Life

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love - for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Little Princess

My little princesses 5th Sept 2010. My little name sake Elizabeth Azryah with her little pink butterfly hair clip. So cute but also a little ratbag....lol
This picture was taken after chuch on Sunday 5th Sept. It was hard trying to keep them still but we got there at the end.... As you can see from baby Sara's facial expression, she would rather run around than posing for the camera....lmao!!! The other 2 behind her were both looking at the wrong camera....lol

Familia

Elizabeth Azryah hanging out with my boys. Totally love this girl to death. She's my little name sake and both my children and my husband knows how much I adore her and I would rather spend my last penny on her than myself, let alone my own children. 

In trusth a family is what you make it. It is made strong, not by number of heads counted at the dinner table, but by the rituals you help family members create, by the memories you share, by the commitment of time, careing, and love you show to one another, and by the hopes for the future you have as individuals and as a unit.
Smile at each other, smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other - it doesn't mater who it is and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other.

The last step in parental love involves the release of the beloved, the willing cutting of the cord that would otherwise keep the child in a state of emotional dependence. To us family means, putting our arms around each other and being there no matter what. By giving children lots of affection, you can help fill them with love and acceptance of themselves. Then that's what they will have to give away.

Uncle Matangaro 50th Birthday

God gave a gift to the world when you were born, a person who loves, who cares, who sees a person's need and fills it, who encourages and lifts people up, who spends energy on others rather than herself, someone who touches each life she enters, and makes a difference in the world, because ripples of kindness flow outward as each person you have touched, touches others. You are a special treasure for all that you've done. May the love you have shown to others return to you, multiplied. We wish you the happiest of birthdays, and many, many more. xoxoxo.... Lots of love from the Manuel Familia!!

It was nice to see some of my father-in-laws family at Matangaro's 50th birthday. Always good to see all the cousins and of course their better half. Unfortunately not everyone could make it (including my father-in-law). We still had a great time, enjoyed listening to Matangaro singing with the band and also listening to all the speeches from everyone. Thank you Hina for the lovely bottle of red wine. As you know, I'm not a wine drinker but I really enjoyed the bottle (you got me into drinking red wines now). Overall, we had a great time at the birthday. Here are some of the shots from the reception. I have to say that I enjoyed everyone's company, until I noticed that my youngest was listening to music on his ipod... Like who takes an ipod to a birthday celebration. Children with their gadgets? Technology gotta love them. These our 3 boys with some of the guest waiting in line to dish their food. Food was okay, didn't like the meat it was a bit out of my taste.

Totally enjoyed the mushroom soup that was yummy!! Seafood wasn't bad at all, but rather have raw fish without the bones....lmao!!

Children

Children are a wonderful gift. They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and to expose sham and humbug for what they are. Recently a young mother asked for advise. What, she wanted to know, was she to do with a 7 year old who was ostreperious, outspoken, and inconviently willfull? "Keep her, one replied..... The suffragettes refused to be polite in demanding what they wanted or grateful for getting what they deserved. Works for me!
A young child is, indeed, a true scientist, just one big question mark. What? Why? How? I never cease to marvel at the crecurring miracle of growth, to be fascinated by the mystery and wonder of this brave enthusiasm . If you must hold yourself up to your children as an object lesson, hold yourself up as a warning and not as an example.

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sypathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Some day in life you will have been all of these? It is among the commonplaces of education that we often first cut off the living root and then try to replace its natural functions by artificial means. Thus we suppress the child's curiosity and then when he/she lacks a natural interest in learning he/she is offered special coaching for his/her scholastic difficulties

As a parent, these are only some of the obstacles we will face in their early life, wait until they reach teenage years and becoming young adults. It'll be a whole new ball game..... No matter what, as human being, we still love them regardless

Bundle of Joy

Congratulation to my sister (Sela) for her new arrival. Beautiful healthy baby girl 9lb6oz born 27th Aug 2010. I was pleased to hear that both mom & baby are healthy and have been discharged from the hospital. After speaking with my sister on Monday morning I was assured that she's doing well. Unfortunately I couldn't make it to the birth but I was there in spirit. She's not new to being a mom, thought this will be the first one she'll look after....lol. I though I had the longest labor with my 3 boys but my sister topped it with 22hrs in labor.

Just imagine all the pain women had to go through and the outcome is a bundle of joy! Cheers to all the mom's out there and to all the expected mom's to be. I truly believe that becoming a mom is the biggest step in our lives and I totally enjoy every moment from the first day I found out I was carrying with my oldest up to now. I now have 3 boys, very handful but they also complete my life and I'm very greatful to the one up above for blessing me with 3 lovely children

To all my brothers & sisters (can't believe we all have kids, it was only yesterday that my little brother was still running around in his nappies) God Bless you all, much love from the Manuel Avengers!!!!

Red Lobster Restaurant

All seafood lovers, must try this place next time your in San Francisco. They have assorted mouth waterting lobster dishes, absolutely devilishes.3 of my favourite dishes: Ultimate Feast, Seaside Shrimp Trio & Admiral's Feast

Ultimate Feast, is a tender split maine lobster tail, steamed snow crab legs, garlic shrimp scampi and Walt's favorite shrimp

Seaside Shrimp Trio
A generous sampling of our Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, savory garlic shrimp scampi and shrimp linguini Alfredo.

Admiral's Feast
Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, bay scallops, clam strips and sole fried to a golden brown.