Celebrating Lent in 2016

Every year Lent Weekly Reflections booklets are handed out to parishioners and I always make it a point to get one for the family so we can do our own reading and reflections at home.

Our First Official Thanksgiving

Last year, during our fall/winter holiday in the West Coast, we were fortunate to be able to spend Thanksgiving with our family in Arizona. It was our first Thanksgiving and I was all too excited about it. The catch though was that we had to drive for about 8 or so hours from Pasadena all the way to Arizona and arrive there in time!

As with the spirit of Thanksgiving goes, I am so grateful that we made it there safe and sound. Having to spend it with my cousin who is also my childhood best friend.

There are so many things to be thankful for, not only last year but the years before that and the years that will come. For the lessons learned, for the blessings received, for the friends I've made and the struggles I have overcome.

2015: A Year of Celebrations

Don’t we all want to have good stories written in our book of life? I sure want that for me and my family. As 2015 is a momentous year for Singapore commemorating its 50^th national day, there are several activities lined up leading to the month of August when the grand celebration will happen. This year also marks a number of special anniversaries and special events close to our heart.

Sentimental Seventeen

“We are told that people stay in love because of chemistry, or because they remain intrigued with each other, because of many kindnesses, because of luck. But part of it has got to be forgiveness and gratefulness.”

- Ellen Goodman

"Love doesn't mean anything if you're not willing to make a commitment."

- Nicholas Sparks

There is no better way for me to describe how our roller coaster relationship had survived almost two decades (November 8) than with the quotes above. It all started with the word "commitment".

An emotional birthday surprise

*Photo courtesy of Alvin Valera

"Friends are the family we choose for ourselves." - Edna Buchanan

Every year since 2007 I celebrate my birthday with two wonderful friends, Karen and Beth, over dinner and we end up chatting the night away. I've met them in an online forum in 2006 and we've been close friends since then. They are my soul sisters and we share stories about parenting, mothering and coping with living in Singapore. This year though, it was quite tough to pick a date that was convenient for all of us. Recently, Beth has been busy with her business travels, I have been swamped with parent volunteer events, and Karen was the one trying in vain to book a date for my birthday gathering. 

Partying at 37

A birthday is a time for fun and celebrations. I don't usually have a big one but a simple lunch or dinner with the family and dinner out with close friends will do. This year though, when I was swamped with several school events, had children's parties to attend to, and free schedules not in sync with those of my friends, I thought I'd be turning 37 at a low. Boy, how wrong was I....

Counting my Blessings

Oftentimes I find myself caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, my days filling up with "I should haves" and "why didn't Is", complaining about things I couldn't do or couldn't have instead of appreciating what I have and what I can do. The constant thoughts of what must be done and the endless to-do lists flood my ever over-thinking (analyzing and reanalyzing) mind. I fail to remember that I am just human and I need time to sit down, relax and let go once in a while (or should I say often?). And simply just be thankful.

I'm a Kryptonite

Go figure! A periodic table would help. 

The gift of forgiveness

36 years and counting - of friendships, family relations, new challenges, victories as well as setbacks.

For my birthday last year, I've listed down all the people, places, and events that I am thankful for - the blessings I've received and continuously relishing. This year, I thought I would want to focus on the one thing that I thought was somehow holding me back from having a really meaningful and enjoyable life moving forward - forgiveness.

Thanksgiving 2012: 35 years of gratitude

A blog of Thanksgiving - a long-delayed birthday blog of appreciation - to all the blessings I received (be it people, places, things or events) this year and for the past 35 years.

Back from a 21-day holiday

I guess we've all been quite busy when we got back that I forgot to post this blog!

Our flight from Frankfurt touched down June 17, a Friday. The following week passed by so fast. 

Live in the "Now"

I have been contemplating on some things in life. When I have some things that are confusing me or puzzling me, I usually open up in the forum, to get other people's view on it (aside from mine and my husbands). I usually get a good perspective after discussions on the forum - with friends and other forumers.

A Decade Long of Marital Bliss

Has it really been 10 long years since we got married? That means we've saved so much celebrating Valentine's Days and our anniversaries at the same time!

It's nice to reminisce the days when we were merely strangers chatting and how our relationship has grown over time......

Celebrating the Year of the Tiger (2010)

Who says that the Lunar New Year is just for the Chinese? We can also take advantage of this celebration. After all, it's a long weekend holiday.