Oh Happy Day!

I joined Toni's contest when her blog turned five years. I was delighted to know that I won the top prize, then I momentarily forgot about it, till I saw a package at home waiting for me to be opened.

I've since read Batjay's book and found it hilarious and amusing. I can't wait to use the notebook and the magnetic journals. I'm just waiting for the right time to use them.

Freshly Baked Goodies

Several weeks back, I baked chocolate crinkles from scratch. The smell of baking cookies in the oven wafted into the living room and spread all over the house. This made our house all the more warmer and homier.

PPBC#3 I've Turned Into My Mother!

I think I grew up ok and I have my parents to thank for that. So having said that, I feel that I will raise my little girl in the same way that I was brought up.

I think that attachment parenting became popular only now, at the least the term "attachment parenting." But my mom practiced that with me as I was growing up. I remember hearing a comment from my paternal grandmother one time that I was too clingy to my mom. Well, of course! She's my mother. And I don't see any harm done. And that's what I'm practicing with my little girl now.

My mom studied child pyschology in college. I don't know what hocus pocus they taught in Maryknoll but even if my mom wasn't strict with me, I learned to obey her. And although she is the cool type of mom, the respect has always been there. We are friends, but the fact that she's my mother isn't lost on me.

My dad is another matter. I suppose their parenting styles balanced each other out. My dad was the disciplinarian. But I know now where my dad was coming from. My dad was such a problematic child when he was growing up. He did all sorts of pranks and the priests in his school just gave up on him. hahaha! But he turned out well. He's a lawyer now and a successful one at that. Since he was so pilyo growing up, he knew every trick and prank you could think of. Because of that, I dared not go against his will. What possible excuse could I give him that he hadn't thought of too when he was younger?

I really can't think of anything that I would change. Being a mother now, I realize that all those constant reminders and lectures were just their way of showing their love. After all, they wanted only the best for me. Even those times when I started going on gimmiks, dates and even until I was engaged, I had a curfew. Most of the time, it was too embarrassing to tell friends that I had to be home by 12, 1:00 am at the latest. Well, you'll understand too, since I'm an only child and a girl at that. But am I going to change that when the time comes that my daughter starts going out? Not at all! I might even be stricter especially since times are so different now.

The values taught to me as a child, as well as my upbringing will be passed on to my little girl. I'm just grateful that the hubby and I have the same values and we were pretty much brought up the same way.

40 Tips for a Better Life

Got this in the email today and it's too nice to keep in my inbox. I hope to do more of these everyday...

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to _______.
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.
7. Make time to practice Meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi, and Prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water... Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12 . Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. GOD (or inner truth, for those who aren't religious) heals almost everything.
29. However Good or Bad a situation is, it will CHANGE.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often. (Or email them to Death!!!)
37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about. May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door!

Arte y Pico

Thanks, Vina for this award. This is my first award here. :D