"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

Anytime is the best time!

"No man steps into the same river twice" ...thus said Herodotus. So I am starting my blog to chronicle and document our life, my life here in Texas.

I have always wanted to put my thoughts into words, into writing but I have been putting it off in favor of more urgent things.

My life, our family life in Texas has been an adventure, a journey, a work in progress. This blog will be a venue where I will share bits and pieces of my experiences as well as that of my family here in Texas.

These pictures were taken at San Antonio Sea World, at the River Walk, and the Alamo Fort in San Antonio, Texas. Such a beautiful, wonderful place. Our family went to San Antonio in December 2006. What made it so memorable because it was the first time that our family has been together to celebrate Christmas in 5 years. Most of the time since 2001, my husband and I are together in US for Christmas, while my children are in the Philippines all by themselves! Christmas 2006 was indeed a blessing! We will always be grateful.