Spills and Spiels

my cup runneth over — it just has to spill somewhere

Looking Back and Looking Ahead January 13, 2012

Filed under: Spills — Lyra @ 1:28 am

To say that 2011 was a bad year for my family is an understatement.  With the death of my Dad, it IS the worst year ever!

This same time last year, I was panicking and getting ready to fly back to Manila after just being back in Saigon for a day from our holidays in the Philippines.  Tomorrow, will be my Dad’s 1st death anniversary and I know how my Mom must be feeling right now back home. :(

But as much as I want to condemn 2011, I have to admit that God never fails to surprise me with good things.  2011 is the year I conceived my second son which I hope to deliver with no complications (so help me God!) this 2012.

I just truly pray 2012 will be a year of healing for our family and a year of positive abundance!

 

 

Happy Father’s Day! June 18, 2011

Filed under: Spills — Lyra @ 9:51 pm

I think the best way to honor my Dad is to teach my son to honor his own Dad.

Happy 2nd Father’s Day Hun!    Thank you for being ever-patient to Sam and for having the energy to play with him when I know you’re tired from work.  Thank you for sitting with him to feed him because you and I both know how difficult it is during mealtimes.  Thank you for providing your best to Sam and our family.

We love you!

 

 

Postcards from the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories June 6, 2011

Filed under: Spills — Lyra @ 5:56 am
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My friend Mia and I have been avid postcrossers since last year.

However, we’ve grown a bit tired of the usual scenic postcards we get in our countries that she asked if I wanted to buy some postcards from the US.  I said YES!  One of the sets we got were the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories.  Here’s my half of the postcards:

I wanted to be selfish and just keep this all to myself but where’s the fun in that, right?  But I think I’ll keep one — The Secret of the Old Clock — the first Nancy Drew book that I read.

Cheers to Postcrossing!

 

Nancy Drew June 6, 2011

Filed under: Spills — Lyra @ 5:10 am
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When I was growing up, what really got me hooked into reading books is Carolyn Keene’s Nancy Drew Mystery Stories.

I remember clearly that I was in Grade 2 then, Christmas, and Santa Claus filled my stocking with the first 4 books of the series:  The Secret of the Old Clock, The Hidden Staircase, The Bungalow Mystery, and The Mystery at Lilac Inn.  And from that moment on, reading books has become part of my life.

Reading books also sparked my love for writing.  When stumbling upon new words while reading, I’d imagine how I can use those words as well in my writing and

Like any other Nancy Drew fan, I tried reading all the books but as I grew up, I met new authors and new characters.  But Nancy Drew started it all.

Kids these days should have a reading mentor.  In my case it was Santa Claus my parents.  Mom would supply us all the books we wanted if budget permits while Dad would ask us (my brother and I) to read the newspaper out loud while he’s driving us to school.  This way Dad is able to correct our pronunciation and explain to us new words — not to mention, that we were updated on the news and current events too. ;)

Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys were the characters of my time.  I wish parents would still try and introduce their kids to them, including the Bobsey Twins. :)  For variety, why not try Judy Blume’s first books like “Are You There God?  It’s Me Margaret” or “Blubber”.  Lots and lots of wonderful books back then.

These days, I’m thankful for authors like JK Rowling for her Harry Potter series, Rick Riordan for Percy Jackson and The Olympians series, and CS Lewis for his Chronicles of Narnia.  And I do hope more authors would continue to write and inspire kids to read and dream.

 

Willing Willie Sponsor Took a Stand March 30, 2011

Filed under: Spills — Lyra @ 2:50 pm
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CDO expressed their intent to suspend sponsorship of Willing Willie.  CDO is actually one of the sponsors in the segment where the 6 year old, Jan-Jan macho danced.

You can check out the attached article and see the list of sponsors of the show.  It has a longer list than what I previously posted.

I’m glad that CDO has made a stand.

I do hope that this serves as a wake-up call to the other sponsors.

 

If we can’t stop Willie Revillame, let’s pressure his sponsors March 28, 2011

Filed under: Spills — Lyra @ 8:20 am
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ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

If we can’t put a stop to Willie Revillame, can we at LEAST pressure his sponsors?

Given that Jan-Jan’s parents are not enlightened enough to teach their son a REAL TALENT, Willie and his production should have stopped airing when they saw what was happening.  Read on what happened in a Willing Willie in segment featuring Willie Revillame and a 6-year old boy, Jan-Jan dancing like a macho dancer in a gay bar. Through Para kay Jan-Jan (Shame on You Willie Revillame) FB account, we already filed a complaint to the KBP and DSWD.  But I’m pretty sure, Willie will come out from this ordeal unscathed.  AS USUAL.  So can we please pressure his sponsors?

The following are Willing Willie’s sponsors:

# Cebuana Lhuillier

# CDO Karne Norte

# Pepsodent

# Islander Sandals

# Camella – A Vista Land Company

# Cignal HD

# Pau Liniment

# Smart Wireless Telecom Inc.

# Oishi

# Vaseline

# Bench Daily Scent

# Bench Wil Cologne

# Wil Tower Mall

# Techno Marine

# Surf

# UFC Ketchup

# Smart C Juice Drink

# Foton Motor

# Mang Inasal

 

***Belo Medical pulled out already a long time ago according to sources.

Sources:

http://www.tv5willingwillie.com/component/content/article/36-ww-news/116-mang-inasal-joined-willing-willie-latest-sponsor

http://www.tv5willingwillie.com/component/content/article/36-ww-news/74-willing-willie-

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=657742&publicationSubCategoryId=72

 

Marla and I February 9, 2011

Filed under: Spills — Lyra @ 11:39 am
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“Ang tumatakbo nang matulin, pag natinik ay malalim.”

True Story

It was the summer break of 1996 and the summer classes in UP Diliman just started.  My friend Marla and I decided to check out the different Physical Education classes that were giving a PEPE (Proficiency Examination in Physical Education).  Passing a test means one less PE class to attend to for the coming year. We were still technically Freshmen and thinking that the Running for Fitness is easy for us, we signed up.

And so on one sunny Saturday morning, together with Marla, we met up with the other aspirants at the UP Track Oval.  The examiner told us the mechanics of the test: Run or walk the perimeter of the oval six times in an hour.  Or was it 10? It was eons ago so I can’t really remember.

But it was a long enough task, much longer than when I was wheeled into the delivery room for my Caesarian section.  And that test drained the life out of me.

To wrap it up, we didn’t finish the test at all.  The UP Police in their police van saw us by the sidewalk unable to walk one step more towards the UP Gym.  Take note, that the UP Track Oval and Gym are right across one another.  So we were really in bad shape.  Before we were going to surely pass out, the police was kind enough to let us ride their van and take us to the gym to recuperate or die for all they care.

Marla and I learned our lesson.  Not because we were young, doesn’t mean that our able bodies can take on the strain of a physical test.  Blame it on our stupidity.

I wasn’t able to keep track of Marla’s PE classes anymore but I sure enrolled in more than the required 4 classes because I kept on choosing the seemingly “easy” ones and ended up dropping out.

And with that, Marla, let’s run the marathon!

 

Jaycy and Ann’s Wedding January 12, 2011

Filed under: Spills — Lyra @ 3:40 pm
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One of the major reasons why we had to go home for the holidays is to actually witness the exchange of vows between my brother-in-law Jaycy and ex-gf-now-wife, Ann last January 8, 2011.  The wedding was held at the Lady of the Assumption Parish along Mindanao Ave., in Quezon City and the reception was set at the clubhouse of Casa Milan.  It was a beautiful wedding and I must add that the food by Ann’s relatives from Pampanga was perfect! :)

Too bad Sam didn’t walk down the aisle as practiced. :( Boooo!  He hated his barong!  But anyway, he made up for it by enjoying the photobooth at the reception. :)  Here are some shots I loved!

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Chuc Mung Giang Sinh Va Nam Moi Vui Ve! December 25, 2010

Filed under: Spills — Lyra @ 1:00 am

May your homes be filled
with love and good and cheers
this Christmas and
as we welcome the new year!

 

 

From our family to yours,
may you have a meaningful Christmas
and a delightful 2011!

- Manuel, Lyra, and Sam

 

Reverb10: Days 23 and 24 December 24, 2010

Filed under: Spills — Lyra @ 5:31 am
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December 23 – New Name – Let’s meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why? (Author: Becca Wilcott)

Hi, I’m…Lisa..or Liz.  It’s actually my second name.  I just wonder where that name will lead me.  It’s not unique but the Lisas I’ve read about or met are fantastic, smart, and sophisticated people.  It would be nice to explore that kind of persona.

December 24 Prompt – Everything’s OK –  What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead? (Author: Kate Inglis)

My Dad got sick late this year and there was nothing I or anyone in our family can do about it.  But somehow things worked out.  I’m sure I would feel otherwise if things went awry but even through the height of my Dad’s sickness, I felt my faith in God really kick in.  It was like a tangible support system that you can feel.  And I’ve never surrendered to my faith that way.  And I know, that no matter what happens in life, things will fall into place.  I can only hope that I will always remember that moment.

 

 

 
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