A Life Given and A Life Taken

There is an old saying that for every life given there must be a life taken so that the circle of life can continue and remain balanced.


When I was pregnant a couple of years ago with my son, my father was diagnosed with Stage IV Tonsillar Carcinoma that surely made us worry. Since it is not healthy for a pregnant woman to worry too much, I did not dwell on my father's health condition too much and instead focused on the positive news that there was going to be a new addition to the family.


Eventually my father underwent chemotherapy treatment and I soon gave birth to his first grandson. To make the long story short, my father experienced the recurrence of stage IV carcinoma -- the last one was diagnosed in his nasal passage. Being a strong and willful man that he is, he still chose to undergo medical treatment so that he may live a little longer. Unfortunately, this last treatment affected his salivary glands thus he was unable to produce saliva resulting in his loss of appetite and soon enough his body began deteriorating.


After a few months of fighting to stay alive, he finally drifted off to permanent sleep with my son right beside him.


It has now been almost 7 months since my father passed away but I can't help thinking if somehow his death had an effect on my son. You see, at the young age of 3, my son is exhibiting behavioral characteristics that were specifically unique to my father. My son's way of laughing, dancing, and even the way he rubs his chin when in deep thought makes me remember my father. I can't help but think that there really is a connection in each one of us; that there is a trait that can be passed on from one generation to the next; and that we will never forget those who really matter most.


A life given and a life taken? It does seem to be the rule of nature. Don't you think?

Home Baking Business

I used to bake cakes for our pleasure and as gifts to family and friends when somebody suggested that instead of giving away those baked goodies why not try and see how I could make an honest earning out of my hobby. So that was the start of my baking career.

When I resigned from my day job last September 2009, I decided I would try to make a more conscious effort of promoting and selling my baked items, hence the birth of PAVZEL Homemade Cakes and Pastries. I won't sugar coat the reality that it has been tough to enter the baking business - what with the hundreds of available home bakers that have entered the market long before I did, but when you love something that you do then you simply do not give up.

Now, I have started to gain a number of clients and am steadily building up a good list of clients -- either through my online store or through family and friend recommendations.

It is hard but at the same time it is fun and I wouldn't have it any other way :)