It's Patriots Day in School

If you do not know by now, my kids go to Quincy Public. Also, I ltoo should know, I am a huge sports fan--- particularly football and basketball. But--- I am crazy over Tom Brady of the Patriots. 

Today, I was glad the first question of Josh was--- "mom, where's my Patriots' jersey?" 

Here are my lovely kiddos. Sadly, high school I believe don't do spirit days anymore. 

Then Josh' fiends from his old school came to see him!  

I bet Mr. Hubbs will be glued to the TV eventhough he is working tomorrow night! 

Go Pats! It's so good to be a Bostonian when you are a sports fan---- Celtics, Sox, Bruins, Pats and the Revs!

New Year's Celebration

First things first: I was sick since the Sunday before the new year. So sick, I took 6 500mg Tylenol at 4pm hoping I'd be better for the new year. Nope, made me drowsy and by the time I woke up, I was at Wollaston ( my regular stop) stood up as fast and upon realizing I wasn't supposed to get off there, I went back right in but by then the doors have closed and I fell.to.the.platform--- face first. No, I never told anyone, no one cared enough to ask, I had one bruise on my right knee but I just attributed it to my pain killing skills. Ha! Anything to drown the pain. 

I took the kids to my in-laws where few friends and family celebrated new year with us. 

I am telling you, I have the most amazing friends. From non-sense talks to deep politics--- we can talk all about it. 

But my fave shots are the ones with my little munchkins!

I think it's Allen's debut on my blog! 

Jem and Ate KC!

And this kind of pictures are my fave. Depicts true meaning of family time. 

Hey KC, what with the eye?

On New Year's Day, we went to see few ice sculptures in Boston! 

Then we all decided to eat. Why not?

Then I woke up to this:

Oh bliss!

How about you, how's your new year?

 If I may be honest, my life is not perfect, far from it. But those who matters to me I know love me back and that's all I care. Sure, we need to vent, cry secretly, endure pain silently but in the end--- love triumphs, family wins and above all--- I rise --- slowly, heck-- painfully but I do. This year I claim it. It's for me. I love me. Because without that, I can't love back and I can't forgive and forget. Who am I kidding, I can't even construct a sentence properly because I am sobbing while typing this blog entry. When people really get to know me, they are amazed on how I live my life inspite of. There's  no trickery or facade I create, I just choose to be happy. I choose to care for and love my family. I choose to get up and rise every single morning and see the beauty of the world inspite of the darkness of the night. I get lonely and vengeful sure, but that's just for a moment. I shake it off and put a brave face on. 

The consequences of carrying the burden of pain is too much. It isn't hypocritical to smile inspite of either. It's life. It's life. It happens. Just think about the consequences of your words, actions to the people you say matters to you. Look at it this way, if you can trash talk your friends and loved ones--- what does it say about them? How about to you? If you built a family, stand by it, stand by them. If you have a friend, support her/him--- the only time you can be called such is when you actually defended your friend without their presence. 

How can you care for other children when you can't even care for your own? How can you greet your friends when you can't even kiss your wife, how can you plan a party when you can't buy a gift for your best friend? 

It's never too late to see the goodness of the people close to you. Sometimes we look too far for love or friendships or attention we neglect the people who loved you when you were no one and most likely to be there when you're by your lonesome. 

For this 2015, I want all of you to know, I'm not always the happy person you see. I have my own pains and sufferings, sometimes it's even hard to be me. 

I just rambling now. And crying and hurting. Happy new year, hope you're all happy!

Cousins' Before and After Christmas Picture

My kids and my niece's kids are very close. FYI, my niece is married to my husband's nephew, so being close to each other is easy! They hang out together all the time--- movies, library, parks, museums, beaches and even movie marathons!

Here is a picture of them when Jem was not even a year old. It was Christmas 2009 after hearing mass on Christmas Day. 

Here is the 2014 version! Crazy how time flies! 

I can't believe how our little angels are grown so fast! Hanging out with them is the highlight of my holiday season. 

How about you? What is the highlight of your Christmas?

Christmas 2014

It's been a wonderful time! I am surrounded by my loves! 

The following photos were taken before taking off to a Christmas lunch hosted by my niece Fridah!

But my favorite is...

Confession: I messed up! We were supposed to attend the 9pm mass on Christmas Eve but my brothers-in-law came and they played tong-it's with Mr.Hubbs and my closest friends came over for dinner!  Missing in the picture: Dikong Ric--photographer!

Anyway, that changed the plans. So then, I decided to do the 9am mass. Unfortunately I realized later on that Mr.Hubbs would not be home by then. Ok, let's do 6pm. Ha! We drove there and the church was closed! Hahahahah! Senior moment--- that mass was for the 24th! We hurried home and we read the gospel and readings of the day with our Advent candles lit. Also, the kids and I took turns to read. Afterwards, I asked each one to share what they love best about Christmas and we shared. Pherry said he likes that everyone in general is just happy and nice. KC said she likes gifts and Josh shared he likes reunions of family, the parties! I asked Chris and it broke my heart when he said " nothing, I just miss Nanay." 

Being home for the last few days, off this Christmas week just reiterates that I made the right decision. Yes, I don't make as much money as before but I do have lots of priviledges like taking time off when I need to. Family time is priceless! 

Soon the kids will have their own lives and all I have to hold on to are memories of this time of the year. I treasure these time with them. 

Merry Christmas my dear loves!

Brag Day

Last Wednesday, Josh asked to look over his recipe --- porkolt pot pie, apparently a Hungarian staple. It's part of their geography class. 

Thursday, I came home and I was asked to close my eyes! OPEN! 

TOP CHEF! My baby is the top chef. Is this a sign? He has been telling us he wants to go to culinary school and I have been a little reluctant. 

Yesterday, KC got her report card too and it's all As and no, that is not the brag! It is the fact that Math was A+! Unbelievable! Way to go my darlings!

Happy Saturday. #lovelovelove

So, to celebrate, we went on a date! Just the three of us! Dad is sleeping and Kuya is at a robotics competition, of which I had to drop him off at 6:30am! 

My Boys

You know how when you're young, you always fight with your siblings. Certainly, my kids are the same. But, more often than not, I see how they admire each other. 

I came home last week and Josh was like, " Mom, Wentwort sent a letter to Kuya." We've been receiving so many letters from different colleges but for some reason Chris is focused on this one school--- Wentworth Institute of Technology. I don't know if it's rebellion against my pushing him towards the well-known schools in Boston. When I gave him the look, Josh was like " Mom, don't worry, I didn't open it, I just texted him so he gets to open it himself."

Here's the text message;

Aren't they cute? 

This is my Kind of Sunday

I decided today is the day to start my holiday decorations. Remember that--- start. I never promised finished! 

Here's my mess.

 

But that's not the important part. Let's focus on the good times, shall we?

... my loves playing around!

http://youtu.be/yCTOw2tritk

My Road to American Naturalization

Most times I decide intellectually---I decide base on what's right, correct and easy. My naturalization is one thing I know I need to decide emotionally. Most people I know decide on it based on convenience-- they need it for work, easier travel or economic reasons. All those, I respect.

 For me, I need to be ready, I need to do it because I can say I can give the same dedication as I have given my mother country. I have been eligible to apply since 2004, as a wife of an American citizen. But life got to me. With 3 children, a career to start and a new world altogether at 26, I was thrust into uncharted territory for someone who has always been surrounded by loved ones-- never once have to decide life's major decisions without family. Needless to say, feeling that connection took a backseat. Besides, I was enjoying my American life and all the beauty and benefit of this great country without being a citizen. I have always been a good citizen--- someone who involves my life in the community that gives my family so much! 

What was the defining moment then, you ask. When Osama Bin Laden was killed, I was at my evening shift job. It wasn't about the killing. It was about the respect they did inspite of the fact that they could have done so much more damage-- our soldiers need not respect the Muslim tradition of the dead at that point, but they did. That, started my desire, I knew then I am in the right country. If I was to give up my allegiance to my beautiful and beloved Philippines, this was it! 

The United States of America is no doubt without its fault but the beauty of it all is that each one of us has a voice into all that flows in this land. It isn't perfect and yet as I looked around the hall today, there were so many different "kind" of people still clamoring to be part of it. The enigma and welcoming warmth is strong. 

I know my children will not be shielded from poverty, war and inequality. But I also know, they will be resilient Americans who are champions of liberty, freedom and justice. For that is what America is--- a cradle for all, by all! 

So today, I gave up all allegiance to any nation, including my beloved Philippines. I will always be a Filipina but today, I choose to be American--- all mind, body and soul. I decided because I love this country with all it's fault but most importantly with all its greatness. Because it is that--- America the great! 

It is a well-thought of decision made by the heart and mind. Most American-born do not appreciate what they have. We are too critical of our leaders, too lenient to those who destroy what it stands for and too arrogant to accept that this country is  great because of its people. Look around and realize that inspite of the supposed hatred of the world against it, there are people willing to die just to breath the freedom we so casually shrug. If only each one of you go through the same application process I did, maybe- just maybe, the prize of being Anerican is more valued, therefore we will treasure it much more.

Thank you to everyone I've met who in one way or another, contributed to my decision. My American experience has been great! My journey is a long one in this land but I know, being American, it will be worth it! 

My certificate.

During my interview appointment, Nov. 8th 2014.

How happy you say, THIS happy!

Ok, here it is! The cheesy shot! 

Where to now? With the blue passport, I can go anywhere, baby!

My Journey

Today is another step towards my US journey. A few months ago, I filed for my US naturalization. I have been eligible since June 2013 but for so many reasons - personal and financial, I never got to it. 

Well, today is my interview. Super duper early 0815 on a Saturday morning but I was psyched so much I was up by 2am. 

Lucky to be dropped off by my niece Fridah. My kids all came in It was at the federal building in Boston. I arrived just in time to have enough time to check-in and settle down a little bit. 

Our Local Fall Outdoor Shop

Let's get this out--- I love Fall! 😘😘😘

Anyway, after our own version of photoshoot last Sunday, I was thinking of going thrifting. I haven't been for a very long time. I've forgotten that besides my fave thrift shop is the garden center. It was such a beautiful set-up I can't resist going instead.

First, my thrifted brand new shoes. Don't you love finding pretty stuff for cheap?

The whole place was so beautif I felt like there's no need to go leaves peeping!

 

I was with KC only coz the boys decided to stay in the car. She was sneaking some pictures while I was picking what mums and pumpkins to buy.

I love the colors of spring but the Fall colors is just more vibrant. 

What about them big pumpkins?

I forgot what this is called but it looked like bulate. Hahahahah. Or snake ready to bite. 

These I know--- they're ghost pumpkins! 

I'll share some colorful pictures!

When I was younger my sister Joy had a friend who owns cornfields and I don't quite remember seeing these colorful corns.

I can't get enough of my princess and the colors of Fall! Tomorrow, we are going to the Berkshires! Woohoo!

How about you? What's your fave season? How do you spend weekends with your family?

* all pics taken using iPhone 5 only.