" My wish is to go to school.."

She is one of our new students here at F.L.A.G. I wonder what she is thinking? Is she happy she is finally learning how to read and write?  What does she want to be when she grows up? I bet  a teacher..  hmm maybe a nurse? She looks sad, I hope she stays with us and I'm sure the other girls will make her feel welcome.  I can't wait to meet her when we go back and visit.

She looks very sweet and I know she has a name ( forgive me for not posting that as I didn't receive her profile as of yet). We are so happy we found her and she found us.  Her journey begins now.

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

The F.L.A.G team

Oh Canada..

.. our home and native land!
We are celebrating Canada Day July 1st and for my gratitude journal, I felt it is only appropriate to thank everything Canadian.

I love Canada, thank you for all the opportunities you have given us and my family.

15. FREE Health Care

16. FREE education

17. Last but not least my favorite Canadian actor ( for now ) - Ryan Reynolds ( forgive me, shallow I know )





Happy Thankful Tuesday !!!!

To blog or not to blog .. ????

Hello followers,

My Nanay ( Mother in Tagalog) and I ( I think 8 years old )

It has been a full week since my last blog.  Lots of stuff going on with my job, family and just life happening. The last thing I wanted to do was complain about it on my blog.  I feel I have to be in the moment in order for me to blog what I truly care about.. like my mom.

My mom celebrated her 62nd birthday last Wednesday. Athough she is not with us here, she is back home in the Philippines, I wish her a great birthday and more celebrations to come.

I miss her very much and this is the type of moment I have to be in order for me to capture this emotion.

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

Monica

Hey Dad, I'm coming home!

Dad and son ( grade 8 grad)

It was  Sunday morning, Father's day when Patrick called " Dad, can I come home?".  What a wonderful Father's day present when his oldest son found his way back. You see, early this year was tough for all of us when he decided to drop out of school and move out. Jon was heart broken but he knew it would be for the best.  Their relationship was much better since then.  Like a prodigal son, he has to make his mistakes and learn from them. 

My prayers were answered and I thank God for bringing him back to us.  I know it will not be an easy road for us but we will get through it.

Happy Thankful Tuesday!

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

Monica

I was daddy's little girl???? HUH?

When my mom visited us from the Philippines, we had great conversation on how I was when I was little girl. I don't remember any memories of my dad playing with me, telling me stories or even sitting on his lap. That's not how I grew up. He was a disciplinarian, stern and strict. That's how he grew up ( I was told).

My  mom told me when I was two, my dad bought me a biggest teddy bear from a vendor after working out of town ( he was not home most of the time). For the life of me, I can't remember that time and I wish I could.

3 years ago, my dad passed away after a long battle with emphysema. I spent 3 weeks with him while he was very ill. I came back home to Canada and 3 weeks later he was gone.  It was the most emotional 3 weeks of my life that I will never forget.

To my tatay, wherever you are, Happy Father's day!

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

Monica

Superman is here !

Superman was one of the movies that my dad took me to see ( rest his soul ). Since then, I started to watch all the Superman movies after that.  I probably thought at one point, I wish my dad was Superman.  But I have different definition of this ultimate Superhero.

Meet our  "Superman"

He is the father of one of the new students at our school.  This photo was taken while he was  registering his children at our school  ( they have never been) and quite unusual for a father to make that commitment. It's usually the mom's job back home. He knows that giving his children education, it will save them in the future. I'm proud to meet our new hero! Thank you for saving them and generations to come!

Happy Thankful Tuesday!

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

The F.L.A.G team

Her name is Clementine

Is it too late to have another child?? Yes it is for me although some women can have babies in their 60's.

My husband spent the Saturday and Sunday with sweet Clementine. My cousin has moved back to North America after living in Europe for about 5 years. This sweet moment I captured while Jon is playing with her. The moment was so precious that I needed a remembrance of that day.

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

Monica

Rise Above Your Limits: Portrait of a Hero - Monica

BIG shout out to Becky Jane ! I am deeply honored


Rise Above Your Limits: Portrait of a Hero - Monica: "F.L.A.G. is an amazing blog I came across while on voiceBoks . It is maintained by Monica. Here is a little of her story from her blog......"

Have you complained today?

If I had a dollar for every complaint I did today, I will be a billionaire.  I had forgotten it's Thankful Tuesday. 

Sat back. Gathered my thoughts and I remember this picture.

Her name is Che-che, she is a mother of 7 , 3 of her girls attend our school. She only finished Grade 1 herself. Her daughters Erika and Leslie both  finished their first year at FLAG and proudly attending the regular school curriculum. They will be in Grade 1. Her other daughter Janine, will need one more year with us so she can be well prepared when she attends grade school. Che-che used to push her daughters to steal or beg on the streets of Manila. That's all behind us now and we are making progress with her and her daughters.

It's difficult not complain at times, kids this, husband that! House is a mess!  I don't make enough money! I'm too fat. I'm too skinny. I look too old! The list goes on....Do you know what she thinks about everyday? If they are going to eat tomorrow or the next day, and the next.

So, here's what I am thankful today..

10. thank you for my job, without it I will not be able to build FLAG

11. thank you Canada - for giving us the opportunity and the freedom we often forget

12. Thank you Che-Che for allowing your daughters to attend FLAG !

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

The F.L.A.G team

New BFF's

Some of our girls from FLAG students welcoming 2 new students ( 2 from the left and far right) sorry folks, our director forgot to add their names. I promise I will post their profile soon. I was too excited and had to post it!!!

I know they are going to be great someday!

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

The F.L.A.G team

Freaky Friday!!

Didn't get the chance to blog about what day I had yesterday. Too many emotions in my circling in my head.

We had a frightening thunder and rainstorm this morning, I thought what a symbolic way of describing how I felt yesterday. Gloomy, sad, mad, confused, angry you name it  I felt it! Funny how Google Images can give you all the cliparts to choose from. I would certainly not going to put own face LOL!

I still don't know how I should feel today. At the end of it all, keep thinking of the bigger picture ( health, family, friends , FLAG) After all I am human and I will feel these emotions often , what matters is  how I will handle it. Choose your attitude. It will take some time.

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

Monica

Meet Ms.Rose

Rose ( on the right) is our teacher at F.L.A.G

She is an inspiration to us and we are grateful we found her. Rose teaches the girls in the morning and another job in a private school in the Philippines. Eventhough she knows, she can earn more money somewhere else ( she earns about $230 a month teaching in both schools) she decided to stay with us. The girls fell in love with her and who wouldn't.  She is dedicated to her profession, loving and more importantly she teaches the word of God to the girls.

Ms.Rose, you are a blessing to us. We can't wait to start this school year !!

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

The F.L.A.G team