Experiencing joy - the second time around!

Motherhood is both a blessing and a reward....there is an excitement of having a first born...or the second..or the third, etc.  as the case may be.  You experience a mixture of fears, happiness, and difficulties raising them.. The wise mother instills good moral and Christian  values to her children even at their tender ages, leading them by examples through role-modelling...and helping them in everyway only a loving mother knows how. 

Then the kids blossom into teenagers where at this time, being vulnerable to the evils of this world,  you watch and hover over them like a hawk ensuring and praying they don't fall into the wayside.  Before long,  adulthood comes! They leave your nest and start building their own.  Or you stay together, but with a sense of relief they are now more independents. 

You ponder...seems like a distant reminiscing...but not so.. for.a wealth of memories flash back!  You can still vividly recall the pain of bringing them out into this world...you can clearly hear their very first giggles,  you can still feel the excitement of listening to their first baby talks, plus all the other firsts you witnessed as they grew. Then you resolve...you won't exchange the experience of being a mother with anything as you silently smile remembering the laughters you shared together like friends , you squint your eyes recalling how you have defended and fought for them even for the silliest reasons ...your eyes well up remembering their first heartaches they experienced which you became a part of, ..and when they come out unscathed and wiser after those heartaches, you remember the unforgettable delight that it is all over, maybe not forgotten, but from which a lot of lessons were learned from. !  These are the complex emotions of motherhood. 

Then your children are now  mothers or fathers themselves.  You now passed on the legacy.  You feel a certain sense of pride you have done your part well.  You think your parental role in their lives has reached the finish line...but you haven't really!  For you realize motherhood (and parenting)  is a lifetime role.  Only this time, motherhood has taken a different meaning----that of  being  grandparents..which in my case, a grandmother....or as we say if Filipino...a  Lola...for all reasons!!

I  enjoy being a grandmother..and I truthfully say that there is an unexplainable pride and joy of being one! I do not mind being considered "seasoned" or worse-- aged?  To me, age is just a state of mind..if you are held captive by the numbers, then you become a prisoner of the turning years. Grandmothering is somewhat a novel kind of happiness that is a tad different from being a mother---this time, it is a feeling of double and triple joy!  Especially when you have grandkids like mine---a handsome and intelligent 7-year old Migs..and a sweet, and smart almost 4 year old Gina, who are in my daily prayers for a bright future and for a more peaceful world to grow in.

I admit I have a tendency to spoil them from a distance...for they are well behaved, good kids, and as they continue to be achievers...I will always gift them with simple material rewards and forever remain their loving Lola L.  I am thankful for the existence of webcams --the powerful instrument that enables us to connect and talk to each other as though we are not oceans apart. I always enjoy relating with Migs & Gina ...and am looking forward to seeing them become what God has planned for them in the future!  

Yes, I am Lola L to 2 delightful grandkids...but who knows...my younger daughter, Jade, may yet add to this number.

Oh the joy of being Lola L....!!!

 

 

Waiting Game, etc.

It's another waiting game for me...I was supposed to know my chances in a huge company I applied with...but I was asked to follow up on April 30.  I was so excited since I thought today was going to be the day, but was not in God's plan for me...and I am willing to wait.

If anyone who read this likes the voice and style of Michael Buble...then we have something in common.  I enjoy his smooth and effortless style of singing, particularly his rendition of "Save the last Dance for Me"..simple yet not lifeless, but very close to Frank Sinatra's style.  And he is also good looking being a clean cut performer.  If there is anything I dislike, it is to see performers who adorn their bodies with tattoos, earrings in almost every part of their bodies or faces, etc. or, who look like they haven't taken a bath in years.  As what my elder sister may say about people like this: "mga mukhang hinahabol ng tabo o ducha." (LOL) 

I am happy for an upcoming dinner date with my other daughter Jade and her husband, Duane. This is a long overdue planned get together that would not have been possible were if not for Him!!   Once more, Rick and I are happy and thankful for this upcoming dinner which we are hosting.  It will be just a day after our wedding anniversary and this dinner is a priceless perfect gift!

Thank you for all the prayers offered and continue to be offered for Anne...she is getting better but not yet completely healed!  But like I said, God is looking after her...and in due time, in His time, Anne will be back to normal.

BTW, to those who want to listen to the Sunday messages of our church's pastor, you can listen to it by visiting parsippanychristianchurch.org.  And each Sunday's message can be heard. 

 

 

 

Saucy Baked Chicken

Description:
Dinner entree seems difficult, but not until you see the simple procedures that will give a result that makes you look like a real gourmet chef.

Ingredients:
6 skinless chicken cutlets or (to stretch your budget) other chicken parts
1 med. onion sliced
8 oz. sliced fresh sliced button mushroom (canned will do)
1/4 cup olive oil, canola oil, veg oil (your choice)
1-1/2 cups chicken broth (about 1 can)
4 tbsps APF
2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice (or bottled juice--your choice)
2 tbsb balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp pepper

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450 F.
2. Pour oil into large roasting pan then add. chicken, onion and mushroom turning chicken over to coat w/ oil.
3. Bake for 5 mins, turn chicken over and stir the mushrooms and leave for in the oven for 5 more minutes.
4. Meanwhile in a medium bowl, whisk flour into chicken broth, add vinegar, lemon juice, salt and pepper, and stir well.
5. When chicken has cooked for 10 minutes, add the broth mixture into the roasting pan, cover w/ foil and bake for another 10 mins.
6. When done, remove foil, stir vegetables and bake uncovered until chicken turns slightly golden and until sauce bublles and lightly thickened; leave in the oven for anothe 10 mins.
9. Serve w/ steamed or boiled green beans, beadsticks or rolls.

Praying for Anne

My daughter, Anne, is sick with German measles and I earnestly ask that anyone who reads this blog, please offer a prayer for her healing and recovery.  Nothing could be more powerful than the voices and sentiments of faithful Christians who seek His help for another Christian.

As a mother thousand of miles and separated by oceans and seas, it is worrisome for me, but I am quite comforted by the fact that God is looking over her.  But still, prayers for a complete recovery and praises that this happened during the children's vacation, are all I ask for.

Once more, I am in a quandary or should I say, like a travelling Christian, which road should I take?  I have applied for a very good job who has contacted me...(they saw my resume) and now I have a 90% feeling I will get this job.  Then again, another company much similar to where I came from is scheduling me for an interview.

I have endorsed my younger daughter to a position here in my present company.  I pray she gets the job.  If not only for the fact that I am only 2 months old here, the description of the job is right up my alley.

Oh well, thank you God for the chances...and please guide me on what road to take!

 

Honey-Orange Sweet Potatoes

Description:
This is an easy dessert that can be prepared in such a short time.
Good as an impromptu dessert to cap a nice dinner, or for those with a sweet tooth, this could even be snack.
Yams or sweet potatoes are not hard to find and are available all year round.



Ingredients:
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup margarine (or 1/2 stick butter)
1/8 tsp iodized salt
6 (around 5 inch) orange sweet potatoes or yams

Directions:
1. Combine orange juice, honey, margarine and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes until margarine or butter is melted.
Set aside and keep warm.

Wrap potatoes in foil, grill, cover with grill lid, over medium-high & heat for about 10-15 minutes on each side or until tender.

Pour orange juice-honey mixture before serving.

Sunday Worship

I decided to check out a church not too far from us.  I had heard  and was impressed by their pastor on TV, and have checked out their website.  In fact, Rick and I drove by last week to check out the address.  I am familiar with its street location cause I once had an interview along that street.

The service was said to start at 10:00 and I was early.  I was suprised....cause 99% of the attendees were puro "madidilim" (just put your 2 cents worth of guess as to what I mean) and the praise and worship songs were so unfamiliar to me.  The band was too loud and the congregation was so noisy with their non-stop chantings which were sounding jibberish too!  I am sure readers will know what I mean.  I am not used to this kind of worship.  I prefer a quiet proceeding where i can really meditate and concentrate.  

From the moment I stepped in to be asked , madilim ang nagtanong" is this your first time?? I said yes..and she showed me where the ladies' room was and after thanking her, she handed me a welcome packet which had a cassette tape, a ballpen and several forms to fill up, plus forms to write prayer requests and prayer praises.  The auditorium was filled only about 1/4, the band and the soloist were singing loudly, and lahat ng  madidilims were standing and dancing!  Beside me, behind me, in front of me...all around me were all madidilim!!!! Honestly, I did not expect it for the pastor naman is puti!    And mind you, I have nothing against madidilims ...in fact, I have many, many friends like them, but their kind of service, I don't like.

Oh well, I said, since I am here and I really wanted to listen to the message, I stayed on...but I kept on glancing at my wristwatch wondering when is the message going to start? There was no bulletin to follow...  I was reminded of one church I went to in Fremont...it was exactly like this...

Finally, the pastor walked up front at 11:00 and spoke briefly...welcomed new comers...I did not stand up...but filled up the forms--including my prayer requests...and then a deacon spoke about offerings and the offering baskets were passed around.  All this time, 2 TV crews were on both aisle with the cameras browsing the attendees.

Then the message.  This pastor was good with his message (2 Corinthians:4).  He was a very eloquent, convincing and powerful  preacher...with a down-to-earth message.  Then he spoke about giving away free "prayer cloth" to anyone interested to have one.  This to me was somehow a "turn off", and let down... for it reminded me of our very own El Shaddai (the bandana, does anyone remember this?).  Then he closed by calling on those who wished to be healed..around 5 went up to the front...I listened and watched...and then I left.

What an experience.... . Next week...I will be where I was supposed to be! 

Before driving home, I checked out the location of my appointment tomorrow.  I won't be at work because of this appointment.

Oh BTW, I had a my long-overdue permanent last Saturday...at last.!  Rick complimented my new hair style.  My only regret after this permanent, .. its back to using hair rollers again!

Weekend activities!

It's been sometime that Rick and I watched a movie.  And since Saturday was such a nice, nice day...we wemt to renew our Costco membership, window shopped at Target and wen to my favorite asian store.  just to buy a Filipino newspaper. 

Costco, as usual, is a treat to the eyes.  Recipe books will be a thing of the past if all people bought their goodies from this outlet.  Unfortunately, for 2 people like us, cooking is still the better alternative.  But I tell you....everything looks look so delicious...I had my fill just food tasting around the store.

Later at around 6:00, Rick and I went to the driving range.  My swing is still erratic...but for a green-horn, Rick says I am okay. There are times, the ball goes straight at 100 yards. Other times, it's a disappointment.  Oh well...I hope to improve thru constant practice.   Rick is a good coach, though.  And so, I know I will do better over time.   But Rick...wow....he really can move the ball over 150 yards!!! 

Sunday after church, as planned, I went to visit Lisa, our ex-office manager at Cintas.  She was, of course, happy to see me.  We talked of a lot of sensitive issues surrounding her departure from Cintas.  I really had to see her cause my Christmas gift to her was sitting in my car, unable to give it to her since she did not come in on her last working day. She said she plans to get me in her new office (a law firm) once she has settled and puts a lot of changes into work.  She said she really likes me to work again with her.  Of course, I said I look forward to that time.  I stayed at her house for close to 2 hours and planned to have dinner together sometime.

Then, Rick and Iwe went to see Bruce Willis' 16 Blocks.  Wow...what a terrific non-stop  action-packed movie.  If you like action, then don't miss this one.  It is a movie ala Die Hard.  I am sure my sister, Chit, would love this movie---(Anne, tell her not to miss this).

I am happy to read of Migs' being awarded a silver medal in their school's intramurals. Migs is turning out to be a well-rounded kid: he is good in math, science, reading, sports and leadership abilities.  I am really proud of him.  Of course, Gina, has her own skills too: sings well (in tune and memorizes words), fashionable even at her age, a good reader and really a sweet, sweet kid.  Anne and Yani are blessed to have such good looking and fine kids.

 

 

 

 

Saturday's Web Chat

March 4 was another enjoyable web chat with Anne and the kids (Yani too).  Although we had a session the day before, I opted to have another one to find out the reaction of the kids upon receivin the box with a lot of goodies.  As expected, the kids loved it.

I admit I kinda spoil the kids from a distance.  But I can't help it cause the kids deserve it...after all, Gina is so lovable, very friendly and would never fail to regale us with her songs and poems or anything she has learned from school.

Migs, on the other hand, is a very smart, intelligent boy.  He is  consistently on top of his class, he was chosen to be their school's represenative  in three  categories (math, science and speed reading) in contests sponsored by the Dept. of Education  to compete with other schools. I am amazed at how fast he can encode (type) when we IM, occasionally during web chats.  And his choice of words are really "big" for his age.  It really helps as both Gina and Migs speak good English.  They are more comforable in English than in our native tongue, (Tagalog).  This is a stategy that I also kept when their mother, Anne, and Jade (my other daughter( were young.  They never had a problem keeping up with the teachings in school cause they understood English.   A strategy that Anne also kept for her own kids.

What made the session especially interesting was that Rick sat with me throughout the web cam session.  Migs. being a boy,  is not particularly shy with Rick, but Gina seems to clam up when she sees Rick is around altho she would greet Rick with hello" Yoyo (meaning Lolo or grand father in our language)  But this Saturday, she warmed up..sang to him, and answered Rick's kiddie questions.  Oh how Rick loves to hear Gina call him "Yoyo"..but of course Migs, being older calls him Lolo.  Migs and Rick share an interest in cars...so they jibed on this matter.  I enjoyed listening to their banter...and now both kids are very comfortable iwth Rick.

Oopps..its 7:41...gotta go to work!

Till later!

 

 

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