Touched by An Angel

14Jan 2015

“For the first time in my Catholic life, I am waiting for the Pope, my Pope.” #PopeFrancisPH

By Toni Tui as originally posted on Waiting for Pope Francis, Philippine Online Chronicles

Growing up Catholic liberated and stifled me at the same time. From prep to college, Sunday masses were regularly attended. The Holy Rosary was prayed often, especially during October. After graduation though, I began to question my faith. I didn’t see the point of going to Mass, especially when the homilies became too preachy about politics. I built a relationship with God outside the confines of a church, finding Him more in the quiet moments of a morning run or a midnight reflection. I felt guilty, feeling like I was being berated by the whispers of nuns and teachers from the all-girls Catholic school I attended for 12 years. My mother, a devout Catholic, also kept asking me why I didn’t go to Mass anymore. How could I explain to her that I felt more distant when I was in the midst of ceremony? That I found more joy in a quiet conversation with God than a community get-together? I felt like a bad Catholic, even though my relationship with God was becoming more solid.

Then Pope Francis came along.

Who is this rock star Pope?, I wondered. Social media was instrumental in building awareness and emotional affinity with this different kind of pope. Every week, there was a quotable quote in my news feed from this radical pope. Every week, I became more curious about him.

He’s the pope who refuses to live in luxury. No fancy cars or papal apartments for this man of God. We’ve read of him picking up the phone to call people, saying prayers for them. we see pictures of him riding the metro or walking down the streets and being welcomed by worshipers. He’s a Pope who doesn’t seem to be caged in an ivory tower. He’s reachable, simple, and friendly.

His words are big but relatable. When he met with his Vatican employees before Christmas, he had some reminders for them which may very well be reminders for our daily lives too. What touches me about these reminders is the simplicity in how it is said. There’s his reminder on how I feel talks about work-life balance: “Take care of your family life, giving your children and loved ones not just money, but most of all your time, attention and love.”

There’s the reminder that can hit any chismosa. “Be careful how you speak, purify your tongue of offensive words, vulgarity and worldly decadence.”

Are you unhappy with work? Reflect on this statement from Pope Francis and you may just have a change in outlook. ““Look after your work, doing it with enthusiasm, humility, competence, passion and with a spirit that knows how to thank the Lord.”

One statement I’ve reflected on is this: “Take care of your spiritual life, your relationship with God, because this is the backbone of everything we do and everything we are.” Feed your spirit. Nurture your soul. With this, all will be well.

Then there was this reminder from him for the youth during World Youth Day. ” I ask you, instead, to be revolutionaries, to swim against the tide; yes, I am asking you to rebel against this culture that sees everything as temporary and that ultimately believes that you are incapable of responsibility, that you are incapable of true love. I have confidence in you and I pray for you. Have the courage ‘to swim against the tide.’ Have the courage to be happy.” Take a risk on love!

This is the first Pope I’ve come to truly follow. Yes, he is the Pope. But I also see him, as some Filipinos have started calling him, as Lolo Kiko.

With him, I have been rediscovering my Catholic faith little by little. I have been trying to understand Mass and teachings with more openness this time. I am getting drawn back to the Church without the feeling of being stifled. Lolo Kiko has been gently provoking me to build my relationship with God again, this time with the community, but I don’t feel pressured. That’s what I like about this pace, this Pope. He’s a Pope with a gentle power, the Pope with the open arms you don’t feel shy running into because you know you’ll be blessed, no matter what kind of relationship you have with God. I can’t wait to welcome Lolo Kiko with the rest of the community this week! For the first time in my Catholic life, I am waiting for the Pope, my Pope. For the first time in growing up Catholic, I’m giddy about the Pope and learning more from him. Thank you, Lolo Kiko, for the gift of rediscovering my faith!

Photo Credit: Catholic Church (England and Wales) via Compfight cc

13Jan 2015

Video & Lyrics: We are all God’s children , official theme song #PapalVisitPH

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

Check out this beautiful song for the Papal visit. The lyrics resonate the message of mercy and compassion, the theme of Pope Francis visit.

“A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.” – Pope Francis

Official Theme Song for the 2015 Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines

Do you see these children on the streets?
Have you walked the pavements where they sleep?
Do you feel their hands when you give them alms?
Did you ever give them bread to eat?
Have you seen their homes washed by the floods?
While a mother tightly holds her child
Do you hear the wind of the raging storm?
Can you tell them where it’s coming from?
Let us show our love and mercy
With true kindness and humility
For the God loves the weak and the needy
Just like you and me
We are all God’s children we are all the same
He is calling us by name to help the poor and lame
And learn what life is really for
It’s to know and love and serve the Lord

Stand together and let’s do our part
Hear their voices mend their broken hearts
Choose to be brave fight for their rights
Give them back their honor and their pride
Please do not be blind and just leave them behind
To struggle in darkness or give them empty promises
We are all God’s children we are all the same
He is calling us by name to help the poor and lame
And learn what life is really for
It’s to know and love and serve the Lord
It’s to know and love and serve the Lord
It’s to know and love and serve the Lord

—
Jesus’ attitude is striking: we do not hear the words of scorn, we do not hear words of condemnation, but only words of love, of mercy, which are an invitation to conversation. “Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again.” Ah! Brothers and Sisters, God’s face is the face of a merciful father who is always patient. Have you thought about God’s patience, the patience He has with each one of us? That is His mercy. He always has patience, patience with us, He understands us, He waits for us, He does not tire of forgiving us if we are able to return to Him with a contrite heart. “Great is God’s mercy,” says the Psalm.

—Pope Francis, Angelus on March 17, 2013

Lyrics written and sung by Jamie Rivera with The Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir.
Music composed and arranged by Noel Espenida
Directed by Eric Teotico
Produced by Starmusic and Ligaya ng Panginoon
Published by Star Songs, Inc.

09Jan 2015

5 New Year’s Resolutions for Couples

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

As originally posted by Toni Tiu at the Philippine Online Chronicles

Want to strengthen your relationship this 2015? Make New Year’s resolutions as a couple. Making resolutions with your partner can help you watch out for each other and build a more solid foundation for your relationship. Try some of the resolutions below to have a more loving new year!

1. Ditch multi-tasking when you’re together. When you’re spending time with your significant other, park your mobile phone and laptop. Put it in your bag such that when your phone vibrates or chirps, you’re not tempted to pull it out easily and check the alerts. Give your partner your full attention. When you’re doing other things at the same time, it gives your partner a sense that she is not worthy of your time. Banish those bothersome bleeps and buzzes. Give yourself 100% when you’re together.

2. Work out together. Once you get into a comfortable rhythm as a couple, it can become very tempting to just settle in front of the TV or the laptop and snack on junk food. After all, shouldn’t true love include loving each other fully — love handles and all? This isn’t very healthy for both of you. If you do enjoy eating together, choose healthy dishes. Even more so, move together! Find a sport you can enjoy together. Whether it’s running together in the morning, hitting the gym and being each other’s gym buddies, or playing badminton against each other, find a way to sweat together. You say goodbye to extra pounds and improve your health together.

3. Be more patient with each other. As the months and years go by, the little things that we adored about each other begin to tick us off. What we used to romance about each other begin to irritate us. Stick it out. There’s a Filipino saying that goes “Ang pag-aasawa ay hindi biro, ‘di tulad ng kanin, iluluwa kung mapaso.” (Marriage is not a joke. It is not like food that you can spit out when it is too hot to chew.) This quote applies to any relationship. You just don’t cut it short when the going gets tough. Find ways to become more patient with each other this new year.

4. Play together. Find a hobby that you can both enjoy. Do something creative together! Sip & Gogh in Quezon City is a first-of-its-kind paint and sip studio here in the Philippines. Instructors are available to guide you in painting your own masterpiece that you can take home after your painting session. You don’t have to bring materials as all will be provided for you — canvas, paints, palette, and all. Why not paint a masterpiece together? They have sessions for couples too! Indulge your creative sides together.

5. Commit wholeheartedly. Similar to the first resolution, this is all about giving your full 100% to your partner. If you are not married, are you ready to take the next step? Think about it. If you are married, how committed are you to your spouse? Be inspired by Pope Francis’ thanksgiving message to World Youth Day volunteers. He said:

“Today, there are those who say that marriage is out of fashion; in a culture of relativism and the ephemeral, many preach the importance of ‘enjoying’ the moment. They say that it is not worth making a life-long commitment, making a definitive decision, ‘forever,’ because we do not know what tomorrow will bring.”

“I ask you, instead, to be revolutionaries, to swim against the tide; yes, I am asking you to rebel against this culture that sees everything as temporary and that ultimately believes that you are incapable of responsibility, that you are incapable of true love. I have confidence in you and I pray for you. Have the courage ‘to swim against the tide.’ Have the courage to be happy.”

Here’s to a happy new year to couples. May these resolutions help your relationship grow even more loving in 2015!

Photo Credit: Pixabay

05Jan 2015

The 2014 year in review and looking forward to 2015 & beyond

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

I like looking back at the past , especially on my work as a blogger and citizen advocate and see what needs improvement in 2015. It drives me to formulate goals for 2015 and beyond. The year 2014 started out with expanding income opportunities through a partnership with my dear friend, Jane T. Uymatiao. We didn’t have a name at first and it was only in the middle part of the year that we decided on Prep2Prime Digital to encompass our experience in parenting and social media. We have a long way to go but it is a good start and 2015 will see us expand to more brands , schools , organizations and private workshops.

My life as a mom blogger will continue on, of course. It will be my 8th year. Sorry for tooting my horns. In 2014, I was honored to receive two awards in recognition for my advocacy as “momblogger” . Such recognition affirms my motivation as a mom blogger, one who advocates constructive engagement in issues on family and society. I hope the brands I want to work with , look at me as a socially conscious mom blogger more than a political blogger . I am a mother who is concerned for the future of our country, the future of our children and their community. Whatever social change we fight for redounds to benefit of corporations as well.

Moms react differently on specific issues but we all have a common concern : our children’s futures unite us. Hope you all stay with me this 2015 and beyond.

But first, this is how my year 2014 went:

December 12, 2014
Recognition at the #SINAG Financial Literacy Digital Journalism Awards

Received first runner up of the #SINAG Financial Literacy Digital Journalism Awards held December 11 at the Manila Polo Club. The #SINAG Financial Literacy Digital Journalism Awards is Sunlife’s way to enjoin online influencers to encourage Filipinos to become more financially prepared and break free from ignorance, worry, debt and financial dependency. When I was invited to submit this blog, I didn’t think I had enough posts in 2014 to be considered. I only wrote three posts for the year: Money management tips for the family, Affirmations of financial success and Making a choice for a brighter life.

December 12, 2014
Yearender with PTV 4 Veronica Chronicles

Mga isyung Pulitikal, Ekonomiya, mga Kalamidad at ang ating Pagbangon, at ang mga nag-Trending sa taong 2014. This was the question tackled in the Veronica Chronicles. Shown on December 15 at the People’s Television.

November 2014
Social media: Boon or bane?

A feature story on social media at 9 News TV or CNN Philippines

November 27, 2014
The future of Enterprise

#FutureEnterprisePH on mobility and cloud computing using the hashtag. Jane and I were moderators.

November 24, 2014
Blog Watch turns 5 years old

Blog Watch, co-founded by many bloggers, turned five years old. I didn’t realize it has been that long. Despite limited funding, we are able to collaborate with fellow citizen advocates . We partnered with Project Agos, and Juan Vote community and help out with the Scrap Pork Network .

Our fellow advocate, Tonyo Cruz, shared some 5 important things about BlogWatch and its importance to the bloggers and the blogging community.

October 27, 2014
#connectYourRights: two day of the “Advocacy Training Workshop on Internet Rights” sponsored by the Foundation of Media Alternatives

September 23, 2014
4M Jakarta Forum

The 4M Jakarta Forum brought together more than 100 professionals from 10 ASEAN countries and Europe in order to discuss the region trends, limitations and possibilities. Happy to be part of it along with Rosario Juan, Tonyo Cruz and Jonji Gonzales

September 18, 2014
Four days PCIJ training – seminar on “Governance by the numbers : Investigative Reporting & Numeracy”

September 14, 2014
How safe are our children ?

I was in Europe when I first saw a friend (@unlawyer) tweet on “People with guns in EDSA”. This happened at 2:45 PM on September 1. In Germany, that’s around 8:45 AM but I saw the tweet around 10:45 AM after I cooked lunch. I am not the only one who caused the original photo to get viral. With the help of netizens and traditional media, the tweet became national news.

August 12, 2014
#StandUpSignUpvsPork on August 25

The pork is alive and kicking. The only way to scrap the pork totally is to undertake a People’s Initiative against the pork barrel. I was not around on August 25 but I fully supported the ” Sign the People ‘s Initiative vs All Pork” which was held at the kalabaw area, Luneta during the first anniversary of the Million People March.

July 21, 2014
I am one of the signatories of an impeachment complaint vs. Pres Aquino

Photo via Kodao ProductionsAnd so, I dedicate the filing of the impeachment complaint to my nephew and the young ones who will one day become the taxpayers of the Philippines. “For putting himself above the Supreme Court and the Filipino People, I am attaching my signature to the Impeachment complaint of Benigno Simeon Cojuanco Aquino III as President of the Republic of the Philippines.

July 1, 2014
Having a virtual office

A business needs a small office outside the home so I go a virtual office at voffice.com.ph . Having a virtual office (check here for more information) is so convenient. vOffice in short for Virtual Office, gives you everything you need to efficiently run your business less the cost of maintaining a physical office. It gives you a prestigious business address, telephone & fax number, professional receptionist to answer your call, working space, full equipped meeting facilities, on-demand secretary and more. I got their Platinum plan.

June 28, 2014
Panel on evolution of media on Social Media day

May 8, 2014
Hey Mom! portal : an online sisterhood for moms

I am quite honored to be selected as one of the mom contributors for Unilab’s Hey Mom! portal. Most mom-oriented brands prefer the younger moms to engage with their products or services. I believe I have a lot to share about parenting and am grateful for being given this opportunity to share these stories outside my blog. Aside from myself, former international model and VJ Amanda Griffin Jacob is one of the celebrity contributors. Her projects revolve around motherhood which has proven to be Amanda’s passion. Actress Mylene Dizon is another contributor as a single and playful mom.

Unilab prepared this very special gift for moms just in time for Mothers’ Day—an online community made by Filipino mothers for Filipino mothers. Hey Mom! is an online portal specifically designed to be a resource for moms to access and exchange relevant information that will help in their everyday parenting tasks.

April 29, 2014

1st Future of Media Conference #futuremediaph

My friend , Jane Uymatiao and I helped organize the 1st Future of Media together with The Philippine Online Chronicles, the Vibal Foundation of the Vibal Group . It was such a huge success. The possibilities to achieve change through media and communication is limitless. The power of citizen media will increase through digital applications (apps), more collaboration with netizens and traditional media as well as the support of full-service agencies, digital marketing organizations, and foundations. The “Internet has opened up spaces for grassroots movements to emerge and seek political and social empowerment through the Web.”

April 2014
Bloggers as New Media Personalities (Carlo Ople and Noemi Lardizabal Dado)

I remember attending iBlog 2 in 2006, two months after I started this blog. iBlog has a soft spot for me. This was where I met the popular bloggers like Abe Olandres and Manolo Quezon . This time around, I talked about how I evolved as momblogger, advocating for social change. I also talked on “What is the future of blogging?” Here is the video introduction of talk:

February 13, 2014
1st PUP Mabini Media Awards: Best Blog

I am grateful to the PUP students for recognizing my work on social media. My role as mom blogger is to nuture not only my family but the community so that the future citizens will have a better future. This fourth award is such a big honor because I did not have to solicit and ask friends to vote for me (unlike other nominations where popularity voting counts). The last honor given to me was seven years ago as “Winner, Best Website, Blogs Category- 10th Philippine Web Awards- November 23, 2007”.

I didn’t realize the Awarding ceremonies and the 3rd Young Communicators’ Congress would be this huge and grand. I nearly teared as I walked down the aisle because of the awesome music. I recorded my reaction in my Bubbly Audio post.

January 6, 2014
Speaking & Consulting : Social media, Pro-active parenting & Wellness

To sustain an advocacy requires time and money that could have otherwise gone to saving up for our senior years. This is where Jane and I talked about developing our income channels yet doing what we are passionate about: advocating for social change. Why not offer our services? Though, Jane and I are invited as social media resource speakers, we don’t actively promote ourselves. For 2014, we have moved to a new direction: expanding our services to include social business consultancy, and more topics for social media and pro-active parenting with a new category on “Reinventing One’s Life”. Jane writes about this new chapter in her life.

—

The year 2014 has been fulfilling both as a mom blogger and citizen advocate for Blog Watch. As you can see, my friend Jane is so much a part of it. I started the year 2015 with ” Health is wealth ” and working on the website of Prep2PrimeDigital.com . Check it out and see why it is called Prep to Prime or P2P, for short since we emphasize the breadth of our parenting and social media experience.

The year 2015 will take me more into Prep2PrimeDigital.com to complement the activities I do as mom blogger. . When I wonder what is coming, I tell myself the best is coming, the very best in life has to to offer, the best God will send and claim it as mine.

Hope to see you all in our P2P events.

02Jan 2015

10,000 steps to wealth

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver” says Mahatma Gandhi .

I try to lead a healthy life ever since I had some coronary issue in 2004. My father suffered from diabetes complications for many years and eventually died from it. Sadly, I was not taking care of myself in my early forties especially those years in my utter grief. It turns out that I also have the same diabetes as my father. I worry about my daughters getting the same disease so I tell them to watch their weight , eat complex carbohydrates and lead a healthy and active lifestyle. Being overweight might lead to a higher blood sugar. Enrolling in Fitness First was the best decision I have ever made. Being a member for the past 10 years, my gym routine has slackened. Having a trainer is quite expensive too. For many years, my aerobics goal is to reach at least 30 minutes daily. It has served me well but I don’t think I am pushing myself to a more fit me.

I wanted something different to motivate me, to be more fit like tracking my walking steps, distance, calories burned and other data, found in pedometer watches. The thing is I don’t have the budget to buy a pedometer watch. I intend to buy a Fitbit one day. This will not stop me from I decided to join the millions of people who have already downloaded Pacer, the world’s leading smartphone based activity tracker, and take the first step into a more active and healthy life.

A review says the “Pacer app is easy to set-up. It only counts steps and does not extrapolate to distance, so no step length measurement is necessary. Basically, one downloads the app and starts walking. The app records in the background, so the user can forget it is there for days at a time, and check in occasionally. ”

I tested it out today. As of this writing, I have only reached 5900 steps. Well , that is what happens when I oversleep. While I was at the gym, I discovered my 30 minutes at the treadmill is only 3599 steps. That means I need at least an hour and half activity to reach my goal of 10,000 steps. I could increase my treadmill time or walk more outside the gym. I might even find a dance routine if I am at home.

I should stop writing now and work my way to my 10,000 steps to wealth. Health is wealth after all. Do you agree?

The greatest wealth is health. ~Virgil

31Dec 2014

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

Happy New year. Tonight, it will only be the noise of my “torotot” and the 2007 video of this firecracker explosion from our neighbors. I remember how the explosion deafened me for a few minutes . It was the worst explosion I witnessed. I could only take a minute video. Listen to it.

Tonight, I will pray for the victims of Seniang. So many deaths and loss to property. While everyone was in a holiday mode, parts of Visayas and Mindanao experienced flashfloods, landslides that were unexpected. I know 2015 seems bleak while we experience this heartbreaking yearender. I continue to hope that the Philippines will recover from this. I hope that more Filipinos are discerning towards choosing their leaders.

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” says Albert Einstein. Let’s also remember Mother Teresa when she said “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

I expect good things for myself and my loved ones despite the Seniang storm late this year.

1. When I wonder what is coming, I tell myself the best is coming, the very best in life and love have to offer, the best God will send and claim it as mine.

2. I see the best in my mind and envision what it will look like and feel like.

3. After I have envisioned the good things, I let it go and come back to the present moment. I will not obsess. I become excited.

Today, as the year ends, I am full of gratitude for all that I received this year. Good and bad.

I will wait and expect good things for 2015.

To all my readers, I hope that when you think about the year ahead, you will focus on the good that is coming.

New is the year, new are the hopes, new is the resolution, new are the spirits, and new are my warm wishes just for you. Have a promising and fulfilling New Year. Happy New Year!

29Dec 2014

Flower Power, Make Love Not War

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ 4 Comments

Smile. God Loves You. I often scribbled those words in my diary way back in the early seventies when I was in High School. I also picked up Flower Power, a slogan likely coined by Alan Ginsberg in 1965. It referred the hippie notion of ““make love not war,” and the idea that love and nonviolence, such as the growing of flowers, was a better way to heal the world than continued focus on capitalism and wars. I often ended my diary entry with a smiley face and a flower on top of the hat.

The idea of using flowers to express a movement gets at the heart of hippie identity. As a teen, the flower power drawings were everywhere. Flowers are so pretty and no wonder I always adorn my home with flowers. The simplicity of the flower, its ties to the earth and natural origin, and its beauty were all things this counterculture movement wanted to remain close to. In the end, there’s a beauty and grace to the flower power movement, even though it ultimately did end badly for more than a few people. Like many movements which may have many good intentions, certain aspects, like an emphasis on drug use, contributed to its destruction. Like any flower, the flower power movement grew for a time in the mid to late 1960s, and then withered sadly by the early 1970s.

Flower Power will always ring true in my heart. And I want to shower you with Flower Power.

Make love, not war.
Most often demands of life may sometimes get in the way of most couples. Being intimate, whether it’s a quick hug, holding hands, a quick massage on the shoulder, a snuggle on the couch, or a night of passion, needs to be scheduled into every day. Without fail, I practice intimacy with my romantic husband (well, except when he is goes inside his bat cave) and children every day.

Give peace a chance.
Pick your battles carefully. Sure, that latest gossip can be so annoying. Some may think that by exposing others, they themselves appear more righteous. Remember. when YOU point a finger, there are three fingers pointing back at you. Blowing out someone’s candle does not make yours shine brighter. But is that gossip worth an armed conflict? Only you can make that decision. Maybe conceding the battle will win the war in the long run.

Flower power!
Never underestimate the importance of a heart-felt apology, with or without flowers. If you acted like an idiot, admit it. The words ““I’m sorry” heal and bridge the gap. There are times we act in ways that are less than comfortable. But we don’t have to say ““I’m sorry” if we didn’t do anything wrong. I don’t have to apologize for taking care of myself, dealing with feelings, setting my boundaries , having fun or getting healthy.

Indeed there is beauty in grace in Flower Power. It’s healing.

24Dec 2014

The Christmas letter my daughter wrote 10 years ago, that changed my life.

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ 1 Comment

Early this year, I cleared up all the junk that was piling at home. Lying beneath all that clutter , I spotted this special Christmas card, that my daughter gave me on December 24, 2004. Yes, exactly 10 years ago. I clearly remember myself 10 years ago. I was like a zombie, grief stricken from the loss of my beloved son and avoided social contact with friends and relatives, except immediate family. It had been four years since my son died but still, I felt I was holed up in the deepest pit, trying to find the light that would bring me to a new normal. I was borderline obese and ugly. Not only that, I was a controlling mother and an indifferent wife. So, when I read Lauren’s greeting card, I suddenly saw a tiny ray of light…and felt a knot in my throat. GUILT.

With my daughter’s permission, I am copying the contents of her beautiful letter. So wise beyond her 18 years, I want you to read it for yourself:

December 24, 2004

Dearest Mom,

I thought I’d write you a short Christmas letter as a token of my gratitude for everything that you’ve done for me. I mean, you’ve done so much for me and…. and Dad and you put so much effort into making holidays like this memorable and magical for all of us. You’ve done a wonderful job and I appreciate it very much.

I see you do so many things for us, and sometimes I wonder if you do anything for yourself. It’s okay for you to take care of us but I think you need to take more care of yourself. I guess I’m a bit worried about what you will do with your life after M and I leave the nest. I think it would be nice for you to go out once in a while, relax and just have fun and not attend to family duties. Take a break and be yourself.

I guess the reason why I’m telling you this is because even if I don’t show it very often, I do love you and I am concerned about you, I want you to be happy , and I want to know if you will be all right two or three years from now when I go off and start my own life.

You and I are very different from one another and I hope you understand that even though I’d like to do everything you ask of me, I’m my own person too. And sometimes I do things not so I could piss you off, but because it’s something I want for myself. And while I know you are constantly worried about me because it’s your job to, I thought I’d let you know that I’m going to be just fine.

Merry Christmas , Mom. I love you.

Love from

Your daughter, Lauren

When I showed Lauren this letter , I asked her how I turned out…10 years after. Did I pass the mark?

“I guess”, my wise daughter nods.

Here are a few things I did the following year:

2005

– Finally gave my daughter the approval to continue the relationship with someone I did not approve

– Enrolled at Fitness First to lose excess weight

– gave my husband an ultimatum, to shape up or our marriage is over

– Co-founded the grief support group for bereaved parents, The Compassionate friends in December 2005

2006

– started this blog

I believe I am taking care of myself more than I did 10 years ago. I lost all those excess pounds. I feel pretty oh so pretty. My social life and career as a mom blogger and citizen advocate make life so worth living. I also believe I am a better person than I was ten years ago. Yes, my home is now an empty nest and it gets lonely at times but I found something to be busy with– working for the future of this country.I want to make a difference in my children’s lives by making a difference in the world. And I have four cats to keep me company aside from my husband. I hope my daughters are proud of me because I am proud of myself. I hope they will count the times I worked hard to attain this new normal than those times I fell in that pit.

Being a mother can be the greatest opportunity for growth. Our children show us possibilities , that there is a new world out there. The struggle to be our best “when the stakes are so high offers us a chance to be introspective and explore ideas we might not have ever considered.” I encourage parents to explore these possibilities and integrate everything our children are trying to teach us. We learn so much from them.

Thank you, my dear daughters for raising your mother well.

21Dec 2014

Imagine if a newborn could speak…what would she/he want for Christmas?

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

Imagine if a newborn could speak…what would she want for Christmas?

What could we give our children that will last forever?

I stumbled upon this song on spotify and played it as I was relaxing in my bedroom with my husband. This new song was beautifully sung in A cappella and caught my husband’s attention . The Christmas song is superb! Upon checking the title , “The World for Christmas” by the Real Group, I felt so inspired to share it here. The song is just so beautiful. Oh I forgot I said that already. How come I never heard of this group? I got more curious. In Wikipedia, it says that ” The Real Group was formed in 1984, when its original members were students at the Swedish Royal College of Music. All had previously attended Adolf Fredrik’s Music School (Swedish: Adolf Fredriks Musikklasser), a school in Stockholm known for its song and choral curriculum…They are a professional a cappella group from Sweden, consisting of five members: Emma Nilsdotter, Katarina Henryson, Anders Edenroth, Morten Vinther Sørensen, and Anders Jalkéus.”

Listen to the music in this video:

Read the lyrics and be touched. Hear the unspoken wish from a tiny tiny tot

It’s the night before Christmas and all through the house
not a creature is stirring not even a mouse
the stockings are hung by the chimney with care
but hopes for saint Nicholas I wish I could share
I am new to this world I arrived here this morn
to this beautiful planet though beat up and torn
I don’t need a gift need no more than I’ve got
hear the unspoken wish from a tiny tiny tot
I only want the world for Christmas
the blue green for ever turning world for Christmas
nothing more nothing less I want it for keeps and I promise to share
so that everyone who wants can cuddle and care
I only want the world for Christmas
the blue green for ever turning world for christmas
to restore to repossess
please make it last my fate is in your hands
oh give me a present for the future
you could follow your heart but you follow a whim
and fill up your stockings way over the brim
ignoring the signs on a frail crystal ball
you wish away wish away wish away all
the moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
gives a luster of mid day to objects below
why your eyes wont see
when they’ve given all this light
I wonder I wonder
this very special night
I only want the world for Christmas
the blue green for ever turning world for Christmas
to restore to repossess
please make it last my fate is in your hands
oh give me oh give me oh give me oh give me oh give me
a present for the future
do do do do do do do do do do do do

The Real Group Christmas song “The World For Christmas” is a reminder to care better for our planet so that our children can inherit in all its beauty and splendor.

17Dec 2014

Miss nothing , a touching video for overseas Filipinos

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

“Christmas is the most important celebration of the year for many Filipinos and its essence lies in precious moments shared with the family. In this project, we provide the opportunity for families to come together in one hub, regardless of their actual location, and share memories seamlessly, like they’re never apart.” – Ryan Morales, Google Philippines Country Marketing Manager

Over 13 million Filipinos live abroad, away from their families including my daughter and three siblings. This will be my second Christmas without my daughter at our home in the Philippines. It is lonely without her. My family is not complete. I console myself by thinking that Home is where the heart is. Your home is whatever place you long to be. I use Viber to chat with my daughter, though . Sometimes, it is better to use email so it does not get lost in the clutter of the chat box. My daughter uses WhatsApp to communicate with her sister. There are countless ways to connect with our loved ones abroad. This Christmas, +Google Philippines pays tribute to them through a video.It is so touching. Initial feedback from friends in my facebook wall is positive and uplifting

The message of the video is one can share the everyday no matter the distance. Google does this by having a balikbayan website at g.co/balikbayan.. At the Balikbayan website, “users can learn how to use Google tools like Hangouts, Search, and Maps can help them adjust to their new lives and countries, while still keeping in touch with their loved ones still in the Philippines. OFWs can also visit the Google+ Community called OFW Circle to connect with other OFWs around the world.”

My sister found the video so touching “I can really feel for our overseas Filipinos (because I am one of them).” The pangs of loneliness are just more pronounced on Christmas because most associate it with family.

Like I said, I console myself. Truly our home is where the heart is. My heart will always be with my two girls and my siblings. They will forever be my home. My brother is in Abu Dahbi which is another home, and my two other sisters are in California, another home to me. Europe is now one of my homes. My home is dear to me. My home is where my family is at this very moment wherever they may be, even if they are now are scattered all over the world.

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