So one day, I was so fed up, I left the clinic without saying a word. Hubby was angry of course, he called and asked me to come back. But all I said was “no I’m not and that we really have to talk when you come home”. Because of that talk, our relationship has flourished to heights that weren’t possible after we start the business. Our heart to heart talk was what made our relationship to what it is now versus what it was before. A hundred times better. Well anyways, concocting the ideal recipe to combine a thriving business and a successful marriage is not easy, especially when you work together, but it can be done with understanding and compromise.

I know that our business is very important but so our marriage and family too. Inspite of all the difficulties…I am still lucky to have a husband like my husband. Who listens to my litany of complaints, opinions and ramblings and takes my feelings into consideration. It was actually my mistake that I didn’t open my mouth and talk about what bothered me earlier ago. We closed this chapter of our life, but we are still working together in our business as TEAM. And we are also working on our marriage to keep the shine. We will keep working on our marriage and working through whatever challenges we would face in the future. There are no experts on marriage and it is not something we learn in a book. But something we must learn by doing over and over again…a practice we must adjust as our journey continues…

THE MAKEOVER

We went to Bali for our second honeymoon last Dec. 20 til Dec. 31. We stayed at Nikko Bali Hotel Resort and Spa for 10 days in Nusa Dua. Bali is lovely. It is one of the few places in the whole world that I would actually want to go back. There are stunning sunsets, sculpted rice terraces and a temple on almost every corner. And for less-spiritual seekers, this steamy Indonesian island also has great surfing and a rollicking night life.

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This year’s December 25th is not only Christmas but it also happen to be my 25th Christmas celebration here in Germany. Dati rati, lagi akong umiiyak kapag Pasko dahil miss na miss ko ang aking buong pamilya sa Davao. Napaka-dry and near to lifeless kasi ang selebrasyon nila dito. It took me a while before I finally get adjusted, but still I can’t avoid feeling melancholy and pensive. Well…c’est la vie!

But tell you what? This time it is absolutely different. This Christmas is one of my happiest and most memorable of all times. Why? It is because we are lucky WE achieved many of our goals this year. AND I am lucky to have a husband with a good business head on his shoulders. I am lucky to have my eldest son to be proud of. Lucky to have a daughter like Kathleen, lucky to have Gillian who tells me daily he loves me “and everything” and he will often thank me for making him meals or playing with him. And I am lucky to have a loving, supporting and understanding parents, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews. Like I said we achieved a lot of our goals this year, not only us here but also my whole family back in Davao.

I can write a long story kong bakit ang Paskong ito ay isa sa pinakamasaya kong Pasko, but I’d rather not say anything. Hehehe, as if hindi ko alam na maraming *familiar non-blogger enviers lurking here na nag-aabang lang nang pagkakataon para masabi nilang: “Ayan nagyabang na naman si Beng.” *Merry Christmas and peace be with you bad tongues and wicked ears.

Life is full of…mysteries, happiness, pains, difficulties, possibilities, beauties and blessings.

Simple Christmas celebration at home. Thank you Lord for everything!

My son Ivan took his masters last year, and now he’s working at a big firm in Neuss and appointed to a high position just after a few months.

My two sweet makulets…waiting for more Christmas gifts.

The most loving and selfless person I’ve ever met. He keep on telling me not to buy gift for him, but I did this time. He simply deserved it…

Family’s Christmas present: Cookie! A Labrador Retriever.

Last but not least…si Lola niyo.

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To all my beloved friends,

Christmas is upon us and this season, this year, this moment is the perfect time to remember wonderful Christmases of the past and reflect on how we want to make this Christmas just as joyful.

I hope and pray that your holidays will be filled with thousands of little joyful happenings that bring you peace, comfort and happiness.

With all my love,
Tita Beng aka Tita Poorshya

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Sometimes if not often, it is not easy to find the right gift for the right person at the right time. Fortunately, the range of different types of gifts covers just about every occasion.

How to find the right gift? With thousands of baby gift ideas that are available online, you will often find that you are confronted with many decisions when it comes to purchasing a gift for that someone special. Which gift best suites the person? Based on this important question to consider, getting it right is essential.

The safest and surest way is to offer gift baskets (which I did). On a general lever, gift baskets suite most people. They can be filled with items targeted to a particular type of person or a group. For example, a gift basket intended for a baby may include cloth towel, receiving blanket, sleeping gown, long/short sleeved onesie, bib, burp cloth, washcloth, a pair of booties and a hat. The possibilities in customizing and presenting them are endless.

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Can you guess where I was last month?

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Sa tinagal-tagal ko sa Alemanya, natural lamang na gusto ko ulit matikman ang mga pagkaing Pilipino. Katulad ng Inihaw na Buntot ng Bariles (Tuna tail), Kinilaw na Malasuge, Ginataang Alimango, Sweet and Sour or steamed Lapu-lapu at iba pa. Haay naku, kong hindi ka ba naman maloloka dito sa katitikim at kakakain. Hindi lang main course ang nakakabaliw mga kanguso kundi pati na ang mga desserts dito. Like Halo-Halo Special, Fruit Salad, Buko Pandan, Ube Cake, Buchi, Maja Blanca, Fried Banana with syrup at marami pang iba.

Oh my, I am so makasalanan talaga kaya ang kinalabasan ko ngayon ay super Butete na. Ang dati kong bulging tummy ay hindi na nagbabulge dahil bumilog na ito na husto. Para baga akong nakalunok nang kong ilang Melon. Kaya ako naging suki nang mga Malls dito lately dahil iniikot ko ang buong Davao para lang makahanap nang XXXL na pantalon or “American size” as the salesladies call it. The other day nga, naghanap ako nang strapless na bra. The promo girl of Triumph has given me Cup B, but I asked for a bigger one. Hindi dahil lumaki ang boobs ko kundi ang bra ay hindi ko maisara. I told her to give me the largest size which is Cup DD. Bwahahaha, she was so surprised and she even told me na masyado daw itong malaki sa akin dahil double D na nga. Sabi ko sa kanya na okay lang dahil Pilipino size lang naman at hindi German. She looked so puzzled so I explained to her na sa Germany, ang bra na size DD ay pwede niya nang gawing sombrero. Well anyway, batay sa aking mga kinikuwento ngayon sa inyo I am sure ini-imagine niyo na kong gaano ako kataba.

To make the long story a bit shorter, ang Ate, Tita o Lola Beng niyo ang naging uber Dabiana na nang dahil sa kasibaan, katakawan at kong ano-ano pang terms na pwedeng gamitin para sa mga katulad ko na mahilig lumafang. A friend in Belgium asked me through SMS kong ano daw ang mga latest gimmick ko ngayon? Well, since maulan lately, we have no outdoor activities at the moment. And to tell you frankly, I’m a bit bored kaya I decided na magparegister sa isang gym. Take note: Ang ulan at ang aking pagka overweight ang nagtulak sa akin papuntang Holiday Spa. Bukod sa spa, meron din silang gym with the latest equipments, at nag start na kami ni Kathleen last Tuesday. Balak kong araw-arawin ang punta doon until end of this month. Araw-araw but of course iba’t ibang program ang ginagawa namin each day. I hope by that time, medyo may shape na ako para mas lalong maakit sa akin ang aking mahal na asawa (hehehe).

Year 2001 pala nung ako’y huling nakapasok sa isang gym, kaya you can imagine kong gaano ka tindi ang muscle pains na meron ako ngayon. But I am ready to take the pains rather than manatiling kasing bilog nang isang balyena. Ilang beses na akong nagtangkang magdiet noon pero dahil nga masiba, wala ding nangyari. Itong gym ang kahuli-hulihan kong pag-asa and I think pinaka-effective na paraan para medyo pumayat. Ngayon ay talagang tutuhanin ko na ito! Go Go Go Milo! Go for olympic energy, go Milo Milo Milooo.

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Yesterday around past 10:00 A.M, my nephew was playing with Gillian outside our terrace as I heard someone begging for some money (I was in the kitchen that time). My nephew said that he can’t help him and urged him to leave. Few minutes later, I peeped out the window to see if he’s gone. He was still there and I figured out that the voice I heard belongs to a very old man. Who looks so fragile and walking slowly with his self-made walking stick. My heart wrenched as I watched him.

Imagine, an old sickly man walking under the heat of the sun. Begging for some money in order to survive. And I am in my shady, comfortable house. This is where my guilt started. I ran fast to the gate, I called him and waved him to come back. I went to the kitchen, took a plastic bag and put one loaf of bread and a pack of Tocino (cured meat) in it. I also took some cash from my wallet and gave it to the old man. He looked at me and said twice “salamat sa Diyos” (thanks God), then he left.

I did not know that Kathleen was already awake and was watching us the whole time. Sinalubong niya ako sa pinto and asked me bakit ko yon ginawa? She was just wondering because I once told her na ayaw ko nang mamigay sakaling may mamalimos ulit sa amin. I explained to her na iba ang sitwasyong ito dahil matandang nakakaawa ang nanghingi ng tulong. There is always an exemption, I said. I also told her na what if ako yong tao? Isang matandang uugod-ugod, may sakit at wala ni isang kamag-anak or walang kamag-anak na tumutulong. Gutom na naglalakad sa init para magpalimos para may makain. Kaya mo ba akong talikuran at tikisin? Kaya ba nang budhi mong hindi pansinin ang tindi nang aking pangangailangan? There were tears in her eyes as she answered me NO.

A little help from us means big help to those who are in need. Yon nga lang, you have to choose whom you give because there are also abusers and pretenders among them.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.

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Hello Beng,
I’m Glad to met you here..the other side of you. parang abot kamay ko lang ang Germany thru reading your site though parang nasa Butuan din ako…hihihi…Though I don’t know you much but for sure buotan ka day thru what i read in this pages. What more can I say…ayu-ayo din ha!

May this encourage you:

If there are people in your life that continually disappoint you, break promises, and stomp on your dreams, too judgmental, have different values and don’t have your back during difficult times…that is not a friend. Sometimes in life as you grow, your friends will either grow or go.

Remember what your elders used to say, “Birds of the same feather flock together.” If you’re an eagle, don’t hang around with chickens: Chickens Can’t Fly!

Take care always
lelet

Now let me relate a bit…

Sometimes in life as you grow, your friends will either grow or go.

There is truth in every word you have in here. I can relate dahil nadaanan ko ito. I grow and changed for the better and some friends are left behind dahil naging magkaiba na ang values namin sa buhay. To me values are those things that really matter to each of us … the ideas and beliefs we hold as special. Caring for others, for example, is a value; so is the freedom to express our opinions.

Speaking of “Freedom to express our opinions.” I would like to share some words of wisdom to some friends (again) who have trouble with accepting critic or opinion. I believe, that a constructive critic is made in order to help a person to become himself or herself into a better person, or, say, to become his or her work into a better one. And I know that criticism, however constructive, can be hard to take. Nonetheless, it’s imperative that you take it well, and even with grace and style. It’s about how you can improve on something, make some thing better. You must understand and accept this if you are to listen to what others have to say with an open mind and heart.

So here we go…
Honesty is a prerequisite to a friendship. There must be a willingness to speak the truth, and a willingness to hear the truth. Friends who do not care enough to confront may save themselves a little awkwardness in the present but will end up losing their friendships in the future.

And as the saying goes…
Remember what your elders used to say, “Birds of the same feather flock together.”

Individuals of like character, taste, or background (tend to stay together). Or People of the same (usually, unscrupulous) character associate with one another, as do birds of the same species. The birds will resort unto their like, so will truth return unto them that practise in her.

I love this part very much!
If you’re an eagle, don’t hang around with chickens. Chickens Can’t Fly!
Hehehe, ganun ba yon? Though, chicken can fly din di ba? Hindi nga lang ganun kataas sa lipad ng agila.

This part actually belongs to the quote Lelet left on my comment box, hindi niya lang ito idinagdag. I found it somewhere else.
Over the years my phone book has changed because I changed for the better. At first you think you’re going to be alone, but after a while new people show up in your life that make your life so much sweeter and easier to endure.

AND IT IS SO TRUE!

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• The Race
  How do you compete in a race someone else has put you in?
  If you don’t know the rules, how will you ever win?
  Your opponents are often ruthless when the finish line’s in sight.
  But just because they’re winning, it doesn’t mean they’re right!
  If you win by lies and cheating, should the trophy go to you?
  And what about the pain you’ve put others through?
  If someone trips on your deception, do you help them to their feet?
  Or do you pull out taking the lead, fueled by your deceit?
  Will all your bended truths put sharp turns in others way?
  And when you give your victory speech, just what will you say?
  I don’t know if I can read the false expressions on your face.
  But I don’t think it’s winning that counts, it’s how you ran the race.

  by: By ZackG Foley

• What Do You See
  What do you see when you look at me?
  Do you see my smiles?
  Do you see the laughter?
  Do you see all the happiness?
  Or do you see past the front to what really lies beneath?
  Do you see the walls I put up to keep them out?
  Do you see all the tears that stained my face?
  Do you see the fears that I try to hide?
  Do you see the scars inside of me?
  Those scars that wont let me free
  Those scars that run deep inside
  Those scars that mar my very soul
  Those scars I try so hard to hide
  So do you see the truth in me or just the truth I want you to see?

  by: Kyle Kellerhouse

• Take A Look Around
  Take a look around you
  Is it everything you dreamed?
  Is it what you always wanted?
  Is it even what you need?

  Look at your life and how you live it
  Did it turn out as you liked?
  Or are you a perfect stranger
  Living someone else’s life?

  Do you see yourself as others do?
  Or do you look inside?
  Cause if you go by looks alone
  Shallowness may be your only guide

  Next time you look into the mirror
  Look past everything you see
  Look deep inside at who you are
  And who you want to be

  by: Courtney A. Holts

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a girl like me loves me for who i am
a girl like me loves people for who they are
a girl like me loves people not for what i see
a girl like me loves for what i know
a girl like me cant understand why people hate
a girl like me cant understand why people love
a girl like me is curious to the world
a girl like me is curious to know what happens after life
a girl like me just lives in the moment
a girl like me never knows where life will take me
a girl like me gets confused and lost
a girl like me wonders if life was ment for me
a girl like me is just a girl lost in the world
looking for her place in the world

by: kayla leblanc

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