This blogger is still breathing

Yes, I am. Well, we are officially back in the Philippines! I am just declaring it now because it was a rough transition from so busy-from-work before leaving for the States and going back with barely having students at all! Also people thought we have transformed into a fountain of dough since we just got back from the US, duh?! I went there for a vacation not for work. Get it?!

Well, the trip back was amazing,adventurous and fun! Amazing because we got better seats and were upgraded since there weren't a lot of passengers. Adventurous because we were running inside the very big airport in Beijing just to catch our flight going here and fun because I was carrying Ramona, the ceramic doll my mother in-law gave me! She was the star of the trip,actually!

We were welcomed home with a banner made by our friend pastor , Pastor Felix. He and his family are just so sweet and kind!

I have a lot to post with regards to our house. Our brains have multitudes of plans in transforming our house into a dwelling that is actually pleasant and creative. We started by changing the wall paint but I am not divulging everything for now. I have yet to unwind before snoring, I mean sleeping. And blogging doesn't count so, adios anay! :d

Hangtud sa sunod! :)

Two "firsts", pictures, a video and details of Hathome's birthday.

      It was my first experience to shovel snow using a mini red spade although it wasn't  much of a help to dad who was actually doing all the job and was very goofy to have left trails of tiny lumps of snow for me to enjoy. It was fun! Also, I blurted my interest about sledding after he showed me the place they call "suicidal hill" where they used to sled during his youthful days. Dad then bought me a round-orange sled on Monday and announced that I was going sledding. Oh yeah! My response was, "Yeah? Yeah!" LOL! Had mixed emotions suddenly which was weird because we used to ride on a cart down hill with my friends when I was a kid without any adult supervision and it didn't matter if we broke bones. There was no snow to crash on only big rocks and stones to beat us. Talk about extreme sports, we invented it! I did both yesterday, shoveling and sledding, shikes!

Yup! That's me, having fun in the landing! :) Hehehe...

     They all happened on "hathome's" birthday which made everything memorable! I didn't expect  dad would want to go sledding soonest so when he asked me if I was ready and bundled I almost swallowed my tongue from shock but managed to respond a heck,yeah! Ha ha ha! Mom stayed home because she had to execute her powers in making her spell-binding lasagna! You better believe it! She makes the best one! And even though we lost dad's keys after  we found hubby's lens while sledding, ha ha ha! We still had the ultimate fun a kid could ever ask! We arrived home so hungry and about ready to devour mom's lasagna and hubby's birthday cake.

    Here's the video of my first attempt. My goodness, I could barely pick up myself with all the warmers I was wearing! Rofl! Have a good laugh! Beware: I sounded like a chimpanzee here. Ha ha ha!

 

    About hubby's birthday, he received his present earlier in the morning among many other presents he got prior to it.

 

        We did sing happy birthday before he blew the candles of his cake. We took a video but wouldn't dare post our horrible rendition. Ha ha! It was a great day for all of us! More so because Rich and little D stopped over in the evening to greet "hathome".  :)

 

    
    

34th Birthday! /34 Reasons!

   
      HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HATHOME!!!
   You are God's given gift and you are my sweetest present. 

   34 REASONS WHY I LOVE THEE:

 34. You download games for me.
 33. You always make me sing karaoke.
32. You like my singing voice.
31. You wear the clothes that I want us matched.
30. You make me step on your feet at times when we dance.
29. You try to dance even if it stresses your arms and back. Ha ha ha!
28. You buy me my favorite books.
27. You hang out with me at thrift stores at times. 
26. You collect books with me.
25. You let me cut your hair.
24. You let me clip your toenails.
23. You let me pick your clothes for you even on ordinary days.
22. You let me be lazy even when the house looks chaotic.
21. You let me watch my favorite movies/tv shows over and over.
20. You make melodies with your snore that I now find relaxing and soothing. Ha ha ha!
19. You are a great guitarist yet you are humble about it.
18. You introduced me to your guitar hero and actually made me talk to him. Awesome!
17. You tried playing ping-pong with me. 
16. You clean the bathroom expertly!
15. You are the master in cooking pasta and peeling and cooking potatoes.
14. You tried cooking for me.:) 
13. You brought Date with us to the US.
12. You brought me here.
11. You have excellent parents.
10. You have an excellent grandmother.
9. You love my family.
8. You are very patient with me even if I know you are very impatient with most of the things I do. :) 
7. You are my best buddy.You are tough because you kill roaches for me! He he. 
6. You let me drool on your arm, always! He he.
5. You love hugging me even if your back aches most of the time. 
4. You always say you love me. 
3. You always call me your Witoy. (little)
2. You value our marriage.
1. YOU ARE A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART. YOU ARE VERY GENTLE AND KIND. YOU ARE ALL A WIFE COULD EVER ASK. YOU ARE SIMPLY PERFECT AND YOU ARE MY ATHOME! 

  Moreover, I love you in countless ways. There isn't a day my heart misses a bit every time I think of having you in my life. I never want to blink in fear of waking up and knowing everything is just a dream. Life with you is the best! God has perfected humility when HE made YOU. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my Hathome! I love you very very much! 

A Good Day to Die Hard

       No, this is not a movie review nor a suggestion on how to die hard, WHAT? Ha ha ha! As hearts' day is a big deal to most people around the world, I, myself, am not very fond of it even when I was still single. It's bizarre because I am a confessed hopeless romantic person. Also, maybe because I always don't like going with the flow. Same with giving. I give because I love. My friends and family sure know that they are loved when out of nowhere I give something because I remembered them not because I was compelled by a holiday or something. Anyhow, like I said this post is not about a movie review nor a lecture about valentine's day. That was just a segue way. Ha ha!

      I was transparent about my perspective of valentine's day to my parents in-law, nevertheless dad still bought flowers for the ladies. He and mom treated me and "handsome" to a movie at a place we can call "our very own", NOT! Ha ha! Actually, the name of the theater is AMC. The M and C stand for MACGUFFINS. Our family name is just two letters short to keep up to it (giggles!).For reference regarding the origin of its name just check the picture above.The facilities in this theater were high-tech. I didn't want to leave the restroom at all. I actually grabbed mom and took a pic of us inside. LOL! I just managed to take pictures of the tall mirrors and the lounge area. The hand dryer is not conventional, m.i.l. said it has a massage effect. I wasn't able to try it. The loo reminded me of  the seat that replenishes its cover by itself at Chicago airport. Oh my dear country Philippines, we are so outdated! Ha ha ha! But I still love you to pieces!

    The cinema has a bar and a restaurant also where your family and friends can dine and have a drink prior,during or after watching movies. That is if you drink since no one in the family does. Also, we weren't able to try the restaurant 'cause we already ate at our favorite Mexican place. :)

One of the banners hanging outside the theater

      

      

     All in all the experience was fun. You can hear the McGuffins cheer, Yippee Ki Yay!
 

Grandma's Poem

A Parent's Need

When you are very little,

Our lives are so entwined;

There is a constant need for us,

For that, we are resigned.

As you go on to grow up,

And get to be a wife;

We parents like to feel we're still,

A small part of your life.

When you call up with questions,

Or need a helping hand;

It makes us very happy,

I'm sure you understand.

It's hard to let a child grow up,

And see the need expire;

It makes you feel your work's all done, 

And it's time to retire. 

But then the need appears again;

With grand-kids, oh so dear;

And life takes on new meaning,

Every time you have them near. 

Freda M. Schwindt 

  Meeting and knowing grandma Freda is making me miss my other grandmother from my mother's side. They have a lot of similarities with the ways they care for their grandchildren. They make delicious jelly and quilts are must haves. Most of all they are both women of God. I can't thank and praise God enough for these great blessings. I love them to the moon and back. :)  

Christmas

      Who posts about Christmas a month after? Ahem! Anybody? Ha ha ha! Oh well, just let me so 'cause this is my blog (with matching puppy dog eyes here). Moving on, well, it was one of a kind experience spending Christmas in America and to be specific in Kansas with hubby's family. Christmas Eve was given a different meaning knowing that I come from an Asian country that celebrates it by staying up until midnight to have a sumptuous meal which then proceeds to exchanging of presents. Another thing is the time difference. Also, hubby's older and only brother had to leave on the 21st for Colorado to spend time with the relatives of his wife. The family somehow managed to have a nice big meal on Christmas day as Grandma once again went on snapping her old school camera, he he he. Presents given were all meaningful.
    Talking about presents, don't you just like it when you receive non-store- bought presents? Something that your love ones made or did just to make you feel special? I bet you do. Mom and dad collaborated in making me a special paper towel holder using walnut and babingga woods. The handle is an antique door knob. I know I have a lifetime to brag about it. Another great thing was grandma's book of poetry with her poem published in it. The name of the book is COLLECTED WHISPERS. Her composition is on the first page since it's her copy but, now, it's ours. I was so touched by the gesture. Love magnanimously touched my tiny heart that left me speechless and teary. In return, I also made stuff for mom,grandma and sister-in law. Giving is good but giving without expecting something in return is much better. Just like what the season was all about. It's about Jesus's birth. God gave His son to save us from our sins yet He doesn't expect us to do the same. Just love Him back is all.
   It's just this way, we celebrate Christmas because God is love and love unites our family therefore it should be the time that our family honors and glorifies God. After all, who wouldn't like to have a birthday party for Jesus? We all do, don't we? :)

  Pictures of presents from my beloved McGuffin family and grandma Freda Schwindt. :)

Grandma's poem deserves another entry. Will do that soon. :)


 

 
   

Yitey yady! (little lady)

I am his yitey yady     

  This is what I always hear when our nephew is spending some hours with us. I am the little lady standing next to his train track and waiting for anything he offers or tells me. He is very verbose and a very good conversant as well. Little D (as we fondly call him) knows vocabularies that kids his age you wouldn't think you'd hear saying. Some of the words he uses are repose, repulsive, flammable and apparently. Our first play time was very memorable because he explained a lot of things about his locomotive toy and the WHAT and the Whatnot.  I remembered asking him something more and he nonchalantly answered, "I don't know what to tell you anymore. I've told you a lot of things already." I tried not to crack up, but boy, was I tickled! Ha ha!
 
   Another thing he likes doing is singing all of these songs from the videos he watches about trains. The most famous one is the song called, I LOVE BIG TRAINS. He would endlessly sing it and hubby has to go upstairs to avoid getting the l.s.s.  Ha ha!  The house is alive every time he is here. It's so much fun!

   One touching moment was when he was seated next to me and suddenly he said, I am from Lawrence, Kansas so I answered, oh, I see. How about me? Where am I from? He said, you and you (pointing to my handsome) guys, are from the airport! We all cracked up! But he wasn't done yet. He then asked me, when are you going back to the airport? So I answered many more months and then we will go back to the airport. The reply was unexpected and was just so sweet, he reached for my arm and touched it while saying, I don't want you to go back to the airport. My heart melted! Dad had to say, not yet,don't worry, they will not go back there soon. Love filled the car. :)

This is a picture of us. He said, I will put my arm around you and then take a picture. Goofy little kid.

  I'm pretty sure someone is going to bawl when that someone goes back to the airport. Ha ha ha! Later! :)