Simply Belle

We had a great time last night. Everyone had his/her fill. I took care of the meat, hot dogs, potato salad, dips, and fruits and my friends brought sinigang na bangus, pansit, bratwursts, steaks, and leche plan. My husband filled up the cooler with all kinds of soda and beer. Since I am not a soda or beer person, I cracked open three baby coconuts and poured the juice in the pitcher. I then shredded the meat and mixed it in with the juice. I was going to add some condensed milk for richer flavor but my husband totally opposed the idea. Nevertheless, it was a refreshing treat for the hottest day of the year, so far…104 degress F!

My daughter invited some of her friends, too, so I threw some hot dogs in the grill and I also made the Mexican Dip Ole, which was layers of refried bean, sour cream, avocado, olives, chopped tomatoes, green onions, and shredded cheese. It was the favorite dish among the kids and even finished it off in no time.

An hour later, we all gathered in the front porch to witness the fireworks. My husband positioned the tripod ready. I was so excited at taking photos when, suddenly, I noticed that my camera was completely out of battery. Darn it! I was so busy cleaning and fixing food earlier in the day that I forgot to check my camera. Oh well! I guess I will have to catch it next year.

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Took this picture when we walked along the lake at twilight.
Yesterday late afternoon, my daughter S and I took advantage of the free concert at the park. The very popular local band, Junction 87, with its mix of classic, country, and a little rock and roll was performing, which I have yet to watch. Daughter A was not able to join us as she got invited to a birthday party. Said, she would look for us in the park if she chose to come home early. Of course, she didn’t make it.

We took folding chairs, the camera, of course, and extra clothes in case it got too cold. I noticed it wasn’t as crowded as the last week’s concert when Buddy Holly look alike, Mike Randall, inspired the crowd with ’50′s rock. The first question I asked my husband, who accompanied me that time, was ” Is he Buddy Holly?” From afar, there was a big resemblance especially with his black-rimmed glasses characteristic of the famous singer.

Anyway, S and I sat there for a while while I was taking pictures here and there. Half an hour later, when the sun faded over the horizon, we both agreed to pack and take a relaxing walk around the area instead. I would have better visibility of the crowd, and the horizon this way than sitting on the chair watching. I guess it is one way of saying that the music was not our cup of tea but it sounded good! The crowd was loving them.

Here are the pictures that I took at the concert. As you can see, the grass is a little bit on a greenish brown side. Well, for one thing, we haven’t had a trace of rain in a long while since March which is typical of Arizona. Hopefully, we’ll expect rain around July when the summer monsoon is due to arrive.

This bull dog was part of the crowd, too.

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Lexie and I have been walking along the lake lately. We usually circle the lake two to three times; one circle is equivalent to one mile. I normally don’t take the camera when I go for a walk because the kind I have is huge and heavy, which can be a drag. This afternoon, I opted to take my camera with my sights set on photographing Lexie and some interesting scenes in the park. I have never really captured good photos of my daughter because she disliked being photographed in the past. Now, at least, she is accommodating. Hallelujah!

The lake and the park are so beautiful and are just perfect for a leisurely tranquil walk. Even the goose was having fun, and didn’t mind being snapped. I remember one time, when a goose took a fancy of my husband. The goose tried pulling my husband’s trousers as if he was trying to lead S out into the water. And every time we tried to come around or near my husband, the goose chased us away with his long neck stretched out, honking and hissing. When my husband tried to get away from him (goose) by walking around the lake, he took a short cut across the water and intercepted my husband. It was so bizarre! From that experience, Lexie made sure she kept her distance from the silly goose.

Overall, it was a lovely afternoon and I am sure we are going to have more of this walk comes this summer with my two lovely girls and my husband.

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Tina tagged me for seven songs I am currently listening. For the last months, I have only been listening to my daughter’s original songs, and my husband and my younger daughter can vouch for its veracity. For me, nothing sounds better than hearing your children sing. It it very soothing and helps me unwind after a hard day’s work.

I don’t know how to transfer her songs to youtube so for now, I will direct you to her site: http://www.myspace.com/diveintoblue

At the Edge is my favorite and was recorded by some guy in Stanford U. She is going to cut a CD this summer and I am not sure if these two songs, “Just Like Me” and “Truth’s Failing” will be included. She has a few more songs (3) that I listen on a daily basis but I can’t it possibly share them with you right now because I don’t have a clue on how to post them here. She will be home in a week and will ask her for help. Tina, thanks for the tag. Smarie, thanks for the instuctions on linking.

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This afternoon, we spent some time in the backporch. I normally just eat baby coconut and some rice for dinner, but today, I thought of barbecuing the leftover chicken from Lexie’s graduation party before it gets spoiled. One more day and the chicken would have been a goner.

It was nice out. The weather was just perfect. My husband enjoyed reading books while I was fixing dinner. The hummingbirds were as usual busy buzzing around and chasing each other. Beautiful sight to behold on such a beautiful day like this.

My husband got rid of the old hammock by the Juniper tree even with Lexie’s resistance. He thought it was ugly and old. I was a little sad to see it go. Then an hour later, he came back with a newer kind that he found in Home Depot. Lexie was happy, of course, and helped his dad carry it to the back porch. I prefer to spread it outside by the tree but he thinks it is better if it stays under the cover.

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Payson high school football field.

Today was a very special day because it was a day my daughter, Lexie, was graduating in high school. The graduation ceremony started at 7 PM sharp but Lexie left the house at 4 PM. We only live about a couple of miles away from the high school, which takes about 7 minute-drive. At 6 PM, I was in the back porch watching birds and hummingbirds roaming around in the garden like little helicopters.

At 6:30 PM, we got in the car and headed down to the high school football field where the graduation was about to unfold. It was a good thing we came early as the parking lots were getting filled quickly. The graduates were already starting to assemble behind the gate. I looked around searching for Lexie amidst the crowd but couldn’t locate her. I wanted to get a shot of her before we proceeded to the seats. Just as I was getting comfortable in my seat, I decided to go back where the graduates were gathering in an attempt to find Lexie again so I could take her graduation photo. With the sun blinding my vision, I had no luck finding her. Just when I was about to give up, I suddenly heard someone yell out, “mommy!” amongst all the crowd’s noise. It was Lexie. I quickly took a couple of shots and went back to my seat.

When it was time to sing the graduation song, I saw Lexie and a couple of her friends stand up and join the rest of the choir at a far corner. Then, I heard a familiar voice. Lexie was singing! It really caught me by surprise. Her voice filled the football field. It sounded good! I turned to my husband and he had a proud look on his face or so it seemed.

Next was the presentation of scholarship awards. I wasn’t expecting much from our local community because my eldest daughter didn’t do quite well 2 years ago. The most I anticipated were two awards only. Surprisingly, I heard her name called, not once, not twice, but five times, worth a $1,000 or more each. Another big surprise! Thank God!

As the ceremony was about to end, we decided to advance down to the sideline of the football field and leaned against the fence because my husband was exhausted from sitting. I asked him what he thought of his daughter singing. “What singing?” he responded. “You were not aware it was your daughter singing a while ago?” I asked. “No!”, he answered. “Why didn’t you remind me”, he added. “I thought you knew just from the sound of her voice” I said. Hehehe, yes folks, he missed it.

Upon arriving home, he asked Lexie to sing the song again to refresh his memory. It all came back to him. Thank goodness. hehehe.

Note: The football field was quite a ways out. I had the camera with the telephoto lens on so I had a good look of her from afar. Also, my husband had trouble hearing in one ear.

Lexie happily marching

Lexie singing the graduation song, “You Raise Me UP.”

“You Raise Me Up”

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up… To more than I can be.

There is no life, no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But then you come, and I am filled with wonder;
Sometimes I think, I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up… To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up… To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up… To more than I can be.

You raise me up… To more than I can be.

Lexie receiving scholarship awards

A close up pic.

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My daughter, Lexie, is graduating in high school next Thursday. Oh, how time flies by so quickly. Not too long ago, she was just a timid little girl entering kindergarten, hiding behind daddy’s legs. Now, she is all grown, ready to be boomeranged to college.

I took a whole week off and plan on spending the best of it with her. I might throw a small party the following day after graduation. Why the next day? Graduation is going to be held at 7 PM and so by the time the graduation ceremony is over, it will be a little too late for a party.

Last Tuesday, we attended her last spring concert at school. I didn’t realize she was singing a duet of “Travelin’ Soldier” with a friend. They sang really well.

Three graduating students from the modern choir were honored with a certificate and a pin by the choir teacher. One of them was Lexie.

When I went to work the following morning, I received bright and congratulatory wishes from my co-workers. It caught me by surprise as I don’t subscribe to our local newspaper. Apparently, she was chosen by the Kiwanis Club, as the “Student of the Year” and the “Most Improved Student of the Year” by the PHS teacher. Kiwanis is a group of volunteers from the community dedicated to changing the world one child at a time. I asked Lexie what she did different this year that merits this recognition. She wasn’t sure. She thought she worked just as hard in the previous years both in academics and community service. I gave her a pat on the back for a job well done.

She then asked her daddy to mount the plaque on the wall adjacent to her sister’s “Young Woman of the Year” award.

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I have been meaning to post graduation photos of my daughters but being a computer illiterate that I am, I kept putting it off. I have been begging my youngest daughter to walk her mother step by step on how to scan pictures, and she finally gave in.

“Okay, put the pictures in the scanner and I will be there shortly,” my daugher said.

I quickly went to my bedroom where my computer is located and did exactly what she told me.

“I wonder which way should I position my photo?” I murmured.

“This way, mom!” “Thanks!”

Finally, I can get to showcase my daughter’s graduation photos to all my friends, blogger friends, that is. As a mom, I am allowed to brag about my daughters once in a while, right? Well, A, who is graduating in high school this May, belongs to the top ten percent of the graduating class. Mom and dad are proud of her. She will be receiving an award on April 26 and so whether it is a working day or not, I always make time for this occasion. One good thing about our boss is he is very accomodating and understanding.

A recently recieved a tuition waiver at a university in AZ, renewable every year through the four years, depending on whether she can maitain a certain grade point average. Am keeping my fingers crossed…hehe.

The other picture is of my other daughter S taken on her graduation two years ago. She had posted one of the highest point averages in the history of her high school. She was also chosen as the “2005 Woman of the Year” which was really a feather in her cap. She was the finalist for a National Merit Scholarship by obtaining a high score on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test she took 3 years ago. For more info. about her click on this:http://www.paysonroundup.com/section/localnews/story/18702

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Update: I took the prom dress today to Macy’s mall in Phoenix for a refund or an exchange without the receipt. My daughter threw the receipt thinking that she didn’t need to return it. Guess what? They were so apologetic about and felt so sorry for my daughter. Since they didn’t have the same dress available on stock for an exchange, the manager gave me more money for what the dress cost, which will the cover gas and for the distress that it caused my daughter. I thought it was good business. Thanks Macy’s.

Pahabol: this was taken on the prom night.

It is prom night at P High school. Daughter A is going to the prom again for the last time before she goes to college this fall. Things started out good. When I got home from work at about 4 PM, I saw her sitting on the couch applying nail polish on her nails and looked relaxed . She wasn’t dressed up yet and so I asked why. She said, “it is only 4 PM and C is not going to pick me up until 6 PM.” So, I let her be.

Then at 5:15 PM, she started applying make up and fixing her hair. I thought I was going to help her with the make-up, reason why I came home half an hour early from work. She said she could do it herself and could get it done in 15 minutes. She didn’t need my help after all. Everything was under control until she was about to put her dress on. “Mom, look!” Oh my! The security tag was still attached to the dress. Macy has done it again. The salesgirl left the security tag on the garment. I knw those tags are impossible to remove except with a special tool. I tried yanking it on each side but to no avail. She then asked for daddy’s help. Daddy immediately got up and headed to the garage. He found a plier and wedged it in between the tag. Suddenly, a yellow paint squirted all over her dress. It was an ink-security tag! “Oh my, what shall we do?” I tried washing it off but it made no difference.

Lexie remained calm while I felt devastated. I was mad! Mad at myself for failing to notice it at the store. Mad at Macy for not doing their job like they were supposed to. And why didn’t we notice it before the prom? Why or why? All these reprimanding questions will certainly not help A on her prom night. A, however, never showed her frustration and remained positive about the whole thing. She said, “it is okay.” I said, “let’s just hope no one notices it.”

Let’s see if you can detect the marks on the last two pictures.

Arrrgh! What a disaster!

Taken on the rock lawn in front of our house.

Taken in the back porch.

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My family used to enjoy spring vacation aboard a cruise ship. At first, I was apprehensive about the idea because I felt that it was not family friendly. I was wrong, of course. It was actually one of the best places to take the family. My husband would take advantage of cruise special discounts and would bring the kids along free so we ended up paying for two people only: my husband and I. What a deal!

No doubt, kids loved it! I loved it! Dad loved it! We got to enjoy feeling like a queen, king, and princess for a week. No dishes to do, no bed to make, no cleaning to do. Food was awesome! Lobsters, sword fish, tenderloin, filet mignon, sushi, pizza 24 hours, fresh tropical fruits, cakes, chocolates, etc. And the fun part was I got to dress up two nights a week. It felt good to be glamorous occasionally, and to be serenaded by good-looking crew.

After I indulged myself, I usually looked forward to the state-of-the-art fitness center. I stayed there for about 2 hours to burn the calories and to get ready for another big meal in the evening. I pushed aside dieting for a week. We followed the cruise ship motto, “Eat, live, and love!” Cruise activities were endless: aerobics, yoga, lounges, enjoy a day excursion in a private island, snorkeling, scuba diving, or shopping the entire day.

The kids enjoyed the cruise ship activities designed mainly for the children while dad and I got to savor private moments. Kids liked the generous pampering and the attention that they received from the waiters who were mostly Filipinos. Whatever the kids asked, the waiter granted. One time, the waiter asked one of my daughters what she wanted for dessert. My daughter said, “Nothing.” “Okay, I will be right back” the waiter replied. A few minutes later, he came back with a plate that had the word “nothing” written on it using chocolate syrup. Corny eh?

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