Pixel Bug

PHOTOHUNT : DAILY

These are all part of my daily regimen. I love to moisturize my skin, experts say that’s the secret to younger looking skin. With no preference on the labels, I always put on a moisturizer on my face every morning before I go out and then body lotion. At night, the  regimen for my face is to cleanse, tone and moisturize. Before bedtime, I keep my lipbalm, eye cream and hand cream in handy.

The skin is the largest organ of our body and we need to take care of them

This weekend is a very special weekend as we celebrate two events in one day. Chinese New Year and Valentine’s both falling on the same date. Although, we are not Chinese, I am one in greeting our Chinese brothers, “Kung Hei Fat Choi!”

As for me and hubby, Valentine’s Day was never a big deal for us. Being married to a person who is not “as showy” when it comes to demonstrating his love and affection does not really bother me at all. I have come to accept my husband for whatever he is. The most important thing is that I know deep in my heart that he truly loves me.

However, as we heard mass this Sunday, our parish had a very cute way of celebrating Valentine’s Day. They called all the married coupled and conducted a “renewal of vows” ceremony. It was like getting married once again.  How mushy can that be

“I renew my vow to you, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part, according to God’s holy law.”

To my hubby (who I know seldom reads my blog posts), I would like to say “Thank You!” – for the love and respect you have showed me throughout our married life. For supporting in all my endeavors. For being my strength when I am down. For all that you are and all that you wish to be, I LOVE YOU!

I hope you all had a meaningful Valentine’s day! and Happy Chinese New Year!

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Even though the Holidays are over, it didn’t stop me and fellow mom bloggers to have a get together. We have tried to make this happen during the holidays but with too much gatherings going on during the Christmas season, there is always a conflict. That’s why we ended up doing it after the holidays.

It was a fun Friday night! We brought our own share of food and did the usual exchange of gifts.

Saturday was also a time of get together with my co-parents from my son’s school as we participated in their family day. It was fun to meet all the moms and dads and catch up with each other as we watch our boys take part in the program and games.

My kids with friends during the family day…

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First off, let me greet each and everyone of you a Happy New Year! For me, New Year signals new beginnings… a time to look forward to a more positive future. No matter how gloomy the predictions may be, no one knows what the future holds, it is up to us to make the most of what we have.

Welcoming the new year is always extra special when you’re with your loved ones. My family, together with my mom and my siblings, have veered away from the usual fireworks at home. For the past couple of years, we decided to celebrate intimately by staying in a hotel and join the in-house countdown.

It’s a lot safer that way and we can still view the spectacular fireworks from the neighboring villages minus the smoke, ain’t that cool?

I hope that you and your family had a blast during your New Year’s celebration.

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Since it’s Christmas, being the busiest time of the year, Pixelbug Weekend will be on a Holiday Break!

Although, this is actually against my will but my schedule is getting crazier each day…. Pardon me for the late announcement If you are already done with your post, you may leave your link by commenting and I will visit each one within the week.

From my family to yours, may you have a new year filled with joy and harmony and a blessing of a hundred fold…I hope you all enjoy your family’s New Year’s Celebration! I will see you all on January 4…. Mwah!

Christmas is indeed the most wonderful time of the year, however it also comes as the most stressful one with all the presents to buy, school and work activities to attend to and parties to grace your presence with.

Last Saturday do not only highlight this weekend’s activity but probably one of this year’s culminating activity for me… it was my High School Class Reunion. Months of preparation have been put into this, and I am honored to have been part of the organizing committees. Tough job? Yes, but it was truly been a rewarding and enriching experience where old friendships are re-established and new friendships were formed.

It was indeed a night of nostalgic fun where you get to touch base with old friends, reminisce the old times and update one another with what is going on. I was not present during the last reunion, the reason why I did a lot of catching up.

Twenty years after we stepped out of our Alma Mater is one event worthy of a celebration. This event did not only serve as a reunion for our class but more importantly, it was a fund raising event in an effort to give something back to our beloved school. During this event, I saw how great hearts opened up to this worthy cause. I could not help but thank the good Lord for touching the hearts of these people. The power of giving comes from a selfless act and is certainly very appropriate this season of Christmas, where we are reminded of how the Lord came into the world for all of us. And for our class, this is only the beginning…

I hope all of you enjoyed your weekend.

P.S. To all Pixelbug Weekenders : My apologies for not visiting your links lately, aside from the usual busy schedule this Christmas, this is what I am up to.

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Christmas has always been a time for giving but I find giving more meaningful when you extend it to the less fortunate. This weekend, my son’s class decided to hold one of its Christmas get-together by visiting and White Cross Children’s Home. White Cross is a safe have for children, ages 0-6 years, of indigent families, unwed mothers, victims of rape or incest, prisoners, physically or mentally incapacitated parents, tuberculosis patients or those of unknown parents.

This charitable gesture was made possible with the help of our dedicated co-parents from my son’s class. A noble undertaking purely out of volunteerism from people who just plainly want to give back something to society. I  signed for this activity not only for its benevolence but more importantly for my son’s awareness.  I want him to see how blessed we are and that there are people who are on the other side of the fence that need much help and assistance.

The boys prepared a program for the kids at White Cross and they also get to play games with them. My son enjoyed a round of Statue Dance with one of the kids …

Hubs did his share of entertaining some of the kids. It made me truly proud … kids really love him and he is likewise very fond of children.

McDonald’s was kind enough to donate toys for the children and provide their very cute mascot. With the help of one of my co-parent who was “cool” enough to act as Santa, we distributed toys to each of the children housed in the orphanage. Simple things that brings abundant joy to these children. The twinkle in their eyes are truly priceless. This is what joy is all about, no price tags.

It was indeed a very meaningful weekend for me and my family. A gesture so simple that brings a lot of significance and the lives of these unfortunate little angels.

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PHOTOHUNT : TIED

The wedding ring is one of the symbols of your social and spiritual union with your spouse. As you tie the knot, two lives will become one. It is a beautiful gift.

Many years ago, I have made this promise and to this day. I still wore the same ring that tied my life to the person I love. There is no perfect marriage, for the very reason that we, humans are not perfect. A lot of trials and conflicts will come your way. Personally, I believe there are four components of marriage that makes it work, LOVE, TRUST, RESPECT and more importantly FAITH. Faith on your love — that you can weather all the storms that will come, Faith in yourself — that you can give more in order to make things work, FAITH in the LORD — that He will guide and bless you and your union.

Marriage is a work in progress…. for it to be a happy ever after.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.(Proverbs 3:5,6)

Happy Weekend!

As typhoon Ondoy hit the Philippines this weekend, I was unaware of how destructive this typhoon will be when I woke up Saturday morning. To me it was supposed to be a special day, the day I am opening a new business venture – a loading station. I even invited a priest, who has been a long time friend to bless the store. In everything I do, I ask the Lord for blessing and this is no exception.

Had I known, I would not have pushed through with my store opening. After the blessing, we got out and headed home but to no avail, all the surrounding streets were flooded, waist high. With my friend priest still with me, we decided to go back inside store – the safest place where we can be at that moment. Four grueling hours after, when the continuous rain fall suddenly weakened, we decided to brave the streets, praying that we can find a safe passage home and we did.

As I came home, that’s when I realized how blessed we were. Watching the news, I was taken aback at how disastrous the typhoon was… it was as if the great flood during the time of Noah. With all that was happening, I lit up a candle and said my prayer of thanks– for sparing my family from harm, and a prayer of plea for the storm to calm down and for those people affected by this tragedy, that they be rescued.

[caption id="attachment_128" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="In front of UERM, along Aurora Blvd. Taken by my brother who was trapped there"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_129" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Taken by my brother inside the compound of UERM Hospital"][/caption]

As we continue with our daily lives, let us not forget the people who, up to this very moment, are still experiencing the damage brought about by this natural disaster. Join me as I offer a prayer …

Eternal Father, you are the God of Compassion, we turn to you with our prayers for those families who were deeply affected by this calamity. Stunned by the recent events, we ask yo to calm the storm that threatens us. Send your spirit upon all the people so that they may feel the comfort of your love. We pray for those lives that were lost and bring hope to all those who have survived.

For all those who were spared, let us open our hearts to the cries of help, may we respond with generosity and compassion, remembering that You have always been there to alleviate our sufferings.

We ask this in the sweet name of Jesus, Amen.

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