MOMI BERLIN

PERSONAL NARRATIVES, MOMMY TIPS, AND THRILLING DISCOVERIES TO MAKE DAILY LIFE THE HAPPIEST

MOMI WANDERS| Climbing Mt. Maculot with our Traveling Backpack

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Ain’t no mountain high enough

I first heard of the song “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” from the movie “The Sound of Music.”  Wikipedia says it is an inspirational piece to push an individual to take every step towards attaining his dreams.

In the movie, the Mother Abbess sang “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” to encourage Maria to face her fear. Maria ended up marrying the captain, the life she was meant to live.

My boys – then at the tender ages of eight, seven, and five – literally climbed a mountain on a Holy Wednesday.    More than fear, it was curiosity that enveloped their minds.  Their confidence was even hyped knowing their parents were behind. They hiked up Mt. Maculot and discovered that:  (1)  there is a store on top of the mountain; (2)  there is a yellow bug living on top of the mountain; (3)  there is no snow on top of the mountain.

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MOMI WANDERS| extreme sports cliff diving and kayaking on a weekday

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October 17 is my birthday.  With an initial plan to file for a vacation leave, I picture myself fetching my kids at school and eating at our favorite diner.  An assignment to do white water kayaking at San Jose in Tarlac surfaced that I need to forgo my plans.  After all, I haven’t experienced the sports yet and why not try it on my birthday.

As my travel buddy described it, “white water kayaking involves paddling and maneuvering a kayak across river currents.  The intensity of rapids may range from easy with no serious obstacles, to extremely difficult and violent depending on the weather and water level.” Seemed easy so off we went.

extreme sports cliff diving and kayaking

From my initial try, I immediately learned that I have to balance well or else, the boat will turn upside down with me in it.  Also, it is best to try the sports on a rainy season with the river too deep and its flow too powerful (that it can even toss, drop or flip the kayak over the water on its own).

For those who would like to experience the rapids,  San Jose Tarlac is only about four hours drive from Manila.  Coordinate with the Rapid Stream Eco Tour, the sole operator of kayaking trips in the Bulsa River.

Before trying the rapids, we went through a safety briefing then drove to the mountain village of Maamot for about 20 minutes.

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extreme sports cliff diving on a weekday

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MOMI MUSINGS| Understanding the middle child

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I have a confession to make. I had my favorites. My second son was a favorite. BEFORE.

I love books.   He showed keen interest in books. So I bought him not just one but sets of books. I take good care of my belongings and make sure they are neatly arranged in their respective places. Second son did exactly what I practice and even more – his colors were arranged from the lightest to the darkest shade. He finished a school year with his notebooks and books all looking almost entirely new.  And he is always the fist honors of his class. BEFORE.

My second son today is the complete opposite of what he was before. His books have folds. He often forgets where he put his school ID and necktie among others. He loves his hair all messy. His books and notebooks have drawings everywhere. He often inks tattoo on his arms (using his sign pen).

Thus this mama and her second son started to have a not so harmonious relationship. She would often scold him; he all the more remains quiet, aloof, and secretive. This mama just can’t understand her once favorite son. She has become distant to him.

Understanding middle child

Husband must have felt the wall between his wife and second son.  He advised his wife to read more about THE MIDDLE CHILD SYNDROME.

And so I did.

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MOMI MUSINGS/  Our life’s riches 

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We are not rich. There are a number of times that we prioritize what to pay first, even disregard those that can wait, and most often set aside our own needs just so to provide for the boys.

It’s only husband who works for the family while I am left at home to look after the three boys and now our new born baby. Aside from the daily cleaning and cooking, I am also in charge of the weekly marketing and helping the boys with their school works. Husband helps with the ironing of clothes. Getting the services of a house help will surely add up to our expenses, thus we do the cleaning ourselves. Even the boys share some household responsibilities. I know they would want to complain sometimes, wondering why they need to work at home while their classmates could play COC all day on weekends. But because they are courteous and responsible, they would rather keep to themselves their displeasure or perhaps, even resentment.

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MOMI WANDERS| running is a sports

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“Running is a sports,” Big Bunso said.  So we joined their school’s family fun run.  After all, I told them to get themselves involved in sports.

I also find that the family that runs together, stays fit together. It was our first fun run as a family.  It was both enjoying and rewarding.  We even brought home some raffle prizes!

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Call time for the fun run was 5am. Had a quick warm up exercise prior the run.

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SCHOOL FEATS | Congratulations, boys!

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Congratulations, boys!  You very well deserve the recognition as all of you gave your best for the school year 2013-2014.  We, your parents, are so blessed to have you as our children.

Congratulations, Big Bunso

April 1, 2014

It has always been your perseverance and your belief in your ability that lead you to your success.  You always walk that extra mile and so sweet of you to always think of your mama as your inspiration.

Congratulations

Congratulations, Big Bunso.

Thank you for your dedication to learn more.

Congratulations, Second son

March 31, 2014

I like this quote.

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

I am certainly not belittling my son.  Never will I do that.  I just find the power of the force working alongside my boy that he is able to reach his goals.  More than good luck though, he truly and deeply works hard to be at his place.  He is his class’ first honors and recipient of six academic excellence awards.

Congratulations

Congratulations, Second son.

Congratulations, Firstborn

March 27, 2014

I thank the Lord for giving us a responsible Firstborn.    He excels in class, and just this Wednesday he got a bronze medal for being Grade Five’s top three.   He also brought home a Best in Civics award.

with us on stage (fr left) are Ms. Lycette Ventura, AVP for Academic Affairs and Sen. Anna Dominique Coseteng, President-DEC.

With us on stage (fr left) are Ms. Lycette Ventura, AVP for Academic Affairs and Sen. Anna Dominique Coseteng, President-DEC.

I often tell myself that should Firstborn focus more on his studies, he would have been his class’ first honors.  He has the ability to be one.   He has such an analytical mind.  He uses his imagination to run through how some things may play out.  He has the focus if he wants to. It is just that most of the time, he prefers to chill out.

And then, when we went on stage to receive his recognition, I had my realization.  I don’t know if it’s too late for me to have that realization but still, I’m happy that I was able to recognize a fact about my son.

Firstborn is one carefree person.  He is full of love and happiness.  I need not push him too hard as he might have the tendency to rebel or meet neither success nor happiness.  He is moved by his love and of that interests him. He needs not absorb everything as this might defeat his true identity.

I’ve seen how he reacted when he had those medals.  He was very happy.. and proud!  He glanced back at me so he could remember my smile.  And he couldn’t wait to show to his papa his medals.  Because it has always been love and happiness that push him to act.

He glanced back at his mama, so he could remember her smile.

He glanced back at his mama, so he could remember her smile.

As for this mother, I am now at ease to know that my Firstborn is one playful son with great intelligence.   I am confident that with all these achievements, he will be able to know his strengths and realize who he is becoming through the process.

MOMI MUSINGS| how kids think about Valentine’s day

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Firstborn was tasked by his Civics teacher to be her student teacher for her grade 5 and 6 students last February 14.

He relayed to me that his Civics teacher asked him to make a lesson plan.

gabs-lesson-plan

He went home jubilant that day.  His Civics teacher commended him of his excellent teaching skills and exciting lesson plan.  He even showed to me some of the students’ artworks.  He asked his class to do an artwork about their understanding of Valentine’s Day.  And very intriguing indeed how 11- and 12-year-old kids regard Valentine’s Day.

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SCHOOL FEATS/ Academic Recognition

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Our family has been so blessed.  My three boys got academic recognitions from school.  Even the husband passed his Real Estat Broker Lisensure Examination that same month.

Academic Recognition for Bunso

March 25

Bunso has successfully completed the casa curriculum prescribed for Casa level by the Department of Education.  Aside from his diploma, he also graduated fifth honors.  He was his class’ best in English and best in Writing as well.  Teacher Luz also commended bunso’s diligence and gave him the most industrious award.

Academic recognition/ Our bunso and his medal.He graduated fifth honors

Academic recognition/  Momi Berlin walks her Bunso during the processional.

Academic Recognition for Second Son

March 24.

Second son had his share of moments when he repeatedly went us and down the stage.  He received a number of awards on his Recognition Day.

He placed second honors.  He bagged two academic recognitions –  Best in English and Best in Mathematics.  And aside from his scholastic achievements, he also received the following recognitions: most behaved, most active,  most responsible, most honest, and most obedient.

The school also commended him for representing the Montessori on the Battle of the Brains for the primary level.

pinning second son's two ribbons for best in math and best in english

Academic recognition/ Pinning second son’s two ribbons for best in Math and best in English.

 

Academic recognition/ Second son’s five new ribbons of achievement.

Real Estate Broker Licensure Exam

March 27

Husband passed this March’s Real Estate Broker licensure exam.

Academic Recognition for Firstborn

March 28

Firstborn son got three medals for the following achievements:

1.  Top three of his class.

2.  Sn excellence awardee for Best in Music.

3  A special award for getting the highest increase in general average for the school year 2011-2012.

Academic recognition/ Three medals for firstborn son.

I truly thank God for giving me a husband who has a career that can support his family so I may be able to stay home and look after our boys.

And I thank Him again for giving us three healthiest, most loving and beautiful, and the smartest children in the whole world.

MOMI MUSINGS/ Short-term memory fails

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I must admit I can never trust my memory for the second time.

So overconfident that J would love the pizza and pasta at A Veneto Pizzeria Ristorante, I hurriedly dragged him at Glorietta, only to literally go around the entire building in search for the ristorante I cannot even remember the name.

Already famished and J a bit frustrated, we finally found the jam-packed Ristorante with a “wait to be seated” sign at its door.

Not wasting more time, we headed to Greenbelt to look for a decent second option and chance upon Oddys. Relying only on fond memories of dining at Oddys with friends years ago, we ordered the same menu I recalled eating there.

Lemongrass iced tea should be labeled ginger spice tea instead. And it was not the drink I had years ago. The lemon grass chicken something was so full of bones it indeed spoiled the fun of eating it. The grilled squid was not appetizing either.

Dinner had been a torment if not for the free massage offer from Oddys.

Finding our way out of Greenbelt was a responsibility I completely entrusted J to do.

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