The Filipina Mom in Denmark

My mother called me last Sunday during  celebration  of the mother’s Day in Spain yes she live in Madrid, to greet me and my sister  a Happy Mother’s Day. I soon realized that yes I’m a mother for 4 years now and I found this poem which is very describe a mother’s life. But after all the hardships of giving birth, diaper changing, sickness and sometimes day seems like impossible especially when you are in grocery counter after a day in the kindergarten and the candies and chocolates are just just within reach even  by a 4 year kid I’m still happy to be a mom. I feel whole and appreciated when my son tells me every time he has a chance but he makes it sure to tell me before he’s going to sleep and when he wakes up ” Mor, du er den bedste i hele verden” Mother, you are the best in the whole world. Now he’s into drawing and I will post one of his ever first drawing with my smiling face and my name and I was smiling when I found another piece with may name and my age and MOR (mother)  just before he sleeps he gave me one with all the numbers of buses and train so I know where and what to take. See how thoughtful my son is. I remember my mother used to tell me then that the only way We the children or maybe women can pay the hardships of our mother is by giving birth and rasing your own children and now we’re quits no, I don’t think so I only got one she has 5. I love Mom “happy Mother’s Day.

To my Nany, Lola, aunties,friends and to all mothers Happy mother’s day. I found this poem in the net unfortunately I forgot where was it from so I can indicate my source. I dedicate this poem because it describe how motherhood change us to something even better.

Author Unknown

Before I was a Mom
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom,
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was Mom
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words of lullabies.

Before I was a Mom
I didn’t worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on
Pooped on
Spit on
Chewed on
Peed on
Or pinched by tiny fingers

Before I was a Mom
I had complete control of:
My thoughts
My body
And my mind.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child
So that doctors could do tests
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn’t want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
When I couldn’t stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
Could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom
I didn’t know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn’t know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn’t know that bond between a Mother and her child.
I didn’t know that something so small
Could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay
I had never known the warmth
The joy
The love
The heartache
The wonder
Or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

I’m happy and proud that my blog Filipina Mom in Denmark is on the first page in google when you search Filipina it will land on the first page.  Just less than a year I tried to google it and viola I was so surprised when I saw it last October because I was not able to update regularly but the readers are still the same so I think I owe to my readers to make an effort to post regularly especially my advocacies.When I started to blog I don’t know what to write but I just write what I can think of but the wonderful thing about blogging is that it helps you to blow some steam off sometimes it serve as a therapy when I’m stressed.

I’m in the middle of revitalizing this blog but not until my exam is over. Being active on social networking specifically Facebook took all my time in my online advocacy for filipina aupairs as I administrate a fan page and my time just eaten by online offline counselling that sometimes it sucks all my energies but I’m not sad but happy to help.

look at the www.Filipinamom.com

If you look above the Filipina mom in Denmark,  the Filipina Images is second website on the first page , which a site dedicated to Filipina image online campaign which was created by Noemi Dado Lardizabal Dado and co. I applaud them in their advocacy and  I for one believe that what you see in the search engine doesn’t reflect majority of Filipinas. I’m married to a danish guy but I’m sad whenever I hear other nationalities see Filipina as one who search for foreign husband to save them from poverty or worse be labelled as golddigger or easy to get. I’m not against dating site but Filipinas should be cautious of these sites. The more the better Filipinas should make their presence in the net whoever you are beauty queen, aupairs, caregivers, domestic helpers, etc. we should make our presence on the net, inspire and empower other Filipinas both in the Philippines and abroad.

Thank you for giving time to read my blog.

In Danish we greet everybody with “Tak for the gamle and Godt nyt år” meaning we give thanks for the past year what ever it brought us pain and happiness and at the same time welcoming and wishing a Good year ahead.

Personally the year 2009 will forever etched in my memory as it had brought me pain and triumph at the same time. It was the year my father passed away which until now still hurts and can’t believe that he was gone. We spent the Christmas together as a family last Christmas 2008 after 27 years and he was full of life and so brave to go through all those operations but all of us know that it was too risky and that parting where he cried and ran after me will haunt me for the rest of my life.

My countrymen were also hit by 2 typhoons in a less than a month which leaves thousand of families homeless. My hometown is used to floods ever since I can remember we always had to move in the second floor of our house. But this time just after just one year after the strong winds of typhoon Frank which left our family house and most of the houses in my village without a roof, the recent typhoon Peping brought massive rains which suddenly left our house submerged in flood. Luckily no one was hurt and it was like nothing ever happened when you look at the pictures after they cleaned the house  but we lost a lot of  old pictures, memories of our childhood which  but it always remains in our memory.

Our house during typhoon Parma (Peping)

Another tragedy my home country just experienced after the two typhoons was the Ampatuan Massacre in Maguindanao where there was 57 innocent people consist of journalists, women, who were killed in a barbaric way that I can’t describe because it makes me puke and can’t believe that those who are responsible  can do those awful thing other human beings I think they are not human beings at all. I just hope and pray the victims gets the justice they deserved and their families may recover from the tragedy.

Last year was also a really busy year as I was so active in my community locally and abroad. As a Babaylan Denmark’s country representative I was able to attend the Babaylan europe’s Congress and conference and at the same time I had been to Odense and Norway to spearhead the Au pair conference.

It was also the year 2009 where I was able to travel to Paris, France last  and met a lot of wonderful Filipinos when I joined the annual  conference of the Babaylan Europe and I was glad to meet most of them in the city of romance. I was able to see those wonderful places where I only see in th post cards or in the movie but what I enjoyed most is the people I met especially the migrants when we joined their seminar and I realized that day I or we are so lucky in  Denmark in comparison with  the problems experienced by the Filipino migrants in France. I cried during that meeting because they remind me of my parents who were also worked hard for almost 30 years in foreign land and suffered all the loneliness just to provide us a better life. I can’t control my tears and they just let me cried. I don’t know at that time that my father was about to die and when I came home the day after I was waken up with that call…

Last November I went to Athens, Greece to join the People’s Global Action on Migration, Development human rights conference on Migrant coinciding with the United Nations’s Global Forum on Migration and development  but wasn’t able to come in time during the discussion of the aupair problems but my colleuges from Babaylan Denmark and Babaylan Holland did a great job as most of our countrymen and other NGO’s doesn’t know about it. But I was able to Attend the closing ceremonies and it was fantastic and at the same time sad to hear those sad stories of migrants all over the world.

When the two Pinoys who won the CNN/You tube Contest Paul Garilao and Ponching Orioste Jr. came to Copenhagen I became more busy by introducing them to all the Filipino events and visit relevant places like the Waste Segregation Plant and the Incineration Plant where the waste is turn onto source of heat and energy. we event met the President of the Philippines Gloria Arroyo during her meeting with the Filipino Community in Denmark. So I was told that by my friends that they saw me in TV Patrol when they were featured those two guys.

The Winners of CNN/Youtube COP15 contest Paul and Ponching with Denmark's Filipinamoms Ana and Hilda

I wasn’t able to update this blog because of too many activities and I actually too tired to do anything but my family keeps me sane especially my son who always gives me joy and I cherish every moment I spend with him and of course my husband who always supported me up 100%. And lastly I thank God for all the blessings we had received last year and God bless us for this new year.

I thought it was just a short post but I want to greet and wish you a Happy new year.

During calamity people from all walks of life are willing to offer their help by any means  but there also heartless people who lured people for financial help but it doesn’t go to the victims but to their own pocket. So very careful to send money check it out first especially when it is thru money transfer. Even legitimateorganizations and foundations became victims of these scams like the GMA Kapuso foundation where a woman from the Philippines unsuccessful money transfer to the legitimate bank account received an email telling her to send it to another account which afterwards she found out it was a bogus. You can watch the imbestigador at GMA 7 investigates deceits and fraud in this area.

But deceits in bank transfer doesn’t happens only in the Philippines but a big problem around the world so be very careful like my bank always reminds of fishing of personal information which we constantly receives in our mail asking us to send information about our account. NEVER answer or click the links they send to you even if it looks like credible source always check from your bank.

I several emails from the embassies regarding donation advisory which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent out to different embassies worldwide.

NDCC Donated Funds

Current Account (Philippine Peso) #0-00149-435-3
(Swift Code: DBPHPHMM Account #36002016)
Development Bank of the Philippines
Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo Branch
Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City
Philippines

NDCC updates can be accessed click here

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
Top

DSWD

Contact Persons: Imee Rose Castillo / Rey Martija
00632 9318101 loc. 506-507 / 9517119

US Dollar
DSWD Foreign Donations
Account Number: 3124-0055-81
ZIP Address: TLBPPHMMXXX
LBP Batasan Branch
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

Philippine Peso
Account Number: 3122-1011-84
LBP Batasan Branch
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

Philippine National Red Cross

For donations to be acknowledged, please fax bank transaction slips to (632) 5255654 or (632) 4040979 with donor’s name, address and contact numbers.

US Dollar
The Philippine National Red Cross
Account Number: 151-2-151-00218-2
Swift Code: MBTC PH MM
Metrobank Port Area Branch
Anda Circle, Port Area, Manila

The Philippine National Red Cross
Account Number: 81140030-94
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM
BPI United Nations Branch
Ermita, Manila

Philippine Peso
The Philippine National Red Cross
Account Number: 151-3-041-63122-8-MBTC
Metrobank Port Area Branch
Anda Circle, Port Area, Manila

The Philippine National Red Cross
Account Number: 4991-0010-99
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM
BPI United Nations Branch
Ermita, Manila

Other Queries and Donations

NDCC (Relief Goods / Rehabilitation Equipment)

Maj. General Glenn J. Rabonza
NDCC Administrator
Attn: Engr. Florentino Sison
Deputy Chief, Operations Division
Tel: (632) 9125979, (632) 9122665
Fax: (632) 9111873, (632) 9111406, (632) 9125668, (632) 9120984

Department of Health (Medicines and /or Medical and Humanitarian Missions)

Dr. Virginia Ala
Chief, Bureau of International Health Cooperation
Department of Health
Attn: Ms. Noni Balbino
Chief, Technical Division
Tel: (632) 7812843
Fax: (632) 7818843

DSWD (Relief Goods)

DSWD Donation Drop Off Points

Pasay Area
National Resource Operation Centre
Chapel Road, Pasay City
Attn: Mrs. Francia Fabian
Tel: (632) 8528081 / (63) 9189302356

Quezon City Area
Disaster Resource Operations Monitoring and Information Centre (DROMIC)
DSWD Central Office
Attn: Rey Martiga or Imee Rose Castillo
Tel: (632) 9517119 / (632) 9517435
or Assistant Secretary Vilma Cabrera
Tel: (63) 9189345625

Manila Area
DSWD-NCR
San Rafael corner Legarda Street
Quiapo, Manila
Attn: Director Delia Bawan
Tel: (632) 7348622 / ((632) 7348642

The Philippine embassy in Sweden accepts donations for the Typhoon Ondoy victims which they will send to the DSWD that Dept. of Social Welfare and Development they are also asking for medicines etc., visit their website for details. Embassy in Sweden jurisdiction are  Sweden,Latvia, Estonia & Finland.

While the embassy in Norway jurisdiction are Denmark, Norway and Iceland their website is  www. philembassy.no

The Philippine Embassy in London also accepts donations contact them or visit their website http://philembassy-uk.org/news_advisory.html#page12 for details.

You can check the Philippine embassies in your area for more information. Visit the Department of Foreign Affairs homepage to check your local embassy’s information at http://dfa.gov.ph/?page_id=74.

I always consider myself an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker because both my parents are OFW) even though I a migrant Filipino. Thanks to the new technology it eases the pain of being away from your love ones you can chat see each other through webcamera but NOTHING compares to pain when one is sick or in pain and you can not hug or kiss or just be there comforting each other awaiting the sad news.

My father was supposed to be ok and he actually was fine last Sunday, he wash the dishes but they have to perform another operation because they have to clean somethingthere is a swelling in his brain so he was operated for the second time last Monday but this morning he was bleeding so he was operated again. It looks like the doctors made a mistake .

Right now I feel so much pain that I want to join my mother and 2 brothers and sister in Madrid but I can’t do that right now many things is playing in my mind but I told my mother it’s beyond human hands we all need to pray because what I can remember is that all I asked from our Lord He granted all my prayers
For my blogger friends knew about my father

History I will post some pictures of him.

2006 during our visit in Madrid

Our first christmas together as a family after 27 years

My son baptism 2006 in Denmark

december 2008 with my youngest sister

March 2009 My sister and my aunt from DK visited them

At the hospital December 25, 2008

I can say that yes working abroad makes our life better and OFW’s are considered the new heroes by sending money to their families. Those remittances helps the economy of the Philippines but it’s also has consequences.

So if I can’t update this blog you know why.

Please Pray for my father’s recovery and our family to be strong in this time of crisis.

Thank you.

My concern for the environment is the one that made me start to blog in 2007 so I will repost my very first post as my blog contribution to the Earth Day 2009 .

Hi this is my very first posting on this blog and I stumble on a movement called Blog Action Day which is today where the focus is about the environment that’s give a good idea to talk about.

As a new mom, 5 year housewife, a student who lives in Copenhagen I will write some things that might be environmentally friendly tips . It is surprising to note that simple things in our daily life contributes a lot to the preservation of our environment. As a parent I feel it’s our duty to be environmentally conscious just think of our children’s future. I want my son to see and live not just reading in a book or some archives in a internet site about animals, beautiful nature what was left of our natural environment.

Filipinamom’s Simple Guide to help save our environment

1. Bring you own shopping bag- When going to to the supermarkets bring your reusable bags and don’t buy plastic bags. Plastic shopping bags is not free in Denmark it will cost you around 2.5 to 3.5 danish kroner approximately 0.5 US$ . But most people don’t care they just buy because it’s nothing but they forget that why the state put a very high tax on these plastic bags so that it will reduce the environmental destructions by lesser productions means lesser garbage. One very good example is my husband he said that he can use it later as a garbage bag but what very expensive garbage bag. Once I counted some of the plastic bags he kept in one of the kitchen drawers it was 150 pcs. just by 2 kr it will be around 50 US$ and that was only less than 2 months collections. Today I always put 1 or 2 bags in his cycling bag so he can use next time he shop (he does the shopping).

2. Take the Public Transport, form a car pool or much better cycle to work. I know this will not apply to most places but in Denmark where they have at least a reliable and good public transportation system yet cycling is still popular it is one of the very few cycling capitals in the world.

3. Throw the garbage in the right container. In Copenhagen where I live all housing complex are required to have separate containers for papers, cartons, ordinary garbage, bottles and batteries. The dangerous materials like paints and other chemical should be thrown out in special containers and same as the electronic and used furnitures where they have to be collected separately or throw them at a designated areas.

4. Ask friends or relatives for used baby clothes and accessories – I was lucky to surrounded by friends who gave us used baby things like baby carriage, strollers, baby books, crib, clothes, cloth diapers (yes it’s still very widely used here in Denmark but just different purposes than it’s named suggests.), shoes (they advises not to use other’s shoes but I think it will not hurt if it is for 1-2 years where they don’t walk that much), toys and etc. Just limit yourself to buy things that the baby really needs or just a few nice clothes. I know it’s hard I myself is guilty because I buy some clothes and shoes but later regret it because they grow so fast.

5. Don’t use wet napkins. It was a very good advise form my nurse because most of the wet napkins(wet ones) whatever they claim that is allergy friendly they still put some chemicals that will not be good for baby’s sensitive skin. I’m using a disposable rubber napkin and the old fashion soap and water when I’m changing diaper and a small towel (washable) to clean his face and body. My sister use to cut these rubber napkins in two so it will be cheaper. One good tip is to wet with a little soap some of the rubber napkins (disposable napkins and put it in a napkin and your ready to go .

6. Use an old fashion Baby cloth diaper – Like i said this is a very wonderful accessory it is very seldom used as a diaper in this age. I used for wiping baby mouth and butt (separate cloth of course), sunscreen (I tied it around the baby carriage to protect the baby form uv ray and wind especially when they are sleeping, baby’s bib, one of my mother group used to put the pacifier in it so it will not lost or to balance it i guess and there still a lot.

7. Turn off the electronic appliances on stand by mode- even if they are in stand by they still use electricity.7

8. Don’t buy books borrow them- If you can wait it’s better to borrow books in the library where you can borrow for minimum of 1 month and maximum of 3 months or borrow from friends. Since I live in Denmark I buy products which has the Swan ecolabel mark (this a nordic or scandivanian eco labeling ) and the Flower (european eco labeling). to be

9. Don’t subscribe to a lot of magazines or newspapers - I subscribe to a magazine for new parents but I found out later that there’s a lot of resources in the net about parenting topics, borrow books in the library or ask some friends if they have some magazines and books.

10. Cook your own food- By cooking your own food and the baby’s, it’s both cost saving and healthy and you also help conserve the environment just imagine the all plastic or the pizza carton or the bottles.

11. Buy those products that doesn’t pollutes- When I became a parent I try to read labels of the things I’m buying if they using suspected chemicals that will provoke allergies like perfume etc., in Denmark there 2 standards eco label that is the Swan (Nordic or Scandinavian) and the the Flower (EU eco label) so I’m sure that I’m buying a product which doesn’t hurt the environment.

12. Don’t use fabric softener- these products has more chemicals to damage the environment and to add it has allergy provoking chemicals even if they claim that is for sensitive. If you cant help use this use it moderately. I know a lot of Filipinos who loves use more than what is specified because it will smells good. This also applies to dish washing liquids us ethe right amount usually 5 ml to 5 liters of water is enough.

13. Don’t use shampoo and bath gel- 2 in 1 shampoo and bath usually marketed for the babies but these will harm the environment. A baby from birth doesn’t really need soap and shampoo because they still the in born fats which was away if use soap which will results to dry skin then later will become child eczema.

14. Breastfeed – It’s healthy and cheap and instant. Just imagine the tins or cartoon packaging you have to throw when you buy mother’s milk replacement.

15. Don’t use air freshener- It’s very expensive, bad for our health and pollute the environment.

16. Don’t use plastic in heating foods in the microwave- use ceramics or glass.

17. Don’t buy soft drinks bottles or cans without deposits. We have a return bottle or soft drink cans system in Denmark where you return them in a machine in a supermarket and claim your deposit back so you don’t need to throw bottles or cans out. When I arrive in 2002 there are still no soft drinks in cans most are in glass bottles or plastics but after the tins arrived you can see the thrash everywhere too bad.

OK folks that’s all I can thinks of now. I need to do my home work. Almost all I mentioned above is my own and based on the pamphlets and information from the health department i got when I was pregnant which I found out to be very useful.

This is a very good topic I wish the organizer will set another date for this issue so I can thinks of other things. I’m studying to a constructing architect so I guess now we focus more on sustainable products to us in the building we’re designing so in a way I can also contribute when I finish my studies.

Today is the Blog Reader Appreciation Day!!!

I thank you all my visitors and readers. I really appreciate your comments and visits it inspires me and somehow feel I exist in this world. No one can beat the happiness and excitement when you see who visiting especially blogger friends who always stops by post comments.

To those new here I’m a Filipina who happened to found my soul mate and my true love here in the North far away from my motherland, the Philippines. I love my life here and almost fully integrated to the new culture but I still long for my own culture and heritage . I miss my family, friends, my colleagues, my clients, my workers, my books, my mango trees, my coconut trees, my music, jeepneys, the people, and many things. When I was new here they ask me what is our culture then I started to think of the things I took for granted when I was still in the Philippines now I am proud to share to the world what I am and where I came from and will not be forgotten because I will pass it on  to my son.

That’s why, I thank you my dear readers through my blog I can share and get to know other bloggers, their thoughts, advocacies, their problems, their families, their cities and their cultures and somehow quench my thirst about news and events in my motherland and around the world. It’s also became an instrument to spread the advocacies like this Blog Reader Appreciation Day.Through your visits and comments my dear readers I slowly finding my self again, my self confidence and be appreciated .

Thank you Rolly for posting a comment and for appreciating me and for that I put your link on the Save the monumento badge in my side bar which I overlooked.

I also thank Robin Reagler for creating this event in Bloggers unite. You can visit by clicking the link there there are bloggers who gives free E- BOOKS and other goodies I downloaded from veryheaven .

Is that really me is the first question that popped up in my mind when I read my Mel review of this blog at http://letmereviewyourblog.blogspot.com/ . It’s just that it is the firs time t somebody review my blog contents, my profile and the technical aspects.

I’m flattered of course and surprised that he knows me my family and my background. That’s the reason why I see him once in a while here and he is actually reading my blog and getting to know me.

I’m a little bit hesitant to blog because I don’t know what I have to write about. I don’t want just to write about my life because it might be boring but I just let be myself and write about my experiences about parenting, being an child of ofw and now a migrant who’s longing to find my Filipinoness despite integrating to a new society, of course womens issue and my concerns about the environment. Rated 10 for the contents makes me more aware to post relevant issues and check my post before I hit the publish buttons now that I have at least 70 visits per day. I think after blogging seriously for almost a year I have found my niche and slowly improving.

As per a technical I can say that its fair judgment. There’s a lot I want to do in this site but I been trying to find the right template and tinkered with it a little bit but sometime actually twice my just freezes it does not load. Thanks that this site is being hosted at http://www.hotel.inweb.dk/ which is owned and operated by my friend and fellow kababaylanes she’s always ready to fix the mess I always caught myself into. But its so hard when at the same time I’m also trying to learn how to use REvit, Autocad and 3d modelling which takes most of my time but soon I will find to get to learn how to make my own Wordpress Design. What I will do in the Easter vacation is to recategorized so its easier to find my post and at the same looks more professional.

I joined the Filipinos Unite which is the founder and was able to get to know fellow Pinoys who share the same passion the love of our Motherland despite its all the negative aspects we still hopes for the best.

Thanks Mel and God Bless always.

If you received an email that is supposedly send by Mel asking for donation it is a scam. He’s account had been hacked and send all his contacts about this SCAM.

I was plurking Spring has Come!!! several time every time the sun comes and looking forward to see flowers and I wanna wear lesser layers of clothing but like many out there still disappointed. It ’s been so cold these past few days. Even my son refuses to wear his overalls he just wanted jackets but I have to force trick him to wear it or just hang it in his wardrobe in the Kindergarten so he will not catch colds.

This is my son’s favorite slippers I just took the picture today cause it’s think it is cute.

Yesterday I went in Raadvad in Lynby together with my class far away in the middle of woods and lakes. It was a nice and quit place but we have to walk 5 kilometers when we have to go home or risk to freeze if we have to wait for 45 minutes for the bus. So we walked through the woods while the wind was blowing and I tell you that my hands were like ice.

I will share with some pictures I took along the way and enjoy the beauty of fall or autumn.

I love to swans

Who needs a freezer

I was trailing behind them I got shorter legs.

Today I’m staying at home with my son because his kindergarten i closed they are holding pedagogy’s day where they talk about planning and how to improve how they run the institution amidst the budets cuts they received by the city government. In other word parents have to stay at home or find a babysitter.

Today my school also holds pedagogy day the same agenda while students will have DSR day some sort of Students Day where there are a lot of activities free breakfast, parlor games and a lot. Of course cheap beers and general meeting and election of officers. During my university days, we called it the student government council but DSR is also a student goverment body who will administrate the students bar so we will afford cheap drinks especially beers. Yippe.

It would be fun to celebrate the student’s day but I have to take care of my son while working on my project at home thanks to Playhouse Disney’s Spartacus, Mickey Clubhouse , Small Einsteins, Handy Mandy they entertains my son while I’m drawing and preparing the outline proposal of my project. He will not watch TV the whole Day but he will also sleep and play with his hundreds of cars and later his computer. My group mates are at school I can thank the internet I can access our common drive thru ftp and chat with them about common decisions.

It sunny outside but still cold. Enjoy the weekend and looking forward to spring.

My mother will be turning 65 years old on Monday. She is a typical filipinamom strongwilled, loving wife and mother. She left us 28 years ago to work abroad to fulfill their dream giving the best education and we did finished college. She sacrificed everything even missed our growing up years but her love always shines and had guided us through difficult times. Now I’m a mother myself but I don’t know if I can do what she had been through but her love for us and her faith in God is what keeps her going and just look at her amidst her problem she still cheerful and managed to be always presentable.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANAY

Last December we visited them in Spain and celebrated our first christmas together after 28 years we were so happy yet sad that another storm has struck our family. My father was confined in the hospital after christmas December 26 waiting for a schedule for head surgery. He wasn’t well for almost 2 years suddenly he can’t walk properly and it’s like his health was deteriorating each day and the Spanish doctors can not find the cause of hi illness and then suddenly 1 week before christmas we received a bad news that they found a tumor in his head.

It was heartbreaking seeing my father who suddenly became well and happy to see us all his children but as we said our goodbye in the hospital my father’s tears almost left my feet numb to walk away. I want to stay but I need to go back to prepare for my final exam he run after me and hug me and cried I tried not to cry but now I’m writing this post I can’t help it.

This is another trial to our family especially to my mom and I hope that God will give her all the strength she needs and I pray that my father’s operation will be successful that he will live longer his grandchildren are still young especially my son’s grandfather on his father side was long gone.

My Parents