Congratulations to Dondon & Tintin for their new baby - Christian Adonis Mendoza (Ian or AC)- born February 28, 2006. Pag natanggap ko na ang picture ni Ian na ipadadala sa akin, I'll post it. Hay, naku, mahirap para kay Don na di niya nakikita ang first born nila, napakagwapo raw! Dondon is in Saudi Arabia since last September and would be back probably in 2-3 years.

Also, congratulations to Merlyn Joyce Benito. She graduated from Kindergarten, 2nd honors, nag-speech nga daw eh! Keep it up, Joyce! Sayang, di na nakita ni Kuya Mervin si Joyce sa pag-i-speech. Kababalik lang ni Kuya sa Saudi a week before graduation, sana raw siya ang nagsabit ng medal.

Tapos, anytime now, paalis na raw si Ate Lhynn, papuntang Saudi rin. Kaya nga umuwi si Kuya e para tulungan si Ate sa processing ng papers. Then, si Ian at Tintin daw ay ibabaptized sa April 16. Si Jenny naman will be getting married sa December 17 daw. Hay, naku, ang hirap pag malayo sa pamilya.

I'm happy that I now have communication with cousin Tetchie who is in Greece. Thanks to the computer, by email, IM, ecards and of course, blog. I'm updated with Famz's blog, Nicka surprised me nang mag IM sya sa akin the other night, tapos, may internet na rin sa amin sa Batangas, nag-eemailan kami nina Ate Lhynn, Jenny & Joshua. 

The Junior or Senior Kindergarten Report card here in Canada 's public schools is different from the report card I know. Di ito % or points or letters A,B,C,D etc. Bale ang isishare ko na lang ay ang overall comments ng teachers for Alicia.

Junior Kindergarten

Teacher: Mrs. Craik

Term 1 -  March 2005

Alicia is an eager student who enjoys being challenged at school. She is a beginning reader and confidently reads to all who will listen. Alicia eagerly takes part in whole group activities and visits a variety of classroom centers. She has become more comfortable working with different people (e.g., classmates, learning buddies, etc.) Alicia listens politely to adults and classmates at circle time. She takes directions well, listening for changes such as circle time or clean up. Alicia is independent undressing and dressing for home.

Term 2 - June 2005

Alicia had progressed well during her Kindergarten year. She can relied upon to work and play cooperatively with her classmates. Alicia eagerly shares ideas and answers questions during large and small group work. Alicia is progressiong well in both her reading and writing  this term. She sounds out words and uses charts and dictionaries to record her ideas in her Month to Month Me book. Alicia's reading is becoming more fluent and her bank of sight words is growing. Keep reading over the summer and good luck in SK, Alicia !

Senior Kindergarten

Teacher: Mrs. Slichter

Term 1 - January 2006

Alicia is a polite, friendly and cooperative student. She is an attentive listener during group time. She regularly shares her opinion and offers answers to questions posed. Alicia enjoys a variety of activities and willingly completes paper and pencil tasks. The people that she draws are very detailed and well proportioned. She is very interested in reading and writing activities and is making good gains in these  areas. Alicia is a wonderful classroom helper and it is a pleasure having her as a member of our class.

Term 2 would be issued on June.

O di ba naman...proud talaga kami sa aming Shushu. Gifted ba siya? Bored nga siya sa school e. Kasi most of the children are just mastering the letters. Sabi niya one time "Mommy/Daddy, it's another boring day, learning letters, counting 1-20, yak, yak, yak..."Sana nga raw inilipat na siya sa Grade 1 pero kailangan pa rin niya ang kaedad niya, it's just the social aspects. But her teacher said she really needs to be challenged halimbawa ienroll siya sa Music lessons or other activites somewhere at kailangan niyang mag-enroll ng French Immersion next school year. Kaya ang favorite niyang araw ay Tuesday kasi daw dahil  Gym Day. Ayaw naman niyang liliban kasi dahil ng mga friends niya. And know what, maraming art activites and crafts niya ay nakadisplay sa school nila. Wow na wow talaga ang unica hija namin ni Honey Pie!

More about Shushu

March 25 - Early in the morning, ginising kami ni Shushu. Akala ko makakatulog ako hanggang 9:00 am dahil weekend naman. Yun pala, her tooth fell out. Ay, tuwang tuwa siya! She said "that means, I am growing". Ang ginawa namin, itinago namin yung ngipin niya (ngiping daga) sa isang papel kasama ng kanyang mga mementos, we put date on it. Kahit naman yung pinutol kong buhok niya noon, nakatago rin at may date, mga "firsts" niya, yung artworks or drawings. Nakakatuwa naman so makikita niyang lahat yung mga ginawa niya paglaki niya.

Wow! ang tagal kong di nag-update ah! Kelan pa  nga ba? .

Anyways, I'm just trying to recall what had happened those past months. Hmmmm....

August 

We went to Ottawa (capital of Canada) and Kingston. Nagrent kami ng hotel with a nice water slide and swimming pool. We have a great time, vacation namin for a week. We took a perry boat ride, sight seeing and went to different museums.

September

3 rd - First day of school ni Shushu. Senior Kindergarten na siya. We were concerned for a while because this is a new school. We know she will miss her friends and her teacher in Howard Robertson Public pero okey na ngayon, marami na syang kaibigan in Franklin Public School and she's so very happy there.

10 th - We have the Apostle Hebeisen in our home.

17 th -  It's my Honey Pie's birthday and me and Shushu had  a surprised party for him. I invited his whole family. I already cooked some foods ahead of time and hid them  in the freezer and Shushu made a "happy birthday" poster. That morning, me & Shushu gave him our cards and hang the poster then we went to different places. I always ask him what time we would be back and on the way back, I stopped at the market to get some stuffs. He could sensed na may mangyayari. At yun nga, around 5:00pm, nagdatingan na ang kamag-anak niya. 

October

It is the New Apostolic Church's Thanksgiving Day service worldwide (every 1st Sunday) . In our Kingsdale congregation,and maybe in other congregation, every year on a Saturday morning, we meet in a Farmer's Market to buy the best fruits and vegetables to offer for the altar's decoration. Ako lang sa family namin kasi ang aga ng punta roon (6:30 am) so tulog pa ang aking mag-ama. After buying magtatagpo naman kami sa isang malaking restaurant for breakfast courtesy of our Apostle Kraus then tuloy na sa church to decorate. This month is also Canada's   Thanksgiving. Hay naku, marami na namang pumpkins.

25th - That's when we moved here in our new home. Something new again for us. But there is more advantage/s living here. It's across from Shushu's school. Heto nga lang, balik-renovating si Judson. Not  much of family time together. But okey lang. As of now, looking much better na ang aming house., big difference na talaga.

November

Hay naku, this is the time na lagi kong inaalaala na nakaisang taon na pala mula nang makaparito sina Nanay & Tatay ko, ang bilis talaga ng panahon, parang kelan lang. They were here for 3 weeks only, bitin! But those days were the happiest day for me. I wish they could stay longer..

Some of my Tatay & Nanay's pictures:

9 th -  We went to Humane Society to look for a cat. Matagal na kasing gustong magkaroon ng pet si Shushu, we told her to wait till we move and get things organized. She wanted her pet to be named Sweetie Pie. So punta kami sa K-W Humane Society, wala kaming magustuhang pusa, then sa Guelph Humane Society and in Petsmart. Balik K-W uli kami, the whole afternoon, we spent our time looking for the right cat, we prayed for this too. Hindi na sana kami kukuha ng pusa that day, but we could see sadness in Shushu's face and kasi, nakabili na kami ng cat toys and cat foods, handa na talaga. Then, pabalik-balik kami, tiningnan kung anong age and name ng pusa. At yon, we finally found it. The cat's name is Shusha, 3 months old, grey tabby. Then pinapasok kami sa loob to hold it and for bonding e, very friendly yon. So we decided for it, Punta kami sa reception to registered that we would be its owner and of course, to pay. $270 nga eh, hanep! At first, Sweetie Pie nga ang tawag ni Shushu kay Shusha pero Shusha na rin ngayon. Nakakatawa nga si Shushu dahil sabi niya she is Shusha's big sister, hahaha.  I really didn't want having a pet at home, pero wow, I love our cat now. It's like Shusha is one of us. She makes us laugh and whenever it's pray time, she's also there with us. Nakakapaamo talaga, nakakagigil ! This is Shusha. O di ba, ang cute niya....

December

Of course, it's Christmas time. After the service, we went home, ate lunch and went to Niagara Falls and stayed in one of the hotels with a swimming pool,  for a night. Supposed to be 2 nights but Shushu was worrying too much about Shusha back home, and it was because, di namin makita ang view ng falls and did not see the fireworks, in short, we did not enjoy our stay. Tapos, on the way, we went to  the Wax Museum, we paid $45 entrance fee pero di man lang kami nakatagal ng 10 minutes kasi takot si Shushu, umiiyak sya. Para totoo talaga yung mga celebrities in the form of wax, parang buhay sila. So lumabas na sina daddy Judson at Shushu at sabi ko, I'll go alone, pero dyoskoday, natakot narin ako, nag-iisa nga ako at may horror pathway kasi na may nakakakilabot na music, balik agad ako, di ko kayang mag-isa ron. Pero sayang, nakita ko sanang lahat at lalong sayang yung pera no?

28 th - That's our 7th wedding anniversary, 7 years na?  Wow! Lalo naming love ni Judson ang isa't isa. Marami kaming naging ups and downs in life but we always have faith. We went to a very nice restaurant for lunch.

January

1 st-  New Year's Day- we attended the divine service in Kitchener Central at nagkataong sina District Apostle Latorcai and Apostle Sabottka ang nag serve. That afternoon, we have family gathering. We had turkey dinner. First time kong magluto ng turkey, tinuruan ako ni Sheila. I prepared cooking the turkey ahead of time, matagal kasi itong lutuin at saka maselan. The turkey is a Christmas gift from Judson's company. It usually costs about $50-60. Anyways, everybody had a great time and at pinuri ako  ng aking biyenan, masarap daw akong magluto, sey nyo? It's also a birthday celebration for me.

2nd - Birthday ko, nge! 37 na pala ako, tanda na! But sabi nila rito, bata pa raw akong tingnan. Well, thank you very, very much! Nakapagcelebrate na naman ako ng birthday kaya it's just an ordinary day lang. But early that morning, about 5:00 am, ginising ako at si Judson ng telephone ring, know who's the caller? , my utol Dondon (in Saudi Arabia) nagleave siya ng message, di ko agad nasagot kasi hindi agad ako nakabangon, then, nag ring uli at nakita ko sa caller ID na pang overseas ang # kaya sinagot ko at yun si Dondon. Nice to hear his voice, about 15 minutes kaming nag-usap. Nag wish sa akin ng happy birthday at happy new year.

January birthdays : Me- Jan. 2, Dondon- Jan. 29,  Nanay - Jan. 30

February

4th  - birthday ni Daddy este ni Tatay ko.

11th  - birthday nina  Jenny & Famy

13th  - Remembering our beloved Orlie, 35 years old na sana siya. 

14th - Valentine's Day. We gave cards to each other, Me, Judson and Shushu. Even Shushu had a card for Shusha. I told Judson a few years ago, not to buy me flowers anymore (perahin na lang, hehe) Kasi, ilang araw lang naman at malalanta lang yon, Ang card niyang binibili sa akin ay napakamahal at napakaganda, full of loving words, wow! Excited si Shushu dahil sa valentine event sa school and she had to give her cards to all her classmates and her teacher. She made all the cards. She's so artistic and creative. The other parents of her classmates for sure would not believe that it is Shushu's own works. Kasi nga Senior Kinder lang siya but she already is ahead. Exchanged cards silang lahat at yun ang natanggap ni Shushu ay mga cards na binili lang at nilagyan lang nila ng name, kung kanino galing. Di naman sa pagmamakaki 'no...

March

1 st - Shushu's birthday. 6 years old na. where did the time go? So, nagdala siya ng cupcakes sa school to share with her classmates.It's ordinary day lang, nag-sort out lang kami ni Shushu ng giveaways. Then that night, nagdecorate na kami for her party on the 4th. Di kaming dalawa makapaghintay.

4 th - Birthday party ni Shushu. Excited siya talaga, always asking how much longer. There were 13 childern invited but the 3 did not show up. Hay, ang gugulo ng mga bata pero masasaya. Maraming activities like chicken limbo, face painting, necklace/bracelet making, egg hunting, coloring and painting at  nakapos sa oras, nalimutan namin ang blindfolding and pinyata (pinagkahirapan ko pa namang gawin). She had a Barbie cake with musical candle.Of course, marami syang natanggap na gifts. Nagblop ako sa pagvivideo recording. sayang! busy kasi ang mommy ni Shushu e. The next day, may natanggap pa rin siyang gifts in the church. Anyways, she wrote a thank you cards for all who came and gave her gifts.

19 th - We went to Kitchener Central for a Tridistrict Service and for the birthdays of our D. Apostle Latorcai and other 2 apostles. Apostle Hebeisen was there, served. After the service, I had the opportunity to give him a hug and talk for a little while. May kausap nga siya, marami kaming nakapila (pang-3 na ako) to greet him pero nakita nya ako at kinawayan kaya sige, excuse me lang, mga kapatid, ako muna. I'm always happy to see him. He's one of my favorite person, you know. Judson and Shushu were already outside kasi maraming tao, thought of less chance to greet them, pero mabilis ako, nawawalan ng poise huh! Then, hinanap ko si Sister Lucienne, at nakita ko nga, takbo ako sa kanya at nag-hug kami. Sayang daw at di niya nakita sina Judson and Shushu. But in the summer, they will stay here for about a month and we can get together once more. Di ko napansin, Sammy was just behind me. (Lagi na rin naman kaming nagkikita ni Sammy at sometimes, sa Kingsdale siya umaattend ng service kasi may mga kaibigang youth siya. Deacon na siya sa Waterloo congregation. 

Hay naku, finally, Winter had gone. It was a mild winter lang this year. Hindi ako nakagawa ng Snow Girl. And then, Springtime is here. That means  nagsisibulan na naman ang mga damo at halaman, planting season and of course, spring cleaning. Gaganda na naman ang kapaligiran.

   I thought I would be "matandang dalaga" forever. Kasi, I'm on my late 20's na, did not ever have any serious relationship with a guy. Besides, I was a teacher. I've been teased, marami kasing teacher na matandang dalaga. Naku pu! Mahuhuli na nga yata ako sa byahe. In the school where I worked lahat nang matatandang dalaga ang barkada ko. And know what, that time, I really hated Valentine's Day, kasi wala akong maka-date hu, hu, hu! 

   But our Lord had other plans for me. He had someone special for me. Sabi nga sa isang awitin "Kapalaran, kung hanapin, di matagpuan at kung minsan lumalapit nang di mo alam".

Here's the story:

 July 1997

 I received a letter from our church Apostle Hebeisen that there's a brother (in faith) from Canada seeking correspondence to a faithful sister. To think, of all the South Asian New Apostolic girl that our Apostle knew, he had chosen me. What a blessing! But yet, I did not respond. The reason, I'm falling for a German guy, he's so cute, kaya lang, 1/2 lang ako sa height niya. We were friends, we talked about lots of things. But one time, nabasa ko na naman yung sulat ni Apostle.  It haunted me. I decided to write this Canadian, what is there to lose? At the same time this Canadian was waiting and waiting for a response from our Apostle. He thought  the Apostle would give him a name and address of a girl to write with. By the way,  He really did not know our Apostle personally, but there was a prompting within him to contact Apostle by asking assistance from the other church minister in Canada. So after months of his waiting, "here I go!" We exchanged letters and greeting cards and pictures. He used FEDEX or Purolator, while mine, ordinary mail lang that takes few weeks for him to recieved. So siyangapala, he's name is Judson, 9 years older than me, of course, gwapo, single and we have the same faith. But still I said, what ever will be, will be. Afterall, I'm in love talaga kay Tangkad. Double Timer ako, 'no. Nagtawagan din kami sa phone, for about 30 minutes, sa public telephone booth pa, e maraming nakapila at naghihintay ng turn sa phone. Ang laking bill niyun sa kanya, collect call pa. I remember the first time we  talked on the phone kasama ko si Famz, umuusok! Then he really got interested in me more and more and decided to see me in  person, oh gracious! Nakakakaba! I felt his sincerity especially in one of those letters where I mentioned about my deceased beloved brother Orlie and he said he placed a special offering and prayers for Orlie (I really missed him a lot!)

June 1998

 Judson arrived at Philippine Airport.  Ate Lhynn, Kuya Mervin and I picked him up. Oh my! what should I say...napipipi ako. Sabi ko, yung looks namin, di kami bagay. (Wala akong self esteem ano?) Nawala nga ang pagiging hospitable ko para sa kanya. Di ko sya gaanong kinakausap. Inihanap namin sya ng matutuluyang resort sa Calamba. Then umuwi kami sa Batangas to introduce him to my parents.  Still he was a stranger to me, pinangangaralan nga nila ako,"hoy asikasuhin mo naman ang bisita mo" kasi nagsaSunday School lang ako, mas asikaso ko pa ang mga bata. But he had the chance, he talked to me, seriously, and said  that he prayed very hard for the right girl for a long time.  "Bheth, you're the one I want to be with"......"You're the reason why I'm here"....."There's something special about you".....and then the final...."Will you marry me?" Oh my, oh my! Nag"YES" ako but I was not sure, ano ba yan? Seryoso talaga siya. So nagvisit sya sa aming school with Famz. siyempre tinutukso nila ako. Pero bagay na bagay naman daw kami. Yun saka lang kami nagdate. We attended church service in Makati at ipinakilala ko siya lahat doon and of course, kay Tangkad na ewan ko ba't biglang nawala yung feeling ko nga kay Tangkad. Judson stayed in the Philippines for 2 weeks lang.

Our Favorite song: Still the One by Shania Twain

July 1998

I received a letter from Julia, Judson's sister, excitedly telling me about her brother's Philippine trip. Judson said that he had a very good time there and all the people are nice and friendly and that he wished to be back there again soon. Also, Judson told me that I should go to Canada for a visit to meet his family and the congregation so I have to get my papers ready. Then, lagi akong absent from school dahil sa visa processing nga. At nagpapadala naman siya ng datung.

October 1998

I went to Canada and stayed with Rev. Richard & Luann Busch (the're like my adopted parents here) for 3 weeks. I had lots of fond memories. Judson and I talked about our wedding date, I wanted it by March 1999 but he said "no, I want it tomorrow". He couldn't wait and gave me an expensive engagement ring. We received our Engagement Blessings (October 14) through District Apostle Wagner. I got back to the Philippines to prepare for our wedding day, DEC. 28, 1998. Ano ang dala ko? Wedding gown. Wala nang urungan!

Favorite Song: Somewhere out There

December 1998

Judson returned to the Philippines to spent Christmas with us. He tried to be early as possible because he wanted to witness Edwin & Famy's Wedding Day (Dec.19)Of course, it was something new for him ang Paskong Pinoy & kasi, it's not winter wonderland. He adopted easily in different situations. And siyempre, ikaw mangyan, if you love somebody, you will love his or her whole world. May lover's quarrel din kami but we talked, then prayed together and this made us closer to each other. So, came the day we've been waiting for - our Wedding Day - a special occasion and at last, nakasakay nga ako sa byaheng langit. March 1999 sana ang wedding so Apostle Hebeisen would be the officiant but Judson couldn't wait any longer and that was the only time he could take his vacation, Christmas time. Apostle Hebeisen & family were already scheduled to be in Switzerland so it was Apostle Gabriel who married us.

Additional Details:
New Apostolic Church
Monday, December 28, 1998
3:00 pm
Taal Vista Hotel (Tagaytay City)

Here's some pictures:

Dondon & Jenny

Edwin & Famy

Allan & Donna

With Jenny,Ate Lhyn, Nanay, Tatay, Kuya Mervin, Don,

Joshua, Joseph & Jeth

A Hearty Welcome!

Thanks for visiting my site.

This is my world.....

Hi, I'm Bheth. I'm happily married to a very loving and faithful Canadian and have a very beautiful and intelligent daughter. I'm a former High School Teacher in the Philippines and now I'm a Home Day Care Provider here in Canada. I miss my homeland very much and wish to be back there in the near future. I enjoy making crafts, letterings and designing.