Happy Birthday, WILLIAM

His birthday was on the 24th but his beloved, Gloria, is giving him a big birthday bash today.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PARE!!!

Thankful Thursday

This week, I have great things and happenings to be thankful for.
We are again blessed with a handsome little grandson. Sarah and Jet named their beautiful child, Daniel Josiah. The name sounds blessed to me, already.
We've reached a BIG 40!!! I still can't believe we've lasted this long. Hubby and I are both grateful for the surprise (I am still thinking how I could have missed any clue) dinner party that our children organized.
I am thankful that people who are special in our hearts came to celebrate with us.
Although I will miss my students' antics, I am thankful that I have one more day to go before I hit the vacation trail again. I don't have to sleep early so I will wake up early. I don't even have to worry about what to wear for the 'morrow.
I am thankful for my graduating students most of whom are the first in their families. May they set a successful trail for those who are to follow them.
But most of all, I am grateful that our dear friend, Malu, had a 2nd successful kidney transplant last Monday at CSH. Her first was 14 years ago which gave her 9 good years. We hope and pray this one will be-friend her forever.
I am thankful for the bloggers that make me think, cry, smile, touch, feel, grow........

For more thankful bloggers, please click here.

Wordless Wednesday

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Surprised, Totally Surprised

Sunday, June 22, was our 40th wedding anniversary. The night before, at J.P.'s and Jackie's wedding reception, I sort of joked if any of my kids planned something for us. They convinced me that they didn't know or remember anything about the date. Lester even said it loudly that we just wait for the 50th. I tried very hard to convince myself that maybe they just wanted to surprise us. Sunday morning came and still no invitation or announcement. Then Hazel, Kirby's special girl, invited us to a late lunch. At first, I said not sure, still hoping that one of our kids would call us to ask us out. When noon time came and still no call, we decided to go with the couple. It was almost 4:30 when we finally reached the Chinese restaurant that we often go to. Upon entering, I was wondering why we were being led to the hall where big parties are often held. I thought: "Maybe it is her mom's or dad's, or one of her brother's birthday and that she didn't want me to bring any gift anymore." Also, I was trying to figure out how much I would eat because Patrick and Mylynn had invited us to join them at a late dinner, too. My thoughts were still on how our kids could have forgotten our special day when every year we celebrate it (except this year because of the June 21st wedding), when I heard "Surprise, surprise!"
Then I saw familiar faces, all smiling at us. Some were even laughing. I was in a daze. I had to hold on to a pillar because I felt like I was falling.
That was a total surprise!!!
The only thing I didn't like about it is I didn't bring my camera so now I have to wait for those who brought theirs to send me the pictures.
Then yesterday, there was a package for me when I got home from work. It was from Dindo, my eldest sister's youngest son. He sent me a laptop (which he ordered from HP in Colorado) for a gift because he remembered that last year I was hinting to hubby how I'd love to have my own. And, luck of all luck, Lester was around so he set it up for me right away!
Will I be able to handle another surprise?

Who ever said "When it rains it pours"? It sure poured on my parade and I loved it!

CONGRATULATIONS and BEST WISHES !!!

It was J.P. (Paolo) and Jackie's church wedding yesterday. What a beautiful, meaningful moment for two lovely people who've decided to tie the knot under God's watchful eyes.
But, sorry J.P. and Jackie, based on my Richter scale, the loudest applause went to your darling boy, Jordan and the flower girl Morgan, coin bearer, Jacob and the little boy who wouldn't allow himself to be left behind, Joshua. Another highlight of the past week was the short visit of my sister, Norma, and the arrival of Ben and Tina, who both came for the wedding. Both had flown in from Maryland. Polo, a cousin also flew in from the Philippines.
And of course, the arrival of our latest grandson, Daniel.
It was a whirlwind week considering that my classes had to prepare for the different awards ceremonies and the senior students doing their finals.
Also, I am sure everyone knows that it has been an oven hot week here in SoCal!!!

Welcome, DANIEL JOSIAH

Our newest grandson - eleven hours young Daniel Josiah - was born on June 17. He shares birthday with his paternal great grandfather, which shows that life is but a cycle.

Welcome to this world, our beloved Daniel.

Still Around

I am still around, for those who may be wondering. Because a sister came for a visit, blogging became almost impossible this last week. I wasn't even able to post anything about our newest grandson, Daniel Josiah, who greeted the world on June 17, 2008, at 6:01 in the morning. All the time I could spend with Nor, my sister, to catch up on lost time was so precious I hope it wouldn't end. I can see my sons more often, too, because every time one of them would treat her out, of course, mom and dad would be there too. Tomorrow, she goes to Maryland. We will surely miss her.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY !!!!

To all the DADS in the world, greetings on this special day that is wholly devoted for you....

Gnawing Pain

I still remember when an aunt opened one of her bedroom cabinets and almost fainted at what she saw. All the clothes that she had meticulously folded and hid in that one cabinet started to fall like dust as she lifted each one. Those were clothes that her children outgrew and she had planned to keep for her grandchildren. Even the coins that she had been saving showed signs of being gnawed at.
The enemy? Termites.
That happened so many years ago. But it is still very relevant today.

As long as your house have walls (well, which one doesn't), termites and drywall go together. If you want to know why this is so, there is a site you can go to if you want to be educated on the how's and why's of termites: how to protect your house from termites; who should inspect your house for the presence of termites; simple remedies to get rid of termites or simply getting basic infomation about termites.
Visit now before you get visited by a gnawing pain.

She's Here!!!

Right now I am excited because in about 3 hours my sister, Norma, will be landing in LAX. Hubby and Kirby and I will pick her from the airport.
It's been a year since we last saw each other and I am looking forward to this day ever since I learned that she's coming over. Unfortunately, she's only staying with us for a week before she flies to Maryland to see an uncle.
I have a misty recollection of how she and Tammi, her twin, came into this world. Tia was on a covered table and there was a large basin on the floor by the end of the table where her feet were almost dangling. I must have fallen asleep for so long because the next thing I could remember was that there were two babies in a "duyan", a Philippine hammock, (that had been especially made for two), that I enjoyed singing to until they were fast asleep. I must have inspired the phrase "broken record", I think.
Welcome back, Nor. Your suite is waiting for you, dust and all!

Look of the Year

Do you have the Look that modeling agencies are looking for? There is a worldwide beauty contest open to all young men and women who have dreams of being recognized worldwide. Winning means a chance of receiving 10,000 USD and becoming the next top model in the world. Winning also means being recognized by top modeling agencies and being able to work in big, beautiful cities like Paris, Milan, New York, or London.
Let me ask you again: Do you have what it takes to be The Look of the Year model?
Then, what else are you waiting for. Send that picture and here's wishing you all the luck!

Wordless Wednesday

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Missing You

Because of the rising price of gas, I had to trade wheels with hubby. He drives only a fifth of the distance I do. Now, all that I see are the behinds of trucks and vans. If someone in front of me drives slower than I thought he should be driving, I can't see ahead anymore so that I can attack with my Plan B. Also, I have to rethink when I have to change gears. I still hit on the wipers most of the time.
Another thing that I have to remember: the trunk needs the key to open. One time, I almost fell on my back!
Oh, how I miss you, Van! (my beloved Sienna, that is).

Sleep in Luxury

Sleeping soundly is a luxury for me. I don't fall asleep as fast as my partner does and yet I wake up earlier than he does, much much earlier that I have to be undisturbed for a certain number of hours. If I get awakened prematurely it would be very hard for me to catch my sleep again. One thing that awakes me, without fail, is when hubby turns around because he is much heavier than I am so the tendency is for me to roll towards his side of the bed. While I have gotten used to the "routine" I still wish I could just be left alone and at peace on my side of the bed (chuckle).
As a morning person, I need to be sharp and at my elements when I wake up. Due to the nature of my job, it will be so embarrassing if one of those kids catches me napping in the middle of my demonstration. I know that's quite an exaggeration, but still a not so remote possibility.
My image of a heavenly slumber is having it on a luxury mattress that makes me feel like I am floating on clouds because I can't feel the strong coils of metal underneath the velvety sateen covered mattress. The support is so perfect that I am oblivious of whoever turns and twirls beside me. And to add satisfaction to comfort and quality it also must be an affordable luxury mattress .
Still wondering what I am talking about? I invite you to click here. Sweet dreams!

Candid Playfulness

Yesterday, my DILs Mylynn and Rachelle hosted a baby shower party for their SIL, Sarah. While the adults were having fun, my grandkids were having their own kind of fun.
I hope this blog will remind them of this moment - their cute gooffiness - a moment that their Grannie treasures every second she can catch of everyday.

DONA NOBIS PACEM

BLOG BLAST FOR PEACE DONA NOBIS PACEM PEACE BLOG BLAST FOR PEACE DONA NOBIS PACEM PEACE This noble project was conceived by MIMI of Mimi Writes. Peace be to her!!!
In her own words, this is a "revolution of words". How true, how true. How else can we revolutionize but through the blogosphere. Where else can we reach everyone but through the internet. In what more ways can we open everyone's mind but through the words in our blogs.
Let us feel as one. Let us feel PEACE!

Summer Fun

Summer is almost here one can almost smell it. Are you ready to record it?
With summer comes get-togethers, picnics, parties, visits and with all these come poses, smiles, hugs and kisses. What better way to keep those moments but with digital cameras. And if you are into gazing at those stars under the wide bright skies, a high powered telescope would be cool to have. If you have little kids in tow, a pair of binoculars will be very useful. And those little creatures those kids will discover by the sea shore or mountains or campsites will be thrilling and fun to examine under a microscope; and, with teen-age sons (and I am sure as with dads) Thermal Imaging devices will be truly neat!
Hide and seek? What kind of a game is that?
Want to know what I am talking about? Go visit opticsplanet.com and find out.

The Professor

I thought I had a visitor from the district. A guy came in, in suit and tie, but I couldn't see his face. He was looking up at the ceiling as he struts with his back towards me. When he turned everybody in the room started laughing as they saw the surprise on my face. "What's the occasion, Atlay?" I asked. "You look so dapper today." I added. "Well, Ms., today I am a professor." "Oh?" "Yes Ms. I am a professor in the 60's when many schools and colleges wouldn't admit blacks."
And he explained to me that to fulfill an assignment in his history class he was to dress up like someone in a particular time in the history of America.
"OK. Get ready. Today you will take over the class."
"Yes, Ms., yes!!!"

Work in Style and Comfort

America is known to be labor driven, literally and figuratively. Work, work, and more work if you want to survive, whether inside temperature controlled cubicles or outside under the heat of the blazing sun; whether inside the homes or out in the farm. Whatever the setting is, comfort and safety is the number one priority of anyone. If you are a caregiver like a nurse, or an educator like a teacher, then you are, for most of your working time, on your two feet. You need comfortable pairs of shoes or sandals. If you are one who does outside labor, whether as a farmer or an electrician, you need even more protection for your feet and still feel comfortable. Wearing a pair of work boots will do the trick.
I like seeing men in work boots. In fact I don't mind seeing them in a pair whether with suits or jeans. Especially the suede orangey type. There is something manly and attitudinal about it for me. Well, it is just me.
At Work Boots USA you will find work boots according to style or brand. Boots are also categorized according to how hot they are in the market, or if you'd prefer, you may select from the best seller list. You can also choose from different materials and colors.
Be safe. Work in a pair of boots.

Wordless Wednesday

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M.O.M.

My goddaughter, Rondah, e-mailed me this poem and I thought I should share it with moms who, and who don't, blog.

Poem to MOM

My son came home from school one day,
With a smirk upon his face.
He decided he was smart enough,
To put me in my place.

'Guess what I learned in Civics Two,
that's taught by Mr. Wright?
It's all about the laws today,
The 'Children's Bill of Rights.'


It says I need not clean my room,
Don't have to cut my hair
No one can tell me what to think,
Or speak, or what to wear.
I have freedom from religion,
And regardless what you say,
I don't have to bow my head,
And I sure don't have to pray.

I can wear earrings if I want,
And pierce my tongue & nose.
I can read & watch just what I like,
Get tattoos from head to toe.

And if you ever spank me,
I'll charge you with a crime.
I'll back up all my charges,
With the marks on my behind.

Don't you ever touch me,
My body's only for my use,
Not for your hugs and kisses,
that's just more child abuse.
Don't preach about your morals,
Like your Mama did to you.
That's nothing more than mind control,
And it's illegal too!

Mom, I have these children's rights,
So you can't influence me,
Or I'll call Children's Services Division,
Better known as C.S.D.'
Mom's Reply and Thoughts

Of course my first instinct was
To toss him out the door.
But the chance to teach him a lesson
Made me think a little more.

I mulled it over carefully,
I couldn't let this go.
A smile crept upon my face,
he's messing with a pro.

Next day I took him shopping
At the local Goodwill Store..
I told him, 'Pick out all you want,
there's shirts & pants galore.

I've called and checked with C.S.D .
Who said they didn't care
If I bought you K-Mart shoes
Instead of those Nike Airs.

I've canceled that appointment
To take your driver's test.
The C.S.D. Is unconcerned
So I'll decide what's best. '

I said 'No time to stop and eat,
Or pick up stuff to munch.
And tomorrow you can start to learn
To make your own sack lunch.

Just save the raging appetite,
And wait till dinner time.
We're having liver and onions,
A favorite dish of mine.'

He asked 'Can I please rent a movie,
To watch on my VCR?'
'Sorry, but I sold your TV,
For new tires on my car.
I also rented out your room,
You'll take the couch instead.
The C.S.D. requires
Just a roof over your head.

Your clothing won't be trendy now,
I'll choose what we eat.
That allowance that you used to get,
Will buy me something neat.

I'm selling off your jet ski,
Dirt-bike & roller blades.
Check out the 'Parents Bill of Rights',
It's in effect today!

Hey hot shot, are you crying,
Why are you on your knees?
Are you asking God to help you out,
Instead of C.S.D..?'

..........MOM (Mean Old Mother.)

Congratulations, Oscar!

If I could convince a student that he/she can do a thing and motivate him/her to do that thing, then I've accomplished something. Today, I just feel that way.
Oscar had always shown his love for food from the first time I saw him as he helped his older brother finish a class catering project. He had that positive attitude that convinced me to convince him to compete. I was able to accomplish that. My next challenge was how can I motivate this young man to work so he could win. With the help of Chef William O'Neill, I must have accomplished that, too, because this morning, at the C-CAP Breakfast and Awards Ceremony at The Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, Oscar was awarded a Certificate of Scholarship for 26,000 dollars to study at The Restaurant at Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia. Which means, now he can pursue his dream of opening up his own restaurant. By the way, with the scholarship is also a chance to train in France, or England, for a week.
The Restaurant at Walnut Hill also happens to be the home of the U.S. Culinary Olympic Team, which means he'll be training and working with only the best in the culinary field.

CONGRATULATIONS, Oscar!!!

I better start looking for another Oscar.

Weekend reading

As always the case, I forgot to bring something to keep me busy while waiting for the competition to finish so I decided to visit the store where I found the last copy of this book by Louis Saulnier. Although I know that French cuisine is the mommy of all cuisines, I am not deeply into it. My aim had always been to empower my students with skills that the industry will expect of them the first time they set foot on a restaurant's kitchen - knife skills, safety and sanitation practices, knowledge of basic cooking methods and time management. As I leafed through the pages I thought, wow, I've been teaching the French way all along but less of the French basics. And those basics are only one or two sentences long!! Got to re-design my lessons. After all, everything will eventually boil down to how it all started.


As hubby and I always do, we eat Sunday breakfast with the Sunday papers strewn all around the table. What caught my attention was this part from an article about Anne Hathaway (The Princess Diary, or, The Devil Wears Prada ) when she and her family were searching for something to put in his uncle's funeral program, they decided to include this quote:

"The worst thing that happens to you can be the best thing for you, if you don't let it get the best of you."

The same article ended with this:

"There's something that, growing up, my mom would say to me. And I say it back to her a lot. We're fairly dramatic people. And we're prone to very big feelings. So, when those very big feelings some times aren't the most positive thing, we just look at each other, and we say, 'Choose joy.'"

What a positive attitude about life and living!!!

The custard is actually a pie, or, the pie is actu.......

Want to try a dessert that is both a custard and a pie? I was blog hopping yesterday morning and found Spud's blog where I saw this very simple recipe which he aptly called Magic Pie. Tweaked the recipe a little due to circumstances that I wasn't able to control.
Preparing it was as easy and fast as 1-2-3.
Hubby totally agreed it was good.
If you have a sweet tooth like me, try it.