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The perfect gift for me was to hear what my daughter plans for her future. As much as I wanted my daughter to take on the medical field she instead decided for herself to take up law. Although it's still too early to tell if she's eventually would, I love that she has a take on her future and that she knows exactly what she wants.

It tickles my dad hearing that her grand daughter would take on a profession he so desperately wanted for his children. And loves to hear Kiara say it and brags it to his friends.

Dad: Kiar, what would you to take up in college?

Kiara: I want to take up law.

Dad: Harvard or Yale?

(I quickly interrupted) Janiz: Yale!

Kiara: *frowns* Harvard.

Janiz: But you need a pre-law course here Kiar.

Dad: La Salle.

Kiara: Ateneo.

See, she has decided for herself even before we give out our suggestions. I can't complain because that's exactly what I wanted her to be a strong and independent woman.

It used to be all about me, now everything is about her. Now, I don't mind being left in the background -- as a matter of fact, I like it better like that. Even at a young age, my daughter has been such a poser. But she's not just all that.

When I flew back to Manila for her enrolment and to have get a hold of her report card.

Kiara: Did you get my card already?

Janiz: Yes.

Kiara: What's my standing?

Janiz: Second honors.

Kiara: Oh. That's so sad. I promise mom to do better next school year.

Janiz: No problem baby. Don't fuss about it, just as long as you did your best. It's enough for me.

Kiara: I'll try harder mom.

Janiz: Thanks baby for being such a stunning geek!

She breaks my heart like that. While other parents pressure their children, mine's putting so much pressure on herself.

My long absence in the blogging community is due to our summer vacation in Iloilo. We took time out to spend every waking moment with family and to immerse my daughter in the Ilonggo culture.

While other parents converse with their children in English, I do the reverse, we talk in our native dialect which is Ilonggo. And then leave it to my daughter to make some observation.

Kiara: Mom, kids my age here barely talk Ilonggo.

Janiz: Huh? I barely heard them talk that's for sure.

Kiara: There was this girl who hasn't spoken a single Ilonggo the whole time.

Janiz: Oh, so you're friends with this girl?

Kiara: Not really, but then again you can't really call it eavesdropping 'coz she was next to me talking to someone.

Janiz: At least there's someone you can talk English with. Good to know.

Kiara: Yeah, but what happened to: "Speak straight Ilonggo when you're in Iloilo."

Janiz: Oh, that's OUR rule. Theirs probably is the opposite.

Kiara: That's the thing! I was close to being irritated since she keeps blabbing in English and looks at me as if I don't know how to talk back. It's because of that little rule of ours.

Janiz: I don't see a problem. Let's re-phrase our rule book. "Speak straight Ilonggo when you're in Iloilo. But if the person you're talking to insists in speaking in English. Then you can unleash the English you've been keeping locked in." What do you think I'm trying to teach you here?

Kiara: Ummm...Let me think hard. Ilonggo, duh!

Janiz: It's the little thing called humility. AND trying to adjust to people, to culture, etc.

Kiara: Good Lord, that's it? Then we should have done the re-phrasing before I got myself into that situation. Imagine me, not talking?! I was close to dying!

Janiz: *LOL*

Kiara: What are you laughing at? Talk to me, I had my precious minutes wasted in silence.

Janiz: *More LOL*

A few years ago, Kiara refuses to wear anything black. I guess now she has finally owngrown that. Although black may not be her top color choice but she could give a heads up when I ask her to wear something black. And this was the first time she wear something predominantly black.

Kiara: Mom, I can't believe I'd be saying this but I have a new found love for black! And add a little gray.

Janiz: I'm glad you overcomed your phobia for black.

Kiara: It wasn't really a phobia mom, it was more like a matter of preference. I just prefer light colors back then.

Janiz: Well, that's good. So does this mean we'll be buying more black now?

Kiara: Not really, just occasionally.

Janiz: *eyes roll*

While walking around I notice a lot of girls in their twenties giving her a second look. I maybe grooming a future head-turner. Emphasis on the "maybe".

My daughter's style has evolved over the years, her styles are more innate these days. No more "mom influence" in fashion, I now keep my opinions to myself.

Janiz: Baby, you'll turn 10 in a few days. Time does fly.

Kiara: *sigh* Can I be 9 forever?

Janiz: As bad and as selfish as it sounds, I want you to be 9 forever too.

Kiara: What should we do mom?

Janiz: Don't worry, I'll make an emergency call to a vampire volunteer.

Kiara: *hmph* Mom! This is a serious matter and should be taken seriously.

Janiz: I am serious baby. If I can, I would, but I'll have to let nature take it's course.

Kiara: Fine, vampire it is!

Janiz: *chuckles* You're a funny bunny! *hugs*

Kiara's sporting a new look. A look that suits who she really is. Geek slash Nerd.

Kiara: Would anyone believe that these are prescription glasses?

Janiz: With the geek and the nerd that you are, you can probably pull it off.

Kiara: Really? *bright smile*

Janiz: What are you thinking? What's going on in that web-like brain of yours?

Kiara: Oh, nothing much. I'm planning to be wearing this look for a while.

Janiz: *phew* I was expecting something more, but I'm fine with that. *wink*

Every now and then my daughter would try to reinvent her wardrobe. I would love to dress her up, but these days I don't really have much to say on what she wants to wear. She basically does the choosing, I just do the critiquing.

Janiz: Why don't you wear these?

Kiara: *frown*

Janiz: What's wrong with these clothes?

Kiara: One word: Boring!

Janiz: So what do you want to wear?

Kiara: How about these?

Janiz: *sigh* In the end, it's still your choice that gets the pick.

Lately I'm in for comfort dressing, it's just Kiara who's into fashion nowadays. She does make her own fashion statement. Here's my hoax biker girl.

Kiara: Mom is it ok if I wear this fingerless gloves with my outfit?

Janiz: Yeah, it's ok. If anyone would give you a weird stare, don't mind them.

Kiara: I mean if it's in Manila it's ok, but if I'm in Iloilo I'm all too concious.

Janiz: Don't mind them, wear what you love.

Kiara: Thanks mom! *hugs*

I am WAY too late for posting this. I'll try to turbo-blog so as I can do real-time blogging. I was looking into my daughter's pictures from last year, I can say she has grown tremendously matured in just a year.

Janiz: Promise me you'll just grow taller, but you'll still be mom's baby.

Kiara: Of course mom. But doesn't that sound odd?

Janiz: No it doesn't.

Kiara: I mean I'm in a grown body and I do baby talk.

Janiz: I don't mind.

Kiara: *eyeball roll*

It's another year of growing and learning with my daughter.

Alright, I simply have to admit this: I am totally and officially in love with my daughter -- well, as soon as I first brought her into this world. I found a love that was stronger than anything I came to know. A love of a mother to her child. 

My daughter's a sweetheart, plus, she loves me just as much. (I can confidently say so.) One time when we were lying in bed, eyes closed and ready to doze off. Kiara whispered,

Kiara: I love you mom.

Janiz: I love you too baby.

Kiara: I love you, more than anything in the world.

Janiz: (Opened my eyes and gave her a kiss.) No, I love you more, more than that.

Kiara: (Smiling while eyes closed.)

Janiz: Goodnight.

She's basically growing up in front of my eyes. I just pray that she'll be the best she can ever be. And I hope I've given you enough love to get her through.

They often tell me, "She's exactly like you."  or they say, "She mimics every piece of you."

But actually, "I am what I am now, because of her."