Pierre's Challenging Summer Job

Few months before school ended, Pierre had been planning and wanting to work for summer to earn a little bit of money to pay for his trip to Ireland with his friends.

Mathieu, our daughter Marie-Anne's fiance's boss promised him a job in his stablishment in Bordeaux as a diswasher. That was cool. He will be able to work with Mathieu and Marie-Anne's job is not so far as well.

However he still thought that it might be more interesting to wok in Le Cap Ferret knowing that it is more convenient so he was keeping this possiblity as an option but he was never contacted despite the fact that Pierre's grandma know's the owner of the other restaurant. (Connection does not always help.)

When classes ended and Pierre was ready to work, the day he showed up, the boss told him that he is finally not taken as Pierre only wanted to work for a month while there's a girl who was willing to work for two months. What a deception and disappointment indeed!

From Bordeaux, Pierre went to Le Cap Ferret with his grandarents feeling so sorry and devastated. However he was not easily discouraged. He prepared his CV, took his bike, and went around Le Cap Ferret distributing his resume in different restaurants, supermarkets and even in the green grocer stores. Finally his efforts were granted, a restaurant owner called him two days later and that's the beginning of his official "summer job!"

Pierre thought that being a dishwasher is easy as he has been doing that in our house. But an 8 hour dishwashing a day makes all the difference. He works four hours during lunch time, gets a break and another four hours in the evening and does sometimes over time and he comes home more than midnight very very exhausted. But he is not complaining.

One night I decided to wait for him while watching tv and he arrived completely tired. He sat beside me and said: "You know, my job is not a piece of cake. Look at my hands, I have got some blisters. I don't only wash the plates but the cooking pans and huge casseroles as well. And I need to dry them. But the people around me are nice, so I don't mind working."

I looked at my son and gave him a big hug with full of admiration and compassion. I told him that it is a good learning experience for him. That I hope washing plates all througout his life won't be his vocation and there are other jobs more interesting in the future for him. This will make him think that going to school and make further studies could be the answer. And I think, he got the message. He told me that he will work hard in his studies.

Well, this is a good summer job experience for him. He is determined to finish up to the end of the month even though he is not even entitled to have days off. He is looking forward to go backpacking in Ireland. He wants to pay for his vacation with friends feeling grand at eighteen. Feeling independent without asking money from mom and dad. And he is hoping to get more share from "clients tips" to augment his minimum income and could pay extra holiday needs.

I can't help but smile feeling proud of my son that he knows the value of work. That money does not come so easily with just a click of a finger, and that it should be earned by his own sweat. Honestly, it's not easy to bear seeing my son coming home so tired but I need to be supportive and encouraging. After all, it's for his own benefit.

I Found her At Last!

This is Marycon Micu, my high school classmate that I have been trying to find her for ages. The last time I saw her was when we were in high school. The day we parted, we never had the chance to see each other again until only this week thru Facebook.

It was Manny Galinato, another classmate who got me connected with her.

It was such a great feeling to find her again. I had a very lengthy chat with her over the phone at this early morning and as if we did not see each other for the past thirty years. The usual laughters and jokes have just came out so naturally. It was so good to talk to her. I really missed her.

I am so happy and proud to find out that she is leading a good life now. As a single mom who works hard and made so many sacrifices in her life, she was able to raise up her only child to become a good man and has achieved remarkable educational performance. A cum -laude in the University of the Philippines! Such a proud mom! Congratulations my dear friend. I am so proud of you.

Marycon and I have many things in common. We come from a very poor family but we always struggled and worked hard at school. We might not be the best in class but not the dullest either. We shared things together. We loved to talk and laugh.

I remember their tiny house in town and I used to go there because my mom had a stall right accross her place. We used to walk up to the tricycle station together with other classmates after school and rent comicks and magazines at the corner of the public market. And if we had extra money, we would drop some coins in a juke box accross to the public market to listen to our favorite songs. Oh, those were the days!

After high school, we parted ways. She was able to qualify in a scholarship grant and went up north and I went to Manila to work and study. And never saw each other again. I have only heard that she's working in Hongkong when we were trying to organize our 25th school alumni.

Of course, now that there's this internet, we could communicate easily and could even call and talk to each other anytime. We still have a lot of catching up to do and and we'll do reminisce those good old high school days and will talk about the boys we fancied, the teachers we loved and hated, the girls who treated us quite unfriendly because we were not rich and pretty enough. ha!ha!ha! And the boys who snobbed us too for another reason maybe....because we were both have loud and big mouth!

Welcome Marycon to the magic of internet and I am still so overwhelmed for having found you at last. You just don't know how much you made me so thrilled and so happy. I am really so thankful to find you and to see that you are doing so well in your life.

You are such a good example to a lot of people who have succeeded in working abroad and have made something good in your life. Your are smart enough to save your hard earned money, saved and invested and now you have enough to live for the rest of your life. Bravo!

I have always known you to be a warrior with good fighting spirit and all your struggles are paying off.

I can't wait to see you my dear friend. And if time permits, maybe I will try to drop by in Hongkong on may way back home from the Philippines the next time I go home.

In the meantime, let's savour the magic of internet where we could continue to communicate and enjoy reminscing those good old high school days. Bringing back those happy memories will surely make us feel younger and prettier perhaps! But only in our minds!

New Calling, New Challenge

As I got home from church yesterday, I was about more than five kilos heavier. I think with a bit of exagerration. Not because I had lunch over there but because of the files that I inherited from the past Relief Society president of our ward.

I just got a new calling in our ward. I was called and sustained to be the new Relief Society president. A tough job indeed!

When I tried to have a look the files last night before going to bed, I realized the importance of the big responsibilities vested upon me. I have already worked in the Relief Society before but each calling is important and different as well. And I know more or less what kind of work I am getting into.

As a Relief Society president, I have to see the sisters welfare, spiritual development, be their friend, a sister or a mother or whatever I could in helping them grow. Not a piece of cake because I am like anyone else. I have flaws and I need to constantly remind myself that I need to improve as well.

I have mixed feelings. I am very thrilled and excited because this is a new calling and quite a challenge to me. I have just been here in the ward for almost two years now but I still don't know all the sisters around me, probably because I was in the primary and I didn't have time to fellowhip with them either. And also because right after the sacrament meeting, we need my son and I to go home as fast as we can so as not to let my husband wait for us that long at home.

We live about 50 kilometers away from our chapel. And it takes us about 45 minutes to get there. The time that we spend traveling is already something that we can't ignore.

Well, I feel also scared of the big reponsibilities and tasks that are expected of me.

However, I know that I am not all alone. I have good sisters who surround me and I can count on their support. My family is there to help and encourage me, most of all my husband who is always there for me.

I strongly believe that there is a reason why I am called to this job. Heavenly Father has something instore for me. And I am thankful that He gave such calling for me. This is a humbling experience and I hope and pray that I will be able to deliver what is expected of me.

I need all the encouragements and support from then on.

So help me God.

Pierre Turns 18 Today!

It's more than 1 in the morning and I can't get myself to sleep. I opened our files and started watching the pictrues taken recently when our friends came over. I saw this Pierre's picture and I thought I would post it in my blog as I plan of talking about him.

Pierre turns 18 today. I remember that special day when he was born. I took my time preparing myself that morning before going to the hospital. I put my make up on and I wore my pearl necklace. I wanted to look beautiful to welcome him in my arms. It was a very sunny day and labor has long started and we were about to leave for the hospital but Philippe had to put some gas in the car. So we were obliged to drop by in the station and fill the car.

It didn't take so long before Pierre arrived. In less than three hours, he was born normally. What a big joy to us. We have been waiting for him for a long time.

Pierre as little child and even now is very energetic. Moves a lot and loves to talk too. He is sociable and friendly. He loves to crack jokes like his dad. He loves being surrounded with people especially by his family. He is a very loving boy and very independent. As he is the baby in the family, he is totally spoiled.

Like his siblings, he has crisis too. Up to now, I still have to remind him to drive carefully, fix his room, do his homework, clean the bathroom, the kitchen, to cover himself when cold etc..etc..

Very soon, Pierre will leave his family cocoon to pursue higher studies. I am quite confident that he can manage to live on his own because he has learned how to cook simply and take care of his laundry. Cleaning will be the next thing for him to learn. He needs improvement still.

Like I said, time runs so fast. It was just like yesterday when I was holding him in my arms. And now, here he is a grown up man ready to go for an adventure.

I am previleged to have a "son-mom" talking moment every Sunday when we go to the church. We discuss so many things and I am impressed with the way he sees things in life. He is intelligent and he knows exactly what he wants.

I know that no matter what, he will remain the little baby of the family. For the meantime, let me enjoy his presence at home. The moment he quits the family cocoon, our home will never be the same again.

Well, that's life. We bring up our children only to leave us one day. That's the rule. All we could do is to support them and hope for the best for them. Pierre is like anyone else. Get married one day and give us bambinos to love and spoil. He has still a long way to go but...reaching 18, it's the start of a major age for a person.

Happy birthday Pierre. I know, it's shame that someone has revealed to you about the surprise party that me and your friends are trying to organize for you. It could have been more exciting to celebrate your special day. But it's okay.

Thank you Pierre for being a good and loving son. You and your sisters are real blessing to the family. We are proud of you. Continue with your good work and may God bless you always.

Love from Momon

Philippe's Cookies

Philippe told his officemates that he needed to go home early as he promised to bake cookies again for the next day's "gouter" or snack. It was to celebrate one of his officemate's coming back to the office after giving birth. Philippe was asked to bring some cookies again because the ones he brought last time were delicious. And everyone loved it and was impressed of him because he told everyone that he made it himself.

Oh yes, no doubt about it. He prepared it himself! As you could see it in this picture, it was so easy to do. Just open that pack, cut the pre-prepared cookies, put them in the cooking dish and basta! Bake ten minutes in the oven...and... it's done!

No, this isn't a blackmail. I won't tell his officemates that thanks to pre- prepared Herta cookies, he was able to bring lots of cookies which made them ate with gusto. I just told him that mother's day is on Sunday and he should not forget the mother of his children. lol!

Gotcha babe!

Tout Ca Pour Ca!

It's been two weeks that the Philippine election has taken place and I feel so disappointed with so many things. Although this is my very first time to cast my vote after twenty five years of being away from my country, I had high hopes that things will change eventually for goodness sake.

The election for me was such a disaster. It is the most expensive election ever held in the world. Billions of pesos have been spent only to vote same people in power. The trapos! The oligarchs!

There has been killings, massive vote buying, cheating and machine counts manipulations and of course, those who are expected to win are the ones who got the moulah!


I feel so sad for those honest politicians who worked hard to put changes in our country with the likes of Gov. Padaca, Ed Panlilio, Beng Causing, Rusty Balderian, Andy Rosales, Roger Bantiles, Ramon Galineria, Toots Ople and others. They have the integrity but no enough money for their campaign.

I think about Dick Gordon who had exemplary achievements like Bayani and yet they never made it. They are the ones who I believe could help evolve the country for the better.

So, I feel so sad, really sad and disapppointed that the government has gone spending so much only to come up just the same...putting people, the oligarchs to power. Just like what the Frenchies would say....tout ça popur ça? (all that for that?)

It could have been a lot better have they used those astronomical amount to build infrastructures, houses and improve the educational quality. If only we have good quality education, people will know who to vote people with integrity. That voting is an individual and sacred right....and not to be sold by or be bought by a bag of grocery items or a kilo of rice.

Now, back to normal. Back to the same way of life. Many Filipinos will still cling to go abroad and work. The rich Filipinos will become richer and the poor become poorer.

The OFWs will continue working hard and sending money to their families and will continue suffering from homesickness and many more broken homes are expected to take place.

And there will be more Filipinos who will continue with their advocates helping others back home. They say, it's a way of giving back....really?

Sometimes, I can't prevent myself from thinking that it is not their obligation to do so. It is the Philippine government should perform its role. Helas, that is not the way it is going to be. For the politicians....filling up their pockets is their top priority. They are only good when election comes. Money flows everywhere....and who's money is that? It's the people's money!

Filipinos never learn indeed! Never!

Happy Birthday to Cynthia and Pierre! Wishing you both the very best.

Love from the family,

Mama, Papa and Mimi
Mathieu and Gregory

Two Birthdays in One

When Cynthia and Pierre were still very young, we used to celebrate their birthdays at the same time. Being born a day apart - Cynthia's birthday was May 27 and Pierre the next day, the 28th but with 6 years difference.

I used to bake just one cake and all we needed to do was after Cynthia has blown her candles, we would take the other six candles out and then light the rest and Pierre would take his turn to blow his.

I vividly remember these yearly celebrations intimately as family. The children were already in pajamas and impatiently waiting their dad coming home quite late in the evening from work to celebrate with him and the fact that they will never go to bed not unless they could have a look of their birthday presents that they have been waiting with excitements.

The house garage was an ideal place to celebrate the kids' birthdays where they could put some music and dance or play pingpong. There was also the garden where they could play and climb the cherry trees. Those were the good old days that even their friends would still remember.

How time passes so quickly. Cynthia is now 24 and Pierre be 18 tomorrow. As I try to look back, I just can't help but smile and try to close my eyes and reminisce the many birthdays which have gone by. Those were the happiness, simple happiness that I won't trade for anything else. Birthdays are important in one's life and I am grateful that I am still around and hopeful to enjoy more birthdays of my children. As long as I see them happy, then I would say that all the sacrifices given to them are are worth for.

Happy birthday Dyndz! Happy birthday Pi-Pierre!

Love from petite Momon.

My Family-My Treasure

My family is far from being perfect. It has flaws like any other families. We have difficult challenges from time to time and my husband and I try to do our best to maintain the unity we have established among us. As the children grow up, they develop their own character, make their own choices in which

sometimes we parents don't particularly agree and that's where the misunderstanding would commence and trying to find the right solution would somehow difficult to obtain. My children can be very nice but can be hard-headed as well.

As a mom, my children have clearly branded me as a "strict but a fair" mom. And sometimes they would reproach me as too dynamic that I stress them up. I really don't know if those are my assests or liabilities. And my husband would heartily agree and that's where the trouble begins!

I love my family. And this is so obvious! I don't need to tell everyone. It is evident. They can feel it. The children can see it. I don't need to tell them everyday how much I love them. They know it. I share their joy and sorrows. Their successes and their failures as well.

How many times have I encountered many crying moments because of their many heartaches? How many times have I traveled thousands of kilometers because someone needed mom to be beside her to comfort her? How many times have I been hurt because my beliefs and ideas don't necessarily fit to theirs any longer?

But despite of all those things, we are still together and I think this is necessary to undergo such exercises to bind us and keep us stronger and be closely knit. Those are challenges to make us learn from our own mistakes and we learn to respect each other's choices.
I don't know why I am writing this. I just feel that I need to let people know that in every family we are entitled to have trials in life.

Having my family is the best thing ever happened to me. And I am so grateful and proud that so far, our life is treating us the way we want it more or less to be. I can't complain or ask more. When I try to look around me, I would just give a big sign of gratitude and say, thank you Lord for giving me a wonderful treasure that I will cherish forever....MY FAMILY.

Having my two daughters getting married this summer gives me the joy and happiness of being promoted as a grandma sooner or later. Two additional wonderful members of the family is such a great welcome and looking forward to be surrounded with lots of bambinos to spoil and to love unceasingly!

Another Wedding in Summer 2010

This is Marie-Anne, my second daughter and her fiancé Mathieu. Announcing another summer wedding this year.

Marie-Anne and Mathieu are getting married this summer civilly. The church wedding will follow next year.

I have the same mixed feeling as the special day approaches since I am not only losing one daughter but two.

I don't know if the word losing is the right way to express it but I can't find any more suitable term to say it.

It's still hard for me to accept that time has quickly gone by. It was just only like yesterday when Marie-Anne was born a month before the due date where I was obliged to stay in bed when I was three months pregnant. She was a normal baby by birth considering that she came in advance.

Marie-Anne as a baby was very special. She always wanted me to have her in my arms until she fall asleep. She wasn't eating much and that made me so worried that whenever she asked for food, it was a fiesta!

As she was growing up, I can say that she was very cheeky. She's very curious and loves searching for hidden gifts especially when Christmas season comes.

And Pierre, her little brother would never forgive her when she revealed that Father Christmas does not exist when he was a little boy.

Marie-Anne is very independent and she aways like to be different from others. She's very friendly and very open. She would often invite her friends to come eat at home without giving any notice. That's Marie-Anne. Very spontaneous!

Like her sister, as Marie-Anne grew up, it was not always easy to deal with her. She had adolescent crisis. Tears and heart aches were abundant. I was asking again sometimes myself if I have been a good mom to her.

But we had good moments together too....especially when going shopping together.

As I prepare myself with the thought that Marie-Anne would soon leave the family cocoon, I strongly wish her the very best. Like evey mom would wish and hope for her daughter. I know that with Mathieu, she will be happy and they will offer me beautiful grandchildren to spoil and play with.

And I am impatiently looking forward to be promoted as a "lola" and soon be called "Mamisue" by my future grandchildren. What a wonderful feeling and joy that could be.

St. Martin's School Visit in Marcel Pagnol - Part 2

It was nice to see the kids again and feel the school atmosphere. I never went back to school since I stop working. It makes me feel nostalgic a bit.

Trying to talk with kids and make them participate with the activities.

The Marcel Pagnol kids presenting an English action song.

After the visit at school, I brought the English kids visit the "troglodyt" houses (houses hewn in the rocks which is very well-known her in Gouvieux.

Hoping to see the kids again next year. They seemed to enjoy their trip here in France and it's rather a very enriching experience both for the adults and for the children.

St. Martin's School in Dorking's Visit

It was great to see Anne and some staff of St. Martin's school in Dorking, England today accompanying 65 school kids to come and visit Marcel Pagnol in Gouvieux where I used to teach last year

Although I don't teach there anymore, I helped both schools coordinate and organize the English kids' visit. It was not easy as the French school had a blast and that prevented them from having normal classes for past few months.

The French children were happy and they tried to show what they have learned in English as well as their counterparts. Rather a great and enrcihing experience on both schools.

I brought them later to the vinveyard in Gouvieux and and also to visit the troglodyt houses.

Great Moments with Friends

It was like a marathon having our friends from Marseille Jean Pierre and Valerie with their son Alexandre. Their three day stay with us was was full of activities like visiting places around including Paris. First, we showed them Chantilly where the famous Chateau and its garden were a must to see including the museum for the "live horses" where a beautiful spectacles are made.

Then we went to Paris to watch a piece of show and visited Montmartre by night and then visited Louvre as well.

Not to forget the "maison troglodites" - (houses hewn in the rocks in Gouvieux and its vineyard.

We were with the Harles in Seoul and we hit t off the first time we met them. It happened that their son Alexandre and Pierre were classmates in French International School in Seoul.

We used to spend holidays together and now that we are all back to France, we try to meet and spend some time together when opportunity arises. Not forgetting to mention the plays we used to participate together.

Jean Pierre is a kind of person who loves to tell stories and relates them in detail. And Valerie is a talkative as I am if not more and she loves to sing in the karaoke.

We are set to meet again this summer and Jean Pierre and Valerie promised us to show their lovely Marseille along the coastline with a boat. Looking forward to it. Another summer blast ahead for sure!

Babysitting Alexandre

About three weeks ago, I suggested to babysit Alexandre when I heard about his little baby sister's hospitalization. Her mom has needed to be with the baby all the time and having Alexandre with her won't be easy.

It was such a great feeling to have this little boy in our home. Such a sweet little boy and so easy to manage. He gave us so much joy in our home that we felt our house a little empty when his dad came to pick him up.

Pierre took good care and played with him and he could have preferred that we could keephim a little longer.

It was not only a blessing to have extended assistance to a family in need but having Alexandre in our home was surely fun and have filled our home with love.

We are looking forward to having him again but in a better circumstance this time.

Thanks Alexandre for making us feel young again. And I think it's also a manner of preparing myself to become a grandma one day.

Wishing My Eldest Daughter the Very Best

I could hardly believe how time flies. As if it was only yesterday when Cynthia was being held sweetly in my arms the day she came into this world. I gave birth in Nice, the Clinique Mozart where it happened to have many births that time that I shared the room with 4 other moms.

It was my first baby and for me she was the most beautiful baby on earth. I remember the sweet feeling and pride being a mom the first time and how I smiled all the time and the happiness was so intense. I was the happiest mom and the proudest too.

As time passed by, Cynthia was growing to be a lovely and smart girl. She was always good in music and at school. At a very young age she could sing in great tune and beautifully.

Two years later after she was born, Marie-Anne came and then later Pierre. Cynthia has always been a good sister and protector to her younger siblings. Very responsible and I could always count on her in watching after her sister and her brother.

She has always been a good student. A kind of student that every teacher dream of. She's very studious and so organized. At a very young age, I left her do her homework by herself. She didn't really need my assistance. She was very independent.

When she turned 18, she left the family cocoon and pursued her studies and started living by herself. It was not easy for her nor us as she had to cope up with the new kind of life she got into. It was very challenging as going to medical school is not that easy especially being away from the family. It was good enough that her grandparents were just nearby and always ready to help and support her.

Two days from now.....on May 27 exactly, Cynthia is turning 24 years old and in two months time, she is getting married.

Yes, getting married to a young fine man. Gregory is his name. I still just can't realize that pretty soon, she is no longer my little girl but a fine wife ready to start a family like what I did same as her age.

As I look back, my relationship with my daughter was not always the ideal one as people could imagine. We had gone through some trying moments where tears were inevitable and abundant. Crisis were present that I had to question myself if I had done the right thing. if I had done my best role as a mom.

We had good moments too. We love going shopping and we discuss serious matters as well. She boosts my morale when I feel so down and has always those encouraing words for me. i love when she says, I am a warrior!

I still think about it as I help prepare her wedding. I have mixed feelings. Happy that I can see that she fell into the right person that I am sure that Gregory will make her happy and that they will have a blissful life full of children around them. Sad because, I am having the feeling that I am losing her although I am trying to reason out that it isn't true. She will always be my baby. The baby that I held in my arms 24 years ago who has grown up and ready to lead a new life and start a family like what I did myself.

Life is just like a cycle. I know that the children we bring our into this world are only loaned to us. That they will nevertheless leave us and lead their own lives once they reached the right age to do so.

All I could wish and hope is to see her successful and be happy in her future career and married life.

I am proud to see her and make her own choices.

And I want her to know that I am always there for her. That is what moms are for.

Enjoying Life Together

What a great way to discover nature in such a nice place such as this. We are in Bangsaphan, located in the south of Bangkok, Thailand around 385 kilometers away. A place where not known by tourists yet so it's still good to discover for its authenticity.

Philipe and I love traveling and we seek for places which are simple but with peace and quiet. We love to discover new things and deal with local people. The best way to feel the place and the atmosphere.

Bangsaphan has given us the joy of going around and learn many things around.

I think this is one of the best holidays we had and we always appreciate the moment of being together. Priceless indeed.