World, Meet My Mom! ♥

I usually talk about a lot of things.

I rant about not so senseless ideas (hahaha) and share pictures of how my day went.

But today, I would like all of you to get to know the person whom I got my good looks from (CHOS!), who took care of me even before I was born and endure the pains of labor just so I can experience what living in this planet feels like.

When I was a child (around 6-8), I never fully understood what a mother is. I just knew that we live in the same house. I call her "mama", I get to see her every night when she is home from work and she make sure I get the things that I needed (and wanted.)

I recall, I used to tell her everyday to bring me MENTOS or FRUITELLA when she come home and how disappointed I get when she arrived empty handed.

It never occurred to me that she is working faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar away from the city.

When she resigned from her work and had to stay home fully time, that is when I slowly grasp what a mother is and how important her role is in this world. 

Not only that, I was able to get to know my mother. 
I was able to see how skilled she is when it comes to cooking, sewing, housekeeping, taking care of us and all the other things that moms do best.

World, meet my mom.

(and here are 10 things you need to know about her.)

1. She can account for almost EVERYTHING I own.
Growing up, I found myself complaining because I think my mom doesn't know me as well as other moms know their daughters. I even wondered if she ever know what my favorite food or what my favorite color is. I always envy the kind of closeness which lets a mother know how her daughter is feeling (even thinking) with just one look. (I guess this is what you get from watching too much TV)

But believe it or not, my mother knows EVERY piece of clothing I have on my closet, every accessory I own and all sorts of stuff. It surprises me how she is able to know if I bought a new piece or if I haven't worn something for a long time.

I guess that proves that my mom knows me (and all of my stuffs) after all. :)

2. She can't ride a bike to save her life. 
If there is one thing I can think of that my mom can't do, it is riding a bike. (followed by skating, then swimming)

3.  She loves thrift shopping. 
Every time she goes to the market, she will always came home with another plastic full of items she got from thrift shopping. My mom can find really nice items which costs, 10, 25, 50 PHP! (Yeap! I'm not exaggerating here everybody)

She got me this one:

Can you guess how much this costs?
(comment with your answers below. and win a prize! hahaha)

Hint: Price range 10 - 80 PHP


4. The sun is a FOE, not a FRIEND.
Like a vampire, she doesn't like going outdoors when the sun is still visible. As much as possible, her trips to the market, the mall, or anywhere needs to be done, early in the morning or late afternoon.

Warning: Do not allow her be exposed under the sun, you will really regret this act once her migraine kicks in.


5. She is NOT an adventure junkie.
You can make her cook, do the laundry, or clean the house. But you can never ever make her try extreme adventures.

(mom, sister and me at Danao Bohol)

Well, she did say she tried one rollercoaster-ish ride on Brunei followed by the words : "Never Again!"

6. Playing Farmville and Cityville is her FAVORITE past time.
Before she was introduced to Facebook, she used to play Plants vs. Zombies. She was able to finish everything and was bored with the tree of wisdom giving repetitive advice. 

So, she stepped up and learned Facebook. :)

Not long after that, she was addicted to Facebook games that have -ville on it. YES! she even tried playing petville at some point. hahaha.

You can catch her online between 1:00 - 3:00 PM and around 10:00-11:00 PM.

So to all my friends and readers of this blog that have ____ ville accounts, you can add my mom or me (she is using my account to play when she is done with her account) and DON'T FORGET TO SEND OUT GIFTS (on a daily basis). :)

After her plowing, planting, building houses routine, she then (stalks), I mean update herself (but really stalk) on her friends and  some people on Facebook. Hihihihi.

7. She is not a fan of Jake Cuenca.
Sorry to all the Jake Cuenca fans out there, but my mom is not a fan.
She doesn't hate him, she just not a fan.

(photo taken from: http://www.pinoystarblog.com)

She is a fan of Xian Lim though. :)
(and pronounces his name "Shan" Lim.)

8. She is an artist.
I think that if my mom was born in today's time, she would be a youtube sensation. Not as a singer or make up artist, but as a DIY instructor.

She can pretty much do any arts and crafts.
She can cook, bake, sew, do cross stitch, knit, paint walls, make jars from paper, design cabinets and chairs, fold napkins, do table skirting, and a lot of other things.

YES! she is talented like that.

9. She is the most honest critic you can ever find.
If you want to have an honest (yet with a loving touch) opinion on things, go see my mom.


10. My Mom wanted to be a Nurse.
I remembered she told us that if life was easier in her time, she would take up nursing. she always liked the white uniform and the nurse cap.
I am pretty sure she would make a really good nurse too.

***
Happy Mother's Day Ma!

I really appreciate everything that you have done for us.

Thank you for the little things you do everyday to make our lives easier.
Thank you for waking up early to prepare breakfast,
for always making sure that there is enough coffee supply, 
for constantly reminding me to stop working and get some rest, 
for doing my laundry when I failed to do so, 
for always having our best interest in mind, 
for sacrificing a lot of your dreams so we can have ours,
for enduring the "pressures", 
for accepting change,
for giving second (and even third) chances,
for listening to my stories,
for taking care of us,
and most of all for loving us unconditionally.

No matter how we try, words will never be enough to describe how much you mean to us.  You rarely get credits for the things you do. This is my way of saying thank you.

I know now, that all the things you did (whether we liked it or not) as I was growing up, you did it with our best interest in mind. 

One thing is for sure. We will all be screwed without you.

I know I'm not expressive personally, but I'll do it virtually for all the world to see. :)
I love you ma. ♥

PS. Lez go shopping. :D

10 Random Facts About Karen Mae

Because I take pride in showing the rest of the world how awesome my friends are, I will continue this series of tribute-to-my-friends-blog.

I have known this friend way back elementary years, but we became super close in high school. (that is because we were seatmates in 75% our high school years) Admittedly, We only have 10% in common, yet we get along VERY WELL.

She is calm, composed and a perfect human representation of the phrase : "Grace under pressure".

Everyone, I would like you to meet, Karen Mae.

(but you can call her Mimie or kits)

For those who want to become her friend you can stalk her profile here:
http://www.facebook.com/karenmae.convicto

or you could tweet her: @mimie_convicto

She is a keeper when it comes to friends, to give you a head start, here are 10 random things you need to know about her:

1. She loves meeting new people.

If I am not mistaken, she is the only extrovert in the group. She loves participating in activities to socialize and meet new friends. she is like a "friend-magnet", you can easily get along with her, maybe because she puts other people needs and feelings first before hers. 

2. For someone who was born on Valentines Day, she is not the romantic type.

Normally, we have this notion that when people are born on the Day of Romance and Love they tend to be the romantic type. Karen, is the exception of the rule. (*insert giggles here*) She is not the fairytales-and-princess-and-prince-charming kinda girl. She needs her space. Loyalty and Honesty are kinda her thing when it comes to guys.

What is the point of a guy treating you like a princess when there are several "other princesses" in his life, right kar?

3. She is a dog person. 

For me, this is one of the very few things we have in common. We both love dogs. Dogs of all sizes (and shapes?). Yeah, sure, Cats and other fluffy animals are cute and all, but we prefer to have dogs. (unless ofcourse, we can afford to buy and maintain the needs of a Panda)

4. If she would go to school all over again, She would take up Architecture, Fine Arts or Interior Designing.

Karen appreciates art. Well, she is not really the "super" artist type, but I can really see she knows her way when it comes to art. To her, the internet is her avenue to browse for house designs, landscapes, interior details and the like.

5. No boyfriend since birth. 

(I have no idea why I included this topic but yeah!)

With her looks, her "long-legged" legs and her "pleasing" personality, surely any guy would fall head over heels. But sad to say, up to today, no guy (no matter how hard their attempt were) was victorious to win her heart. EVER!

(side-note: to Karen Mae's future life partner, You have what it takes to make her take risks, and for that, you have a prize. trip for 2 (and by 2 I meant Karen & You) to El Nido, Palawan sponsored by me. Granting that by that time, I am still alive and earning.)

She takes pride in her singleness, maybe that is the reason why she is not interested in guys. (and no, she is not a lesbian)

Here's a fun fact, when we were in high school, she told me not to devote my full attention to one guy, to keep my options open and date as many guys as possible, so that I will be able to see diverse personality and maybe broaden the characteristics I would like my future partner to have. 

This advice, came from a girl who looks modest and reserved.

Looks can be deceiving huh? :))

But seriously, For a person who haven't been in a relationship, she is really great when it comes to tips on how to handle your relationship, and I listen to her more than I listen to my other friends. She gives me a whole new perspective on how I see the situation and all of that stuff. 

6. Karen is really OVERLY CONSCIOUS when it comes to her stomach "flabs" and her overall wellness.

I really envy her figure, she has the height and a really slender body type. The type that is usually shown in catwalks and catalogs. To make me even more envious, she has a reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally flat stomach area. No flabs at all. (Please don't mind her when she says this is not true and she is fat. 'coz if she is FAT, then we are all Hippos or elephants or whales even.)

Back in our collage days, my friends and I keep on saying how lucky she is for having a  really slender figure. (Friends, listen up!) Contrary to what we all assume, Karen is really conscious when it comes to flabs, all the more in the stomach area. It is true that she wanted to gain weight but she doesn't like to have flabs. I mean who does? She confessed that every time she feels like her tummy part is flabby, she would do sit-ups to keep it flat. (but I am guessing she does more that sit ups because I tried doing it, but I am still stuck with my FLABSSSSS!!!!!)

She is also the Miss know-it-all when total wellness is discussed. She can tell you how to get rid of migraine, lessen your pimples, whiten your teeth, make your hair shiner and all of that stuff. She reads a lot of health and home articles and shares it to us.

7. She does not curse. (not sure on this one. hihihihi)

I haven't really recalled hearing her curse. (does she curse? for those who heard her curse, tell me, so I can revise this item. haha.) Maybe I heard her, Maybe I don't but really, I can't really remember a time hearing her curse. Oh well, she is a good girl. :)

8. She can't ride a bike to save her life.

The fact that she can't ride a bike came as a surprise to me. I mean, how could she not learn how to ride a bike? she has long legs that are perfect to help you balance when you are on a bike? hahaha.. But yeah, SHE CAN'T RIDE A BIKE.

9. Karen has this weird thing.

If you plan to ambush her on a sleepover at your place, make sure you have an extra toothbrush ready. (never mind the toothpaste, just secure her a toothbrush. hahahahah.) She have this weird thing. Whenever she does not brush her teeth before sleeping at night, she will have this dream of her teeth coming off. Well, some people (my mother included) say that whenever you have Tooth-related dream, someone you know/in your family will die. @@ That is really scary right? 

So don't forget, overnight with karen = bring extra toothbrush (in case she forgets hers)

10. She is almost ALWAYS LATE.

All of my friends knows the fact that I am not patient enough to wait. They always see me put up the "STRONG" face whenever they're late. But when it comes to Karen Mae, well, she is an EXCEPTION to the RULE. Before, I am running all the curses in my head if she makes me wait for her. I can't explain it but I really can't get mad at her for being late. I get impatient and mad while waiting for her, but when she is already there, whatever negative that I will feel will melt away. Through the years, I have accepted the fact that Karen will always be 15 mins to 1 hour late. haha. She is my ultimate test of patience. 

(A note to her future partner, in the future when Karen is late for an hour or two on her own wedding, DO NOT PANIC! She will come. Just tell your guests to extend their patience. She is just BY NATURE a slow poke. hahaha.)

***

I always appreciate having her around. It is different with her. We don't see each other often but she just knows what is going on my mind without me having to tell the whole story.

She, of all my friends, was with me every step that I took to be where I am right now. She was there when I was immature, selfish and forgiving, yet she never left my side.

To karen, Thank you for everything.

For constantly reminding me that being single is a gift,

For helping me survive my first heartbreak,

For reassuring me that my standards when it comes to guys is okay,

For keeping my secrets, 

For bearing with my mood swings, 

For not judging my mistakes,

and for all the things you did for me which I cannot remember.

I love you so much that I am willing to "unfriend" every person who hurts you.

I heard this song playing and you popped into my mind.
check that song out. :) It is for you (and to the rest of my gal pals)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGFqN8oQYRM
http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/e/eraserheads/huwag_kang_matakot.html

 

To more than a decade of Friendship. *cheers