Kuya A

It amazes me how one can find inspiration when and where we least expect it.

A relative is battling the Big C for a few months now. It's pretty hard to accept the fact that he's at the last stages of it already. His body is already rejecting the medications needed to at least lengthen his life and his organs are already showing signs of "giving up." His body is clearly about to say goodbye but not his mind, heart, and soul. It's ironic and sad that now that his doctors are already making him realize that there's really nothing else that they can do but give him comfort, it is now that he appears to be "full of life." His sense of humor is at its best, he even has beautiful plans for the holidays to come, for the birthdays of his two little boys, and for their very young family. On his "healthier" days he did nothing but work hard to give his family a bright future, made them feel loved and cared for, and showed the people around him that anything and everything is possible. Times like these one can't help but question, why him?? Why does God let such a thing happen to people with kind hearts and to people who still has a lot of dreams to pursue. But who are we to question Him? He works in mysterious ways and physical burdens or even loss don't always have to be bad. Somehow He manages to make us realize that there's always something good to it. That is why our family leaves it all up to Him.

Kuya A is a fighter from beginning 'til the end. His strength never waivers. Each time I see him, he always has a smile glued on his face. I never heard him complain of his illness rather he always tells us that he's doing okay, that will overcome it. His courage is truly inspiring and indeed one of a kind. I really pray that God gives him a chance to be with us for some more time. I know God sees how hard he tries to fight this battle, please let him win this time.

The Ultimate Mancini

Last night, the hubby took me out on a unique date. We took the bus from Chatsworth to the Hollywood Bowl to witness the performance of the LA Philharmonic Orchestra led by Bill Conti in paying tribute to the award-winning composer, conductor, and arranger Henry Mancini. Mancini's great works include Moon River, The Pink Panther, Charade, and Peter Gunn. His daughter Monica Mancini was also there to sing some of his hits. It was such an experience! 

We brought with us a cooler packed with some turkey wraps, shrimp pasta, rice krispies, chocolates, and of course a bottle of sweet red wine.

 Despite the fact that we were in the middle of Hollywood, it didn't seem like we were in LA! The beautiful music, the stars above us, the loving couples made the night very romantic! Towards the end of the night they displayed a fireworks show that seemed to dance with the music of the orchestra. It was such a moment to behold. 

Little Businesswoman

I feel like a walking zombie right now. Slept relatively late last night baking a cake somebody ordered from me. It's called "Death by Chocolate," a recipe my bff shared with me. It became an instant hit at home and at my sister-in-law's workplace too. I've always known that I have an entrepreneurial side in me, selling little trinkets bought from DiVi in 4th grade, making and selling chocolates in High School, and some accessories & RTWs once in a while. But with my latest passion which is baking it has given me another opportunity to earn extra $$$...or so I thought. Upon finishing up my cake last night, both my mom and sister think that I charged my customer so much lower than how the cake's supposed to cost (considering the time, effort, and gas consumed) . I realized it's so much more difficult to price something that you've given so much of your time and effort to (since it's something we don't really put a price tag on). Well, I'm a newbie at the baking department...hopefully I'll get the hang of selling my baked goodies at the "right price" real soon. And I'd love to hear from you if you have any tips/suggestions on how to price cakes and cupcakes too. But in any way, I'm just so grateful that people love what I do...and that I am on my way of earning from what I love to do. :)

By the way, today is Friday!!! Thank God for Fridays!!! (and for all the days as well) Tonight, the hubby and I are going on a date!! I can't wait! Have a nice weekend guys!!

toot toot toot toot

It's Wednesday morning. Midweek. My mind is very very busy. I hope my thoughts materialize. Main thing on my head now: to help the impoverish children in the Philippines in my own litle way. I'm thinking of collecting stuff, old or new, and share them with our less fortunate kababayans. As they say, a garbage to one could be a gold to another. I hope this plan will really become a reality. I would love to see smiles especially on children's faces.

Mourning

I watched Michael Jackson's Memorial at work. It made me teary eyed...ok, it made me cry. Good thing my boss was running after a deadline he didn't notice me. I cry in almost all funerals I go to. I won't forget that one time I went with my hubby in one of his piano gigs at a funeral. I cried a bucket!! And I didn't even know that person who passed away. Since then I told my husband I won't go with him anymore. But today, it was Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, the icon behind the music I sang with, danced with. Listening to his friends and family who revealed his beautiful side really moved me...Brookeshield's eulogy was heartfelt and so was Magic Johnson's but the most striking one was Paris Michael's. You can see the sincerity...the grief...the feeling of tremendous loss.  More than anything else, as a mother, I pray that these kids would grow up in a good and healthy environment, with loving and caring people. Every parent wishes that of their children, I'm sure that's what MJ wanted too.