Tuesday, January 19, 2016

College Application Updates

Hello!

I don't think I told you about Pherry's non-acceptance to MIT. Yes, he did not get in. But that's alright. He said it doesn't mean he wasn't good enough, there are just 1500 more students in the whole world smarter than him that they can actually accept. Way to go for that fighting spirit Kuya! 

Anyways, if you follow me on my social media, you know he got accepted to Wentworth Institute of Technology. Coincidentally, it's the first acceptance as it was the first college we visited this summer. Cool ha! They offered academic scholarship for half-tuition guaranteed for 4 years if he maintains an average of whatever, I forgot. All I know is that he said, that's nothing. Way to go Kuya! Seeing the pattern yet of my son's fighting spirit?

But you're not here for those news above! You are here because he got accepted to UMASS. UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS. Not too impressed? Well, what if I told you he is offered the Chancellor's scholarship? What does that mean? Full tuition and other mandatory fees amounting to $12,500. Coupled with the Abigail Adams scholarship he received last year, we basically don't have to pay a single penny! Not a single penny! Wait wait! There's more! He is accepted to the Honor's College of the Umass School system. It's the rigorous program at all the UMASS academic schools. Shut the front door! I am super duper proud of my first born! What am I going to do with all the money I saved for his college education? Hahahahahah. Just kidding my dear friends. 




Anyways, all these scholarship are merit/ academic ones. We have not gotten any financial scholarship just yet. That would really supplement all his needs. But who needs financial aid when you can use--- you know--- brain powers to pay for anything! Kidding again. Just being funny as I am super psyched!

Awaiting for other schools so we can all finally move on. Ha, why save for college education when you can invest in your child. Focus on them, nurture them, be with them and you don't have to pay a penny! 


Monday, January 11, 2016

Conversations in the Kitchen

Apparently I have been marked at Quincy High's basketball games that my presence is requested for the game tomorrow. After I refused to go coz KC's been telling me how her coaches ask about me after the Quincy vs Plymouth game, here's the convo by the kitchen tonight;
KC: mom, you gotta go. Please!
Me: I am not. Hahahahah 
Josh: mom, I won't go so you can go. I'm not gonna stop you from cheering. Also, now we will be one of the notable Quincy families. We will be the most fun family. You know. (As he pretends to be a funny guy)
KC: and mom, dress up like you're going to  your friend from Lexington and Tita Leila's) coz we're playing against(?) you know those fancy moms who are so snobbish. ( does a b*tchy mom impersonation)
Me: who you playing? Lexington, Hingham? Sharon? Weston?  
KC: no, ( I am censoring as I friends from that town) we're playing ...
Me: oh please they can shove it. 
Josh: burn! 

Moral lesson: I am not from those towns mentioned above. I am poor. Hahahahah. 

Sunday, January 3, 2016

2015 in Review

Hello 2016. Hello everyone. Happy new year. 
I don't do resolutions nor do I do bucket lists. I used to do goals but most of it don't happen especially my travel ones so I have decided to go with the flow. 

2015 is a great year. It didn't start well believe me. I spent the first nights of 2015 crying and nursing some deep pain. But then I decided to make it so much better, because I can. Yes, leave the things you can't control and decide to be happy as that is something you can do without permission. Yes, you do not need permission to be happy. 

Winter in Boston was epic bad. It broke all records but we were all safe and I thank God for that. But it also meant longer school year for the kids as they had to make up classes. I was also grateful for my job as it allowed me to stay with the kids during this harsh winter. 
In the spring, the kids continued to grow and some of the teenager angst they had have slowly melted away like the winter snow. We have family issues as much as the next door neighbor but nothing we can't win over. 
This year made me also prayerful. I prayed all the time. Everytime I start to feel pain or start to struggle, I pray. Also, I pray on bended knees now. I did so in 2014 when I was in professional rut and I continued to do so. It gave me deep peace and unprecedented understanding and patience. I am not claiming I am religious because I am not nor am I claiming to be a saint as I am nowhere near that. All I am saying is that when I have no one to hold on to or nothing to root for in life, prayer kept me going. 

Summer was great as we spent it with family in Montreal. As always, Josh and Karmina love spending time there. When I can afford to be off the whole summer, I'd like to spend it with my sisters and nieces and nephew in Montreal. It's a beautiful city and my relatives spoil me. It's also this summer that we started going to colleges to scout for Pherry. It's a learning process for me too as I did not go to college here in the US. I was glad I brought the two younger kids as they were able to get a glimpse of the much needed requirements of they wanted to go to good schools. But I also realized, it isn't really just about grades but the total package. I say it again, I am not one of those parents who pushes their kids too much.

The sentence above was where I stopped and I couldn't think of anything to add so instead golf keeping this on my "draft" I'll post it. 
I hope to be a better blogger soon.