Hongkong

April 12 09- Me and my family visiting Honkong. This is my 3rd times visit, and this time I am having fun with my kids. This is their first time in Hongkong. And 2nd times with my sweet mother in law. And this is the Lantau Island in Hongkong.

Five Things Super Happy Couples Do Every Day

That may sound grim. But here's a secret: Sometimes it's the least romantic parts of marriage that have the most to teach you about yourself, your partner, and the nature of love. Read on for some simple truths that will unlock the surprising treasures and pleasures in your imperfect, unstorybook, real-life love.

1. You will look at the person lying next to you and wonder, Is this it? Forever?

When you get married, you think that as long as you pick the right guy -- your soul mate -- you'll be happy together until death do you part. Then you wake up one day and realize that no matter how great he is, he doesn't make you happy every moment of every day. In fact, some days you might wonder why you were in such a hurry to get married in the first place. You think to yourself, "This is so not what I signed up for."

Actually, it is. You just didn't realize it the day you and your guy were cramming wedding cake into each other's faces, clinking champagne glasses, and dancing the Electric Slide. Back then you had no idea that "for better and for worse" doesn't kick in only when life hands you a tragedy. Your relationship mettle is, in fact, most tested on a daily basis, when the utter sameness of day-in/day-out togetherness can sometimes make you want to run for the hills. That's when the disappointment sneaks in, and maybe even a palpable sense of loneliness and grief. It's not him. It's just you, letting go of that sugarcoated fantasy of marriage that danced in your eyes the day you and your beloved posed in all those soft-focus wedding photos. You're learning that marriage isn't a destination; it's a journey filled with equal parts excitement and tedium.

Waking up from a good dream to face the harsh morning daylight may not seem like a reason to celebrate. But trust me, it is. Because once you let go of all the hokey stories of eternal bliss, you find that the reality of marriage is far richer and more rewarding than you ever could have guessed. Hard, yes. Frustrating, yes. But full of its own powerful, quiet enchantments just the same, and that's better than any fairy tale.

2. You'll work harder than you ever imagined.

Early on, when people say, "Marriage takes work," you assume "work" means being patient when he forgets to put down the toilet seat. In your naivete, you think that you will struggle to accommodate some annoying habit, like persistent knuckle cracking or flatulence.

If only it were that easy. Human beings, you may have noticed, are not simple creatures. Your man has mysterious, unplumbed depths -- and from where he sits, you're pretty complicated, too. You have to learn each other the same way that you once learned earth science or world geography. And getting married doesn't mean you're done -- it just means you've advanced to graduate-level studies. That's because every time you think you've mastered the material, he'll change a bit. And so will you. As two people grow and evolve, the real work of marriage is finding a way to relate to and nurture each other in the process.

"It's like losing weight," says Andrea Harden, 45, of Buffalo, NY. "You want it to be a one-time deal. You lost it, now just live. But then you learn it's a lifestyle. That's marriage. The effort is a forever thing." So don't be too hard on yourself -- or him -- on those days when you feel like you're struggling through remedial math.

3. You will sometimes go to bed mad (and maybe even wake up madder).

Whoever decided to tell newlyweds "Never go to bed angry" doesn't know what it's like inside a bedroom where tears and accusations fly as one spouse talks the other into a woozy stupor until night meets the dawn. If this scenario sounds familiar, I've got three words for you: Sleep on it.

You need to calm down. You need to gain perspective. You need to just give it a rest. I've found that an argument of any quality, like a fine wine, needs to breathe. A break in the action will help you figure out whether you're angry, hurt, or both, and then pinpoint the exact source. Maybe the fight that seemed to erupt over the overflowing garbage can is really about feeling underappreciated. Could be you're both stressed out at work and just needed to unload on someone. Taking a break will help you see that, and let go. Or maybe you really do have a legitimate disagreement to work out. Without a time-out, sometimes a perfectly good argument can turn into an endless round of silly back-and-forth, rehashing old and irrelevant transgressions as you get more and more wound up.

Even when you do manage to stay focused and on topic, there are some fights that stubbornly refuse to die by bedtime. And if you stifle your real feelings just to meet some arbitrary deadline, your marriage will surely be the worse for it. "This was a huge lesson for me," says Andrea. "As women we've been trained to make nice. But the whole kiss-and-make-up thing just to keep the peace was eating me up inside. I'd let things build up inside me until I just exploded. Now I wait a while to get hold of myself -- let the emotions settle a bit -- and state my position. Even if that means reopening the fight the next day."

4. Getting your way is usually not as important as finding a way to work together.

I can be a bit of a know-it-all. There, I said it. It's really not my intention to be hurtful or brash with people I love. It's just that a lifetime of experience has taught me that in most areas, at most times, I am right about most things. What shocked me several years into my marriage, though, was the realization that the more "right" I was, the more discontented my husband and I were as a couple. See, oddly enough, throughout his life Genoveso has been under the misguided impression that he's right most of the time (go figure!). So we'd lock horns -- often. That is, until I learned a few things.

Namely, that when it comes to certain disagreements, there is no right or wrong -- there is simply your way of looking at things and your husband's. "I used to be very black-and-white earlier in our marriage," says Lindy Vincent, 38, who lives in Minneapolis. "Now I see that I'm not all right and my husband is not all wrong. There's more gray in life than I thought, and that's taught me patience and the value of compromise."

5. A great marriage doesn't mean no conflict; it simply means a couple keeps trying to get it right.

Maybe you think that because of my newfound wisdom, Genoveso and I never fight anymore. Ha! As important as it is to strike a balance, it's also important to have a big, fat fight every now and then. Because when you fight, you don't just raise your voices; you raise real -- sometimes buried -- issues that challenge you to come to a clearer understanding of you, your man, and your relationship. I wouldn't give up our fights for anything in the world, because I know in the end they won't break us; they'll only make us stronger.

6. You'll realize that you can only change yourself.

Ever seen the '80s sci-fi cult classic "Making Mr. Right?" When the stylish heroine, played by Ann Magnuson, is hired to teach a robot how to act like a human, she seizes the chance to create a perfect guy. A hotshot commercial whiz, she uses her marketing prowess to shape John Malkovich's android character into her personal version of the ideal man -- sensitive, eager to please, and willing to listen.

There is a bit of that makeover fantasy in all of us -- something that makes us believe we can change the person we love, make him just a little bit closer to perfect. We may use support and empathy or shouts and ultimatums, but with dogged conviction we take on this huge responsibility, convinced we're doing the right thing.

Whatever our motives, the effort is exhausting. Transforming a full-grown man -- stripping him of decades-old habits, beliefs, and idiosyncrasies -- is truly an impossible task. And you will come to realize, sooner than later if you're lucky, that it is far easier to change the way you respond to him.

7. As you face your fears and insecurities, you will find out what you're really made of.

There were clues when Genoveso and I were dating, especially with the trust thing. Early on, I was supersuspicious of him. He used to say things like, "I'll call you at 8." Then, just to try to trip me up, he'd call at 8. I knew he was up to something, I just couldn't figure out what. The same kinds of experiences followed after the wedding. Except occasionally he would actually mess up. And I had no sense of scale when it came to rating his offenses; everything was a major violation. Whether he teased me about a new haircut or came home late, I seethed for days and even let thoughts of divorce creep into my head. I figured, if he loved me -- really and truly -- this stuff wouldn't happen.

I'd like to be able to say that this irrational behavior lasted only a few months and I eventually worked it out. Kind of, sort of, is closer to the truth. After years of looking deeply into my soul and talking to good friends and the best sister a girl could ever have, I've come to recognize certain things about myself. Not to get all Dr. Phil about it, but I've had to examine my history with an emotionally distant dad and a strong-willed mom and face up to all the ways, both good and bad, that those relationships have affected how I approach my marriage.

That's the strange beauty of marriage: It's full of hard times and hard lessons that no one can ever prepare you for. But in the end, those are the things that give richness to your life together -- and make your love even deeper and stronger than when it began.

Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

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YOU GOT ME ON THE SPOT

Wow my friend FLOR you really got me on the spot right here LOL. Well I am getting ready to work. I did not take a shower LOL because it is very cold right here we have snow in the back nah i just dont feel to take a shower today and you got me. This is so cool because i see what i look like early in the morning hahaah. But I did enjoy with what I came up with so here it is my on the spot LOOK lol.

Here are the rules: 1. Take a picture of yourself right NOW!. 2. DON'T change your clothes, DON'T fix your hair... Just take a picture. 3. Post that picture with NO editing. 4. Post these instruction with your picture. 5. Tag 10 people to do this. Tagging: Lis,bevs,fel, miss recipe, angie, angel, didai,,cleo, lira and texas with love

Kids playings with the Snow

We Have FUN

Playing with the Snow

This early morning when I wake up i see in the window its snowing outside. So i wake up the kids and we played out side. It was really fun. This is our first day here in the US playing with the snow. When we came here we play snow in Mount Ashland but it was late April. This one was our real first winter here in the US. Kids and I and my husband having a good time playing with the snow outside the factory.

My surprised Christmas Gift

I am very happy today. Because i never thought husband would surprised me for a new cellphone. A Blackberry Bold 9000. It is very nice. And the most important is, its from my loving husband who always surprised me. We discuss about not having a cellphone here in the US. That's the reason why its more surprisingly to me, that he bought me a nice cellphone today. I know i am very lucky not because my husband can buy me nice things. I know I am very lucky because he always think of me all the time. And always surprised me in many ways. Sometimes he would just go out and buy me flowers. It has a nice feelings when the person you love doing it for you. With out expecting in return, just showing my love and my smile. It make him feel the happiest man in the world. So he always make sure am happy in our everyday life. And we are happy even if he is not going to buy me material things, we both know we love each other so much. Material things is just like and ingredients in life. I love you Daddy Bear and thank you so much for always surprise me in any ways.

Letters to the Editor

Tale of Two Fleas Dear Sir, And it come to pass that two of young fleas fell in love, and courtship, married and settle down. They found a large good nature dog and inactive dog for home. Theirs was truly an ideal life. Food shelter and heat were provided. There was a housing unit in every wrinkle. Life was so sweet and easy. All they did was eat, asleep and multiply. Freedom from want and fear had been attained and their offspring enjoyed abundant life. But the patient old dog, sore and unappreciated, grew weak and weary. Unable any longer to support the hungry and rapidly multiplying population, he finally staggered off into the woods and died. Consternation reigned among the fleas. They held meetings, protesting that the economic system had let them down. Some even threatened to vote for the other party. There was a talk of suing the old dog for lack of cooperation. Many of those panicky parasites perished on the spot. Others, bitter in spirit, trudge off in cruel world and died by the roadside, trying to thumb a ride on another dog. None thought of shifting for themselves. Now the moral of this little story is that if too many people depend on society, industry or government to look after them, to provide them with security, they may end in want and distress amid the wreckage of a nation. Men must never forget that there is no substitute for self reliance, individual striving and thrift to provide for their future needs. BY DENNIS HITCH Rouge River Taken From Texas LIFE I really like this letter. Hope everyone take a lesson from this.

Carols Across The Country

By: Heather Beauchamp Music and singing always been very important to my family. While I was growing up , my sister would play the piano while my five other siblings and I gathered around and sang our favorite church songs. These times are among my fondest memories. After I graduating from high school, I lived near my family until I married a wonderful man who was stationed in our town with the US Air Force. A year and a half later, my husband and I , slong with our two month old daughter, were transferred to a base across the country. We had another child, and with all the expenses that come with two babies, we had not been able to visit our families. With six children still at home, my parents couldn't afford to visit us either. Living so far away from my family and missing my husband due to his frequent military assignments, I was often subject to feelings of loneliness. Holidays were specially difficults. On Christmas Eve in 1996, while husband and I were taking part in our traditional Christmas Eve activities with our two children, my thoughts keep turning to my parents and siblings. I gazed at the clock and knew they would all be sitting down on a blanket laid carefully out on the floor and eating a" Christmas feast picnic" of fruit little sausages, cheese and crackers while my father read the account of Christs birth from the scriptures. In my mind I pictured their faces. Mine would be the only one missing. As i pondered , I prayed for a way to feel more connected with the rest of my family. Suddenly, the phone rang, and I found myself speaking to my mother. She told me she had something for us to hear. I turned on the speaker of the phone , and we listened as my three sisters gathered around the family piano and sang the most beautiful version of "DO YOU HEAR WHAT HEAR" Tears filled our eyes as my husband and I listened to the three part harmony coming from our phone. We could almost feel my family in the room with us. Their simple song brought into our home that Christmas Eve a sweet spirit I will always treasure. Of all the gifts we received that Christmas, many purchased from stores and carefully wrapped and labeled, it was that sweet song that was the most precious to us. Thanks for the Ensign i get this from them, because i wanna share this to all my friends who is away from home. Also i am away from home this Christmas with my family. It also give me a teary eyes while Im reading it, I miss my loving family in the Philippines this Christmas.

Christmas is almost Over

So i would start a January 1 qoute: This being the beginning of new year, my heart is filled with gratitude to God that he preserved my life, and lives of my family while another year has passed away. by Joseph Smith History of the church, 2:352

Having fun with the kids

My husband plan a family road trip. For us to see Oregon. Even in his busy schedule he really wants us to have a peek what is Oregon look like. Yes i am so thankful of him. How nice of him doing it to me and our kids. Kids really having fun they really love it. And this times made us more closer to each other. It is really fun and we could not imagine it will be successful with full of happiness and smile in kids faces. We have lots of things to do but this is only a start, we plan to do more before we go home to the Philippines.

SOTAR RAFT

SOTAR- State Of the art Ratf. SOTAR is already 28 years in bussiness. SOTAR was born on 1980 since then all the SOTAR rafts was being tested. Their specialty is custom made. To fit the owners taste about color, shape and size. They also has the traditional raft. The first raft the they made in 1980 till now it is the sotar baby. From the time it was born till now its being tested and has a lots of improvements they made. SOTAR sale a lots of things like dry bags, dry suits all rafting gear. SOTAR loves to deal and find the needs of the customer and all of thier customers play and enjoy the sotar boat. Satisfied customers always comeback and look for the SOTAR logo. To those who wants to buy raft go to www.sotar.com. They will give your dream rafts. Sotar Rafts also selling international. They sell there rafts around the world.

One of the Greatest moments of my life

It was a beautiful Saturday morning of March 8 2008. Everyone is very busy and in a rush. I wake up 6 am excited and have a big smile. I know its my big day. My husband to be was sleeping. I go downstairs and ask for a boiled water hehhehe water so cold from the spring so i need some hot water to make it warm a little. When i comeback in the room with the hot water. My daddy bear is awake and smile at me. And says this is our big day, are you nervous? Of course not i am excited, i answer with a smile.

It is a perfect day my brothers and sisters are so busy. And parents getting ready also. So daddy bear go to his Mom's room to change but before that the photographer take pictures of his wedding clothes. Its really nice and my make up artist is getting ready. Everyone are busy but happy. After taking him picture now its my turn. Hmmm.. not yet Mom's turn to have a pictorial with him.

Oh my the time run so fast, its 9:30 am I'm not done with my make up. Then after my make up its my turn for my pictorial. Gosh its getting late...the ceremony is on 10 am. Everyone is out to the garden where the wedding ceremony will be held. While I'm still in the room with my pictorial. My father knock in my room, right then we start walking down stairs till to the garden.

Oh no I'm shaking and the man that i want to live with is so handsome and his staring at me with a smile. Everyone is looking at the bride and the more i am shaking, now i feel nervous. I don't know what i feel i am very very happy. So i walk alone with grace and proud to get married with the man i love most.

Then we exchange our vows, he need to take a break because his gonna cry while reading his vow for me. I am gonna cry also but oh no i am thinking of my make up. Nope, actually i am thinking that if i start crying its hard for me to stop, thats the real reason. And he knows about that so i need to control so i will not ruin my day. I made it, untill he finish his touching messages for me.

When its my turn to read for him my vow, I stared at me directly to his eyes. I need to be strong, i need to control myself. I make it too, until Im done reading... We just need to read so we bothe sure we have it done to memorize and we forget it. Afte that we exchange ring hehehhe, im gonna tell you a secret he kiss me after i put the ring in his hands. and i said not yet why so hurry...he said u are mine. So i said yup u are right. We just whispering to each other so no one hear it.

I am so happy and very blessed I found the love of my life, who would love me the rest of my life. I am so happy i have all my friends and relatives even my teachers and neihgbors, who witness my special day of my life. Now im enjoying my married life hmmm u know. I know married is not the end. It is the beggining of everything. From the day i said my vow till we get old. We need to express our love everyday and never change instead show more love to my partner and my bestfriend in life.

And i am thankful to all my friends, relatives and all the people who give me a big support to make this big day happen. Special thanks to Flor who help me find all the girls dresses.

To all My Friends

To be strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet.

To make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them. To look at the sunnys side of everything and make my opitimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best and expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the sucess of other as I am about my own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living crature i meet. To give so much time to improving myslef that I have no time to critisize others.

To be too large for worthy, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the pressence of trouble.

To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds. To live in faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.