Mataga-tagal na akong hindi nakakalahok sa Litratong Pinoy.  Malamang ay nagtatampo na sa akin ang aking kaibigang nagsimula nito. Sa mga susunod na linggo, sana’y makabawi ako sa matagal kong pagliban. ;)  Ito naman ang aking lahok para sa tema ngayong linggong ito, “Batik/Mantsa” (Spots/Specks).

Noong ika-9 ng Pebrero ay ipinagdiwang ng mga kindergarteners sa paaralan ng aking anak ang ika-isang daa’t isang araw ng pagpasok sa paaralan (101 days of school).  Bilang pag-gunita sa araw na  ito, hiniling ng mga guro na bihisan ang mga bata ng mga kasuotang itim at puti tulad ng mga kulay ng mga aso sa 101 Dalmatians.  Ayun na nga’t pinagdamit ko ang aking anak ng itim na pangitaas na may puting pang-ilalim na mahaba ang manggas.  Ang pangibaba naman niya’y palda’t tights na puti.

Umalis ng bahay ang aking anak  na wala namang malaking ipinagkaiba ang itsura sa araw-araw niyang pagpasok sa paaralan.  Ngunit sa kaniyang pag-uwi, may pagkakaiba na sa kaniyang itsura…

Ang aking limang taong mag-aaral, sa pag-uwi’y “puppy girl” na! Hee hee.  May mantsa (spot) ang kaniyang ilong at may suot siyang korona kung saan nakakabit ang dalawang tengang may batik-batik na itim.  Ang kyut! :P  Ayaw niyang  ngumiti noong una nang akin siyang kunan ng mga litrato.  Ngunit ngumiti na siya nang payagan kong simutin ang batter ng chocolate cake na katatapos ko lamang ipasok sa pugon para i-bake. ;)

Huwebes na sa Pinas.  Miyerkules naman ngayon dito sa aking kinaluluklukan…Ash Wednesday.  Sana’y isapuso nating lahat ang kahulugan ng panahon ng Lent.

…put them together, remember ME.  Well do you?  Remember me?  I don’t blame you if you don’t though.  But looking at the blog title ought to help.  :P

So I’ve gone from bad to worse as far as updating this site is concerned.  I’ve got no excuses whatsoever.  The funny thing is, I am brimming with “bloggables”.  The problem now is where to start!  I’ll figure something out, sooner than soon.  Promise.

oOo

Can you believe January is over?!  How are your New Year’s resolutions coming along?  I’m still doing pretty good with my “sensible New Year’s resolutions”.  That is, I”ve surrendered to the fact that life isn’t fair, I’m happy where I am, I’m minding my own business, I’m doing my best to live each day to the fullest (and as if it were my last, although I could still do much better!) and I am filling my life with love.  Keeping these isn’t always a walk in the park but…

oOo

We have a busy February ahead of us, mostly because of my Kindergart’ner.  A busy Abby equals a very busy me.  But I’m not complaining.  I hear when the kids move to first grade, it’s all business already.  So Abby and I are milking all the fun out of  kindergarten as much as we can.  I don’t even recall my own kindergarten years to be at least half the fun as Abby’s.  Well, I shouldn’t be surprised because  I went to a school that is run by nuns…which isn’t a bad thing, so don’t get me wrong! :P

I hope to resurface soon with a more sensible entry. Hee hee.  For now, I wish y’all a Happy Love Month! ;)

Cheers and Mabuhay!

So the Americans have their “Twist it.  Lick it.  Dunk it.” with their Oreos and milk.  Well, well, well, I dare say it’s a mere adaptation (ehem!) of our very own pandesal at kape, where we sawsaw (dip/dunk) the pandesal (Filipino bread roll) in kape (coffee).

On Tuesday morning, Abby got a quick lesson in Filipino bread dunking culture.  She couldn’t find a bread filling she liked.  Plus, hubby and I were (secretly) busy getting ready for a surprise party.  So we taught Abby a surefire way she could enjoy her bread roll and warm cocoa…and that’s via good old fashioned sawsaw!  Because my cake layers were all over the dining table, Abby had to eat breakfast in the living.  Pasensya na anak, limited square footage.  Hee hee.

Step #1: Isawsaw ang tinapay sa tsokolate. (Dunk the bread roll in the cocoa.)

Step #2: Patuluin ng bahagya ang tsokolate mula sa tinapay. (Let the excess cocoa drip a little…so you don’t leave a trail all over the center table.  Hee hee.)

Step 3: Isubo ang tinapay!  Sarap! (Enjoy the yummy goodness of cocoa soaked bread! Hee hee!)

I do have a picture for Step 3.  But it’s not very flattering.  So I’m saving my 5-year old from embarrassment.  :D

I think it’s about time she is reacquainted with balut.  That ought to be our next lesson.  ;)

Cheers y’all!

* It is the number following seven and preceding nine.

* It is the numerical symbol for the month of August.

* For most phones, the 8 key is associated with the letters T, U, and V, but on the BlackBerry it is the key for B , N, and X.

* A figure eight is a type of knot frequently used by climbers.

* It is considered a lucky number in Chinese culture because it sounds like the word meaning to generate wealth

* V8 is a type of engine…and also a brand of beverage.

* John and Kate Plus 8 was the title of a reality tv show. ;)

* It is the number of apparitions that appeared to Macbeth.

* There are eight fluid ounces in a cup, eight pints in a gallon and eight tablespoonfuls in a gill.

* “Eight Days a Week” is a #1 single by the Beatles.

* Eight years ago today, before our closest family and friends, Hubby and I exchanged “I dos”.

Happy 8th Wedding Anniversary, Munchkin! May God bless us with many many more years of marital bliss.

Love you…more than 8 days a week. ;)

Cheers to us! *mmmuah*

To my best friend, #1 fan, confidant, teacher, idol, travel companion, and one and only mommy (the best in the world!)…Happy Happy Birthday!

For all that you are…for everything you do…for everything you give…we thank you.  And for you we are thankful.  May God continue to shower you with blessings and miracles big and small, for the great blessing that you are to us and to others. Dondi, Abby and I wish you good health, happiness and peace of mind.  May all your fondest wishes come true and your most fervent prayers answered.  We love you, Mommy, and it gives us great joy to be with you on your birthday…truly an answered prayer.

Instead of my usual overly dramatic birthday greeting, Dondi and I wish to present you with an unrehearsed dance number.  It’s not as polished as our wedding foxtrot, but it’s something we hope you will love nonetheless.  So sit back, relax and enjoy the show. ;)

Tight hugs, warm kisses and cheers to you, Mommy! Happy Happy Birthday! *mmmmuah*