Pinay mom parenting her Caucasian/Filipino daughter in suburban America.
2007 ended with the whole family staying up FOR ONCE. Yep, its the first time since we had Mary that we all managed to stay up to ring in the New Year. And it probably would not have happened if my stepdaughter had not come in from Los Angeles late yesterday. Mary was so excited to see her big sister so we all went to pick up big sis up from the airport— did not get back home till almost 11 pm. And from then, it was smooth sailing till midnight!
Mary was quite tired, though and we did all we could to get her into the spirit of things.

Anyone doing New Year’s Resolutions this year?
I like to think that I will develop New Habits starting today.
Habit No. 1. Converse with Mary in Tagalog.
Jack and I have always intended for Mary to be multi-lingual. I regret that I did not follow-through with speaking in Tagalog EXCLUSIVELY with Mary from the time she was born. No excuse, really. I was just too darned lazy. Anyway, its not too late. The goal is to have her speaking Tagalog by the end of the year.
Habit No. 2. Eat fruit for breakfast.
This is part of changing my whole eating lifestyle. I aim to eat more fruits and vegetables and influence both Jack and Mary by my example. Fruits will be displayed on our counter and kitchen table everyday, chocolates and sweets will be out of sight, out of the house, eventually.
Habit No. 3. Use 1-2 hours of “free” time for working out, working on my health, for ME.
Since Mary is in Kindergarten, I have a solid 2 1/2 hours that I can use for me. Beginning on January 9th, when she goes back to school after Winter Break, I will use this time to hit the gym or go bike-riding or walk around the neighborhood— some activity that lasts 1-2 hours that will get me moving and exercising.
Habit No. 4. Blog post everyday.
See that Blog 365 badge hanging out on your left there? Yep, I’ve lost my mind and COMMITTED to blogging E-V-E-R-Y-D-A-Y. So, come on and visit me everyday, too and let me feel the love. I look forward to your comments.
Habit No. 5. Nurture my new bloggy friendships.
I have only been blogging for a little over 3 months and I have met some really, really, really wonderful people. I will reciprocate these friendships with links, blog roll updates, RSS subscriptions, almost daily visits and frequent comments on their blogs.
I have been told that it takes doing something at least TWENTY times before it becomes a habit. So, really, the only hard part will be getting through January. After that, it would all be on auto-pilot…
Mary is my "I'm Not a Baby!" daughter and this is my blog about her and our life in suburban America. Parenting tales, our travels and travails, forays into great and not-so-great restaurants, kitchen adventures--- all chronicled with as much photos as you can stand. Comments are very much appreciated --- let me know you dropped by! Thank you.
Val
January 1st, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Happy new year sis! Will try the daily blogging thing too… hope i can do it!
Sadie
January 1st, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Happy New Year!!! I haven’t had a chance to make up that blog yet…it’s coming
I’m in the 365 insanity too!! Plenty of us are apparently totally crazy!!!
HRH
January 1st, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Good luck with 365–that’s where I found you!
~*~ Jennifer ~*~
January 2nd, 2008 at 2:51 am
::gasp:: you have some lofty goals. I’m looking forward to watching you MEET these goals by the end of the year.
GREAT one about talking to Mary in Tagalong. That’s a GREAT idea!!
I appreciate you stopping by my blog and commenting!! I’m so glad you do.
Sandy (Momisodes)
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:40 am
Happy New Year! So glad you all made it to midnight
You have a great set of goals and I’m sure you’ll do great this year….Y2k8 is going to be an awesome year! I look forward to your posts…
David Goldbeck
January 2nd, 2008 at 7:05 pm
The way to get kids in Fruits & Vegetables lies in a new book, “The ABC’s of Fruits & Vegetables and Beyond”. Educators, parents (and grandparents for that matter) will be very interested in the book, as it helps mold kid’s attitudes toward these important foods from the day they start learning the alphabet. Out only six months, it has already been bought in bulk by a number of educational organizations and recommended by leading nutritionists. From best selling food writer David Goldbeck and Jim Henson writer Steve Charney. More at HealthyHighways.com
raqgold
January 3rd, 2008 at 10:38 am
read her pinoy books, tapos translate some words in english. there are a lot of great pinoy books with good illustrations to choose from
i blogged about it http://homeworked.blogspot.com/2007/06/pinoy-books-anyone.html
set an example about eating fruits for breakfast for mary. i dont have a problem with my kids about that, it is with my hubby, hehe. and a mommy time is always good. we are also set on keeping our healthy resolutions. good luck to us!
Sweet Life With Mary » Blog Archive » Progress Report: Tagalog Lessons
January 3rd, 2008 at 8:38 pm
[...] 2008 — Year for New Habits [...]
Nikki
January 3rd, 2008 at 11:00 pm
365 days! Eek! I read about the blog365 thing but immediately dismissed it as completely unattainable and that only crazy people would sign up for it
Did I just call you crazy? Hmm…sorry about that. Best of luck, though! Your do get a break on 2/29!
I look forward to reading your posts!
toni
January 11th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Happy new year! Good luck with the goals.
I share your “eat fruit for breakfast” one, but I haven’t done it yet. Ha ha. 