Reasons Why You Shouldn't Fail To Watch Mr. Peabody & Sherman- A Movie For Fellow Dog Lovers

My son Roel pleading me to stop taking his photo beside the poster so we could go inside the cinema to watch.......
MR. PEABODY already!

~IT'S A MOVIE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY including our pets ~

1. It takes us back to the valuable lessons of history!

~from the genuine smile of Mona Lisa to the days of Egyptian Pharaohs and back to the future which is today where we all could be heroes and save the world!

2. It makes us appreciate conquering our fears and believing that we can!

~flying planes and losing pain, yep and everything else in between if we only have faith in our capabilities!

3. It gives us a new perspective on family, one that is not necessarily within the norms of society but has love and trust as a main ingredient!

~I found myself telling the hubby over and over that in another life, if we could have more than one life, I TOO WOULD WANT A DOG FOR A DAD 

ah oh, Hi dad! can you read this from heaven? no offense meant hahaha love you so much!

IF YOU COULD WATCH THE MOVIE FROM UP THERE IN HEAVEN AND WISHES DO COME TRUE I BET YOU WOULD HAVE ALSO WISHED FOR A DOG-DAD AND I WOULD HAVE HAD A DOG-GRAND DAD  AND WE WOULD ALL BE DOGS AND HAPPY NONETHELESS!

I heard from the news last night that it is one of the top grossing films this week, not surprising! I wouldn't want to spoil the fun for those who haven't viewed it and stop HERE! ARF! aRF! 

Have a fabulous week to all the Peabodies and Shermans out there!

The Sherman in Me and my real-life Mr. Peabody

"Seriously, I sometimes think our dog has my dad's eyes when he stares at me. How about you? What is your dog story?"

Sincerely,

a letter to dad

dear dad,

oh sure, dad's day is over..

but it is going to be your

birthday soon...and

you are turning "70"

huh! my dad is

aged he he he he...

as i write this i

see your silhoette and

hear you working with

your tools outside the

room...

"to live is to move!"

that has been your

favorite line for

weeks now...

i know i will never

have the courage to

let you read this

he he he..

although oftentimes

you would barge

into our room when i am

infront of this computer

(and most of the

time i am he he he) but

i never really had the

strength to let you

read a poem or an

essay of mine....

i don't know, maybe

because i know i'd be

giving you a hard time...

ha ha ha ha, your eyesight

has become poorer and

poorer ha ha ha and i

could just imagine you

sticking your nose

near the monitor,

holding your eyeglasses

ha ha ha....but i do want

the world to know that

you are one of the best

dads in the world...

haaaayyyyy do you

remember weekends when

i was a child until i was a

teener....you would take

us to the sea where

you would indulge in

your fishing hobbby and

i would spend my time watching

the waves....playing in the

sand...how i miss those days...

now, you no longer drive...i

do not drive too so we have

no way of going there

anytime we want ha ha ha

..and remember that time

i asked you to teach me

how to sing and you

wrote the lyrics of a

carpenter song on the

board, teaching me the

melody word for word

ha ha ha ha ha but

still i never got to sing...

i mean really learn to sing

melodiously ha ha ha....

but you, you can sing!

how you love Josh Groban...

he has to know that you are

his number one fan he he he...

at lunch today we talked

about my kids' growing up...

and you said, you feel you

will live to be 80 plus or so

which means you still

have ten years to spend

with us....and as i thought

about this it hit me...

the best things in life

are truly free and i would

want to stay not that busy

for the next ten years

may God allow it to

be longer...

so i could be with you...

to watch you age

gracefully, be there when

you will need me the

most...i remember how

i panicked when you

had your stroke...i thought

that you would die, i was

looking after patients

at work when you had

the symptoms and i wasn't there

for you at once....

do you remember that time

when i told you i was

pregnant for the first time?

i was in first year med,

single and unprepared

and you cried

like a child? and said

it was only

the second time you

ever cried in your life...

the first time was

when your mother died...

and how you helped me

through it all....

and i learned that no man

will ever surpass a

father's love for his

daughter...

you were there when i

first fell inlove...and you

even taught me how to

write my first love letters

.....unknowingly though he he he

because i made you my

walking dictionary...

right now as i write, i

feel like a child...

i even sound like a child..

if only to be with you

for the rest of your remaining

years...i think i will

give up career

advancement....

i love you dad...

and i thank God for
you....

sincerely yours,

kulasa

Music 101: Memories of Dad 1

Each Time I Think of My Dad, I Get A Little Emotional

~sigh, can't blame this papa's girl right? There are a hundred and one and more memories saved in my brain that remind me of him. One is "music". Although I can not remember him holding an instrument and playing it, he truly LOVED to sing! And oh boy his collection of cassette tapes was enormous! I remember playing with them, stacking them and turning them into houses and furniture and even cars! How many of those tapes my bro and I destroyed by pulling out those brownish, shiny filaments and using them as ties! I never recall dad fretting though or saying anything bad each time he got home and saw another cassette tape destroyed! I think had he been alive to this day he would purchase cloudlifter at guitar center for his grandkids! He always said that music is the language of the soul. Sharing with you a favorite song of his, one that spins emotions in my heart and mind.....

The Windmills of Your Mind by Noel Harrison

"round, like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel...never ending nor beginning.....

~I miss you dad, but I am glad, music always brings your beautiful memories back....

In HIS Time

it's almost sixty days now since dad has gotten ill and here i am re-learning lessons in this large thing called life...

the most beautiful sight there is each day is the rising of the sun...i never really got to appreciate it until those days i had waking up at the hospital looking at the sky, hearing my dad's breathing beside me realizing how great indeed our God is for giving us the gift of life....

when sleep becomes a luxury tell yourself "it is so great to be alive and to be awake looking at the people we love"...

the sky is the biggest place on earth....it could contain all the prayers in the world and there is a God who resides somewhere in the clouds watching over us all the time...

the family is the best place there is on earth

"Life is all about travelling to somewhere else away from our loved ones someday..what matters is the journey!"

in my heart i know that the Lord will take care of my dad someday and lay him on green pasteurs....

"the most precious of gems in the world are not made of stone...but of flesh...sell the diamond and buy food for the hungry..seek not to be famous but to be meek like a lamb..."

so when the time finally comes for your FINISH LINE, you can smile and say "Lord, i know i did fine..."

I graciously wait and work for my own time.

IN HIS TIME.

Beyond the Sunset

Dear Dad,

     Hi there! Hey, I came to visit the other day. I didn't see you. I suppose you weren't there. It was too grassy where we left you. But don't worry, someone will clean up the place soon. I hope you got what I left for you there, a candle on the ground next to the yellow flowers. 

I visited next one of your favorite places in town. You remember? that area where you used to fish? where the sun meets the sky at the end of the day and where I used to sit around and watch you with your fish-net running towards the waves...

I went there but didn't see you though I have to admit, the wind, the clouds, the air, the sun, the flowers...they all told me you are happy now....wherever you may be......

✿A Song For Dad✿

Today would have been my dad's 75th year on planet Earth. One thing I wish I could have done was to have created a video of him singing. Oh how he loves singing! He spent half of his retirement days with musical instruments and am sure by now he could have purchase a journeyman and taught his grandchildren to play music. When I was in 5th grade I asked him to teach me how to sing because I envied my classmates who kept humming in class. So one weekend he took out our blackboard and wrote the lyrics of a song and sang to me each line patiently. Looking back I laugh out loud at how ridiculous that moment was! It makes me admire my dad more because it is a fact that I can't sing! Can't sing by society's standard that is but I guess nature would sing along fine with me ammm errr referring to thunder and storm here LOL. May all of you feel that incomparable LOVE that only dads could give.

I Truly Love You- Be #TruMoo (True to me) Always Baby

It's the last week of January and in just a few more blinks it's February! My heart beats like a drum when I think of the love of my life waiting for me on our Valentine's date this year! Last year's V-day for us was a blast. We both were wearing ruby red and I guess we were both too excited for a themed celebration and got to a restaurant too early for their dinner Heart's Day offer!

I don't really count how many V-days have passed since we were together as a couple because we both agree that it isn't what matters most. I do know however that this year we both have made "staying fit and healthy" as our priority. I think we have found our perfect yummy partner for our goal!- #TruMoo, a delicious nutritious drink for the whole family! We're cooking up a different Heart's Day celebration. It's gonna be with the kids this time.

...and because we all love chocolate and marshmallows and the weather is chilly- #TruMoo chocolate marshmallow served hot is gonna be the star of our Heart's Day bonding time! I am thrilled that #TruMoo chocolate marshmallow is available in stores nationwide through the month of February!

The kids always love to call their dad and I names- the other day they started calling me "mummy marshmallow" and their dad "duddy choco" they say that we are the perfect pair!

What do we cherish most about # TruMoo? Hmmm let me count the reasons!

One, it doesn't have artificial growth hormones therefore it is truly safe for the kiddos- we don't have to worry about their health being jeopardized by their love for chocolate!

Two, it doesn't contain high fructose corn syrup and has just enough natural sugar- the hubby has recently been noted to have borderline high blood sugar level. I want him the way he is, sweet and thoughtful but not diabetic!

Three,  it is simply delicious and nutritious!

On Heart's Day the kids are excited to have their #TruMoo drink with crushed graham crackers and cinnamon stick! Am sure they'd want it cold instead of warm. The hubby and I would want it warm and a bit more sweet with sugar on the cup rim- sharing tiny bitsy kisses which I can imagine will make our kiddos laugh and say "gross" but loving it that they have a dad who remains #TruMoo- true to me.

When I am in a bad mood I'd love to indulge on a choco drink- #TruMoo's other delightful flavors, strawberry and vanilla! ...and have those silly, sometimes childish yet delightful conversations with the hubby.

Join us celebrate Heart's Day and everyday of the year with #TruMoo's awesome taste and goodness making you want s'more!

OOTD Series #10: Pink the Repeat

If you've been following our OOTD Series you'd remember my half body shots wearing the same topper in our FEELING YOUNG IN PINK post.

The only difference is that this time I tied my due for rebonding hair.
 ...and I had two escorts for the day...

 ....our GRADE SCHOOL GRADUATE...

 ...AND THE PROUD DAD...

I'll let you in on a secret- "He may be one tough guy at work but when it comes to the kiddos his heart easily melts." ...and yep, he is a great cook, laundryman, handyman, and everything else in between....shhhh don't tell him I posted his photo here :D

May your homes be filled with beautiful memories of LOVE and LAUGHTER...

Sincerely,

She Was Wearing: 
Pink Soda Blouse
Shoes by Mendrez
Pants by FreshGear
Accessories from HK 
Shoulder Bag by Michael Kors 

He (The Graduate) Was Wearing:
~tailored polo and pants by Taurus

He (The Proud Dad) Was Wearing:
Polo Shirt and Pants by JAG

Photographer: Ace Zabate Pagaduan
Shot Using Canon EOS 1000D
 
 

Berries and Flowers For Mom- A Surprise...So Please Don't Tell Her!

My mom is miles away from me. She's been living in the U.S. for almost two years now. We are able to communicate everyday through technology but somehow that is never enough to fill her longing to be with us, her family.

The other day she sent me a message through viber saying she's feeling so down and missing her grandkids terribly. I was so tempted to tell her to book a flight back home. I hesitated because that would probably make her truly break down knowing I am not strong enough to deal with our temporary separation and sent her a hug icon instead.

I miss her, a lot. Her presence was terribly missed last Christmas season and on her birthday December 30th I wanted to send her some flowers. I had no idea though what website is best. I was meaning to ask my friends on that side of the world but somehow when we spoke for almost two hours over the phone our yearning to embrace and see each other was filled.

She was having colds the other day. It's chilly in here she said although she is thankful it wasn't snowing. We talked about dad and that last Valentine's Day he took her to celebrate in a resto to dance the night away, complete with a dozen of Roses. Gee, that made her miss us her kids all the more because dad has long left us to be in heaven.

Though she said she was fine and that I should worry not a bit I feel her blues and want to cheer her up the best way possible! Then came an e-mail from a friend telling me about...

Shari's Berries

I was like- eureka! I found what I was looking for! mom's favorites!

Oh boy I was thrilled! Just seeing those strawberries dipped in milk and topped with almonds and chocolates lifted my blues in a flash! I bet my mom who also is a berry and Roses lover would get jaw dropped if I sent her some through Shari's Berries site! If you want to send get well gifts and bring cheer to someone you care for you would want to send only the best.

I would particularly love to send her two gifts, two days in a row....

A dozen hugs, a dozen kisses and 12 dipped fancy strawberries from Shari's Berries you could check out here.

image source- http://www.berries.com/

12 red tulips paired with 12 blue iris and 12 delicious gourmet dipped strawberries.

I'd love to send her both the two sets of gifts, the strawberry Roses and the hugs and dozen of kisses gift package! It is amazing that I could get a discount purchasing two gift sets for her simply using a code.

Hmmmm when do I send her? I can't wait! It would be one very sweet surprise for my Mom, the best and one and only in the world for me! No occasion needed to cheer her up because everyday is Mom's day coz they never stop loving us no matter how big we get!

Dagupan Here We Come: Chasing The Memories at Pedrito's Bakeshop & Restaurant

 A huge part of me thrived and stayed in Dagupan. It is the place where I got my medical education and where many life-changing events happened to me. One restaurant I love dearly there is...

Pedrito's Bakeshop & Restaurant

My dad introduced me to the place not very long ago. He loved it here! Yeah right, the place made me miss my dad but time heals all wounds and now whenever I see a thing or visit a place that remind me of him I have a smile on my face knowing that he is somehow with me in spirit. I had the opportunity to dine there once again when I reunited with a med-school super buddy, Mace. As with any superfriend reunion we had so much fun catching up and reminiscing!

Come Join Us!

 The resto-bakeshop has an atmosphere of gaiety. Works of art are all over the place. I love their colorful walls and their friendly staff whom we did not have to ask to take our photos but gladly volunteered.

 ...it was lunch time and the place was quite busy yet the songs being played by their live band kept the mood of everyone cheery. It was difficult at first to find a spot where we could watch while eating but a crew gladly offered a table for us perfect for dining and entertainment. Being serenaded is a great appetizer indeed!

 hmmm what to order at Pedrito's?

It is a Mexican- Filipino Resto and Bakeshop where you could experience

the best of a variety of cuisine

their CHICKEN, SATE MANOK is a must try!

and their sinigang na Bangus (milk-fish) belly is superb!

I love its creamy sauce enhanced by gabi and with just enough sour taste!

 yep, as you may have guessed I had sinigang na Bangus! Mace ordered a seafood platter. She is allergic to shrimp but the physician in her knew exactly what to do. She took antihistamine minutes before indulging.

 ..and for dessert we had Apple pie and salad! Their native bibingka (rice cake) is also a hit!
Loyal customers claim they have the best Batchoy in Dagupan City and their PLATO wraps are superb not to mention their baked goodies- enseymada, cheese rolls and pineapple twists and many more!

Did we have a grand time? Those smiles tell it all!

(We spotted a celebrity in the resto just as we were leaving, the "fan" part of us wanted to have our photo taken with her but we chickened out last minute LOL)

 We then proceeded to our beloved Alma Mater where we made initial plans for a Med-School reunion- something that is still in the drawing board as of this writing. :) Personally, I can't wait for the gathering and to eat at Pedrito's once more.

Pedrito's Bakeshop and Restaurant

Tapuac District Dagupan City

Find them on Facebook here-https://www.facebook.com/pedritos.bakeshop

 ~This isn't a sponsored post, just another happy customer's honest opinion.~

Click here for more of our foodie adventures.

My Simple, Happy Childhood

Inspired by a conversation I had with my child on gadgets and nature...

 When I was a kid, there were no celphones, no laptaps, none of those gadgets that needed to be charged. Yet oh boy, what fun we had!

Of Parking Lift and Childhood Memories

     As a child I remember being so fascinated by toy cars. I would borrow my brother's little wheeled toys in little boxes, push and pull making the wheels screech and go "vroom vroom vroom" across the room. I would even pretend to be driving the cars into a garage using dad's cassette tapes as parking lift and mom's lipsticks would be obstacles I'd place along the make believe hi-way that was our bed. It wouldn't be long before there'd be a drama of little voices arguing over who gets to play with the newest car or who gets to win the race.

LOGOS HOPE...A Unique Experience

"Life is a journey, we're all going somewhere, but where are we going?"- it's the sentence on the front page of Logos Hope's Welcome brochure. 

     For a book lover and LIFE lover like me it was more than enough to stir my curiosity and get me hopping  from one bookshelf to another inside the world's largest floating book fair- LOGOS HOPE.

LOGOS HOPE, San Fernando City port

"I wish all the world's battleships could be converted into Logos Hope."- Vice Governor Aureo Augusto Nisce as he  formally opened the ship in San Fernando.

Which Do You Prefer? Songs of the 70s Or Today's Sounds?

I was born in the latter era so I guess you know my choice. I remember dad playing lines and getting to line 6 I'd pretend to sing along. He had so many casette tapes as well as old records.  He had an amplifier and each weekend our home would be turned into some sort of a ballroom. He and mom would do the chacha and boogie while us kids would giggle at their moves. So many memories are stored in melodies I love to listen to to this day. Someday I'll meet dad again up in the clouds with music from angels. That, I fervently wish. For now I am content listening to the old songs of yesteryears.

Family, Health and Home: Our Christmas Tree and Cats

Guess who's found the energy to help his dad fix our tree! Our big baby Roel thank God is kicking again and back to laughing out loud filling our home sweet home with joy. Yesterday he helped his dad set up the tree by our porch. They were kidding me about my obsession with capturing their images and Roel gave me that artificial huge grin.

The tree was partially set up with very minimal decors hanging on it. Look who's busy watching over those glistening Christmas balls when I checked this morning!

..our cat Leanne was staring at it wary that it might be blown by the wind...

..and guess who else?

I was surprised to see our cat Vhea also sleeping underneath the tree! 

I guess our animal kiddos are as excited as everyone else is in the family to spend Christmas at our home sweet home. There is a huge chance we just might get to spend the eve home this year instead of at the hubby's work place.

At any rate, anywhere we are I am sure as long as we are together as a family, the spirit of Christmas lives on.

~Thinking of our many brethren who lost their homes and loved ones and praying they get to spend a meaningful Christmas underneath the love of many caring hearts.~

Coins and Childhood Dreams

     

     

     

     I come from a simple family and as a child I have been taught by my mom to save. I remember going to school and paying for our ride using coins wrapped in white paper. Not a penny was wasted at home. We would gather our coins in our piggy bank and get all excited when the piggy got heavy. That would mean we would be entitled to buy a little something to reward us for saving. Mom and dad opened a kiddie account for us in the bank and I loved looking at the kiddie passbook with rainbow design. Saving and budgeting are skills that my mom has mastered through the years. 

     Whenever I see coins I remember what she told me a long time ago, "Do your best in your studies because it is the only wealth we could pass on to you." True enough because of mom and dad's hard-work I was able to graduate and become the healer that I am today. Thinking of days gone by and the history that each coin holds makes me want to collect the coins from my childhood years. Browsing www.goldeneaglecoin.com/ and seeing collectible coins and a wide range of numismatic products like gold and silver bullion makes me remember the three things needed when one aims to reach one's dreams- PERSEVERANCE, PATIENCE AND PRAYER. 

 ~special thanks to my little friend ROEN~

     

Weekend "Home-adventure"...

RAIN, OH RAIN

It's been a rainy week. For two days the boys and I just stayed home. I'm glad I did. I wish I could stay AT HOME more often. The pitter-patter sound of rain is a natural tranquilizer matched with the cool breeze and the kiddos' giggles.