I’ve been smiling today as I thought of my four-year-old niece Ruth. As always, her stories and the stories about her never fail to make me laugh and wonder. Her language and creative mind always blow me away. As her writer auntie, I am soooo proud and thrilled of her! 

As I walked later this afternoon to buy some food in the grocery store, some story ideas danced in my head as I thought again of her…such a character! Couldn’t wait to get home to write. But I got news instead that an earring back got into her nose. I couldn’t keep myself from shaking. I held my breath till I heard from my sisters again.

Thank God the doctor was fast and got it out from her nose. Not without bleeding though. Her Mama asked her what happened. “I don’t know,” Ruth said (in English ). She speaks English, Cebuano, and Masbateno. I don’t know if she realizes she speaks two languages and one dialect. Haha.

Oh, baby. What were you thinking? I’m just glad you’re okay now. Be well, li’l girl. Stay creative, but don’t harm yourself. I love you.

Duh. It took me a while to update my site, and this is obviously late. But cheers! My niece Bea made it! She got the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2011 – Overseas Filipino crown. Made it to the Top 10. Got the Best in Gown title. Made it to the Top 5 in Swimsuit Competition and 4th in online voting. Wonderful! Thanks for all your support. It’s been fun and a great experience for all of us especially among relatives, friends, and kababayans.

All the best to my Ford model niece Bea Monterde Santiago – candidate for Mutya ng Pilipinas 2011. Bea, you have all the love and support of your family and friends. Proud of you! Go, go, go, Beatot! Love you!

Please VOTE for BEA SANTIAGO. She’s from Cataingan, Masbate. Contestant #26. Please click this link and vote for her. Thanks!

Okay, this made me stop and melt. I was captivated. I’ve heard this song many times before (yes, I love old songs) but I haven’t seen the artist perform and sing it. This one is just special!

One Day. One Year. One Lifetime.

“Every now and then, when the world sits just right, a gentle breath of heaven fills my soul with delight…”

I am unwritten
Can’t read my mind
I’m undefined

I’m just beginning
The pen’s in my hand
Ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips

Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

I break tradition
Sometimes my tries
Are outside the lines

We’ve been conditioned
To not make mistakes
But I can’t live that way, no

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips

Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
To the years where your book begins
Feel the rain on your skin

At different times the past three months, I had the privilege of touring and showing Singapore to my two visiting friends and sister from the Philippines. The wonder, the excitement, and the confusion they experienced refreshed me. Their countless “wow” and “really?” as they saw, tasted, heard, and smelled new things were contagious. With them, I felt like a beginner again. A tourist. A learner. An adventurer.

I co-facilitated a video production workshop this week with a group of accountants and other professionals in the corporate world. None of them have ever tried the basic software that we used – Audacity and Windows Movie Maker. Quite challenging, yet exciting at the same time.

Together with my team, I had to teach like it was my first time, too; mindful of each one’s weaknesses and strengths. I guess as a facilitator, I’m the one who benefit most. The more I teach, the more I learn. And yes, the more chances for me to have that beginner’s experience. As the participants learn new things, it’s priceless to see the light on their face. The relief. The “wow” and “aha” moments.

How their frowns turn to smiles and big grins and sighs to laughter and cheers after learning something – an eruption of wonder – ah, those are some of the best moments in the workshop that I hold dear in my heart.

For everyone, a new journey begins.

“Sometimes I see myself as a child in a rain storm, running around trying to catch all the drops in her mouth. I long for your adventures to be like the raindrops the child saves and not those which crash to the ground.”

A rainy day in Singapore. Standing by my window. Watching the rain. Letting it wash my heart, sing a lullaby to my soul…

Preparing for a workshop on Video Production as a Presentation Tool for Accountants this month in Singapore.