There are several things that you have to consider when you're dating inter-racially. The biggest hurdle really is culture. There are a lot of differences, no matter how "western" or "open-minded" you are, these differences will present themselves. It's a matter of working through the differences and struggles together.

Dating inter-racially becomes a bit more complex when you've got kids. I never really thought about how much this would change my children's perceptions until yesterday when my older son wanted to buy a toy.

He said he wanted to buy a Pegasus. A pink Pegasus at that. With purple hair and yellow wings.

Uh-huh.

"Are you sure you want that?"

"Yes, mommy"

"Why?"

"Because she will be the girlfriend of my chipmunk, Alvin"

"You do know that Alvin's a chipmunk and this is a Pegasus, right? They're...different"

He then looks at me with an are you kidding me? look and says, ever so nonchalantly "Pops is different from you but you're together."

...err... I can't argue with that, so I put the pink Pegasus in the basket and gave him a huge smile and a kiss on the head. I was so proud of him already when he lay another one on me.

"Besides, if I'm going to pick a wife for my chipmunk, I want her to be beautiful. Just like you, mommy"

Go ahead...do it... "AAWWW......"

Sige lang anak. Kunin mo kung ano ang gusto mo, lahat yan, bibilhin ni mommy...

These are some things that make me smile and laugh. In this crazy world, we should know how to just stop, chill, enjoy the moment and have a good belly laugh.

AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!

Apparently, this is a real life Timon and Pumbaa. Not sure how real this is but it's pretty awesome.

This made me laugh so hard. Honga naman di ba?

During the rains, the kids were so bored (Now I understand what my mom and Nanie went through when I was younger and I declared "I'm bored") So, we recycled crayons. The kids loved shaving the crayons and breaking them up. 

Of course I think the real thrill here was that they were making a huge mess and that it was allowed. 

Love the colors!

 This is our finished product. Good luck kung ano mang kulay ang puedeng lumabas dyan.

We also made crayon tarts. 

 And now, the best photo, in my opinion is this. My little man, growing up and taking responsibility. Sipag ni kuya! After nito, nag mop naman sya ng floor. :) 

Every day is a great day. Just remember the transformers. :D

 Gay dogs make me giggle. Landing doggie itong si Potpotski.

 To converse with THE Mark Gil is an honor enough but for him to praise my acting, yun na! Todo na yun! Puede na akong mamatay...pero wag naman. 

 To see Dave with Robin Padilla makes me smile. The two most gentlemanly individuals I have ever met in the same room together? Yeah....that's bliss.

 To have the opportunity to work with Pen Medina is a great honor. Tay, salamat sa mga tawanan natin sa set. Sa susunod na project ulit. :)

 Jeffrey Tam is a dream client. We did his website jeffreytammagic.com. He's so talented, humble and sincere.

 Being with my babe is always a happy time. 

 Going to museums with the kids and seeing them enjoy learning is always a gratifying and satisfying time.

 Seeing the kids enjoy their new Angry Birds watches make me smile.

And little boys that turn a pail into a makeshift bathtub makes me giggle.

 Little girls who start becoming responsible big sisters make my heart beat faster and my insides fuzzy.

 Little boys who can't get enough of mommy (and can't wait to get rid of mommy too) make me laugh.

 Seeing the next generation bond and love each other like something fierce makes me very happy.

 Little creative geniuses make me grin.

 Hammocks always make me smile.

 A makeshift herb garden on a window ledge makes me giddy. Believe it or not, I talk to these cuties.

 Small patola plants that eagerly grow and climb make me smile.

 Making pinakurat for my Guns and Roses family makes me smile.

 More vegetables growing makes me smile. I'm so excited about my vegetable garden!

 I think people should be allowed to goof off every now and then. It's the secret to youth.

Silly uncles who "sing and dance" in the rain would make anyone laugh out loud. Thanks Laki Cong!

And this is my pride and joy. There's this little space at the side of the house that used to be a dump. Mai and I decided to clean it up and turn it into a veggie garden for Dave. We planted a banana tree at one end and (what I assume to be) banaba at the other. (See how that works out, eh? LOL!) Then we planted corn, pechay, baguio beans, okra, talong and tomatoes in between. In about 40 to 60 days, we're ready to harvest! Woot! Woot!

Things have been a bit crazy lately. We've been working almost everyday and the kids have reached that stage where they've suddenly become a bit of attention seekers. So, it's a juggle of motherhood duties, household chores, online work, work, keeping the kids away from mischief and quality time with family. Our (Dave and I) only means of "taking a break" is to go to the mall next door and have a meal.

The beautiful thing about all of this though is that we still find things that make us smile. We're grateful and thankful for those things because they keep us sane and grounded. That being said, here are some things that made me smile:

I like these Mommy (or Daddy) fries and cups from Wendy's. It's like seeing me and Dave. LOL! But is it just me who think that the "biggie" size isn't "biggie" anymore?

 You can't see it in this photo but this lola was wearing these awesome suede pumps. She was walking the pavement just as if she was walking the runway. Ayelaveet! Supermodel lola!

What made you smile today?

I've been quite busy so I apologize if I haven't posted anything. I've been so lucky to have been given an opportunity to host the Luzon Party Eliminations for Chooks to Go so I've been going around different provinces. It's awesome! :)

Without further ado, here are the things that made me smile:

 Hosting the Chooks to Go Sayaw Fever always makes me smile.

 Waking up to this view in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya made me smile. Isn't is awesome to see a view like that every single morning?

 

Seeing historical structures like the St. Dominic's church in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya make me feel so lucky to be able to see it up close.

 Meeting Charlie made me smile. He's an amputee dancer. It was both humbling and amazing to have met him.

  

 Meeting Jaja made me smile as well. She's such a wonderful girl with such confidence. She's a wonderful role model for plus size girls.

 

 Reading status messages like these from friends who support Chooks to Go make me happy. :)

  

 Fake trees with bright lights make me smile. 

 Little boys with fierce determination to play a car racing game make me laugh.

 Places that help other people help themselves is love!

 Jay-R Patron and Greater Good Philippines gives me hope.

 It really is simple, isn't it?

  Tell people the good you see in them and not the bad. Share love and joy!

 Little girls with make up make me giggle.

 

  Ever since the bus bombing incident, I've taken to leaving paper flowers in buses that I ride on. I'm hoping that someone finds them and think they're pretty and if a possible bomber sees it, I hope he/she changes his/her mind in blowing up the bus and just leave and go home. 

 Pretty paintings in cafes make me smile.

 

 I love the times that the boys actually work together on something. They put together this puzzle and they were so proud! 

What made you smile today?