I Love Boys and I Love Flowers

I have the reddest of thumbs when it comes to gardening - but I adore flowers!!! And Ed knows, especially on Valentine's Day.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Playing with computer can make you feel young again !!!!!! "Just do it" yeahhhhhhhhhhh!

My Collection

I always wanted a collection of any item. I started with ashtrays cuz those were very easy to pack with our luggage when we used to work in Nigeria and went to different places. But it died for reasons I am sure everyone knows. Then, 23 years ago, a very good friend attended a seminar in San Francisco and came back with this stallion for me - and that was when my love for horses {figurines} started. Most in my collection are gifts from friends and relatives, some, I bought, and each one holds a moment in my life! (more to come)

My Yesterday

Sunday morning. A rainy, cold Sunday morning. What to do? Oh yeah - the albums! When the pangs of emptiness hit me, my family albums fill me up. Do this also happen to those whose children have all left home? Does that "missing them" feeling hit them all of a sudden as it is hitting me hard now? Could it be the weather? Could it be that Ed worked last night and is now fast asleep? My albums. Oh, yes, those albums! I'm sure they will console me..... I remember very well. It was Christmas some twenty-plus years ago. We had to wait for the Christmas trees to go on sale so we could buy one, or rather, afford one! In fact, and I didn't know they remember, Mylynn told me that Patrick was so amused to remember that that Christmas tree had to undergo a minor surgery (a broken branch had to be re-attached, splint and all) so it could hold the ornaments until the holidays are over! I can still hear their happy voices and laughter as they played together with the toys they received that happy Christmas day twenty-plus years ago!

My Flower Map

A shot of my web's flower map inspired by Yvonne Russell . I video taped while the flower was evolving. Would be interesting to find out how the process changes next time. (Click on the image for a full screen view.)

Update: (02/13/) I remade my map following Rachel's instructions and what a difference a day makes!

Quote of the Day

"Life is but a chocolate, without the little bitterness, sweetness will mean nothing!" (Alton Brown during an episode of the Iron Chef)

Only applying what I was taught!

Yesterday was another busy day! On top of picking Jacob from his school, Ed, Jacob and I had to join Jacob's ninang Chelo, Lolo Larry and Lola Fina for a Rosary offering to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to Santo Nino of Prague at Walnut. There were four other couples and each one was praising Jacob for being the perfect four-and-a-half year-old boy. And I praise him, too, for being able to bear with adults for almost three hours!!! And to think that he didn't have any naptime after school!!! Makes me wonder how Joshua would have been (chuckle). But what really kept my day busy, in fact until the wee hours of this morning, was creating my Photosite album of Japanese Magnolia flowers. Having been with Webshots for quite sometime, I thought I find WS steps easier to follow, but I am not satisfied with it anymore so, inspired by one of my goddaughters - Rondah - I decided to start giving Photosite some serious time. I had those moments of almost giving up, but as I saw my album evolved I got more excited to work with PS and the MS Digital Image program together. P.S. Kirby, thanks for introducing me to MS Digital Image2006.

The Eloquence of Children

I received an e-mail from a friend that I thought I should share. A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think: "When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love" Rebecca - age 8 "When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy- age 4 "Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5 "Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6 "Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4 "Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7 "Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss." Emily - age 8 "Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." Bobby - age 7 (Wow!!) "If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more of Nikkas on this planet) "Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." Noelle - age 7 "Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6 "During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore." Cindy - age 8 "My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone alse kissing me to sleep at night." Clare - age 6 "Love is when Mommy see Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Brad Pitt." Chris - age 7 "Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4 "I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4 "When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." (what an image) Karen - age 7 "You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica - age 8 And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four-year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said: "Nothing, I just helped him cry." The e-mail ended with this short prayer: "God bless all my friends in whatever it is that You know they need this day! And may their life be full of your peace, which transcends all understanding. Amen."

Now I am a dot on the Map! Thanks to Frappr!

Oh, What a Day !!!

Yesterday, I wasn't in the mood to clean up and so today, I woke up to a sinkful of unwashed glasses, dishes and pots !!! (As a morning person, I want to sleep early and wake up early). Before Ed arrived I made sure that the kitchen was spic and span, that I had my shower and the breakfast was ready. As we were having breakfast, the phone rang. It was Patrick. I had to take Jacob to school and attend a 1 1/2 hour-meeting for parents. On top of that, because he would have a date with Lester, I had to pick Jacob from school, too. OK, the meeting was over and I was ready to go home. I turned on the key but the car wouldn't start! I tried again - nothing. Again, still nothing. I was starting to panic so I called Ed and in his sleepy voice told me to turn something in the car. I couldn't understand him so I just told him, it's OK, maybe later it will just start by itself (what a wish!). After I hang up the phone I remembered I had an AAA card so I called. As the man from AAA was coming, so was ED!!! Since it was almost time for Jacob to go home I decided to just wait for him while Ed took my car to the shop for a much needed tuning-up. But Jacob didn't want to go home without seeing his Lolo first so the two of us picked Ed from the shop, then all three of us proceeded to Claremont. Is that Murphy's Law, or what!! Oh, I forgot to tell you, when the AAA guy came, he took my membership card, borrowed my key, went into my car, turned on the key and voila! the engine roared!!!

Sea of Faces wave-ing

Oh, what a day! Ed and I woke up to sore throat, head ache and muscle pain which means we couldn't visit Matthew and take Jacob to his school. Took flu pills. But, the sea of faces kept wave-ing at me and while I was at it I forgot I was sick. There was this prayer from Claudia Snowden which I think is very me; Tanya made me long for my beloved Pinas and Jason made me feel safe with my computer-ing. Jamie Oliver (yes, the chef is there, too!) inspired me to look forward to my second semester at GHS! I'll make copies of his bio. I think it will give my students something to think about- about their tomorrows. I also was able to leave a message for Nancze. Hope she gets it.

Thanks again, Rachel!

Today I learned how to link. My teacher? Rachel ! And she is thousands and thousands of miles away!!! This is the fruit of her labor!!! Thanks, Rachel.

My Monday Reads

As I was reading Allergic Mom 's blog I was thinking of my grandson, Jacob, who has some allergies too. He cannot wear anything unless the material is of 100% cotton or he'll develop rashes; peanuts and seafoods do the same to him, too. Aquaphor is a constant companion for him. I think I will let Mylynn read AllergicMom's posts, too. I have to visit Jesse Skinner (The Future of the Web) again so I will understand computer terms better and proceed to his mom's site Victoriana Quilt Designs.

How'd They Do That?

I randomly picked from my sea of faces and each time was amazed at how each page had been created. Next time, I will have a piece of paper and a pen by my keyboard so I can write the names/addresses of those I want to acknowledge. Copying and pasting is not my favorite thing to do and I still have to memorize the steps to linking. Oh, how I miss my sons!!!

Sunday Randoms

I slept too late and woke up too early. Could it be the excitement in seeing my face among the 2000 bloggers? I planned on putting our computer room in order but the sea of soon to be 2000 faces kept beckoning at me. I found it interesting that when I arrowed back to the home page the page started so white with just one face - one face gliding/jumping around, then the rest of the faces started to fill up the bottom and top of the page, first slowly and then with such intensity until I lost that one face! After reading Michael Parekh's post, my dilemma now is should I or should I not buy a new computer with Vista feature? Or should I wait till after the wars in the world are settled?!? Then I thought of Nancze's site and I am now convinced that my pages are so dull! The piles of unwanted papers are still all over the floor, the dust covering the shelves is still thick...... Oh, well............ I still have 4 weeks to do it! 10 minutes later I went back to see the sea. I used the mathematical skill my high school teacher taught me and I found that I am number 962!

A face among two thousand

The Blogger Links Benefactor - I Link To Blogs For Free: 2000 Bloggers A face among two thousand? Not bad, not bad at all. Thank you, Tino Buntic, for creating this project. And, I must add - I thank Rachel (Heart of Rachel), too, for leading me to the 2000 Bloggers site. While waiting for my photo to show I started browsing through the interesting faces and their doubly interesting sites. To each, his own. Thanks to you, 1999! Hooray, Tino!!!

My Birthday Cakes

I love birthdays! Doesn't matter if it is mine or somebody else's. This year I had 2 cakes - a chocolate layer cake with butter roses and a vanilla chiffon cake filled with fruits. One is from my sons and the other is from my balaes, the Yaos. UHHHHMMMMM!!! YYYUUUUUMMMMMYYYYYYYY!! Want a slice?

The many faces of Jacob & Joshua

Matthew : his first visit

Yesterday was a very special day - it was my birthday, and can you guess the best gift a grandma could ever receive? A first visit from a grandson!!! Yes, we were all surprised when Sarah and Jet showed up with little Matthew. Sayang, Lolo was at work (Tita Rachelle, too)..... But his Tito Lester, Tito Patrick, Tita Mylynn, cousins Jacob and Joshua were around to welcome him. He is now 25 days old. How time flies. As long as he is full he doesn't give a hoot about anything else. Good boy! I can see Jet and Sarah in his face - truly his parents' son. I wish you all the best in your life, our dearest MATTHEW DAVID!!!

From Rachel -- many thanks

Successs, success, success!!!

I don't know how I did it but I did it! I was able to share my slide show without the extras showing. I didn't use the Copy/Paste method, instead I hit Ctrl-C/Ctrl-V buttons, and voila!!! you can enjoy the show without hitting any extra nob. One of my high school classmates just sent me an e-mail with this paragraph and it surely hits me on the head! "That which we persist in doing becomes easier- not that the nature of the task has changed but our ability to do has increased." Ralph Walso Emerson

My Three Grandsons

Matthew David Yao Parungao

This is Matthew David Yao Parungao, the latest addition to the Parungao clan of Chino/Chino Hills, Claremont/Fontana area. He was supposed to come on the 6th but instead decided to make a big bang on New Year's Day at exactly 8:06 am!!! What a great gift! He is our third grandchild and he adds excitement to our lives as much as the first two, Jacob and Joshua. We are praying hard that we will be blessed with one more, from Lester and Rachelle this time, before this year ends! Everytime a new baby arrives, my thoughts automatically transport me to those days when his own dad and uncles were born - the excitement, the sleepless nights, the diapers on the laundry line, the constant formula mixing, the first tooth, giggle, step, fall, haircut, pair of denims (oh, yeah, that was an event back then!), those measles and cold times .......... And suddenly, my thoughts would jump to the days when they, one by one, brought in their favorite girls, and left home, pair by pair......................................

Goodbye, 2006 - Welcome, 2007!!

In a few hours it will be a New Year!! What have I done the last year that is worth remembering? What will I do this coming year that I will remember? Yes, I oftentimes think I really need a notebook with me all the time so I will keep track of everything I hide, take, save, write, eat, meet, buy, wear, cook, file, and.....and........... Now is the time to reminisce abut the last year..... I know I got a year older and so did my grandchildren, children, children-in-laws, balaes, friends and relatives. I have done what Tatay used to tell us his children: travel for to travel is to get an education. How true his words are! If I didn't get the chance to travel I would still be the sensitive, immature, dependent me. But because of travels I've done, I learned that I can stand on my own two feet, didn't really need somebody's OK before I plunge into a big decision and could solve my own mistakes. My travels taught me that while there are those who have more than me, there are still many who have less, but that having more doesn't always mean happiness.

Christmas - 2006

This Christmas, we decided to go simple for our Christmas tree. Unlike in the Philippines where you can have all the help you want in a whistle, here you have to do everything yourself, unless somebody happens to drop by. Ed noticed that his legs were hurting after taking down the boxes of the parols and deers from the garage ceiling. So I decided - That's it. we will just have Christmas balls this year!.

When I attended a convention in Atlanta I saw these beautiful cloissone balls in one of the participating booths. I thought even one of those would be a beautiful gift to start friends on their own Christmas tree decoration. But the more I look at our bare tree the more I got convinced that I should have them all on my tree! I have only seven pieces so I needed more balls to complement the cloissones so I decided further on getting red balls this time. But the stores, because it was already almost the week of Christmas, ran short of red ones, so if you look closer, the bottom part of the tree were of gold balls. Actually there are three layers - the cloissones on top (as suggested by Patrick), the reds, then the golds (with one alien). But of course, the angel needs to be there...

We had always opted for the Noble Fir, but this year we changed to (forgot the name at the moment) a more full, thick one. And the change was good, we all thought.

I got acquainted with the cloissone process when we were on a trip to China. I thought it was only for jewelry so you can only imagine my surprise when I saw those balls!!! Wished the lady selling had more - I would have bought them all! If you look at the details you will agree with me, won't you?

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!