Singing and sleeping time

I am not a great singer but I can sing well (or so I thought ;)). After all, I have been part of two music ministries for more than a decade which started by being in a choir during high school. One of the best things having this talent is its use during sleeping time. I started singing MJ to sleep when she was just a newborn. With a gentle pat at her bottom, my soft lullabies would put her to sleep in minutes. I'm amazed at how fast it would work. No long back-braking dancing and rocking to sleep and no hysteria or wailing. I used this method until she was 3 years old when she has started humming herself to sleep. Also used this method to put Ysa and Sarhi to sleep. They also can easily sleep on their own.

Because they have been exposed to music while still young, singing is part of their daily activity. Okay, fine, I can't take full credit for this because Jojo is also a drummer. So you can imagine when they would start singing at the top their voices. I'm proud to say they are not "sintonado" or out of tune. There was even one time when MJ was so angry at Ysa who was playing with an out-of-tune toy organ. She said it hurts her ears hearing the toy playing. Aha, an ear for the right sound! Another great thing is that they (including the 2yo Sarhi) can easily pick up the tune of a new song they'd hear. And expect to hear it for the next few days. The only downside for this is when they'd still be singing at bedtime, can't easily put them down, can I?! ;)

Humbled by a blessing

I am a coward. Yep, I am. When good things are coming my way, when I feel blessed by the people around me, I would glow with a thankful and praising heart to the Giver of All. But when I have problems, especially those I think I cannot do anything more, I would duck and cover, not praying as much (which is ironic for this should be the time I must pray the most)thinking that there is nothing can be done beyond this stumbling block. But He continues to show me that there is really something beyond what I see. That His ways are truly not mine and He continues to unravel that everyday.

Just today, I bumped into my graduate adviser at our institute. I was not expecting to see her for she was supposed to be in South Korea. Anyways, she asked me if I am ready to do my oral comprehensive exam by the end of this month. You see just 2 weeks ago, she suggested that I do my compre exam and outline presentation at the same time on May 30. That gives me 6 weeks to study 7 graduate courses and finish my final thesis outline. How can I really study and finish my outline, not to mention taking care of my hubby and 3 rowdy girls? Everytime I think about it I'd have a headache and stomachache. Back to my adviser, she said if I'm not really ready I could postpone it next semester and just submit the thesis outline. And another thing, since she hasn't left for SK, she might extend her time there if the trip would push through. I can't believe my ears! I was so happy and can't thank her enough. My time was so divided that I can't concentrate on studying so this was really a good news for me.

Why am i behaving this way? I have working on this thesis topic for more than 4 semesters now. I can't find a decent topic that my adviser would approve. I have even given up to the thought that I would finish my graduate studies. I have been praying hard to get me through this, though at the back of my mind I doubt if there's hope for me. But He revealed himself that He's not giving up on me especially when I finally got an approved thesis topic last March. And then this thing that happened this morning about postponing the comprehensive exam. Ah, me of little faith. I am truly humbled by these. I must have forgotten my favorite quote "Pag may buhay, may pag-asa" (If there's life, there's hope). I should continue to pray hard and not let go of His hand as He has not let go of mine.

Missing my Lola still

My cousin Paul just posted a video of pictures of our family on my mother's side. It started with my late Lolo Pablo and Lola Maring. And then my mom and her siblings and their families, including my cousins and all the apos (grandchildren). I cried after watching the video even when I'm at the internet shop. Missed my Lolo and especially my Lola Maring terribly. She died December 28 2008. She was the main reason why I go home to Iloilo whenever I can. I was 7mos pregnant then with Sarhi when I got the news. Since Jojo has work, I went home with MJ and Ysa for her burial. I was not able to give my piece at her eulogy for I might get into labor so I asked my brother Jay-r. One time I'll write what I wanted to say. I'm still not over her passing, still mourning. But I'm comforted that she's watching over us whereas before she just hears some news about us for we live too far from her. I still got her picture in a frame, wearing her usual 'daster' taken at her old home before it was rebuild for a sturdier one. Hay, missing her again..

Not in the (wedding) picture

I was told that when I was young, my mother would ask me why was I not in their wedding pictures. They said I would cry my heart out everytime they asked because my reply was that they left me at the house during the event. Actually I was not even born yet for they were married on Jan and I was born December the same year.

Now, to my kids. We have a large wedding portrait hanging on our stairwall. Almost everyday, Sarhi or Ysa would mention their Papa upon glancing at the picture (who would still at work). One time I asked MJ the same question. Initially she answered that we left her. Eventually she said that she wasn't born yet, that she was still in my tummy. To correct this, I told her she wasn't even in my tummy, she was still part of my ovary ehhe. She forgot to ask what ovary was (good thing, whew!). Funny to do the same joke to my kids.

Healthy eating..or at least trying to

When I was young, I never really liked vegetables except squash. I remember the time when my father was so angry with me for really resisting to eat winged bean with coconut milk. He covered my rice with the viand and I can't leave the table until I'm finished. Afraid of his anger, I tried to eat it. My eyes widened as I looked at my plate..it's delicious! Well that started my journey (often not successful) with vegetables.

I have always been a meat eater. I love 'em, gotta have any meat included in my meal, either as the main ingredient or just for flavor. But things changed these past few months. I had been (forever)writing my thesis proposal. Can't seem to make the right one my adviser would approve. The lastest one I wrote was about antioxidant activity of selected leafy greens. I was able to read quite a number of studies on antioxidants. Though my proposal did not push through, I am happy to announce I'm a convert (but not entirely). The nutritional and health benefits of fruits and vegetables were way beyond what I knew that I now have a different eye for the lowly vegetables and seasonal fruits I see at the market or stores everyday. I have been introducing vegetables to my girls, either eaten as is (cooked as part of a viand) or hidden (as in the case of grated carrots in spaghetti with red sauce). I'm proud to say that they eat them or try to eat them (especially MJ who has preferences). Ysa and Sarhi like to gobble up cooked chunks of carrots, potatoes, cauliflower or broccoli whenever served. But now my weekly menu has changed. Whenever I can, I cook 2-3 vegetarian/vegan main dishes per week (aside from the daily vegetable side dishes). So far everyone liked them. Our favorites were indian tofu/squash curry, barbeque tofu burger/sandwich, chicken ala king (actually the vegetables were the star for I put just a small amount of chicken that it's barely there), and my forte, chop seuy. Still trying to meet that 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, but getting there ;)

Colors and running around

Last night before having dinner, my Sarhi started climbing the stairs (again, she always does). Following her lead, the other 2 sisters excitedly went up to their room. MJ was searching for some toys in the toy box, Ysa was about to choose a book and Sarhi, well, she has started emptying the toy box (one of her favorite games). As there were newly washed and dried clothes all over the place, I made up a new game for them. Calling out "Find the color ___", the object of the game was just to find and touch any item with the said color. MJ and Ysa happily run around holding on to clothes, a bag, a pillow, glass window (Ysa did it for the color black, it was night afterall ;) ), even Sarhi as I called out the colors. Sarhi giggled for her sisters embraced her as I called the color yellow (she was wearing yellow shirt). It was a simple and fun game. My girls enjoyed it that Ysa wanted to play again after dinner ;). Ahh, they are so easy to please ;). Got lots of kisses and embraces after - the best part.

Messing with the hair

I love my daughter's long straight hair after her father's (actually I also envy her at times for my hair's wavy and frizzy). But last thursday night while combing her hair, she got this idea of twirling the comb on her hair at the front. So that's what she did, she rolled the comb several times on her hair until it got stuck. The hair was so entangled that I can't even move the hair even an inch off the comb. Frustrated I asked her why she did it, she said she just wants to curl it. Ahhrrrr.. I said (half-jokingly) that she has to go to school either bald or with a comb hanging on the side of her face (just laughed at the thought of her with the hanging comb). Got no choice, I decided to carefully cut her and make her a bangs. It was distressing as I looked at the (more-than-a-)handful of hair falling off my hands. I know, I know, hair grows back but it was my daughter's lovely hair! Finally after cutting her hair, she looked just like when she was 2 years old (she's almost 6yo now by the way), only bigger. At first she was worried that her classmates would laugh at her when they see her but I comforted her and told her not to tell anybody how it happened. The following day, after I fetched her from school, she happily said that her teacher liked her new hair. Good thing her new look kinda grow now on her.