A Birthday Poem by Yours Truly

Its my birthday today. It's Friday the 13th and I don't care. I was born on a Friday the 13th too. Does it make me unlucky? Not at all. I have been blessed more than I deserve.

This morning, I sat here, in front of my desktop, typing "Thank You's" to all who greeted me on my special day. I guess when you feel all the love, an overwhelming sense of creativeness manifests itself.

Here is a special poem I wrote, as a way of expressing my thanks to God and to the wonderful parents He gave me. I know my Dad is celebrating with me too. I have celebrated 23 birthdays without him. Oh how I miss him so much.

So, here you go. Sharing with you a heartfelt, spur of the moment, literary creation by yours truly.

Today's my birthday
I'm now older by a year.
I woke up and prayed,
"Thank You, my Savior Dear."

My life, I'd say, is truly blessed
Despite the trials and lack of rest.
Three wonderful children, a grand-baby on the way
And hubby so caring, they are enough to make my day.

And so I reflect back on the years that passed
I've been a daughter, a student, and both mom and dad.
I battled with diabetes, and I'm battling it still,
I take it all in stride with needles and insulin.

Today I am grateful to my Lord and my God
He gave me my life, and all that is good.
He gave me the greatest Mom and Dad
Who loved me and gave me all that they could.

Mama and Daddy, I know that you know
How much I love you and to you my life I owe
There are times I failed you, times I made you cry
And in my trials, you said, "You can do it, go ahead and try."

To all my family and friends
I love all the well wishes and greetings you send.
My heart is happy,
My soul content.

It would also mean much to me if you could also say
"Thank You" to my mom and dad
They are the reason a birthday
Is celebrated today.

"A Birthday Poem"

Written by Eileen Layno

on her birthday

13 November 2015

Relax, Unwind, and Unleash Your Creativity with Art Therapy

Can you still recall the excitement you felt when you were a kid and had a new box of crayons? Wasn't it an exciting time? Didn't you grab your coloring books and immediately immersed yourself in your own little world of creativity?

I miss that time in my life. Growing up, earning a college degree, raising kids and making a living has taken so much of the child in me. I can still vividly remember that time that my 5th grade teacher entered my drawing in a school contest. It was a drawing of a little girl on the beach making a sand castle. That little girl was me, living my dream. Bragging aside, that drawing won 2nd place in our school's art contest. 

Now that I am middle age, and all my three kids are young adults, I have rekindled my love for the finer things in life - Art.  I used to search the web for free downloadable sheets that I can use. I am thankful that Art Therapy Collection coloring books are now available. No more downloading. No more printing! I went out to buy my coloring supplies - colored pencils, markers, crayons. And I am happy!

Adult coloring books are not only a past time activity, but it is a form of therapy that offers a lot of health benefits.

Did you know that it can help us maintain fine motor skills? Yes it does! The intricate patterns keep our hands and eyes focused on the task to color within the lines. 

Another benefit is that it relieves us of stress. Spending quiet time concentrating on our "art masterpiece" allows us to focus more and relax our minds, therefore getting rid of the stress factors surrounding us, even if it is only temporary. We all know that when we are free from stress, our bodies can heal itself, so we sleep better, and eat better. Relaxation can help reduce incidence of migraine headaches and lower blood pressure.

All that benefits from a simple activity we enjoyed as a child! 

I am enjoying this new type of therapy to relieve myself of stress. I love Art therapy and you should try it too. I know you'd like to take up this hobby too, and to help you start your creative journey, here's a tip - you can now subscribe and receive Art Therapy Collection coloring books monthly!

Happy coloring!

A Real Life Halloween Scare

31 October 2015.

My son Aton, left home to fetch his girlfriend Marga from their school dorm. They had a few days off from school because of the holidays, so Marga decided to spend it at her parents' house in Marikina City. Marga had her cellphone, laptop, books and other personal stuff in her bag. Aton had his laundry, cellphone and external hard drive in his.

They were trying to get a cab from Cubao to Marikina but the line was so long and it was getting late. So they decided to take public transporation. They hailed a jeepney going to Marikina instead.

In the vicinity of the TIP campus in Aurora Blvd, traffic turned really bad. Marga took this opportunity to send a text message to her father to let him know where she is. 

If you are a Filipino and live in Metro Manila, you would probably guess what happened. Here is Marga's Facebook post narrating the incident:

Today I kind of realized that Aton Layno is my life hero.

Yes he has saved me from a lot of things, but it was on this day, on this specific event that he actually risked his life for something important to me. So, we rode a jeepney in Cubao going to my home because: (1) there were no UV Express van in sight (2) the taxi line was kinda long and we already wanted to go home because it was already late. We approached a stop light around Anonas area, just past T.I.P. Traffic was bad in the area and the jeepney was barely moving. It was at this time that I took the opportunity to take my phone out of my bag and text my Dad to let him know where I was....

My phone was out of my bag, in my hands for a good 2 minutes BEFORE SOME KID OUTSIDE THE JEEP SNATCHED IT AWAY FROM MY HANDS. LIKE WTF! I couldn't do anything because I was so shocked at what just happened. Aton, on the other hand, didn't think for a second, and leaped out of the jeepney and ran after the kid!!!!! He would always tell me he'd do such things but I never actually realized he could actually do it. I was so scared for Aton because I know kids like those usually have buddies with them, I feared Aton would be hurt or soemthing, so I ran after him too . I did not even remember me losing my shoes, because there I was, running, BAREFOOT, ON THE STREETS. I was shouting at the top of my lungs, calling our for Aton not to chase the snatcher anymore. In my confusion, I left our bags (with my laptop in it) in the jeepney. I don't know why I actually did that, but all I could think about was if Aton was going to be okay. I stopped running when I could no longer find them and found my way back to the jeepney. Thank God the traffic was so bad that the jeep hardly moved, and that the lady inside the jeepney kept our bags safe. In the jeepney, all I could do was cry and think of was Aton, where he is, what's happening. I wasn't thinking about my phone or my laptop or whatever, I was just thinking about Aton. After a minute later (which felt like an eternity), he came back.... WITH MY PHONE IN HIS HANDS. 

This isn't the first time he retrieved a lost phone of mine, and I am so grateful for his actions. I have learned my lesson, I promise. Thank you so much, and I'm sorry you got so dirty from chasing the snatcher. And I'm sorry you lost your brother's cap because of this.  I'm super going to pay for it, I promise. 

THANK YOU LORD ATON IS SAFE, That's the most important thing.

When my son came home and told us about what happened, I had mixed feelings. I was proud of him because he was courageous and was ready to defend his lady-love from evil doers, but I was also angry because he should not have put his life on the line for a phone.

My hubby said the same thing. "I am proud of you. Your mother and I made sure we did not raise pussies. But when you get to situations like this, don't piss me off by running after a robber who snatched a dang phone. It is a phone! It can be replaced. You life won't. Remember that."

Aton and Marga

Why do I write about this?

Because I want to share it so you may be more aware of the evil lurking around us. It is always better to be street smart. There are so many different modi operadi that these people use to take advantage of the old, the helpless and the naive. 

This is also to make us aware of the "fight or flight" reaction that we feel when we come face to face with adversity. There is no more "think before you act," because once we start pumping adrenalin, all we do is act on impulse. 

Moral of the post: Stay safe and be smart.

Oh, BTW, Marga almost lost her Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+.

Taking Gifting to the Next Level

I look forward to Christmas every year. 

Christmas brings back so many memories, especially that time when life was good and Daddy was still with us. The shopping, the gazillion gifts, the sumptuous Christmas Eve dinner. It was such a happy time! However, Daddy succumbed to cancer in 1992 and we found it difficult to celebrate Christmas without him.

It has been 23 Christmases. Twenty three long years without a father to celebrate it with. He may not be with us physically, but in our hearts, he is with us. 

We have been lucky to have a support group that showed us how to accept our loss. My aunts and cousins were always there to put a smile on our faces, especially during the first five years after Daddy passed. They were such a blessing! We have promised to spend all our Christmases together and that has been our family tradition ever since.

Me, my siblings, and my cousins last Christmas

It is so fun to spend Christmas with my cousins and to see how big our kids have grown. We may only see each other once or twice a year, but we constantly keep in touch through phone calls, texts and updates on social media! Almost everyday, me and my best friend-cousin would message each other and talk about anything or everything, from politics to showbiz gossip.

My children, nephew and nieces. It is so nice to see them all together!

This Christmas will be extra special because we will be welcoming a new addition to the family. My daughter is due to give birth to her first born child. She's having boy and she and her husband will name their child Alfonso Miguel. I am so excited to see my very first grandchild! 

As of this date, there is only 54 days left till Christmas and I have kept myself busy by preparing a list of gifts to get for these people I hold near and dear to my heart. It is a difficult task to tackle because I want to find that perfect, special gift for each member of the family. Something they love, something they'd treasure, something that would remind them of me.

I am not ashamed to say that among my siblings and my cousins, I am the only one who lives from paycheck to paycheck. This is the reason why I start saving early in the year, so that I may have enough spending cash for Christmas. I have had my heart and mind set for a major purchase for myself this year and I hope I get to have my wish granted.

This is where my Christmas wish for myself comes in. I want to have my very own electric table top oven. I have found two different models at SM Department Store in Cubao and I found that they are quite affordable! And if I'd do some serious baking, I would also wish for a mixer, a blender, pans, and other baking utensils. I have collected quite a number of recipes to try, however, I do have to have an oven first. That is at the top of my Christmas wish list for myself.

I don't have to go to different places to complete my Christmas shopping list. I know I will find what I need at SM Supermalls, and enjoy discounts too. It is going to be a Merry SM Christmas!

My Christmas wish list for my family is as follows: For my mom, I'd like to give her a new outfit she can wear when she goes to her Senior Citizen Aerobics class, and a durable water bottle that she can take with her. For my husband, I'd like to give him a pair of shoes that is comfortable to wear when he goes in for his physical therapy sessions. For my sisters, I'd like to gift them with some kitchen gadgets. For my brother, I'd like to gift him with a new toolbox. For my daughter, I'd like to give her lots of baby essentials to help her and her husband prepare for the baby's arrival. For my sons, I'd love to give them computer peripherals like an external hard drive or new software for their desktop and laptop. Lastly, for my cousins, nieces and nephew, I'd give them my homemade sweets in large mason jars that they can re-purpose later on.

Now that I have everyone covered, I must not forget to share my blessings with the less fortunate. 

My sons have a neighborhood friend whom they consider their "younger brother." This boy's name is Nemeth. His father passed away recently, and he does not know where his mother is. He stopped attending school and is now trying to earn his keep by being a parking boy near Savemore Supermarket P. Tuazon Blvd. He stays with his grandmother who is too old to work to pay for his education. My heart bleeds for Nemeth. I see him standing outside the supermarket waiting for some kind soul to dole out a few coins. If I only earn more than I need, I would help him finish his high school education. A high school diploma would at least guarantee him some kind of job later on in life. For now, all I can help him with is to buy him lunch whenever I see him. I'd also love to give him a new shirt, a pair of jeans and some decent shoes he can wear to Mass on Christmas Day.

Then there are kids who do not know how it feels to have a family. The kids who, for most of their young lives, have spent their Christmases in the orphanage. These children are too young to understand why their lives turned out to be the way it is now. In our own little way, we can let them feel that there are people who care.

Have you heard about the "SM Christmas Bears of Joy?" It is a wonderful campaign of SM Supermalls to bring joy and hope to the children this Christmas. For a small amount of P200, we get to keep a cute teddy bear and donate another to a child in an orphanage or charitable institution through the SM Cares Program.

If you remember the saying, "Everyone deserves a birthday cake." then for this Christmas season, I'd say, "Every child deserves a teddy bear." I am sure every one of us felt how comforting it is to hug a teddy bear. For a small amount, we can let a child know that there is someone, somewhere who loves them, cares for them and believes in their capabilities. I hope I'd be able to encourage you to participate in this campaign. Let's do our part to support and spread the love.

Make a difference this Christmas. Don't forget to include SM Bears of Joy in your Christmas list. There is nothing more fulfilling than to share your blessings with those who have very little in life. Have a Merry SM Christmas everyone!

For more updates about this year’s “Merry SM Christmas” campaign, visit SM’s official Christmas microsite (https://www.smsupermalls.com/merrysmchristmas2015) and follow its official social media accounts at Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/smsupermalls), Twitter (https://twitter.com/smsupermalls), and Instagram (https://instagram.com/smsupermalls/); and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through Viber (http://chats.viber.com/SMsupermalls). Shoppers can actively share their holiday merriments inside the SM Supermalls by posting their photos on social media and adding the hashtag #MerrySMChristmas2015.

A Wish Granted: Butterfly Photography

I have always wanted to get a good photograph of a butterfly. I have attempted to do so several times in the past but they always turned out blurry. The butterflies were too swift for my shutter finger.

All I could do was to be patient and wait for that wish to come true.

Yesterday, I got my wish. I was able to photograph a beautiful Lime butterfly (Papilio demoleus). I was able to get not just one, but four photos! 

Isn't it pretty? I was surprised to get up-close pictures of such an elusive creature! I got clear details of its markings and the fine hairs on its back. Its eyes and antennae were things to marvel at.

I was just awe-struck at this beautiful butterfly that I did not care to be standing outside in the hot 36C noon-day sun, snapping away at my camera, capturing this once in a lifetime experience.

Soon as I was satisfied with my shots, I felt something strange.

Then I realized that the poor thing was dead.

Laying on the street, beautiful but lifeless. 

Its wings spread out wide, just like it would be when in flight. 

Its beauty will forever be immortalized in these photos.

Goodbye, my little butterfly. Thank you for the wish granted.

Love Plants? Get a Flowerbox Wall Garden!

The holidays are fast approaching and I know we are all starting to look around for a perfect gift for family and friends. We want that gift to last a long time, to be appreciated and to bring a smile to the recipient's face every time.

Here's one gift idea! Why not purchase a wall garden?

Yes, you read it right. Flowerbox Wall Gardens offers 5 years maintenance and water free wall gardens in a white wooden frame! Guaranteed to give a contemporary look to any home or office.

This stylish wall garden requires no watering, because the flat moss and other plants that fill the frame are totally preserved for 5 years!

Nature Frame Square

Size: 8.7 x 8.7 inches

Preserved plants: Flat Moss, Moss balls, Tree Fern, Cineria, Hedera, Amarante, Mini Calla and Papyrus

Nature Frame Rectangle

Size: 10.6 x 22.4 inches

Preserved plants: Flat Moss, Moss balls, Hedera, Mini Calla, Diosmi and Papyrus

Nature Frame Pano

Size: 7.9 x 31.5 inches

Preserved plants: Flat Moss, Moss balls, Tree Fern, Leather Fern, Hedera, Cineria and Papyrus

I am so excited to get this for my mom. She loves plants and this would make her living room even prettier. I will choose the Nature Frame Pano for her.

What about you? Which one would you choose?  

"I Love You, Baby Girl" ~ Dogs Have Feelings Too

Our two year old Shih Tzu named Bite got our neighbor friend's female Shih Tzu named Bella pregnant. They had 4 puppies, 3 males and 1 female. One of the male puppies died because he was born with deformed hind legs. Poor thing.

Bite and Bella's babies

Doing a "puppy share" deal with Bella's owner, we were given the female puppy. We named her Chloe. Since we could not keep two dogs in the apartment, we gave Chloe to my son's girlfriend who absolutely loves dogs.

Chloe's first picture. This was taken a few days after she was born. 

She was so tiny she could fit in the palm of my son's hand.

Yesterday, our Daddy Bite paid a visit to his daughter Chloe. My son and his girlfriend went nuts taking pictures of the father and daughter bonding moments. Who says animals don't have feelings? Simply look at the pictures below and you can immediately feel the love they have for each other. Bite was all over his daughter, walking alongside her, hugging her, and doing his daddy duties just like humans do.

Here are some of their pictures. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

"Hello, baby girl! Oh my, you are so pretty!"

"You have such nice fur, sweetheart." 

"You want to go for a walk, baby?"

"Daddy, you are so big!" 

"And you are handsome too!"

"Promise you'll always come to visit me, Daddy." 

"I will, my little sweetheart. You be a good girl. I'll be back soon." 

"Give daddy a kiss. I love you, baby Chloe. I love you, my little girl."

Until they meet again. 

The UAAP Season 78 Cheerdance Competition: Who Really Deserved To Win??

03 October 2015.

The yearly Cheerdance competition of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) was held in the Mall of Asia Arena. Total attendance to the event was over 25,000 students, parents, faculty and fans.

College sports is a big thing in the Philippines. The UAAP has eight teams, each representing the eight major universities. Another college sports league is the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) where other colleges and small universities participate. 

Going back to the UAAP, the highest number of fan turn-outs are Men's Basketball, Women's Volleyball and the Cheerdance competition. This year, for the 78th season, the Cheerdance competition has left a lot of fans in disbelief.

My Alma Mater, the University of Santo Tomas bagged a slot in the Top Three. Here is the reason I am writing this post. I would want to request you to watch these three videos.  Please comment below who you think won the 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place.

I am not going to receive any revenue for clicks on the videos. I just want to get honest feedback from others who are in no way associated with any of the universities that competed in this year's Cheerdance competition.

Thank you.

Here are the videos of the three universities who made it to the Top Three. Who do you think deserved to be crowned the champs?

University of the Philippines

National University

University of Santo Tomas

Talon: World's First Smart Ring Gaming Controller

Do your kids enjoy playing online games? Do you have a apps on your smartphone that you usually use and wish you can use those apps hands-free?

Look no further!

Introducing Talon. It is the world's first smart ring gaming controller. Yes, you read it right. It IS wearable smart ring that lets you play games and control apps with simple gestures and waves.

Talon is currently being developed by Titanium Falcon, Inc. in San Jose, California. They are a start up company that aims to bridge the gap between wearable technology and online gaming. Their team is composed of experts in various fields, responsible for bringing an advanced hardware project like this to reality in a few months.

I am sure you are excited to own a Talon. I am too! If you want to learn more about the product and how you can help to propel this wonderful device in the market the soonest time, please click HERE.

This Is For You, My Future Daughter-In-Law

Dear Future Daughter-In-Law,

Let me introduce myself. I am your future Monster-In-Law. 

I am the person who carried your boyfriend in my womb for nine months. I was the one who nurtured him, fed him, potty trained him. I was the one who took him to school and back, stayed up late watching over him when he was sick. I was the one he called when he was happy or sad. It was my pinky finger he held on to at night until he was fast asleep. When he was little, he would always come home from school with a surprise for me - a piece of candy, some left over soda or half a cupcake. He sat with me on the couch while I watched my favorite soap opera. He was my baby boy.

Until he met you. 

And everything changed. Rarely do we talk anymore. He comes home late at night. You say he is your night in shining armor. I think otherwise. You treat him like a slave, waiting on the wings to serve your every whim. He commutes several miles to bring you a jacket to cover your butt because you had a strike-through during one of your monthly periods. Let me ask you this - how often do you change pads? Once a day?!! My goodness! Any girl would know how often you should do that. And why did you have to wear white jeans? Arrrggghhh!!! My son went out in a thunderstorm because you had to call him for "help." 

He loves you, but do you love him?

He stays with you every weekend. He cleans your dorm, scrubs your toilet, and cooks a meal for you. Lucky you! He never does that for me anymore. His room at home is a mess, he uses the toilet like he does not care if he leaves the floor wet, and he only comes downstairs when it is time to eat. He dumps a hamperful of dirty clothes, expecting me to wash them for him. He tells me he has no time to do his laundry because he has to run out to meet you. If ever he is at home, he spends most of his free time on the computer, chatting with you. Why can't he chat with me too? There are many things I want to share, stories I want to tell, but it is all about you! You want this, you need this, you want to go there, you demand him to be near. Have you ever thought that I need some time with my son too?

What kind of spell did you cast upon my boy? Witch.

Are you ready for a life with my son? You'll have to remember, you will not only marry my son, but you will marry the entire family - and that includes ME. 

My boy chose you, and for me to "like" or even "love" you as a daughter, you'd have to seriously consider these:

1. Learn more about Me. I am not a whiner. I don't complain about petty things and I do not rely on anyone to help me out of the rut. I climb, crawl and pull myself out. I am independent. I am handy. I am tougher than you think I am.

2. You should know how to cook. I don't want my boy to come running home to me because you burned the pot roast. You should know how to work your way in the kitchen.

3. You should be patient with his mess.

4. You should give my boy some alone time with his buddies.

5. Do not, I said DO NOT be poking around in his wallet. That is the only thing private in a marriage.

6. Do not nag. You may argue, but no nagging. Respect begets respect.

7. Do not hurt my boy. If you hurt him, I may, or I will hurt you too. Remember, I did not raise him to be a helpless victim of your bullying.

8. You must do everything within your means be a good mother to your future children. Remember, they are my grandchildren. There are times that you will lose your patience with them, but then again, do not hurt them. Because if you do, I may, or I will hurt you too.

9. Do not try to please me with fancy gifts. It is not my nature to want those things. Practicality is my game. I would rather have long walks and worthwhile talks with you to get to know you better.

10. Every now and then, you will receive unsolicited advice from me. It is not that I am meddling in your life, but I am after your welfare. I will not be speaking of things I read from a book or from an online article. I will be speaking to you out of experience.

You have to know Me. I am very transparent. My facial expression and body language is all you need to understand how I feel.

WYSIWYG. (What You See Is What You Get)

So, future daughter-in-law, did I scare you enough? I hope not. These are things I want you to understand and accept. You will spend the rest of your life with my boy and I am the first-hand authority on everything you need to know about him. I am his very first "Wonder Woman" - until he met you. But for now, be content with the title "Wonder Girl." 

I hope you remember all these as you walk down the aisle in a white dress, ready to exchange vows with my boy. 

I will be witnessing your solemn marriage and try my best not to smirk. Haha.

Don't forget to thank me for raising the Man of Your Dreams. I will be out of the picture soon. He will leave the life with me and start a new one with you. My son chose you to love, so I guess I love you too. 

Best regards,

Your future Monster-in-Law