Bianca’s second recital with Maylene the dalaga

The title is supposed to be something far wittier than that, but I couldn’t think of anything else!  I see these little girls almost every other weekend but it wasn’t until I saw these photos did I realize how much they’ve grown.

Bianca is enrolled at Lyric Music Studio and she studies the piano.  If I’m not mistaken, this is her second recital.  It was held at the Filipinas Heritage Library along Makati Avenue.  So right after the long workweek, I walked my ass over there to at least catch the tail end of it.

When I got there, Bianca and  Maylene were already doing the art that Marga and I hav perfected:  camwhoring.  Hahahahaha.

I caught her in the middle of a serious instruction: "Ate May take my photo with the guitar! Dali!" Hahahaha. I love my cousins and their jologs moments. :)

 

The venue was quite cramped to be honest, especially with all the instruments in it (read: grand piano in baby library).

Bianca with her most loyal fans. I believe Lola Mommy is about to spearhead a nationwide fan club for her.

Can you believe how fast time flies?!

Of course, the pro had to show how bathroom photos are taken. Just forgot to wipe the mirror though, so I had an accidental mole on the cheek. Hahahaha.

 

Filipinas Heritage Library is hidden behind this fantastic landscape. So yes, another photo there too.

 

Good job, Bianca on your recital!  I am looking forward to hearing your version of Canon in D. :)

 

Photoblog: HOT Coworker

Let’s admit it.  Nothing perks a workday better than a hot coworker.

 

 

Here’s to a fantastic almost end of week workday, everyone! :)

A Modern Mom’s Prayer

I have always known Tina Fey’s wit and pure genius will somehow be the direct reflection of women everywhere.  Or in this case, mothers.  Here’s her prayer to God for her daughter.

First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered, may she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer.

Guide her, protect her when crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels. What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.

May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.

Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen.Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, For childhood is short – a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day – And adulthood is long and dry-humping in cars will wait.

O Lord, break the Internet forever, that she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it.

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back. “My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.

Amen.”

-Tina Fey

What a gem of a lady. :)

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On life and death and getting there

This entire week, although it is barely over, has been a sombering life experience.  I say that of course with my strong penchant for drama and whatnot.

It has been a difficult work week for Dylan.  I actually panicked when he texted me the other day that his co-nurse has passed away.  A day after, he texted again, saying their former customer care officer committed suicide.  A few hours after that, they heard news that their pregnant co-staff lost her baby.

This week is just filled with bad news, and when I opened the Yahoo! homepage, this headline caught my eye:

Girl, 12, kills self after mother told her she’s ‘dumb’

I really don’t know how to react to this really.  She could easily have been my cousin Maylene, a little older than her to be specific.  And I remember how her brothers tease her.  She’s easing in to puberty and well, she’s growing things that she didn’t have to buy extra apparel for.  She’s very self-conscious and has been gaining a few pounds.  They kept calling her fat, and ugly and messy and I remembered her when this piece of news came out.

And I tried to recall if I’ve ever been more careful with kids.  If I’ve ever let slip a harsh word or two.  If I’ve been overly critical.  Or more destructive in my criticism instead of constructive.  I try to recall all the simple words I said and how it would have affected them.

There was a brief period in time that I believed that kids today are born wise.  They are born when homosexuality can be seen around the corner, debates in procreation is up in the air, and much much more.  I believe this is a testament to the fact that no mater how wise kids today are, they are still young souls that need to be honed and loved and cared for, with every thought, deed and word.

Read the entire news here.

Fairy tales and dragons

I don’t think I can ever exclude fairy tales from my future kids’ lives.  I know they completely set the rules for girls to live by.  They created Prince Charming, evil stepmothers, cruel stepsisters, epically perfect horses, theme songs and well, ball gowns.

I knew it wasn't always just me!

So I guess there are just some stories that would need to wait till they’re far older to determine which would be a good fairy tale and which would make a great story.

My kids will make their own stories. :)

Oh to sleep with dreams so sweet. :)