JON-ICA - Portmanteau

What is a Portmanteau - a word or morpheme whose form and meaning are derived from a blending of two or more distinct forms (as smog from smoke and fog)

Celebrities starting 'morphing' names during the Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck relationship when Bennifer was born. Followed by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - Bra-ngelina..

Now, there's Jon-ICA. My cousin started calling us this about a year ago because we have been going through early nesting.  At 40, with two grown boys ( almost 17 and almost 19) we are spending more and more time together.  We are both discovering each other and what's going to be the next chapter in our lives.  This summer we have been going on road trips together, just impromptu day trips and enjoy this summer.  The next phase of our relationship begins and we are up for the challenge. There will be fights ( oh boy there will be !) . Despite the arguments, nagging, annoying - we have one GOAL , to continue our work with F.L.A.G.  and while we do that we can enjoy the world, too.

Grand Bend, Ontario - July 1

Six Mile Lake, Port Severn, Ontario - July 17

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

Jon-ICA

Blog on Fire Award

I'm On fire! WOW! this is my second recognition award to date.  Thanks so Spanish Pinay (www.spanishpinaynanay.blogspot.com ) for this award. 

Kidding aside, listen I'm no Mother Teresa, nor Oprah. I'm just a mom blogger like most of you. 7 things about myself:

1. Turning 40 this year, yep on my way to Cougartown and proud of it
2. Proud Mama of two boys - youngest Jordan who to this day I'm trying to convince to go back home to be a tween star ! ( Finally my dream of becoming a Mom-ager)
3. Married to Jon for 20 years ( there were hiccups along the way, hey who didn't)
4. I don't know how to SWIM !
5. I don't wear a wedding ring nor an engagement ring ( I don't see the point)
6. I was adopted by my aunt so I can have a better life here in Canada ( leaving my father, mom and little sister)
7. To give back to the universe, my husband and I build a school for girls back in the Philippines.

I have more to tell, but it would be too much to reveal all at once! I will save some for later.

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

Monica

Meet Jessica

Nothing more rewarding for me than writing about the girls in our school. Although their stories are heart breaking, it still brings smile to my face knowing they are in school.  I read a post from "The Girl Effect ( www.girleffect.org) , there are 72 Million children in the world that are in need of basic and quality education. More than half of that number are girls.

Jessica will not be one of those girls.  She is being raised by a single mom and her grandparents.  Her mom makes her living by washing clothes for others ( by hand).  For most of us, we can't imagine not having our washing machines.  I do admire her mom, she will do what it takes to put food on the table, the sad part is education becomes secondary.
Jessica, I'm sure like any other 4 year old girls likes dolls. Maybe Barbies? I wonder if she know what that is? Has she ever seen one? Jessica, we will see you soon !

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

The F.L.A.G team

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Meet Regine

Another cutie petutie from F.L.A.G, meet Regine.  What I know from our team back home, Regine lives with her other 5 siblings with her auntie and uncle. The father left them and their mom works overseas but no longer communicates with all of them. God Bless their aunt and uncle who are looking after all 6.  The uncle works as a construction worker ( trust me, construction pay back home is waaay less compare to here ).  The aunt is a food vendor to add to their day to day budget. 

She looks very shy, I wonder if she gets along with everyone?? What type of food does she like to eat? I bet she loves chocolate ( who doesn't).  Another friendly face I want to hug and kiss when I see her! Can't wait!

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

The F.L.A.G team

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Meet Margaret

Hello followers,

Introducing Margaret Ann, she is one of our new students in our school.  Margaret is 6 years old and this her first time being in school.  I know very little of her ( I will keep you posted on her journey). I was told she is an adopted child of an older couple. The couple is their 60's , father retired veteran and the mother is a housewife who is  very sick at the moment. Despite of their hardships, they are caring for our little Margaret.

I wonder what she likes? does she like Barbies? has she ever had one? I don't believe so.  What does she want to be when she grows up? She has dreams too like any other little girl you and I  know.

I'm so happy to have her in our school and can't wait to meet her next year when she finishes her first year. 

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

The F.L.A.G team

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"Why are all nannies mostly Filipinos?"

Yes friends ! I want to blog about this because this question are amongst top three whenever I meet a group of new friends, colleagues and acquaintances through a network of people. Part of "hello, nice to meet you , do you know anyone who can help me out because I need a nanny ?". No, I am not offended ( my husband sometimes) . I am more than happy to help out any way I can. Before we get into the Why's here are some facts from our homeland.

Some facts about the Philippines

•  located in the South East Asia in the Western Pacific Ocean
•  Population 94Million ( est. 2010)
•  considered as a third world country
•  rich with resources but also rich in graft and corruption

So? you ask...

•  with the population density, NO JOBS are available even for doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers.
•  Unemployment rate 7.4% as a result we have about 8.4Million Filipinos working all over the  world. That's almost the population of Ontario, Canada.
•  minimum wage is $100 per month ( $1 CDN = 43 pesos)
•  average salary of teacher $320 CDN /month 

Hopefully you are now getting the picture..

• For most women/men  when they work overseas ( keep in mind some of them are teachers, nurses, physical therapists, engineers and other professionals) will make WAY MORE if they work as a caregiver/nanny.
• They will sacrifice 2, 3 even 5 years before they can see their own children because they are caring for someone else's.
• Most of their income are for their children's education, their cousins, sisters, brothers, parents etc. Most of them who makes "IT" overseas will be the only bread winner for the family ( even extended meaning up to 3rd ,4th cousins)

I could go on and on about different reasons why and there are more.  There are success stories and there are not so success stories. I heard them all!.  One thing I know for sure, if you or any one you know that has a caregiver/nanny, keep in mind you are helping them out by lifting them out of poverty,  for them and for their children.  YOU will contribute in shaping a whole new generation.

Maraming Salamat!

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

Monica

Celebrating 100 plus followers!!

Happy 100 + !!!
Yay! I reached 100 + Followers, I would like to thank all the mommies out there who are following me.  I will try my best to update my blog and join me in my journey in helping out our girls back home.  Your thoughts and comments are special to me and I share them with everyone.  I hope one day in my lifetime I can meet all of you!

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

The F.L.A.G team

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Would you travel 6 hours to go to school?

They will. There are children in remote places in the Philippines who travel by boat, cross rivers, climb mountains just to go school.

How many times do we argue with our own kids to make them go to school in the morning?
Or, we complain in the winter because we have to bundle them up and drive them to school??

It is rainy season back home and most of the schools are flooded because of poor construction and very old infrastracture.  I remember when I little, my mom made me  go to school even if the water was knee deep!

I am 2 days late on my Gratitude Journal - it is never too late to say thank you once again to how lucky our kids are to have the education they have. 

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

The F.L.A.G team

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Meet Angelica

Her name says it all.  Angelica is one of our new students, we know a little about her today because our director is having difficulty with internet connections back home.  This is only temporary and I will rise above this small roadblock.  I will continue to introduce our new students to you , my followers.

I was informed that Angelica has a learning disability however she is working diligently everyday.  We will keep you updated to her journey as well.

Update! From our last post, we didn't  have a name for this girl. Meet Rose Ann, Welcome to F.L.A.G

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

The F.L.A.G team

LIKE us www.facebook.com/flagphilippines