Tales of Ta To Ti

2012 was year of first times, it was the first time that my first born went to school , first time the kids ride a motorboat, ride a plane for a domestic flight and do island hopping. It is also the first time that my we got a licensed teacher to our family when my fourth sibling, Meilyn passed the licensure exam for teachers, she's passer number 2677 . And we had the first death, 2012 left with a bang, a literal one which brought about so much grief for me and my family as we've lost Joross , my brother, a licensed nurse and a loving son, boyfriend to P and an uncle to Tato and Toti. Bitterness as it is we remain thankful that despite such pain, the family remains strong as ever and hopeful that things would get better and sweeter. Who said that life on earth would be as smooth as silk? Even the smartest and richest people suffer and experience difficulties in life.  So I say 2012 is a year we would not easily forget but I am glad to say that all is well. And will...

  My wishlist for this year: Resolution of my brother's case     Good relationships H ealthier body, mind and spirit Stable finances Enjoy the blessings and opportunities that may come our way!   Have a year full of hope, faith and love everyone!

If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders. Abigail Van Buren   As you know I do not have the liberty of a stay-at-home mom, I spend my eight to ten hours away from home and my little ones. I am a "single parent" sometimes since my better-half is duty-bound (Thankful that he is an office-based soldier now wink*wink*). It’s a tough act but I need to help him as well, it is a mutual decision and I have no qualms about it. And that is why simple kind gestures from my little boys are so special to me. 

  A work of art is a world in itself reflecting senses and emotions of the artist's world. -Hans Hoffman   Who doesn't love colors and art work? 

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is too precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it.” ― Mother Teresa

 To keep the fire burning brightly there's one easy rule:  Keep the two logs together, near enough to keep each other warm and far enough apart - about a finger's breadth - for breathing room.  Good fire, good marriage, same rule.  ~Marnie Reed Crowell Something we both love to do, eat together

" Love doesn't sit there like a stone, it has to be made, like bread : remade all the time, made new." - Og Mandino Who doesn't love bread? I am a fan, all kinds of  bread which I have grown up with, from the humble hopia to spanish breads, pan de coco and ensaymada. I can't imagine a home who doesn't serve pan de sal or tasty every morning or during meriendas. When I have learned that Tato's field trip would be at the Gardenia Plant, I knew he would be curious to see how breads are processed mechanically. Indeed the kids were amazed to see how the flour and other ingredients were mixed and turned into doughs, all neatly lined up and baked in line until they were formed into a tower of white loaves. The plant was clean and the aroma of freshly baked breads was overwhelming that after the plant visit, the kids and their parents had their own bags of freshly baked breads. Tato and I took a few shots in the Gardenia Plant's outdoor area. A mother ...