What's Growin' In Our Yard

We have been on limited water use for more than a year due to the drought conditon here in Georgia. I gave up on the idea that we will once again spend money and time planting. I even told David that we'll just put fresh mulch to dress up the front yard. Luckily, we were blessed this year with unexpected growth from the plants we planted last year. David and I were so surprised when the front yard slowly took shape. It seemed as though it all happened overnight. David was right in choosing the perennials that were at the same time drought resistant.

Endings and Beginnings

Today marks the end of another schoolyear. It came too soon for me. It suddenly dawned on me when I was doing the hallway duty and kids were wishing me a great summer. Oh my gosh, this is it...it's really the end. I am not too excited as I was two years ago. I used to have a countdown in the calendar, marking each day by crossing it out. It's a little bit different this year. I think too much is going on in my brain that the idea of an end doesn't seem to make sense just yet. This semester was almost too good to be true that I subconsciously didn't want it to end. I have a million and one reasons why this semester turned out to be special. My co-teachers were just the most awesome guys in their own right. Teaching with them was challenging and fun. I will miss our lunches together and all the gossips that went with it. Unfortunately, Mr. O will be transferring to a different school and I might be able to teach only one co-taught economics class with Mr. K. It was a surprise too that I didn't really have so much of a hard time teaching this semester. The students were great and a pleasure to teach. This will definitely go down in my teaching history as one of the greatest.

Snowy Day in Georgia

Mark and Matthew are really lucky. They got to experience snow on their first winter here in the US. It was fun watching them play with snow and throw snowballs at each other. They wiped the ice off the yard. Watching the snow fall is a majestic sight. Being from a country with no snow, I am certainly filled with so much childlike joy as I watch our subdivision turned into a winter wonderland. It took only a few minutes for the snow to cover the ground. This is not common in Atlanta and I wish it can stay this way for another day or two. Days like these would be a perfect backdrop for just sitting back with a warm blanket, a new book and some hot cocoa. I actually borrowed a book by David Baldacci. Can't believe myself to be working today on my IEPs and modifications instead. I was probably in a motivated mood so I just took advantage of the momentum and fired away. At least, I got some done. The snow has stopped a bit now but temperatures are dropping. I hope to see more snow.

Proud of My Kids

Mark and Matthew made me feel proud when they showed me the sticker bumpers they got from school. It said "Proud Parent of an Honor Student". Yep, the two boys got all As in all their classes. They really deserve it. I see them working on their homework everyday when I arrive home from school and they take their projects and assignments very seriously. I just hope that they continue to be focused and not lose sight of their goals. These are blessings that are priceless and more than make up for all life's shortcomings. I am thankful to God for letting me be the mother of these two wonderful, hardworking and respectable gentlemen.

Just Being Myself

I found myself enjoying "the" moment. It was an ecstatic moment. All the elements are perfectly aligned and giving me so much joy. I was just clapping my hands and having a great time while I watch people receive their prizes during the school's annual Christmas party. I just laughed at the Principal's funny remarks and I was having a great time. I won a prize by the way, and that too, did not surprise me because I know it was going to happen. It was what I expected as soon as I wrote my name on the paper. I have been trying to understand that philosophy for awhile. How to practice expecting and letting go. Today, when I was not even thinking about about it, that is when it manifests itself. The Universe just taught me or reminded me what I already know but cannot comprehend. To get the most out of a certain moment or situation is to just live it and not stress on any aspect of it. We just need to let it be. It was really an "AHA" moment. I can't still fully describe it, I wish I can but my words are probably limited to do just that. I hope to catch myself enjoying life more and more to just be able to cherish events as they happen.

Front Yard

This is part of our front yard. It was our project this Spring. We really worked hard on this. I helped David design it. Ang laki ng initim ko sa pagagawa nitong mini garden. I chose the plants and helped plant it. One secret that I learned from my husband is using bone meal while transplanting. Medyo may kabantutan nga lang pero effective. Another thing is I used Miracle Gro for the flowers para alalayan ang kanilang pamumulaklak. The grass is not vibrant green yet kasi tagtuyot dito sa Georgia. We have watering restrictions. We can only water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sunday. Buti na lang at matiyaga si David sa pag-aalaga ng mga halaman. He also puts fertilizer for the grass. He told me that the one with iron will make the grass greener. Minsan nga, gumigising sya ng alas-singko, habang tulog pa ang lahat at sige ang pagdidilig. It pays off naman kasi maraming bumabati ng hardin namin. Minsan nga, sabi nung kapitbahay, "You should win the gardener of the year award" Kaya hayun lalo namang sumipag si David. I've learned a lot from David. Di pa naman ako expert but at least, mas na-appreciate ko yung kung ano-anong binebentang pang garden sa Walmart or sa Home Depot. I discovered too na may pagka green-thumb din ako.

Paul Potts and Connie Talbot

I have been to You Tube and crying a lot lately. Here's why. I have been watching "Britain's Got Talent". It is like the American Idol. These two talents sing very well. It was hair raising and would definitely give you the goose bumps. Oh well, here's the link. www.youtube.com. Simon Cowell can't help but give praises to these two contestants. I'm not really a music afficionado but I was so touched by their singing. I don't understand Paul's song since it is Italian but I was just feeling it inside me. It stirred me, if I can put it that way. He's a very humble guy and definitely deserved to be the winner. As for Connie, oh wow, that little girl has so much talent. I read somewhere that she also signed a contract with Simon Cowell's company. I particularly liked her rendition of Somewhere over the Rainbow song. That song makes me cry all the time.

Chicken Parmesan

I'm excited that it is summer once again. I get to play around and try my hand in cooking. I prepared this dish yesterday. David liked it so much. I will definitely write the recipe down for future use. I have been trying to collect an array of recipes that are not complicated, healthy and will not cost a mint. This recipe fits the requirement.Another cool thing is that I took this picture using my LG camera phone. I swear, this is the best phone ever.