My daughter celebrated her 20th birthday and I was glad that she lived and enjoyed her teenage years in a fun but legal means.   How blessed are we to have a child who did not give us much  problems while she was growing up.  And so today,as she celebrate her 20th birthday, I felt relieved that she has gone past her teenage years..  though I know she is a responsible girl, but sometimes we can’t help worry because peer pressures are one factor that can influence even the most behaved child.

Her celebration is a simple get together with family minus us her parents because we are working overseas.  However, we see to it that they are not only well provided for (allowances, cellphone loads), we lavish them the love and care they need despite the long distance.   The wonder of technology keep us always in touch with each other.

I was touched with a crying picture of her before the fondant cake. Is that an act or she was really sad? Perhaps she is sad because we are far or maybe because it is already goodbye to teenage life.  Well, it will take a while before the reality sink in and for her to realize that she is no longer a teenager and she is now going to face  the complicated world of adult.   But once she found her place in the world of mature ones, she may not wish to go back to teenage years full of challenges.

emotional b-day celebrant?

I stayed late the other night anxiously waiting for the announcement of winners during the Miss Universe 2011 coronation night held in Sao Paulo, Brazil.   I had to hang on till the end because our very own Shamcey Supsup, Miss Philippines made it to the Top 10.   She was our best bet in the pageant because she has the beauty and a good head on her shoulder having graduated Cum Laude in the University of the Philippines, Diliman with a degree in Architecture.  She embodied the true spirit of the Filipino people and she represented our country well.    Although, she only won as Miss Universe 3rd runner-up, still in our eyes and heart she is a WINNER!   It was Leila Lopes, Miss Angola who bagged the coveted Miss Universe 2011 title and she deserves it.   Indeed, “black is beautiful”!

our country’s bet-Ms. Shamcey Supsup

Not long after the pageant, a  friend tagged me an amusing pic and it blew away my sleepiness!  I wonder who cleverly did the editing of the pic which can easily deceive those who don’t know how to spot the difference.   I hope it was only done for kicks and not created by one sore loser who can’t accept that his/her bet to the pageant did not win the prestigious title.   Check the picture below and you will have a good laugh as well.

Mommy D- Ms. Ultra Universe 2011 ?

the newly crowned Miss Universe 2011

Yes, it was a clever handiwork of someone whom I believe knew Photoshop well.   Mommy D is the mother of  our world boxing champion , Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and she is also a “beauty”  in her own right.    Inside or outside?  Whatever… all I knew is that I was very much amused!

My 78 years old mom chief complaints were acute abdominal pain and vomiting which persisted for successive days and it was alarming at her age so she was admitted to the hospital to have an IV fluid administered to arrest dehydration.  It was suspected that she has gastritis and was given initial medications.   My other sister is available to assist her all throughout and we  can only receive updates about her condition by constant overseas calls.

The latest that I’ve heard is that she has been discharged 3 days ago but she still needs to undergo ultrasound of hepatobiliary tree, whatever that means I don’t know!   We are worried because at 78 mom is already complaining of too many lab works and she could no longer tolerate too many pills to swallow every meal.   Well, maybe some maintenance drugs for her hypertension and high cholesterol might somehow caused reactions to the lining of her stomach, thus she has gastritis.

We are anticipating still with the outcome of the test scheduled today and hopefully it will come out well.

Oh dear, the rest of the  ”ber” months are coming because September just came 2 days ago.  I don’t know why I suddenly experienced this panic attack and thoughts came into my mind to stock up early with gifts because when December comes, people will be rushing again for things to buy and long queues will be a nightmare.

But late last night, deep in my thought, I realized that it is more practical to give personalized Christmas gifts.   Well, I believe I can come up with exciting gifts by using my creativity and imagination.  Actually, I’ve started to create personalized photobooks and some had already been given away as birthday gifts and it was heartwarming to see how their faces lit up when they opened up my gifts.

Christmas is a Filipino tradition of gift giving and sharing of love and blessings with family and friends.  So as not to be overwhelmed with photobooks to finish, I will start asap.  I will make it a point that time, love and patience will be put into every book I’ve worked on which will definitely give a lasting impression on the recipients that they are very special.   For indeed they are!

I am getting excited already.. September is the beginning to countdown to Christmas!  And I am counting now….

yes, I made these photobooks…