Friday, April 30, 2010
Only few minutes from now , April would be moving away . Without any choice or option , a new beginning would be here for all of us. The New month of May. I'm not sure if I should be happy or not to see the new month coming my way since some problems from previous month of April were not totally solved yet. When & How I will have the answers to all my problems ... I don't have any idea . No one knows what lies ahead on our lives ayway.Good things can never be good if there are no bad things we can compare and associate it with. As Chinese people say , Yin always come with Yang or vice versa . There is a perception (especially in the West) that yin and yang correspond to good and evil.
Although , somehow in some ways I should be feeling more happy & lucky realizing I'm still here and able to see another day & time . Whether they bring happiness or more heartaches to bear , only thing I can say is bring them on. Life is worth living only when we could overcome things no matter what they are and what they bring.
Well Anyway, that's basically all my opinion for my personal part.
Although in general, what's here to know really for the Month of May ?
EMERALD
Emerald derived from the word "smaragdus," meaning green in Greek via the Old French 'esmeralde', was mined in Egypt as early as 330 BC. Today, most of the world's emeralds are mined in Colombia, Brazil and Zambia. This stone is believed to empower the owner with foresight into the future, good fortune, youth and rebirth.
The Emerald ~ is a member of the beryl family of minerals. The green crystals grow slowly within metamorphic rocks and are restricted in size by the rock, making large Emeralds rare and costly. Although this gemstone is relatively hard and durable, it must be protected from blows because the inclusions found within make it susceptible to breaking.
" The green of life and of love " ~ The green of the emerald is the colour of life and of the springtime, which comes round again and again. But it has also, for centuries, been the colour of beauty and of constant love. In ancient Rome, green was the colour of Venus, the goddess of beauty and love. And today, this colour still occupies a special position in many cultures and religions.
Emeralds are fascinating gemstones. They have the most beautiful, most intense and most radiant green that can possibly be imagined: emerald green. Inclusions are tolerated. In top quality, fine emeralds are even more valuable than diamonds. My Emerald Ring pictured here wasn't that big in size but great in sentimental value . It was bought as gift for me in the year 1990 . Whatever the occassion is at that time it was presented to me , I already had tried to forget and erase that moment in my mind . Why ? A hint is ... the supposed occassion didn't materialize! Although thinkin about it and picturing it in my imagination today, I'm happy it didn't happen ! Surely , I had no regrets ...
" The World's Famous Emeralds "
The two most famous emeralds are the Devon shire and the Patricia. The Devon shire is a 1383.95-carat, uncut Colombian crystal of fine green color. It was given to the sixth Duke of Devon shire by Emperor Dom Pedro I of Brazil in 1831. It is on permanent loan to the British Museum of Natural History.
Duke of Devonshire. It is highly included and could not withstand cutting because of these inclusion. It is two inches square and weighs 1383.95 carats. It has a deep green color .
The 630-carat Patricia Emerald is another crystal of fine color that resides in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
Emeralds as well formed and as large as the Museum's Patricia Emerald are exceedingly rare. Indeed, due to its form, color, and size -- 632 carats -- this specimen is considered to be one of the world's greatest emeralds. Moreover, while most uncut emeralds have six sides, the Patricia Emerald is dihexagonal, or twelve-sided. The emerald was found in the Colombian Andes in 1920, in the Chivor Mine. It is named for the mine-owner's daughter.
Other Well Kown Emerald Gems :
~The Mackay Emerald Necklace ~
The stunning 167.97-carat Mackay Emerald was mined in Muzo, Columbia. The largest cut emerald in the National Gem Collection, it is set in an Art Deco diamond and platinum necklace designed by Cartier Inc. In 1931, Clarence H. Mackay presented the necklace as a wedding gift to his wife, Anna Case, a prima donna of the New York Metropolitan Opera from 1909 to 1920. The piece was donated to the Smithsonian Institute by Mrs. Anna Case Mackay in 1984. Source: The National Gem Collection by Jeffrey E. Post.
Photo by Chip Clark
~ The Chalk Emerald Ring ~
The superb clarity and deep green color of the 37.82-carat Chalk Emerald ranks among the very finest Columbian emeralds. According to legend, it was once the centerpiece of an emerald and diamond necklace belonging to a maharani of the former state of Baroda in India.
It originally weighed 38.40 carats, but was recut and set in a ring, where it is surrounded by sixty pear-shaped diamonds (totalling 15 carats), by Harry Winston Inc. The ring was a gift to the Smithsonian Institute by Mr. and Mrs. O. Roy Chalk in 1972. Source: The National Gem Collection by Jeffrey E. Post.
When Emerald is the Birthstone For May, on the other hand,
the Birth Flower is the Lily ( Lilium )
The genus Lilium are herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs. The Lily flower symbolizes purity and refined beauty. Based on the colour or type, the Lily flower can convey different meanings.
( This Photo of the Lily Flowers above was taken in my Beadroom last Januray 2008 ~ It was a birthday present from a neighbor of mine . )
Thanks again Jackie & Jamie for these beautiful flowers !
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
I was looking for my one-and-only high school photo taken in 1981 ( which I badly needed so I can show to an old high school classmate of mine whom I just found recently in Facebook ) when I stumbled upon my "NORDSTROM" bangle I had already forgotten about . Gee ... it's been so long and I had not seen the set for several years. It was a combination of White / Gold Plated metal with Pave' diamond-like Crystal stones . It was truly a sparkling Crystals enncrusted set given as a gift back in 1993 when I was in the Philippines.
The Silver-grey toned box had faded thru time. It was rusty from the inside-out . That you may notice from the photo above. Nevertheless, the bangle and earrings were still shiny eventhough the bangle had a broken lock while some of the Crystal stones were gone. The bangle's lock was broken a long time ago .The broken latch can't be joined again with any kind of glue ( I tried so many times but failed ! Sigh ... ) . I still remember the day when I desperately want to save this piece that I took it to a jewelry shop one day . Hoping much that the broken parts can still be attached together , welded or soldered back in shape. Unfortunately, the jewelry repair man shook his head and nodded upon seeing the broken piece. He couldn't save it since the bangle was't made of neither Silver or real Gold metal at all. The part can't be melted or soldered he said. That very moment , I was greatly saddened by the fact that my bangle was beyond repair. Although it can't be used at all , I had kept it inside my drawers due to its sentimental value !
Now that I found it again, I had decided that by hook or by crook, I'll resurrect the bangle myself. But There must be a way to have it fixed. Then , big question is ... How to fix it ? With what ?
I don't want to throw the bangle away just like that....for sure a big, big " NO"! However, I can't wear it at all except only for its matching earrings ! My mind started thinking for a solution at 4am in the morning. Time was ticking and my eyes are getting droopy and I'm so tired imagining the time. Way passed my bed time ... yeah . it's too late ... . But despite of the odds , I grabbed my Pliers, Swarovski Crystal's Box, took out a roll of Gauge 22 Gold color non tarnish beading wires , a set of Magnetic clasps and few pieces of 4mm Bicone crystal Beads in Golden Shadow and Clear Crystal shades to match the existing color of the bangle.
After choosing and laying all the necessary materials infront of me , I slowly started stringing all the crystal beads into the wire and I finally began wire-wrapping around the plain metal side of the bangle. Quite tricky but I was able to see that I was putting a new design around the bangle. Wow ... this is challenging ! No soldering needed to resolve the broken latch issue. Once I had reached tle broken lock area I made 2 loops . 1 loop each on both ends and then attached a set of gold plated magnetic clasp at the tips to secure and keep the 2 sides joined together securely. Aha ... so that's the trick I made to keep the bangle close ! Great idea isn't it ?
The addition of Swarovski Crystals on the wire-wrapped side even added more ba-ba-bling to the piece and looked very radiant indeed. Voila !
So now, who would dare say my bangle is beyond repair and ready for the garbage can ? Ho-ho-ho ... I had beaten the odds again ... YESSSS !
I'm happy that this bangle didn't end up in my trash can at all. Smart thinkin on my part !
I'm very glad that I got it fixed in just about 20-25 mins. ... with no sweat and best of all with out that much cost !
Now it looks much more unique than ever before too !
I'm happy that this bangle didn't end up in my trash can at all. Smart thinkin on my part !
I'm very glad that I got it fixed in just about 20-25 mins. ... with no sweat and best of all with out that much cost !
Now it looks much more unique than ever before too !
Can You imagine from this :
Into something like this :
A Gentle Reminder :
" Don't throw away things so easily ,
maybe one day these can be recycled
or maybe even turned from:
Sunday, April 18, 2010
A Story Of The Past ...
Back in the 90's , when I was single handedly raising 2 young children, I was destitute. My eldest child happened to be diagnosed with a mega-colon problem upon birth and required a lot of medical check ups and operations for her Colostomy . Trying to make both ends meet, I worked in the city and left the kids under my mother's care and come home during the weekends..
I met a guy by accident one night while I was at work. With a bunch of ladyfriends around me, we were teasing each other when suddenly , I saw this skinny guy in his fifties. So well dressed in his Navy Blue & white striped crumple free long sleeves shirt & black casual pants , looking so well armed to the teeth . The oozing smell of his expensive perfume in all directions as he approaches the bar for a drink.
Out of nowhere, words just came out of my mouth and I said : " Here comes grandpa with his stash of cash in his handpouch looking for his cinderella for a bride. Maybe looking for one of you girls ! "
We all laughed so loud that he looked our way and started smiling to our group. We all then looked at each other and stopped laughing but still giggling inside for the dirty joke. I said : " Oh no, I think he had heard what I said .... " so I was so embarrased ! Seeing him walking towards me , I got so uneasy & a bit scared of what would happen next. I was about to turn my back not until he said to me - " Errr ... Excuse me lady ... "
I said : " Yes , Sir? Can I help you ? " with nervousness making both my feet twist uncontrollably from side to side in horor !
He said : " I'm about to say ... that ... "
I said with trembling sound in my voice and my eyes ready to pop out : " Ah, say what sir ? " My eyes were looking helplessly for a friend to come & rescue me ! OMG , I told myself ! I'm surely dead !
He then said : " I Like your smile ! So pretty ..."
Oh gosh ! ... I was breathless when he told me that . Quite a relief even after knowing my girlfriends I had around had slowly dissappeared one by one when he came up to me. Although I was left all alone to attend to him , I had no choice but to face him and continue having conversation with him as I continue with my job. I was a waitress / part-time cashier during those times and talking to clients is part of my job to keep people coming back.
After talking to him for few minutes, he told me that I don't match the place where I work. He said that I spoke English well and I look very smart. He asked me why I was working there and not in a bank or other higher end careers. I simply told him : " My daughter is sick and I need money fast , no matter what ! "
He asked me : " Where is she ? Who's watching over her while you are here ? "
I replied : " I go home to the province to see my 2 children under my mother's care only during weekends . I'm a single mother ! "
"what's wrong with your sick child ?... I would like to see and meet them if you permit. " He said.
I was so totally amazed with how seriously he told me that. I said to myself ... this guy is not giving up on me so easily. As a test, I told him come back on the weekend and we will travel by bus for 2 hours to get to the province. He simply said ok .
Weekdays passed and I didn't see ay trace of him. I told myself he was just joking that I didn't expect he would be coming back ever. Who would bother to travel and see my kids aside from me anyway ? To my total surprise and amazement, he was there during Friday evening after my work ready to travel with me. Oh God !... he was dead serious really ! I got so nervous even more !
I didn't want to create any stir being with a foreign guy in the bus ( especially being twice my age ) so I brought along another girlfirend to come along and travel with us. It's the only way I would be comfortable with a total stranger with all those staring suspicious eyes of the passengers in the bus. Assured at least that I'm not alone and I have a witness that we're not doing anything wrong.
Anyway, the trip to the province made him realize the truth I was talking about when we met the 1st night. He saw my 4 years old daughter with her bleeding stomach due to colostomy running towards me when we arrived in my rented room. My 3 year old son was crawling under our dining table to hide from us. After meeting my kids, my mom and my family members, he became closer to us. It was like we were destined to be in contact with each other! He would visit whenever he's in town and would always invite me for dinner so he can check if I had cut my very long hair.
How he loves my long hair !
He would always slighlty tap my hand , even my forehead whenever I say I need to cut the ends to get rid of split-ends. He told me that I should not touch it . My hair was my greatest asset aside from my good heart he said . He constantly advised me to be careful about guys I meet. They'll all try to jump into my bones he said. He always warned me to be very careful for the sake of my children. He loved & cared for my children a lot too.
Without hesitation , he even voluntarily sponsored my daughter's final major operation , down to the very last cent . It was hefty. Closing her colostomy for good after almost 5 long years of suffering from it had cost a lot of money. He shouldered all the medical expenses and all other hospital bills. I can still picture the moments when him and I were running the streets of Manila , jumping in and out of a taxi , going in several hospitals at midnight looking for a 1000 cc bag of blood needed for my daughters' emergency operation . How concerned he was with the time being consumed and quality of blood we would take back to the hospital where my daughter was waiting in the Intensive Care Unit ( ICU ). She was running a very high fever ( a very bad sign ) and operation has to be done as soon as the blood comes in and got screened. He was a total angel for all his help. If not for all his assistance, my daughetr Barbie wouldn't make it till the morning ... not even until to this day.
He was heaven sent ! I was very thankful for everything !
For all he had done for me and my children that no one else had ever done so far ...
I always remember the time when he told me :
" How I wish you are my real daughter ... I would be the happiest father ! "
After years of being his friend he told me many things about his life. His wife. His girlfriend ( he's only human I know! ) who goes in-out of a psychiatric ward due to depression after he had told her that he's decided to go back to his real wife back in Australia . His 6 adopted children. How unhappy he was with some of his adopted children who didn't grow up the way he expected them to be. Some guys were in & out of jail. some of the women were battered wives. They gave him and his wife so many domestic & financial problems. They had given them not joy but too much trouble. Poor him and his wife I said to myself !
He told me that I was better than any of his adopted children. Since I work hard for my family and I sacrifce myself a lot. How he admired my persona as a whole, strenght and determination to live and how I endure all the emotional & physical pains just to give my kids and family members a good life. These are the reasons he said that made me so special and dear to him !
Imagine, Nothing in Return ... he would constantly tell me that he's always happy to help me and that I need nothing to pay him back. Only words he told me to keep in mind is ~It doesn't cost anything to be nice to people! Offer as much help as you could give only to people who help & respect other people & themselves . That I should do what he did for me to others in the future whenever I get the chance ( That's fair enough I told myself ). He told me that when it's the time I'm ready to settle down , got a stable job and had found someone to marry, he will vanish in my life slowly. Which he did actually before when my husband & I got married in 1998. I told my hubby everything about him beforehand and my husband had met him by chance in a Dutch owned bar & restaurant in Manila. I was about 4-5 months pregnant with my daughter Tacha at that time while he was there with his long time girlfiend ( I finally had a glimpse of her for the very 1st time ) . He was proud and happy for me and my husband. I only saw him next with pure luck about 9 years later in the airport when I was travelling to Phuket to catch up with my husband. What a coincidence ! That was in April of 2007. That was the last time I saw him . Nine months later, after that meeting in Changi Airport, his wife thru his email address sent me a a short message in my email ( Jan. 1, 2008 ) saying :
" Please don't reply nor send anymore emails to this address.
Our beloved Don had left us. he's now in the arms of the Lord ..."
I was shocked !
I almost fell out of my chair that morning !
It was the very 1st email message I have for the year 2008 !
I found out that he had died of a heart attack in Australia few days ago in December of 2007.
I felt so bad . His death brought me so much sadness on the very 1st day of the year 2008. Not a good way to start the new year huh !
It was on a Sunday and hubby / kids were all at home. I couldn't show them my tears so I just quietly cried inside My-SECRET-Corner ... the beadroom . That was the day I fell on our bathroom floor after slipping on a wet floor. I was rushed to the hospital only 3 hours later after fI felt I couldn't move my right leg due to my swollen back and some contusions on my arms. I thought to myself ... was he trying to take me with him too ?
I miss his advices , his fatherly love, his moral support that had guided me whenever I was down and needed a shoulder to cry on - whether due to problems about my family , my kids or about my marriage going down the drain.
I miss all the ways he cared for me . All his patience ... all his concern ...
I will miss him in my heart forever. That I'm sure...
Hope I will see him again somewhere ... somehow ... someday .
To You My Dearest Friend ,
Your words ,
Your deeds ,
shall never be forgotten ;
no matter what was left for me in this world
your kindness and pure love would be spread
as you had wished me to do ...
Wherever You are now,
May Your Loving Soul Do Rest in Peace Forever ...
Recommended For Reading :
~ This Novel was based on a True Story ~
Back in the 90's , when I was single handedly raising 2 young children, I was destitute. My eldest child happened to be diagnosed with a mega-colon problem upon birth and required a lot of medical check ups and operations for her Colostomy . Trying to make both ends meet, I worked in the city and left the kids under my mother's care and come home during the weekends..
I met a guy by accident one night while I was at work. With a bunch of ladyfriends around me, we were teasing each other when suddenly , I saw this skinny guy in his fifties. So well dressed in his Navy Blue & white striped crumple free long sleeves shirt & black casual pants , looking so well armed to the teeth . The oozing smell of his expensive perfume in all directions as he approaches the bar for a drink.
Out of nowhere, words just came out of my mouth and I said : " Here comes grandpa with his stash of cash in his handpouch looking for his cinderella for a bride. Maybe looking for one of you girls ! "
We all laughed so loud that he looked our way and started smiling to our group. We all then looked at each other and stopped laughing but still giggling inside for the dirty joke. I said : " Oh no, I think he had heard what I said .... " so I was so embarrased ! Seeing him walking towards me , I got so uneasy & a bit scared of what would happen next. I was about to turn my back not until he said to me - " Errr ... Excuse me lady ... "
I said : " Yes , Sir? Can I help you ? " with nervousness making both my feet twist uncontrollably from side to side in horor !
He said : " I'm about to say ... that ... "
I said with trembling sound in my voice and my eyes ready to pop out : " Ah, say what sir ? " My eyes were looking helplessly for a friend to come & rescue me ! OMG , I told myself ! I'm surely dead !
He then said : " I Like your smile ! So pretty ..."
Oh gosh ! ... I was breathless when he told me that . Quite a relief even after knowing my girlfriends I had around had slowly dissappeared one by one when he came up to me. Although I was left all alone to attend to him , I had no choice but to face him and continue having conversation with him as I continue with my job. I was a waitress / part-time cashier during those times and talking to clients is part of my job to keep people coming back.
After talking to him for few minutes, he told me that I don't match the place where I work. He said that I spoke English well and I look very smart. He asked me why I was working there and not in a bank or other higher end careers. I simply told him : " My daughter is sick and I need money fast , no matter what ! "
He asked me : " Where is she ? Who's watching over her while you are here ? "
I replied : " I go home to the province to see my 2 children under my mother's care only during weekends . I'm a single mother ! "
"what's wrong with your sick child ?... I would like to see and meet them if you permit. " He said.
I was so totally amazed with how seriously he told me that. I said to myself ... this guy is not giving up on me so easily. As a test, I told him come back on the weekend and we will travel by bus for 2 hours to get to the province. He simply said ok .
Weekdays passed and I didn't see ay trace of him. I told myself he was just joking that I didn't expect he would be coming back ever. Who would bother to travel and see my kids aside from me anyway ? To my total surprise and amazement, he was there during Friday evening after my work ready to travel with me. Oh God !... he was dead serious really ! I got so nervous even more !
I didn't want to create any stir being with a foreign guy in the bus ( especially being twice my age ) so I brought along another girlfirend to come along and travel with us. It's the only way I would be comfortable with a total stranger with all those staring suspicious eyes of the passengers in the bus. Assured at least that I'm not alone and I have a witness that we're not doing anything wrong.
Anyway, the trip to the province made him realize the truth I was talking about when we met the 1st night. He saw my 4 years old daughter with her bleeding stomach due to colostomy running towards me when we arrived in my rented room. My 3 year old son was crawling under our dining table to hide from us. After meeting my kids, my mom and my family members, he became closer to us. It was like we were destined to be in contact with each other! He would visit whenever he's in town and would always invite me for dinner so he can check if I had cut my very long hair.
How he loves my long hair !
He would always slighlty tap my hand , even my forehead whenever I say I need to cut the ends to get rid of split-ends. He told me that I should not touch it . My hair was my greatest asset aside from my good heart he said . He constantly advised me to be careful about guys I meet. They'll all try to jump into my bones he said. He always warned me to be very careful for the sake of my children. He loved & cared for my children a lot too.
Without hesitation , he even voluntarily sponsored my daughter's final major operation , down to the very last cent . It was hefty. Closing her colostomy for good after almost 5 long years of suffering from it had cost a lot of money. He shouldered all the medical expenses and all other hospital bills. I can still picture the moments when him and I were running the streets of Manila , jumping in and out of a taxi , going in several hospitals at midnight looking for a 1000 cc bag of blood needed for my daughters' emergency operation . How concerned he was with the time being consumed and quality of blood we would take back to the hospital where my daughter was waiting in the Intensive Care Unit ( ICU ). She was running a very high fever ( a very bad sign ) and operation has to be done as soon as the blood comes in and got screened. He was a total angel for all his help. If not for all his assistance, my daughetr Barbie wouldn't make it till the morning ... not even until to this day.
He was heaven sent ! I was very thankful for everything !
For all he had done for me and my children that no one else had ever done so far ...
I always remember the time when he told me :
" How I wish you are my real daughter ... I would be the happiest father ! "
After years of being his friend he told me many things about his life. His wife. His girlfriend ( he's only human I know! ) who goes in-out of a psychiatric ward due to depression after he had told her that he's decided to go back to his real wife back in Australia . His 6 adopted children. How unhappy he was with some of his adopted children who didn't grow up the way he expected them to be. Some guys were in & out of jail. some of the women were battered wives. They gave him and his wife so many domestic & financial problems. They had given them not joy but too much trouble. Poor him and his wife I said to myself !
He told me that I was better than any of his adopted children. Since I work hard for my family and I sacrifce myself a lot. How he admired my persona as a whole, strenght and determination to live and how I endure all the emotional & physical pains just to give my kids and family members a good life. These are the reasons he said that made me so special and dear to him !
He never missed sending letters and postcards wherever he was during his travels . Full of heartwarming hellos and never ending advices. More than what my real father had ever told me so. Showered me with expensive gifts whenever he visits my country .
Offering me branded cosmetics I myself can't afford to buy during those times ( he always tell me to wear make-up and to accessorize ) . Fashionionable pure leather bags, jewelries & bit of money to help financially from time to time with my kids and small home business I would try to venture in .He was always there ready to support me. All these without expecting anything in return from me ! WOW... Where can you find someone like that ? I guess he's just " One -in -a -Million " and I was so blessed and very lucky I was the " chosen one " to have found him ... by pure accident !
" Please don't reply nor send anymore emails to this address.
Our beloved Don had left us. he's now in the arms of the Lord ..."
I was shocked !
I almost fell out of my chair that morning !
It was the very 1st email message I have for the year 2008 !
I found out that he had died of a heart attack in Australia few days ago in December of 2007.
I felt so bad . His death brought me so much sadness on the very 1st day of the year 2008. Not a good way to start the new year huh !
It was on a Sunday and hubby / kids were all at home. I couldn't show them my tears so I just quietly cried inside My-SECRET-Corner ... the beadroom . That was the day I fell on our bathroom floor after slipping on a wet floor. I was rushed to the hospital only 3 hours later after fI felt I couldn't move my right leg due to my swollen back and some contusions on my arms. I thought to myself ... was he trying to take me with him too ?
I miss his advices , his fatherly love, his moral support that had guided me whenever I was down and needed a shoulder to cry on - whether due to problems about my family , my kids or about my marriage going down the drain.
I miss all the ways he cared for me . All his patience ... all his concern ...
I will miss him in my heart forever. That I'm sure...
Hope I will see him again somewhere ... somehow ... someday .
To You My Dearest Friend ,
Your words ,
Your deeds ,
shall never be forgotten ;
no matter what was left for me in this world
your kindness and pure love would be spread
as you had wished me to do ...
Wherever You are now,
May Your Loving Soul Do Rest in Peace Forever ...
Recommended For Reading :
~ This Novel was based on a True Story ~
Thursday, April 15, 2010
I am very grateful always for all people - women or men who had trusted me when it comes to my passion ~ Beading .
I had been receiving calls for Beading tutorials for their kids and for them as well. It's very interesting to see that fellow Filipinos who are expats here in Singapore are willing to learn and explore more about the craft.
Not only Filipios but even locals and other expats are asking me to teach and let them learn the techniques I had gathered throughout the years while making beaded jewelries .
Not so easy to let them learn everything in a short period of time coz it requires so much of your time, patience , perseverance and commitmet to the craft. I had been beading my craft for so many years now and I had started from scratch just like most of the people doing handicrafts only during their spare time. Mine was a self taught endeavor which came to recognition only after a few years of hardwork and of finally letting myself out of the cocoon that had enveloped me inside my home during the last 11 years I'd been here in Singapore. My kids had grown up and my ever reliable help in the house gave me more chances to socialize and expand my network of friends. Now I'm more able to do much better things aside from house chores. Happy that I can do what I want to do for myself now , finally & at last !
Teaching gives me a matter of respect for every student I meet and also gaining respect for & from others as well as for myself. Communication and bonding with each and evryone of them give me enormous amount of joy and pride especially upon seeing their creations they came up with my simple help & guidance.
All creations they had made are truly adorable, beautiful and one-of-a-kind !
If I can do it,
They can do it ,
You can do it too !
Interested to join a beading lesson ? Please email me at :
THANKS FOR VISITING !!!
Recommended Reading :
Sunday, April 11, 2010
~ BEAUTIFUL ISLAND of BORACAY ~
My kids and I traveled almost 4 hours from Laguna to Termial 3 Manila inorder to take the plane taking us to Caticlan airport. Nervous and stressed being caught in monstrous traffic jams not once but 3 times starting from Los Banos, then in Calamba and the worst one was bumper to bumper before Filinvest all the way to the entrance of the Skyway. Lucky enough we made it to Terminal 3 just in time for the flight ... wheww ... I was so relieved indeed !
Although I was nearly shocked to see how different the island is after all these years, we arrived in the island via the Ambassador in Paradise Banca safe & sound. Eventhough we waited almost 30 mins for the hotel shuttle to pick us up by the pier at the right tip of the island, we just feasted our eyes with the view all around us to entertain ourselves. There aren't any more drop-off of guests in Stations 1,2 & 3 inorder to avoid running over swimming guests in the sea. The shuttle bus driver was late but very apologetic . Anyway, along the way to the hotel passing the only road located at the backside of the rows of hotels, I had noticed the never ending shops selling all sorts of stuffs ( food, clothes, construction materials, just about anything they could sell, etc., ) and make-shift houses out of dilapidated woods ( similar to those squatter places found in Manila ) housing the poor locals and their extended families as well as new inhabitants of the island. Upon seeing all these I got confused & can't help telling myself ... Oh no ! The Island had changed into a disastrous commercial area. All sorts of People are all over the place - vendors, local kids running on the side street , old dogs , tricycles going in all directions , tourists walking everywhere, it's manic ! I calmed myself and took a deep breathe... ok I'm in Boracay and hoping I was really in Boracay and not some place else ! Breathe in ... breathe out , c'mon 20 years had passed and lots of changes are just normal !
I used to remember this place to be quiet. Hardly anyone on the island except for tourists who can afford the cost of hotel accomodations and expensive seafood. No other mode of transport except for walking along the beach or hired bicycles you can ride by the back alley which is not even cemented 20 years ago. Well, I guess, modern time had transformed this quiet island into something else ...
But never mind, what's important is ~ I was there then and had experienced the best state of this tropical island before its massive transformation and I'm here now again to see the changes that had happened , the effects and the positive sides or disadvantages after all these years .
Despite of all I see around here, this visit had started bringing in memories of how I had loved this long stretch of beautiful white sand and how unique this island was. It was magical !
I had been in a lot of beaches ~ Puerto Galera, Amanpulo & El Nido Palawan ( Philippines ), Maldives, Bali, Phuket, Khao Lak, Koh Samui, Belgium, Hongkong but I had never seen one really so fine and white like the one in Boracay. The sea is always inviting and I never had any fear to be in the sea water coz it's very shallow and sand floor is flat. Perfect place for non-swimmer like me. I can just either stand in the water or sit there for hours getting some more tan. Just a pity that this summer is the season for the "Algae" getting washed on the beach.
This "Algae" comes once a year especially during months of March to April but doesn't bother the swimmers much coz it is harmless and accdg to people around, it's very therapeutic aside from keeping the the sand as white as ever. It has a very cooling effect under your feet while strolling by the beach .
We were booked at the Ambassador In Paradise Hotel managed & owned by a Dutch guy alongside his Filipino wife . It is a 5 Star Resort nestled directly on one of the finest part of Boracay, located in Station 1. With 50 well appointed Guest Rooms and a luxurious Presidential suite, all with personalized Butlers. We had the Casita1 Honeymoon Suite for ourselves and it was surely spacious for the kids and I.
All the staff are really friendly and always handy. A lot of OJT ( On The Job Trainees ) staff recruited from different provinces work for the hotel as waiters/ waitresses, beach staffs, etc. I found out that they work without any pay or allowances from the hotel at all. I had interviewed a couple of them to confirm if the case of no salary is true. I came across their hidden woes and they all say the same thing. It's a tough life for them. Being away from their families & working without pay at least a month or so ? No food allowance & No board & lodging ? Not even part of the service charges goes to these poor trainees. The trainees were not entitled to the centralized tips either. Oh Dear ! They have to shoulder all their expenses out of their own pockets ! What a cruel world they have !
My heart was really broken seeing people getting exploited this way. There must be something to be done to help these young workers ! What if they get sick while on their job ? Just come to think about it !
I remember when Boracay wasn't so popular yet and had only about 3-5 resorts ( Pearl of The Pacific , Coco Mangas, Jony's, San Lorenzo , Titay's ) even without any electricity in the whole island too. We are all obliged to go to sleep as soon as the glowing oil lamp had come to a stop. But now, there's no sleeping early anymore not until all the restaurants & bars had closed down .So many bars and 3-5 Stars resorts / hotels had sprouted all over the island!
It's really very busy here and now is the peak season that's why the beach is always over crowded during sunset. I'm just happy to see that a lot of locals ~ fellow filipinos can now enjoy touring the island unlike before when only tourists can do so. A lot of teenagers and those in their early 20's, 30's are partying hard which I had never seen before. Meaning, a lot of Filipinos are doing ok financially. That's good to know & see !
Anyway, getting around the island is fairly easy. Just don't forget to rub sunblock on to avoid the unwanted burning of your skin. I didn't forget to bring sandals which can surely bear the never ending walk along the beach. These are the 2 must haves I had in our luggage. Kids & I always balance the beach and the sea and some sight seeing tours in between. It's a great need to keep them busy ~ Island Hopping, Banana boat ride, ZORB ride, Kayak Ride , Paraw sunset Cruise ... whatever activities available in the island that can tire them so they can sleep soundly at night ! Prices are reasonable and since I 'm a Filipino, I can always do some bargaining & get the best prices . Good for me !
ZORB Ride = Php 2,200 for 2 persons / 3 rides
Banana Boat Ride = Php200 / per person -15 mins ride
( regular price at Php250/person )
Island Hopping Tour for 3-4 Hours - Php2,000 ( Good Price )
We have the boat just for the 3 of us + the Boat man and his assistant
( Regular Price Php3,000 )
Kids & I had the Paraw for ourselves for 1 hour !
The Island offers a lot of souveir stuffs and I managed to buy some Freshwater Pearls ...
Our Holiday to this island is almost ending ... our last day here is tomorrow 12fth of April and we'll be flying back to Singapore via Singapore Airlines . I'll miss this place again and my kids would surely feel the same ...
We Love BORACAY !
These are the Flowers blooming by the Garden of Ambassador In Paradise Hotel.
They're really lovely , aren't they ?
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