Successful Talent Show

Shell Beach Elementary School Talent Show was a great success. It was a very organized talent show, not to mention the great venue. It was held not in a usual school's multi purpose room but in a newer and very nice theater. The Clark Center for the Performing Arts in Arroyo Grande was very well attended. The crowd loved the performance of Isabella (and Ian - who choreographed the demo and made Isabella look really good). They clapped and cheered during and at the end of their short routine (there was a 2 minute time limit). They received praise from the people they met on the way to the parking lot. Phil said he overheard someone say they were their favorite. It was a great show. All the performers gave their best. Hurray to Isabella and all the performers. Everyone enjoyed the show. What a great fund raising event for the school. Hurray to Shell Beach Elementary School.

Dear God,

Thank you for the talents you bestowed each one of us.

May we continue to use these gifts not just for our enjoyment

but to serve a greater purpose according to your will.

Thank you Dear Lord for giving me the energy all through the years.

The vigor that enabled me to bring my children to different activities.

Sports and classes that provided them the skills to enhance their God-given talents.

Gifts they could use for enjoyment and the good of others.

May I not forget to impart and remind them of this.

After school at the beach

This week is Phil’s spring break. We planned spending an afternoon at the beach. Thursday is the only day we can do it. So after school, we all went to the beach. We all enjoyed playing frisbee and football and watching Isabella practice with Ian their taekwondo demo for the talent show for her school. I especially enjoyed beholding the love and joy of togetherness. This is one of the great rewards of the simple life I so longed for.

Tonight is the talent show performance at the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande. Tomorrow she is joining a read aloud contest sponsored by the Greater Pismo Beach Kiwanis. Then after the reading contest we’re off to her best friend’s birthday party in Union City. Woohoo and Whew!

Achievements

Phil and I attended an awards ceremony at Isabella's school. She received an award for outstanding achievement in all academic areas. We are so proud of her. She also moved up in her dance class to a more advanced group. It's a class of 9 yr olds and up who are very proud and happy to have her in their group. She truly enjoys the extra challenge.

We are equally very proud of Phil as he earned a 4.0 in the last quarter that is packed with very challenging subjects. We are still awaiting Ian's results. As for Immanuel, my other dear and brilliant but lost sheep, I'm just praying he finds his way back. I'm certain in God's due time....

Immanuel & Krystal's visit

Immanuel & Krystal came to visit early Sunday morning (very early like around 3am). We wasted no time spending time together. I took them to my 9:30 body jam class.

Immanuel: "I can't believe you had me go to that class mom"
Ian: "At least she didn't take you to body combat. I was the only guy there."
Immanuel: "Yeah but at least you did not dance to 'loosen up my buttons babe' and shake your butt"

Then we went out to eat at Hometown Buffet. Krystal told the server that it's Phil's birthday. Phil suspected and was going to hide but they got him. It was so fun...Phil got so embarrassed:)

We were off to the beach after lunch. It was a very nice day. We played frisbee for hours. Then they played in the water for a while. Then we burried Belle in the sand. After Belle, we also burried Phil (just below his knees). After all the playing, it was time for Splash Cafe. Then on to the park. They stayed there until dark (maybe around 7pm). They all had fun playing together. Their genuine love for each other is very evident and a sight to behold. Truly a memorable day.

Fishing with Grandpa....Reminisced

Immanuel called me one day expressing a sense of deep sadness: “mom, I miss my grandpa. I miss him a lot.” He went fishing at Lake Chabot and reminisced times spent with his grandpa. A great love is never forgotten.

Great Friends Keeping in Touch

In the beginning of the week, I had a call from my bible study friend, ate Lolit. She is very gifted in her calling as one of God’s ambassadors. She always calls to pray with me over the phone. I am so blessed to have friends like her.

And...

My angel realtor friend, ate Janet,forwarded me an email one day...

I responded: "Hi ate Janette, Thanks for this. I miss you. Hope all is well with you and your family. Hello to everyone" and I gave my blogsite.

Ate Janet responded back:
"I miss you too :) I have to tell you that I LOVE your blogsites. I just visited both sites and loved it. Reading your entries relaxes me, really. Love all the sayings, comments, etc. Really grounds me. You know how it is, we get sucked in to the day to day routine and forget the simple things in life like having coffee or tea with friends. I haven't done that in a while. Your site reminded me of what I am missing... just spending leisure time with girlfriends. I would love to join you and your girlfriends in next coffee or tea...."

Me:" ...I won't be going back there until March 24....watching a play called 'Vagina Monologues'...maybe we can plan coffee or tea time then..."

Ate Janet: 'I heard about 'Vagina Monologues' sounds like fun. Teka, where are you ba?..."

Me: "I didn't realize... you didn't know we moved to Pismo? We've been here since beginning of the year. I guess I wasn't able to send you a copy of my christmas letter? well, here's the link..."

That was the last entry. She was on the phone shortly after that expressing her disbelief. Boy did she express her disbelief (She repeated "I can't believe it!" several times). We talked for a while trying to catch up...She's very sad at the thought I'm not just 5 minutes away anymore...but glad for me and proud of my decision...It’s so good to hear from dear friends.

A Week Full of Thanks

A slow week for me...or so it seemed...

Belle and Ian stayed home sick last Monday. Ian went back to school on Tuesday while Belle ended up being out for the whole week! She tried going back Wednesday but didn’t make it past lunch. On Thursday, she tried again and almost made it till the end of school. I was able to go to body jam class at the gym. I was running late going to the gym, that in my rush, I accidentally hit my hand hard as I was sliding my card in the entrance attendance scanner. Thank God I looked at my hand because my diamond had fallen out of my ring! I panicked! Thank God again because I found it! Whew! That raised my heartbeat more than the class did.

I picked up Isabella before Ian as her school called just before I picked up Ian. She had fever that night and I had my own bouts with cough. I woke up late Friday morning (thank God for wake up call from hubby). And another thanks be to God, Ian made it to school on time.

My friend Belle Villaverde and her family came to visit (they stopped on their way to L.A.) Isabella was happy to see Krystelle and Anika. Then I got a call from Ian asking if I can bring him lunch (we forgot in the morning frenzy). So we all brought him lunch (Phil does not have school)... And I thought my week was slow.

The Fog...A reminder of Hope

It’s been foggy for the past couple of days. It’s the first time I’ve seen it like this since we moved here. I always marvel at the splendor of the seascape whenever I glance outside. But the last couple of days I can’t even see past the next house. Well, today, the fog finally subsided and I can see the ocean again. The sight is like a breath of fresh air. This allowed for an even deeper appreciation for the majestic beauty that abound.

Our problems are like the fog. We need them so that when they come to pass, as they always do, we can have a deeper appreciation of life and glorify Him who created and sustains it. We need to see past our problems, past the fog; and believe in the knowledge that there is hope; that whatever it is, it too shall pass; that there is a blue ocean past the fog.

Piggy Back Ride with Ian

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow,

yet we forget that he is someone today."

~Stacia Tauscher~

Oftentimes we get so busy raising our children
we forget to enjoy them.

Dear God,

Thank you for wonderful moments such as this.

May I always remember to enjoy my wonderful

children you have entrusted to my care and love.

And thank you for an angel friend,

for giving her the talent and passion

in capturing and sharing this delightful memory.

{On Eternity}

God hath given to man a short time here upon earth,
and yet upon this short time eternity depends.
-Jeremy Taylor

May we use our short time here upon earth....

To seek Your face
and know You intimately

To enjoy your blessings
and be filled with gratitude

To see you in every person, place and thing
and love each other and all that there is

To keep your promise in our hearts
and realize what might be

To long for the longing
and believe the best is yet to come.

An Afternoon of Music

I was suppose to meet my new friend, Tessie, at the 9am Sunday service at church. I woke up at 7am (so I thought). I had a leisurely breakfast and usual cleaning. Then I did my nails. I started getting ready at around 8:30am (so I thought). I finished just in time (if it were not daylight savings time). Tessie called and I explained...she figured. I ended up attending the 11am service and I invited her for lunch at home (I made corned beef and cabbage soup and adobo (well, nana's adobo)). Then we headed to San Luis Obispo for an afternoon of music.

She had tickets to the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival Winter Chamber Music Series. And since her husband is in the Philippines, she invited me to accompany her.

The German Genius... is the title of the concert. It was under the direction of a very talented violinist, Maestro Scott Yoo. There were 7 talented musicians performing two hours of heavenly music. The first piece was Mozart - Oboe Quartet, followed by Beethoven - String Trio and a finale of Brahms - String Sextet.

Then we stopped at Tessie's home and I met her eldest daughter visiting from Beverly Hills (her daughter's 6 yr old girl had a photo shoot for Ralph Lauren). Then they took me home. As we were driving up by the park, we saw my kids walking up from the park. Isabella met Tessie's granddaughter, Gabriella. They invited us for dinner but we had to politely decline as Isabella need to rest (she has been fighting a cold). Then I bid adieu to Tessie as she leaves for the Philippines Monday to join her husband in buying their condo.

Time with the Roceros

Last Friday, my darling Isabella and I, had a glorious time gardening (no school - teacher work day). We had our gardening hats on, complete with sunglasses. We were having so much fun we lost track of time. It was time to pick Ian up shortly after our late lunch. Then it was on to fast indoor cleaning as my friend Pat and family are coming to visit. They arrived around 6pm and, after a quick tour, Paul left them as he heads on to Avila Beach to check in at their hotel. We had a fun time catching up and going down taekwondo memory lane. Then I took them back to their hotel.

I picked them up Saturday morning for some gallivanting at downtown SLO. I bought Belle a new ballet shoes at a dance store. Then the Roceros met with some of their relatives for lunch, while Belle & I headed home. We stopped at Costco on the way home.

We met them again for an afternoon at the beach. Paul took Sean and Alexa to Cal Poly for a dance practice, while Pat and I watched the sunset with my kids. Then it was time for us to take Pat and say our goodbyes as we won't be seeing her before they leave (church day and previous engagement with my new friend, Tessie).

Heavenly Thursday

A Precious Prayer From My Little Angel

A Precious Prayer from my Little Angel

On Thursdays, Phil leaves for school before 8am,
requiring I take Isabella with me when I take Ian to school.
She gets a little car sick in the morning. When we got home
she said: "I don't feel very well, mommy".
I said: "Let me pray over you". About 5 minutes after my prayer
she said: "Mommy I’m feeling so much better. Thanks for the prayer."
So off we went to school.

I met with my new friend, Tessie, and she went with me to my 9:30am dance class. Then we had coffee together and talked for a while. It was time for me to pick up Ian (minimum day today) shortly after that. Afterwards, Phil and I had lunch at Yanagi Sushi (he comes home after his first class as his next class is not until 3pm). Then I cleaned for a little bit and....

... it was time to pick up Belle. We always talk about her day and then we enjoy the view during our drive home. In our moment of silence, I inadvertently uttered out loud to myself: "I’m not feeling very well". Isabella’s precious voice from the backseat: "You just need prayer mommy and you’ll feel much better. Let me pray, Dear God, let my mommy feel better, she’s the most wonderful mommy, in Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My soul, overpowered with a sense of spiritual ecstasy,
seemed to have soared to heaven
to give an ever so tight embrace
to the One who makes all things possible
for bestowing heavenly moments such as this
for His unfathomable sovereignty, goodness, and mercy.

{On Happiness and Contentment}

It is not how much we have,
but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness
-Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Similarly,

Not what we have,
but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.
-John Petit-Senn

They are not poor that have little,
but they that desire much.
The richest man, whatever his lot,
is the one who’s content with his lot.
-Dutch proverb

Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want,
but the realization of how much you already have.

Happiness is not where or when, but here and now!
-Zig Ziglar

Happiness: Always has been; Always will be...it's what we make it.

The happiest of people do not necessarily have the best of everything;
they just make the most of everything.

There is no key to happiness;
the door is always open

my thought:
A happy life is a matter of choice,
a matter of perception,
a matter of faith.
If we truly believe
then happiness is inevitable.

Crying...a cause for gratitude

We should be thankful for our tears;
they prepare our eyes for a clearer vision of God.
-William Arthur Ward

This reminds me of the time when I took speech class.
One of my speech topics was about how suppressing tears
can be toxic to our health. I remember Belle during the last day of school
when she saw her first grade teacher, Mrs. Tom, crying.
She said to her: "It's okay to cry Mrs. Tom, because you need it to release toxins in your body."
(she heard me practicing my speech too many times she memorized some of it:)

So even crying is something to be thankful for.

To be always in a thankful state of heart before God is not to be considered a high plane of spirituality but rather the normal attitude of one who believes that all things work together for good to them that love God who are called according to his purpose.
-William Law

A Visit from an angel....Hosting to perfect guests

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of hosting to the most perfect guests. Have you ever seen nor heard of guests who launder the bedding, wash the dishes, clean, and bring food enough to feed the hosts for at least a week?!

My very best friend in the world, angel ate Cecile, came to visit. She arrived Friday night with her darling children Timmy and Krystn (Isabella’s "bestest" friend), and nana Lorna. We stayed up until 2am "catching up" (boy, did I miss her).

We were up early Saturday morning and we headed to the beach (with nana Lorna and Timothy). And behold....her passion for photography...it was awesome... watching her "at work"...and even more awesome... previewing the "work"...well, artwork...major goose bumps. As very appropriately defined in papellephotographie:

photography...art that has the ability to penetrate the very depths of our soul, to touch and open our heart, to evoke a wordless feeling of awe, to remind us of the exquisite and glorious mystery of life .

Here's a sample glorious capture: Jump for Joy

After the beach, and upon showing Belle’s school and dance school, we stopped at a park overlooking the ocean. She paused to take a picture of a beautiful house with a beautiful front garden. As it turns out, the friendly filipina owner was walking her dog at the park and we started talking. After exchanging numbers, we were off to Avila Beach. Then it was time to fetch the rest of the children. We had lunch at Splash Café. We were going to go bowling but there was a league playing so we headed to the beach instead. The kids had a great time playing. It was a gorgeous day. We retired early as everyone were pooped after a fun day at the beach.

We went to the 9am service on Sunday. When we got there they were showing a video clip of the progress of the new youth building. This church is not your typical church. It has a theater setup complete with theater seats. So, though not surprising, it was very funny when Krystn whispered to me: "tita Imelda, I thought we’re going to church not the theater".

After church we fetched my boys and we headed to Morro Bay. We were somehow led to a spot with a beautiful view of the Morro Rock. Then ate Cecile insisted on treating us to lunch. It was so hard saying goodbye after that.

February at a Glance

I cannot believe I haven’t blogged for a month when I’ve been so good since the move. Well, I had a "jam-packed" month. Besides my usual weekday consisting of attending twice a day classes at the gym, taking kids to and from school, volunteering at Belle's school and taking Belle to dance classes twice a week, my weekends were just as full.

Here's a month in review or February's weekends at a glance:

Our whole family was complete during the second weekend. My mom, auntie Edith, Russ, and Immanuel came that weekend. The rain didn’t stop us from enjoying the beach. Immanuel went surfing with Phil boogie boarding. We all played at the park and the kids went bowling with dad.

The following weekend we went to Union City. Attended a couple birthday parties, hair and dental appointment and Isabella got her first eyeglasses.

Towards the last weekend, I was in a state of distress. And, as always, God brings something good out of it. I was Consoled by an Angel in my time of despair.

And this...It became sort of customary for us to stop at the park on Fridays after I pick up the kids from school. It’s a great stress release watching them have fun together. I wasn’t feeling very well that Friday but Belle wanted to stay longer. So I said she can ask Phil to take her when he arrives from school. When Phil came home she ran to my room proudly and happily announcing: "mommy, mommy I didn’t even have to ask Phil to take me to the park. He came in the door and asked me if I want to go to the park!" What a blessing!

Then that Saturday we went to Santa Maria to attend a birthday party for Belle’s classmate. Ian and I joined the group and we had fun playing laser tag.

Russ arrived that evening and stayed through Friday. He had a great time spending quality time with the kids and enjoyed watching Belle’s dance class. He is just so proud of her.

{On Humility}

Humility is confidence rightly placed
-Pastor Ron Salsbury-


a humble mind is the soil for a grateful heart
where no seeds of discouragement can grow
-Imelda Phillips-


"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble"
1 Peter 5:5b-7