Trouble is, in all of our trying to figure it out, we miss one important truth about Purpose. Our purpose is not found in what we do from 9 to 5, or our job title, or career status. Our purpose in life is TO BE. As authentically and joyfully as we can, to BE as full of our Selves and our passions as possible. Our purpose is found in doing the things we love to do - the things that bring us joy. Whether or not we do these things for a "living" is irrelevant. Our purpose is in the LIVING. To connect, to grow, to live, to laugh, to utilize the gifts we have been given in whatever way we can, to touch the lives of our friends and family, to express ourselves, to share our stories, to maximize our experience on this planet. Sadly, instead of LIVING our purpose, we squander our lives WONDERING what our purpose is. We squander our energy, doing things that drain us, so that there’s nothing left in us, to do the things we love. We squander our relationships, letting them slip away without honestly speaking our minds, without caring for them like the precious gifts they are. We squander our time, wrapped up in tedium and routine, without making any time for doing the things we love to do. We squander our lives away, wondering what to do with our lives. The good news - you don't have to "figure out" what to do with your life. You only have to live it. And as you pay attention to the things you love to do, you'll find them to be the KEYS to living your purpose. Do you love to paint? PAINT! Do you long to dance? DANCE! Does communing with nature bring you joy? TAKE A WALK! Do you wish you had more friends? MAKE FRIENDS! Do you wish your life were different? Create a new life!  by Lisa Olson

Tuesday, November 4, 2003  9:58am

Nemo:  Not in Sushi

Woohoo! The "Finding Nemo" DVD launches today!   Wonder who's more excited?  Jessica or me?  I loved that movie for its cute story line, humor and beautiful graphics.  Dude, Pixar rocks!   I'm a huge fan of their films and shorts.  Gotta love those shorts and it's well worth it to pick up Pixar DVD's, if only for the shorts - Knick Knack and For the Birds - being my personal favorites.  *on my way to Target now!*  

Monday, November 3, 2003  10:23pm

Blessings

Today was another gorgeous day - warm weather and plenty of sunshine.  I am inspired and blessed by the talk Jay gave at this evenings Week of Prayer meeting.  How's that for something good coming out of skipping class!  Looking forward to the rest of this weeks meetings.  

I wrapped up my submission to The Cup of Comfort for Sisters publication this past weekend.  My piece is about the relationship my sister and I share - crossing my fingers that it'll get published in the Sisters edition.  

Sunday, November 2, 2003  7:40pm

Fun with Kids 

Its been a busy kid weekend and already it appears that this month will be a blur of activity.  The weather was awesome - hovering in the high 70's.  Yay for getting to break out the flips and capri pants again!  Gotta love it!  I'm  enjoying it while it lasts.  

November kicked off with the Precious Jewels Adventurer Induction Ceremony.  Jessica was one of the ten new members inducted into the club.  The club looked real sharp in their uniforms and their performance was definitely one to be commended.  

This month I'll be working on the 26 Things: The Photographic Scavenger Hunt.  I learned of this project through the blog site of a church friend. *waves at Marissa*.  Essentially, I have a month to go out and photograph my interpretation of the 26 Things on the list.  No prize money, no overnight fame - just a fun way to be creative and to figure out if I have any shred of photography talent / skill.  

Today Jessica enjoyed Diana's 5th Birthday Pool Party  at the Ricochet Health and Racquetball Club.  Then the parents with the kids in tow, followed Aida and Butch back to their beautiful home for more socializing and yummy lumpia, ariscaldo and barbeque.  Seems like our church friends are game for some road-trippin' to Toronto.   

It's amazing how the Filipino SDA community is a smaller world than we think - just found out that Mags' brother is married to my Toronto childhood girlfriend.