un-mommy mode

Sometimes I ask myself if I've lost my identity as an individual now that I've been working at home and taking care of my child and my husband. In school and here in our place, some people refer to me as "Joaqui's Mommy." Besides the fact that they don't know my name, I guess Joaqui's friendliness makes him well known. : ) I think that's how it is with stay-at-home moms or work-at-home moms - more often than not, we are so engrossed with household chores and a million other things in our list that we have to do that we forget how to be ourselves - how not to be a mommy or a wife, for at least a short period of time.

And this is why I am grateful for mommy friends and relatives because one way or another, they also feel the same way and so when we get together, we are just women who wants to unwind and talk about other things we are passionate about. Like for example when I stopped blogging, my mommy friends asked me why I stopped, and that I should go back to blogging because I'm good at it, or I should pursue culinary arts because I love to cook. These statements really make me feel good about myself because to me it means that I'm good at something else and that other people appreciate the things that I am capable of doing.

As shallow as it may seem, a text message from a thoughtful cousin made my day today. She texted me early in the morning asking me if I want to see The Script Concert with her because she has a free ticket for me. Although I replied late that I would love to watch the concert with her, she texted me this: "I thought of you first kasi personality wise you're game, tapos you're fun to be around with, and the coolest part is unlike many married women friends I know you know how to be an individual and not all the time dapat kasama si hubby. Bottom line Ate Jeng, I really think you're COOL :-) so I wish we can hang out together because I'm sure it will be FUN!"

Now I realize that even if I don't go out with friends as often, this still gives me a sense of balance in my life and I acknowledge the fact that at the end of the day, being myself is as equally important as being a good wife and mother.

jeng's home cooking blog

If you have been visiting my other blog, Jeng's Home Cooking, you might notice that I have not updated it for quite a while now. I will try to update it as soon as I can. I do not think that I can post recipes there for now because we are still not back in our house and I can't cook yet. I lost my oven and all my stuff for baking including my collection of cook books (sigh). But this will not stop me from writing my other gastronomic adventures and I hope to see you all soon at Jeng's Home Cooking.

it's good to be back

It's good to be writing again for my blog. I have been contemplating on whether to continue blogging as I did not know where will I find the strength to blog after all that has happened to us because of the typhoon Ondoy, which hit us hard, leaving us with no house and no car. We had to evacuate to our neighbor who has a 2nd floor and finally to leave our house and stay with my mother-in-law. I am just so thankful that we are all safe and no one was harmed. We were only able to save a few clothes, shoes and electrical appliances, including our laptop and desktop computer. We are now in the process of cleaning our house, which was submerged in mud and flood for almost a month, as the water in our area became stagnant.

It is really difficult to start over again, but with the help of our family and friends, I know that we will be able to recover what we have lost. For those who have extended their help to us, for the kind words and the encouragement you have given us, and for the prayers you have silently whispered for us, thank you and may God continue to bless you with your heart's desires.

joaqui the ring bearer

Joaqui was the ring bearer during his Lola Nene and Lolo Allen's 25th Wedding Anniversary and this was his real first major stint as a ring bearer. Unfortunately he did not walk down the aisle during the procession of the wedding entourage, but he did give the rings to the priest during the ceremony.

He looks more like a Congressman here than a ring bearer. : )

growing old with you

Twenty five years of marriage - that is what this couple just recently celebrated. This is hubby's Tita Nene (my mother-in-law's sister) and her husband Tito Allen who both came all the way from New Jersey to renew their vows and celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary with friends and family. I can't help but think how it must have been more challenging for them to hurdle the difficulties in their marriage because of culture differences. I believe they are blessed to have each other, for no matter how far apart their worlds were, they made a commitment to stay with one another in spite of and despite of the hardships their marriage had to endure. Their love and faith in one another kept them strong and this might have been what it means to "grow old with you."

thank you Genebei Faith!

Thank You Comments

I hope my simple thank you will suffice. I love the digital scrapbook greeting you made especially for my birthday. You are one of the bloggers that I admire because of the inspiring thoughts you write in your blog. Thank you so much.

Visit Her and History to see the greeting she made for me. She's always worth the read. ; )

God whispers

Dear Jennniffer,

Paths? There are a million in front of you.

Purpose? Just one.

So be flexible with Paths.

But unflinching with Purpose.

I believe you,

God

P.S. Be committed to your Purpose. Enormous joy and immeasurable blessings await those who are faithful to their purpose.

an ounce of prevention

Aside from the 46 confirmed cases of A (H1N1) in the country, dengue hemorrhagic fever is one disease I am worried about because of the wet season. There have been cases of dengue here in our area before, and so we are taking extra caution especially with Joaqui who likes to play outside the house.

According to the Department of Health, the disease is transmitted through a day-biting mosquito which lays eggs in clear and stagnant water. Because of this, we are observing the following prevention and control methods:

• Cover water drums and water pails at all times to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
  
• Replace water in flower vases once a week.
  
• Clean all water containers once a week. Scrub the sides well to remove eggs of mosquitoes sticking to the sides.
  
• Clean gutters of leaves and debris so that rain water will not collect as breeding places of mosquitoes.
  
• Old tires used as roof support should be punctured or cut to avoid accumulation of water.
  
• Collect and dispose all unusable tin cans, jars, bottles and other items that can collect and hold water.  
  

For more information on dengue, you can visit http://www.doh.gov.ph/healthadvisories/dengue

and for A (H1N1) http://www.doh.gov.ph/h1n1/.

anawangin through hubby's eyes

A lot of you may have heard of Anawangin Cove or have been there or have seen pictures of it. Anawangin Cove is a crescent shaped cove with a pristine white sand beach. The spread of it's famed beauty made it as one of the best beaches in the country. Last weekend, hubby together with the other members of NCP (Nikon Club Philippines), had their Grand Summer EB at Anawangin and I would like to share some of hubby's photos.

  

I'm so proud of hubby for taking these beautiful photos. I'm sure it's worth the boat ride and the trek : )

flowers for me

I received this last night when hubby came home from his two-day trip. Although it was Mother's Day yesterday, I was still surprised because I wasn't really expecting it. Thanks babes for the flowers!

 

To My Mommy Ofel

May you always know how appreciated you are,
May you never forget what a blessing you are to me.
May your sunshine always shine through,
and may your hopes and dreams find ways of coming true.

Happy Mother's Day!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Thanks Genebei of Her and History for letting me do this tag for mothers. I'm tagging all the mommy bloggers in my blogroll and here's wishing you all mommies a Happy Mother's Day!

my pledge

Today I have pledged my commitment for the Ako Mismo advocacy campaign. It is about making a stand and taking real action for the causes we believe in. It is creating ripples with a small drop of water, making a pledge that you yourself will take action that would hopefully make a big difference.

The happiness of every country depends upon the character of its people, rather than the form of its government. The choice is ours and I choose to start living and make a real positive difference.

 

Jeng's Home Cooking

Yep, I have another blog and it's all about food. Actually it's not a new blog, it was my medical transcription blog which I have not updated for quite a while, so I revamped it and made it into a blog about something really close to my heart.

I hope you'll visit me there and make yourself at home with Jeng's Home Cooking.

manic monday

It's just another manic Monday, I wish it was Sunday...and that is how the song goes. I can't help but sing it because today Joaqui's nanny left to attend to her sick mother in the province. It's just so sad because Joaqui has grown attached to her Ate Jane. She is not a perfect nanny/house help, but she definitely loves Joaqui and we can see it in how she takes care of him. She expressed interest in coming back when her mother is well enough, but I am not expecting it. I'm just thankful that I'm always here in the house, at least I get to take care of Joaqui while we're looking for a replacement.

It's just another manic Monday, I wish it was Sunday 'cause that's my fun day......

  

inspiration peak

"Believing in yourself is not just for you; it's for every person who has touched your life in a significant way and for every person your life will touch the same way five minutes from now, or five centuries from now." - Jaye Miller

Sometimes I find it hard to believe in my self, when times in my life are rough or when I am beseeched with problems. During these times I seek not only God's inspiration but also inspiration from other people as well. I try to remember that it is not only me who has problems and if other people have overcome the trials in their lives, so can I.

Christmas love

When I started working at Outsource Transcription Philippines, Inc., our group of friends started out a Christmas Give-Away Project wherein we solicited soaps and other personal hygiene products and gave these to the residents of Hospicio De San Jose. The following year and the years after that, we have made this a yearly Christmas Project and from Hospicio De San Jose, other institutions that we have visited included Anawim, National Bilibid Prison, Nayon ng Kabataan, Kanlungan ni Maria in Antipolo, Queen of Peace Convent in Bulacan, selected UP-PGH pediatric ward patients and families and children in Payatas, and street children in Manila and Quezon City. Every year we try to solicit from co-workers, friends and family - cash, old clothes, toys, blankets, soaps, and other things that can be given to the poor - and every year is a touching experience for all of us.

Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children and the elderly, the delight on a scavenger's face upon receiving a bag of goodies and the tears of joy from the elderly who have not been visited by friends or family for a long time - these are the unforgettable experiences for us that no amount of money could ever buy.

the elderly of Anawim

Christmas bags given to Queen of Peace Convent


Another Christmas Give-Away at Anawim

Christmas Party for the Payatas Outreach Community

at the National Bilibid Prison

Today we are on our ninth year of our yearly project and although we are all aware of how much harder it is to earn a living these days, we are still hoping that many of you will open their hearts and give a little love this Christmas, especially to the needy. They need our help and through this post, I humbly ask for your help. We accept cash, rice, canned goods, old clothes, toys, soaps and anything that may be of use to the needy. If you are currently reading this post, you can leave a comment if you would like to help, and from the bottom of our hearts, we wish you Merry Christmas and may He give you abundant blessings this coming year.