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