lex kulet 3

Bagong panganak si Mommy. Dinalaw ni Lex sa hospital. Pagkakita ky Baby Lance…

"Anak mo 'yan?!"

~ 0 ~

Sinisilip ni Lex ang ilong ni Daddy. Serious.

"Daddy, ba't may grass dyan?"

~ 0 ~

Umuwi si Darlene from school, kasama ang mga classmates, na "friends" daw nya.

"It's so much to see you again!"

Ano daw? Hehehe.

the newest kid in town

Today is Clyron's birthday. Unfortunately, I cannot take a day off from work today. (Hello, galing na 'ko sa 4-day sick leave!)

I woke up to the sound of my cellphone ringing. It doesn't register any name, so I know it is an overseas call.

Elay: Hello (in a soft bedroom voice).
Norly: Neng, nanganak na Ate mo! Lalake!

Well, that's the best news I've heard for quite some time. Excitement and happiness overcame me, I just fumbled with questions. Normal ba? Kamusta si ate? 'Yung bata? E di May 25 dyan? And I heard Nanay calling me out, I handed her my cellphone. Teary-eyed, she asks Norly basic questions a mother and a grandmother would want to know about her daughter and her new grandchild.

I let out a sigh of relief. Thank you, God!

After a few days, Ate send me the pictures and gave me the details of how she normally delivered an 8.8 lbs-54 cms-baby. Wow! (Can't believe that, either!)

Here he is, my newest nephew, Clarence Ethan.

Clyron's birthday pics...

the weekend that was may 24-25

Friday. Still limping with a sprained ankle, Irvin accompanied me to the office to join our team bonding. Of course, he doesn't approve of me joining this outing. But I can't let this opportunity go, my last chance to feel the summer wind hitting my face.

We left the office around 7 PM to go to the bus terminal at Sampaloc. There, we dined at a nearby Thai carinderia where our teammates greeted me and Khai a belated birthday greeting (yes, we share the same birthday). We prepared for the anticipated tiring trip of 10 hours. Whew! I sat at the very 1st sit right behind the driver, so I can have enough room for my legs. The bus left around 9:45. This is it.

I had enough sleep, even if I did wake up several times, looked for landmarks to see where we are, texted Irvin. We passed the sleeping villages of Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Pangasinan and La Union (our only stopover). It's creepy to travel at such wee hours. I felt the sun kissing my sleepy eyes, that was 5:30 AM of Saturday. We were already in Ilocos Sur. A few more hours and we were in Laoag, made some stretching and got off the bus. We had our breakfast at Jollibee Laoag (hanep, wi-fi zone!).

We were back on the roads again, this time to Pagudpud. We stopped over the Lighthouse of Cape Bojeador and Bangui Bay Wind Project. The sceneries were very pleasant, the wind is invigorating, the sun is uplifting. Thank God, there were no signs of rain. We were at the Pannzian Beach and Mountain Resort at around 10:30. We checked in, took a shower, had lunch and prepared for our next destination.

Approximately an hour of walk, three brooks and an up-and-down path led us to Kabigan Falls. My teammates constantly ask me if I'm still okay, knowing that I'm still recovering from sprain. Oh well, I just smiled, "Oo nman, kaya ko!" (Kung alam ko lang…hehehe!) Most of my teammates went swimming, teased Marie all the time and of course, had picturetaking session.

Next stop, Blue Lagoon Beach Resort, a place they called "mini-Boracay". I have been in Boracay twice, and I can say it is not comparable to Boracay. The sand is not as powdery as in Boracay, but the water is as calm and clear. A good venue for picturetaking. The place has a beauty of its own, but with a pile of trash sitting in the shore, that beauty has already been ruined. Haay, tsk tsk!

We went back to Pannzian, where my cellphone is useless hehe. After dinner, we had some fun games by the bonfire. And while the others are already retiring for the night, JJ, May, Marie, Grace, Peewee and me played Sequence. We went to sleep around 1 AM.

Sunday. JJ woke us up at around 6 AM. The sun is already up and I missed the opportunity to catch the sunrise. Feels so good to look at the South China Sea stretching to the horizon. I had the chance to soak in the sea for like 15 minutes (if I stayed longer, Irvin would be furious and won't allow me to join the next team bonding hehe). Well, I did not enjoy much, because the waves are rushing to the shore so I just stayed a few steps from the coast. Then I took a shower, ate breakfast and enjoyed my stay at the hammock. I missed Irvin.

We checked out early so we can visit the other sites in Ilocos Norte. We had lunch at Max's Laoag (hindi wi-fi, daig ng Jollibee). Then off we go to Marcos Museum (btw, we had a flat tire on our way), the majestic Paoay Church and the Fort Ilocandia Resort. Sight seeing and picturetaking filled our time.

Before going to the airport, we stopped by McDo for a quick and early dinner. We checked in at Laoag International Airport around 6:30. The Cebu Pacific plane seemed small, not their usual Airbus, and the trip? It was headache-provoking! I felt the twists and turns of the plane and I was already feeling dizzy when the Captain spoke up. We were already in Manila.

It was raining hard when we got off the plane. Picturetaking pa din while waiting for our bags and distributing pasalubongs. And who is this attractive guy who seemed to be looking for an equally attractive girl? Si Irvin pala hinahanap ako. (Hahaha! Minsan lang ito.)

Okay, back to work na! (Pictures pa? Eto: http://enelie14.multiply.com/)

aray ko!

Today is my 4th day of rest. I've been on sick leave since Tuesday. Why? Haaay. Here's the story:

Lunes ng gabi. Magkikita kami ni Irvin sa SM Bacoor. Sa pagbaba ko ng van, sumabit 'yung takong ko sa kanan. Nagdiretso 'yung kaliwa, sumadsad at nasira ang sandals na suot ko. Naiwan 'yung katawan ko, habang nakababa na 'yung paa ko. Inayos ko ang sarili ko, arrrgh! Masakit, promise! Pilay ako, 'kala ko hindi ko kakayaning lumakad. Naisara ko pa ang van, matagal pa bago ito umalis. Pinag-isipan din siguro nung driver kung tutulungan ba nya ako. Hindi ko ikinilos ang paa ko, hinagilap muna ang cellphone. "Vin, nahulog ako sa van! Andito ko sa tapat ng SM, hindi ako makalakad." Dumating na si Clark Kent, tiningnan ang paa ko at ang kakayahan kong maglakad. "Kain muna tayo, gutom na ko." Haha! Pilay na ako nyan ha. Magkahalong awa at takot ang nakita ko kay Irvin, siniguradong malayo pa ang mga sasakyan bago tumawid. Uh-oh, halos kaladkarin ko na ang kaliwang paa ko para lang hindi makaramdam ng sakit. Pero masakit pa din. E at least, nakakain na ko. :P Magang-maga na ang paa ko pagkauwi namin. Nilagyan ni Irvin ng yelo. Pagkalipas ng mga isang oras, binuhat na nya ako para makapagpahinga. Oo, binuhat nya ako. At oo, kaya nya.

I spent the rest of the weekdays resting, chatting with Nanay, going out when needed, texting my officemates. My birthday plans did not push through because of my sprained ankle. :(

I have to rest, I need to rest. I have to join the team bonding in Pagudpod. The team will leave by 7 PM.

today, i am 26

Clyron will be celebrating his 1st birthday this coming May 26 and Tatay, several weeks ago, was already busy thinking of what he will prepare for his apo's birthday. And yes, he forgot that mine comes first.

Today I just turned 26. Sweet 26. See, I don't really fuss about my age (at least, not yet) because I don't feel like I'm 26 (I think I have stopped growing old when I turned 18). Only when I see younger people whom I know, when I see them growing up, changing looks, that is when I realize…ay tumatanda na nga ako.

Birthday, for me, is a special time to thank God for all the blessings He has showered upon me. Sometimes I wonder what God would ask of me, in return of all the good things I have - family, husband, career, friends. Yes, I do have hang ups and complaints, but why spend my time dwelling on those things when I have so much blessings to treasure.

I would like to thank those who remembered me at my birthday! (Sana wala akong nakalimutan, kung meron...patawad!)

Via text (as it appears in my inbox) - Grace C, Sister4ever, Hifag, Mavel, J-j, John, Agnes, Arvie, Dinay, Marie, Rjay, Analaine, +639283848486, Andrea, Anne, Peewee, Des, +639279448855, Sarah, Lelie, Rocelle, Deybian, Mitch, - Elay -, Hazel
Via email (as it appears in my inbox) - Aleli, Aileen
Via YM (as it appears in my contacts) - Lheighnie
Via phone call - Nanay, Ate
Via Friendster (as it appears in Friendster) - Rlin, Its_me, Sarah, RyanQueenie, Russ, Mae, Yethut, Karlo Mark, Jonnel
Via personal appearance - Irvin

I had brunch with Nana, Kishie, MJ, Bryann and Irvin at Jollibee. Parang children's party, hehe!

Uber yummy ang lunch ko with the patatim bought by Tatay. He also bought me a cake and a whole roasted chicken (bumabawi ata sa pagkalimot nya). I completed the dinner with Chibugan's pancit malabon! (Though, it would still be happier if the Seaside food trip had been pushed through.)

Today I just turned 26. Today seems like an ordinary day, I noticed. I greeted myself and I cried bitterly. Tomorrow is another day, I will be okay.

the weekend that was may 17-18

As usual, I had a difficulty getting up early. Haaay! Gusto ko pa naman talagang pumasok ng maaga. Last Friday, I was obliged to come to work early because I have a presentation at 8:30. I left home around 6 and I was at the office before 7:30. I enjoyed the early travel with less hassle, smooth traffic and morning sunshine. With that, I promised myself that I'll change my morning habit with starting off early.

Apparently, it did not happen today. Har har! I was muttering "5 minutes pa…" everytime the alarm goes on. Bitin na naman ang weekend, ito pa naman ang favorite part of the week ko. Well, as usual, the weekend was okay with me having a pre-birthday celebration with the Estacions last Saturday. Initially, the plan is that we will dine at Yellow Cab then go to Residence Inn Zoo. (Aside from Kishie, Irvin is interested in the "zoo" part because he heard that there is a new attraction there - a white lion! Personally, I think Irvin was a lion in his past life.) Enald is the spoiler, arriving at home around 4. (Hehe, peace!) It was past 6 when we arrived in Tagaytay, it was also then that the dark cumulu-nimbus clouds started to gather around the area. When I got off the car, brrrrrr! Uber sa lamig! We opted to dine at RSM because it's already dinnertime and knowing Irvin's brothers, pizza and pasta would not suffice. Hehe! We filled our appetite with yummy foods, and after, siyempre photo opps! I heard Irvin mumbling "This is the life" while him, Kishie and I were on the swing. Sayang lang talaga kasi umuulan every now and then, at wala na ding view kasi nga late na.

Pagkababa ng kinain namin sa RSM (mga nasa esophagus na), nag-coffee at muffins naman kami sa Figaro (thank you, Ate Sette!). I am not a coffee person so I settled for a chocolate frost (Tagaytay? Frost? Cool!). Li'l Kishie seems to be in the mood for making "pasikat" that even those in the next table noticed and coaxed her to join them.

I can feel that the Estacion boys do not want to go home yet. Well, if you were in a nice place like Tagaytay and having quality time with your family, who would want to go someplace else?

Para sa Solis naman ang Sunday ko, the bonding isn't as extravagant as with the Estacions, pero happy pa din. There's no place like home talaga, as long as Tatay does not throw in any tantrums. Hehe! I should have helped Nanay with the cooking (it's fiesta) but I woke up late so I just fixed the house and washed Irvin's undies. Irvin accompanied me to Nanay Medoy, my balikbayan aunt, to bring my Nanay's famous kare-kare and to have a little chit chat. Nanay Medoy greeted me with a cute question, "Akala ko buntis ka na?" I answered my usual line, "Mukha lang po." :)

After hearing the mass and having dinner, we went home in Cavite City. While I was ironing clothes, we watched The Pursuit of Happyness. Very touching.

mixed up

It's raining almost every night now and I heard there are already typhoons coming in. Haaay! It's already the 2nd week of May and I have not joined any summer outing! Grrrr! Buti pa si Irvin, nakapag-Blue Coral na. I wished I joined the company outing in Caylabne last April 12-13. Why didn't I join? Because Irvin and I are supposed to join his officemates in Zoobic, which unluckily, did not push through. And then that Volet's outing-turned-badminton.

My only hope now is our 1st quarter team bonding next week in Pagudpod! (Dear God, please don't make it rain. O sige po, kung uulan sana sa gabi na lang.) I'm getting giddy!

Another reason to be giddy is that I'm having a new pamangkin! As Clyron celebrates his 1st birthday, Ate will be giving birth to her new baby. I can still remember the moment when Ate told me she's pregnant, what her fear is that she would not be able to celebrate Clyron's birthday because she will be busy taking care of her newborn. She cried, and I cried, too. Gaya-gaya ako e! Oh well, that's life. And looking at the brighter side, tipid sa handaan kasi isang celebration na lang. Di ba?

Sabi nga ng mga oldies, kapag nanganganak ang babae, nakalagay na ang isang paa nya sa hukay. So even if I am confident that Ate will be delivering her baby safely, she would still need some moral support. And since she's on the other side of the globe, I would just pray for her and her new baby. I have asked Irvin to pray for her, too.

Some senti pics…haaay, nakaka-miss!



Right after my wedding, outing!

Kodakan bago lumisan...

the weekend that was may 10-11

I started Saturday early, woke up at around 6:30, then fixed the things to be brought home (to Rosario and to Tanza, whew!). We (Leng, Agnes, Irvin and me) were supposed to go to Volet’s today, but due to unavoidable events, we have to cancel it. How sad. To compensate, we had badminton instead! Yey! Sarap talaga ng feeling! Plus, another bonding moment with my friends.

Another yey, Agnes and Leng gave me their advance birthday gift - a pair of Havaianas flip flops! I don’t really like Havaianas, I mean, how can a pair of flip flops be so expensive. Kurips pa naman ako. But I’ll get to like this one, because my friends gave it to me.

Rainy season’s started to declare its presence.

While Irvin bathed his baby Raider, I babysat his niece, Kishie. The toddler is cute and smart, mimicking practically every action I do. I built a house for her, with pillows as walls and door. Then she would call her stuffed toys (siyempre ako ang taga-abot), and one by one they would go through the pillow door. Hehehe, reminds me of Lex. * Sniff *

We watched Pirates 2 and 3 yesterday. Notable movies!

me, myself and i

My blogs are way too serious for me, I noticed, as if I did not write them. Well, minsan lang naman ‘yan no (pagbigyan na).

I would introduce the “other side” of me with the 10 things about me, even some of my friends do not know. Trivia ito!

1. Malalim ang etymology ng pangalan ko. EN represents my mother’s initial (Norma) and ELIE represents my father’s nickname.
2. Tatlong beses akong nag-muse nu’ng elementary. Oo. Tatlong beses. Ako. Muse. I represented the beautiful countries of Peru twice and Cuba once. I was never crowned Ms. UN, though. (Alam ko, madami magre-react dito…OO, PAYAT AKO NOON.)
3. Journalist ako nu’ng highschool at nakipag-compete ako sa mga press conference. I can still remember my winning piece “Ang Alaga Kong Tamagotchi.” Yes, usong-uso noon ang Tamagotchi, sobrang uso nya ipinagbawal ng DECS sa mga schools (DECS pa noon, di pa DepEd). The article put me in 3rd place in the division level. I am tempted to stop my story here, but anyway, ikukuwento ko na din ung nangyari nung regional level. I got mentally blocked, just upon knowing the topic. “Bakit Hindi Pambansa ang Ating Wika?” Aba, malay ko.
4. Nagdyo-join ako sa mga oratorical contests - elementary, highschool at college. Madami pa kasi ang hindi nakakapansin na sa declamation ang calling ko, hehe.
5. Isa sa mga pangarap ko ang mag-shopping ng hindi tumitingin sa tag price, ung kuha lang ng kuha sa mga istante.
6. Ang karaniwang laman ng bag ko ay: payong, wallet at coin purse, ballpen, salamin at suklay, hand sanitizer, B&BW lotion at cologne.
7. Nag-e-enjoy ako ‘pag napapakinggan ko ang Tambalang Balasubas at Balahura. (Walang pakialaman.)
8. Hindi ako marunong magluto. Willing sana akong matuto kaso wala namang panahon. (Huuuu, palusot pa!) Pero marunong akong kumain, ilan sa mga favorite ko ay ang luto ng nanay at tatay ko, ng nanay ni Irvin at ni Irvin.
9. I used to be a Kapamilya, nakikipag-away pa ‘ko para sa Channel 2. Pero nag-mature na ako, hindi na ako nakikipag-away ngayon. Hindi na din ako solid Kapamilya, mga 50% na lang, ung remaining percentage is divided as follows: 45% Ka-cable at 5% Kapuso.
10. Adik ako sa Pugad Baboy komiks, malaking porsyento ng kasiyahan ko sa buhay ang nakukuha ko dito (naks!). Nagsimula ang hilig ko dito nu’ng Grade 4 ako, nu’ng minsang magdala ung manliligaw ng ate ko na nag-aaral sa UP. Astig, kwela, makatotohanan. Hanggang ngayon, paulit-ulit ko pa itong binabasa at siyempre pa, natatawa pa din ako. Minsan na din akong nakipag-away para kay Pol Medina nu’ng sinabi ng isang friend ko, “Ayoko nyan, hindi naman nakakatawa ‘yan e!” Hiritan ko nga ng “Baka naman ‘di mo lang makuha…”

lex kulet 2

Tatay (coaxing Lex): My name…
Lex (following Tatay): My name…
Tatay: Is…
Lex: Is…
Tatay: Clea…
Lex: Clea…
Tatay: Elexene
Lex: Les’sin
Tatay: Solis!
Lex: Di Solis, Nandez!
(Lex’s full name is Clea Elexene Solis Hernandez.)

~ 0 ~

Darlene’s classmate, referred to as Girl X, talks to Lex. (Darlene is Lex’s cousin.)

Girl X: Did you fix your hair?
Lex: Yes!
Girl X: Who fixed your hair?
Lex: Yes!

~ 0 ~

Nanay, Tatay and Tita chatting with Mommy, Daddy and Lex. Nagluluto pa si Ninong ng ubod ng sarap na spaghetti, kaya sumilip na lang muna sa webcam.

Lex: Ay si Ninong Irvin, susuklay muna ako…

Juice ko, pareho pa kami ng taste ng pamangkin ko. Hehehe!

the weekend that was may 3-4

Yipeee, Sabaday! I was not excited with SM’s 3-Day Sale unlike before when Ate and I would plan to go to this sale days before (Ate’s concern: Neng, sa’n tayo kakain?). Well, probably because I am so broke now and my savings are slipping through my fingertips like water, waaah! Anyway, I still went and I got myself a pair of pants and a blouse and some bonding moments with Nanay. Irvin, with Nana and his brother Enald, went to SM around 2 PM and accompanied me to the supermarket first before looking for some good buys. When we went home around 6 PM, it was raining and some streaks of lightning can be seen. Weirdo talaga ang summer!

It’s so nice to see my two mothers together - Nanay and Nana (my mother-in-law).



That night, we enjoyed the Pyrolympics through our window! Yes, we can see it! Cool! (Photos above were received via email, Pyrolympics 2007.)

Sunday. I have invited Nanay and Tatay to come over so they can see Lex and Clyron via webcam. Well, as expected, the first few moments were dramatic. I can see Tatay cry and his voice broke, “‘Kala ko ba makakausap sila?!” Hehehe! Galit pala. Unfortunately, there was something wrong with the laptop they are using so I just typed whatever Nanay and Tatay are saying and read whatever Ate is typing. Ate says they will buy a Sony Vaio laptop next week so we can talk nonstop. Kakainggit! Oh-kay! We saw Lex and Clyron playing, so happy to see them! And I know, my parents are just as delighted. We also got the chance to thank Ate Irene, Norly’s sister, who sponsored them.

I did some household chores today, naks! I cleaned the bathroom, mopped the rest of the area, washed Irvin’s underwear and ironed our clothes. Wow, parang hindi ako.

Tomorrow is Monday and I have a big week ahead. It’s closing time.

Ooops, I almost forgot! After watching a movie last Thursday (that was May 1) with Agnes and Leng, Irvin and I bought our most awaited pair of Converse Chuck Taylor. High cut for him, low cut for me. Red for both of us, bloody red. Obviously, I skipped the “movie” part because I was not happy with the film, sayang ang 120. Hehehe!