Lessons from my Father

Today is my father's birthday and my brothers and sister planned a whole day of activities for both him and my mom. I am taking this moment before my day starts to tell you a bit about my father.

Decoroso "Dick" Balmes

He was born the eldest of their family, hard working, loyal to my mom and very family oriented.

Growing up we were never really close, not as close as a father to a son would be but it was more about me than him. I always hated the times where he would tell me to do the dishes, change the light bulbs, clean the car, give the dogs a bath, and a whole lot of things. I disliked how he took me with him when he visited his side of the family because I hated traveling by land. Selfish right? I wont deny it. At the end of the day the reason why our relationship is that way is still because me and what I am. I'll save that for another day. :)

Despite everything I actually learned a lot and i will always be thankful. Let me tell you how my father shaped me to be the person I am today. I will list down a few things my father taught me both directly and indirectly.

• The kitchen should always be clean. If i can remember it correctly, my cousin Twinkle taught my how to wash dishes but my father taught me that before I go to bed every night I should was the dishes or clean up after my self
• How to change a light bulb. A bonding moment we shared hahaha. I know all it needs is common sense when changing a light bulb but to tell you honestly, a lot of people doesn't know how to change a light bulb 
• Delivering puppies. My dad showed me how to assist a pregnant dog during delivery and I've done it several times now on my own
• Compassion towards animals. My dad is a Veterinarian so it gave me access to animals growing up 
• Respect towards Family
• How not fighting back is the bravest thing you can sometimes do
• Balancing and being equal to both sides of the family is more important than taking sides
• Traditions should always be honored
• Quit Smoking
• How loving something you hate because the people you treasure most loves them is more important that hating them at all
• Letting go of negativity is helpful
• Always following your dreams
• Always support your kids no matter what they choose to be
• Never let go of the "kid" in you

and a whole lot more. I am who I am because they trusted my decision of who i wanted to become. We may not be the typical family who talks about sex openly, or continues to go to church religiously or the type of family that says i love you or sorry all the time but our family dynamics work for us. And it'll mature more in the coming years. I strongly believe that both my father and mother played a strong role in that. 

To my father, who have always been there for me and the family. I  salute, respect and love you, you and mom. Always. I know I will make a great father one day because I have you as role model.

Have a great day today and the coming years. 

A KID at 25 - My very first HAPPY MEAL

A lot of people would agree that I am a HUGE Jollibee fan. I love their menu, their staff and the store locations are ridiculous (in a good way because they are everywhere like Angel's Burger or 360 Pharmacy).

A few days ago McDonald's opened a branch at our building and everybody got excited and so was I, not because I love the place but because I know a handful of people who enjoys eating at the place which meant that before it opened at our building we had to walk around 4 blocks to get to one, now we don't (teehee).

So, yesterday when we took our break from helping a friend out with his Demo, we decided to eat at McDonald's and I decided that I was in the mood for a burger. When I got to the place, I was overwhelmed with happy emotions that ordered a Happy Meal. Yep my VERY FIRST HAPPY MEAL at 25. I got crazy excited. Did you know that a happy includes a toy.. I mean score!! a toy and a meal at the same time. So this is what i got.

Thanks Iggs for taking this Photo. I LOVE HAPPY MEALS

The above photo is when i got the Happy Meal and I got caught up with the excitement of checking out what the toy was. I got a beautiful PONY, MY PONY..

My Little Pony, a prize i got with my happy meal

This is Apple, I named her that because she has a big ass tattoo on her back, I brush her pony tail all day and tell her how my day was ( Crazy right? 25 and childish)

Not so Kung Fu Panda

Along the lines of the Happy Meal Red Box was this little fellow. I named him Fho.. hahaha

Cool penguin

An this little guy, is Pinky...

Friends for Life... Awwww...

Shared my  Happy moment with friends at work

It was a Fun Day, I felt like a kid again and it felt awesome.

I have a strong belief that in order for you to live life to the fullest, you have to lower your expectations, make as many mistakes you can, never aim for perfection and never forget the KID in you. Not only will you maintain your compassion, it will also make life a little less stressful. GET A HAPPY MEAL NOW. :)

How to make your Mother Happy

 

Birthday Bash 2013 - 58 and loving it...

Edible Birthday Cake ( it was hard eating the "body" part but off with her head... teehee)

So my mom celebrated her birthday yesterday and she had a big surprise. For the last couple of years, we celebrated hers and my dad's birthday here in Cebu at The Port Sea Food Buffet but this year was different. She had that cake above and Lechon and a whole lot of food. The bad part for me was, we (my brothers and i) were not there but she celebrated it with her brother and sisters, my lil sissy and my dad with a few cousins.

Her birthday tarp ( tarps are becoming pretty popular in Calbayog)

Foooood so many fooood.. (love makes the world go round... so does food)

Dad with the Roasted Pig (Lechon) Yummy!!!

Brother and Sister for Life

Mama Isa looking for a seat to eat the treat which was neat. (rhyming - not my forte)

I called them yesterday and they were having Fun. I'm glad they did. Wished i was there with them but me in spirit did the job.. hahaha plus, if i was there? I would've locked my self with the roasted pig and that awesome cake in a room for weeks calling it My Precious... hahahaa..

Off to my next adventure with the Mad Hatter!!

Through the looking glass

Everybody is looking for ways to be happy. Some chooses their career, building it from the bottom and not stopping till they get to the top. Some does everything the can to stay close and build a lasting relationship with their family. Some chooses material things over emotions. Some finds comfort putting other people down and some looks for love that they had before from others that cannot give the same. To be honest there are a lot of reasons, a lot of choices and a lot of things to consider when it comes to being contented and being happy. No one really gets contented with what they have. Even me.

I don't blame the choices people make to fulfill whatever it is they need to fulfill. As much as it hurts me, I can never decide for anyone but my self. I can't blame the person who chooses their career or the person who likes judging me and putting me down. Why? because that's what makes them happy. And I get judged because of that.

I envy anyone who can honestly say that they've loved or is in love. I admire them for they chose to be happy by looking for love and being loved. Every one loves differently and in today's society where gender, race, financial capacity or physical appearance are mere words, makes love abundant. Unfortunately because of how we think people are going to judge us, that love dies even before it beats.

Take me for example. Some who knows me would say that I live in a dream when it comes love and let me vaguely tell you why.

I am living a fantasy. I am waiting for someone right, someone not perfect but can make perfect memories with me. Someone who will knock me off
 my feet, make me feel gushy, make me feel safe, wanted, protected and loved. Someone who will come to my rescue and fall in love with me like what happens in movies and fairy tales. I want the whole shebang. And although I don't necessarily look the same as the characters in the movies nor have the same "qualities" i get judged for acting like i do.

Life is funny that way. If you're someone like me there are a few things that I wanna assure you and you may take this however you prefer.

First. You are never judged for no reason! You just have to know whose judgments count. I have a lot of friends who judges me all the time but I accept the ones that matters. You are never alone in this world so learn to keep the company that matters. :)

Second. You judge too like I do. If it makes you happy by all means continue. For me? I try very hard to keep it for myself (emphasis on "try hard"). I am not the type of person who likes confrontation and conflicts. i think.

Third. Let yourself be judged. It's life! you will always be judged.

Fourth. Never lose who you are and what you want. If you feel like a girl and want to wait for Mr. Right then wait! they're not going to live your life, you will. It doesn't mean that you shouldn't listen.

Last one. Make mistakes, make a lot of them. Be stupid. Be alive. Be wrong and be you. its less stressful when your not always right. Trying to be perfect is high maintenance. :)

 Be with friends who cares for you because you're you and not someone else. I am.

Love Love Love... then EAT! hahaha...

(listening to Nina's SOMEDAY on loop - this song touches me) :p