Wave Hill Garden

What could be a better way to spend a day off from work than take photos?

Wave Hill, Bronx, NYC

A perfect destination for photoshoot and weddings.

The Wave Hill House, a dreamy place.
The Armor Hall...just perfect.
Photographer's photographs. More in FB.

Renewal of marriage vows

It's 7 months away but I am already thinking how My LAA and I will maneuver things for our 5th year anniversary.

About five years ago when we were preparing for our wedding day, we talked about renewing our vows inside the St.Lorenzo Shrine next to the Archbishop's Palace Chapel in Cebu City. But now, we're here and even if we really want to renew our vows there, maybe it has to wait 5 years more. =) I guess, that was the original plan anyway. =)

So, inspired by Sandra's 10th year anniversary celebration by doing a WW Marriage Encounter, I guess Alvin and I will do the same. It's a very intimate retreat with God and we really want something like that. To move deeper and closer to God as we progress in our marriage. The Couples for Christ group has already invited Alvin and I; I was there by myself last weekend but I certainly want Alvin to be by my side to go through the 4 courses and to recite the dedication to the mission of CFC---which we still have to discuss, because I really do not feel the calling yet to be in a religious community group or something of that sort. My heart tells me that my current relationship with Him is the way it is meant to be until the time that you know, He wants me and us, to move forward to where He wants our spiritual relationship to be. My LAA and I still have plenty of time since the next CFC course will begin on Feb. 2009. If it's for us, then it's for us, if not, then it's own time will come.

For now, this is how I picture our 5th year wedding anniversary to be: we go to a retreat, the next day, we renew our vows before our friends, officiated probably by a deacon or blessed by a priest in a garden gathering; like some garden wedding---coz you know, we're practicing Catholics and the sacrament of marriage can only be held inside a church or chapel---but who does not want a garden wedding? Since we could not have garden wedding, then maybe we could have it during our renewal then. =) So maybe, in the next months, I will be looking into dates, catering, etc. for our 5th year anniversary. Hmmm...the Cloisters would be a beautiful place to hold it. =)

Along with these thoughts, here's an officially Catholic article on renewing marriage vows I got from the blogspot of a Catholic Franciscan priest:

Revitalize Your Marriage Vows
by Br. Louis Leonelli, CFR

Marriage is an amazing gift from God, a source of enduring joy for man and woman, the sanctuary of new human life, a school of holiness and laboratory of love. And yet this wonderful mystery, which reflects the love of the Trinity and the spousal love of Jesus for the Church, is under fierce attack and is sorely tried by forces at work in the culture. Too often marriages and families become casualties rather than conquerors in this battle.

What can be done to help marriages and families flourish, reach their full stature in Christ, and offer to the world a radiant testimony of abundant life, sacrificial love and authentic holiness even in the midst of struggle and difficulty?

One simple but effective step is for married couples to imitate the practice of many religious communities, and regularly renew the vows they made to God and one another. Our custom as Franciscan Friars of the Renewal is to do this every Friday at the beginning of our evening meal. The renewed strength and commitment that I receive from this practice inspired me to write something similar for married couples. I would like to encourage you as a couple to prayerfully recite this renewal of vows weekly at the dinner table in the presence of your children and any guests who may be present. Could I ask you to please also share this practice and our website with other families and couples you know?

This is one concrete way, in the midst of the onslaught of anti-marriage and anti-family forces, to put into practice the virtue of hope and the words of Jesus of which our Holy Father Pope Benedict reminded us in his recent encyclical, Spe Salvi (In Hope We Are Saved): "You will have difficulty in the world. But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!" (Jn 16:33).

Thank you for helping to renew and protect marriages and families through your personal witness and by your prayers. Be assured of my prayers for you and all your loved ones, for it is through prayer that we unite in spirit to support one other. And may the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ help you to grow in peace, joy and love in your lives and in your marriages through the prayers of the most perfect of spouses, our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph.

Br. Louis Leonelli, CFR
St. Leopold Friary, Yonkers, NY

Thought to ponder

A.B. Fulton Sheen: "The truth is the truth even if nobody believes it, and a lie is still a lie, even if everybody believes it."

JB getting a J.B-Day!

It must be every Pinoy kid's wish---to have a birthday at Jollibee! I am not really sure, but without missing a beat, we grabbed the opportunity to give our JB a chance to have a celebration in the famed J.B. (hhmmm...sames initials with my anak!)! We're very very thankful to God for JB's 4th birthday!

Awww...what huge smile you have anak. I love that! Thanks for saving the cake for me and for singing with me over the phone your happy birthday song and for including Mommy in your blowing of candle. You are talking a lot now JB at 4 years old! You're going to beat me by the time you turn a year older Anak! Hugsss.

Despite the price we have to pay for being apart and the challenges we currently face in our lives, there's always room for genuine happiness in our hearts. This is a biggie to me and I know, few years from now, I will look at this pic by myself or with JB and I'm sure I'll be glad it happened. Thanks JMJ!

Wear My Pride Tuesday

It's local election day. Students are out, teachers are in--- for a dizzying series of in-school meeting/workshops.
When I woke up today, I was reminded that I got a letter from COMELEC last June reminding me to update my voter's status since I have already missed two elections. I guess I need to go to the Philippine Consulate in 5th Avenue before this month ends. Well, let me see if I can squeeze that when I will follow up on my Irish visa application.

There's just lots and lots of things to do. Since our school got an A rating for its performance last year, our loads have doubled, as the number of weekly meetings we have to attend increased that it's taking so much of our preparation time. Not to mention other mandatory trainings, like the webcast on Blood Borne Pathogens which also takes time due to internet traffic; which is a very important training coz the world knows that the incidence of AIDS, HEPA B and C in New York City is higher than the other cities in the U.S. and there is high risk of exposure in our job. Then, there's the Child Abuse workshop.

On top of these, check out the bulletin board I made which got the attention of our school critic since it's theme isn't autumn. Oh, you know what, I just wanted to give life to the writing pieces of my students whose Small Moments took place during vacation and---to give some life to this becoming emotionally depressing weather! Cheers to the really creative and hardworking teachers! Add to that, I Wear My Pride shirt from Lesley. =)

Webcast.

Beats me why my SLR is taking blurred pics! I decided not to take downtown Manhattan photos after attending the mass. People were wearing really fashionable clothes in Madison Square but I was rushing to get home to do spinning for an hour, prepare food, clothes, make report cards, blog...