First Day of School

Connor and Colin were excited about their first day of school. They got up early to take their showers and we did our weighing, measuring and hand-printing for their School Years Scrapbook. I made Colin his favorite breakfast--fried rice with eggs, green onions and soy sauce while Connor had rice and soy sauce! (Yep, rice and soy sauce. It's the Filipino in him). He usually eats it just like that, without anything else but I managed to talk him into having some chicken strips with it! (By the way, that's also how he eats chicken nuggets--with rice and soy sauce!)
With their lunches packed, meds and medical forms ready, I packed everyone in the van. We got to school early so there was not a long line of cars at the drop-off where I found a parking spot close to the front door. I took this snapshot of them--which I almost forgot to take! I had to run back to the car and get my camera. Crazy mom always has to take a picture on the first day of school! Connor was not too happy. He doesn't like his picture taken in the first place and having to wait around for me to take his picture is almost too much. (Thus, the expression on his face.) I finally let them go to their respective classrooms while Tommy and I went to the Health Room.
The house is so quiet now with just me and Tommy. I was getting used to having all the boys around and I sure miss them! (sniffles). Can't wait to see them again and hear their tales of their first day of school.

Muskego Corvette Club Annual Car Show

Home at last! Sold a lot of burgers, brats and beer at the car show while Tom, as he had done many times in the past, helped judge this year's car show winners. The weather was perfect; the car attendance was awesome! There were over a hundred show cars! The parking lot was full.
Once a year, on the last Saturday of August, the Muskego Corvette Club holds a car show since 1990-the year that Tom joined the club. The venue has always been in the same place, except maybe for one year: Sindic Motorcars, Inc./Richlonn's Tire & Service Centers at the intersection of Racine Avenue and Janesville Road in Muskego. The trophies are sponsored by local businesses who give generously. The proceeds of the food sales and 50/50 raffles go to local charities. It is one charitable drive that Tom and I are proud to be a part of and have not missed since he joined the club and since I came to Wisconsin.
Usually, Tom is at the venue getting the place set up by seven in the morning. But today, we did not get there until noon because of Connor's scrimmage. Still, I managed to take over in preparing food orders. We came at a busy time for food sales so I was on my feet for a good two hours. When food sales ended, I crawled into my van and took a cat nap (ssshh) while Tom helped bring down the tents and put tables away.
I was too tired to walk around and look at the show cars but my boys did all that for me. :o)

WWOCN Annual Employment and Training Conference

Madison, WI. The Wisconsin Women of Color Network, Inc. (WWOCN) will hold its annual employment and training conference on Saturday, September 24, 2011 from 10A.M. to 3P.M. at the Madison College, 3550 Anderson Street, Madison, WI 53704. The conference's main event is a MULTICULTURAL ARTS & CRAFTS EXHIBIT.
During the conference, WWOCN will recognize the recipients of the Women of Achievement Award and present the awardee of its a...nnual Mabel Smith Memorial Scholarship.
This is the first time that WWOCN will sponsor a multicultural arts and crafts exhibit that will present the work of women and youths of color artists from the community. The purpose of the exhibit is to bring awareness and understanding of the various cultures through art.
The exhibits will includes some or all of the following forms of visual arts: woodcarving, jewelry, metal work, needlework, painting, quilting, sculpture, textile and basket weaving.
We are inviting artists of color from the community to display and sell their artwork. The exhibit also will offer participants an opportunity to describe their artwork and relate it to their respective cultural roots, network and advertise the items they are offering to sell.
The MULTICULTURAL ARTS & CRAFTS EXHIBIT is open to the public. The doors will be open from 10A.M. to 3P.M.
A BUFFET LUNCH will be served at noon to honor the recipients of the WWOCN WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS and the MABEL SMITH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP. Advance registration is required for attending the lunch. The cost of the lunch is: ADULTS -$25.00 and children under 12 years old - $10.00. Deadline for registration is Monday, September 19, 2011.
WWOCN acknowledges the conference support of the John Deere Credit Foundation and the Madison College. To encourage more participation from artists, WWOCN is appealing to our members, friends and supporters to sponsor an artist by donating $25.00 to cover direct costs for artist's registration. Conference brochures and registration forms will be made available on our website: www.womenofcolornetwork-wis.org.
For more information, please call Janet Saiz, WWOCN president at (608) 298-7150 or e-mail: wwocnagc@gmail.com

Simple Stitch and JBS Jewels

Warm smiles will greet you when you first walk into this little shop on Main Street and smiles are what you're going to leave with when you walk out the door. Not only are the hand-crafted goods in this shop adorable, they are affordable as well! Divina, fondly known as "Divine" to her friends, is the seamstress who does your alterations and tailoring needs while Janice's hand-crafted jewelries will complement any ensemble you have or plan to have. From earrings, bracelets to necklaces, purses, hair accessories to dresses, this shop has something that will surely tickle every girl's fancy.

SIMPLE STITCH and JBS JEWELS
1121 Main Street
Union Grove, Racine, Wisconsin, 53182
Jan: 262-930-6953
Divine: 262-806-2602
Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm
Sat: 10am-2pm

Outdoor Wisconsin

Connor woke up early today and got ready to go with his dad to work. It's not everyday that he gets to go to work with Dad. A few times a year, yes. But today is not just one of those stay-at-the-TV-station-all-day kind of day. He gets to go out with the Electronic Field Production (EFP) crew (which includes Dad) to shoot a segment for the local TV show, Outdoor Wisconsin. Not only does he get to go with the crew, he's going to be in the show!
The Milwaukee Public Television's show, Outdoor Wisconsin airs on Channel 10.1 HD on Thursdays at 8 p.m. with repeats on Saturdays at 9 a.m. It's a half-hour show covering different outdoor activities in Wisconsin like fishing, hunting, etc...
Today's segment shoot is about bike trails in Wisconsin. Connor will get to ride his bike on one of the trails. He was so excited about it. He and Tom loaded his bike and protective gear in the car and off they went just a little after six this morning. I can't wait for them to come home and for Connor to tell me all about the experience.
For more information about Outdoor Wisconsin and other Milwaukee Public Television programs, visit www.mptv.org.

Twelve Foot Falls

Just northwest of the town of Crivitz in Marinette County lies the picturesque Twelve-Foot Falls along with other waterfalls nestled within a two-mile area. It is located inside the Twelve Foot Falls County Park where you pay a $3 fee to get in for the day. The day pass is good for all the parks in Marinette County in Northern WI.
We had planned to visit this park while on our way home from our place in Long Lake this time around but as of yesterday, decided not to do it for we just wanted to get back home. We thought we'd need at least a day to explore the park--which is very true.
We have not come upon this park by accident. I started noticing a sign for Twelve Foot Falls County Park every time we drove along the alternate route that we sometimes took going up North. I had always been curious about it. The sign is there on Hwy 8 and along Hwy 141. So I looked it up on the map one day and found that there are other waterfalls in the area. Since then, I've bugged Tom to take us there and check out the falls.
We started driving home this morning and as we came upon the sign, Tom decided at the last minute to check out where the falls is. Along winding dirt roads we drove, following the signs for the falls. It would be better if they tell you how many miles there are to go but anyway, we drove a long ways until we found the first sign for the Eighteen Foot Falls. We stopped. The sign told us that the falls is 300 yards (I think it was yards--anyway, we decided it was too far to walk along dense brush and steep hills and I was not even wearing the proper shoes for a hike!). So we kept on driving and followed the signs to Twelve Foot Falls. We finally found it and walked around a little. We decided to come back and go hiking (with the proper shoes!) next time. At least, we know where it is now and how far we had to go out of the main highways.

On our way back to Hwy 141, I spotted a good size turtle along the side of the road. I made Tom back the car up to go back to where the turtle was so I could take a picture. I told him we should pick it up and bring it to a water someplace but he said it probably knew where it was going. Besides, it looked like a snapping turtle and it did look like it was ready to snap at me for snapping a picture of it!
There is another park called Daves Falls located not very far from this cluster of waterfalls. We're going to check that one out next time. The park ranger said it's pretty there too.
I'm excited to go back and spend the entire day hiking, having a picnic and just enjoying the beauty of nature (with the proper attire and equipment)!

Father's Day Weekend

Tom had the best Father's Day weekend this year with doing what he loves to do best: going to car shows with his family! Not only did we get to do it Saturday, we did it Sunday as well!
On Saturday, we went to Linden Grove's Carnival and Car Show in Mukwonago where we met up with some friends and we got to take Auntie Evelyn with us who had a blast playing bingo with Connor and Colin. There was good food, music, games and show cars for Tom and the boys to feast their eyes on.

On Sunday, Connor got to be a part of the Father's Day Parade in Mukwonago where his football team, the Braves, had a float. They were handing out candies for the spectators (that would be the rest of the Bruce family with some family and friends) lining up the sidewalks. Tom's mom and my dad were there to watch the parade. After the parade, we all went to the car show where we stayed until it ended. The boys had a blast, so did their dad. And me? ...Exhausted! :o)

The Heart of Halsey

5x8 Paperback; 148 pages; Fiction

Published by iUniverse

Also available as an eBook

In the midst of the tranquility and beauty of the sleepy small town of Halsey is a heart that beats wildly with love, passion and heartache. All Addison Hoffman ever wanted was to get away from it all only to find out that no matter how far away you run, you will always come back to where you left your heart. From the author of A String of Pearls and Portrait of a Young Woman, comes The Heart of Halsey –a story of friendship, love, tragedy and faith that will touch every corner of your being.

“The Heart of Halsey is exceptional writing. Margie Tayone Bruce is an exquisite storyteller beyond compare…She has the ‘magic’ of being able to bring the characters alive in your heart as you feel and experience their interaction in this book! A must read…”---Vicki Fischer, Commercial Voice Talent, National Makeup Artist, Beauty Examiner for Examiner.com, Blogger at itsaglamthing.com and Author of Blue Yonder Tales for the Young at Heart.

“The Heart of Halsey is on blooming young love. I saw myself in Addison. I fell in love all over again, and the memory hurt even more deeply. This time, I cried.”---P. Emraida Kiram, nationally-elected Trustee, Filipino-American National Historical Society (FANHS) and Founder and past President of FANHS—Midwest Chapter.

Greater Milwaukee Auto Show

(Photo: The boys, entranced by this Indy race car as it swiveled on the platform at the Greater Milwaukee Auto Show)

We made it to the Auto Show this year at the Frontier Airlines Center. Thanks to Equitable Bank, our donor for the free tickets. March 6th, the last day of the show also happened to be free admission day for children! So off we went: saw old show cars, sat in brand new ones and left with lots of literature that the boys have collected, much to mom's dismay ;o) If you know my boys, then you won't be surprised to see them wide-eyed and going crazy over so many cars. One would think that with all the car shows we go to each year, they'd have enough of cars. Well, not really, especially being able to go inside the newest models was a blast for them.

We stayed there for three hours and covered all three floors of the exhibit. Then we went to Red Lobster for lunch/dinner (Connor called it lunch-er). Before heading home, we stopped by to visit Auntie Evelyn in Hales Corners. Then we finished off the evening gathered around the fireplace and watching the NASCAR Sprint Cup race. Too many cars in one day. I have a headache just thinking about it! :o)

Lea Salonga in "Les Miserables"

Last Saturday, my husband worked overtime doing the pledge breaks during Milwaukee Public Television's Pledge Drive. Before he left the house, he told me that the feature show was going to be "Les Miserables" with my favorite Filipina performer, Lea Salonga. I tuned in expecting to see Lea as the character, Eponine, but much to my surprise, this was the 25th Anniversary performance of "Les Miserables" at the O2 arena in London, not the 10th anniversary. And Lea was not Eponine anymore, but Fantine--Cosett's unfortunate mother. She took on a more mature role since she performed the younger role of Eponine 15 years ago. But her voice was still strong, her performance riveting! The song, "I Dreamed a Dream" was hair-raising. It amazed me how she sounded and almost looked the same all those years gone by.
This performance included the beloved old cast and promising new ones including Samantha Barks (Eponine), Nick Jonas (Marius) of the Jonas Brothers and Katie Hall (Cosette).
After seeing the 25th Anniversary performance, I'm going to look for my 10th Anniversary copy and watch that one. Then I'm on a quest to find the book by Victor Hugo and maybe listen to my copy of "Miss Saigon" which also features no other than Lea Salonga herself. Both "Le Miz" and "Miss Saigon" are produced by non other than British producer, Cameron Mackintosh.
Thanks to my hubby for the heads up. Lea Salonga mode: ON.

A Special Moment in CFM Class

Last night, while the kids were lining up by the door waiting for the dismissal bell to ring, one of my students ran up to me and gave me a very tight hug. I was surprised, at the very least. She held me so tight as if she was not going to let me go. She held me for about ten seconds and I hugged her back. Then she let go with a big smile on her face. Suddenly, it dawned on me. “My Lord, I’m going to have an impact on this child’s life!”

There were times I thought that I’m just teaching kids who really don’t want to be there. I’m just another teacher-type adult in their lives and the only reason they are in my class is to fulfill a requirement in order for them to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion. Granted, there are a few children who stood out and are very enthusiastic about learning, sometimes I see boredom in those little faces, often asking how much time is left or if CFM is over yet. Most of the times they are wide-eyed with anticipation, with wonder and they look up at you as if you hold a very special secret that you are about to reveal. During those times, it makes all the driving out at night in the snow or cold, worth it.

Maybe I can be one of those teachers that children remember forever like I will never forget my first grade teacher. I can still vividly see her with a stick on her hand (maybe that’s why I can’t forget her especially that I have felt that stick hitting the palm of my hand). But no, I have fond memories of her. These children don’t see me as often as they do their regular first grade teacher but hopefully, some of them will remember me someday.

I never dreamed of becoming a teacher. Being a teacher was never in the list of things I wanted to be when I grow up. I wanted to be a policewoman, a nurse, a writer, a politician but never a teacher. Maybe because my mom was a teacher—I don’t know. But here I am, teaching a group of first graders who, more often than not, at the end of the day, makes me feel fulfilled, like I had done something worthwhile and special. That little girl giving me a hug out of nowhere just made me feel ten times that.

February

The month of February started out with a bang—in the form of a storm. A blizzard of a storm, to be exact, that the state had not seen for a decade. The boys came home from school early that day and the next day school was closed due to treacherous conditions. Our front door could not be opened due to a hill of a snowdrift. We were snowed in! Luckily Tom was also off that day and spent practically all morning plowing. The kids had fun playing in the snow, building a trench and a fort. Connor had his first hand at snow blowing and he did a great job too!

That weekend Tom and I went out to Hickory Sticks at the Morningstar Golf Course where we had dinner and music with some wonderful people from the Muskego Corvette Club. It was a great night out, one that we seldom get to do as a couple these days due to our pickiness (is that even a word?) with baby sitters for the boys. My dad gladly watched them that night.

Two most anticipated events in sports (in my family, anyway) happened this month. First, the Super Bowl XLV for which, the Packers won! It was jubilation all over the state! Second was the Daytona 500 where there were some record-setting events. When my favorites in order: Dale Jr., Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon did not win, I was rooting for anyone from Wisconsin: Greg Biffle, Paul Menard and Travis Kvapil but it was Trevor Bayne, a 20-year old, virtually unknown, kid who won it. Good for him!
Then I had the grandest time at our Girl's Night Out for one of my friend's birthday where I saw another friend of mine whom I had not seen in 10 years! It was a lot of catching up that night, spending time with my mom and girlfriends. I was in good, fun company. That get-together had been rescheduled due to the blizzard the week before. Though that night was bitterly cold, that could not keep us from getting together and keeping each other warm with smiles and laughter--a memorable night to treasure in our hearts.

Toward the middle of the month, Connor and Colin got to take their dad to school for the Favorite Man Breakfast, an event they enjoy every year.

The fourth grade CFM from St. Joseph’s got to be part of the liturgy this month. Connor was supposed to be the cross bearer but he was disappointed when he did not get to carry the cross (for it was a lot heavier than he thought). He got to walk it to the altar though, along with a few other students, and he was one of the Psalm Signers.
Valentine's Day was special for it was our 20th since Tom and I started celebrating it (though the first two we were oceans away from each other). And what should I get but a shirt with Aaron Rodgers holding the Super Bowl trophy printed on the front! I love my husband for letting me love Aaron Rodgers!

My high school class had a first ever grand reunion after 21 years! I got to be a part of it thanks to the internet! Via webcam, it felt as if I were there: I could see the hall where the event was being held; I could see the white table linens, the balloons and the people wearing the red shirt made especially for the occasion; and most of all I saw beloved faces, heard familiar voices and heard the music being played, especially our high school graduation song, "Constant Change" by Jose Mari Chan, which made me nostalgic for those wonderful high school years. Oh, to be young again! To be in high school again! It was one of the best times of my life!

The only sour note I have from this month is the unraveling of the turmoil at the Capitol in Madison in which the result, either way, would change the lives of many forever, including ours. My emotions were sky-high about this, especially in the beginning. But I have calmed down and I have faith that it will all come together as God planned.

February was filled with fun, family, friends and faith. I’m looking forward to what March will bring: birthdays in the family, soccer and early spring—maybe. In Wisconsin, you never know.

Priscilla Ahn: An Alternative Music

The first time I heard the song, "Dream," was when I watched the movie, "Bride Wars." I liked how simple it sounded; how the voice was emphasized and not the melody. It sounded "dreamy" and enchanting to me. But I did not take the time to find out what the title of the song or who the artist was. The last time I watched the movie, I actually paused the song credits to find out. I made out the performer's name to be Priscilla Aha. I went online and did a search and I came up with Priscilla Ahn. Immediately, I was intrigued. I had known someone from college with the same last name who was also South Korean. Not that I had any thought about them being related. (But, who knows?) It just sparked some good memories of college with a dear friend who is now back in Seoul, South Korea. Anyway, this was kind of how I connected with this artist. Plus, when I listened to the entire song, "Dream," I couldn't get enough of it. I bought Priscilla Ahn's CD, "A Good Day," and I love it! Her voice is just wonderful, wholesome and pure. She is a very talented musician.

Back Again

I don't know what happened but I got disconnected from blogging for a long time. I had two posts this year this month but the last one before those was from October of last year! I guess only one word could sum it up: BUSY!
I read all my posts today and realized a lot of things were missing! For one, I can't believe that I did not include in "Sweet Summer Surprises" the time I spent with my friends and family up north last September! It was one of the most unforgettable moments of 2010 for me (it felt like a slumber party and in a way, it kind of was)--how the girls and I stayed practically all night long drinking and talking and laughing while our husbands and kids were in bed; and how we ran away from the firepit like crazy when we heard a bear growl (our husbands believe it was the product of alcohol although the next day, 3 bears were hunted in the area). I personally did not hear it (the bear's growl) but my mom and three girlfriends swore they did. My mom got so frightened she jumped over the five-foot diameter firepit, tripped and fell. Thank God she didn't fall on the fire! She ended up having a scratch on her face. We went inside the cabin and settled down. But what did we do after that? We went right back outside and sat on the deck and talked and laughed at the whole thing. We didn't dare go to the firepit anymore in fear of the bear roaming close by. If I didn't know any better, I bet the bear was laughing its heart out when it saw what we did--how we made a spectacle of ourselves! Anyway...
Between October and February, a lot of things happened. Noteworthy was our road trip to San Diego to attend my brother's graduation from the US Marines. We were gone for 13 days. But before that, my dear husband had to crash my computer and wipe out my hard drive, which broke my heart thinking of all the files that I've lost and not backed up! Until now, I'm still finding out that I've lost a certain file. There's an obvious lesson to be learned from that experience: BACK UP YOUR FILES!
Then of course, there were the holidays with the New Year's Eve Party at our house where my friends and I are hoping to revive a tradition we had before Tom and I had kids. That party was a turning point for me. I usually am very uptight hosting parties but that time, I was so carefree and almost worry-free. I just went with the flow. I wasn't stressing out about things not going right or having things perfect and guess what, it was perfect! Everyone had a ball and I was not stressed out for once! I think that set my positive attitude for this year.
I was also busy preparing my latest book for publication. That kept me really busy. I didn't get into it until this year though. I'm still waiting on comments from a fellow writer and another good friend of mine before I can finally submit it.
Then there was Connor winning the Geography Bee and representing his school for the state competition. That was really special, for him and for our family. Now, he's waiting on the state result. He watches everyday for the result to come in the mail. He wants to go to Washington D.C. for the national level of the competition. I have to love his self-confidence...
I also got busy with a new hobby--painting canvas tote bags! I don't know how many I've painted between now and November of last year. Between that and making jewelry, that's a lot of time.
Having mentioned all those tidbits, I'll now try to be current with my blog and keep you posted on what's going on. In the meantime, thanks for reading!

Proud to be a Packer Fan!

Packers fans can now heave a sigh of relief! (Speaking for myself, of course.) Super Bowl is over and the Packers came out as the Champions! Watching the game was stressful, to say the least. I could not sit down. I sat right next to my husband at first who's just as bad as I am about getting stressed watching the Packers' games. I usually am the calmer one. But not last night. I had to get away from him because he was giving me these looks like I was crazy. Maybe I am. I'm sure I'm not alone, though. I was moaning for every dropped pass and missed opportunity and muttering prayers just before a play was executed. I could tell I was driving my husband nuts! Usually, it was the other way around.
I don't know how I became this way. I never even heard of football before I came to this country. But here I am, crazy over football and the Green Bay Packers in particular. So, you can just imagine me jumping up and down last night and screaming when they won. My boys were jumping up and down with me. (We let them stay up late to watch the Super Bowl--their first Packer Super Bowl ever! We didn't want them to miss the chance to see it. Who knows when the Packers will go back to another Super Bowl? [But being a loyal Packer fan, I always believe that they will go every year!] It's my third Packer Super Bowl, however. I watched Brett Favre win it in '97 and lose it the following year.)
I wish to be in Green Bay for the Welcome Parade. (I believe that's tomorrow.) But since I can't, I can only send my heart out there, my congratulations on a job well done (despite the adversity the team faced all year long) and the PRIDE, in tremendous amounts, of a Packer fan!
Go Pack Go!

A Judge's Commentary on Portrait of a Young Woman

A Judge's Commentary on Portrait of a Young Woman from the 18th Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards:

"There's a great attention to detail here--the settings are very easy to imagine and Marissa's travels come across vividly. I especially like the characters that compose her new family (both related and not related) in the Philippines. Their cheerful resignation to their hardships and their optimism seem to define a culture very different from that of the reader. Tinoy is excellent as a sort of negligent, selfish villain who lacks the energy or the malice for anything other than the opportunities that happen to come his way. He is believable as an opportunist, who unknowingly (and uncaringly) damages the lives of others. Without seeming to lecture, the novel teaches us quite a bit about another culture, and something of we might not have known about US history...the text has a very distinctive voice, which makes it memorable."