The livestream channels for the Emmy’s were blocked this morning so I was not able to watch the event. I only read about the wins of Temple Grandin’s biopic in the Emmy Awards a while ago, just after I wrote the last post and I was about to turn off this gadget.

Yep, this extra-ordinary woman named Temple Grandin has definitely captured the hearts of many families and individuals who are looking for hope for their loved ones who have been diagnosed with autism.

Congratulations to you, Temple Grandin and to the cast who made this biopic possible for us to view

It has been a crazy week. No, make that, August was a super busy month for all of us. There were the field trips to a Fun Farm where my youngest child caught a fish, my son fed the koi and swam in a river, I watched the Pink Movement Dance Marathon, mommy blogger friends and our kids went back to Active Fun, the kids and I ran our first 3k at the Mommy Milkshake Marathon Year 4 (yey!) Nickelodeon Rules over Your School went to the school of my children ( no post yet), my son competed and won in a Bigkasan contest ( no post yet), we went to a fabulous party ( no post yet), my kids got dunked as human OREOS, and still other exciting activities we attended with drafts still waiting to be written.

Am I ready to go have a vacation after that wonderful weekend spent with the hubby last month? Yes,  I think I need another one after this month. Hmmm… what about somewhere where I can use snow boots perhaps? (in my dreams)

Wait, I forgot, this week is the week all three children take their trimestral exams and that means burning the midnight oil to make reviewers for this procrastinating mom.

Argh! On to making more reviewers. Check out some unfinished reviewers (well these have been finished for MY kids and unfinished for publication) that need to be transferred in Adobe Reader for those who are in need.

So, I’m making myself almost invisible in my blogs this week. Can’t wait for the tests to be done and give rewards to those who did good (post to be written about this, I hope).

Framed. This photo is one that I want to get printed and framed.

I know it is a simple photo but this represented a wonderful weekend getaway I had with the hubby (and his family, my in-laws). We missed the children all right but with my mom staying with them at that time, we know we need not worry a thing.

If only we could do this more often and with the children in tow, now that would be even better.

photohunt

So many things has happened this day and I am sure, I am just one of the millions, Filipinos or not, who have heavy hearts, puffy eyes and aching head as we witnessed a tragic hostage-taking crisis unfold before the world.

It was as if all eyes were not just glued to the scene but to the whole country’s reputation.

I feel grief for the families of those who were caught in this tragic incident. If I have the power to take back the time for them, I would surely put them away from harm’s way.

I would not go into details about the lack of competency that the police forces showed, that would probably too depressing.

I would not also go into the details of how the media clamored to give the “latest updates” and get the best views thereby giving some sparks on the thought that the hostage taker is [probably] watching and listening to everything happening outside the bus.

I will not also go into details regarding the lack of political personalities present in the scene. I’m not surprised, elections happened a few months ago.

On the other hand…

I felt helpless watching these things happen to foreigners who wanted to see the beauty of our country.

It was as if the heavens grieved as it poured so much rain not just where the tragic incident is happening but all over the metro.

I feel unsafe, for my family and  for myself. It felt like the hostage crisis stripped us of all the positive things the new presidency has brought us.

My youngest child ask if this bus was like the same bus we saw near the toll gate with Japanese-looking tourists inside when their class had a field trip. And I said “yes”. She said “What if that happened to us during the filed trip?”

The thought stunned me. What if that was the case?

Do I still feel safe for my children?

The answer is no.

Prayers are great but without action, these are naught. Deep inside, I feel that we can start to rebuild by being more positive in our own little ways and this starts from within us. And go back to praying that everything will be just fine.

For numerical, I’m counting calories, or NOT.

This says how much calories there are in half a cup of froyo or fro-yo or frozen yogurt.

Have you tried froyo? We love it and I specifically like it a bit tart.

Sounds good and healthy eh? But with a few small chunks of New York cheesecake and brownies thrown in, it tastes even better

photohunt

Has it been almost a year ago when we mommy bloggers and our children had a fun play date at Active Fun SM North EDSA Annex?

Last Friday we came back with other mommy bloggers for Active Fun’s pre-anniversary party. Yes, Active Fun is celebrating First Year Anniversary on August 18 and 19.

As a way to thank their patrons, tickets worth PhP450 and P350 (Fun Club members) has these: unlimited play, magic show, games, loot bags, raffles, and a whole lot more.

But wait there’s more! Join the Active Fun contest and win One Year Free Unlimited Play.

Here are two ways to win:

“My Best Active Fun Photo Shot” for children ages 5 and below: Submit a 4R size photo of your child featuring him/her having a blast along with your child’s name, parents’ names, contact details and a copy of the receipt for unlimited play dated within July15 till August 31.

“What I love about Active Fun” for children ages 6 -12: Write a short paragraph and illustrate on a short Oslo paper why you  (pertaining to your child) love Active Fun. Entry must be submitted with a small photo of the child, names of parents, contact details and receipt of unlimited play from July 15 till August 31.

Prizes for each category:

1st Place: VIP Golden Pass – 1 year free unlimited play (yey!)

2nd Place: VIP Golden Pass – 6 months free unlimited play

3rd Place: VIP Golden Pass – 3 months free unlimited play

You have until August 31, 2010 to submit your entries to Active Fun SM North Edsa Annex. Announcement of winners will be on September 10, 2010.

Call Active Fun SM North EDSA Annex at 632 3323929 for inquiries about the First  Anniversary celebrations and/or about the contest.