Family Retreat Day 4

Rommel & Rio fulfilled their promise to jog around the neighborhood. That way they found the talipapa (mini-market) so we now have charcoals for grilling, and fresh calamansi for sauce.

General cleaning! Plants get extra watering and kois are extra happy because they were fed early.

Prayer journal now had stick figures -- my first drawing entry. Dream house and dream of another baby (!).

Final outcome of russian egg art very satisfactory. Rommel made a note of us needing to do the same project back at home. Yey!

Later in the afternoon, we had dinner with the Clementes. Kids bonding, parents dreaming together. Lotsa laughter. And tea. Awesome time.

Homeowners back by 10PM. They seemed exhausted by the long drive, but looked refreshed by the trip overall.

Some soft music to cap the night...

Family Retreat Day 3

For yesterday -- Sunday!

Went to DCBC in the morning. Butch led the worship. KC expounded on the crucifixion account. No one in the family had part in the service except sing, pray, and listen. A retreat, too, in that sense.

Finished the remaining 3 easter eggs - we had to make new ones, because one cracked and the two others won't dry! We used too much tinting color I guess. This time we resorted to liquid crayola instead. Cool pastel colors, and quick drying too.

Started a new sketch: a baby in a rotavirus info brochure, which I got from one Mommy Academy event.

Loaded some music onto the laptop. (Happiness found in Mr. C's The Sacred Works of Ryan Cayabyab, Chin-chin's Uyayi, and Josh Groban's Closer).

Taboo rematch: we lost, as in completely no chance of making a comeback, huhuhu. Score was 13 to 45 in favor of Rio and Papa's team. Go R-R!

Bought fresh and nice-looking bangus for grilling on Monday. It will go with pinakbet (glad we found eggplants in the round variety on our way home). Yumm!

Family Retreat Day 2

(This was supposed to be yesterday's entry.)

In between relaxation activities (yes, chores included ... the therapeutic ones anyway!) I checked mails for a concept paper being reviewed by a team of friends.

Anyways, the day was "light" in that there was no stressful moment, but it was full nonetheless:

- Sketching exercises by Rio and I (we'll be taking art lessons from a friend this summer). She did a sketch of the tissue holder's flower design and copied a girl face from a children's activity book.

I tried my hand at a cartoon (Sophia, the tenth muse in B. Amoss' book), a portrait (Ignatius Loyola), and a stylized art (african design from a coffee mug).


- The three of us tried to make Russian egg art (or easter eggs!?) as a thank you gift for the homeowners who made this retreat possible. On one side a lettering of the family name (one letter per egg) and a drawing of a Philippine national symbol that starts with that letter (e.g. A = Anahaw). Took most of the day and early night, trying to find designs, leftover paints, and searching the house for pentel pens and scrap lace. In the end we finished 2, while allowing the 3 others to dry. Fun!

- Rommel watched back episodes of GO Negosyo on youtube. GO mahal!

- Fave music for the day: Bahay Kubo (Timeless Filipino Folk Music in Classical Guitar), Acoustic Hymns Volume 2, Praise Music OPM Sampler.

- Lotsa green tea for me. Local herbal teas for Rommel.

- Rio ate 3 eggs for snacks (growing girl)! Will make sure to get her something to munch on tomorrow after church.

- Played Taboo! Team B (Leslie & I) won over Team A (Rio & Rommel). A rematch scheduled for next night.

- Made polvoron (Ninang Elaine's order from Rio; pasalubong for the Lolo & Lola in Cavite).

- Of course, at the end of the day, had to list our expenses separately. We're doing a 2-week daily list, then re-structure our budget. Larry Burket's advise. He's been our guru since day 1 of marriage. (Not that we were diligent pupils anyway, but we're trying. And now trying harder. Good!)

Family Retreat Day 1

More like Day 2, actually. Last night at 10PM we arrived at this warm and friendly home (Okay, I admit I'd like to call it a "dream abode". Major Confession.), which we will house-sit for the next 4 days. (Again, a misnomer -- we were actually given this treat, a vacation in a peaceful awesome place where we can relax and just be.) Got the keys, important phone numbers, and off to a very restful night.

Breaking out easily into a lovely morning that was today.

Rommel: Quiet time.Book Reading, Brennan Manning's "The Importance of Being Foolish". Errands (get Rio's report card , buy DVD, polvoron ingredients, fetch laptop and my sketch pad.). Taught Rio chores (feeding fish). Rest. Check emails. Read. TV.


Jing: Prepare meals. Book Reading, Berthe Amoss' "Pencil Prayer". Taught Rio chores (watering plants). Rest. Read. Draft a project brief. Check emails. Read to Rio "The Littlest angel". TV.

Rio: QT. Breakfast. Feed goldfish, feed kois. Water plants. Jigsaw. Imagination Game. Computer game. Prepare snacks. Rest. Read. Pretend play. TV. Bedtime story.

Nyt nyte! :)

Bacon-Mushroom Pasta

My attempt at the pasta dish which Rommel immediately loved (thanks, Ate Frances for the recipe!)



Cook bacon, set aside.
Saute finely chopped onions, garlic, and sliced button mushrooms in bacon oil. Add cream and evaporated milk, low fire. Mix with cooked pasta, crushed bacon, cheese, salt and pepper. Top with remaining bacon & cheese.
Serve with garlic bread.

Nakindatan ka na ba ng pusa?!?!?

Ito si Kapitan.

Siya ang dahilan kaya ako ngayon ay nagpapakain ng pitong pusa. Samantalang noong bagong lipat kami dito, araw-araw ibang strategy ang sinubukan para lamang huwag makapasok sa kusina ang mga pusa(kal) na ito. Tuwing umaga kasi kinakalkal nila ang aming basura(!).

Hanggang isang araw, kami ay nagwagi. Sa wakas. O yun ang akala ko. Nang hindi na sila makapasok, nakikisilip na lang sila sa aming bintana. Kaya minsang nakatitig siya, aba nakititig din ako. At sa hindi inaasahan, ako ay kanyang --- tama ka --- kinindatan! Sa buong buhay ko ngayon ko lang nalaman na marunong palang kumindat ang pusa.

Niweys, fast forward ... dahil sa isang kindat na yon, isinuko ko ang batalan. Sige na nga, friends na tayo. Ha?!? O siya pati mga friends mo friends ko na rin (demanding ka ha).

At doon nga nagsimula ang isang panibagong relasyon.

Hmp. Pero bawal ka pa rin sa bahay ko ha. Pinag-iisipan ko pa. Kaya mula ngayon, sa bubong tayo magtatagpo. Doon kayo kakain, intiende?

At yun na. Bow. (Err.. Meow.)

We have moved!

From the former Student Center of the Diliman Campus Bible Church (where we served as houseparents for almost 4 years) in Project 6, we now rent a small apartment at San Francisco, Del Monte, in Quezon City.

Bagong bahay ... bagong parol!











... bagong tambayan!











... at bagong friends!











...welcome to our new neighborhood!:)

Graduation Newsletter

Dear friend,

God’s grace and faithfulness are truly amazing! I am happy to let you know that I successfully finished the Master in Development Management Program from the Asian Institute of Management on July 11, 2008.
My family would like to thank you for all your prayer and support for the past 11 months.
My Sabbath Year ends this month, and I am so glad that I acted on the Lord’s prompting to take the year off for rest, retooling, and redirection. It was a time of exposure to development activities within the Asian region, intensive multicultural experience, and a truly remarkable encounter with the Father who supplied our needs according to His riches.
What’s next? To be honest, I have no definite answer except to say that I am waiting on the Lord. What I shall do for the longer term remains a matter of continuous discernment for the family. So, if you could please continue to pray with us, the following are the apparent options for me (in random order):
a) Full-time consultancy;
b) Employment with an INGO;
c) Resume ministry with Compassion International.

Meanwhile, I do consultancy with four nonprofit organizations, helping out with community-based project management and training.

We are blessed to have you part of our network of supporters. Once again, thank you for coming alongside us in this journey, and do let us know how we can pray for you, too!

Much love from our family to yours,
Jing

celebrating a beautiful disaster

Yesterday Rommel and I turned 9. What started as a beautiful disaster (read: hilarious wedding, which I plan to write about after MRR defense week!) is still going strong. Still disastrous, still beautiful, marriage.

We celebrated by dining out (courtesy of a friend's gift) at Kamay Kainan in Trinoma (QC), an eat-all-you can chain featuring all Pinoy food. We were planning on Banana Leaf, but found they had no branch here, and we didn't feel like walking to the other mall. Rio was happy with the news, because KK is her favoritEST place.

As we were savoring our third trip to the buffet table (by this time we were onto the seafoods: Guinataang Kuhol, Tahong Soup, Inihaw na Tilapia, Mangga't Bagoong, Tempura, Sinigang na Hipon, Pritong Alimasag) we played a game of You-can-ask-what-you-want-from-mama-&-papa, obviously with a single player. Rio's queries revolved mostly on dating stuff. This one was a winner: Since you are now married 9 years, what are 9 things you love about each other?

Knowing Rio, each one of course had to be backed up by example, but am not writing that here for fear of turning the place mushy. With burps and chews in between:

Mama'a answer
Papa is...
1. Guwapo
2. Thoughtful
3. Funny
4. Hardworking
5. Matulungin sa kapwa
6. Masarap magluto
7. Willing to sacrifice
8. Wise decision-maker
9. Loving

Papa's answer:
Mama is...
1. Maganda [Cheh! gaya-gaya hehe ...]
2. Matapang
3. Thoughtful
4. Patient
5. Smart
6. Malambing
7. Understanding
8. Hindi madamot sa kapwa
9. Loving

We are too caught up with the routines in life, it takes a little child to help us remember these things sometimes.

Thank you, Rio. You gave us the best Anniversary reflection, in addition to the awesome hand-made album you made especially for this day. We love you, baby.

Takin' a break :D

Havana Family KTV here we come! Err..came, and went. We did visit a couple of days back, and found out that the hourly rate is non-consumable -- which is very reasonable, actually. But I was out for a good bargain, so no thanks this time :(

Driving off, moving on...Try Encore! Encore? Sure! Off to SM North ... huwaaat? No more Encore! The space was being re-constructed for a fastfood chain. Tongkantangtong para Chowking. Ok :(





But wait! There's more! How bout the KTV at the foodcourt? Aha! The video-game-arcade has come up with a fantabulous idea --- videoke rooms! Except it's limited to 10 songs at a time :) Good enough! Plus, you are right smack where the food is, baby.




Cheap thrill? Priceless fun! And oh, Rio had a blast 'coz she's literally a step away from the arcade games. (won some, too!)


Now that's a real good time!!! That's all folks :)

the devil wears prada

Lately, Rio's bedtime reading has been "Mangga Messiah", a gift she received from Tito Ram last year. It is the New Testament in amazingly cool Japanese anime.

On Tuesday she got to the story of the healing of the demon-possessed man from Gadarene and saw something that really upset her.

"Eeeee! Mama! Bakit lalaki si Satanas dito sa drowing?!?! Mali ito!"

[What do you mean, anak...]

Lalaki kasi siya dito, e di ba babae si Satanas?

[Anudaw? Aaaa...bat mo naman nasabing babae siya?]

E di ba nga siya ang PINAKAMAGANDA sa lahat ng angels? E di babae siya!

[May powent ka, anak. Hmmm...e ganyan talaga madalas idrowing ng mga tao ang devil, palaging lalaki...Pero sa pagkakaalam ko hindi siya babae o lalaki kasi hindi naman siya tao...]

Ah...e kung nagkatawang tao Siya? Lalake ba siya o babae?

[Hindi ko din po alam e, kasi wala pa akong nabalitaang nagkatawang tao siya.]

Aha! Siguro nga lalaki siya kung sakali, kasi si Jesus lalaki nung nagkatawang tao.

[pwede ba mag call-a-friend?]

The Colors of Blessing (7 in '07)

On Christmas day we decided to make an artwork as a thanksgiving for 2007. Rommel listed down what needed to go in the thing, Rio took care of the drawings and I, well, made the border (lil stick figures)-- fun, fun, fun! This colorful masterpiece actually represents seven of our major faith encounters for the year (the "minors" would number a million).

R.A.I.N.B.O.W. of blessings, indeed!

R - etreat: We were blessed to experience and enjoy the Caliraya Recreation Center in Laguna, the Peninsula de Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas and Fort Ilocandia in Laoag City (for free)!


A - llergy-free. Rommel has recuperated from chronic allergy, just at the right time when we needed to cut on budget. More than the financial relief, we were grateful for the end of his painful ordeals with the needle everytime he visited the dermatologist.


I - t's a Party! Rio celebrated her 7th birthday this year. Family and friends are her greatest gifts from God!


N - ew school - Rio's transition into her new school (Neo-vision School) was easier that we imagined, thanks to friendly faculty and schoolmates! But before that, summer was doubly fun as she joined Trumpet's acting workshop, sponsored by Promil!


B - ack to school! I took the Sabbath year off work to get a master's degree at AIM --- the biggest leap of faith for us this year.


O - pportunities for growth! We are glad to have been involved in a study group for young couples, a weekly care group with the UP Diliman Navigators alumni, the DCBC Youth for my sister Matet, and continuous service opportunity as houseparents to the DCBC Student Center. Growing in faith through different communities have helped us go through a challenging year.


W - elcome to the family! The latest addition to the growing clan is PJ (Paul Jeremiah), who tied the knot with my sister Marjorie in December.


PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!

Purr-fect

DO NOT AIM FOR A PERFECT MARRIAGE - there is no such thing, says Manong Willie at today's discussion group. Four or five of us young couples meet every month to discuss about marriage, using Manong's book "To Have and To Hold".

This afternoon we had the privilege to hear directly from the author himself, and he has this to say: Strive only to improve the relationship.

How?

We have heard the answer a million times. Proven true a million times, too. C-O-M-M-U-N-I-C-A-T-I-O-N. Manong says 95% of all problems have to do with communication.(The remaining 5% is due to deliberate wickedness -- hah!).

Two words for me: SHUT UP. Communication involves listening, and that's where I fail most of the time, at least with my hubby.

So okay, wish me the best, because I'm shutting up now. (I'm glad wiser people tell us what we need to know.)

Peace on earth!

Sigh Moment

I have been alone for 4 days now. Rommel and Rio are already on vacation in Dagupan, and my sister is in Bayambang.
*************
I hope to follow on Wednesday night. That is, IF I have enough time to squeeze into the already piling up homeworks and readings.
*************
"Are you alone or are you lonely?" asked my classmate Murty. (Hmmmm...nadale mo.)
*************
Anyways, it did not help that at least two people asked this week about the wisdom of my pursuing this MDM degree in AIM. (Too tired to make patol ha. Lets just say I have asked that a million times myself. But right now, it is too improper for me to ask (or be asked) again. I am almost 2 months into it already! No turning back, no turning back.)
*************
My friend, for your peace of mind, please know that this has been a step of faith for me. I may not know the answer to the WHY, but I am quite sure that this is the WHAT.
*************
PLUS a friend feels bad about me for something I did not intend to do (or say). Sorry po ulit :(
*************
Sigh.
*************
Sighs are good. I can breathe in the Lord's comfort each time.
*************
Sigh.

Transitions

R: Mama, pag nag-resign ka ba ay hindi na tayo puwedeng pumasok sa office nyo?
J: Puwede pa naman, pero sa 2nd floor na kasi yun ang common area.
R: Ganun po ba? (Long Pause)
Palagay ko mama, ikaw lang ang bawal sa 3rd floor.
J: Ha? Bakit?
R: Kasi, hindi naman ako nag-resign e.
(Ayos.)

Haberdi

Kay Tata, salamat sa walang kasawa-sawang

pakikinig ...

pagdamay ...

pagpapatawa ...

pang-aasar ...

gudtaym ...

badtaym ...

Waaaah ... all da taym!

labu! misu!

Sana'y marami pang pagpapala ang dumating :)

Maligayang bati! :)