DS's 13th Piano Recital

DS just finished his Piano Recital held at the Mini Hall of my alma mater, the University of the Philippines, as a student in the College of Music's Extension Program. This is DS's 13th reciatal to date. I am just as nervous eversince the very first time that he had to play before a big audience, 4 years ago.

He played a long and complex piece by Russian composer, Sergei Rachmaninov, called "Barcarolle in G Minor op. 10 no. 3".

Here is the video for your enjoyment ---



All honor and praise to our God, the Giver of all gifts and talents.

There is nothing in the world
so much like prayer as music is.
William P. Merrill

DS On QueSci's 2nd Qualifying Examination

Praise God! Migs made it again in Quezon City Science High School's 2nd Qualifying Exam. We will now have a scholar in the family because tuition is FREE. But although it is free, the quality of education is not sacrificed, because the school is one of the top triumvirate Science high schools in the country.



We will have a 3rd and final screening on March 15 -- an interview, which is more like a getting-to-know-you kind of thing, and we are praying that we will do our best. I say "We", because the parent/s are included. :)



Quezon City Science High School, or "QueSci" as it is commonly called, is the premiere Science high school of Quezon City, our home city this side of the globe. It is a Regional Science High School, and we are truly and greatly blessed that Migs is one of the many hopefuls who made it there for his secondary education.

To God be the glory!

Give thanks to the LORD,
for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1

Dancing Queen's Facemask Third Monthly Check-Up

This third check-up is a crucial, sort of like a "make or break" thing for us. Since last year, we prayed about this day to the Lord, that it will be favorable for us and for Gina. We know that He has already, long before we did, seen what is in store for Gina today, so we have claimed it, and believed almost a hundred suns and moons ago since November, that we will receive it.



We give the Lord all our gratitude and praises. For our specialist gave us the go-signal to put Gina back to school. Dancing Queen is very very excited about the idea of going back to school, and being with her friends and classmates.

Her jawbone moved to where it should be... Not that treatment is already finished -- because we are just done with the INITIAL 3-month, 1st phase of it -- but her upper jaw started to overlap the lower, and progress is good.



Gina still needs to wear the Facemask, but for a shorter number of hours each day, especially at night, for the next 9 months. By then, we have finished and COMPLETED the 1st phase of Facemask and Palatal Expansion Treatment for her Class III Malocclusia. And then, 3 or 4 more years to go...



So we continue to pray, until we reach our end point, which is years from now. Diligence, hard work, and patience is what we always need to achieve success. We are proud of our Dancing Queen. And we are thankful of her cheerful heart. She loves the Lord, and understands His ways. His thoughts and ways, which are always higher, and different from ours... But if we walk in His ways, only then will we accept and understand, and see things differently in a beautiful way. These are just some of the lessons we have been shown, and which, we are holding on to, until we finish Gina's treatment.



Thank you to our prayer partners, and to family members who are praying with us in our "journey". 'Til next month's update...

Rejoice always, pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Taylor Swift Is Here!

Dancing Queen had the time of her life this evening when we watched Taylor Swift in her much-awaited, jam-packed, scream-filled concert in the Philippines.

Yes, DH and I had to accompany our dear, darling Gina at the Araneta Coliseum, to catch her favorite pop star, Taylor Swift -- IN THE FLESH!

Just like I said in my FB status, I felt so old sitting beside thousands of screaming little (and not so little) girls, like my favorite girl, Dancing Queen. I think I only knew the lyrics of a handful of TS's songs. Compared to my little girl, who knew them all, haha.

We thank the Lord for the provision He has given us to be able to get expensive tickets to this concert. And for the opportunity he has also opened for Taylor to visit my country. :)

Every day is an opportunity
to make a new happy ending.
Author Unknown

Valentine's Day Happenings

This morning we brought DS to school early. He will be leaving for a school study tour in Ilocos, a province up North this side of my country.

It is the very first time that Migs will be travelling alone, and via airplane at that -- WITHOUT us! He will be with some 80 other students (grades 4, 5 and 6 or what we call Level II kids in a Montessori setting) plus several teachers, who will be staying there for a week. Accommodations will be at The Fort Ilocandia Hotel.

He is very excited and so are we, because we know that he will definitely have a lot of fun and learn a lot about being independent from this trip. Here is a photo of Migs aboard the tourist bus that will bring them to the airport:



I will definitely miss my favorite boy this Valentine's Day, up until the whole week ends!

Moving down through the rest of the day, DH treated me and Dancing Queen to a sumptuous late lunch cum early dinner (because it wasn't until after I finished my class that we had the time to celebrate this Valentine weekday) at Banapple near my work place. We ate a lot of good food, and took home 3 kinds of dessert cakes to cap the evening later still. Food in this resto is always delicious, not to mention inexpensive. It's really value for money.



So this is how we all spent this year's Valentine's Day... Got 3 red roses too from DH, and beautiful homemade cards -- one each for me and DH -- from Dancing Queen. We're missing Migs for sure, but we know he is in good hands. Our prayers are with him, wherever he is enjoying now. :)

Love puts the fun in together,
the sad in apart,
and the joy in a heart.
Author Unknown

Walking My Way To Health

Getting fit this year is one of the best things on my mind (okay, every year, that is, haha). A major department store held 3 days of glorious mall-wide sale and DH bought me a pair of Skecher's Shape-Ups -- my first ever (you better believe me!) walking shoes. Because I don't have the time to go to the gym. Here is a photo of my shoes, which I've been using after my class, when I walk around my alma mater's academic oval... :)


Image courtesy of Bargain EZ

It is indeed built to be used as a walking shoe, and to post a review from About.com Guide, Wendy Bumgardner, here is what she has to say about Skecher's Shape-Ups. Her review is pretty much closer to what I also think and have to voice out about this fitness shoe. Read along...

Skechers Shape-ups Walking Shoe

Skechers Shape-Ups walking shoes are designed to stimulate more muscles and balance with a rocker sole with a soft kinetic wedge. The rocker sole enhances the natural walking motion of rolling through a step from heel to toe. The sole is designed in three layers with a firm midsole for support and a super soft foam kinetic wedge that absorbs shock with each step and simulates walking in soft sand. This combination seeks to activate more muscles to develop balance and posture and tone leg and buttock muscles.

Rocker Sole Shoes

The Skechers Shape-Ups are similar to the Swiss Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoes, with a rocker sole designed to activate and tone more muscles during daily activities or fitness walking. The Skechers Shape-ups stress their soft kinetic wedge sole. This sole provides super shock absorption and a slightly unstable walking platform. This makes the body compensate, activating core muscles and balance training.

The rocker sole enforces a good heel-to-toe walking stride with roll through the step. The extra rear extension exercises the leg and buttock muscles in new ways, which can lead to toning.

I found these shoes to be extremely comfortable right out of the box. The toe box is wide enough for my wide feet. I think these would be great shoes for people who must stand for long periods each day, where cushioning and the slight instability would help prevent fatigue.

However, these are heavy shoes, as are the Swiss MBT shoes. They are simply too heavy for me to wear comfortably. With a short stroll, I appreciated the cushioning but felt strain in my knees. I could immediately feel my quads working trying to pick up my feet. Some walkers will like that extra workout. But those of us with any knee, ankle or hip problems may have them stressed in ways we would rather protect them from. I am generally opposed to heavy shoes for this reason.

Skechers recommends using Shape-ups only for shorter walks of 25 to 45 minutes per day until your body has adjusted to them. Skechers Shape-ups come with a training CD.

Bottom Line on Skechers Shape-Ups

Skechers Shape-ups are about half of the price of the Swiss MBT shoes, but are still in the $80-$120 range. They come in both athletic and lifestyle styles. I would suggest using them as crosstraining shoes rather than using them to train for walking events. A walker might wear them for a shorter walk each day or every-other day in addition to walking in athletic walking shoes. They provide a different workout from regular walking. Be aware of any joint pain developing that can be a sign of overuse injuries.
And now from Skechers, here is the Shape-Ups Instructional video, a CD copy of which is included when purchasing a pair for yourself. Enjoy!



Walking:
The most ancient exercise
and still the best modern exercise.
Carrie Latet

Dancing Queen's Facemask Second Monthly Check-Up

Dancing Queen was accompanied by DH to her doctor this afternoon. I had an important lecture in class so I had to stay behind.

More good news is shining brightly before us, because of bigger progress showing in her upper and lower jawbones. The possibility of being able to go back to regular school by March is higher now, as what the doctor reported. Here are some photos from this month's check-up ---

Notice that her upper teeth are already slightly overlapping the ones in her lower...



And her cheekbones and general profile look even better now...



This a shot of her palatal cast taken last Nov. 17, 2010. Note the alignment of upper and lower teeth. Compare it with the first photo above. So much has changed already since wearing the Facemask last Nov. 24 last year. Praise God...



We continue to hope and pray that by March, Dancing Queen will be able to go back to regular school, and enjoy the company of her friends again. She loves school and is eager to be back soon.

By then, her Facemask will have to be worn at night -- during her bedtime, as advised by our doctor. That in itself is an accomplishment, a result of being a diligent patient too; from continuously, consistently, and patiently wearing it for almost the entire day since November last year, and graduating to a lesser wear-time period in the future months to come. We are all excited for this, as we begin to complete the rest of the Facemask's 1st Phase of intervention.

More to come next time...

...but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

DS On QueSci's 1st Qualifying Examination

We praise God because Migs made it to the Quezon City Science High School's 1st qualifying examination.



We have been praying hard that for his secondary education, Migs will become a scholar in a Regional Science High School like "QueSci" -- because we know his capabilities as a student, and becoming a scholar also means being able to save on high tuition fees for us parents, thus experiencing the joy of having a lot of disposable income in the family.



His 2nd qualifying exam will be on the 29th of this month, and we again pray hard that he will make it.

There are three screening examinations and competition is very stiff, as only a few hundred students will be admitted in this prestigious Science high school. Our hopes are high...

Hope is the word
which God has written
on the brow of every man.
Victor Hugo

Last Holiday Treat

As our last holiday treat before school starts again tomorrow, we brought the kids to watch The Great American Circus this evening. They both agreed this was better than last Dec. 27's Chinese Circus because they were all the more greatly amazed by the stunts and daredevil acts from the performers.

Here is one photo from the circus --



We grabbed a late dinner afterwards from a popular pizza-pasta restaurant chain, and then headed home. We have to hit the sack now for an early day tomorrow -- it's back to school for Migs and Gina, and likewise back to work for me and DH!

We all thank the Lord for a great Christmas holiday, and claim more blessings for the year 2011. There are lots of things in store for us and the kids this new year, and we are eagerly awaiting these big things from the Lord.

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Our 14th Year

Today I praise God as we celebrate our 14th Wedding anniversary, and look forward to more beautiful times together as a couple and as a family.

We treated ourselves to watch The Grand China National Acrobatic Circus Splendide in a famous coliseum in the city and enjoyed a good Chinese meal afterwards.



It is the first time for both kids to watch a live circus act like this, and they said they wanted to see more, and decided they wanted to watch another one -- the American version -- this time in a different place and venue. Perhaps we will do that before the year ends...

Gina gave me a beautiful homemade card...



And Yani gave me this book by Gary Chapman (relationship counselor and author of the The 5 Love Languages series)...



14 years, two kids aged 12 and 8... We've known each other in 1991. My Math skills says we've been friends for 19 years already... Praise God for this day.

An anniversary is a time
to celebrate the joys of today,
the memories of yesterday,
and the hopes of tomorrow.
Author Unknown

Pre-Christmas Gifts Opening

I just want to share this evening's most treasured highlight -- since the kids were bugging us to no end -- we allowed them to open some Christmas gifts!

My ever-generous Mom from NJ gave both kids groovy presents --

A magenta-colored tulle and satin party dress and a Disney Princess Enchanted Tales LCD watch with inter-changeable face (3 princesses' faces to choose from, which she may also wear as pendant) for Dancing Queen...



...and two wrist watches -- one formal one with several hi-tech features, and a funky (Nickelodeon) Sponge Bob one for Migs. Just what he truly needs.



Each also received a One Year Devotional Book and an inspirational bookmark made of pvc from us --

This is Gina's (for Girls). Just in time because she's almost finished with Grace D. Chong's "What's for Breakfast 2"...



...and Migs's (for Boys). He doesn't have to borrow from me anymore.



We received this one from Dancing Queen (oh how I wish even for just one day we could make a SnowMan like that here, haha!)



And I also got this book from Yani. It is one of the books I listed down in my year-round Wish List. Great to have this book in my collection...



Praise God for this day.

When you look at your life,
the greatest happinesses
are family happinesses.
Joyce Brothers

Treasured Moments

Migs feels a bit under the weather (no thanks to hay fever/sneezing allergies from my country's wishy-washy climate) and requested to sleep beside me, so here he is sleeping soundly on our bed.

Yani is understanding enough to allow our 12 year old tween to sleep with us in the room. When weekends or holidays like today is "in the house", we allow our kids to co-sleep with us. (Dancing Queen follows suit upon learning that her big brother gets to sleep in Dad and Mom's bedroom). We turn up the a/c and everyone gets comfy with thick, wooly blankets. We have cushioned mats to use on the floor, and soft puzzlemats covering our hardwood flooring all over our home's second level help sleep-buddies a lot.

We treasure moments like these and we are of course one small, happy family + one Maltese dog who also feels like she is every inch a human being. :)

P.S. Look again and find the human dog. :))

A family is a unit
composed not only of children
but of men, women,
an occasional animal,
and the common cold.
Ogden Nash

Dancing Queen's Facemask First Monthly Check-Up

Dancing Queen just came from her 1st check-up since wearing the Facemask a month ago.



Praise God because our doctor said her upper jawbone has moved forward already! Orthodontist and I documented it as usual and took photos of her profile. I am confident that by the end of our 3rd month, Dancing Queen will be able to go back to regular school. We are excited! That means we have hurdled the crucial first 3 months of intervention, which will allow Gina to wear the Facemask during bedtime only!



Although it takes a trained eye to see the difference from last month's file photos, we believe that God's mighty hand has moved and granted us favor in this.



We are very happy, for our labor is not in vain. Dancing Queen did a very good job of being an obedient patient -- wearing her Facemask for 20 hours a day without complain. Obedience and diligence truly paid off.



We ask for continued prayers for our daughter, and thank with all our hearts -- family and friends who prayed, and are constantly praying with us for Gina. May God bless you a thousandfold! I will be updating you again about our "journey" next time.

For more stories about Gina's Facemask, you may visit my past entries starting HERE.


And we know that in all things
God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

Steps Christmas Dance

Gina's Ballet school, STEPS had an informal mini Christmas concert in the school's Studio 1 this evening. Her highness, Dancing Queen danced well together with her Ballet-mates. Music was "Forget About Love", from the Disney animated "Aladdin II: Return of Jafar".



Dancing Queen enjoys performing even in an informal venue like this. During summer though, performing on a much bigger and more formal stage like the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) takes place.



Formal or not, she dances her best, and we always claim that someday, she will dance to honor and glorify God, her Maker and Creator. :)



Here she is with her very good teacher, Eurica Balagtas...



And the school's kind director, Sofia Zobel-Elizalde...



Even if she is undergoing some major changes in her life right now due to wearing her Facemask for 20 hours in a day, our Dancing Queen is blessed, and maintains a happy, cheerful disposition. She is one of two major blessings in our life, and we thank God for her.



Dancing with the feet is one thing,
but dancing with the heart is another.
Author Unknown