Natassja Danielle: High School Graduate

She was 2 1/2 years old when we thought of enrolling her at the Summer W.A.R.M. Program of
Holy Rosary Academy of Las Pinas City. That was way back in 2000, 13 years ago to be exact. Natassja Danielle N. Mariano (Tassja, Tashi, Tash, Tashing, Danielle (if hindi kaya i-pronounce ang first name) was immediately noticed by the school administrators and owners. She was cute, charming, and was eagerly "bibo". She wanted to go to school, ready with her cute little bag, pencils and crayons. At a very young age, we were glad the school accepted her to start formal Nursery class. And she has not stopped studying since then, always being the youngest in her class. :)

She was one of the early students of the school, which is why she is well loved by the owners of H.R.A., Capt. and Mrs. Galang, as well as the teachers and staff.

Time has passed. She graduated from pre-school. And then elementary.

Has it been 4 years since that day?

During high school, I remembered when we started, she was still the happy-go-lucky student who doesn't study at home but passes her subjects with flying colors that she receives quarterly certificates. But when she entered her Senior year, she vowed that she will do everything in her power to graduate with honors. This was when I started to see her burn the midnight oil - researching, typing, reading, solving problems. She has been diligently studying even at home plus she has been really active in school - member of the HRA's B.E.S.T.S. or the outstanding students of high school, team captain of the High School Volleyball Varsity team, member of the HRA chorale, CAT officer assigned as one of the Corps' staff, and a member of the Rosarian Dance Crew who won 2nd place at the recent LAPRISA Pop Dance Competition.

B.E.S.T.S.

High School Volleyball Varsity Team with Sir Jun

C.A.T. Graduation

H.R.A. Chorale Mini-Concert at the 2013 HRA's Year End Presentation

When the time came for the 4th quarter PTC, Natassja was really nervous and she really wanted me to attend. So I did. And we were all ecstatic when we learned that she will be getting 4 awards during graduation day.

The first (and most obvious) is the Loyalty Award, having studied at Holy Rosary Academy of Las Pinas City for 13 years. :)

She was a consistent recipient of quarterly honors so she emerged the Top 2 in her class, which makes for another medal. :)

Because she has led the Seniors' volleyball team to 2 victories, plus being the Team Captain of the varsity team, she was given the Athlete of the Year trophy. :)

And finally, Natassja's hardwork paid off. She became the 2nd Honorable Mention of her graduating class. :)

I would like to thank, of course, the Lord, for giving me such wonderful children. They are truly my blessings. My parents, for their super support, understanding, and love for my kids. For all of Natassja's teachers - Ms. Lyn, Ms. Oyie, Sir Ariel, Ms. Rosa, Sir Jun, Sir Noy, Ms. Lehnz - .. you have been vital to the development of my daughter and  I salute you for your noble work. To, H.R.A., most especially to Capt. and Mrs. Galang - thank you for taking care of my daughter while she was your student. To Sir C and Ma'am Bayot - thank you for bringing out the best in my daughter and for believing in her intellect and talents.

To all her friends and classmates, I know you have made a mark in each others' lives so thank you for giving the gift of friendship to my daughter. To everyone who has mentored and taught Tashi throughout the years - whether you're within HRA or outside, you are all a part of her success in her elementary and secondary school life. :)

With Mrs. Thet Galang - HRA's Directress

With Sir Noy

With Sir Ariel

With Ms. Lehnz

4th year EXCEDENCE - HRA Batch 2013

Congratulations, my Tashi. You are now a college student. Things will be more challenging and I know you will face all those challenges head on. I love you and I am soooo proud of you. <3

Love for Volleyball

Who would have thought that the Geronimo volleyball genes would run through the veins of my 2 daughters - Natassja and Neenah.

I am proud to say that I have been playing volleyball since I was in Grade 5, consistently played in the school intramurals during high school and joined the varsity team during my senior year. In college, I trained for a while in the varsity team but our team was unfortunately disbanded. I was fortunate to have been trained by Volleyball Coach extraordinaire, Mr. Cuenca, a member of the national volleyball team and coach to a number of volleyball teams, including the Philippine team. I also joined a few inter-barangay leagues. I am an addict of this sport and always loved to play.

My other family members in the Geronimo clan also played this sport beautifully - our beloved Ate Minna+, and my cousins Ronnie and Rochelle. It was from a spike of my cousin Ronnie that hit me on the face which actually removed my fear of volleyball.

My eldest daughter, Natassja, joined the varsity I think 2 years ago. And Neenah joined last year in the elementary level. Both of them have excelled in this sport that is so close to my heart which is why I totally support them as they continue to better themselves and show their love for volleyball.

Lovin that they both do overhead service :-)

This year, both of them are playing in the varsity team of Holy Rosary Academy of Las Pinas City and it's  exciting for me, too, that they are playing in one team. Today is intrams day at HRA and they told me they would compete with each other as Freshmen and Seniors. I have not seen them in action yet, thus, I didn't want to miss this opportunity so I dropped by late afternoon to see how well my kids played.

Candid moments while waiting for service :-)

Neenah's freshies team didn't win both their games but I was so proud of how their team played. They even beat the Juniors in one set, a feat which has not been achieved by any freshman team in a while. They also gave a good game vs. the Seniors where Natassja was playing. I could really say Neenah earned her right to be named "female athlete of the year" last year when she graduated from elementary. :-)

Neenah in action

Natassja exceeded my expectations. As I knew she was a good player, she was very composed even if I knew she was pressured with their game vs. the juniors. She led her team and played as if she owned the court. And I also have to congratulate her teammates as well. Great job, Excedence. :-)

Tashi in action

I was indeed one proud mommy today, seeing my 2 daughters play the sport I truly love, and play it very well. I hope they continue their love for the sport and develop the values associated with it - dedication, teamwork, humility, and respect.

Welcome to my blog :)

This is the first time I am blogging as a mom, because I was really inspired with the symposium I have attended earlier on handling the social stigma of people who have intellectual disability. It made me realize that it's about time I become an advocate of disability, and at the same time, talk about how proud I am of my kids. <3

Let me tell you about my 3 kids.

Natassja Danielle N. Mariano
Tashi is my first tender care baby. Born on August 12, 1997 in Muntinlupa Medical Center, I had her when I was 20 years old. Great dancer, singer, speaker, volleyball player, and potential event coordinator haha. I really think she's my mini-me.

Neenah Yzabelle N. Mariano
Neenzy is my youngest daughter. Came into the world on December 3, 1999 at Perpetual Help Medical Center, 2 years after Tashi. Also a great dancer, singer, tennis player, and volleyball player. A lot of people say she looks like my mom. But Neenzy is our "lola" because she is more matured. But she's supposedly the more responsible one. :-)

Nukh Rafael N. Mariano
Nukh was born in November 19, 2003 at Las Pinas Doctors Medical Center. The only boy in our family - as we are two girls, and my 2 older children - so he is king of the house. He is diagnosed with Broad Spectrum Autism, but regardless, we love him very much. He's mucho handsome and English-speaking so better be ready for some nose-bleeding conversations when you go talk to him. :-)

If you notice, all of them have special name spellings. It was really what I wanted because I was kind of frustrated with having one short name. Since I named Natassja after Nastassja Kinski, I named all of them starting with the letter N, and because I started Tashi with a second name that ends is "elle", I followed suit with Neenah, and "el" for Nukh.

It's pretty difficult to raise three kids without a partner. But I have no regrets having them. They are blessings and I love them dearly. This blog will be dedicated to our life's adventures and misadventures, so I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing about them. :-)