Beyond blessed.

I know this has been LOOOOOOOONG overdue, but I am quite surprised that there are still some who manage to visit my blog. (thank you thank you!) Now I am just overwhelmed with all the blessings that the whole family is receiving lately, my heart is full that I cannot contain my happiness. 

I guess almost everyone is aware that we have already started operating our newest business, a McDonalds store. Located somewhere in Sta. Clara, Sta. Maria Bulacan. (if you haven't visited it yet, you just might want to come, we'll be more than willing to serve you!) Hehe, nagpromote pa! Anyway, I'm not quite sure about what this post will be all about, be it about the new store, the very very busy me, but maybe, I just want to rekindle an old love that I have inside me, the love for writing. (I am a frustrated writer, you know!) So anyway, let me take it one by one, as admittedly, I am still SHOOKT (is that how millenials call it?) with what is happening in my life lately.

Restaurant Manager

I was assigned to head the store. (For some reasons, baka wala lang gustong mag manage sa family, because of stress and pressure lol) And mind you, managing a fast food restaurant is extremely stressful challenging! The demands of our customers will always be there. Fast food, so dapat fast! (Malamang.) I never had a decent rest day since the store opened. I was able to take a day out from work when I had to bring Matti to the hospital because he was sick. That's just it. Demand level: 100000%. Now I've appreciated my training more than ever! I've experienced making sandwiches, sundaes, everything! It is physically, mentally and emotionally draining to be a restaurant manager. Not to mention my course that is in no way related to the food industry! But surprisingly, despite all the pressure and everyday challenges that I get to face, I am enjoying the journey! Parang bring it on! Haha, I know the whole store is still in the period of adjustment, but mind you, I can see a lot of people improving, some are already in line for promotion! Could have been prouder of my team. And yes, to those who had been continuously giving us appreciative and constructive feedback, sending my virtual hugs to everyone! McDo Sta. Clara is doing its best to serve you the best way that we can. On a personal note, I am very thankful, that my parents gave me the chance to prove myself, may ibubuga rin naman ako. I will not disappoint my family! Fighting! But more importantly, I had been filling my thoughts with my inspiration, my son Matti and my husband John. They had been my great source of inspiration and motivation to keep going.

Daughter

The reason why we had this store is because my parents worked hard to provide us with the best life that we can have. Started from the bottom now we're here! It is not a secret that we started from nothing, and now we (especially nanay and tatay) are enjoying the fruits of their hard work. I actually admire them and look up to them that they manage to raise five good looking (o walang kokontra, blog ko kasi to!) children and work hard for the family. Now it's just Dean who is studying and they're all good. Now that we have started (yes, because our goal is to come up with more, God willing) exploring the food industry, I am looking forward to more branches to come. Which reminds me... that depends on me. (and my team) Having said that, it reminded me of the responsibility that they have given me. Since I was assigned to head the store, I have to be the RM slash Owner Operator slash the daughter of my parents. Meaning, I have to command and at the same time oblige. It's hard at times, but I am still knowing the drill. Although, I must admit that I also have a love-hate relationship with naytay because since I get to learn the nitty gritty details of the store, and they only got the customer's perspective of things, it is quite hard to reconcile. But we're both learning. This is a team effort and I appreciate all the help from the family. Ang takaw nga lang nila sa kape at chicken mcdo. hahaha! I have learned how to compromise actually.

Wife and mother

Like what I have mentioned, I get my inspiration from my boys. There are times when I go home at night and John would just talk to me for a few minutes and the next time I knew it, he's already snoring. Managing a restaurant requires a lot of time. I miss my boys. I look back to the days where we go out, do staycation and the like. But now that we are starting a business, I just look forward to the days where I can stay with them all day and enjoy. (Fast forward to November please!) I thank God for giving me a husband who understands. Mind you, John is one of the most understanding people that I knew! He knows that I am busy and is doing his best to be the best husband to me and a father to Matti when I am not around. I've realized that for a marriage to work, you have to understand and support each other. 

Now Matti. You know it hurts me to go home and see Matti sleeping already. As a working mom, it's so hard to leave the house and see Matti crying "mama mama". But on a larger note, I am doing this for him. Cliche as it may seem, I am doing this for him. John and I are working hard to give Matti a comfortable life and a bright future ahead. Growing up I did not understand why nanay or tatay skipped my recognition, the inter-school singing contest that I joined (oo songers ako noon! hahaha ewan ko kung bakit!), but now that I am a mom, I understand that there are things that one should sacrifice in order to live. But please don't get me wrong on this, we all have different perspectives when it comes to things. As a mom, I promise to be there for Matti when he needs me. Which is why I also thank my parents for allowing me to skip work to have Matti checked when he was sick. Maybe, my parents are at peace back then since my inang Anita was there for me. (oh how I miss her.) Matti will always be my priority. I'd say I am still in the period of adjustment nowadays, but yes, I am getting there. It says it takes a village to raise a child. True. I am thankful with the family that I have, since when mama is at work, preparing sandwiches and breading chicken, dodo and dada plays with Matti at home. Really, tatay ko sumbungan ni Matti! He's so close to my parents that when I get mad, he'll go to their room and ask his dodo and dada to support him. Mahusay na bata! And so I tell Matti, okay Matti, you ask lolo and lola for toys and clothes. haha! But how can you not love my son? He's so bright (memorized the alphabet, counted 1-10, haha proud momma moment!), and adorable too! He's a people person I must say. He's always happy, and smiling! He even knows when to say sorry and thank you! (of course I am biased, he's my son!) I must have done something good in my life that God gave me Matti. :)

So there, that pretty much sums up my life so far. I still have more to share, pero baka majinx kasi, so I'll just tell you the story when it's all done and ready. Thank you for reading and I hope to see you in Mcdo Sta. Clara one of these days! xx

much love,

Niki

twinge of happiness.

Disclaimer: before you read this, this is just a product of boredom and my playful imagination. I have this dream of being a writer and through my little notes, I hope I get to release the writer juices in me. :) Let me know your thoughts. This one is just too sad to read. I felt sad too when I've read it again. Oh love.

PS. You can check nostalgicbridgette in wattpad if you want to wallow in sadness and tears. haha!

It was one Wednesday night, everyone is too busy to care. It was an ordinary night and people are just busy preparing for dinner, or perhaps going home from work. She has nothing on her to do list, nothing but to be with him. They just had our early dinner, and she thought their night is over. Then he grabbed his hand, "come with me, I will show you something." She obliged. she went up his house and followed him. 

"This is my secret paradise. Look up there." And from that moment, she knew, it was a night she will never forget. He showed her the stars and the dark sky. "You are the first person that I brought here". It was quite a surprise for her to feel that way. What was so special about a roof top? No fancy dinner, no romantic music. Nothing extra ordinary, except what she felt. For a moment, even just for that night, she felt, everything was so perfect. 

It was very sweet and yet very painful for her. It has always been like that. Perfect. Except for timing. Like what they say, timing is such a b*tch. He always had her and she always had him. In their little perfect world. They are always busy building memories. Bittersweet memories to bury when their time is up. Only God knows when. She just couldn't take it. The pain is just unbearable that she is trying her best to prolong the inevitable. They both know where they're going, but they choose to stay. Timing was indeed a b*tch, it has always been too little too late. If there is one thing that is keeping them alive, that is they cannot take the little sand castle of happiness that they have built. Behind the uncertainty are little sparks of magic. Magic that kept them alive. And that... is more than enough.

today.

Today, I've said my last goodbye. that's what I told myself. I saw you in my dreams last night. we were so happy... and free. In my little world we can be together, no ifs, no buts. right time, right circumstances, right love. I felt your hand touching mine. I kissed your soft lips, hugged you so tight. and then I woke up, and thought, I have to let you go... again. 

It was the perfect love back then, (or so I thought.) we're young, happy and inlove. We're each other's firsts. First kiss, first love, but then again, I never thought, it would be my first heartbreak too. Ours was a love story I imagined I would have. You were so damn perfect that I believed in forever... in you. You taught me a lot of things, not just in love, but in life. You taught me how to patiently wait, to persevere, to work hard for my dreams... for ours. I have learned to accept my flaws, and yours, because to me, you are perfect... perfect for me. We were quite young back then, and so I waited for years, only to find out that time is just to short for us to keep.

You have your reasons, and I'd like to believe they are for the best. We're not meant to be. Right place, right love, but probably not and will no longer be the right time. I loved you too much, I know you loved me that much too. It is just that time had been so cruel, that it never allowed me to give everything to you. But thank you for sharing your life with me, at least we have shared something that we can never get back... memories.

Now I see you happy, successful and proud as you'll never be. Time was your best friend, it proved you it's worth all the decisions that you have made. And today, just like any other day, I've said my last goodbye.

Rest in peace, courageous Caitie.

This morning, I received a really sad message that got my mother's heart really sad. For all you know, I have been praying for Caitie Lucas (see her facebook page here) and her tough battle against leukemia. It all started with an online group in facebook. I do not know the family personally, it just so happen that we both belong to a group and I have been following her since then. At first, it was an unknown disease that started to make her weak. She's a tough girl though. I've been seeing her cheerful smile and her positive attitude to fight. The family decided to go to Singapore to have her cured. And so they found out that it was a rare form of leukemia. Ever since I've known about all of these, I have been one of her prayer warriors. 

And just this morning, I've reading messages from friends asking me to pray for her. And so I asked the whole Aldub nation for prayers, because I want her to be healed. But they said she's not doing well this morning. I am having my training and a few hours after, a friend told me she joined our Creator, And then I was not able to control my tears from falling. I went to the restroom and cried. I do not know why but it hit me really hard. As a mom, I cannot imagine myself in Feliz's shoes. But it was indeed a great fight for them. I've seen how strong their faith is! And now that Caitie is in a better place, I know it is really hard for them to live without her. 

When I got home, I hugged my son really tight. And then tears fell down again. I got really scared. It is an unexplainable feeling of a mother. I cannot imagine losing my son, or just the thought of losing him kills me. I just started working just this week and I am having separation anxiety every morning. Caitie had been a wake up call not just to me but to a lot of parents out there to show their love to their families before its too late. 

I know that this is really a hard time for Caitie's family. But I hope they know that Caitie had been an inspiration to a lot of people. A lot of people (including myself) had been touched by Caitie and her family's faith and trust with Lord's will. The family may have lost a daughter, but heaven gained an angel. 

Caitie, look over your mom, dad and little brother. They are indeed very blessed have you. And now that it's time for you to rest, help them to heal. May you rest in peace. Now you can color your books and play without tubes and meds. No more pain.

Sending my condolences and prayers to Caitie and her family during this difficult time.

(photo grabbed from her facebook page)

“Mom, why do the best people die?”
“When you’re in a garden, which flowers do you pick?”
“The most beautiful ones.”
~Unknown

Japan pa more!

Has it been more than a month since I updated my blog?? Touched naman ako that I've been reading comments and dms asking me when will I post again. So dahil napressure na talaga ako *(chos!), I feel like I owe everyone a post like this. I'd like to share our recent Japan slash holiday trip. 

We're really not the traveling type of family. If I can remember our last trip (before this) was US and Hongkong, ten years ago. Ang tagal na diba? So I'm quite surprised that nanay and tatay decided to celebrate christmas and new year. I think the main reason is, we missed Meng so much because we did not get to see her often unlike before. Thank God for holidays that she had a break from all her work and spend time with the whole family. Plus I'm so proud of my little Matti because he survived the winter weather in Japan in such a young age!(and when I say young, I mean 3 months old!)

One word to describe our trip? Shopping! We never visited a temple and spent the whole trip to go to outlets, shopping districts, designer stores (window shopping lang dito hehe) and the like. My favorite store? Don Quijote! It's a huge shopping building that you get to buy everything! Of course, hello kitty overload!:) We went to Tokyo and Osaka just to shop. 

Here are some snaps during our trip. :)

 

kawaii yaya! haha

                            

lovers in tokyo!

  

sibling love :)

much love,

Niki

Pamasko ni Mateo winners!:)

As promised! eto na ang mga nanalo sa aking little raffle! :)

1. @iammarivz
"Try lang! Una kong gagawin? Lumipad! Kasi sabi ni Peter Pan think of happy thoughts para makalipad. Nakita ko na aldub, happy na me. :)
-this is just sweet.

2. @ofcaldub_vigan
Pag na meet ko ang ALDUB.. sasampalin ko mukha ko!! babatiin ko sila at makikipagselfie at maki chika at amin na lang yun uyy!
-okay you got me at sasampalin ko mukha ko, wag naman sana magpasa yan. hahaha!

3. @heidz200
Actually ang gusto ko talagang unang gawin ay yakapin sila. Gusto ko sila ipag pray. For Meng para sa magandang umpisa ng pangarap nya, for Alden naman, pasasalamat sa lahat ng natatamasa nya ngayon. Yun ang una kong gagawin, makasama ang Aldub sa prayer ng pasasalamat sa Panginoon.
-in everything that you do, give thanks to Him. Dahil kay Lord kaya may AlDub. :)

4. @marifeabad
Ibibigay ko sa nanay ko ang pagkakataon na ibinigay sakin para makita ang AlDub! Simpleng regalo para sa nanay ko na mapagmahal at maalagain.
-ang bait mong anak. you deserve to win. :)

5. @kimberly19_
will compliment the quality of their work appropriately. I'll relax and play it cool. They are human beings after all.
-love the calmness girl. cool!;P

6. @flipster_03
Pag nakita ko ang aldub? Wala ako gagawin. Di ko alam uunahin ko eh. Selfie? Video? Tumili?Bugbugin katabi? PLAY DEAD NALANG.
-dahil napatawa mo ko dito winner ka rin!

7. @lhdrjr02
Pag nkita ko ang aldub heto lang naman gagawin ko: SAKO KO SILANG DALAWA SA IISANG SAKO LANG. Yun lang.. thank you po.
-kasya kaya sila sa isang sako? dahil sinusupport mo ang pagsasako go!

8.@eyi080490
magpapapicture sa paa nila. I love their feet.
-ang unique nito. kaya lang makilala kaya sila sa paa nila?haha.

9. @elaysa08
Pag nakita ko sila, aayain ko na agad sila sa simbahan. Ipapakasal ko na sila para tuloy na ang forever! Ganern!
-medyo aggresive ka don girl, pero sige tuloy na natin ang forever! hahaha :)

10. @niknik1798
Aabutan sila ng tig-isang USB na may lamang multimedia letter that contains video messages from their fans from different parts of the world that I made in appreciation of their work, their time and their love for the aldub nation.
-A for effort for this. siguradong maiiyak yung dalawa dahil dito. :)


Congratulations to all the winners! Please wait for my DM on the procedure on how to claim your prize. Natuwa ako at napatawa sa mga answers nyo!:)

And of course, thank you sa buong aldub nation who participated in this mini raffle. Promise this won't be the last game that we'll be having!:)

Aldub you all!


love,
Ate Niki

Maagang Pamasko ni Mateo!

Alam kong lahat tayo ay hurt kanina sa episode.. kaya perfect timing na pampagood vibes ang raffle na ito!:) just my little way of saying thank you sa walang sawang pagsuporta sa Aldub! Sana maraming sumali, para mas masaya!:) aasahan ko kayo ha?!

Good luck and aldubyou all!!:)


-Ate Niki