During our recent High School reunion, we missed the presence of Jimmy L and Sandy S. both very popular figure in our campus.  A startling news circulated among the group that the duo are in hot water because the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is running after them and a  tax evasion case was already filed against them.   They are business partners of a  big cargo forwarding and export-import company and apparently they are also “partners” in crime.  The BIR is determined to send tax evaders to jail that has been cheating the government, resulting to massive revenue losses.   Unfair to us who religiously pay our taxes which a law abiding citizen of the country ought to be.  And really it disheartened us knowing there are a lot of  people who are tax cheaters and our friends happened to be among them.

Why do we have to pay taxes?  Paying taxes are what lets our country be as healthy as is and it help fund the government.   Simply put, because it is the LAW!   And if you don’t want to pay, then go to other countries where taxes law is  non-existent.  Since we are law abiding citizens, we see to it that we pay our taxes on time and in the event that we failed to do so, we avail of income tax extension form that would help us get extra time to finish filing our taxes minus the hassles and guilt.

Only if we could only get hold of the two,  they have to hear the good news that there are available Tax Preparation Software that will guide them through all the way to a guaranteed maximum refund and companies such as Turbo tax is a sure help for personal and business taxes.

So, what they did was an unacceptable act and we their batchmates are hunting them too!

OMG.. I can’t believe it … the stark truth that those laugh lines, brow lines are getting to be too prominent on my face.. so it is confirmed that my youthfulness is lost forever.  But who wouldn’t be.. at the age of 51 what else can I expect to happen on my face.. forever young???   I guess, I should start to psyche myself that it is perfectly alright and that I can still be beautiful with lines everywhere.   I should also learn to face the realities that there is no stopping now of getting older each day.  No amount of creams, make up can camouflage the signs.. yes, signs of aging…  Invasive procedures promises temporary solution …Yah.. botox as whispered to me by a cousin will be of help but it would mean regular injection … like every 6 months of injection… I did not not pay much attention before because I was confident before that I won’t be needing it, but now, I might consider it ,if I have already conquered my fear of  injection.  The thought made me cringed….

oh me.. oh my lines….

Well, there is really no use of sulking and wishing for the impossible… the best thing to do now is to help oneself to grow old gracefully.  How?  They say that diet and exercise can somehow delay the aging process….enough sleep and rest and the much sought stress- free life  is of help.

There should be acceptance….everybody will pass this phase of life, it just happened that I was born earlier and have to face the truth ahead of time. But, I am thankful that I was able to reach this age.. for there were some did not even manage to celebrate their golden years.

Indeed.. life is good!  Even if my mirror is really telling the truth….

A friend brought us hope and good news when she came back sleek and slim and looking young.  Of course, we were intrigued on how she did it.  Knowing that she also had this love and hate relationship with her stored fats…lol…. and yo-yo dieting is nothing new.  It is an endless battle of the bulge.   She will lose weight and gain it again in just few weeks.   She had tried all diets.. fad diet pills, yoga, tae-bo .. countless means to fight her ballooning weight…

However, this time, it was a success!  There is no surgical intervention because she hates surgery like liposuction that is why she is trying all possible means to lose weight.   We cornered and let her spill the beans… apparently, she has been drinking a new brand of  Slimming coffee and she hit the bulls eye… it is effective on her.  Actually, the effect is different for all types of people…she did not experience any side effects at all unlike others who swore that it is not good for them.

This time my friend Annie is bent to continue drinking the coffee and will do her work out to hasten her weight loss.  She is focussed to reach her goal because 6 months from now, her beau is going to arrive for their church wedding.   Any lady would want to look her best on her special day!  I am now tempted to try the coffee because I am one of the principal sponsors and of course, jut like the bride to be.. I also wanted to show off my new curves (if the coffee will work for me).

Let me see if I can ask for Annie’s before and after photo to post here… Just hang on…

Yes!  I am sure glad to be back!  I was able to rest for the whole day but there were times that I was  tempted to go near my computer and start blogging but I restrained myself so that I will get better fast.  I know that all my FB and blogger friends missed me and same here!

Such a pure bliss… RELAX MODE……

There is nothing really serious… I had body malaise,  feverish and my migraine had visited me again (actually, my monthly visitor).  Since I am used to his visitation rights (huh!), I can’t do anything but to take extra care of myself  and just wish that persistent headache will go away fast.  However, I felt the more it makes me sick , just lying in bed the whole day inside our room so I changed venue, I relaxed in our hammock in the covered rooftop.  Reading will only strain my eyes so I put it off for some other days and I avoided the  computer for a while …  I just amused myself with happy thoughts about my family especially my children… I also had the chance to reassess my life and had checked  what are areas of my life that needs strengthening and renewal.  Also I remember my my hubby… in 2 months time we will celebrate our Silver Wedding Anniversary….and somehow I got a bit depressed because until now, my excess weight is still here with me… OMG.. it has been a long time resident of my body! lol.

I just hope that I will look good in my gown despite the bulges here and there!  I just need to have the RIGHT ATTITUDE!  No worries… today, I feel a lot better and I am happy to blog again…

Reghann is the daughter of my cousin who lives in California.  Such a refreshing face and the innocence exudes in her young face.  This is her first Ash Wednesday celebration for a Christian child like her.  It was the beginning of Lent for Catholics and the ash that was marked on  her forehead signifies penitence and mortality. It helps freshen the memory of the people about Ashes to ashes (meaning we come from dust, we return to dust),  It was yesterday that Lenten season begun and Catholics all over the world will engage in abstinence and fasting to meet their obligation of penance that is required by the church.

Children are not to required to observe the rules of Lent

There should be mutual respect… we should respect each other’s religious views and beliefs…..whether you are a Christian or a Muslim brother….

We grew up with our maternal grandfather who was strict.  Strict in the sense that he would not let us leave our dining table unless our  plate is clean.  He was teaching us the value of conserving  every grain of rice and not to waste food.  Because being a farmer himself, he knows the hardships of toiling in the farm.  So, we were taught to only put on our plate what we can consume.  He used to remind us that millions of people are getting hungry and dying and that food crisis is inevitable so we should be thankful that we have food to eat.  So why waste them?

Almost empty plate

We have carried on with us this kind of rules in the house that we should empty our plates and never to waste food ever.

I miss our grandfather… We’ve learned so much wisdom from him and empty plates always remind me of how frugal he was.

As I woke up early today I said a little prayer “Thank you Lord, I am alive” !  Indeed, we have to be thankful for the mere fact that we see the light of day because there are people who died in their sleep.   I woke up thankful that my husband is still snoring besides me, which means he was with me the whole night unlike other wives who fell asleep waiting the whole night  for their husbands to come home.   Thankful too, that we have something on our table to eat even how simple it might seem unlike for others who still have to beg just so they can put something into their mouth to alleviate their hunger.  Thankful that we have the means to communicate with our children who are far from us unlike others that they are at a lost on how to trace the wherabouts of their loved ones.    Thankful that we still have a nice pair of shoes to use where others can’t walk because they lost their limbs.   Thank you for the many blessings… thank you!

There are a lot to be thankful for.   And this morning, I am greeting the whole world “Good morning!”

On Sunday, I spent some time in a cave park with my husband and some close friends and I had a nice day, despite the scorching heat outside.  We walked aimlessly, went to Starbucks for caffeine and muffins and wandered around till I chanced upon a souvenir stall in a nearby flea market.  I got a few finds for some great prices. However, hubby is not sold to the idea of what I bought… but it is nice to treat myself to some small things which brings a smile anyway..

10 days to go and the  “ber” month will be here.  Slowly but surely, there is no escaping from the month long festivities in the Philippines as December will usher in.  My husband brought home 3 big empty boxes for us to fill in with such as non-perishable food, household items, shoes, electronics, toys, designer clothing and toiletries.   The boxes are called balikbayan boxes (literally means retun to one’s homeland box) which we usually pack 3 months in advance calculating that it will arrive just in time for Christmas.   We will have it shipped by air which will take around 7 days or by sea cargo -about 45 days.  Freight forwarders are doing a brisk and lucrative business here because most Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are their costumers. It  has developed into a way of life of  the family of the overseas Filipino. 

We still have a lot of shopping to do so we can fill up the almost half full box.  The other two are already securely taped and once the other box is full, it is ready for shipment.  For sure, my children and relatives are looking forward for the boxes.  

There is joy in giving you know….