It's the 30th. Our 75th month. Mediterranean night, our fave! =)

We were able to attend Rockwell’s Urban Bazaar. We are hoping (and working) on beadbar joining future bazaars soon. It was a crush, so many people milling around even though it was the last day already. We were only able to pick up two measly cupcakes. They were yummy though. I’m glad I was able to eat my fave Red Velvet Cake again. Although We had to pay PhP 200 entrance fee for a PhP25 cupcake. *sigh.

I’m back!
Things, thankfully, are looking up. I’m excited for the long weekend. I felt like even though I see my husband every night, it’s only during weekends when we really let loose. It has been a busy month, ate me up emotionally and physically with all the things happening. I’m just glad to have great friends and a wonderful family. At the end of the day, that’s all that really matters.

PRAY FOR ME. I would nod and smile indulgently. I used to hear this many times before from all sorts of people. We say this also often enough it has become an expression of some sort: Maybe a way to open up about something bigger, something wonderful or at times, something more severe.

I’ve thought about the countless times I’ve heard this in the past from people I’ve known at some point in my life. And the very few times I prayed for their intention.
Honestly, there were just very few. Sure, I will send out positive vibes, I’m actually good at being happy for others. But prayers are more personal, more direct, and something private between me and God. It was not intentionally done. I just had a long list to consult with HIM, along the way I forgot about praying for them.

Elijah Rocco came into our lives and I’ve never appreciated other people’s prayers until now. Now, when somebody asks me to pray for her, I immediately do: Offer one Lord’s Prayer for her intentions. I have learned this is an effective way of making do with my promise to really pray for someone.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR ELIJAH. Please help us, we believe prayers can move mountains.

My sister writes so well. I am proud of you Ate Hazel, for so many things. Your strength stands out the most.

Please help us pray for our little warrior Elijah. You may visit his page at elijahrocco.blogspot.com

SHE'S A YEAR OLD ALREADY!!!

Our baby girl is a year old already. I MISS MY NIECES SOOOOOO MUCH

I Love you so, Cheskapooh

WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT MORE THAN EVER

"O God, to whom all things grow, and by whom they are strengthened when grown, stretch forth Thy hand upon Thy servant, ELIJAH ROCCO P. ESPINA who is sick at a tender age: that recovering the vigor of health, he may arrive at the fullness of years, and always give unto Thee a faithful and grateful service all the days of his life. Through Christ our Lord. AMEN."

PLEASE HELP US PRAY FOR OUR LITTLE WARRIOR

tin times

I thought this seemed familiar. We were talking about our dreams, our opinions, and people in our lives, our men, our plans and goals and just the funny persons around us. Same old, same old. Except that we are not the same. I’m a married businesswoman and I’m proud to say she’s a UN intern, a nomad in life. One day she’s in Tokyo, the next month in Manchester and some days spent lazing around in Maldives (I am jealous). Next month, she’s off to Netherlands. The world is her classroom.

Tin was one of my closest friends back in high school. As we were talking and laughing, I was reminded of the girl I used to be. How we have changed so much yet are still the same. Same old, same old.

There are people in my life that I don’t get to see all the time but when I’m with them, the ease, the closeness is still there. The last time I was with Tin was months ago and it is already years since we last talked, really talked. On my way to my fave coffee shop where I was about to meet her, I’ve thought about things to talk about. Honestly, I was a bit worried that the years have drifted us so apart from the comfortable familiarity we once knew so well. As I was looking at the familiar girl in front of me, I was reminded of that same person I was giggling with at the back of the Ateneo HS building, the girl I used to pass endless notes with, the girl I used to talk with for 5 hours straight on the phone, plotting, making semi-evil schemes, the girl I used to share my plans and dreams in life. Then the words just came pouring out, not so much reminiscing but more of looking forward, of our new plans (schemes?) and new “grown-up” dreams. Same old, same old.

We had cheek cramps from laughing too much that afternoon. As I always say, you don’t realize how much you’ve missed someone until you spend time with them.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NANAY!

I always say one of my married life's great blessings is having a mother-in-law like her. Believe me, I couldn't wish for anything better to any future wife than to have a mother-in-law like mine. =D

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANAY HEDY! We love you.

I’m in a frugalista mode for quite sometime now but the bag diva in me cannot be shorn of for a long time. Not to mention I really need to update my “balong” bag. I usually have one since Pao and I go back and forth from our house to my parents’ house and it’s just easier to throw all my everyday stuff in it. I’m hankering after a Rootote bag these past few days after seeing one from my Ate Hazel. I guess I’ll always be that little girl who likes whatever my Tetel likes. It’s a great day bag since I tend to lug and pile all my stuff to kingdom come everywhere I go. I love the kitsch designs and it’s very, very affordable.

Such a refreshing break from lusting over ridiculously priced bags.

I’ve always loved pearls but I didn’t get to wear them often before because my mom insisted that pearls are not for single women since they represent tears. I’ve always thought pearls make one look more polished and feminine and I love wearing them now although most of my beautiful, precious pearls are borrowed from my sisters and my mother. My mom has a great collection of pearls and I got my love for them from her.
So I’m really pleased with my new fresh-water pearl collection for the beadbar. I’ve always wanted to tinker with pearls and this new line is something very personal and special. =)

It was my grandpa’s 40th day from his passing yesterday. Days went by in a blur. I can hardly believe it myself that it had been 40 days already. I was kind of dreading going back since I might break down again and cry and I’m happy to report it wasn’t the case at all. I was glad to see my grandma healthier, plumper and even a bit happier than the past few years. We were happier this time around, my cousins and I, although as Pao had noted, I was still by far the noisiest among the bunch. I guess since my sisters are far, I have always been the designated leader even if I’m not the eldest. It has always been that way.

I went back to his room and found out all of his things were already moved out. I couldn’t sense his presence anymore. His scent no longer lingers in his room. It seemed as if his room had been abandoned for quite some time already. Even the furniture had been moved out. It felt empty...yet peaceful. I felt quite at peace as I was standing there alone. I was still a bit sad and although I will always miss him, I am more aware and accepting of his passing.

A lot of things happen in such a short while. Life moves on. Memories stay.

So inspiring...

Thank you for making us proud to be Filipinos.

In a burst of rare courage mixed with extreme idiocy, I decided last week to do something different with my hair. It has been the same for so many years already: Long, wavy, naturally tousled. A bit messy, if you will. But I believe my hair was my security blanket. In a society where super-straight hair is all the rage, my big hair is my badge. I got compliments with my hair mostly on days when I didn’t do much with it.

Then the urge to do something new hit me. I’m now contemplating hard why I didn’t just buy a shirt or maybe shoes to feed this need. I was thinking maybe, as a married woman, I need a change (as if changing my own address and name aren’t enough). So there goes the 7 inches of my crowning glory. Not realizing the aftermath will be painful enough, I had hair treatment that zapped all the natural waves gone. Gone. Gone.

I. Miss. My. Big. “Messy”. Hair. Now I’ve learned albeit the hard way: don’t fix it if it ain’t broken!

I had a wonderful afternoon (until late evening)last Friday with my dearest UPM friends, Therese and Aika.

Therese is one of my college bestfriends whom I've known since grade school. She's currently based in New Jersey and its a treat everytime we see each other. She gets prettier each time. I remember how I used to tease her back in high school because she never gets mad. ever. I love how she grew up to be that same sweet girl but with better sense of who she is not to mention she now does her own make-up better than I do. =P I'm going to miss you again Therese, don't forget our next date after your exams. mwah!

Rocking our world

I have the cutest nephew ever. He's thriving and doing well. I can't wait to kiss those chubby cheeks!!! Looks like he's begging for it. =)

I’ve been doing my charms for quite a while now and I’ve been thankful that it’s been worthwhile. I get so much reward by doing something that I love. When I get bulk orders for resellers and events such as weddings, I feel such fulfillment getting paid for something that love doing and more importantly, something that I created. But I think getting compliments from direct buyers is the most gratifying of all. It may not recompense as much but the joy of seeing someone appreciate my designs and my work is very, very heartwarming.

I recently got an email from an American whose boss went to the Philippines for a business trip and purchased a bracelet from one of my resellers. She was so smitten that she had to get one herself even though shipping actually cost a bit more than the actual item itself. These are the times that really make my day and actually make me even happier than getting a month’s worth order in a week. For reals.

My friends ask me how it all began. My little hobby turned to a budding business had a very organic growth. From making bag charms and simple accessories for my families and friends, I now sometimes get overwhelmed with orders and at times, I still get nervous thinking if I’m compromising my own tastes. I’m slowly attending to the business side of it all because it’s hard to reconcile both commerce and quality. I did invest a lot; there were times before that the capital was more than the actual selling price just so I could deliver better. But more importantly, I think it’s the sense of fulfillment and love for anything we do that make it all worthwhile.

I’m hoping to do this for as long as I can.

I’ve come to a rather dim conclusion that people lose a bit of their “cool” factor (whether really in existence or imagined) once they get married. No matter how happy the union is. I had this epiphany while I was happily whiling away my time this afternoon, marveling at the nice crochet trimmings of our bedspread.

Ugh. I remembered about my plans with Paolo before we got married: Go on trips every month, pretend we don’t know each other in a bar (lame-o), go on weeknight dates. I began recounting my activities the past few days: gardening with my husband, check. Cooking (or at least attempting to), check. Redecorating the house, check. Discovering my own “style” for a bread pudding, a proud check… Somehow, the activities that I was most excited for before are eclipsed by the fact that I just have someone to love me at my “coolest” and at my “dorkiest” (which happens more frequently, these days).

Now, I rather like the evolution of my activities that are in consequence with my civil status. Just recently, I’ve caught myself enjoying the great task of researching the merits of creeping figs on a garden wall. Going out is fun but coming home to your own place is much, much better. Somehow, I imagine what my “cool” 18-year-old self would say to me today...

“I can’t wait”, probably. =)

Quiet Weekends...

Look at my man go. Nothing's better than a guy who can cook. ;)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

To my bestfriend Jana and Pafa Joe! They got married in L.A. at last! YAY to the newlyweds!