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!