My Bountiful Harvest from Farm Town

I bet all Facebook patrons would instantly relate to Farm Town, one of the most popularly played games in Facebook. I started opening an FB account very recently, and, on the first few weeks, I became hooked on it because the site is more interactive. To my calculation, it has more members than any other social networking sites. Apart from being interactive and cool features, it boasts of addicting games that one would definitely go crazy for. Well, I was one of those who went gaga over Farm Town. I liked the game because it was like as if I have my own farm to tend regularly. Literally, it gives me good harvests in the form of veggies, fruits, hogs, etc. It also enables me to landscape my land according to how I envision my dream farm to be. I couldn't excite you more until you try playing it yourself. I'm sure you will definitely love it!

Figuratively, on a deeper sense, I yielded "good harvest" in the form of valuable learnings. Important ones that are already in me but were further cultivated by my engrossment on the game. These are:

1. The value of hard work. At the start, I only have a small field where I can plant my seeds, and only one or two seeds that I could plant. In my desire to make my field grow, to buy more seeds, to afford farm essentials and luxuries, I need to diligently ensure that my crops would not go to waste. I was obligated yet determined to work hard, to plant the right seeds, to harvest them on time, and to sell them to the marketplace.
2. The value of perseverance. For me to realize my dream farm, I must persevere to generate as many "coins" as I can. The game allows me to generate money by selling my harvest and working for my neighbor's farms. This has motivated me in managing my time so I can be online by the time my crops are due for reaping.
3. The value of friendship and good relationships. I have neighboring friends who also own virtual farm. They hire me to work for their farms if their crops need to be gathered and if their fields need to be plowed. I do all the works for money; to keep the inflow, I must establish harmony in relating to my friends and neighbors, which I consider my partners in leading me to my dream farm.
4. The value of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs take risks, calculated or not, they strategize to keep the business in good shape. As I progress to higher levels, I was gestured in crafting my own strategies in going up the ladder faster yet maintaining a good balance of my farm's growth.
5.. The value of money. Money is an important resource. I was resolute not to spend and splurge my "hard-earned" coins for "wants". Rather, I exercise penny pinching and observe practicality by saving up for more important things I need for my farm. If I have extra, then that's the time I will satisfy wants.

Farm Town is no ordinary game. It teaches discipline that one can adapt to daily living and future undertakings. Be succumbed to it and see how it works for you. :)

On Motherhood

Motherhood is a gift. It has enabled me to provide unconditional love. It has made me complete as a woman. It has made me a better person. I am simply amazed how God wonderfully engineered a woman’s body to bear a child and to bring him to the world as a priceless present. Being able to successfully deliver our baby to the world, I am truly honored and privileged to have received such blessing.

I could never forget the experience of giving birth to our first born on May 1, 2009. Though hearing my baby’s first cry marked the reality of my being a mother, it has not yet fully dawned on me that I am already one; yes, until now! Perhaps the feeling of being a new mother just overwhelms me. I am adjusting to my new role. It was hard at first but I am learning the routine of feeding, changing diaper, bathing, bestowing touch therapy, giving vitamins, visiting Pedia, and so on. Eventhough my day is literally consumed of those routines, I see myself enjoying the new things I do. In my almost three months as a mom, I will rate myself the lowest on the scale because I am still a work in progress. Being a mom is the hardest job in the world. Every single “mom day” for me is a challenge sans the extravagant material reward. Despite that, I still get the grandest reward when my little angel flashes me a toothless grin. It inspires me to be better. It also sets as affirmation that what I did for him satisfied him and made him happy. No material thing could ever match the fulfillment I get from his innocent expression.