Jandrea...so far

One hand, a handbag with 2 mobile phones. The other hand, folders with papers to check. One shoulder. tote bag with laptop inside and more personal papers to attend to. Right hand, insulated coffee mug. Left brain, reports that need to be written. Right brain, emotions that just have to be put on hold. Most days, this is how you will see me as I get into my ride and later, walk the short distance to my office after I disembark. That picture of me is a clue on what I hope to do when I get to my place of work but most of the time, they remain as unfulfilled figments of my imagination. I seem to always forget that there are tons of other tasks that await my attention as soon as I get to sit at my desk.    I like to think of myself as a successful multi-tasker, being able to muster the energy and resolve to accomplish all that is expected of me as a mother, wife, sibling, friend, teacher, administrator, colleague, church volunteer, etc. But lately, I know that many spheres o...

Melde, Menchie, & Me It was a privilege being one of the adult pilgrims to the last World Youth Day celebration held in Madrid, Spain. While the event is primarily for the youth, adults or in the case of the Diocese of Cubao, mommies are most welcome to join the delegation. I was the oldest member of the delegation, with the two other mothers younger than me by a few years. My age, I tried my damn best not to show. This was not out of vanity but a determination to show that I belonged here with the youth, and that I would not be a burden to them. After Cuatro Vientos       I succeeded in having some people believe that I was just in my forties. The secret on how to do this is wear exactly what the kiddos in your group are wearing and wear dark sunglasses to hide the wrinkles around your eyes. Plus, not to admit that you are in the company of your 27-year old son and 23-year old daughter. Hehehe! But, of course, I couldn't fool my body into thinking I was ...

Chanced upon this blog which talked about American teens complaining about not getting cars or iPhones for Christmas! Goodness gracious, I thought!  My daughter, was aghast at how materialistic these kids were and how ungrateful they were for the gifts they had received. Has American consumerism reached its all time high? Has accessibility to all the worldly goods warped the values of their youth? Has love become equated with a parent's ability to give the latest in expensive technology to their children? Through the years, I think the best gifts I have received are those which did not come in bright, shiny packages. By most standards, they would never be considered valuable at all. One gift was from this small, tough-looking lady who used to sit in a certain pew in church. In her mind, this pew was reserved for her and woe to those who would make the mistake of occupying her seat before she came. She was a source of amusement to those of us who were church regulars. We heard...

with "A Light of the Million Mornings" by the Philippine Madrigal Singers  http://youtu.be/mF_RvzH_IlM Truly God's love is dazzling! He fills my heart with overflowing hope that because of His resurrection, I too can look forward to my own! Happy Easter to everyone!

This is the song of my soul. That in the face of my sinfulness, the Lord will forget my transgressions using my tears of regret to wash them away. That He will always keep me near to His heart, especially at the hour of my death. http://youtu.be/P4V0achd7hY

Our home-cooked Valentine dinner menu: *Garlic bread *Kalabasa soup *Popeye & Olive Oyl Salad (Spinach w/ green apples & feta cheese with olive oil & balsamic vinegar dressing; I know, ang corny ng pangalan! Haha! *Pasta Carlyn (Shrimps with sun-dried tomatoes, & parsley in lemon-butter sauce; named after Kara kasi favorite nya ang hipon) *Pasta Paolo  (Tuna with red pepper, mushrooms, & parsley in white sauce; created for Powie kasi allergic sya sa hipon) *Dulce de leche ice cream with coffee jelly *Sparkling red grape juice   It has been a tradition in our family that we celebrate dinner on Valentine's day as a family. As a young couple, we braved the Valentine crowd and traffic the first years of our relationship. In some years, we would celebrate with our friends in fancy restaurants. But as the romantic flavor of the day begun to wear off for us, we thought of expanding our idea of what should be celebrated on this day. It should be abo...