Desiderata

"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
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Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
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Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."

Max Ehrmann, "Desiderata".[1]

Where do hearts go on Valentine's Day?

Last night, my husband and I went to a Valentine’s Day Gala. Every year, it has become a tradition to dress up and  enjoy Valentine’s day for a cause.

​Some married couples may say, Valentine’s day may not as exciting as it used to be compared when you were dating as a couple.

Personally, though it is still great to receive flowers from my husband every occasion, I told my husband that for practical reasons, don’t buy me flowers anymore. I would appreciate a kiss, a hug, a text message, a call and more so a simple note from him. The simple things makes me happy that does not require big flower bouquets or big diamond stones (I lied, I think I would like to have the diamond).
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Like Cinderella, we danced the night away (not to mention with a high heeled shoe)

​I believe it is important for married couples to nourish their relationships in moments like this, which relives the memory of the past.
But for those who aren’t married yet, where do their hearts go? Living life now with our teenager Charlize (14 years old as of this writing) I have always wondered how can we be best examples of a good relationship.  Carlo and I want to exemplify how to be great partners to our kids. When our kids saw us all dressed up, they were so ecstatic! My son Charles (4 years old) was teasing his us saying over and over “Daddy loves Mommy, Mommy loves Daddy!”. Our little girls Chelsea (7 years old) and Cassandra (6 years old) said they think we are kings and queens. “It’s like a fairy tale!” They exclaimed. “You are magical!”.
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I believe they see love in us celebrating moments like this. They see how their Daddy hold my hand and escort me going to the car. They see how I fix their Daddy’s tie. These are little things that we do not need to teach our kids by saying it to them but simply teaching by example.
I remember a mentor once said, “Our kids are like mini video cams, they watch you every step, record each ways and they will eventually follow what they see.”

Me and Carlo on our way to the gala. The kids are ecstatic seeing us all dressed up!

​How many time in the past have you ever said to yourself and your partner, “I wish we could have done that before?” Carlo and I danced the night away. And I remember in the past when we were still dating how we spent time together. We dance, we laugh, we sing out loud. These are the moments that made us who we are right now. Living each moment together and accepting our flaws.

​Carlo is a great dancer during his college days and I think until now (he does not believe so). I sing, I don’t dance. But these are differences we embrace. Little things but it is a start of accepting more flaws, more differences.
In a relationship, we don’t need to pretend, no need to hide, no need to lie. If you can embrace these little flaws, then you are ready to embrace bigger ones and love unconditionally. The person who loves you embraces your flaw because you are unique, you are special, you are YOU.

And so I end this post with a note: Where do hearts go on Valentine’s day?
For unmarried couples, enjoy that moment to know and understand each other. Pray for your relationship that the person you are with right now is the one who God wants you to be with. On Valentine’s Day, I pray that you have created memories for you to go back to when things are rough and when the relationship is not going to where you want it to be. The memories of love created on Valentine’s Day are memories that will make you stronger as a couple. These memories will help you say, “This relationship is worth fighting for.”
For singles who do not have partners at this time, take time to breath and enjoy the moment. The right person will come at the right place and at the right time. Know yourself more, nurture yourself. Love what you love to do. Develop yourself not only physically but emotionally. Grow up and learn that it is not all about you but it about you and the people around you. Love is patient and kind. Be patient and be kind. True love will seek for you.

And for married couple like us, may our hearts continue to nourish each moment of our marriage. May we always be reminded of the good times to help us to hold on and to keep our marriage going. Let the bad times work as struggles to keep the marriage stronger. No relationship is perfect. No one is perfect. But the love for each other makes a relationship perfect.
God is love. Make Him the center of the marriage to keep things going as He drives our family life. I am blessed for having a God fearing husband who honors God. And by honoring Him, I feel my husband’s love for our family, our kids and the not so perfect me.

Time is so precious and each moment is so important. Live the moment. Cherish each magical and precious time with the one you love.
Hope you also had a great Valentine’s Day!

xoxo, tuesday

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! A Blessed and Prosperous 2016 to all of us! 
It's a New Year ahead and what a blessing to share this wonderful moment with the people we love.  Not everyone is blessed with this luxury of time and belongingness to spend a precious moment and create wonderful memories.  May we always treasure those who are important to us, for those who care  and love and the ones we love and care are truly... the one who really matters.

It's been a great year dear God & we know it will be better and more successful this 2016!! We are looking forward to a more productive and a more successful 2016! May God always use our family to be an instrument of His blessings to others. A Prosperous and a Blessed New Year to all of us! God bless us all for a fruitful and productive 2016! To God be the glory! Let us keep our faith, hope & love always! With all our love.. xoxo, tuesday