If I had my way, I'd be a morning person --- someone who welcomes the early morning calm with arms wide open. I used to love waking up at the crack of dawn, thinking about the great possibilities of the day ahead. I love the fact that the earlier one wakes up, the more he/she can do with the rest of the day. The word "morning" evokes memories of coffee and pan de sal, the taho vendor, idle chat with my mom and brother, catching the morning show on TV, the crows of the neighbor's roosters, the occasional school bus, the occasional tricycle, my aunt carrying plastic bags loaded with market goods and kids in school uniforms dragging their trolleys. Ever since I got into the midday shift, my body clock adjusted and mornings are not what they used to be. Sometimes, I even view them as an inconvenient part of the day that I'd rather spend in bed. Lately, I have been trying to revive my affection towards this time of the day. I try to move around the house as soon as I wake up. I jog, listen to random songs, browse the net and keep in touch with the rest of the world. I'm looking forward to going back to the morning shift (fingers crossed).  

Growing Up Fast

Weeks ago, I watched My Sassy Girl on TV. I was silently crying over one of the scenes when I turned and looked at my 3 year-old daughter. She had tears on her eyes too! Hours later, I heard her singing Yellow by Coldplay. "It's my favorite song, Mom," she told me matter-of-factly. Two nights ago, she wanted to search for girl's make-up. Last night, she told us that she wanted to have twins when she grows up. I think my daughter is growing up a wee bit too fast and I can't catch up with this premature growth spurt. She hasn't even started formal schooling yet! I'm not yet prepared to answer questions like "What is love?" or "Where did God come from?" Sheesh!  

The movie that made us cry ...

I think the original and Korean version is a lot better though ...

Mishka: Mom, I want to look for girl's make-up.
Me: At your age?! You're scaring me.
Mishka: I'm not a monster Mama.

Haha!

4th of July

I can always rely on my brother for a great night out. He invited me to tag along with him and the love of his life at Warehouse last night. Incidentally, it was the 4th of July --- the perfect excuse to celebrate "freedom and independence." It's also the new bar in town so I was curious. I loved the energy of the band. They sang songs from my generation. They kept the crowd alive. Guys and gals were jumping, singing along and dancing like there's no tomorrow. Everyone felt young and free. I momentarily forgot that I was a busy working mom with lots of responsibilities and bills to pay. I time travelled to my days as a carefree teen, when life was simple and easy. Thanks bro. That night earned a slot in my memory lane. Sa uulitin. :-D

First Impressions Don't Last

The other day, my cousin told me that his "tropa" was surprised to find that I'm "cool din pala." She initially thought I was "uptight." My smile turned into a guffaw. I'm definitely not uptight. HAHA! My friends and family know that. But I do get that a lot. People mistake me for being demure, a typical Maria Clara which I'm SO NOT. Don't get me wrong. I'm not on the other side of the spectrum either. I respect people who think that crazy dancing in crowded bars and boozing until they get tipsy are fun but they're not my cup of tea. I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm a regular, fun-loving person. I love videoke and bowling nights. I'm hugely entertained by Garfield's sarcasm and Dr. Seuss's creativity. New Girl makes me laugh real hard and its chicken dance scene warms my heart everytime. I love watching movies on the big screen while munching on a tub of popcorn and sipping ice-cold Coke. I love hanging out in a bar while listening to a band playing songs from any genre as long as they're not too sappy or noisy. When I'm in the mood for some big time bonding, I invite my friends for coffee or pig out in my fave resto. I love walking towards anywhere my feet will carry me to. I love seeing the countryside with lots of trees and wildlife. I love getting lost in my thoughts while listening to the rhythmical waves of the ocean. I love going on road trips and visiting places outside my native boundaries. I LOVE food trips. I love exploring different cultures, mostly through their good eats. I love shopping for books, lingerie and nice clothes. I love clowning around with my kid. I broke rules and did insane things in my life as well. So, my friends, first impressions don't always last. ;-)

Music from 2007

As you may have noticed in my blog, I am an audiophile. Music is an integral part of my life. Whenever I listen to a song, my mind immediately picks up a memory or two associated with that song. That's how my brain works when I'm surrounded with music.

My first visit to the UAE was in 2007. I came over here in order to see the sights, and, well, to TRY to review for the medical boards. Not a great combination. Hehe. I remember entering The One store and hearing Regina Spektor's Real Love. I instantly fell in love with the song and bought the cd. The rest of the songs from the album are equally memorable. They were the perfect antidote to boredom while I went over my medical books on a daily basis. I passed the boards and got my physician's license. Well, that's another story.  

Here are some songs from that album Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur.

(Just Like) Starting Over - Flaming Lips

Real Love - Regina Spektor

Caught Between Right and Wrong

By: May Rostom

At a certain age, we all reach the point where we stop to think about what's right and what's wrong. Recently it started occurring more often upon reaching this phase of self- exploration and thinking “we know it all” but get hit in the face with a shovel called “reality”. After questioning everything around me (even my own existence), I stop to think “am I where I'm Supposed to be, or is it where I Want to be”?!

You find yourself working two or three jobs, one of which is a family business that you’ve been stuck with since college, where the whole family is waiting for you to save them from their boring, structured life and start throwing their shit (pardon me) on you .

Most of us end up doing something else other than what we planned for which often leads us to the question …Am I on the right track? Should I just go with it or do I look for something else, something more Me?

Coming from a culture that resists change, it’s impossible to find an answer when you ask for advice; everyone ends up lying to you just to make you feel better or gives you examples based on their experience which- half of the time- don't apply to your case.

What do I make of this advice anyway, people don't know what I've been through, the path I've taken, and the decisions I've made. What difference is it going to make, why should I even bother?!

I myself think that my education- of choice- ended back in high school and that obtaining a pharmaceutical path and career was totally not the right choice. But wait a minute, isn’t that what usually happens when you're just a follower in the herd that is your culture or most likely, parents belief? Here I am, a pharmacist that made no use of her college degree and ended up working as a writer for MSN (which is 10 times better I must say). Taking the “Hard Way” out, not really caring what other people thought I should or should not do, did not stop me from making up my mind and going after what I think is right for me.

This is my 3rd job and I’m not even 30, yet initially I took this writing job as a challenge to prove to myself that I can type more than 350 words whenever I want to. As a reminder that I could always come up with new fresh ideas for my current job rather than being part of a herd.

This is exactly what I think you should all do when you go through something like that. JUST CHALLENGE yourself with work tasks, throw yourself out there, try new things, and don't submit to what people think you should do, because in the end you do not want to be just another ordinary person, we have a lot of these already. Live your life, not someone else’s.

Source: MSN Lifestyle

:-)

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."

--- Confucius

                   

Lead Me Lord

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

A Toddler's Rules of Possession

Hahaha! So true!

Myers Briggs Test

My bestfriend recommended me to take this personality test. It was a part of their teambuilding session at work. I took the test just for the heck of it and I was amazed at the results. Haha. It's extremely accurate. Thanks Twin. :-)

Why do kids wake up once you've started enjoying your rare and precious ME time? Is it part of their body clock?!

Apnapan

a gentle touch of a finger
a leg rested gently against mine,
apnapan
a kind glance of empathy
in a crowded room,
apnapan
a hushed caring voice
on the other end
of a long distance call
are you ok ?,
apnapan

a hand laid gently
on my drooping shoulder
at a time of grief,
apnapan
a whispered unsaid
message of love
carried by the wind,
apnapan
a soft tear
at the corner of an eye
gently glistening
at the moment of parting,
apnapan
an imagined
image of you
at the other end of the bar
compassionate
at futile attempts
to go with the flow,
apnapan
knowing
somewhere
sometime
someplace
there will be
once again,
apnapan
apnapan : hindi for the deepest sense of belonging

Source: Shekhar Kapur's Blog

My Favorite Kind of Pain

:-)

Source: Quotes and Sayings

What Makes a Dad

Happy Father's Day!

Happy father's day to my Daddy and to all the fathers in the world! You are heroes in your own special way. :-) :-) :-)

All I Need Is S-L-E-E-P!

These days, my biggest wish is to get enough sleep, lots of it. A good 8-10 hours of uninterrupted, dreamless sleep which makes you feel re-energized and refreshed when you wake up the next morning. Yes, my friends, SLEEP has become a LUXURY. Rare and priceless.

Wishful Thinking

Mishka and I love making small talk upon waking up on Friday mornings.

Mishka: Mom, do you want to be a girl again?
Me: Yes, baby. Sometimes, I want to go back to being a girl again.
Mishka: No! I need you to be my Mommy.

Wishful thinking. Hehe.

With A Smile - Eraserheads

Lift your head, baby, don't be scared
Of the things that could go wrong along the way
You'll get by with a smile
You can't win at everything but you can try.

Baby, you don't have to worry
'Coz there ain't no need to hurry
No one ever said that there's an easy way
When they're closing all their doors
And they don't want you anymore
This sounds funny but I'll say it anyway.

Girl I'll stay through the bad times
Even if I have to fetch you everyday
I'll get by if you smile
You can never be too happy in this life.
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/e/eraserheads/with_a_smile.html ]
In a world where everybody
Hates a happy ending story
It's a wonder love can make the world go round
And don't let it bring you down
And turn your face into a frown
You'll get along with a little prayer and a song.

(Too doo doo...)
Let me hear you sing it
(Too doo doo...)

In a world where everybody
Hates a happy ending story
It's a wonder love can make the world go round
But don't let it bring you down
And turn your face into a frown
You'll get along with a little prayer and a song.

Lift your head, baby, don't be scared
Of the things that could go wrong along the way
You'll get by with a smile
Now it's time to kiss away those tears goodbye

(Too doo doo...)
Let me hear you sing it
(Too doo doo...)