"The truth is that everything is a miracle and a wonder."---Rabbi Barukh

Raising children and being a mother is hard but the most fulfilling work. Each day can bring an unexpected wonder, or a small heartache.

Each child has a unique personality of his/her own, which reminds me of Kahlil Gibran, who said in The Prophet..." You may give them your love but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts."

I also read an article at Reader's Digest that sums up that children are like dogs, obedient, loyal and want to be close by, while teen-agers are like cats, haughty, do not seem to care, and want to be left alone. However, when they reach the age of about 19 or so, they act like dogs again. Maybe...

Now that all of our children are grown...they are caring, thoughtful, and generous. We are always grateful to God for the blessings of our children.

"...Our willingness to give that which we seek, we keep the abundance of the universe circulating in our lives."-Deepak Chopra

"It is the intention behind your giving and receiving that is the most important thing." -Deepak Chopra

My native country has been ravaged again by a strong typhoon and the disastrous sinking of a ship. So many precious lives were lost, and properties and livelihoods damaged! I could feel their pain.

As one who is so far away, I could only offer my prayers for them and give a little, hoping to ease a bit of their hardship.

My native country is so beautiful, so full of resources, but natural and man-made disasters, including corruption, contribute to its slow progress. God bless the Philippines!

"Life is either a daring adventure...or nothing at all." --Helen Keller

" Life is either a daring adventure...or nothing at all."---Helen Keller

One frustration for me is that I do not know how to drive! Not knowing to drive is a big handicap in US, in all spheres of life...work, home, school, etc.

It seems everyone knows how to drive in US. It is unthinkable not to. That could be the reason that when I went to our local public library to borrow a book on driving, I was referred to a book on sports racing!!!

After I have taken and passed the written driving test, my husband gave me actual lessons on driving (in a vacant lot). One boy riding a motorcycle, maybe about 12-years old was so incredulous, "She does not drive?" he asked my husband. Well, maybe I was not motivated enough...I end up until now...not driving.

I get by because my husband and children drive me to places I need or want to go. I am very grateful for that. Just recently, my youngest son has obtained his driver's license. It could mean two things: a) another son can take me to places I want to go, b) I am the only one in the family who does/can not drive.

In time, I will...

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not in the picture is my youngest son...will add later

"Children may forget what you say, but they will never forget how you make them feel."...Unknown

"Children may forget what you say, but they will never forget how you make them feel."...Unknown

My children are the greatest blessings to our family. Indeed, parents can never go wrong to invest all their love, attention, care, and resources to their children.

As a working mother, there were (many) times that I have been remiss in my role (as a mother). Children have long memories. Until now, my youngest son cannot forget, and finds every opportunity to remind me, that I was on an official trip to South Korea during his grade school graduation. Also, until now, 20 years after, my children remember their moments of loneliness when I was in Japan on a non-degree training.

But by the grace of God, our children have turned up well. They are so close to each other, especially to their youngest brother.

Gaylord Texan, Grapevine, November 2006

We went to Gaylord Texan in November 2006 to view the ice carvings. My children, Cherish, Cheryl and Paul had so much fun!

My daughters, Dr. Cherish Lorica, and Cheryl Lorica...

Cheryl Lorica

Cherish Lorica

Renner and Marjie Lorica

Our youngest son, Paul Lorica. Our eldest son, John is at work...

There are no limits to our dreams...says Sen. Barack Obama

"There are no limits to our dreams"...Barack Obama.

So I ask myself "What is in the US that people want to come and live here?" As one who had this ambivalent feeling of leaving my native country, I often wonder why?

In the Philippines, people wait long years for their turn to come to US, and hurdle obstacles for the opportunity to see America (we have just come from the USCIS, and the people lining up to get their papers processed is a semi-United Nations! People from Asia, Africa, Europe, and Middle East were all represented!). The reasons maybe as varied as the people coming here: the opportunity, the freedom, the peace and order, the egalitarian nature of American society, the abundance, the material wealth, the convenience...

Or just simply because America puts no limit to our dreams...

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pictures taken at Texas Tech University where our youngest son goes to college (BS Electrical Eng'g/Computer Science).

"This moment is as it should be..." by Deepak Chopra

"This moment is as it should be..."by Deepak Chopra.

In November 2006, my eldest daughter and I went to several cities in Michigan for her pediatric residency interviews. Our trip had several "firsts", namely: our first time in Michigan; first time to take a small plane, Nortwest Airlink- a 32 seater plane; first time for us to ride the Amtrak and the GreyHound. It was such a pleasant trip, thanks to the kindness and hospitality of the people in Kalamazoo, Flint, and Detroit.

In Kalamazoo, my daughter was interviewed at the Kalamazoo Medical Center-Michigan State University. Kalamazoo is such a lovely place and my daughter immediately liked it there. It was autumn, and the leaves were all in red and orange. Radisson Hotel (courtesy of the hospital-thank you very much) was great!

From Kalamazoo, we took the Amtrak on our way to Flint. But the train was delayed by almost 5 hours. When we arrived Flint, it was almost 11pm. One by one, passengers were leaving except for my daughter and me. It was bitterly cold outside the Amtrak terminal (it was closed)! A very kind gentleman and her daughter offered to take us to the hotel. Very soon, our hotel shuttle arrived.

Everything went well in Flint. We met up with my daughter's batchmate, who was also interviewing in the same hospital as my daughter-Hurley Children's Medical Center. We went to a farmer's market where we bought some local souvenirs.

From Flint, we took the GreyHound Bus for Detroit. Detroit is a big city...so diverse. It was easy to get around Detroit taking the taxi all the time. We stayed in a beautiful Inn (coutesy of Wayne State University)- it used to be a Victorian house (I suppose), which was converted into an inn.

My daughter interviewed at Wayne State University, a large hospital serving the metro Detroit and surrounding areas.

Coming from Texas, Michigan is a way bit too cold for us!

Our trip in Michigan was highlighted by our visit to the Detroit Institute of Arts, and a Sunday mass at the Capuchin Church.

Thank you for the nice memories. Someday, we wish to go back to Michigan again...we missed seeing any of the Great Lakes (but which we did when we went to Chicago...)

Things come at their suitable time!

"Things come at their suitable time"...as the saying goes.

How do you ‘un-bold’ a word? I asked my son. Such an easy task for those who know MS Word!

Almost three years ago, I moved to U.S. as an immigrant with my children to join my husband. To navigate life in US, one has to learn computer. At midlife, learning computer seemed not so easy. In my native country I held a mid-level career position; somebody did the word processing and other computer requirements for me like PowerPoint presentation.

I have to learn everything here. It was difficult. What could be the easiest thing for my youngest son is painstaking for me. He always seemed in a hurry to teach me. He would click and click, which I could hardly follow.

So I bought some books on computer and did some self-study. It was liberating! Learning computer at your own pace is a breeze. I have learned MS Word, Power Point, Excel, Access and MS Publisher. Now, I have some working knowledge on building webpages.

Not only that, I have my own blog, and very soon, a website.

In the meantime, I am thinking of my personal avatar for my entry into the Web2 Second Life!!!!

It is never too late to learn new things!

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Pictures are taken by my son in Bohol, Philippines

"If God closes one door, He opens another"

Indeed it is true! "When God closes one door, He opens another"...based from an Irish Proverb.

How many times we encounter this saying to be true. There are certain opportunities that we sometimes miss, but then, with God's grace, He gives us blessings in other ways. In my case, I left my career in my country of birth, but then, God in his goodness, has given me other opportunities aand possibilities.

Best of all, our family is together!

(Our family picture is taken at Corpus Christi, Texas where my eldest daughter is doing her pediatric residency program, while the beach pictures are taken by my daughter at Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines during a vacation in 2007).

It all balances!

"It all balances"...according to Frank Goodall.

I have always liked this quote...to remind me that always there is tradeoff in life, which also means that "you can have anything...but not everything".

When I left the Philippines in 2005 together with 3 of my four children to join my husband here in the US, I left a career, my work, which next to my family, provided meaning and fulfillment to my life.

Anyone who has moved to another country for any reason, like to work, to study, or to join family will always feel that certain longing, pining for your country of birth. There is a particular ache, something that grips your heart when you remember your country, a song, a scene, a place, a name, can trigger that feeling.

These are pictures of Bohol, Philippines taken by my daughter during a vacation in 2005.

Lorica Family 2008 Summer Vacation to St. Louis, MO and Chicago, IL-Part 1 (St. Louis, MO)

The Mississippi River as our background and the bridge that connects Missouri to Illinois...
Mississippi River and the River Boat Cruises

At the foot of the Gateway Arch

My daughter, Cheryl Lorica

My son, John Lorica

Inside the Gateway Arch