[zei the MOM] An open letter to my daughter on her first day of pre-school

My Dearest Zia,

Today is a big day for you, it's your first day in Pre-school. :) I think Mommy's too excited as here I am, wide awake at half past 2 in the morning just to write to you. I know you're still a baby, and that we could have kept you in the house for another year or two given the new K-12 curriculum, but Dad and I think that you will learn so much more and meet new friends if we sent you to school this early.

Just like in your first ballet recital last week, I know, this will just be the start of the many times you will make your dad and I proud of you. You are such as smart and funny little girl, though we hope you won't be as 'malikot' so your teachers won't have a hard time. Haha. I pray that you make a lot of new little friends in your Pre-K class, and more than mastering all shapes, colors and numbers, I pray in my heart of hearts that you will learn more than those in school - like the value of being kind to others, making friends and discovering the joys of learning new things.

Mommy can't send you off on your first day because of work, but I want you to know (and I am documenting it), that I will make sure everything you'll need on your first day is prepared even before you wake up, also to give Ate and your dad an easier time. I will be there in your heart baby girl, praying that all will go well on your first day and the rest of the school year. I'll try to bring you to school one of these days when my schedule permits, my love. :) But here's a promise, that on your first day in BIG school (wherever or whenever that may be), mommy will definitely be there.

I know you'll look absolutely adorable in your school uniform and I can't wait to see your pics (which I carefully instructed your daddy to take). Smile for the camera please. :)

Before you become independent and all that, I want you to know that Mommy or Daddy really won't mind being needed by you anytime. You're just months shy from being three and you have made us so proud of you already for the wonderful little girl you already are and are shaping to become. Everyday I thank the Lord for blessing us with you.

To my first born, my little sweetheart, I love you and I can't wait for you to show the world and others how wonderful you are. Enjoy learning new things little girl and here's an assurance that mommy and daddy will always look forward to listening to the new things you will learn from here on.

Love always,
Mom

[zei the MOM] A birthday prayer for our Zia

Before this very special day ends, I'd like to share this prayer I made for our daughter Zia on her 2nd birthday. I tried searching the net for a prayer that suits our little girl, but everything seemed like it wasn't the right fit. So if you're reading it, please say a little prayer for our little girl too.

Dear Lord,

Today is another special day for Zia as she turns another year older. We thank you for giving us this day to celebrate her, our most special blessing and the source of our joy. When we look into her eyes and see her toothy smile, we are reminded of how much You have showered our lives with love and happiness. Please always watch over her and touch her with Your loving embrace each and everyday. We pray that she grows to be a good girl with a good heart who finds happiness in the littlest of things -- that she grows in faith and love. Oh Lord, we ask that You always guide her and keep her safe and healthy, away from any danger and harm. We ask that you bless her with a joyful heart that will find a reason to smile everyday. Again Dear Lord, we are grateful for Zia each and everyday and we promise to be our very best for her always and forever.

Amen

Zia may not have had a cake or candle to blow because of the circumstances of the past days, but I'm pretty confident, the little girl has a happy heart, not just for her birthday, but for always -- and we're gonna make sure she'll have exactly that all her days.

[zei the MOM] Our Zia is 2 today!

The weather has been gloomy for the past 3 days but nothing could ever rain on our parade today because today we celebrate 2 wonderful and lovely years of our baby girl Zia. Here's a video mommy made for you. :)

Create a birthday video at Animoto

And as the video says, albeit super quick and not readable. We love you forever to wherever and back. Happy 2nd birthday little sweetheart! We're so lucky and blessed to have you. :) Here are some pictures from our early morning surprise for the birthday princess. :)

Here's my DIY buntings just to liven up Zia's playroom. The Zia buntings were from Zia's baptismal reception, so its got quite a sentimental value

The little girl woke up early so we couldn't keep her from her surprises. The big box contains our gift bike to replace her old one which is quite rickety already

Had to dress her up for some decent bday pics. Here she is realizing that she has her own big little car.

The little princess riding her new cozy coupe from Little Tikes

[zei on home deco & design] Ikea wishlist

Because work has been suspended for 2 days now and I'm just here at home, I had time to scan other nice-to-haves for our home. Of course, I check the Ikea site first and Mandaue Foam after -- two of my faves. :) 

 

Since Zia already has quite a collection of books, I was thinking of getting a display shelf to put in our TV/playroom.



The Lerberg shelf in white would look perfect in our TV room -- Just need some knick knacks to pretty it up.
Photo from www.quqqiq.egloos.com

Photo from www.sears.com
 

 I also stumbled upon this lovely lovely table lamp -- the Stranne LED light table lamp. It looks so Christmas-y and I love it. Kinda pricey though, but too pretty for me not to have it at some point in my lifetime. Hope someone gives it to me as a gift. Haha. :)

Anyway, hope you're all safe and dry. Have a happy Tuesday despite the gloomy weather. :)

[zei on career & passion] The incidental traveler

A lovely ice creamery in Dumaguete. Loving the colorful tile mosaic.

I've been meaning to write, but it seems like June and July have been quite busy months. So here I am again, back to writing in my personal blog. Sorry for the erratic posts. Anyway, the past weekends have been busy because I've been going out of town for work and it actually got me thinking of the many places I've been to because of work. 

You see, I've never been one of those who've put traveling on top of their bucket list. When I travel, I'm happy, but that's that. My savings when I was single just went to shopping and my savings now that I have a family are mostly for the home and a bit of shopping still, none really saved up for traveling. But actually, I thought about it and if there are travel junkies, there are people like me who are incidental travelers. I travel because I have to, but I enjoy it nonetheless. Come to think of it, I've been to a lot of places, mostly within the Philippines. Allow me list the provinces and countries I've been to:

A - Albay
B - Bacolod, Bukidnon, Bicol, Baguio, Bohol, Batangas
C - Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Camarines sur, Cotabato, CHINA
D - Davao, Dumaguete, Dipolog, Dapitan
E -
F -
G - General Santos
H - HONG KONG
I - Iloilo, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Iligan, INDONESIA
J -
K - KOREA
L - Laoag, La Union, Legazpi, Laguna
M -
N - Naga
O -
P - Pampanga
Q -
R -
S - Samar, Subic, SINGAPORE
T - Tuguegarao, Tacloban, Tarlac, THAILAND
U -
V - Vigan
W -
X -
Y -
Z - Zamboanga

I'm not much of an adventure seeker either, but I've gone white water rafting in CDO, caving in Callao caves in Tuguegarao, visited the windmills of Bangui and climbed the bell tower somewhere near by, said hello to the Chocolate hills and Mayon, visited the Maria Cristina falls and the Rizal shrine and tasted the best of each of the places listed above and I am very thankful. So I may not have traveling on my to-do list and I may just be an incidental traveler, but I am grateful for every experience and for the chance to appreciate all the beauty that's actually all around. :) I'm flying to Bangkok tomorrow for work and I'm looking forward to another couple of days of new learning and life experiences. Have a happy Sunday!

Me taking a photo of the lovely interiors of one of Terminal 21's powder rooms in Bangkok

[Zei the MOM] Mother's Day 2013 roundup

Today is a special day for Filipinos, more than any other race, I think. It's Mother's Day and being the highly matriarchal society we are, today is also known as the day malls are filled to the brim and restaurant waiting lines will test your patience. And because it's a happy occasion and it's also my day, here's just a round up of  my 2013 Mother's Day weekend.

Like I said, I knew the malls would be crazy on the real day, I decided to celebrate Mother's Day with my mom a day earlier. I surprised her with a breakfast at this quaint and lovely restaurant in Marikina called Rustic Mornings. I think my surprise went well cause it made my mom cry very happy and grateful tears. Here are a few photos from our advanced Mother's Day breakfast.

Bouquet of white spider flowers with baby's breath and giant card for motherdear

My mom <3 td="">

Zia appreciating the homey ambiance of Rustic Mornings

With my parents

 My Mother's Day surprise for my mom was a big check. :)

Though for some, Mother's Day may not be a legit occasion, my family thinks otherwise. :) Just check out what I got for Mother's Day. I guess they think I'm doing something right as a mom to our sweetheart Zia judging from what I got. :) I got a tablet and the biggest bouquet of sunflowers I've ever seen. :) Totally love it. :)

Pretty sunflowers from the husband and Samsung Tab from the parents

 And because I feel in my heart of hearts that I deserve to reward myself today too, I shopped. :) Not the usual spree in Forever 21 or hoarding in Payless, but the happier type of shopping in my alternate world, home stores like Dimensione and Mandaue Foam. :)

White Hi-gloss bedside table from Mandaue Foam

Accent pillows also from Mandaue Foam

Shopping and gifts aside though, today is a very special day because of the best gift I've ever received in my life - and that's our daughter Zia. My first Mother's Day with her was in 2011 when she was just in the utero - little did I know then how wonderful (really) and rewarding motherhood is. Now, on my 3rd Mother's Day, I know life will just keep getting happier because of our daughter. And if there's only one role in my life I'd ever want to really succeed in, that would be being Zia's mom. :) Funny how I never liked having a kid when I was younger (thought I'd grow up an old maid) and now that I'm a mom to this darling daughter, I actually can't imagine my life without her. :)

Today, before I sleep, I thank the Lord for making me Zia's mom and of course, I also want to thank my husband whom I love very much, who gave me the greatest blessing in our life - our daughter.

To all moms, you are all wonderful and I feel so lucky to be one of you. Happy happy Mother's Day! 

[Zei the Charmed One] Do you know Mary of the Broom?

Happy  Saturday everyone! It's a been a while, hopefully I get more time to blog again, even if it's just for the weekend. 

Anyway, have you guys heard of Mary of the broom or Our Lady of the Broom? I first heard of her during one of my retreats with my organization back in college and I that's where I also got the nickname Little Broom from my Ictus friends.

Mary of the broom is of course, Mother Mary, but this image of her isn't about her being the queen of Heaven or her Immaculate conception - it's actually Mother Mary in her most human image possible - it's Mother Mary as the homemaker, the doting mother and the loving wife. Here's a novena to Our Lady of the broom I got from a mommy blog so you get to know her better.

Our Lady of the Broom
By J. G. Shaw

Photo from www.flickr.com

The large and lovely lessons
You taught with little breath
In the liturgy of the hour
In the house at Nazareth
Are such fantastic simple things
That mortals may presume
To call the Queen of Seraphim
Our Lady of the Broom.

For you who rule the angels
Built up our legacy
By living a life of little things
That we do every day.
You cooked, cleaned, washed and mended,
Scrubbed the kitchen floor,
Teaching a world the woman’s way
To worship and adore.

How beautifully you taught us
Where all perfection lies
By seeing all salvation in
The work before your eyes,
Immensity in little space
The world in the humble room
You swept and kept and cared for,
Our Lady of the Broom.

I think this image of Mother Mary fascinates me because I've always believed in the power of the little (good) things. It could be little good deeds everyday, little pretty details that turn things into beautiful ones. So what Mary of the broom wants to teach us is that there is GREAT value in the little things. Others might not see it, but I'm pretty sure the Lord sees it. 

So there, that's my Saturday post folks! Do a good deed or two today and make someone happy. :)