Idioms.

It is the 2016 GREAT British Festival weekend so do not forget to drop by the Bonifacio HIgh Street grounds.

I thought of writing about the one thing that constantly amazes me while working with colleagues from the UK... their idioms.

It has become a topic of conversation recently in the office so one of my colleagues volunteered to write an idiom for the week in our board with the definition and give examples of how to use it. But even before that, whenever I hear something new, I would google the meaning then send a quick email to my husband -- maybe we could use them in our conversations (not really)!

Here are some and how I understood them.

1. "throw your toys out of the pram" - You make a big deal out of a small problem.. therefore you act like a baby.

2. "running around like headless chickens" - You quickly do things with no control or no aim. Or doing things without a plan, very disorganised.

3. "can't see the wood for the trees" - You are unable to see the big picture and there is too much focus on the details.

4. "cut off your nose to spite your face" - You purposely go through an inconvenience just to annoy someone else.

5. "pull up your socks" - You double up your efforts to improve.

6. "in a pickle" - You are in a pretty big mess.

7. "handed a hospital pass" - A term in football where the ball is passed on to someone who will more likely be hurt... apply this to everyday life.

8. "the jury is still out" - There is no decision or answer yet.

Filipinos do have idioms - we call it "kataga". While writing this entry, I did some googling and was surprised that we use quite a lot of idioms in our daily conversations, too. Perhaps, if my UK colleagues can understand Filipino, they will also scratch their heads when we say "bukas palad" or "mababaw ang luha". And they might also make us write the kataga for the week in our office board.

The #GreatBritishFestival is only until tomorrow. Please join the fun.

Almost A Year.

Indeed.

I have never thought I would be this busy. From trying to conceive to being pregnant.

Yes, I am pregnant again with my second child. It has been a six-year journey... filled with ups and downs. Finally, the baby is coming very soon -- and she is a girl!

God works in mysterious ways.

The boy is now going to a big school. Hubby is enjoying work. Things are okay now. I am thankful that I am blessed.

In the next few weeks, I will be busy prepping the house... making it baby-ready and, at the same time, maintaining the 6-year old's space. Tricky.

To start with.

My boy's hand-me-down crib still looks like brand new. This was purchased six years ago - at half the mall's price. Thanks to my good friend from my former office.

The first purchase at Php 6,000 is an old school rocking chair from Market Market's Home Market. Made in Vigan. Something very useful for sleepless nights... and for a not so sleepy baby (oh, please be sleepy!).

 

Slowly getting back into the groove and revisiting my creative side. I miss it a lot.

I will see you a bit often again.

Blind Side.

I was channel surfing last Saturday night when I came across a movie in HBO.  A guy dressed drearily just entered a classroom filled with normal American teenagers.  Some minutes later, I saw Sandra Bullock sporting a blond hair and driving a luxury car.


I later learned that the movie was called The Blind Side.  Sandra won her first Best Actress trophy in the Oscars here.
Since this is an Oscar-worthy movie, I thought I was off to watching a tear-jerker dramafest or a suspense-filled highly political movie.  As it went on, however, I was pleasantly suprised that it was inspiring, the story was simple yet powerful.


The movie was about Big Mike, an African-American teenager who was headed towards the rots because (1) his mother was a drug addict who had several kids with different fathers, (2) he lived at the bad side of town, and (3) he did not get a chance to get good education.  Jumping from one foster home to another, he ended up sleeping in the couch of one his father's friends.  This person helped him get accepted in a nice school where he met a little boy whose family was rich.  He eventually became part of this rich family.  They legally adopted him, hired a tutor for him, and made sure he lives a comfortable life until he graduated from college.  


This is a true story.  Big Mike or Michael Oher is now one of the more famous NFL players, a first-round draftee of the 2009 NFL Draft.


See the real Big Mike with the Tuohy family.
I was most affected by Big Mike's pure heart... how he showed his appreciation to the help he was given and did not abuse the support of his adoptive family.  Instead, he returned the favor by doing his best all the time.  The Lord saw that Big Mike deserves a better chance in life so He led this boy to the Tuohys.


And because this is a movie, one would think that the story is extraordinary (to which I agree).  But goodness exists everywhere.  I find it all the time in my family and friends.  In their own little way, they have made things a bit easier and happier for me.  I hope I am doing the same thing for them.


I wish more movies like this would win Oscar awards.  I bet there are a lot of stories to tell.  It's about time that we hype the good.

Lovely Weddings.

It is always nice to see two people very much in love... And being part of the day when they vow to spend the rest of their lives together is a privilege that I truly cherish.

In a matter of one month, I attended three weddings of 3 good friends.  The celebrations were all lovely so I was lucky to be part of all of these.

Chrissie's wedding reception was held in Fernbrook.  The theme was Alice in Wonderland so the venue was a perfect fit.

This is just the entrance... I immediately felt I was in Wonderland
Great setup.  Check out the mirror at the back of the couple's table.
Table centerpiece is a masterpiece.  They have carefully thought of the celebration indeed.
I love the wedding gown with a pink ribbon.  Even the groom wore pink. Congratulations, Chrissie and Red!

Marianne's wedding was held in Tagaytay, her dream venue ever since.  Sonya's Garden represented Marianne and Pierre through and through... lovely and cozy.  See the beautiful fusion of the drapes and plants.
Cute chandelier.
Love, love, love the capiz windows beside the mirrors.
I bet the Master DIY bride made the seat number.
Here they are with the single ladies and "boys"... having LOTS of fun.  Marianne's gown was divine.  Congratulations, Marianne and Pierre!

Owen's wedding was simple but super exclusive and super fun.  This time around, my little boy was able to tag along.  Since there were not so much guests, hubby and I were able to spend a good deal of time with the couple... Wiwit was even playing with the little boy. I was not able to take a lot of pictures because my son was obsessed with the iPhone, my batteries were barely charged.  I, however, had a chance to take a shot of the wedding cake made especially for the couple by Bake Happy.  Super nice and super delish!  Congratulations, Owen and Wiwit!

Weddings are indeed one of the best things ever invented.  It is a day not only for the couple but also for family and friends... everyone gathering to bless and celebrate the love of two people.

God bless the three couples.  And I wish them forever happiness.

What A Smooth One!

Don't you feel proud of a person who does his job super well?


I do.  This pilot has shown to the world that PAL (Philippine Airlines) pilots can execute a smooooth landing.  They do it almost all the time but this pilot had a special problem in the video... two blown tires.

Good job, Capt. Bobby Enverga, and your crew,  F/O Henry Campilan, S/Os Feria and Misa!

Congratulations.

Brother-in-law won as Barangay Kagawad today. He is no. 1.

Hubby is very proud! :)

I'm sure he will do well.