THANK YOU, OH LORD!

THANK YOU, OH LORD
FOR THE NEW HOUSE WHERE WE DWELL
THANK YOU, OH LORD
FOR THE LOVE, THE CARE, AND BLESSINGS
FOR ALL THY GUIDANCE IN OUR LIVES
THAT WE BECOME WORTHY OF THY LOVE
THAT WE BECOME THE BEST THAT WE CAN BE
FOR THE GREATER GLORY OF THY KINGDOM
THAT THROUGH THY WISDOM AND LOVE
PEACE, SUCCESS, AND HAPPINESS COME OUR WAY
BLESS THIS FAMILY AND OUR LOVED ONES
BLESS THAT WE MAY ENDURE THE ATROCITIES OF LIFE
AND THAT WE MAY LEARN TO BE STRONGER EACH DAY
THROUGH OUR FAITH IN YOU, WE CAN SURVIVE
THE CHALLENGES EACH DAY BRINGS
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE CALL ON YOU
KEEP US AWAY FROM HARM AND SICKNESS
KEEP US LOVING, PEACEFUL, AND FOREVER FAITHFUL
WE ASK ALL OF THESE, THROUGH YOUR SON,
JESUS CHRIST. AMEN.

STILL ANOTHER ROOM IN THE HOUSE

ANOTHER PART OF THE HOUSE

Inside the new house ....

LIVING ROOM, KITCHEN, DINING ROOM AREAS

My Toyota 2006

This is the car that takes me everywhere: to school, to my appointments, to my friend's homes to visit, and to our destinations when I travel with Roger during off days. Though, a lot of times he drives his Dodge Van.

Mindoro International Website

The Mindoro International Website is indeed the connector to relatives, "kababayans", childhood friends, and former classmates who are elsewhere in the world. I am very pleased about the information and news we can get about our town, province, and its people. Take for instance, the children of my Ninang Juling Alberto. They were my childhood friends way back in Ilaya, never heard about them since after my high school years, and now through this website saw their pictures. That was since 1963. That has been 45 years now. I would like to see them one of these days, maybe in Calapan or in the USA!! That would be so awesome!!!

Arthur, Maeng, Nora, Gabriel, and Arlette, ( Am I correct? ) I would want you to connect with me! I would love to see you again and meet your respective families!! At the same time, meet my family!! I am not sure too about your Mom and Dad? Please update me!!!

Association of Calapenos-USA International

October 25, 2008 at Marriott Airport Hotel Burbank, CA, the Association of Calapenos-USA International held its 2nd Dinner-Dance Fundraising Event. It was a very successful activity meant to raise funds for its projects and for all of us to get together again. The event was chaired by its SoCal Coordinator, Dr. Ting Luna and the Calapenos Int'l President Jimmy Chua. Roger, my son Ohskar, and I went to the party and mixed around with old friends and acquaintances. I met Eleanor Collera and sister Estela with their respective families. They were my childhood friends in Ilaya. My Kumadreng Letty Cueto was in attendance too, with some of her friends from Alameda, CA. Other friends who graced the occasion are Juliet from NY, Luz and family from Las Vegas, Orville from Las Vegas, Mrs. Garong and family from Cerritos, CA, and many others. It was a fun-filled evening and it ended with a "Big Treat" at the suite of Ting Luna at Marriott. Filipino dishes were served, lots of drinks, and most of all, the never ending kuwentuhan. Roger and I retreated to our room at almost 1AM. Quite an exhausting week-end! Sunday, at 11AM we had a Committee Meeting presided by Jimmy and Ting. Next fundraising event will be in Las Vegas, our group's chance to host the occasion!!!

MY NEW FRIENDS IN TOASTMASTERS

I am back in Toastmasters. I recently joined the BURNT TOAST II TOASTMASTERS CLUB. We meet every Wednesday at 6:00 PM at the Desert Pines Golf Course located at the corner of Pecos and Bonanza, North Las Vegas. I am fortunate to have met a good group of Toastmasters headed by its founder Jerry Simon, President Max Hooks, officers and members Shandra Edmond, Allan Frank, William Stover, Wayne Lueck, Anthony Aguillard, Lynn Jasames, and Timm. The club is quite small in membership, however, the quality is great. The membership is diverse. I am fortunate enough to have met this group of dedicated and service-oriented people. I am sure I will be learning a lot from this involvement as I had always been in my Toastmaster's career.

To my readers who may have no idea of what Toastmasters is all about, Toastmasters International is a worldwide organization whereby a person is helped develop and enhance his speaking skills. The member goes through a step-by-step development of his communication and leadership skills. In the process of his association with Toastmasters, he meets all kinds of professional who have the same intention of improving their speaking skills. He speaks in front of his club working on his speech projects to reach competency. He is evaluated by another toastmaster or toastmasters and in the process he learns, improves, and becomes more competent in speaking. He has the opportunity to compete in speech contests namely: Humorous Speech, Evaluation Speech, Impromptu Speech, Tall Tales Speech, and the International Speech Contests. Attending speech contests in area, division, and district levels is an advantage and an opportunity. Meeting people from all walks of life is another advantage for networking. Having fun meeting new friends and speaking in front of an audience are two most important skills one can learn through Toastmasters.

THANK YOU LORD

Thank you Lord for Thy loving kindness
For Thy guidance and light
For Thy intercession and direction
Of which without YOU
I wouldn't be what I am now...

Thank you Lord for loving me
For taking care of me every second
With or without difficulties
You are there ...
With or without questions
You give me answers
Of which without YOU
I wouldn't be what I am now...

Thank you Lord for all the good times,
as well as the bad times
For without knowing them
I wouldn't be the way I am now ....

Thank you Lord for everything
that happened to me
For my family and friends
For the people around me
who have touched my life
and who have made the difference ....

Thank you Lord for everything
I praise Thee and continuously pray
for happiness and success
to always come my way.

I also pray for everyone
That their lives be filled
with so much love and care
learn to give and forgive
For loving, giving, forgiving
the peaks of love in action.

Minnette, Sept. 13, 2008

13th of September 2008

PRIYA & BUNNY

Priya is the youngest child of Ohmar & Portia. They flew to the U.S. last August 12 to visit us and attend Marju's wedding in Minnesota. It has been one month and this morning ( 1:15 AM ) as I am composing this, the family is on a jetplane flying back to the Philippines. It will be a 15 hour trip. By afternoon at around 2:00PM ( Las Vegas time ) the family would be home in Makati City where they reside.

I called them last night in Sta. Monica, CA ( Ohskar lives there )and Portia was telling me that Priya would be hand carrying her doll, Bunny. Bunny sings when you press her hand. Priya had learned the song, a love song, from the time Roger, my boyfriend gave it to her. That doll was special because Roger gave that to me last Easter, and consented to give it to Priya. She is a cutie and a very smart kid. I know deep in my heart that she had enjoyed her trip to the US with her Mom and Dad. What a lucky girl!! I LOVE YOU ALL! THANK GOD FOR ALL OUR BLESSINGS AND LOVE. PEACE!