Posted by Yami on Mar 19, 2009 in Uncategorized
In a couple of days school is finally over. Vacation is a wonderful time for recreation and learning new stuff. For me and my kids, we just can’t wait to watch our favorite DVD movies over and over. Vacation saves me from waking up early every morning to prepare my kids for school. Now I’ll just take my own sweet time to lie around, catch up with my readings (been wanting to do this for a long time. Aye, the procrastinator in me). I will now have more time to blog. Yes, I’m getting the hang of web blogging and must admit beginning to like it. 
When I was working, I look forward to a new assignment or coverage each day. I would make a mental list of all the possible angle in a story/data at hand. And boy nothing beats the adrenaline rush that I get while I am pressing the keyboard just to meet my deadline. Do I get the same feeling in blogging? I must say yes, but on a different level. Since I have no boss to please (re story material) here and deadlines to worry about. I should say I still get excited to write anything of importance to me and to my (selected) reader. Somehow, I’m reviving my interest in writing (after two years of hiatus). Thanks to blogging! 
Tags: blogging, vacation
Posted by Yami on Mar 18, 2009 in
Uncategorized 
My youngest was grinning yesterday when he said that he is included in the list of Harvest of Achievers come Recognition Day. The Achiever’s Award is presented to those who got an overall grade of 91 percent and above. An awardee is given gold medal and a cash incentive.
On the other hand, my eldest is eyeing the Model Citizen Award on her Graduation Day next week. Students recognized as Model Citizens are those who have earned marks not lower than B in the school’s list of behavioral assets (including self, interpersonal and work habits). Although my eldest did not make it to the top graduating candidates this year (mahigpit ang labanan sa academics at extra curricular activities) she grabbed first place in the Essay Writing Contest this year. Anyway, she hopes to better her performance in high school. Way to go kids!
I got this cute cartoon image from http://image03.webshots.com/3/9/63/78/11396378itUcHcDILf_ph.jpg
Tags: Uncategorized
Posted by Yami on Mar 17, 2009 in Uncategorized
My daughter just turned 12 this month and already wrote a few short stories by herself. Her stories deal with friendship and mystery. They were inspired by reading Nancy Drew series….She has read books that I have not seen when I was her age.
I was introduced to reading good books when I was already in high school. I remember my first pocket book was Mills and Boon, not a child reading material though. But it was the only available book that I found in our house or must have left by someone in our house.
And now that I am a mother myself I make it a point to spend a little for a good book or two for my kids. My youngest by the way is a 9-year-old boy.
We don’t really buy expensive titles just the right book for a reasonable amount. We even visit second-hand bookshop once in a while. While their love for books is impressive for their age, I make sure that school activities are not neglected. Studies remain their priority. We give them books as a reward for their good performance in school. Reading I observed has improved their comprehension and has kept them abreast of the latest information.
Books are a great learning tools and my kids’ best collection so far.
The picture was taken inside a mall in Marikina City.
Tags: book collection, comprehension, learning tools, reading good books
Posted by Yami on Mar 17, 2009 in Uncategorized
I think one way of keeping ones sanity or reason if you are a full time housewife is through journaling. I maintain a Friendster and a Facebook account to keep up with my friends and former co-workers. It somehow eases a stressful day. Blogging, on the other hand, demands a lot of time and thinking. Oh well, I still want to give it a try.
As I (re)post my articles here, I will also share (hopefully on a day-to-day basis) interesting stuff about my home. Bits and pieces, from the trivial to the important events in my life.
I hope to keep up to the demands of my new “home”.
Mommies, let’s blog our way to a stress-free day!
I find the following sites worth reading:
http://www.acqyr.com/stress/stress-busters-for-moms-sanity-saving-tips-for-stressed-out-mothers
http://stressmanagementqueries.blogspot.com/2008/01/helping-mothers-in-dealing-with-stress.html
These cute images are found in these sites:
http://www.clipartguide.com/_named_clipart_images/0511-0709-2512-2727_Harried_Mom_at_the_Supermarket_clipart_image.jpg
http://www.christinelarsen.com/sketchbook/images/040908_a.jpg
Tags: blog, journaling, sanity, stressed-out mom
Posted by Yami on Mar 10, 2009 in
Articles,
Health
EIGHT years ago, I met social worker Virgie Daniles from Caritas Manila. She deals with inmates and convicted prisoners, both of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW), extending paralegal assistance, boost their spiritual life, and even do some errands for them.
Virgie said it was God’s plan that drove her to do social work. She fills in the vacant post at the Prison Justice and Development Program (PJDP) of Caritas at the time when no one seems to fit in the job.
“Maybe due to lack of enough exposure in dealing with inmates and convicted prisoners,” she shared.
(Caritas is a 55-year-old charitable institution run by the Catholic Church in Pandacan, Manila.)
Since Virgie is dealing with almost all kinds of offenders in the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) or the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW), she discovered that many of the inmates were wrongfully accused and rejected by their own families.
Virgie’s works extend from paralegal assistance to reuniting families separated by imprisonment.
The woman recounts an instance where she had to accompany an ex-convict to a bus terminal that would take the person back to his province. She and other volunteers also helped in reuniting an inmate mother to her child whom she had not seen for a long time. The child at present is under the custody of the institution since relatives refused to take care of him.
Virgie also shared a story about a dejected person whom she helped recover.
The man came from an affluent family, was a drug dependent and committed various crimes. For three instances he was placed behind bars. His siblings also blamed him for the death of their parents. Also a dispute among his relatives about a piece of land aggravated his depression.
But persistent counseling from Virgie and her group finally changed the man’s outlook in life.
Their client now works as a janitor in an institution and is an active participant in spiritual activities held by social workers and volunteers for prisoners.
With a smile on her face, Virgie said they still conduct follow up counseling to ensure that the man will be okay.
She heaved a sigh of relief every time she recounts the same story, “there is fulfillment in helping other people.” Miriam V. Torrecampo
This story first appeared in Courier, the flagship newspaper of the Philippine Journalists, Incorporated in Oct. 2000.
Image source : http://www.caritas.org.hk/Caritas_HK/images/photos/other_services1.gif
Tags: Bilibid Prison, caritas, CIW, counseling, inmates, paralegal, prison life, social worker
