It is 4:00 in the afternoon and I just got off the phone with my Mom. Now, I am feeling like my usual self again. I dread afternoons... If only I can, I will choose to skip forward the next day when the sun is up so I can escape another day. But of course I can't do that... I am only human. Yes, I am. I always say that... I know it is a cliche, but is a phrase that says the best of everybody. Human: Subject to Imperfection.

Just recently, my brother's wife asked why I am not my happy self lately. I am an open book to people that know me well most specially my family. Indeed the more I open up, the more I get too vulnerable. I am so far different from the person I was before. I won't blame anyone for my misery... I never did that before and would never do that in a million years. At times like this, I am thankful I am married to someone so wonderful. It doesn't take a lot of words for him to understand. I know his feelings the same way he knows mine...

It is funny how sometimes when we get home, we would sit on the car for some seconds. Then he would turn his face towards me and we'd stare at each other briefly. And instead of opening the doors, he would turn his ignition on and before we know it, we're back on the roads heading somewhere...

Even if life is beautiful, it can be pretty challenging don't you think? And most often, you find yourself lost just trying to find your way towards happiness. When the road gets so tough, you tend to forget the simple things that make the journey worth traveling. You will wonder why you have to walk on thorns when you can leap to avoid being pricked. You will question yourself why you have to continue when you can actually choose another path...

At the end, I hope to understand how this life works better. When I gain new allies to replace the friends I lost along the way. When I earn myself a stable, stronger, more determined personality above what used to be me. The most fulfilling part of it all is when I will be immersed on a community that nourishes and inspires me unconditionally. Yes, my vision in life is simple. Not for me to make hundreds of dollars in a day nor to be famous for something I don't really care about. No, not even a mansion on the hill. I want something personal in nature. And I have a long list of what they are. And as I continue living life everyday, I learn more about prioritizing what needs to be done, to ignore and let things fly off my shoulders. To turn my back when I get hurt. Not to play the victim after a struggle... to retain my composure so I can execute a graceful exit when I have to.

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My Project 360 for today is a snapshot of me and my daughter when I took her out for a photosession.

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Today is Rolly's official birthday. We planned on buying cake and barbeque for tonight and Ate Raquel and I will cook on Saturday. It will also be for dinner just in time for the boxing. I am not sure if Ate Myla and family can make it. I heard they have some visitors staying for the weekend.

Tonight was just right. Alyssa behaved really good all day too... just like always. She too was excited for her Dad's special day. She even sang him a Birthday song. I took few pictures because I too was busy helping Ate Raquel. I always think we make a good team together. I enjoy her company so much so does Alyssa.

Here is a glimpse of Rolly's birthday. I will be posting the rest at a later time!

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They say when you fall in love with your man, you will stand by him through thick and through thin. So far, for all the years I am married to my husband and for the other years that are to come, I am keeping my promise: To Love and Honor Him. It is not an easy journey, and we've gone through trials that made us form a stronger bond together. We've been through unexpected circumstances that changed both our ideals, yet we remained allies. We continuously receive blessings everyday and we are humbled by them. As years come and go, I will always remain faithful. I will do that for eternity.

Tomorrow is Rolly's birthday. We will probably just get a cake for dinner. Ate Raquel will help me cook on Saturday for his official family-only party. We will be ordering the Pacquiao-Cotto fight on Pay Per View too. I hope the boys will make it. It will be a good time to bond...

Today's 360 is this "bottle-brush" grass I took from Dos Lagos. I just love how the hazy look of the picture. I shot it against the sun...

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Rolly is off tomorrow! Hurray!

I took Alyssa to the Lake the other day so she can ride her Disney Trike with her new helmet. I will be uploading some pics later!

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After the Mass at Saint Mary Magdalene's, we took Ortega Highway and headed to Laguna Niguel. Ate Raquel and Tatay wanted to see Auntie Turing before they go home to the Philippines for a 3-week vacation. Auntie Turing is the youngest sister of Tatay, and they are actually neighbors with my Dad in Laoag. I said ARE because my Aunt Nicing still lives next door to them. It is a small world indeed.

We arrived at their gorgeous home in Marina Hills around 1:00. Just in time for lunch. She cooked a lot and even made some bibingka we ended up taking home. They were very warm and hospitable. Do you know the feeling when you enter someone's home and you actually are comfortable? Where you feel like you are off the aquarium, and you can just swim freely? That was what I felt... Ate Raquel said they were always good people. And I come to agree with her. I think they really are.

While we were there, we watched TFC. I think the program was called Tambayan 101.9. I am not really sure. They promoting this new comedy movie of the Former President Joseph Estrada, Ai-Ai De Las Alas, Sam Milby, Toni Gonzaga and Mommy Dionesia whom they describe as a Freshly Discovered Talent(?). Question mark. Seriously... Money would never be equal to talent. I am sorry to say that. But I guess, good for her. One thing that I would like to comment on was the word that they kept repeating during The Buzz while interviewing Former President Estrada. Boy Abunda and Chris Aquino kept addressing him "PRESIDENT". What's up with that? I am not really fond of the Arroyo administration myself but I am not sure why they still call Mr Estrada President. Sign of respect? Probably. Perhaps they are looking forward to something else as I heard he is planning to run for Presidency the next election.

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Anyways, today's 360 is our dear Daughter (again). I am planning on taking her to the park with her new helmet and her "motorcycle" for another photosession. Bear with me as I keep posting week-old photos.

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So Rolly convinced me to watch And I Love You So. A Filipino movie where Sam Milby and Bea Alonso are the main characters. I thought I'm not going to like it, but we ended up watching it twice. Yes, twice in one night. It was one of those great Filipino movies you don't want to pass. Second to Lea and Aga's Sana Maulit Muli, a film back in the 90's. It was funny that Rolly was also crying on the movie. Bea, I just realized is actually a great actress. And Sam Milby is hot! Seriously good looking! Now I know why Toni Gonzaga was going gaga over him (as per my sister-in-law). I don't even know he can sing... I actually like his voice. He was raspy, but romantically raspy. I can't even describe it... You just have to watch the movie yourself.

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My Project 360 for the day is this nice ordinary white daisy. It's not one of my best shot, but it is the most recent I have on my stock.

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Tomorrow, we are taking Tatay and Ate Raquel to Laguna Niguel to see a relative. I am not sure is Rolly will take the chance to stop by his consulting. I kind of miss the city. Living so far away from Orange County makes me miss the busy life.

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One of the joys being a landlord is the fact that you own the property. However, there is a lot of work involved dealing with tenants and other property matters. My Mom and Dad are renting three apartments and I know how hard it is to look for the perfect renters. That's why I think Real Property Management is needed so you don't have to go through the headache of managing your property. One of the best choice in this field is RPMMidwest. They do tenant placement, background screenings, collections and evictions. Aside from that, they also do regular monthly inspection, maintenance services, accounting and financial reports 24/7. They practically handle everything so property owners need not to worry about anything.

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There are those times I feel so down and yet for years, I've managed to put on a smile and pretended everything is just perfect. At work, one of my friends started calling me Sponge Bobbalyn (based on Nick's cartoon, Sponge Bob) because he thought I was gullible (now, I don't know if that's a good thing), always cheerful, very friendly and easily trusted. Believe me, I was all that. I never had problems making friends. I've always been a good listener. I never cheated on anyone. I was always the happy one. I never said NO when I was asked to do favors. I chose my words carefully... I was good at that.

But the world is just a crazy place to be. I learned that you ought to guard yourself because nobody will do it for you. You will never know how it feels like to be subject to insult until someone does the same thing to you. And because of that, you should not lie to yourself. It is just human nature to feel dislike and disappointment. And if I continuously hide my face with the mask of perfection, then I am being mischievous not only to people around me, but also to myself as well. Life is not perfect, neither am I. I don't expect anybody to live their lives according to my terms, nor do I expect everyone i know to like me. I can only offer my truth. That is: I am for real.

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Last night, we went to buy an HDMI cable but ended up getting Alyssa a new dress instead. She can't get enough of it so I decided to take that chance to dress her up and take her for a photo session. That will be my PROJECT 360 for today!

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We were so busy with Tatay and Ate Racquel's 14th Anniversary. It was such a great night. Ate Myla and Kuya Vic made it despite driving through the traffic from OC. Michelle came by too though a little late. Alyssa was so happy to see her.

I haven't posted a Project 360 Photo for two days. I was a little busy with other stuff. This morning, I took Alyssa out. We drove all the way to Lake Elsinore then back to Dos Lagos. We stopped by the lake and I took few macros then headed to the toy store to get her a new MP3 DancePod. It is a PlaySkool toy with preloaded songs for dancing. She loves it!

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Tomorrow is my father-in-law and his wife's 14th anniversary so we decided to cook. I think the rest of the family is coming for dinner too. However, I have an appointment at three so we have to start at five in the morning, then I will drive them to Saint Mary Magdalene to attend the English mass at 9 am. We will be a little busy but we will get done before we know it.

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