S C H O O L S !

This school year, we decided to move our eldest son to another school. We are not sure yet if this is a good step to take, but cost-wise, we are sure it is.

I listed a few Pro's & Con's for the move, parents like us might want to consider these points in decision making regarding moving schools.

OLD SCHOOL PRO'S:

-Progressive, gives importance to self-confidence.

-Secured, children are safe within the premises.

-Small community, kids and parents know each other.

-Supportive, well trained and kind staff and faculty.

-Kuya (elder brother in Filipino), is already at home in this school. He had been attending Pre-school here for 3 School Years now.

OLD SCHOOL CON'S:

-Limited facilities, less books, less space. Not even a waiting area for parents and caregivers.

-Basic skills such as writing, reading and counting were taken for granted. Though school is progressive, it is still their duty to teach the basics.

-High tuition fee. Same facilities but we pay more.

-More misc payments almost each month.

-Unnecessary activities involving the children that are not part of the School's curriculum.

-Due to these unwanted activities, days of classes are lessened to give way for the said events. Yet, less time to study for the SY.

-None of the extra curricular activities were ever included either in the tuition or misc fees upon enrollment. So extra money should always be shelled out.

-The list can go on and on, but these are enough.

As for the new school, I cannot give a concrete comparison yet. But there are certain points that made us decide for the big move.

1. Cheaper. From 67k php it is now narrowed down to 25k php. We can now send 2 boys on the same school, less cost for both.

2. More accessible. Just a 10min drive or trike ride from home.

3. Traditional teaching approach. It is always best to explore new teaching approaches, but in a country with a very competitive educational environment, our kids need to know the basics in time.

4. School supplies included in the enrollment fees. Do I hear less stress come June? Happy mom!

5. Uniforms in the said new school is supplied by a family friend. Hassle free!

6. Children within the same community, children of past neighbors or grandchildren of our parents' friends, share the same school. Familiar faces, less anxiety.

We are still to find out what the new school offers. But we need to grow and explore better options for our children. We will forever be grateful to Kuya's old school. They brought my little shy boy out of his shell. He is now a well-rounded person and the old school is to praise for for this great improvement.

We are parents. We only seek what will be best for our children. May it be this school, the old one or perhaps a new one in the future, we, as parents, should work hand in hand not just with our children but with the school community. Together, we will shape our kids to be better and successful individuals.

Happy school hopping parents!

Ciao, 

Joyce

The Blind Side

Today is the start of my weekend. And I started it by watching this touching movie with my boys, "The Blind Side".

This is a story of a strong woman, Leigh Anne Tuohy (played by Sandra Bullock), who's life was touched by Micheal (Quinton Aaron). Leigh Anne saw Micheal from a school event, he was a young homeless black man who does not have a home. He only slept in the school gym and had a plastic bag with an extra shirt. She invited this young man to his home, together with his family hoping to change his life. But in the end, it appeared that it was Micheal who changed hers.

Photo shared from blog.moviefone.com

This movie inspired me to become a better mother for my children. Showing your family how strong you are as a person will make them stronger. And this will be a foundation of self-respect and confidence that they do well in anything they work for.

This is a great movie to enjoy with the family. My children understood the meaning of brotherhood after seeing the film. I learned how a mother should always be there to support her family in anything they do. It may physically be hard, but there is always a way.

Enjoy your rest days moms. Spend quality time with your family!

Ciao,

Joyce 

The wind beneath my wings.

Death never fascinated me. Never was I prepared for it. And that is one word that would always scare my heart.

Whenever I hear a story about death, I always get the feeling of extreme sadness. May it be death of a known personality, to a death of a neighbor, of an acquaintance or a friend, it always breaks my heart. I know how difficult it is to lose someone you love. And life will never ever be complete without them. Ever.

I lost significant people in my life. They made me the person and the mother that I am today. And my heart will forever be grateful to these people.

As the song goes, they are the 'wind beneath my wings'.

Lydia Mateo-Cruz

The best grandmother in the world.

Nanay Lydia has been my inspiration for her unconditional love for her family. She served as an inspiration to my parents because she is the best mother-in-law, as my father would always say. This is the reason why my parents have loved my husband as their own child, because they knew how good it is to be loved by your parents-in-law. I was lucky because she took care of me since I was born. We lived together up till she left for Canada. And since then, everything was never the same. She bridged the family together. And she will forever be my inspiration in being a good mother because nobody in this world can ever be as great as my Nanay Lydia.

Myra Ramiscal-Jacinto

My bestfriend.

Ate Myra have seen me grow since birth. She was the one who took the responsibility that Nanay Lydia had after she left for Canada. Being the only Aunt that I have, she was the only one who would go with me all the time. She took me to office Christmas parties, she was the one who would fetch me from school when nobody had the time to do so. She would take a dayoff from work just to be with me during field trips. She was the one who would take care of me when Mama was out of the country because of work. I never had the chance to tell her this, but she was like a second mother to me. She shared every joy with me, from childhood to graduating college to motherhood. Being single all her life, she treated me as a daughter, and she have always treated me as part of her life. Suddenly loosing her in my life was the hardest. I missed every single birthday that she was there to greet me and every single Christmas. I missed her jokes and laughing our hearts out together. I miss her so much.

Jose Buenaventura-Jacinto

The best Tatay in the world.

My youngest son was named after Tatay Peping, this is to show how much I loved him. Tatay is a man of few words. He will just religiously attend to the store, from early in the morning till late at night without any complains. He was a good example of a father who showed good judgment over his children.  He never nagged but when tolerance was enough, he would still stand up and show everyone that HE is still the father. He would run to a party upon finding out one of his son is drunk and causing trouble. He would stand up for you if you are doing the right thing. But on top of it all, I knew from my heart, I was his favorite granddaughter. He made me feel that he was proud of me, that I did a good job of being the good daughter that I am. I know he is at peace now. I know that he knew who among his children who loved him the most. And though distance made our relationship weak back then, I am confident that he knew I loved and will love him forever so much.

Manuel Coates-Navoa Sr.

My one and only father-in-law.

Both my kids were named after Papa Manny, not only because my husband was his Jr. but because he have a special place in our hearts. When my Papa met him the first time during 'pamamanhikan', I knew right away that we will be one family. I knew that my Papa and Papa Manny will have a bond, and this will bond our own family too. He is my husband's inspiration. He is the picture of a father who would never turn his back on his family. Through thick and thin, everything he did was for the family. I loved him more because of the love he gave my children. Never did he make us feel that he had a favorite. But instead, we all felt his equal and unconditional love for all of us. He made me feel that I am his child, not just his son's wife, but his own child. And I will never forget that. I had another family, who accepted and loved me equally the same as how my own parents did. We miss you Papa Manny. You are my father. And until forever, I am your child.

Writing this post made my heart cry, again. I just knew that I had to give a tribute to these people because they made me the better person that I am today. Before, I always think that the saying, "Ang mababait unang kinukuha ni Lord", was a joke. But in my own realization, indeed there is truth on that. I always remember the homily that Fr. Joseph Biliran shared during Ate Myra's wake. The Lord only prepares his house for his children, and when your room in his house is ready...he will ask you to come home and live with him. Though my heart is bleeding, knowing that they are already with the Lord, makes me feel glad. Wherever they are at the moment, there would be no more suffering and pain, no more hatred and tears. Never ending happiness and eternal life. My only prayer is for them to keep us safe and watch over us as we wait for our rooms in heaven to be prepared.

It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you.

To Nanay Lydia, Ate Myra, Tatay Peping and Papa Manny

Thank you. Thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings.

Celebration in the Air 2011: A tour of the wonderful world of Disney! (The Disneyland Theme Park)

This is the highlight of the trip!

Even I, myself, is so excited. The last time I visited Disneyland was 1995 and that was the one in LA. I did not enjoy much at that time since I was with my parents and they don't really care about the rides. This time I am with my whole family, with the people I loved the most...so I'm 101% sure that this will be the best Disneyland trip ever!

Though we were very tired with the long trip and the wait time to check in the hotel room, we decided that we need to go to the theme park because we do not want to waste our 2-day pass. We took maps earlier from the hotel lobby and we were already planning which route to follow to see all the attractions. This plan...we never followed! haha

Once you're there, you just get amazed with the attractions, you tend to run towards the first ones you see. And since we came with the kids, it's a never ending stop to fall in line for picture taking sessions. 

We arrived at the park at around 4pm. From the Disney Hollywood Hotel is a shuttle (one arrives every 10-15 mins) to take you back and forth the theme park. After getting off the shuttle is a loooong walk from the terminal to the actual entrance gates. For 2-day pass holders, you can either register your pass by using your thumb print or have your picture taken by the office. We chose the thumb print since it will take time ( and another long walk ) to get your picture taken.

This was just a part of the long walk from the shuttle station.

Baby J still hiding from the camera!

Finally!

Surfin Mickey!

E & J with Lola.

The City Hall. Remember this because this is where the ONLY money changer is!

  As we entered the park, we decided to take the train ride that tours you around. It has 2 stops, first station is on Main Street & the second one in Fantasyland. We had an idea of how the route will be...but then again, we were not able to follow the plan! haha

Since this is the first day, and we were already tired, we decided to just try the rides with no long lines. But we ended up eating up all of the afternoon time by falling in line to each hut where the characters were. Hubby said that it's better to take the pictures now, then enjoy the entire park tomorrow. So that's what we did. Fall in line, picture. Fall in line, picture. Till we were able to gather enough souvenir snaps to finally ride, It's a Small World.

This was my mom's favorite ride in Disney LA. She would repeat the ride numerous times. And this is the first one she looked for on this visit. They came here last year too, and rode repeatedly. She just loves the dolls!

Riding the train around the park.

A glimpse of Tomorrowland.

Goofy in his Chinese New Year costume. Papa did not come and chose to sleep in the hotel room instead.

Pluto loves me! ~ Kuya E

I'm Tigger's super hero! ~ Baby J

It was already dark when we went to our first ride, It's a Small World!

The cute dolls dancing to the same tune over and over again.

Next stop was Autopia, with my driver Baby J.

The Celebration in the Air at 8pm. We were far because Kuya E is scared of fireworks.

Good thing, as we were buying dinner, the Celebration in the Air started. This shot was taken from Tomorrowland. We were unable to watch near the castle because Kuya E is scared of fireworks. We waited for a few mins and walked our way out back to the shuttle station.

We had our dinner at the hotel. But please be reminded that none of the restos in the theme park have take out bags. We had to carry our food using our shopping bags. So if you are planning to have dinner take out, forget it. We had a hard time taking the food to the hotel. But we had no choice because Papa was alone and sleeping in the room. We had to bring dinner.

This was a tiring but very memorable day for us, specially the kids. It was a time in their lives that I know they will forever treasure. Thanks to Mama and Papa for bringing us here. Tomorrow will be packed with Disney fun again.

Ciao,

Joyce