Because I Can

I decided to delete a certain online account, because I can and because I need to. I'm going back to my original plan, God's behind me and I have my kids and family as my inspiration.

The Long Road to be Healthy

Guess what? I finally stopped wishing that I will become slimmer again. Hello reality! I'm done with that!

I just vow to start eating and living healthy. No, I won't become a vegan, not in my wildest dream! I just can't let go of those pork grills our family share during weekends. But I guess even with meat, I can become healthy.

I've been eating loads of vegetables and fruits lately. I think this is a good start. So I will aim for at least 1 vegetable serving per day. I will not skip breakfast from now on and I will not eat like its a feast during dinner. I will aim for 8 glasses of water per day. Although I have no problem with drinking the minimum required amount of water per day, there are instances when I lost track that I find myself grabbing a bottle of cola. So I'll reduce my soda consumption to 1 bottle per week. I know some would raise their eyebrows with this kind of plan, but hey I'm getting there!

I will take my vitamins more consistently. I will not go out the house without bringing umbrella, especially if its freaking raining outside! Yup, I'm such a loser, I know.

Superhero

I happen to have a real life superhero, my lola.

I grew up with her. In fact, aside from my parents, she is always a part of my childhood memories. I love to recall how she patiently brings me to church so she can have her afternoon meditation. She is one of the reasons why I cannot skip Sunday masses and why I conscientiously do the Novena until this very day. Religiously speaking, she influenced me a lot. In fact, it was one of those moments while we walk under the heat of the sun going to the church when I perfected counting 1 to 100.

Despite the frail body of an elder woman, she would carry me from the house of my cousin to her house when it is time to go to sleep. I remember one of those rare moments when she lost her balance. I have a few bruises from that event but that would not compare to what she got.

She teaches me how to be patient and she resembles it a lot. Despite the waywardness of a child, I could not recall a single instance when she lost her patience with me. She loved me unconditionally, enough to never raise a finger on me even during that instant when I poured water to her vegetable dish just because she won’t let me play outside.

She was with me when I cannot muster the courage to go to school alone. I could recall some instances when we solve elementary math together. She would be proud of me, regardless of how a lousy singer and dancer I am. She believes in me, even those times when I could no longer be at the honor list. She was a part of my victory. She would travel for an hour just to get to our place, just to consistently give us our presents during life’s triumph.

In times when I fall flat on the ground, she never questioned my decisions. Rather, she would always remind me that I have someone to lean on. She defended me even in times when I should rather be the one defending myself, my actions. She understood me even in times when that is the last thing I need.

I believe that if she has this list of people close to her heart, I am one of those on her top list. Every Christmas day, she would show the stuffs she received and would ask me if I want those. She would give her gifts away happily. In fact, my closet is filled with the stuffs that were given to her as a gift.

What's up?

There are many things I need to talk about.

First, I desperately need a helper. August last year, I bid goodbye to our helpers. I thought I could handle the pressure alone but to no avail, 6 months later, a twist in the story commenced.

Secondly, my life needs a little “fix”. Life pressures are high that I lost my purpose. I’ve been sailing where the wind blows me. I need to reassess my life again for the nth time.

Third, my room needs a makeover. I need to have a bigger table where I can work, and probably give the one I am using to my kids as their study table. I need a play area for the kids so they do not end up messing someone’s place again. I need lots of cabinets for organizing our stuffs.

Fourthly, I am preparing for an occasion this March. This entails a big budget so I need to do extra work to get by. So now, I am working until 11pm.

Fifth, we will have our school’s defense on Friday. I need every confidence I could muster.

How about you? What's up with your life?

Kumon: A Review

Every mom wants the best for her kids. However, raising up kids in a spirit of sportsmanship, acceptance, and self-confidence is only a few inch apart from the value of competition. This fact made me skeptical to try out Kumon, at first.

My daughter performs well at school. She is attentive and eager. But she’s a stammer. She probably got it from me, I swear to stutter until grade 2. This allowed her to perform feebly in Reading class. Not that bad but I guess, not good enough to land her on the honor’s list. At first when she’s in Nursery, she made it on their Top Ten list. But when Kindergarten came and the class started reading, that’s when she slowly glide down the big list. This allowed me to look at Kumon for alternative.

She started Kumon last January 21. She’s good at CVC words but still find it quite hard to recite them well enough. First week came a breeze, she loves the colorful booklets and the new words she’s discovering. I must say Kumon’s workbooks are pure genius. The kids don’t get bored of them, especially with the idea of studying. My daughter would beg if she can answer the booklet for the next day, this is how eager she is! The purpose of helping kids develop a good study schedule is well addressed.

I must also commend Kumon’s teachers, or are they called professors, mentors? Their endurance is remarkable. It is like smiles are purposely glued on their faces.

Now, at exactly 4 days before her first month at Kumon, she is starting to read more difficult words than the usual CVCs.

So is it worth it? Well, Kumon is worth every pain and penny.

What If

How are you?

I’m not good lately. I must admit that I love doing something now, but this something is the same thing that is causing me pain.

What if everything that you have been trying to forget is actually what brings you happiness now? What if you want something, but that’s only you because you don’t get the same “longing” from the other end? What if you want something so bad but you are unsure if it’s the right thing? It’s funny, I know.

Well, I don’t have guts to spill the beans. Not now, not tomorrow, and maybe not forever.

Here we go again. Just when I thought you passed this stage, you are failing me again. Stop thinking about what you don't have, instead look at all your blessings. One mistake of the past could no longer ruin you now. Stop looking at your errors because you can't do anything about them. The mourning stage is all over, stop looking back.

What is gone, is gone. Convince yourself that you are happy because you are supposed to.

Love,

Self