Christmas Highlights Part II

We rounded out the "Christmas" celebration with some quality time with G & G W and TRW. Anna revelled in yet another present fest and we enjoyed having some laid back time with one another.

The W generations :)

Yea!

The lovely, Grandma W...

I'm buttering him up to take me out fly fishing!!

Grandma W gives herself away, wishing for grand-DAUGHTERS with a little girl onesie hidden in her closet!!

Who teased who? It's a toss up!

Christmas Highlights

This year marked our first holidays in our new house. I knew that moving in the month of December, between birthdays, the holidays and of course, Michigan blizzards would pose numerous obstacles, it has been well worth it. Needless to say, we are still working on getting ourselves settled in but we have already come to love the space and the coziness that we've been able to establish. Our Den is about the only room that is done but with other rooms well on their way as well as our new windows, our hard work is paying off!


As you can imagine, with multiple family members nearby or around during the holidays it can be a bit of a zoo! In fact, ZMW and I each caught a 24-hour bug as we careened from house to house during blizzard season, worked long hours at work and yet longer hours on the house. Despite the scheduling madness, it has been so wonderful to spend time with family and I am SO grateful to be able to enjoy a few more days off to recuperate before the new year. Needless to say, the holiday is not quite the same without my brother and sister-in-law around - miss you guys!

Christmas Eve was spent with my side of the family and we attended midnight mass. ZMW was thrilled - no joke - to sing 'holy hymns!' We enjoyed my mother's traditional pre-Noche Buena seafood pasta and eagerly awaited her famous pineapple upside-down cake! The house was not quite as music filled without my brother and sister-in-law - in years past, our collective piano-side Christmas tunes were the highlight of the evening (:



Christmas morning, 'Santa's' loot was discovered by Anna. It was a quiet and lovely morning with the three of us and ZMW spoiled us with jewelry. Anna scored an angel pendant necklace and I, a pair of diamond earings. WOW! Material things seem so small compared to what we have together as a family but it never fails to be a show stopper to open those little blue boxes ;)

Following a tradition my brother and I started when we were kids, we went to a Marley & Me for our Christmas day movie! It was the perfect interlude to my cooking marathon as I prepared to host an eleven person Christmas dinner in our new diggs! Tradition definitely becomes most relevent during this time of year, as I surprised myself with my holiday menus - they were all creepily close to those wondeful holiday main dishes that I grew up with. My Prime Rib roast was rockin'!

To the rest of the family - I'm so looking forward to hosting you
in our new home. It's on the docket as I plan out the rest of our vacation in town (: For now, I am happily stuffed with holiday food and cheer and look forward to ringing in the new year!!

See here for Part I of our holiday pictures!

Mega 4th with The Boys

Orange cupcakes?! OH YEAH!

Having a birthday party is always great, but for AFJW... A birthday party with The Boys is big time!!! She is a star not only to us, but to our whole family. A bright star. Her lust to live, and her desire to know and understand is amazing!

JJW loves showing off his bedroom and the massive collection of toys, stuffed animals and nick nacks! AFJW and JJW could survive in that bedroom for weeks!


Posing for a quality photo in front of the Christmas Tree! Right after this photo, AFJW was riding on the back of SMW and CGW's backs in turn!

** One of my favorite things to do: Take photos of AFJW with my cell phone. She is so photogenic! Then immediately sending out those photos to Mia, family, friends and Picasa.


Grandma and Grandpa's b-day present took it to the next level! When she ripped open the wrapping paper on the box, I instantly had a flash back... Light Brite! Watch out! Anna was real excited, but she didn't feel the nostalgia I had. Pictures and blog posting to come soon with Lite Brite action. This we can promise. Great Grandma and Grandpa gave Anna some very interesting (and fun to read) stories that take place in different famous locations in Michigan.

On AFJW b-day, she was treated to Sushi at our new Lansing sushi hot spot, the Ukai Fusion Sushi Bar! The owner, Mr. Kim was there and treated our beautiful birthday girl to a DELICIOUS desert (Yes, I had a couple bites!).

Eye POPPING desert!

4th Birthday

Almost 4 years ago, I gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl I could have ever imagined. As all parents know, it changed my life and AFJW and I began a life full of adventure together. She was by my side as I studied for my degree and worked full time as a single parent. Despite the obstacles, I saw each day as a gift promising quietly to her every moment I held her in my arms that I would take care of her and love her.


Looking back on that blisteringly cold blizzard day that she was born at the UofM hospital, I am so amazed at how far she has come and how far we have come - as mother and daughter and as a family member with our beloved ZJW who has completed our clan.

She was an easy, healthy baby who slept easily through the night and despite a rocky start was a champion breast feeder. I recall her bright wide eyes the minute she was born, already eager to see the world and hilarity of her propping up her foot on the 'tub' during her first bath in the hospital. Most of all, I was amazed at how much love I had for this little person and even more amazed at how I can honestly say that that love is even stronger to date.

Today, she dreams of becoming a ballerina, any kind of performer it seems as I recently discovered when she so easily belt out the tunes of Mamma Mia and Dream Girls on the karaoke. She's been sitting through her Tito Nicko's jazz concerts since the age of 2 and by 3 was able to see the wonderment of the symphony. Indeed, she has also begun taking violin lessons more enthusiasm that I would have ever expected.

I am so proud and so honored to be her mother. I so cherish our gentle moments in the morning when she often caresses my face and tells me how beautiful I am and how much she loves me. Makes me wonder if all these years of my telling her these things has brained washed her!! All the same, it melts my heart and I long for little else than her happiness and ability to live a wonderful life.

While I have the privilege of having her home with me, I am so happy and proud of the solid relationship we all have as a unit. We take everyday for the gift that it is and are so happy to have one another and our families!

Firsts

With her 4th birthday right around the corner, it seems fitting to note some recent firsts for our little girl. Since she was about 2 years old, she has been pining for ballet lessons and two short years later, we have arrived (:

That said, 'when it rains, it pours' - she is also taking violin lessons and has recently taken on her first puppy. Indeed, it is yet another round of significant 'firsts' and boy, are we proud parents. It seems like yesterday that she was crawling around in diapers...

Now, I'm entertained every morning with her vocal stylings to everything Mamma Mia, ballet perfomances, symphony concerts and puppy training! Phew :)

Him

It is an amazing thing in life when you realize how fortunate you are to have a deep love and respect for another human being. Despite the madness of our day to day lives and ever present process of getting to know one another in our strength and in our weakness, I know I can circle back to him. Always.

“What lies behind us and lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. –Emerson”

He reminded me with a card and surprise visit to the office with flowers (:

Fall Round Up

It is my favorite time of the year. Hues of orange, red and yellow take over the Michigan landscape and I am reminded of midwestern cultural points like football Saturdays, soccer season and crisp hikes on the trails. For me it is the perfect time to take some time off. So, for my birthday weekend, ZMW, AFJ and I took 5 days off for some wine touring, hiking and biking.

It is getting difficult to keep everyone updated, but below is the October round-up! Pictures to follow.

• Traverse City Vacation
• New Family Member: Sasa
• Pumpkin Picking with ‘the Uncles’
• Color Tour at the Ann Arbor Arboretum

To The Point

Cedar Point, that is.

This weekend, we caught up with our respective families while also managing to squeeze in a trip to Sandusky, Ohio to visit the classic midwest amusement park. We logged it in as another one of AFJ’s firsts! ZMW’s company organized a trip for its employees and we enjoyed a non-driving trip down on a surprisingly comfortable bus (:

The night before, we met up with ZMW’s family at his high school alma mater for homecoming(!) where we were surprised to discover the opposing team happened to be MY high school alma mater. Needless to say, we shamed ZMW’s old football team by beating them on their own homecoming night. Sorry, guys ;) It was a blast from the past but a good time, nontheless.

Sunday was spent with my family and we enjoyed dim sum and hearty conversation with my comedian father. Priceless weekend all around ;) See below for some highlights!

What Do We Value?

As the general election approaches, it seems even more urgent to reflect on our government and the values that it expresses through its actions. More importantly, as citizens we must be critical and thoughtful about how and why we support or rally against government actions.

Our economy has been a salient issue with the evident demise of some of the largest U.S. financial institutions. In addition to what we can potentially fear financially — indeed, there is much to be concerned about with the fall of AIG and certain market funds –the government bailouts of these institutions reflect values.

For one, those who are most at risk of losing their jobs in the immediate future are those who hold some of the most coveted positions among American Professionals - Investment Bankers. To be sure, these same individuals earn at the highest pay scales in our society and certainly ‘earned’ their positions with Ivy League educations and hard work.

That said, and it is beyond the scope of this blog to discuss this in detail, our government has reached a decision to bail out these institutions with billions of dollars, racking up a bill at the end of the day that could potentially reach the trillions. The very nature of free markets mitigates government intervention and here we are, intervening in the free market because of some crappy securities and questionable business practices in general.

It is in light of these events that we must begin to analyze why it is that our government values do not include social provisions, including but not limited to; social security, city infrastructure investment (think Detroit and New Orleans), and public school finance. To me, it seems clear that we, as a society, value a certain socioeconomic segment of society and to put it bluntly - we don’t value the rest all that much.

Much remains to be seen as events continue to unfold but there do not seem to be too many surprises any more about who and what the federal government values. This could be a good thing, and indeed, it could be a bad thing but in these times, I hope more people think thoughtfully about the kind of leadership they want in office and what kind of society they would like to be part of .

Note the Parisian Soiree

For the first time in a long time, we stayed in Ann Arbor over the weekend. We decided to take a pass on the frantic quest to squeeze in camping trips before winter sets in. Random highlights of the ‘Uneventful Weekend in Town’ warranted a blog post as it underscores the many benefits of living in Ann Arbor and sticking around the city limits every now and again!

On Friday evening, we hiked down to one of Ann Arbor’s community gems — the Kerrytown Concert House. Last minute ‘date night’ planning had me on their website perusing their themed concert series entitled, “A Parisian Soiree”. The program included a UofM concert violinist and various opera singers, all of whom entertainingly invoked the romantic and sassy nature of Parisian culture. Anna danced and giggled at the performances while ZMW and I sipped on champagne.

Not bad, eh?

Trust me, it was heavenly.

It also happened to rain all weekend and boy, was it the perfect excuse to stay indoors and relax after weeks of eventful weekends hiking outdoors, swimming in Lake Michigan or traveling, in general. To be sure, we stayed in on Sunday and napped intermittently THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DAY to the pitter patter of the rain (:

Rhythm & Blues

While the value of my free time seems to have gone through the roof, it seems only fitting to be grateful for the rhythm of my day-to-day.

For the past two weeks, ZMW and I have adjusted to an earlier wake-up call (6:00am) to jump start our day with some physical activity. A ‘must’ for our respective energy levels: ZMW simply craves the physical activity and I, on the other hand, find its importance in leveling stress levels. Both of us, however, find its value in overall health of course, and as a family, we spend most of our after-work hours romping around outside. See photo below of my little skim boarders over Labor day weekend!

Skim boarders in Lake Michigan ;)

Running has typically been my activity of choice but since working longer work days in front of a computer, on a questionably comfortable chair, I’ve begun to develop some back issues. Yikes! I seem to carry stress in my back and shoulders, essentially tensing up muscles as I get lost in analytical thought that somebody thought would be a good idea to pay me for!

As a remedy, ZMW and I have incorporated yoga into our morning AND afternoon rituals and it is really starting to make a difference (so does the nightly backrubs that my fiancé so sweetly offers up *wink*)! Overall, it has been so wonderful to get into a morning routine of aerobic, strength and yoga activities that gets me through the heavy-lifting mental activity of the day.

More updates as we progress into more of Rodney Yee’s yoga videos, which I highly recommend – not many men can pull off looking cool in a speedo!

The Key of Life

On Friday, August 23, 2008, ZMW brought me and AFJ to a lovely downtown Ann Arbor Hibachi Restaurant for Anna’s first time. We strolled around downtown, visited the bookstore, had a cup of coffee and counted our blessings for how happy we have been this year and how close we have become as a family unit. We were thankful for our time with extended family, for our health and prosperity. When we arrived at home, still ‘high’ from yet another wonderful summer evening and sipping an ice cold bottle of Beck’s Beer (hahahaha), ZMW got down on one knee and proposed with a gorgeous diamond ring!

In the morning, he proposed again in front of AFJ after which time she asked, “Where’s MY ring?!?” We were so happy to see that she was thrilled at the news and made an immediate request for a bigger family - preferably, a baby sister - Ella (yes, she has the name and gender all picked out - wish us luck).

I never thought I would be so lucky as to find my soul mate and to experience happiness to the degree that I am experiencing it now. It is a surreal feeling to finally wrap your brain around true love, to finally understand certain cheesy lyrics for the first time and to be moved by the everyday feelings of another human being.

The blessings of both sets of parents and family is the icing on top.

Stay tuned for updates

A Fresh Start

It is well into the summer months and quickly, I have discovered that I live for my weekends.

Grateful for an amazing career, I am even more grateful for time with loved ones. This summer has not disappointed and indeed, has been a season many new beautiful beginnings. Pictures often best tell the story but this blog is an opportunity for me to reflect on my experiences.

Whether it’s about saving the world one report and data analysis at a time at work (*wink), reporting on yet another physical adventure with ZMW, AFJ or others, I’m looking forward to indulging myself in this blogger vanity project of mine.

Live More

A much needed morning run reminded me that life is indeed, very good.

So far, this summer has been one filled with many transitions not the least of which is my transition into the for-profit business world. Long hours and an upcoming busy travel schedule has stumped my ability to squeeze in some physical activity but when I do, I am GRATEFUL.

The Ann Arbor hills were reminiscent of life's many ups and downs. With each painful hill, I enjoyed the thrill of the climb and the satisfaction of reaching the top. The downhills restful though, ephemeral. And in between the two, the flats forced notice to my breathing and the crunching of the trail beneath me.

Blue skies, rich, green trees and I noted yet another existential run...

My Endless Love

Day two in the Philippines and I decide to drag myself out of bed at 5:45am and squeeze in a quick run before it got too hot. At 82 degrees Fahrenheit, it was balmy, to say the least.

Prepared for another appeal to my spiritual side, I sank deep into thought about theism and its possible role in my life. My airplane reading material was a dense book on Tibetan Buddhism. Determined to explore more ways to temper my penchant for anxiety and seemingly endless quest for staying centered, I figured, apart from running what the hell else can I do to relax my racing mind?!? ;)

This morning, I was reminded of the power of comedy.

Along the Marikina riverbank, I came across a father and his two sons. Slim and fit, Dad ran along side one son and pushed the other along. Each was 'healthy' and the older son was NOT so thrilled about the forced outing. He kept falling behind and I decided to run with him (see below, the boy in the blue shirt)



To be sure, the sight of this father and his two sons was comedy in and of itself. But instead of sharing a private laugh and moving along, I asked the father where they planned on meeting ending their run and that I would just meet him there with his son. It probably wasn't the best idea to leave his son alone with the likes of someone like me, but ever the trusting Filipino man, he did.

Me: So, let's just jog, ok? And feel free to walk whenever you're tired. Sound ok?
Boy: I hate running.
Me: I don't blame you, I didn't like it too much either when I was your age. Do you play any sports?
Boy: No.
Me: Hmm, wanna switch iPods? Either that or we can just chat if you'd like...
Boy: My god, you're so white. Why are you out running?? You'll get dark!
Me: *rolls eyes*

Before I hand over my iPod, I switch it up to one of my favorite playlists...an old school Rocky and other random hip hop playlist that gets the heart pumping. Here kid, I think to myself, if this doesn't get your ass movin' I don't know what will!

Meanwhile, when I throw on his headphones, I discover a dark truth: this kid has been hanging out with too many Karaoke crazed, middle aged Filipinos. He was listening to non other than MY ENDLESS LOVE! When I look at him, he eeks out a grin and asks, "what"?

All I could do was laugh at the audacity of trying to run with such a song. So, I asked the inevitable - Are you listening to My Endless Love because of your girlfriend?!

He responds, "I'm listening to My Endless Love because I don't have a girlfriend...the girl I like doesn't even know I'm alive."

I thought, buck up, kid, you should stay away from us until you're about thirty. Thanks for the good time, though!

By the time I dropped him off, his Dad appeared pretty hell bent on taking me home and introducing me to his eldest son...although I declined the possibility of meeting my endless love, I definitely achieved some semblance of "center" hanging out with my boy in blue!

Leg One

I am happily on my first international trip of 2008...despite the madness of this past weekend and my sleepy droopy eyes, I'm sitting in the O'Hare airport sipping coffee and reveling in my upcoming 5 week vacation. That's right, kids: 5 weeks.

This blog has been empty of entries for the past four months and the fact that I have taken a job in the private sector starting on June 2nd should basically say it all. I am in a wonderful phase of transition and I am embracing the change.

Stay tuned for updates...even running ones! I'm planning on running the Dexter Ann Arbor again on June 1st, hopefully injury free :)


Cheers to sass and cocktails :)

The New Year

2007 has come and gone quickly, as usual. It's been a year that I can sum up, however, with many learning moments on career choices, academics, parenthood and love -- all of which I hope to build on in the new year.

In 2007 Anna started pre-school, visited the Philippines for the first time and is growing into a loving, affectionate and clever (albeit very feisty) toddler. Her dream in 2008 is to begin pursuing her dream to be a 'ballereeeeeeeena.'

We have cherished the opportunity this year has given us to be near family; Anna has grown to adore her Tito, Tita and Lolo among many others including my close friends here in Ann Arbor and afar. I continue to be thankful for the loving community of people that surround us - a community, without which, I am sure life would be less enjoyable and definitely, more difficult.

I started running again in 2007 - I ran in a few 5Ks, ran the Ann Arbor Dexter 10K for the first time, and then of course, the Virginia Beach Half Marathon. The fall term, and other issues interfered with the consistency my training, but I'm learning to be ok with these dry spells. Such is life, and there is nothing stopping me from picking up and running again.

Now, of course, after the holidays I've got a little extra junk in my trunk but do not regret for one second, the 2.5 week vacation / lazy-ing around with Anna and eating YUMMY food, catching up on movies missed and a few nights out with my brother and old friends as a reward (as well as a much needed recuperation) from a difficult fall season.

I have much to look forward to in 2008. I'm going to diligently plan vacations, start a very exciting career in the private sector (whoooaaaa), run a few more races and spend more time with family and friends. I am most thankful for Anna of course, and the love that continues to grow exponentially, just when I think I couldn't love her any more.

Happy New Year to all!!