How Nate Looks Now

Nate is learning Taekwondo lessons this summer.

It was their recognition day yesterday. More photos at https://nonnaarlene.wordpress.com  Would not want to upload them all here since I am saving on space.

Read Full Post »

The Confidence Of A Child

I posted an excerpt of my previous blog culled from a Weekly Photo Challenge of WordPress years ago. It was accompanied by lichens growing on our dead avocado tree. Here goes:

“That moment you let your hands click the shutter because your eyes saw something that delights your senses – a couple of lichens growing, showing life amidst decay, turning hope into joy.  That moment that your hands itch to touch the soil and dig, plant a seed or two  and let them grow. It evokes memories and you smile at the thought because you found a treasure. Afterall, they say, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder”.

Nissa  bought Nate a new cellphone as a reward for his academic achievements. I was surprised when I received a message from him last night, the longest one he wrote me so far. We just usually message each other with simple ‘hi’, ‘hello’ and ‘how are you’.

He quoted me in its entirety with the photo and he said:

“Nonna  you could make a living out of being a writer. You can write pretty well, and it seems like a very suitable job for you.”

Such joy reading it from my eleven-year-old grandson. And such confidence in me. So sweet of him. I told him he could visit my blog and read some posts. A few years ago when he started school, I showed  my blog about him which I started when he was born.  He smiled and looked at the several photos posted there. I seldom update it now except to share photos of him growing up.

Nate at 11

Read Full Post »

What Christmas Means To A Child

Nate didn’t grow up fantasizing about Santa Claus. Nissa probably didn’t let him believe that there is one and the yearly gifts he received are from his parents and from us. When he learned to write, he would usually make a short note of what he wishes to have and let his ninang, Obet’s generous sister read them. In Tagalog, they say, galante ninang niya. Nissa and Josef grew up too knowing that their gifts were from us. There were only one or two occasions when they were young that they had pictures taken with Santa at the mall.

Since Nissa and Obet always bring Nate to Sunday church worship, he knows about baby Jesus and His birthday. I blogged about his two priest friends at the Manila Cathedral before. What does Christmas means to a child? It’s gazing in awe at the parols and lanterns in street corners and in most houses, looking at the brightly lit Christmas tree in their house. It is the anticipation of what gifts are wrapped for him. When one is so young, it does not really matter that much whether he’ll receive a candy or lollipop. But kids nowadays are growing wiser, blame it on the influence of television, gadgets and social media they are exposed to.

Christmas is a simple kiss and hug when kids see you, nice food at the table and perhaps new toys. I gave Nate cash gift that Nissa could add to his savings. When he opened the other one, he had that big smile on his face when he saw a Spiderman, foldable parts and with lights too. He told me that he doesn’t have it yet among his collection. So glad he likes it although he is now big enough for those characters.

“I don’t have this yet Nonna”, he uttered.

“You like it?” I questioned.

He smiled and embraced me.

Last night while we were having dinner, he mixed pomelo juice with sugar free Coke and when I asked him how it tasted, he said “good”. We were eating dessert while he was eating more lumpiang shanghai, one piece, one bite…haha. He was the last to leave the dining table.

Read Full Post »

I’m Back!

Blessed and happy Sunday to all ❤️🥰⚘️.

I went back to my endocrinologist yesterday to show her the results of my lab tests. She wrote endorsements to a hematologist for my high platelet count and an ortho for my bones. She wanted that I undergo a colonoscopy first as suggested by the gastroenterologist before working out on my other problems. She gave me her phone number so Nissa or Josef could call her. Having a hearing aid is not really that clear when the doctor speaks medical lingo. Will see her again in October with more lab tests of course. I told her that Metformin seems to be not good for me and she finally changed it. I always get stomach upset when I take it. Lost a kilo in one week. I am now all of 119 lbs.

I asked Josef to inquire first how much a colonoscopy costs nowadays and if it will be covered by my medical insurance before I go back to the gastroenterologist so he could give me a request for the procedure. There is an ortho at the clinic but I have to find a hematologist in another hospital. The things one does in order to have a clean bill of health. I am really getting tired of it but I have to stay positive for my family.

Fr. Lovell and I had a nice long chat last night and a few minutes ago. He assured me of offering prayers and his masses for my health. I am really blessed to have caring and true friends. True friends are more valuable than gold💐❤️

I am including here Nate’s photo taken this morning during their PE Field Demonstration. I had other pics at my blog about Nate🥰

He is really taller than an average ten-year old.

Read Full Post »

Missing Nate

It’s been some months that Nate and I haven’t seen each other. They used to visit us every month but when they transferred to Cavite, their weekends are spent there, the rest of the days are spent in Manila where he is still enrolled. He is in Grade V now. We regularly message each other though. A few minutes ago, our conversation went this way.

Me: Hi Nate, I miss you🥰❤️😘

Nate: I miss you too.

Me: Take care always. Love you much❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙💜

Nate: I miss you too Nonna.

Me: How’s school ?

Nate: Good

Me: Nice to hear that. Ingat lagi🥰

Nate: Okay. Love you too.

Me: Always wear your face mask when you are outside😘

Nate: Okay

That ends our conversation. Although it is short and brief, I am happy, I am able to talk to him almost every day. He calls me Nonna. It was suggested by a priest friend who was studying in Rome when Nate was born. The moments that a grandmother always look forward to….precious!

Read Full Post »

Love Notes

I remember those times when Nate started grade school and he would send notes to Nissa now and then. When she was at the hospital three years ago, there were so many small notes which he rolled in a chocolate canister.

They brought him to the office this morning and he is with Nissa. Nissa told me earlier that he got bored doing nothing. I told her she should have brought a book for him.

Nissa sent me some earlier photos they took at the office and I saved them on my blog about Nate. A few minutes ago, she sent me these:

He is learning script writing. He will be in Grade V next school year. Sweet! And he always write “you are the best mom in the world”.

One of the photos they took earlier.

Looking forward to their Recognition Day in school tomorrow.

Haha, I laughed at the #1 mom.

And more…maybe he is no longer bored….haha! I told you, the way he talks and thinks, he is 10 going 20.

Read Full Post »

Nice, Nice,Nice

Oh, they are having a blast cleaning and arranging everything in their new home…haha! They are staying there until Monday. At least when they transfer for good, they would not need to hire a van for their furnitures and fixtures.

Nissa told me that Nate always says that the house is lovely. He knows how to appreciate things. He can’t believe that it is their new one. She sent me several photos of the interior of their home, sharing some here.

The entrance to their home. They have a very wide sala.

Nissa says they don’t have center table yet. I suggested they buy something made of Narra for contrast.

How their garden looks now. The grass is growing.

Their dining room. The six-seater dining table is made of glass.

The family room upstairs.

The kitchen with built-in gas range. I told you, I am envious of that 19 cu. ft. ref with water dispenser😆

Their breakfast for today.

Yesterday, Nissa told me that their neighbor gave them some veggies from their own garden. How nice!

Read Full Post »

What A Joy

Early this morning Nissa sent me this picture of Nate in his own room at their new house. He has his own single bed with a pull-out, a nice sofa, a split-type inverter aircon and the night sky as background light. I guess it is not practical using this background light every day but Nissa says they have also installed overhead lights here. They have Koren blinds installed in all their windows so they are not visible outside at night.

They usually spend the weekends there. They’ll be back on Holy Thursday up to Monday of the following week since the latter is also a holiday.

We experienced the first April rain last night. Summer season was declared more than a week ago. Yeay, I don’t have to water the plants today.

Read Full Post »

It’s Signal Number Three

Yes, it’s a bad bed weather. Typhoon Karding has reached the category of typhoon signal number 5. We are alarmed by the speed of winds it is taking and the sudden change of track targetting Luzon and Metro Manila. So far, we are having moderate rainfall now here in our area. I don’t know about the next eighteen hours. I am monitoring our weather bureau. I told Jovy and Josef not to go out anymore, it might gain strength this evening. I am hoping and praying there won’t be flashfloods.

Yesterday, Nissa’s fam came over for a visit. We saw each other the last time four months ago when we lost my younger brother Alden. My goodness, Nate is definitely growing tall for his age of nine years. Nissa says he is 4’11 now, the tallest in his class. Change of weather, he suddenly doesn’t like his pictures taken but in the end, he posed for me at the garden. I took some shots though.

Our bunso is not so fond of the camera but he gamely joined me and Nissa for a pose. My two kids, Josef and Nissa.

Nissa and I

A stolen shot of Nate while he was busy playing with his tab.

He loves the Fudgee Barr I gave him earlier.

Read Full Post »

First Communion

I thought I posted the solo photo of Nate here before his First Communion last Friday. I already updated my other blog just for him and posted some pictures that Nissa took of the event. For a nine-year old, he is getting so tall. Obet and Nate’s grandpa and his uncles are all tall. Good thing he got the genes….😘😉🙂

He was the reader of the mass.

Time flies!

Read Full Post »