Student Life

Today Emi's class hosted their student-led conferences to show us parents how they spend their days. It was too cute to see our little lady running around the room to the different stations with her clipboard, demonstrating the math games and her writing abilities.

Sweet Emotion...

So I made it to my 39th (!) birthday and it was a really great one this year. I got exactly what I wanted and then some. I am truly blessed! My husband and daughter served me breakfast in bed (most excellent omelet). They got me some shoes I'd been coveting:
(Hello my new favorite shoes!)
and The McCartney Years DVD collection!

Progressing Along Nicely...

Surprise!

Tonight we threw a surprise birthday party for Scott's mom. Some of the guests were running late so we had to divert Grandma Babe from coming to our house too soon. We asked her to stop at the store and get me some "girlie things" (no wings!) and then after that we had her get some ice (never wondering why we'd have to take a bag of ice to a catered affair!). 20+ guests were hiding in the Gathering Room when Emi brought Grandma Babe back to the room under the guise of playing a piano piece for her. Even after we yelled "Surprise!" she was still not sure that the surprise was for her. I think she really had a good time with family and friends.

No Pop Tarts for Me!

This Valentines Day was really awesome! Emi's class had a Valentine Party and I was in charge of organizing it. The kids had fun making valentines for their parents and signing a page for their teacher's memory book (which another homeroom mom helped me to put together). And, of course, they chowed down on the goodies we brought.

After school I HAD to get out in the yard and enjoy the BEAUTIFUL upper 70's.

That evening, Emi got to go to a movie with her Aunt Stevie, and I got a very nice love letter from my husband! We don't typically celebrate the holiday - Scott's been off the hook for at least the past 10 years - but this year I was VERY appreciative of the romantic gesture...

Pop Tarts over the Sink Valentine Day Songs...

Do you have some favorite love songs from the past? Cry in Your Beer songs? Eating Pop Tarts Over the Sink for Valentine's Day songs?

Here are a few that have gotten me through heartbreaks (or prolonged the pain actually...). Sometimes I listened to these songs instead of doing productive things like going to class and eating meals or showering. Yeah, I know, pathetic....

Spring Love - Stevie B
Sad words to such an upbeat melody. I wore my Stevie B tape out....

Could Have Been - Tiffany
The saddest line of the song: How can you hold what could've been on a cold and lonely night?

I Don't Wanna Cry - Mariah Carey
Nothing in the world
Could take us back
To where we used to be

Never Say Good Bye - Bon Jovi
We danced so close
We danced so slow
And I swore I'd never let you go
Together - forever

Friends in Low Places - Garth Brooks (just kidding!)

Love Bites - Def Leppard -
I don't wanna touch you too much baby
'Cos making love to you might drive me crazy

Some songs that I wanted to have dedicated to me (professing undying love and that I'll never leave you, baby.):

Patience - Guns N Roses Remember the whistling along with the guitar strumming at the beginning of the song?

Said, woman, take it slow
It'll work itself out fine
All we need is just a little patience

I'll Be There for You - Bon Jovi (This song still makes my heart hurt!)
I know you know we've had some good times
Now they have their own hiding place
I can promise you tomorrow
But I can't buy back yesterday

And Baby you know my hands are dirty
But I wanted to be your valentine
I'll be the water when you get thirsty, baby
When you get drunk, I'll be the wine

Shake You Down - Gregory Abbott I still have my 45 of this song (yes, I'm OLD!)
You're in my mind
Girl I wanna shake you down
I can give you all the lovin you need

With or Without You - U2 I wore this tape out too...

Because I Love You - Stevie B
If you should feel that I don´t really care
And that you're starting to lose ground
Just let me reassure you
That you can count on me
And that I'll always be around

Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton (but of course!)

While I'm thinking about it I just loved Rush Rush (Paula Abdul) - possibly amplified because the yummy Keanu Reeves was in the video and the beautiful violins that just touch your soul.

Seriously, the words describe how I feel these days about my husband, after 13 years of togetherness...

And all I want from you is
What you are
And even if you're right
Next to me
You're still too far away
If I'm not inside your arms
I get dramatic baby,
Yes I know
But I need you, I want you
Ooh man, I love you so

Here are some sad songs that I remember my mom listened to and/or sang as her marriage to my dad was dissolving (get out the Kleenex...):

Wasted Days and Wasted Nights - Freddy Fender
Why should I keep loving you
When I know that you're not true
And why should I call your name
When your the blame
For making me blue

Before the Next Teardrop Fall - Freddy Fender
But if he ever breaks your heart
If the teardrops ever start
I'll be there
Before the next teardrop falls

Please Release Me - Engelbert Humperdink
I didn't understand my mom's feelings back when I was a child and I heard her singing this song with her sweet Filipino accent (wat? ay dunt haban aksent!). Many years later listening to the words it really pained (pains) me to think about what she went through during that sad and lonely time with no family around.... Check out the video - sad -- Engelbert's actually crying while he's singing the song. How would you like to be the woman on the receiving end of THAT song?

Hoping that NONE of you can relate to any of the sad songs in this post on the eve of Valentine's Day! And if you happen to be in the group planning to eat your V-day meal over the sink, I leave you with this.

Canyoning

Have you ever heard about canyoning? Me neither until I was reading my good friend's son's blog about his current adventures in Ecuador -- looks exciting and yet painful. Check it out http://patrick8448.blogspot.com/2008/02/canyoning-worlds-coolest-sport.html

Okie Lechon

We could not have arranged for a better day for a pig roast. The guys were up at the crack of dawn stuffing the pig with lots of good stuff (lemongrass stalks, garlic, onion, rosemary and jalapenos with olive oil), then they performed minor surgery to close her up and roasted her for about 6 or 7 hours. That was hard work because they were tied to the rotisserie that Uncle Gabe (aka "Cool Guy") made especially for our huge fire bowl. The guys had to constantly monitor the lechon. They modified the bowl with some metal vices to keep the bar from rolling too far.

My mom fried lumpia and we had chicken adobo and rice, buko pies and cassavas cakes.

Sign of the Times

The new growth is doing well and providing hope. I am very gentle with it and am hopeful that it will bloom much more than the old shoot would have.