My Family Archives » Page 7 of 28 » Touched by An Angel

13Jun 2014

5 Ways to make dad happy on Father’s Day

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

by The Mad Hatter originally posted at 5 Ways to make dad happy on Father’s Day

Father’s Day is fast approaching—that one day of the year where we get to celebrate our dads for what they truly are—our best friends, our heroes.

Dads, they say, are a daughter’s first love, and a son’s first hero, and I couldn’t agree more. When we were little, our dads were the ones who picked us up, carried us over their shoulders, cooked us pancakes on weekends, and helped us get through a horror movie.

But now we rarely spend time with them anymore because we’ve “grown up,” leading our own busy lives. Let’s grab this year’s Father’s Day though as a chance to make up for lost time, and to make them feel how much our dads truly mean to us.

Here are a couple of ideas to inspire you to make this year’s Father’s Day a blast for the best guy in your life.

1. Call for a special take-out. You know how he is always raving about those ribs at this particular place but he couldn’t get them because the place is out of his way? Well, why not surprise him by calling for a quick delivery so he can have an amazing meal with his favorite guilty pleasure? Maybe for this one day, he doesn’t need to watch his cholesterol, and maybe Mom will not be too hard on him. And while you’re at it, why not enjoy a few beers with him?

2. Let him have full control of the TV. You know how you always fight about what show to watch–he wants to catch his favorite game while you want to see what’s going on with Project Runway. Well now you should just stop fighting over who gets to see what and let him have full control of the TV. After all, you can always watch your episodes online, and he will definitely appreciate you for being a good sport.

3. Spend the entire afternoon with him. How about not making plans this weekend and just spend a relaxed day at home with your old man? Watch your recent DVD purchases or maybe cook for him, or maybe just catch up over coffee? He might not tell you enough, but truth is that he misses you so much. When you were little, you spent a lot of time together but as you got older, you spend less and less time with him and more and more with your friends. So mark your calendar and make Sunday “Dad’s Day.”

4. Buy him something nice like cufflinks or a new shirt. Parents love it when you spend your hard-earned money for them because it makes them feel special to you. Wouldn’t it be nice to save a little of this month’s pay for a little gift to remind Dad that he is still part of your life?

5. Take him out to dinner. Plan a surprise dinner with the entire family to celebrate the occasion. At this day and age where everyone is always busy with something, Dad will surely appreciate the effort of bringing everyone together for a nice family dinner.

*“Daddy Daughter” by lucianvenutian, “Big Daddy” by Theen Moy courtesy of Flickr. Published under Creative Commons.

10May 2014

Your mother is always with you

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

A mother will always be a mother. Somewhere in my kitchen is a cross-stitched frame “The mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom. ”

I tear as I write this blog post. I teared when I recorded my bubbly audio post that I had to retake it three times. I ‘m not too good with words . I only know what is in my heart. Though I don’t get to see or talk to my two girls that often, I pray everyday that they are healthy, safe and happy.

There are many mothers like me who can’t be with their children and many children who can’t be with their mothers on Mother’s day. You can listen to my audio post below:

The text of the poem is as follows:

Your Mother is always with you.
She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.
She’s the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and
perfume that she wore.
She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not feeling well.
She’s your breath in the air on a cold winter’s day.
She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a
rainbow. She is Christmas morning.
Your Mother lives inside your laughter.
She’s crystallized in every teardrop.
A mother shows every emotion ………. happiness, sadness, fear,
jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy,
sorrow… and all the while, hoping and praying you will only know the good
feelings in life. She’s the place you came from, your first home, and she’s
the map you follow with every step you take.
She’s your first love; your first friend, even your first enemy, but
nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space…not
even death!

Author: unknown

Maybe I tear because I have parenting regrets that I cannot undo . Perhaps, it is because I miss shopping with them or having them curl up in bed. There are no regrets that I gave up my career to be their full-time mother , watching them grow to be beautiful, compassionate and smart girls. My proudest mom moment was when my children taught me to be a better mom. There is so much joy in being a mother from the time my kids grew up from being a baby to their adult twenty-something years of age.

I love being the new me because of my children.

I often ask myself if I have loved my children enough and done the best job that I possibly can. Then as human nature goes, I remember the mistakes that I made and how they might have hurt my children. I did pick up the pieces and tried to be better. Yet I never stopped loving my children even in the times when I seemed distant. My children have been a witness to my struggle and the new me. I am so proud that they taught me a lot. I am proud that they are my children. When I think of them, tears roll down because they make me happy.

I wish they will always be with me to love and to hold but I know at the same time, I should just step back and watch then fly high and free.

My mom died when I was only 19 years old but throughout the years, she has always been with me… Mom will always be with me. My girls also know that their mom will always be with them. Wherever they may be, their mother is always be with them.

02May 2014

Love and Affirmation

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

A flurry of meetings and lack of sleep hit me the past week . Jane and I were busy organizing this pioneering forum on the Future of Media. It was quite exciting actually and I dedicated a lot of time and effort to ensure its success. But….I thought to myself “The husband is not pleased with my busy schedule”.

As I headed off to the 1st Future of Media last Tuesday , my husband planted a kiss on my forehead “I am proud of what you are doing. I am sure the forum will be a success”. I felt my heart “melt” with joy. Indeed , I told my husband that I claimed it…”the forum will be a success.”

Now that’s affirmation. I didn’t really feel the need for affirmation but it felt reassuring to know he wasn’t feeling neglected. I feel even empowered to be better. It is quite endearing. I face a new task everyday and they can be challenging.

What’s most important is our own self-affirmation.

– My body is healthy and functioning in a very good way.

– I have a lot of energy.

– I study and comprehend fast.

– I am successful in whatever I do.

– I am calm and relaxed in every situation.

– My thoughts are under my control.

– I radiate love and happiness.

– I am surrounded by love

– Everything is getting better every day.

– My husband’s affirmation is the icing on the cake.

And yes, the 1st Future of Media was a success , based on feedback from the participants.

I loved this week.

26Apr 2014

The only family member to have been blessed by Pope John Paul II is my daughter.

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

““To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others.” Pope John Paul II

Popes John XXIII and John Paul II will be canonized tomorrow, April 27. Whenever I look at the photo of Pope John Paul II, I really feel he is a saint. He just has this serene and holy look on his face that makes him one of the most beloved pontiffs in history. John Paul II’s holiness is obvious.

The only family member to have been blessed by the Pope is my second daughter.

She is blessed to have met Pope John Paul II at the the Raigiubeleo celebration of the Jubilee for Children at the Vatican on January 5, 2001. At that time, the pope was already frail and didn’t have the energy to bless all the kids in the Manila Children’s choir so only two were chosen.

The Vatican surfed for children’s choir right after Christmas Day of 2000 and landed on the website I created for the Manila Children’s Choir. There were not that many websites then for children’s choir. I guess I was lucky that the Vatican found us. The event was a gathering of children’s choir around the world to sing for the Pope on closing day.

The Pope loved music. He once said “I have a sweet tooth for song and music. This is my Polish sin.”

During the beatification of Pope John Paul II in 2011, a Filipino Choir got the distinction of being one of only two groups singing during that day. What an honor!

Juan Carlos Ulate/Reuters

I am not too familiar with the process of being a saint. A woman whose “miraculous” recovery “from an inoperable brain aneurysm paved the way for the late Pope John Paul II to be declared a saint at a ceremony at the Vatican this weekend has described how the Polish pontiff appeared to her in a vision.” Her cure, which the Vatican insists cannot be explained by science, was declared a miracle last July by Pope Francis, in a move which gave the final approval for John Paul II to be canonised.

My only prayer in 2011 was that the Reproductive Health Bill be passed. I thought “Fat chance to get a miracle but I could try, right?” Well, the RH Bill did not pass that year but the following year on December 19, 2012 . Now with the Supreme Court upholding the RH law, I believe it is a miracle. I don’t think this is the kind of miracle the Pope wants. After all, he coined the word “contraceptive mentality” and “culture of death” .

I pray there are more Pope John Paul II ‘miracles’ now that he will finally be canonized as a saint.

Pope John Paul ll at the beginning of the Papal mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in October 1979. (Daily News )

22Apr 2014

Sending money to my daughter abroad, the fast, easy, reliable & hassle-free way

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

I am now in a new stage of my life where my children are now living independently away from our home. One is in Germany and the other lives in her own condominium unit. On special occasions, aside from giving gifts, I have this tradition where I give cash to my girls for them to buy a new dress and footwear.

The question is how do I send money abroad that is fast, easy, reliable and hassle-free? There are many ways to send money abroad but I wanted one that my daughter will receive in minutes and more importantly, she will not get charged for receiving money.

Western Union came to my mind because I once sent money to a friend in Batangas and it was a pleasant experience. My friend received the money in minutes. I have never used Western Union to send money abroad. I usually make use of bank transfer to remit money to my daughter when she was still studying in Australia but it took 3 banking days for her to receive the money.

I wanted my daughter to receive the money before Christmas day so she could buy her dress. Western Union was the answer. It is easy to spot a Western Union branch in most malls. I like the fact that it is open seven days a week unlike a bank where one can only transact during regular banking days/ hours. Bank transfer is also dependent on network of banks or partners in host country. I went to the Western Union website to check the possible location where my daughter can receive the money. Because of Western Union’s extensive network, I know she will receive the money in the location nearest to her home or office.

On December 23 at around 10:00 AM, I went to my neighborhood Western Union agent. I filled out a form detailing the amount sent (in Euros), name, and address of both receiver and sender. Along with these information, the agent asked for my identification card after I paid the required amount and money transfer fee. It is that easy. After a few minutes, the agent provided me with the Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) that my daughter needed to know so she could receive the money.

I emailed my daughter, a scanned version of the Western Union receipt along with the MTCN. I was pleased to know that this transaction is found at the website when I logged in with my Western Union number. By the time she woke up at 2:30 PM (Philippine time), she was ready with the information. A few hours later, she contacted me on Viber that she received the money.

It is that fast and easy! I even received an SMS that my daughter received the money. Now that is what I call reliable.

Western Union does not require a US Bank Account to do a money transfer. Sometimes it is just not feasible to open a bank account as it needs several documents. When I need to send gift money, I now know a reliable way to send money in minutes that is easy, fast, and accessible .

14Feb 2014

Valentine’s Day Celebration is always lunch or a dinner date at home

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ 9 Comments

In all the 36 years that Butch and I have been a couple (as steadies for 7 years and as married couple) , not once have we celebrated Valentine’s Day outside the home. During the 7 years that we dated, he’d say “I don’t want to celebrate Valentine’s day but let’s go on a dinner date on the 16th”. So theoretically, we did celebrate Valentine’s day but not on the 14th of February. When we got married, I ‘d cook a simple dinner just to celebrate the romantic nature of the day. Then the kids came. Their teachers often required a Valentine card project for daddy or mommy which prompted me to celebrate Valentine’s Day at home. For the children, Valentine’s Day meant candy hearts, cutesy cards and excitement in the air. Now I didn’t want to be a killjoy. I’d decorate the house with heart shaped balloons, heart shaped cookies , red ribbons and other party fan fare. It was a family celebration of love.

I never really understood why my dear husband loathed Valentine’s day until last night…. He can’t be the Valentine’s Day equivalent of Dr. Scrooge. Butch is a very romantic person. He says the most sappy phrases ever and that’s probably the reason I fell in love with him. Now back to the reason for this Valentine’s Day aversion. I teased him, “Will you buy me flowers?”. He said “not on the 14th. Flowers are very expensive that day”. He reminded me, “Didn’t I just buy you carnations a week ago?”

I laughed. “So it’s an economic reason?”, I joked. He nodded. Ah now I recall, Butch was only 18 years old when we first became steadies. Naturally, he didn’t have the money to buy me the overpriced flowers or presents. All these years, I always thought that he wanted to be unique. Kuripot lang pala. (or is it being thrifty)

Tonight, as restaurants are filled to the brim with loving couples, I prepared an Italian-themed dinner. The non-celebration or not eating out on Valentine’s Day is our tradition carried through the years.

02Feb 2014

My husband surprised me during “Saturday night fever”

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ 1 Comment

The attire on the invite read :” Drop dead gorgeous for the ladies and metrosexual for the guys.”

Bernie, my gorgeous best friend wanted to celebrate Frank’s (her husband) milestone in life, as he joins the distinguished Senior Citizens’ Club. My task was to make sure my husband will wear the required “metrosexual” attire.

“What is metrosexual?” , my husband asked.

I teased him, “aren’t you metrosexual?” I then defined it for him:

met·ro·sex·ual

1. a young, urban, heterosexual male with liberal political views, an interest in fashion, and a refined sense of taste.

I added a hat on his head and wrapped a scarf around his burgundy shirt. “No scarf for me”, he pulls it out . I teased him the men are going to wear scarves.

“Expect to dance”, I reminded him, to which he did not protest.

Flashback…When I first met my ex-boyfriend that fateful night in 1978, I thought he could dance. The seventies was the discotheque (disco) era which peaked in popularity in the late 1970s. Everyone knew how to dance or …rather all my friends could dance. So, when the Beegees’ music “Saturday Night Fever” played in the restaurant, Butch while seated on his chair would sway his body , raise his arms to the left and to right and just groove to the music. Impressive.

When we finally became sweethearts, I discovered he had two left feet , meekly confessing “I can’t dance”. It was not the end of the world. There was more to a relationship than being able to dance. I just forgot about it until yesterday night.

The Flintstone band at the Vue Bar in Bellavue Hotel played seventies music. The ‘Saturday night fever’, was playing on this glorious Saturday night. How can we not dance to this 70’s decade music, best known for unleashing the disco era upon the psyche of the world?

I pulled my husband to the floor. “We have to dance this!” I thought he’d just stand there but surprise of surprise, he moved his feet side to side. Starting with three tiles on the floor, he did a step right-together. Then left-together. Amazing.

So, we danced “maski paps” (Maski Papano), swaying side to side to the beat. This time around, he was not seated as he bounced to the beat. That’s what disco dancing is all about. Doing our own thing is cool. Using rhythmic consistent steps is cool. Getting loose and laid back is cool .

Smile. Show the attitude. Get into the groove. Anything goes. Having fun is what disco dancing is all about. Who cares if we are in our fifties? We know how to have fun even after a serious week of work.

Indeed, what a Saturday night fever that was , as we rocked the night away and cheered to Frank’s 60th birthday.

Photos via Bernie.

31Jan 2014

What is in store for the Rooster in the year of the Wooden Horse?

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

Photo via @HiroshiShih

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Gong Hey Fat Choy!

I enjoy surfing through the various Feng Sui sites on what lies ahead for the Rooster, the year I was born based on the Chinese Lunar year. I know that it is just a guide but it is fun nonetheless to read about my Chinese Animal sign. Who isn’t curious about what’s in store for 2014 ? I am aware the feng shui tips are based on general predictions for my Chinese zodiac sign so I just need to be discerning.

The Feng Shui master lists down a lot of details like career, wealth, love ad even social life. What I found interesting is the career path:

Rooster (1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005)—This is a creative year for Roosters. They will have better luck. Financially, it is beneficial for them to make investments. They can consider starting a new business or purchase properties.

The Roosters amazing organisational skills will help them out a huge amount in the year of the Horse and they will find that they enter the year fully prepared for whatever lays ahead. A great way to get ahead this year would be to write a wish list of what they wish to achieve this year and check back on the list regularly and add to what they would like out of this year. Career for the Rooster will go very well during the year of the Horse as they will be fully prepared for any changes or adaptations required for the year ahead; this will get them a lot further than they think. The Horse year is a fast paced one and may take the Rooster by surprise as they like to prepare for everything beforehand but the Rooster would do well to act on impulse at times and snap up opportunities that are given to them as this will work well in their favour.

Photo via Deviantart.net

Another Chinese Zodiac site says that ” plenty of new opportunities will come in the way of the Chinese Rooster people in 2014. These people will excel in planning and business development in this year. Period between April and August will be a period of good luck for many roosters. These are possible and will have big gain due to positive stars – Heavenly Star #6, Golden Deity and Zheng Guan (Authority).”

Early this year, my friend and I decided to embark on a new chapter in our lives: Speaking and social business consulting. I wrote about it on January 6. It’s amazing how friends are supportive of this new phase of our lives. Who would have thought I’d get back to business consulting? Opportunities are already on our plate. It is just a matter of formalizing some of these and moving forward to start on the consulting project. It will surely be a fast paced one for me.

As I explored other site, I found out that Roosters should not expect too much too soon. “Things will turn out better quickly when the rooster, at work, employs diplomacy and plays politics for a while. It is a good year with the family. Lots of loving and caring.” Another site says, “it is important that Roosters be on guard against conceit and impulsiveness. They need to be patient, maintain their level-headedness and work hard so their problems will be solved.”

Photo via fengshuiben.blogspot.com.

Playing politics is something that does not come easy to me but let’s see. Even with out this tip, I should start employing diplomacy in my work. Patience is not a problem for me though. The good year with the family is promising because I am planning to visit my daughter in Europe together with my husband and another daughter.

There are more interesting signs to watch out but overall, “Roosters will continue to experience excellent luck this year, too. Plenty of good luck energy, success and prosperity are all predicted to come your way in 2014. Being mindful of the need to balance the strong/yang energy with the gentle and nourishing yin energy is the key to your absolute success this year, be it in business, relationships or in exploring totally new vistas. Beautiful luck is expected in your romantic life, too!”

Photo via gotohoroscope.com

There is definitely much more to every human being that just the Zodiac signs one was born into. Exploring feng shui tips might help improve one’s energy and make you more aware of the potential the Wood Horse 2014 year will bring for you and me. Don’t forget – we have the power to create our own fortunes and futures.

Gong Xi Fa Cai. Gong Hey Fat Choy!

Take a look at the Chinese New Year 2014: ‘Wooden horse’ celebrated in online art

View the story “Chinese New Year 2014: ‘Wooden horse’ celebrated in online art” on Storify

20Jan 2014

Making a choice: A Brighter Life

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

I smile as I flick through the photos from my little red wooden box. As I gaze at the photos of my children, the laughter springs to life in my memory bank. Life has not always been nice and dandy but that is not to say it remained sad or lonely. Life is about making a choice: should it be sad or happy? dark or bright? I wish I knew that life were about choices when I was at the deepest pit of my misery but thanks to loving friends, I got out of it and chose a life that is happy and bright. When made that choice, it does not mean I will ignore feelings of sadness. It means working towards the goal of a happy and bright future.

A brighter life for me will be cherishing my golden years and contributing to the future of my children. I made this choice after I decided to live a new normal after the death of my son. I know I will not be as young and vibrant so I needed to prepare living a comfortable life beyond my golden years. That meant fixing my finances through long term investment and a sound retirement plan. I deserve to have the self-esteem and peace that accompanies financial responsibility. The future of my children does not only lie in providing them material wealth. Helping out in community activities also contribute greatly to my children’s future. What better legacy is there than making a difference in my children’s life by being of service to others?

Everyone has their own ideas of a brighter life. Sites like brighterlife.com.ph provide inspiration. You may also ask yourself “How do you imagine a Brighter Life? Is it having comfortable lifestyle? To be able to provide for your family’s needs? Perhaps you want to leave behind a lasting legacy?” Just like a friend you can talk to, the Brighter Life website provides lessons in life and financial advice. Divided into five categories, it is easy to relate to because it tackles relationships with five aspects of our lives: finance, health, family, career and the future.

Topics in personal finance is quite useful to me. Though my family invested in real properties and Sun Life Financial Investments, I also want to know more about stock investments. Being a newbie in the stock markets, it is heartening to read articles like the “The Road to Becoming Stocks Smart”. I can relate to the writer’s fear of the unknown. I need to conquer that fear too by getting to know the ropes of the stock market.

There are more topics that will surely enlighten you. My good friend Randell Tiongson writes about Pinoy Style: Financial Planning. Randell has “ personally been a witness to many individuals who had relatively good income and yet failed miserably with regard to being financially secure.” Preparing for a brighter with a financially secure future requires taking action today:

1.Increase your cash flow;

2. Reduce or eliminate debt;

3. Take baby steps in savings and investing;

4. Review your finances periodically;

5. Communicate with your family.

For more tips about personal finances, visit http://brighterlife.com.ph

03Jan 2014

My week is filled with high and low moments

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

Life is like a roller coaster.
It has its ups and downs,
but it’s your CHOICE
to scream or to enjoy the ride.

New Year started off with a new planner. Not just any planner , mind you but a planner that changes someone’s life and mine too. The best part of this journal is noting the high and low moments every week.

Although the planner allows you to jot down the highs and lows in the week, I started writing about it everyday. High and lows are noteworthy- remembering HIGHS to keep spirits up and remembering LOWs to take note of life lessons from those situations. I win BOTH ways.

Let me see. One of my low moments this week is missing my two daughters for Christmas and New Year’s celebration. I have never missed them so much. They say holidays heighten nostalgia because of pleasant memories of laughing, giving, sharing and just being together. I took note of this nostalgia and ensured that I don’t get paralyzed by it. I adorned my walls with their framed photographs.

I think of the high moments of the week. My children are happy in their own independent lives. This is how adult children should live. They need to fly on their own without helicopter parents hovering around their every move yet knowing we are around when they need us. Another high moment is knowing my children are safe and sound. Never mind if she nearly lost her passport. Never mind if she nearly missed her flight.

When I think of the high moments, I feel blessed. The low moments ( missing my children) reaffirm that family is important to me. I can do something to curb the nostalgia. My husband and I plan to visit my second daughter in Europe for this year’s Christmas.

Life is like a roller coaster as I experience these high moments and low moments, moments when I feel like I am on top of the world and when I am down. The choice is always mine, whether I want to be frustrated or to enjoy the thrill of the ride.