Happy Birthday Papa Aga!

Today is the birthday of my ever dearest father, Mr Agaton Magallanes. Happy Birthday Papa! Thank you for everything you have done for us. We love you Papa!

Two Tests, One Result

I had no idea that two lines crossing could mean so much happiness to us.

November 20, 2010 - I was a full week delayed on my menses. I had been anxious this past 7 days. I wanted to rest right then on the first day of my delayed period. But part of me was really afraid to be disappointed again. Repetitive instances like these could do that to you. Disappointment - it's hard to deal after all.

So, we waited a full seven days. This time, if I believed that if I would be pregnant, the test would find it very hard to miss.

So when I woke up on the 20th, I gathered up my nerves and went to the bathroom to test.

When I peed, the tip of the stick became pink which signals that enough urine has been collected. The urine seeped through the stick and the cross symbol was already visible even if the indicator that the test result is ready to read has not shown yet.

I still can't beleive it so I waited for the test to be ready - about 1 min.... So when finally, the test is indeed ready. It was confirmed! I am pregnant! I immediately ran to our room and told my husband the great news. And my was he happy!!!

Finally, God has said yes to our prayers on His perfect time. Thank you Dear God. We praise you and we glorify you. Thank you for this early Christmas gift you have given to us.
 
Thus, begins my journey to motherhood.

What clothes to bring in Abu Dhabi

Before I went to the UAE, I was contemplating on what things to bring considering the following things:

Baggage Allowance Limit. A first time flyer to UAE such as myself is very particular on the baggage allowance. We tend to follow it to the dot. So when Etihad says 20 kgs, 20 kgs it is. I had to pack and unpack for a couple of times before I managed to limit my baggage weight. The first tries were way too heavy. As a result, I had to leave behind a lot of things I would have wanted to bring.

Culture. My first move was to get rid of my short dresses, sleveless tops, and skirts. What's left were my long-sleeved blouses, slacks and pants. Having to say goodbye to my favorite dresses was really heartbreaking for me. When I arrived in Abu Dhabi however, I saw women of different nationalities wearing short shorts, short dresses, pedals, capris, mini skirts and sleeveless tops. Imagine my dismay. To top it all off, two months later, I had to attend a party. I had to scour the mall for reasonably priced dress and stilletos. Thanks God Oxygene at Abu Dhabi Mall had a sale.

Necessities. I had to prioritize what are the things I need most. Top of my list was some grocery items which I thought cannot be found in the UAE (eg ponds facial wash, ponds cream). Next is office attire since I plan to work, which to my disappointment should have been my last priority since offices in Abu Dhabi in my field is not particular with corporate attire. Of course, undies. A pair of lady shoes, a pair of rubber shoes, a pair of ssandals, but I forgot to bring slippers (which are expensive here in Abu Dhabi). I should have brought even one pair from my collection of slippers. I wanted to bring my books as well, but they were very heavy.


Important papers.  I had a lot of these that it's contribution to my baggage weight cannot be considered as negligible.

Books. My husband requested me to buy books (a total of 11) he needed. Heavy heavy...


"Pasuyo." It is normal for Filipinos to request you to bring something they need from the Philippines. In my case, I was asked to bring medicines which cannot be handcarried.

LESSONS IN LIFE

LESSONS ON LIFE
Author Unknown
November 8, 2010


There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to
judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to
go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.


The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third
in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.


When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to
describe what they had seen.


The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.

The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of
promise.


The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that
smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful
thing he had ever seen.


The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and
drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.


The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because
they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.


He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one
season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy,
and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end,
when all the seasons are up.


If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your
spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.


Moral:
Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.
Don't judge life by one difficult season.
Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to
come some time or later.

Prayer for a life partner

Below is a prayer forwarded to me by one of my friends. This one is for those are growing impatience in waiting for the one for him/her.

Lord,

You said that it is not good for us to be alone. You made us for each other. But Lord, I find it so hard to find that mate who would be a good spouse. Help me, Lord, to put this yearning for marriage in its proper place.

Lead me, Lord, to the one whom You choose for my spouse. While I wait for You to reveal Your Will in this matter, help me to know myself better.

Help me to address those areas of my life which are disordered and which would interfere with my having a successful marriage. When my desire to find a spouse becomes all consuming, help me to relax and practice patience. Help me to invest in wholesome friendships which bring me closer to You and which will assist me in making such an important decision. It is so natural, Lord, to seek love.

Teach me to seek You first and to learn to give love before I try to receive it. Help me to remember that whatever journey this life leads me on, You are always present, always offering companionship, and always filling my deepest need. I offer You, Lord, my loneliness and my longing for marriage. I wait for You to lead me to Your perfect Will for me in this and all things. Amen.