Appreciation Dinner

We would like to express our gratitude to the big boss and sponsor from the other side of the globe who paid for our meal last night for the second time. 

To express his appreciation, it was so generous of him to treat our family a good dinner.

   7 September 2023, Classic Savory, SM Urdaneta Central 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why a TESOL Certificate Matters: Open Doors to Teaching English Worldwide

Image
With around 1 billion students globally learning English, certified teachers are in high demand across classrooms and online platforms. A TESOL/TEFL certificate isn’t just a qualification—it’s your key to building a meaningful career helping others master the world’s most widely used language.   Why TESOL Certification Is Essential   - Meets Global Hiring Standards: Most schools and online tutoring companies require a TESOL/TEFL certificate when hiring ESL teachers. It’s proof you have the foundational skills to teach effectively. - Builds Core Teaching Skills : Courses cover English language structure, classroom management, and proven teaching techniques—giving you the confidence to lead lessons for learners of all ages and levels. - Unlocks International Opportunities : Certified teachers can work in popular destinations like Vietnam, China, Japan, and Korea, or teach from home with top online platforms.   What Makes World TESOL Academy Stand Out   W...
Read more

Why Family Insurance Matters: Securing Your Loved Ones’ Health and Future

Image
In today’s uncertain world, having reliable health coverage isn’t just a personal necessity—it’s a cornerstone of family well-being. KwikCare’s health subscription plans  offer an accessible way to protect every member of your household, ensuring you can focus on what matters most without worrying about medical costs.   Key Reasons Family Insurance Is Essential   - Financial Protection : Unexpected medical expenses can strain household budgets. KwikCare plans save up to 50% versus traditional health plans, with cashless transactions at accredited facilities to avoid out-of-pocket costs. - Comprehensive Coverage : Plans include inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care. For families, this means everyone—from infants to seniors up to 65—can access quality care when needed. - Peace of Mind : Knowing your loved ones are covered lets you face life’s challenges with confidence. As one subscriber noted, having a trusted insurance partner provides reassurance during ...
Read more

Finding Joy in the Little Things

Image
Ever get an email that feels like it was written exactly for you? That’s how I feel every single time Gemma Stone pops up in my inbox! This week’s message hit different – with three simple but powerful reminders that I knew I couldn’t just read and forget:   - Delight in the tiny moments of pleasure ​ - Find all the reasons to celebrate ​ - Choose joy for no reason at all   So I decided to turn these beautiful ideas from screen to real life – and I’m sharing exactly how I did it, including a ready-to-use phone reminder setup you can copy-paste right away! Here it is:   - Delight in tiny moments of pleasure : Pause for 10 seconds at least 3 times a day to fully notice something enjoyable – the warmth of your morning hot choco, the sound of birds outside, or someone's genuine smile. - Find all reasons to celebrate : At the end of each day, jot down one thing you’re grateful for that feels worth acknowledging – even small wins like finishing a task or tryin...
Read more

The Fall That Became a New Beginning: A Tree's Story of Resilience

Image
While visiting the Marikina Shoe Museum, we stumbled upon something that stopped and amazed us – a massive old tree that had clearly fallen during a strong storm. But instead of decay and death, what we saw was a powerful testament to life's ability to adapt and thrive against all odds.   The tree’s thick trunk lies horizontally across the ground, its original roots still partially anchored in the soil where it once stood tall. Based on its size and the rough texture of its bark, it must have been growing there for decades, witnessing countless seasons pass in Marikina City. The storm that brought it down likely hit with tremendous force, bending and breaking parts of its structure as it crashed to the earth.   A Remarkable Turnaround   What makes this sight so extraordinary is that the tree never gave up. The far end of its fallen trunk – the part that would have been its top branches – touched the ground and took root on its own. Now, new roots d...
Read more

Preparing our Children for their First Temple Experience

Image
It's a special milestone for our family that our youngest daughter, Czerinah Ellah is turning 12 this year and becomes eligible to participate in temple ordinances with her limited-use temple recommend and participate in certain sacred ordinances within the temple. Having her able to participate alongside the rest of our family is a joyous occasion. We are thrilled for this opportunity to support one another in these sacred experiences. We are glad that she will no longer need to wait for us to finish our temple sessions and can now make important covenants and receive blessings that can strengthen her faith and deepen her relationship with our Heavenly Father.    As Czerinah Ellah prepares for this significant step, we believe it's important to help her understand the sacredness and significance of the temple ordinances. We encourage her to study and learn about the principles and teachings of the gospel, and guide her in developing a strong foundation of faith. P...
Read more

Bringing Light and Love: The Power of Sharing Important Messages with Loved Ones in Everyday Life

Image
Can you imagine if you had the chance to share your final thoughts with your loved ones before leaving this mortal existence? Well, that's exactly what the prophet Lehi did when he sensed that his life was coming to an end. He gathered his family for one last heart-to-heart. In our early morning Seminary class, we learned about Lehi and his final moments with his loved ones. It's truly touching how he gathered his family together to share the incredible messages that Heavenly Father had revealed to him. It must have been a deeply meaningful and heartfelt experience for everyone involved. It's amazing that Lehi not only shared his personal testimony of the Messiah but also delved into important topics like liberty, obedience, the Fall of Adam and Eve, and the redemption through Jesus Christ. These are such profound and essential teachings that can bring so much understanding and joy into our lives. Here's the thing, though. Lehi's children had the freedom...
Read more

Stop "Getting By" – Start Living the Life You Actually Love

Image
As 2025 drew to a close, I knew I wanted more than just another year of "getting by." When I joined Gemma Stone's THRIVE program days before the new year, I was ready to make a change – and what I discovered was the path to building a life I genuinely love.   Living the Life You Love Starts Within   At the heart of the program is a powerful truth: we can only create lives we love when we're deeply connected to who we are and what matters most. We went through three core phases that turn this idea from a dream into a tangible reality.   Phase 1: Reflecting – Seeing Our Lives Clearly   The journey began with Reflecting – not just a quick look back, but a thoughtful exploration of where we are today and how we got here. We identified moments that brought us joy or drained our energy, and dug into the values that truly drive us (not just the ones we think we should have).   For me, this meant recognizing that while everything seems to be doing well, v...
Read more

Principles of Self-Reliance

Image
[Excerpts from our Talk during the Adult Session of Urdaneta Stake Conference, 13 August 2023] Elder Padilla and I are so delighted to be with you here at the conference today. It is a privilege to speak as Senior Service Missionaries for the Welfare and Self-Reliance Services and talk about a very important topic both temporally and spiritually.  At 15 years old, 25 years ago, Elder Padilla and I met in a Seminary Stake Class. We actively attended youth conferences and other church activities, he went on a mission at 19, and we were married in the temple. As young newlyweds, and with a husband who hasn't finished college at that time, we had no money. But we had each other, we had our love, and we had the gospel. We learned that we didn't need a lot of money to be happy, and didn't need a lot of money or to wait for retirement to serve. In the early stage of our marriage about 18 years ago, while I was pregnant with our first child and struggling to make ends...
Read more

Slow Living in Calgary: A Family Guide to a More Intentional Life

Image
Calgary, with its stunning natural beauty and vibrant community, offers the perfect backdrop for embracing a slower, more intentional lifestyle. But with busy schedules and the constant demands of modern life, how can families in Calgary truly integrate slow living principles? This guide provides practical steps to help your family savor life's moments and cultivate a deeper sense of connection.   Nurturing Family Bonds   The foundation of slow living lies in strong family connections. Here's how to prioritize quality time:   - Weekly Family Dinners: Designate a night for a screen-free dinner. Share stories, discuss your day, and truly connect. This simple act fosters communication and creates lasting memories.   - Embrace Calgary's Outdoors: Explore Calgary's incredible parks! Hike the trails of Fish Creek Provincial Park, bike the Bow River pathway, or visit the Calgary Zoo. Shared adventures create lasting memories and appreciation for nature. ...
Read more

The Queen of Our Castle

Image
For Latter-day Saints , the concept of eternal families is central to our beliefs. We strive to create homes filled with love, respect, and growth. This vision has been powerfully shaped by the teachings of prophets like President Russell M. Nelson , whose recent passing has brought a wave of reflection and gratitude.   In a talk given in 1968, then-Elder Russell M. Nelson shared timeless wisdom on how to cultivate a strong and loving marriage. These words, which have profoundly impacted our family and countless others, remain incredibly relevant today.   He stated:   " Our home can never be any better than our selection and care of the one to be the queen in our castle. This sweet and hopefully eternal companion needs particular attention, for she is so tender and so special. 'Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shall cleave unto her and none else' (D&C 42:22)   If you really love her, you are more concerned for her welfare than for that...
Read more