Ang aking asawa na si R at anak na si Amelie

(My siblings and I grew up not seeing much of my father. He worked in the US merchant marines and managed to go home only twice a year. Needless to say, we grew up not knowing who he really is. Until he retired two years ago, we got all the chance to know each other and catch up on lost time.

Not discounting all his efforts, hard work and sacrifice to give us a good future, I knew then that the setup is not something that I would want for my own family. I want my child to see much of her father as much as she sees me.

I am happy that my husband’s work does not require him to travel a lot and be in another country. That is one blessing that I am always grateful for.)

Lumaki kami ng aking mga kapatid na hindi nakakasama ang aming ama. Siya ay nagtatrabaho noon sa US merchant marines at nakakauwi lamang ng dalawang beses sa isang taon. Lumaki kami na hindi namin sya nakikilala. Hanggang mag retiro sya dalawang taon ang nakakaraan at doon pa lamang nagsimula na kami ay mabuo bilang pamilya at magkakilanlan.

Bagaman malaki ang hirap at sakripisyo nya sa paghahanap buhay sa ibang bansa, alam ko noon pa na hindi ganoon ang gugustuhin ko para sa sarili kong pamilya. Nais ko na makita at makasama ng aking anak ang kanyang ama.

Masaya ako na ang trabaho ng aking asawa ay hindi nangangailangan na sya ay magbyahe ng malayo at mamalagi sa ibang bansa. Isa yang pagpapala ng Diyos na lagi kong ipinapagpasalamat.

May isa pa akong lahok dito, sana ay makapasyal kayo.

Do you like wearing thongs? I do!

Taken at Esplanade Entrance, Singapore, 2005.

I have one more wordless here, hope you can also visit! More wordless, here!

Hyde Park is one of the World Youth Day venues. Despite that it’s winter here now, I am sure that this area will be packed with so many delegates from all over the world.

Although I am not a Catholic, I went to a Catholic university in Manila, Philippines. When World Youth Day was held there in 2005, Manila was put on the spotlight with the Pope’s visit. The streets were extremely crowded during the Pope’s parade and security was on high alert at that time. I wonder how it will be like here. Honestly, I am keen to know for photo opportunities. Hi hi.

Here are some more shots from Hyde Park.

Pathway that connects the St. Mary’s Cathedral to the Museum

St. Mary’s Cathedral

Archibald Fountain

I have another entry here, which I hope you also visit. More from the other weekenders!

Kalayaan. Isa sa pinakamatamis na salita sa mundo. Hindi mapapantayan ng salapi o ng anumang bagay ang mamuhay ng may kalayaan.

Malaking biyaya ng Diyos sa atin ito lalo na’t ang mundo natin ay likha ng magulo. Kahit paano ay nabubuhay pa rin tayo ng may kalayaan. Kalayaan na makapaghayag ng damdamin, magmahal, magbigay sa kapwa, sumamba sa Diyos at marami pang iba.

We were on our way back to the mall when we passed by this flock of birds and took note of the man sitting quietly on the green patch of grass while reading the paper. With the birds chirping and wings flapping, he remained calm amidst the noise.

I have another entry here, which I hope you also visit. More from the other weekenders!

(When I was a child, I remember asking my mother why those birds are called love birds. She told me that it is so because of their “love” for each other that when one of the birds die, the other one weakens and eventually dies, too.

Isn’t this true for us humans? If the love in a relationship is true and strong, when one partner goes away, the other one weakens in heart and longs for the other.)

Nung bata pa ako, naalala ko na naitanong ko sa aking ina bakit tinawag na love birds ang mga ganitong ibon. Ang sabi sa akin ay dahil kapag nawala ang isa sa kanila, nanghihina o namamatay din ang kabiyak. Makatotohanan ito sa ating mga tao di ba? Kapag tunay ang pagmamahalan sa isang relasyon, kapag nawala ang isa, nanghihina at nangungulila naman ng isa.

The post title is taken from a beautiful poem by Corinne Roosevelt Robinson.

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Here in Australia, that is. It’s time to bring out thicker sweaters and store all the summer clothes. In fact, the cold season started early this year. Even if it was summer, there were days when the temperature hit a low 19degC.

Since it doesn’t snow in Sydney, the family is planning a trip to Snowy Mountains with our friends. It will be the family’s first snow experience so we hope it pushes through.

I have another WS entry here. Have a beautiful week ahead!

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Ako ay nangangarap na nakaupo sa tabing dagat
kung saan banayad ang pagdaan ng hangin
kasabay ang pagaspas ng mga ibon sa kalangitan.

Kung mapapahinto ko lang ang oras
para manatili ako sa ganitong pakiramdam
di alintana ang mga nangyayari sa kapaligiran.

Ngunit hindi posible sa totoong buhay
tuloy-tuloy palagi ang laban
mabuti na lang madaling balikan ang ganda ng kalikasan.

… It’s the next best thing to be.

Visit Wordless Wednesday for more participants.