Sunday, June 25, 2006

The Yellow Paperclip Meets Enzo - In Utero... and In my Arms

Last March, Elijah named The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots "Lorenzo" (you can read that post here). I was thrilled because back then, my colleague Rhea was expecting a little boy named Lorenzo or "Enzo" for short.

She was seven months' pregnant when I caught her reading my storybook out loud to Enzo. Today, I got to hold Enzo in my arms. What a miracle. Life is a miracle. Life is sweet.

Incidentally, I gave Rhea a book designed to be read in utero: Oh, Baby, the Places You'll Go by Tish Rabe from the works of Dr. Seuss himself. Here's a short book description from Amazon: Artfully extracted and adapted almost entirely from Ted Geisel's work, this is a must for all expectant parents - and introduction to the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss for their adorable baby-to-be. Exciting new discoveries are being made all the time about how much learning takes place while a baby is still in its mother's womb, and Oh, Baby, the Places You'll Go! makes the perfect welcome! It's never too early to start them on a rich and healthy regimen of good ol' Dr. Seuss.

I came across a site on the Top 10 Books to Be Read to Babies: Recently we've heard a lot about the importance of reading to our children. This begins during pregnancy and continues on into their lives. Reading to babies can be a lot of fun. Your baby may even remember the rhyme and rhythm of the books you read while they were in utero! So pick up a book and have some fun while boosting their brain development. Tish Rabe's book was on the Number One spot.

Will my book be included in such a list in the future? Who knows. Why not? But even if it doesn't make it to that list, I hope Enzo remembers the rhyme and rhythm of The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots. To the question, But where was I before I was here? Enzo can reply: "In my Mommy's tummy."

Welcome to the world, Enzo! You're definitely a bright purple spot in the lives of Rhea and Jojo... and for all of us who can't wait to see the rest of your life unfold!

Friday, June 23, 2006

SPIT and Six Degrees of Separation

I watched SPIT last night in Mag:Net Cafe Katipunan with friends, both old ones (Cricket, Marielle and Krissy) and new ones (Chiles, Mabel, Din-Din and Martin). I completely agree with Chiles with what he posted on his blog: Oddly enough, we were all connected to within the requisite six degrees, even without going through Nikki. Well, I was definitely connected to within the requisite six degrees with a couple of them, but I wouldn't be surprised if the rule held true with everyone else. Synchronicity screws up my sense of reality, making people and places feel as if they've all happened (to me) before. It's the second time I used a SPIT gig to gather disparate groups of friends in one venue - and it was successful both times! It's like Friendster in real life. Worlds collide. It's a small world after all. I love it!

Cricket and I have been friends since college and were partners-in-crime at DDI for a good number of years. Marielle is the younger sister I never had (inside and outside of YFC) and we've been friends since 1997. Krissy and I met through Aegis but grew closer after college. Chiles and one of my best friends Camille have been friends since forever (back in the good ole Zobel days) but I only got to meet him and know him personally early this year when we went to the Book Talk of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators last February. Mabel is Chiles' cheerful and pretty girlfriend, fellow doctor and autograph collector (she got autographs from all SPIT members!). Din-Din is Krissy's long-time family friend. Martin is Marielle's friend and is a professional fundraiser (but he hasn't gone to the extent of wearing a chicken suit to raise funds... at least not yet) - and the first cousin of Chiles' good friend, as well as the younger brother of one of Cricket's friends. Chiles knows Jay Ignacio of SPIT. Krissy works with Beepsie Mercado of SPIT as pres-school teachers. I personally know Joel Trinidad and Missy Maramara. How cool are all these connections?!

The Yellow Paperclip with Bright Purple Spots has its part to play in all these collisions. Marielle was the one who told me about the PBBY-Salanga Prize back in 2004. I finally got to give a copy of my storybook to Chiles and Mabel. Krissy bought a book for one of her co-teachers. Cricket bought six and gave me a list of names for personal dedications.

What's the point of this post? SPIT and paperclips can link people in amazing ways.

SPIT returns to Mag:Net in August (Thursday nights, 9 PM, P150 cover charge with one free beer). Everyone should watch SPIT at least once... and many more times after. I love laughing that much and that loud. So, to anyone within six degrees of separation: see you in Mag:Net in August!

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Feature Article: DREAM WORKS

What's on your list of Top Three Things To Do Before You Die? This "nerd" wanted to write a book - and won a national award. Nikki Dy-Liacco shares how you can make your dreams come true. Buy the June 2006 of Girlfriend Magazine and turn to page 56.

A big thank you to Editor-in-Chief Gina Abuyuan (for taking interest in my storybook and dream-come-true), Managing Editor Nikki Constantino (for asking questions and writing the article), Make-Up Artist Ara Fernando (for being so encouraging and careful during our makeover session), Photographer Brian Bravo (for making me feel at ease and prompting me to smile), and everyone at GIRLFRIEND, the latest and hottest new shopping magazine in town, a prestige publication of MMPI and The Mega Group. Get your copy today!

Friday, June 16, 2006

Purple Flowers (Not Paperclips) in Banaue and Bicol

My family just went on a 1,800-kilometer roadtrip this week to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday. We spent 10 hours traveling to Banaue, a full day of sightseeing, then another 10 hours going back. We arrived in Manila Monday night. By Tuesday morning, we were off to Bicol and spent another ten hours on the road, a full day sightseeing, and another day driving back. Whew! But the hours on the road were worth seeing two of the country's natural wonders: the Banaue Rice Terraces and the Mayon Volcano. WOW!

Unfortunately, I had no paperclip sightings. But I did see some amazing purple flowers. Like I said, purple will always be a Nikki-color.

Wow. WOW Philippines.

I couldn't help but hear the words of my friend Bobby as we cruised along Loboc River in Bohol last year: Ang ganda talaga ng Pilipinas. (The Philippines is really beautiful.) Now how do I convince the rest of the world, including more Filipinos, to see more of this beautiful country?

Saturday, June 03, 2006

A Purple Outfit

Purple has always been a Nikki-kind-of-color. Tonight was the wedding of my second cousin Leo to Rose and I just wanted to share that I was in a purple outfit!

I went panic-shopping last Sunday night for a dress. I was so happy when I spotted the coolest and purplest dress at Apple & Eve... and well within budget too! Then just last Thursday, I went to the Tektite tiangge and found a cool necklace with purplish glass beads that went perfectly with the dress. And since I made it in photo-finish time just as the stalls were closing, I got it on a great bargain! A huge thanks to my cyber-fashion consultant-friend who helped me pick and choose accessories to complete the outfit. Looks like purple will always be "my" color... COOOOOOL!