I felt sentimental and nationalistic watching the video of this song.  I couldn't get it out of my head so I transcribed the lyrics.  I hope I got it right.

I may be baduy and cheesy but I cannot wait for the new Sarah Geronimo - John Lloyd movie to come out on DVD!

No more trache tubes. No more suctioning every 5 minutes. No more therapies.  No more doctor's visits.  No more hospital stays.  No more medicines.  No more sickness.  No more.

One day, I hope to see you running to greet me, saying hello in a voice I've never heard - angelic and sweet.  For now, you're probably going to tell on me to big Jesus, about how mean old Tessa made you work to sit, crawl and stand when you didn't feel like it. And you can smile and let out a sigh of relief when He tells you're done with all of that.  That where you are now, all is well and as it should it be. That you're home now. 

Adios, Chocho.  Hasta luego.

Fast forward to 2:30 for Kulot One's grand entrance:

Yesterday (Saturday), Hannah and her parents received some belated Christmas gifts (or maybe it's Chinese New Year presents) from her 3 Santas - Cathy Babao Guballa, Rapa Lopa and Menchu Sarmiento (with their families). 

My heart is filled with joy and gratitude for all those who helped and prayed for this endeavor to become a reality.  I may not have been there in person, but I can see Hannah's smiles in the video and photos and for now that is enough.  I can't wait to meet Carlo, Joan and Hannah when I come home to visit. 

Thank you everyone.  Thank you Lord.  Praise God for his awesome goodness and kindness!

Video:
http://rapalopa.multiply.com/video/item/25

Photos:
http://cathybabao.multiply.com/photos/album/105/Meeting_Hannah

God bless you!

This is our new favorite infomercial. Such a breakthrough! I don't know how we all managed without it!

Read more here: http://tessacruz.multiply.com/journal/item/241/The_Cult_of_Snuggie

I'm not one to get into fashion religiously.  However, I am as impressionable as carbon paper (remember those?  Which reminds me, I want some...).  No matter how short-lived my foray is into any new project or object of fancy, I attack it with zeal and near-clinical OCD (if you do not believe me, check out my JLC post.  Then again, that may just be my stalker tendencies).

So anyway, I started reading Texan teenager Jane's blog (seaofshoes.com) and got momentarily hooked into the whole fashionista bit.  It inspired me enough to step out of my comfort zone for this outfit, with a pair of sandals that I would not have looked twice at 6 months ago:Two pairs that particularly caught my attention were:





















(Photos from www.seaofshoes.com)

I may be a bit crazy, but not enough to purchase either pair.  I had enough sense to know that it is not a priority and way beyond my usual shoe budget.

So I highly admired and appreciated this girl's innovative solution to her own craving:

INSPIRATION:





















CREATIVITY:


















DO-IT-YOURSELF FASHION:























(Photos from www.clutch22.com)

Since I do not have the time nor expertise to crank out my own version of the Margiela sandal booties, I was ecstatic to see an affordable version by Carlos Santana (why he's into shoes, I do not know.  But he has several good designs) at Off-Broadway.  But when it came to deciding between that pair and the gold gladiator sandals, I went with the latter since I already knew I wanted it to go with the orange and gold dress. 

I am thankful that I have such a short memory, because a few days later, I have forgotten all about it.


Until this Christmas, when I opened my last gift.





















Hooray!

I am even more thankful for my wonderful husband who keeps track of things that I say in passing.

So until my next obsession comes along, you can find me walking around in my new pairs of shoes, trying to be as fasyon and chica (ala Chuvaness) as I can be :)

Dear friends,

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving holiday, with maybe some good shopping thrown in as well :)

I'm writing to first thank those who have shown interest in helping with the project to get Baby Hannah her own ventilator for Christmas. Hannah is the child with Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome, a rare condition where the brain's automatic control for breathing is impaired or absent.
(For Hannah's story, please read here: http://tessacruz.multiply.com/journal/item/232/Helping_Hannah_Breathe). 

Both your financial support and prayers have been very much appreciated by the fundraising group and Hannah's parents Joan and Carlo.    I also want to share some wonderful news - thanks largely to Cathy Babao Guballa's efforts in raising money in Manila by participating in a 5K run for Hannah's benefit - we now have enough to cover the cost of the ventilator!  God is truly moving and making things happen for this little girl!  Please know that this would not have been possible were it were not for the kindness of people like you who chose to be God's hands on earth to help this child with her struggle to breathe especially at night. 

Now comes the remaining challenge:  we continue to need at least $1,000 to cover the cost of two more integral pieces of equipment for Hannah's breathing system set-up: an air-oxygen mixer and a humidifier.  As with the ventilator, we received a generous discount for the mixer and we're trying to negotiate for the best deal for the humidifier.    Again, I believe that this amount is completely doable and attainable in the next 2 weeks. 

So I am coming to you once more with an appeal and an opportunity to share your blessings with Hannah and her parents.  No amount is too little (or too big).  Several of you may have thought about helping and giving but have been caught up with the election and the Thanksgiving holiday.  I pray that you will find this to be the right time to share what you can. 

You may address your checks to:  Maria Theresa Cruz and send it to 3605 Gainesway Court, Duluth GA 30096.  For those in the Atlanta area, I would be happy to pick up your checks if that was more convenient for you. 

Again, your prayers for Hannah's continued health and Joan and Carlo's well-being to care for their precious daughter are always needed and appreciated. 

Thank you and I hope that this Christmas season will find you and your family healthy and fulfilled and at peace. 

God bless!


Warmest regards,
Tessa Cruz
678-557-0412