Those Great Moments

Don't you all just love kids, more specially if those kids belong to you. When we had our first babies, it was a new level for us as individuals. And we learned lots of new things on being the so called "Parents". Parenting is a continuous responsibility and can never be turned off. Back when we were children, we probably never understand why our parents made some questionable actions for us but once we take that step on being a parent, we knew that we'll soon understand a lot of things, we knew there is something new to learn. We knew things and we begun to be afraid sometimes. Afraid of the bad things we did that could come back to us from our children.

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Making Pizza with Ize

This afternoon, I was thinking of merienda and just decided to have a pizza. It is too hot outside and the nearest Pizza store is a taxi away so I decided to make our own pizza using our old bread (old but not spoiled okay). To make it more fun, I invited Ize to help me make a pizza that way it will also entice him to eat the pizza. So here it is, I present to you the artist who made my header image - Ize.

IZE: This is how you make a home-made pizza.

Here are the things that you'll need.

Here is what you need to do:

1. Prepare the stripped hotdogs, it is best to fry it first until it is cooked like your regular hotdog (this will make the hotdogs quite crispy when it's done).  Then set it aside on any container with a tissue to suck the oil from it.
2. Get one slice of bread. You can use an old bread (again, old but not spoiled). Place in on a clean surface.
3. Get 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce and spread it on the sliced bread. You can add some more sauce as long as it covers the top.
4. Put some cheese, more would be great.
5. Put onions, mushroom and hotdog strips.
6. Put some cheese again.
7. Place inside an oven (electric or gas) and bake for about 5 minutes. If you have an electric oven, it would be best to activate upper and lower heater for 3 minutes and then use only the lower for 2 minutes so the toppings won't get burned.

While waiting for the Pizza, you can play or watch  TV with your love one. After it is done, Presto! You have your home-made pizza and you were able to bond with your love one.

Ize was so happy making his own pizza and he enjoyed the pizza that he made. You can add more toppings as it pleases you.

God bless and enjoy your day with your love one making this pizza. It's a true parent-child bonding experience.

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The Proud Parent

Ize pretending to be Super Larry

Ize pretending it is cold.

Having a big salary, house and lot, car and other luxurious things maybe a good thing to have but nothing beats a healthy living with your family. A child that looks up on you even when the world looks down on you. You may look small to others and you may feel weak but to your child you are a big person because of the great things you offer to him/her and you are a strong person that they can rely on.

Be a happy parent and be proud of it. It is a wealth with great value. It is a present with great love from above. I always thank God for the great privilege He gave me - a job and a life together with my family ,a blessing of having to see my child grow. 

Nothing special today, just sharing thoughts. God bless to all parents out there - it is always our day.

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Are You a Kind Person?

"Mabait ka ba?"

(Are you a kind person?)

"Siyempre naman."

(Of course)

It is a very simple question that any person can answer. I thought, how about if I re-phrase it? A question that will give you the same output but have more thoughts in it.

"Mabait ka ba? Kung 'Oo' ang sagot mo, gusto mo bang balang-araw maging katulad mo ang anak mo o magiging anak mo?"

(Are you a kind person? If "Yes" is your answer, do you want your children to be like you or children to be?)

Then there is a question. I'm sure everyone will think about the mistakes they have done before they answer to this question and they might probably say - "Yes but not entirely like me!"

What's with that answer? It's like there's something hidden in it. I asked this same question to my wife and she did answer the same answer I said here. I asked this same question to myself and thought, do I want my son to be like me? Ahmmm. next question please.

Here is a thought. Home is still the best school for children and parents are the best teachers. "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." - Prov 22:6. Makes sense right?

Would you believe that most lessons learned by children came from parents? And most of those lessons are the things parents DON'T teach them. What I mean is lessons that we (parents) don't want or unknowingly teach them. How? In most cases, children's heroes were always there parents. They try to imitate them/us parents. Like my son when we had a baby visitor in our house, the baby was crying that time when he told me "I am Daddy". Then I asked him, who is he while pointing at the baby and then he answered "He is Ize." (that's my son's name). Then he lightly taps the chest of the baby and said "It's okay!". I laughed at what he just did. I did not teach him that but whenever he is hurt and cry, we (me and my wife) comfort him by saying "It's okay."

We (Parents) are their role models. So we should refrain from doing BAD things in front of them but to practice it - JUST DON'T DO IT! even when not in front of them.

The most important part of children's growth is their childhood. "Their mind is like a sponge." that's what my wife's doctor told me. So be it good or bad, they'll absorve it if you feed it to them so be careful what you feed them (I mean what you teach them or show them).

That is why their is a saying "Fruits don't fall far from it's tree."? Because people think that what you are always shows and eventually your children will learn from you. But I believe that people come to realize their mistakes and when they become parents they try not to let their children be like what they used to be. Thus, making them good parents and because of that practice they become good people.

So, "Are you a Kind Person?". For your children's sake, be one.

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By the way, before I end this article. I would like to thank God for his great blessings. I knew God will provide a way. On my previous article, I wrote about my boss not wanting to pay me for the month of March. I wrote him a letter - it's not a hate letter coz I know where it leads to. And I am glad I did it. He reconsidered everything and yesterday I just received my March salary with deductions. There shouldn't be any deductions but it is still better than not having any at all. Great blessings. Thank you God and thanks to all who prayed for us. God bless you all.

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Victorious!

It's been quite awhile since I posted an article. The reason is I am too busy, busy making myself busy hehe!

2010 Challenge

Year 2010 has been a challenging year for me and my family. Our company is currently facing a crisis that is affecting each of the employees. I am on a verge of resigning. One of my pinoy officemate already resigned and a few are on the hit list (24 people to be fired). I still don't know if I am included on their hit list but I heard from my boss (manager) that I am not included - thank God. I may be wanting an exit but definitely by not being fired. I always want a cheerful and happy exit hehe!

The Travel Expense

Two years ago, I was assigned in Amanah Obhor office. Since I don't own a car, traveling is quite expensive and very tiring. At first, I used to travel on a taxi but it cost too much (25 x 2 = 50SR/day) so I resorted to riding buses. The bus ride (2SR) goes from our Balad and passing my place up to Heraa and from there I ride a taxi (10SR), total of 12 x 2 = 24SR/day. By the way, I tried applying for a license but I failed once again because of my eye problem, I've faiiled thrice already. Dunno when I will try again - I hate rejections haha!

Challenge Part 2

Another challenge for me is when our salaries got delayed for almost 3 months. I was trying to save the money we have so we decided to go back to our Balad office. I thought it's better than not working at all. By the way, my home is just near our Balad office - I could walk if I want to but of course there is always a bus when I need one, only 2SR and I'm there.

Victory and Trial

We were paid for our Jan-Feb just last March 23 and after paying all the payables we end up with a 1000SR - Thank God there still much for us. The problem now is they don't want to pay the work I did in our Balad office - I told them I won't be in that situation if they have paid us on time but they kept telling me to understand what is happening to our company. I told them I understand pretty well the company's situation but they have to understand my situation as well. I know God will provide so I just accepted the fact that they can't be reasoned out anymore.

God has seen it!

If only for my family I would have been out already. But because God is with us, He already knew things will happen this way. I thank God for giving my wife a job. I don't want her to work but difficult times come and we can only rely on each other and God. God made provisions already and our answered prayer is a year advance.

God gave me His 4th Word

In commemorating Jesus' death, our church had a special gathering in which Jesus 7 Last Words were explained to everyone. I am blessed to explain the most intriguing 4th last word - "My God, my God, Why has thou forsaken me". I'll put the article I did here this week. But one thing I learned from his 4th word, his anguish in the cross can't be compared to the hardship I am facing right now and he became victorious. Jesus overcame death and has risen for me.

Ize's Happiness Brings Us (me and wife) Joy

I thank God for giving us the luxury of celebrating my son's birthday at Jollibee. His first, second and third birthday happened in our church and we just bought a cake and cooked pansit. Since he is old enough to appreciate birthday parties he became excited about his birthday celebration and is already full of anticipation. And because of his excitement and anticipation, we didn't want to hurt his feelings by cancelling his birthday celebration at Jollibee - instead we tried to chop-up a few hundred bucks from other expenses. It was worth it. It was a blessing already to see him laugh and smile on his special day - just the right age to celebrate with style.

We are victorious in facing these trials and we didn't do it by ourselves. God made it happen. Thank you dear Lord.

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Father VS President

When you are with a president, you will take bullets for him/her.
When you are with your father, he will take bullets for you.

When you are with a president, anyone could get hurt except him/her.
When you are with your father, anyone could get hurt except YOU.

When you are with a president, you protect him/her.
When you are with your father, he will protect you.

When you are with a president, he/she can offer you wealth.
When you are with your father, he will teach you how to get wealth.

When you are with a president, you will serve him/her.
When you are with your father, he will serve you.

When you are with a president, he/she can offer you comfort to your life.
When you are with your father, he will comfort you with his life.

When you are on a critical condition, the president is not with you.
When you are on a critical condition, your father will always be there for you.

Don't you just wish your father would run for president?

- If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

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Papa Don't Preach!

Marami sa mga kabataan ngayon ang ibibigay kahit ano wag lang marinig ang mga sermon ng mga magulang nila. Ang iba ay halos di na umuuwi sa bahay nila para lang umiwas sa sermon ng magulang. “Sa araw-araw na ginawa ng Diyos ay di na naubos ang mga sermon na iyan.” ang tanging nasa isip ng iba. Feeling mo tuloy ay di ka mapagkaka-tiwalaan.

One time napagalitan ako ni Dad noon at pagkat may nagawa akong isang bagay na kung saan nag-away kami ng nakababata kong kapatid. Ang ikinaganda sa aking ama ay hindi siya madaling magalit at hindi rin ito biglang magsasabog ng galit kapag may nagawa kaming kasalanan. Sayang di ako nagmana sa kanya, kasi mukhang sa aking Mom ako nagmana. Dad made it a point na kausapin muna kami at alamin or ipa-realize sa amin ang pagkakamali namin tapos nun ay tatanungin niya kami kung ano sa tingin namin ang dapat na parusa. Siyempre lahat gagawin namin para wag mapalo, pero nung araw na yun ay di ako nakaligtas sa palo niya. Siyempre meron pa ring sermon. Ang ganda pa kay Dad, pagkatapos niya kaming paluin ay ipapaliwanag niya kung anong nararapat na gawin at bakit niya kami pinarusahan at saka tatanungin kami kung ano ang nais namin sa gitna ng aming paghikbi. Kung kaya naman niya ay ibibigay niya yung hiling namin.

Inaamin ko na most of the time ay talagang ayaw kong makinig pero di naman ako palalong bata.

“Alagaan mo ang nakababata mong kapatid dahil ikaw ang nakatatanda.” Ang palaging sermon sa akin ni Dad. “Paano kung talagang matigas ang ulo? Gusto niya nito, gusto niya nun.” Ito naman ang mga bulong ko sa sarili ko habang nakanguso tanda ng pagtutol sa kaniyang sinabi. Natatawa lang si Dad pag nakikita niya ang reaksyon ko at naaalala ko pa yung sinabi niya “Kung may mangyaring masama sa amin ng Mommy niyo, ikaw lang at ang kapatid mo ang siyang kakalinga sa isa’t-isa. Magandang matutunan mo iyon ng maaga.”

Mahirap maging pinakamatanda sa magkakapatid. Madalas ay ikaw ang laging napapagalitan kahit sa mga sala ng mga nakababatang kapatid. Inis talaga ako sa mga oras na napapalo pa ako sa ginawang kalokohan ng mga kapatid ko. “Ikaw ang nakatatanda kaya’t ikaw ang umunawa.” Ang sermon pa sa akin ni Dad. At minsan umaabot sa puntong gusto kong gumanti sa kapatid ko – ang sama ko no, di ko naman siya papatayin eh babatukan lang hehe!

Naghiwalay noon ang aming magulang noong ako ay (8) walong taong gulang pa lamang. At mula noon ay parang bumigat ang loob ko sa lahat ng bagay, sama ng loob marahil. Parang nadagdagan ng 8 taon ang edad ko noon kung mag-isip, lahat gusto kong unawain. Gusto kong maintindihan ang mga bagay na di ko maipaliwanag pero ang sagot ay di ko rin nakita. Hirap talaga ng hiwalay na pamilya, usually panganay pa ang naa-apektuhan ng husto at di ako exempted doon.

Kahit malayo si Dad ay nasa isip ko pa rin ang mga sermon niya’t pangaral at di naman nagkulang si Mom sa pagpapa-alala, she made sure naaalala ko rin iyon everyday. Di tulad ng kay Dad na medyo base, siyempre babae medyo matinis at kaya naman mas masakit sa tenga. Kaya di pa rin nawala ang inis ko. Parang responsibilidad lahat sa akin, di ko magawang magkusa dahil laging nandiyan ang paalala. Feeling ko tuloy ay di ko maramdaman ang saya sa ginagawa ko dahil nga responsibilidad ko ito.

Nung mawala si Dad, marami akong regrets. Di ko siya nayakap bago man lang siya umalis. Di ko nasabing mahal ko siya sa kabila ng lahat ng mga sinapit ng pamilya namin. Naitanong ko tuloy sa aking sarili, mabuti ba akong anak? Pero naalala kong sinagot niya iyon bago kami naghiwalay - “Napakabait mong anak, walang ibang amang di matutuwa sa iyo anak”. Ayokong maging emosyonal ng sabihin niya sa akin yun kasi parang corny, laki-laki ko na at may asawa na ako tapos yayakap pa ako sa kanya. Nung malaman kong wala na siya ay nagsisi ako, sana naging corny na lang ako nung oras na iyon, sana kinalimutan ko muna ang hiya ko. Galit ako sa sarili ko noon.

Ngayon na-realize ko wala pala sa isip ang lahat ng mga sermon niya’t pangaral, nasa puso ko pala. Kasi sa tuwing maaalala ko ang mga pangaral niya ay di ko maiwasang maluha di ko maiwasang mainis sa sarili ko. Ngayon na-realize ko ang pangaral niya na tanging kami rin lang magkakapatid ang siyang magdadamayan sa huli. Nandiyan pa naman si Mom pero I made it a point na maaasahan nila ako sa oras na kailangan nila ako. Wala na talo-talo na ito, corny na kung corny. Kahit alam kong huli na para maging corny.

Para sa iyo Dad, saan ka man naroon gusto ko malaman mong nasa puso ko ang mga pangaral mo. Gusto ko sanang marinig muli ang mga sermon mo pero ang tanging magagawa ko na lang ay ipasa ito sa mga anak ko, na marinig nila mula sa labi ko ang mga pangaral nyo.

Alam kong mas naririnig mo ngayon ang bawat panalangin namin kaya nais kong sabihing mahal namin kayo. Happy Birhday Dad!

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Aming Kasiyahan

Di namin malilimutan ang aming kasiyahan,
nang una kang makita, mahawakan at mahagkan.
Sa iyong haplos, ngiti at pag-iyak,
puso nami’y lumulundag, laging nagagalak.

Di namin malilimutan ang aming kasiyahan,
nang iyong bigkasin ang aming ngalan.
Hirap ng buhay, pagod at kapighatian,
nawawala lahat kapag ika’y aming nasisilayan.

Di namin malilimutan ang aming kasiyahan,
sa una mong yapak at sa'yong pag-gapang.
Nawa sa iyong paglaki, lakad mo'y matuwid,
ligtas sa paghuhusga ng mga taong nakapaligid.

Kaya’t lagi naming pinasasalamatan,
ang Diyos nating makapangyarihan.
Kahit na kami’y di karapat-dapat,
Sa isang biyayang walang katapat.

Sa aming paglisan, huwag nawang kalimutan,
turo nami’y lagi mo nawang tatandaan,
huwag talikuran bagkus ito'y ipamuhay,
magamit sa'yong buhay bilang isang tulay.

Pag-ibig na aming inialay,
nawa iyong maging kaagapay,
Magbigay nawa ng lakas, sigla at katapangan,
at maging matagumpay sa iyong sapalaran.

Anak, huwag mo sanang kalilimutan,
ang aming kasiyahan, aming kagalakan.
Nang ika’y aming buhatin at bigyan ng ngalan,
Mahal ka namin anak, bunga ka ng aming pagmamahalan.

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