just thinking aloud

salamat tatay at nanay!

2011-11-09T19:28:00.002+08:00

Nasa Tagaytay kami nang matanggap nyo ang mahiwagang envelope. Luha ni Tatay ang sumalubong sa akin pag-uwi ko. Hindi ko alam kung good o bad news ba ang pagkaka-approve sa visa nyo. Ang alam ko lang noon, excited ako para sa inyo at sa mga ipapadala kay Ate. May takot at lungkot pero hindi ko muna inintindi.

Ngayon, magdadalawang buwan na ang nakalipas mula ng lumipad kayo papuntang Canada, naaalala ko pa ang pag-aasikaso ko ng passport, visa, plane ticket at bagahe nyo. DFA, Canadian Embassy, SM, Divisoria. Naaalala ko pa ang mga baon nyo. Naalala ko pa ang sulat na ginawa ko para masamahan kayo hanggang sa pag-check-in sa airport. Naaalala ko pa ang mga habilin nyo.

At naaalala ko pa ang sinabi ni Nanay bago umalis sa bahay, "Hindi ko alam kung tama ang gagawin namin..." sabay tulo ng luha.

Masyado pang maaga, pero para sa akin, kung para sa ikabubuti ng anak, walang gagawing mali ang magulang.

Apat na taon na ang nakalipas mula ng umalis sila Ate. Tatlo na ang anak nya noon, pero nasa tiyan pa niya ang isa. Tatlong taon ang panganay nya at anim na buwan ang sumunod. Ngayon, muli kayong nagkita-kita. Nai-imagine ko, puno na ang iyakan at tawanan sa airport nang salubungin nyo sila.

Ako, ilang gabing umiiyak bago at pagkatapos nyong umalis. Maraming pagkakataon na iniisip ko na sana boses ulit ni Tatay ang nagpapatulog kay Rian o kamay ni Nanay ang nagpapaligo kay Rian, na sana si Tatay ang naglilinis ng bahay o si Nanay ang nagluluto, na sana pwede pa akong matulog ng mas matagal o mag-ubos ng oras sa pag-i-internet.

Pero siyempre, tuloy ang buhay, move on lang ng move on. Hanggang sa...

Ngayon, Tatay at Nanay, nagpapasalamat ako dahil iniwan nyo ako.

Dahil kung hindi nyo ako iniwan, hindi magiging exciting ang bawat Sabado morning ko. Dahil kaming dalawa lang ni Rian ang magkasama, kailangan kong maghanda ng almusal ni Irvin, makisayaw kay Rian sa Hi-5, patulugin si Rian para sa kanyang morning nap, makisayaw kay Rian sa Showtime at maghanda ng disenteng tanghalian.

Dahil kung hindi nyo ako iniwan, hindi ako matututong mag-research ng recipes, mag-grocery, ma-pressure habang nasa harap ng kalan, magluto ng chicken fillet in garlic cream sauce, pork bistek, beef mechado at beef with mushroom. At higit sa lahat, hindi masasabi sa akin ni Irvin na, "Masarap ka palang magluto!"

Dahil kung hindi nyo ako iniwan, hindi ko matututuhang maging independent kahit dalawang araw lang sa loob ng isang linggo.

Dahil kung hindi nyo ako iniwan, kahati ko kayo sa oras ni Rian. Ngayon solong-solo ko siya, hehehe!

Alam ko na ang dahilan ng pag-alis nyo ay para sa ikabubuti ni Ate, pero hindi sinasadya, para sa ikabubuti ko din pala.

Dahil higit sa pagiging anak, magulang din ako...na ngayon ay ramdam na ramdam ko.

photo journal: gold

2011-11-02T23:08:00.002+08:00

part 3: what happened to me?

2011-11-02T23:05:00.000+08:00

Gosh, it has been ages since my last post. In fact, my baby has not crossed the 1-year old mark when I wrote a post on Father's Day. Now, he's 4 months over that mark! (And still very charming :)!)

7. We celebrated Ate Sette's birthday at Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna last March 26. Late lunch at Conti's, fish feeding, and boating. Passed by Paseo de Sta. Rosa and made a stop at Giligan's Summit Ridge in Tagaytay for dinner.

all boys

waiting to be seated

rian's menu

busog!

day-off :)

boating!

plakda na ang hyper.

8. We celebrated Nanay's April 1 birthday last April 3 at Tagaytay :)

they also celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary last April 14!

9. Meet-up with my Chevron friends last May 30. Thai food + dessert! Indeed, food is one of our friendship's foundation.

at jatujak

happy father's day!

2011-06-19T22:58:00.000+08:00

Totoo pala na kapag naging magulang ka, mas pahahalagahan mo ang mga magulang mo.

Sa pinakadakilang ama na nagsunog ng kilay at nagsikap maibigay sa mga anak ang mga bagay na hindi siya nagkaroon.

Sa pinakadakilang lolo na sa halip na magpahinga ay nag-aalaga ng apo para makatulong sa anak.

Maligayang Araw ng mga Ama, Tatay. Sana po alam nyo kung gaano ko pinahahalagahan ang lahat ng sakripisyo nyo para sa amin.

part 2: what happened to me?

2011-06-12T13:23:00.001+08:00

4. January 22. It’s my mother-in-law’s birthday celebration! The Estacions had late lunch at Trinity Restaurant at Seaside (at the back of SM Mall of Asia). I was not feeling well, so no more side trips.

mi cutie bebe

happy birthday lola!

5. As mentioned in # 4, I was not feeling well that day. I was shivering and my temperature started to rise. That night, I had a high-grade fever rising up to 40.2 degrees Celsius. I had to be isolated. My fever went on and off for days.

I was already two days absent so when I thought I’m already okay, I decided to go to work. I consulted our company doctor and she noticed the rashes in my arms. I was advised to go home and to take a blood test.

When Irvin went home from work, he immediately decided to take me to the hospital after seeing the rashes. So we went to the emergency room, took some tests and waited for the results. My platelet count was low but it was still within the normal range. My white blood cell count was surprisingly low. I had to be admitted to be sure about what my condition is.

Blood samples were taken regularly and a blot test confirmed it. I was victimized by dengue.

Luckily, my platelet count did not drop much. Slowly, it rose every time blood samples were taken.

After 3 days at the hospital, of not going to work and of missing Rian, I was discharged. Yey!

6. February 17. Rian had a slight fever in the afternoon. He was still high spirited when we picked him up that night.

At around 11 PM, Irvin and I were about to sleep when Irvin noticed that Rian was shaky. He was shivering but there were no other signs of fever. We noticed that he was pale too. Irvin rushed to Ate Sette’s room to ask what could be the cause. When we took his temperature, he was 38.5 degrees Celsius. But after a few minutes, I took his temperature and it was over 40 degrees Celsius. He threw up and we were already in a panicky mode. I immediately packed some of Rian’s things, got my wallet and cellphone. We were off to the hospital.

It was around midnight when we arrived at the emergency room. The fever already subsided. But we still needed to get urine and blood sample. The nurses checked on Rian’s diaper to see if urine sample has already been collected (through a small plastic with a rubber ring, something like that). We already decided to bring Rian home and just bring the urine sample once it was collected but fortunately, he urinated while we were in the hospital. The urine test showed a high level of infection in his urine. He had to be admitted.

I was not agreeable to Rian being admitted. He’s being overly active will not permit the IV to stay on its proper place under his skin. So I called up my friend, Rian’s godmother, Dra. Avilla, I mean Ivy, to discuss the situation with her. She explained to me that UTI is common to infants, boys and girls, and that admission is necessary because oral antibiotics won’t work as effectively as those to be given via IV. Okay then, Rian was admitted.

The decision is tough but what came next is way much tougher. Since Rian will be admitted, the IV has to be inserted. First the ER nurse, then another ER nurse, then the head nurse-on-duty, then the ER doctor, then another nurse. All of them tried to insert the IV either on Rian’s left hand or right hand or left foot or right foot. None of them had successfully done it.

Two hours of trying to insert the IV and Rian’s non-stop crying, our hearts were already breaking. I had to assist the nurse everytime the IV is inserted, my tears falling while telling Rian it’s not painful and that it will be over soon. We begged the nurses to put off putting the IV until the morning. They called up the doctor and they agreed.

Rian was exhausted, and so were we.

Rian’s pediatrician was not available. The reliever doctor came and explained the situation to us. He inserted the IV, with no hassle. Great! We learned that finding blood vessels is difficult if a person has just vomited.

Rian stayed in the hospital until Monday. We missed Kishie’s 5th birthday party, but the best thing was that he recovered. Thank God!

photo journal: starbucks moment

2011-06-02T22:35:00.000+08:00

happy mother's day!

2011-05-08T11:27:00.000+08:00

Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. - Marion C. Garretty (A Little Spoonful of Chicken Soup for the Soul

Lately, my posts have been all about me being a mother. But behind my mother role is an equally important character...a daughter.

Nanay, thank you for the life and the sacrifices you have to make to help me be who I am today. I am so proud to be your daughter.

part 1: what happened to me?

2011-05-02T23:12:00.000+08:00

It has been a while since my last decent post. I must say I missed blogging too. There has been a lot going on in my life now, and about 90% of my time is attributed to work and motherhood. I wanted to share so much of my experiences, happy and sad, but I just don't have the time.

No, I'm not ranting. Work gives me financial stability. And motherhood, it gives me the strength to fight life's daily battles. You know, at times, I wanted to quit my job and pursue my other dreams but I guess it's maternal instinct that says "Stop. Stay." I am not willing to sacrifice instability, at least not yet.

So, what really happened to me in the past few months of not blogging?

1. My good friend Agnes got married last December! Although our friend Sarah was not able to return to Philippines and attend her wedding, it was still good to have Mhay and Leng with us. I was not part of the entourage, but I was the commentator during the nuptial mass.

me and irvin

another one said "i do!"

Congratulations, Agnes and Tristan!

2. My first Christmas with my new work.

finance christmas party

finance exchange gift

ad christmas party

3. Meet-up with balikbayan friends. Mhay and Leng went home in time for Agnes' wedding and the Christmas season :)

dinner @ malens

mhay's signature wacky pose

AMA_E

rian meets titas!

a letter to rian

2011-04-23T15:50:00.002+08:00

April 23, 2011

Dear Rian,

As I watch you sleep, reality sets in. You have grown so big that my arms get stiff when carrying you for a few minutes. You used to be the size of a sesame seed inside my belly. You were 3.5 kilograms when you entered the world, but now you are nearing 9. The smallest shirts used to hang in your tiny body, but now you are already size 4. Time flies really fast.

Before, I could leave you for a few minutes knowing you’ll be safe being sandwiched by two small bolsters. Now I could not leave you for a split second because before I know it, you have already gone from the center to the edge of the bed.

You have grown, and so is your world.

Tatay and I used to be your world. But now you have Lolo Ely and Lola Norma, Lolo Rey and Lola Tess, Tita Ninang and Tito Ninongs, Ate Kishie, and a whole lot more people on the street, in the neighbourhood. They are all trying to get your attention and your sweet smile.

Lolo Ely always says you are luckiest kid because you are loved by so many people. As I see it, it’s so true.

But sometimes I feel hurt when you would rather be picked up by someone else other than me. Sometimes I feel hurt when other people can make you laugh when I can’t. Sometimes I cry when I can’t offer you the comfort you need.

And then reality bites. Your world has expanded and you need to be loved by others, too.

I feel guilty because for a moment, I have been selfish.

Like Tatay discovering his newfound interest with his bike, travelling to places where I can’t go and bonding with new friends, you will be like him one day. You will discover the big world you’re in. You will learn about games and nursery rhymes. You will look for playmates and peers.

I can’t give you all the happiness you need. At times, you will be on your own. And I have to let you go.

Just like a mother eagle teaching baby eagle to fly, I need to prepare your wings so that you could soar up in the sky. By then, you will see me smiling, perhaps with a few tears of joy.

I know it’s way too early to be thinking about this now. You have just started standing on your own. You have just started babbling and saying things only you can understand. But as I said, time flies really fast. You’ll be all grown up one day, ready to be circumcised and ashamed to be kissed by me in front of your friends. I am taking this chance to tell you things as serious as this.

I love you, my forever baby. When things get tough for me, I always think about your rare smile and everything seem to be falling into place again.

Love,
Nanay

P.S. Here's a picture of us taken during Tita Ninang's birthday celebration. You are about 9 months and you are absolutely charming.

father and son

2011-02-17T22:40:00.004+08:00

This is my favorite father-and-son picture of Irvin and Rian. So cute! Are they talking about me? :)

new year, new profile

2011-02-16T23:16:00.003+08:00

Surprise, surprise! I'm alive! (I think I'll explain my absence when I have more time to write a more decent entry.)

Noticed? I've trashed my old profile and created a short one. Well, it's not that the former is no longer applicable, everything detail still applies! I just felt I needed to simplify it.

So I'm saying goodbye to my 3-year old narrative...

"i am a part of generation y, having the same birthday as nora aunor and julie vega. my parents waited for 11 years to see their 1st born, my ate eli, who is currently residing in canada with her family. 77 months after, i was born. i had been a "straight" student when i was schooling. i met the "man in my future" during my college days. my shoe size is 7 and my vital statistics are never mind. i love being in the water even if i do not know how to swim. i enjoy videoke. i like dark chocolate and truffles. i believe i am not kikay, vain nor OC. my soulmate is my mother. even if i have been working in makati for 4 years, i still am very probinsiyana. i like weekends. i cry and laugh a lot. i think, my husband is the most adorable person in the world. i always try to look at the brighter side of life. i think, my friends consider me a clown more than a friend. above all, i am an affectionate daughter, a concerned sister and tita, a loyal friend and a thoughtful wife. at the left of my monitor is a simple reminder: life is beautiful. dance like no one is watching. love like you will never get hurt. sing like no one is listening. live like it’s heaven on earth. enjoy this day."

goodbye 2010

2011-01-01T01:49:00.004+08:00

It's been a while since my last post. And you know what, sometimes I wonder if I would ever get back to writing again.

Obviously, writing (or in this case, blogging) has to take a backseat when I gave birth six months ago.

I planned to have a year-end goodbye note but motherhood and employment barred me from writing a decent entry. And so here I am now, blogging at 2 AM of January 1 while patting Rian in between paragraphs.

2010 is a wonderful year for me because halfway through the year, God sent me an angel named Rian. But His sending has a twist, because instead of this angel watching over me, it becomes the other way around :)

One of the biggest realizations I made this year is that giving birth does not make one a mother. Motherhood springs from the sacrifices, big or small, that one undertakes to prepare her child for physical, psychological and spiritual growth.

But while 2010 had been wonderful to me, I will not deny that this is also one of the roughest years I had. I bedrested in January because of early contractions. My father suffered from mild stroke in April. Rian was hospitalized for a week when he was only one-week old. I resigned from my work in Makati and transferred to Cavite in September. With these are the pressures of my new work and the demands of motherhood.

I was physically exhausted, emotionally stressed and financially challenged.

And that is why I am so looking forward to 2011. New year, new hope. Better attitude, better life.

2010, a year that was. Happy moments I will always cherish - out-of-towns, meeting up with old friends and making new ones, "everyday is a family day" policy. Sad moments I will always remember. And you might probably wonder why. Well, sad moments help me reminisce the lessons of the past and make me grateful for what I have right now.

So there, I am officially bidding 2010 goodbye, with a wide smile on my face.

lennon at 70

2010-10-09T22:01:00.001+08:00

Found these adorable Google icons while browsing:

My husband is an avid John Lennon fan. One reason why we chose a "John" version for our son's name (Eian is the Irish form of John).

Happy birthday, John Lennon.

http://flashbacksrecordrack.com/?tag=the-john-lennon-signature-box-set

a goodbye

2010-10-02T23:22:00.004+08:00

July 3, 2006. Coming from a 3 1/2-year stay at an auditing firm, I felt like a butterfly struggling out of its cocoon. I can still remember my first day at C. I walked the corridors of the 33rd floor with a tote bag bearing a copy of my resume and the usual girl stuff. I walked with fear in my mind, but with a renewed hope in my heart.

Long ago, I dreamt of working in an international organization where people from anywhere in the world would easily recognize. It came true when I worked for C.

Everything is in perfect order, I must say. Career wise, I believe I have placed myself in a secured position. I am continuously learning new things, gaining new knowledge. And best of all, along with my dream coming true, I have got myself a set of crazy yet reliable people I call friends.

Then, that one tough decision. To my surprise, I did not realize what I am willing to give up to fulfill my dream of becoming a somewhat-devoted mother. I decided to leave C.

September 14, 2010. 4 years, 2 months and 11 days. I felt like a caterpillar building my own cocoon. I will always remember my last day at C. I walked the corridors of 38th floor with tears in my eyes and a box bearing a collection of happy and sad memories. I walked with fear in my mind, but with a renewed hope in my heart.

photo journal: hand in hand

2010-09-21T23:16:00.002+08:00

remus eian: the birth story

2010-08-30T09:30:00.000+08:00

Bawat nanay, may kanya-kanyang kwento tungkol sa pagbubuntis at panganganak sa bawat anak nya. Ako, siyempre, meron din (nanay na din ako e!).

2 weeks before my due date, nag-leave na ako sa trabaho. Kung ako ang tatanungin, gusto ko pa sanang pumasok dahil workaholic ako e...joke, dahil kaya ko pa naman. Pero dahil sa dami ng nagsasabi sa akin ng: Huh? Ba't nandito ka pa, Elay? Dapat mag-leave ka na at baka abutin ka dito...nakakarindi na din. Bakit ba kasi marunong pa sila sa akin?! Hehehe! At si Irvin, natatakot na din na abutin ako sa Makati ng pagsakit ng tiyan, baka dalhin ako sa Makati Med e siguradong hindi lang labor at delivery room ang pagbabayaran namin doon, baka ma-ICU pa ako sa mahal ng bill. Alam ko naman na hindi katulad sa mga movies na tipong laging emergency ang panganganak at nagbilin na ako sa officemate ko (na may kotse) na iuwi nya ako sa Cavite kung kakailanganin ng pagkakataon. Pero sige na nga, pagbigyan na sila, huwag lang na may pagsisihan pa o sisihin pa ako later on.

Ano'ng ginawa ko sa 2 weeks? Matulog, magbasa, mag-internet, mag-elliptical at maglakad sa SM Rosario, SM Bacoor at MOA. Sa bawat check-up, inaabangan ko kung ilang cm na ako, only to find out na hindi pa pala open ang cervix ko at mataas pa siya. Araw-araw ang mental torture at gabi-gabi ang puyat.

Dumating si due date, wala pang senyales na lalabas na siya kaya in-"strip" na ako (ito 'yung io-open ang cervix). Ayun, 1 cm na. Dapat daw magtuluy-tuloy na. Nagbilin na si Doktora ng mga warning signs at to do's. This is it na yata talaga.

July 1. 4 days past my due date. Maaga akong nagising, pero nothing extraordinary. Nagsawa na kasi ako sa pagtatanong ng "Is today the day?" kaya handa na ako sa "just another day". Kakaalis lang ni Irvin at nakahiga pa ako. Around 8 am, I thought I heard a "popping" sound tapos biglang may lumabas sa akin. Dali-dali akong kumuha ng sanitary napkin at nagtakbo sa banyo. (Pasintabi po: medyo graphic ang description.) My sticky discharge with streak of blood sa underwear ko. Hmmm...so...ahm...okey, pwede bang mag-panic muna? Hehehe, joke! Paglabas ng banyo, nakasalubong ko si MIL at sinabi ko na parang pumutok na ang water bag ko (hindi ako sure e). Nagtext ako sa officemate ko. Pinauwi ko si Irvin (na kadarating lang sa office). Tinawagan ko si Nanay. Pumasok ako ng kwarto, huminga ng malalim, nagdasal, naghanap ng magandang underwear (as advised by my officemate) at damit, naligo, nagbihis. Dumating na si Irvin na mukhang mas ngarag pa kaysa sa akin. Tinawagan ko si Doktora at pinapunta na nya ako sa ospital.

Dahil hindi pa ako nagbe-breakfast, nag-drive thru muna kami sa McDo. (Aba, siyempre, hindi ko sure kung kelan ang next meal ko kaya pagkain ang inuna ko!) On the way to the hospital, nagtext na ako sa mga dapat i-text. Nakausap ko din 'yung friend ko na doctor.

Past 10 ng dumating kami sa ospital. Dahil kalmado naman ako ay nakuha ko pang ilahad ang pangyayari nu'ng umagang 'yun (except 'yung McDo, baka mainggit pa sila e).Ini-stress ko na hindi madami 'yung lumabas sa akin kaya hindi ko sigurado na pumutok na ang water bag ko. In-IE ako nu'ng doktor sa ER. May water pa naman sa water bag ko at 2-3 cm pa lang ang opening ng cervix ko. (2-3 cm pa lang ako? What the?! The day before ay nanggaling pa ako sa 1-day sale for SM Advantage cardholders at halos 3 times kong nilibot ang buong SM Bacoor, tapos 1 cm lang ang nadagdag?!) Nilagyan na ako ng dextrose at pampahilab (oxytocin), pinagsuot na ako ng hospital gown at adult diapers, at dahil hihintayin pa ang dilation ng cervix ko, pinadala muna ako sa private room.

So ayan, okey pa naman. Bihira lang ang contractions at hindi naman ako nasasaktan. Nu'ng una, hindi ako pinaglalakad dahil nga pumutok na ang water bag ko. Pero later on, pinaglakad na din ako dahil hindi pa naman pala talagang pumutok, nag-leak lang. From time to time ay may pumupuntang nurses (and nursing students) para i-check ako (at pag-aralan). Uy mabait ako ha, very accomodating ako sa kanila. Dumating ang nanay at tatay ko kaya umalis muna si Irvin para bumili ng mga kailangan pa like Wilkins at S-26 (infant formula). At dahil mukhang hindi pa naman ako manganganak, umuwi muna sila. Dumating din si MIL with Kishie, pero umuwi din after a few hours. Binisita na din ako ni Doktora.

Lumilipas ang oras, unti-unti kong nararamdaman ang sakit ng contractions. How do I describe it ba? Hmmm...ang masasabi ko lang ay...it's indescribable :) Basta ang natatandaan ko, sakit ng likod ang inirereklamo ko, 'yung parang super ngalay na gusto kong dumapa at padaganan ang likod ko.

At 3 PM, in-IE ulit ako. Ang nasa isip ko, "Nasa 5-6 cm na siguro ako." But guess what? (O guess muna ha!) 3 cm pa lang ako! Pffft! Mabagal nga daw ang progress ng labor ko :( So ayun, sige lang. Tik-tak. Tik-tak. Tik-tak. Toe. :P

At 5 PM, biglang may sudden gush of wetness. Pumutok na ang water bag ko (totoo na ito this time). At simula noon, naging mas malimit (although irregular ang interval) at mas masakit ang contractions. Dumating si Nanay at sila ni Irvin ang naging saksi ng kung anuman ang pinagdaanan ko ng gabing 'yon. Ang smiles, unti-unting napalitan ng aray. Ang jokes, unti-unting napalitan ng luha.

Hindi ko alam pero nabibilisan ako sa oras ng panahong 'yon.

Unti-unting nag-progress ang labor ko. At 8 PM, nasa 7-8 cm na ako. And at 9 PM, dahil nasa 8 cm na ako, ipinasya nang dalhin ako sa labor room. (Ni-remind ko si Irvin na huwag kalimutan ang camera. Mahalaga 'yun.) Pinagtulung-tulungan akong buhat-buhatin at ilipat-lipat ng kama ng tatlong tauhan ng ospital. Pagdating sa labor room, isang nurse lang ang naroon kaya nag-chikahan na lang kami. Tinuruan nya ako ng breathing techniques at nagtanong-tanong ako about sa mga karanasan nya sa mga nagle-labor sa kwartong 'yon. Tinatawag ko siya tuwing may contractions dahil kailangan nyang makuha ang interval at duration. Maya-maya ay dumating na si Doktora, in-advise nya ako na by 11 PM ay over and done na ang lahat ng paghihirap ko dahil by that time ay 10 CM na ako (fully dilated) dahil ang average is 1 hour ang dilation per cm.

Masasabi kong ang next 2 hours na ang pinakamahirap na physical pain na naranasan ko sa buong buhay ko. Proud ako na naging kalmado ako ng mga oras na 'yon, hindi ako nagtatatarang o nagwala katulad ng mga nasa movies. Nakakahiya kaya! Hehehe! In between contractions ay sinusubukan kong kalimutan ang pinagdadaanan ko sa pamamagitan ng pahinga at pakikipag-usap kay Doktora (sinabi ko sa kanya na naghihintay na ang mga chocolates ko sa akin at ang plano kong magpa-massage after). Lumipas ang oras, ilang dasal at ilang IE. Tinanong ako ni Doktora kung gusto kong magpa-epidural (ito 'yung mararamdaman mo ang contractions, pero hindi ang pain), mas mahal lang daw. Hmmm...isip isip...tumanggi ako (tapang ko 'no?). Tumanggi ako dahil alam kong kakayanin ko pa, naka-8 CM na ako, ngayon pa ba naman ako bibitaw? (At lagi akong constipated kaya sanay na akong umire hahaha!)

10 PM...10:30 PM...11 PM. Nu'ng in-IE ako, walang progress, 8 CM pa din at nagsisimula na daw humaba ang ulo ng baby. Tinanong nya ako kung gusto ko na bang magpa-CS.

With hesitation, I agreed. Tinanggap ko na din na I failed. The one thing that I prayed for while I was pregnant ay 'yung hindi ako dumanas ng parehong labor at CS sa isang anakan. Pero okey lang 'yon dahil ayoko namang mag-take chances pa sa normal delivery dahil alam kong stressed din ang baby sa loob.

Ipinatawag ni Doktora si Irvin na nasa labas lang ng labor room. Inilahad ang mga pangyayari (parang sa korte) at sinabi din na it might be time para sa CS operation. Nakikinig naman si Irvin at nag-agree na din siya (with hesitation din). Hindi ko na maalala kung ano ang pinagsasasabi ko n'un, basta alam ko nakikipagbiruan pa ako kay Doktora. Sabi ni Doktora kay Irvin, "Ganyan lang 'yan pero tingnan mo kapag humilab, iba na ang iyak." Tila sinadya naman ng pagkakataon na humilab, habang naroon si Irvin! Uh-oh! Hindi ko alam kung paano ang iyak ko noon pero pinagtatawanan ako ni Irvin habang ginagaya nya ako ng ganito: Doktora, ayan na naman...AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!

Inihanda na ako sa operation, ipinatawag na ang anesthesiologist at ibinaba na ako sa delivery room. Natawa pa ako sa isang nagbuhat sa akin at nagtulak ng hospital bed. Nu'ng sinabi ko na "Kuya, dahan-dahan naman..." Sabi nya, "Aaaaay, hindi po ako kuya...ate po ako!" Susmaryosep, sorry girl! Hahaha!

Pagdating sa delivery room, inilipat ako ng bed at inihanda na para saksakan ng anesthesia. Dahil alam kong pwede naman akong gising during the operation, tinanong ko 'yung nurse kung ano 'yung isasaksak nya sa akin.

Me: Ahm...Nurse, ano 'yan?
Nurse: Sedative po.
Me: Ay, miss...gusto ko sana gising ako during the operation...
Nurse: Aantukin lang po kayo dito, pero hindi po kayo makakatulog.
Me: Ah okay.
(Hmmm...hindi ba kapag inaantok ka e gusto mong matulog?! Labo naman oh!)

Pumikit muna ako, nakakapagod kayang umire ng ilang oras 'no!

Sa pagmulat ng mata ko...

Me: Nurse, ano'ng oras na?
Nurse: 1:36 po.
Me: Tsk! Ano ba 'yan, inabot pa ako ng July 2!
Nurse: Ma'am, baby out na po ng 11:39.

Confused. Shocked. Sad. Pero tulog ulit.

My goodness, natapos na pala ang operation ng hindi ko man lang namalayan. Kasalanan nu'ng nurse, hindi daw ako makakatulog. E parang ilang seconds lang after nya ako saksakan e humihilik na ako.

Namalayan ko nu'ng dinala ako sa private room. Alam kong andun si Nanay, Tatay at Irvin. Sabi ni Irvin, ang kulit ko daw at ayaw kong pauwiin sila Nanay. Pero hindi ko 'yun matandaan. Ang natandaan ko ay nu'ng sinabi ni Nanay, with matching tears, na bayad na daw ako. (Di ba ganun daw, makakabayad lang ang anak sa magulang kapag nagkaanak na din siya.)

Maaga akong nagising. Siyempre in-announce ko na muna sa whole wide world that I am over and done sa delivery. I have received a lot of congratulations and well wishes.

The first time I saw him, sa mga kuha sa digicam, medyo disappointed ako. Pero inalala ko 'yung mga nabasa ko. Iba daw talaga ang itsura ng newborn. I have to see the real him.

Sadly, hindi pa pwedeng i-room in sa akin dahil I have to be able to move na...na hindi ko pa magawa dahil sa mga sakit sa buong katawan ko. Maghapon akong nakahilata. Isang pwesto lang. Ine-encourage ako ng mga nurse na gumalaw, not exactly maglakad, pero tumagilid-tagilid daw ako dapat. E ang sakit kaya! Sila kaya i-CS ko :P Tpos bawal pa kumain :( Kawawa naman 'yung mga chocolates ko sa ref. Bawal din magsalita para hindi kabagan. Parusa talaga. Pero minsan nakakalimutan ko na bawal magsalita. Dumalaw sila Agnes at Tan, Dinay at Gege, si Arvie, si Ate Andrea with Chloi, at mga in-laws ko, with Kishie.

Si Irvin pumupunta sa nursery para tingnan siya. At si Tatay, akala ko mahihimatay pa dahil napakagwapo daw ng apo nya, mas gwapo pa kay Cayon (pamangkin ko). Kaya ang tanong ko: Talaga? (Kasi super pogi ni Cayon nu'ng pinanganak e...nu'ng pinanganak lang hahaha!) Pagkakita nya, dali-daling umalis para sabihin kay Nanay at kay Ate.

That night, pinayagan akong kumain ng Skyflakes at tea.

Saturday ng mga 3 AM. Tinanong ng nurse kung nag-wiwi na ako dahil dapat pala by that time ay naka-wiwi na ako. So nu'ng oras ding 'yon, naging determined akong maglakad, with lots of encouragement at support kay Irvin kahit puyat na puyat pa siya. Grabe, parusa talaga. Mga 20 minutes ko ding kinarir ang pagpunta ng CR. Tinanong din ni nurse kung umutot at nag-poopoo na ako. 'Yan pala ang requirements para masabing okey na ako, at para mai-room-in na siya sa akin. So kinarir ko na naman pareho. After an hour, at ilang patagi-tagilid, nakautot na ako. (Yehey! Pwede na kumain, soft diet nga lang.) After another hour, nag-poopoo na ako. (Woot woot!)

As promised, dinala siya sa akin ng Saturday morning. (I remembered, that night, tinawag pa namin 'yung nurse dahil hindi namin mapatahan. Ilang minuto din akong nag-hum ng Silent Night bago na-pacify.)

My reaction? Hmmm...honestly, parang wala lang. Parang hindi ako makapaniwala na galing siya sa akin. Hanggang sa unti-unting nag-sink in sa akin. Eto na pala ang fruit of my labor, my own piglet, my little angel.

My Baby Rian.

I thank you, bow.

Haaay, salamat. Nai-publish din!

remus eian solis estacion

2010-07-06T18:16:00.004+08:00

His birth story to be posted later (Nanay is still uber busy :)).

making plans

2010-06-28T13:57:00.003+08:00

I found this in my inbox from way back 2006. Very nice article (too bad I do not know who the author is).

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The best gift anyone can give me this new year is a planner. I like planners because I am a planner. I like thinking ahead. I like being prepared. I get a high from being on top of things. But some things are beyond planning. And life doesn't always turn out as planned.

You don't plan for a broken heart. You don't plan for a failed business venture. You don't plan for an adulterous husband. You don't plan for an autistic child. You don't plan for spinsterhood. You don't plan for a lump in your breast.

You plan to be young forever. You plan to climb the corporate ladder. You plan to be rich and powerful. You plan to be acclaimed and successful. You plan to conquer the universe. You plan to fall in love - and be loved forever.

You don't plan to be sad. You don't plan to be hurt. You don't plan to be broke. You don't plan to be betrayed. You don't plan to be alone in this world. You plan to be happy. You don't plan to be shattered.

Sometimes if you work hard enough, you can get what you want. But most times, what you want and what you get are two different things.

We, mortals, plan. But so does God in the heavens.

Sometimes, it is difficult to understand God's plans - especially when His plans are not in consonance with ours. Often, when God sends us crisis, we turn to Him in anger. True, we cannot choose the cross that God wishes us to carry but we can carry that cross with courage knowing that God will never abandon us nor send something we cannot cope with.

Sometimes, God breaks our spirit to save our soul. Sometimes, He breaks our heart to make us whole. Sometimes, God sends us pain so we can be stronger. Sometimes, God sends us failure so we can be humble. Sometimes God sends us illness so we can take better care of ourselves. Sometimes, God takes everything away from us so we can learn the value of everything He gave us.

Make plans but understand that we live by God's grace.

Growing up we get dismayed by the realization that we could not get everything we want. Growing old, I am delighted by the realization that although I can't have everything I want, I can want everything I have.

time's up!

2010-06-27T21:36:00.003+08:00

Due date's today.

Although 2 weeks pa before ako ma-consider na overdue, medyo naiinip na din ako. 'Yung iba, sinasabi nila na as early as 7th month, gusto na nila ilabas ang baby. Ako, 2 weeks ago ko lang naramdaman 'yun. Siguro dahil naka-leave na ako from work, or siguro dahil nahihirapan na ako matulog, or siguro dahil ina-anticipate ko na na pwede na akong manganak anytime.

Pero one thing's for sure, I'll miss being pregnant. 'Yung kahit paano may special treatment ka, may excuse mag-inarte minsan, may excuse magmataray ng hindi pinapatulan. Best of all, the feeling that there really is life growing inside you. 'Yung parang minsan may fish na nagsu-swim-swim, or parang may bubbles na nagpa-pop sa loob. Kahit pa nakakatawa na distorted 'yung tiyan ko - nakabukol sa isang side, flat sa kabila. 'Yan ang mami-miss ko :)

I am expected to deliver in 2-3 days. At honestly, madami pang gumugulo sa isip ko.

One step at a time lang. Go go go!

i love gifts!

2010-06-25T23:10:00.001+08:00

owen pillow and bolster set with comforter from AMASE

baby couture bag, nivea wipes and terno sets from my ctx team

egg bag with lotsa GOOD STUFF (i.e. chocolates!) and parenting book from my ctx friends

MUCHOS GRACIAS!!!

irvin's tatay moments

2010-06-20T00:01:00.000+08:00

Hinaharap ko ang possibility na isumpa ako ni Irvin sa pag-publish ng mga text messages nya but this is my way of letting him know how i tresure his every word.

HAPPY TATAY'S DAY! (Pati na din sa lahat ng tatay sa buong mundo!)

- Haay! Ang ganda talaga mag-smile ng baby ko :-) (06/11)

- Kamusta na kayo ng baby kong pogi? (06/04)

- Wag ka naman magpapagutom, kawawa din si baby. (06/03)

- Bakit kaya hindi magaslaw ang anak ko ngayon? Siguro dahil masarap matulog sa panahon ngayon. (06/03)

- Malapit ko na siya makarga. Yehey!!! :-) (06/02)

- Tatay: Nalulungkot ako ngayon.
Nanay: Huh? Baket?
Tatay: Miss ko na kasi kayo ni baby e. (05/25)

- Ang sarap talaga pagmasdan ang anak natin, nakakarelax. Haaay! (05/21)

- Nanay: Ay sinisinok ang bata!
Tatay: Nyak! Bakit kaya? Teka gulatin ko...BUYGA!(05/19)

- Buti na lang may pics ako ng baby natin, nawawala pagod ko kapag nakikita ko'ng kapogian nya. (05/17)

- Healthy yan kasi malikot e, energetic! (05/14)

- Sabihin mo kay baby, huwag na masyado malikot, susunduin kayo ni Tatay mmaya :-) (05/04)

- Ilang araw na lang, excited na ako! (04/28)

- Manang-mana sa nanay! (04/27)

- Konti na lang makikita na natin si baby :-) (04/21)

- Naku kawawa ka naman, baka napagod din ang poging-pogi kong anak. (04/19)

- Nanay: Naku anak, huwag ka sanang magmana kay _____!
Tatay: Oo nga, anak...please! (04/10)

- Say hello for me to my baby. Huwag kamo masyado malikot baka mahirapan na naman si nanay...Sabihin mo kay baby matutulog na si Tatay. (03/27)

- Pakinggan mo...I love you Nanay! Sarap di ba? (03/13)

- Tatay: Excited na talaga ako sa baby natin.
Nanay: E pa'no kung baby girl?
Tatay: Kahit ano naman, excited pa din ako...Gusto ko kasi kapag nakikita ko siya sasabihin ko sa sarili ko, "Anak ko 'yan" Hehe!
Nanay: Hmph! Tapos kapag may maling ginawa, ang sasabihin mo "'Yang anak mo!"
Tatay: Hindi no! Sasabihin ko lang, "'Yan talagang apo ng tatay mo!" Hahaha! (02/25)

- Nanay: Si Remus at Romulus 'yung founders ng Rome. Pinatay ni Romulus si Remus.
Tatay: Aba'y lokong Romulus 'yun ah! (02/24)

- Tatay: Lalaki siyang macho katulad ng tatay nya at mapagmahal din sa magulang katulad ng tatay nya...kasi 'yung pagiging mabait, maalalahanin, magalang at magandang lalaki sa 'yo galing. (02/24)

- Sana malaki na baby natin para kasama natin siya sa mga pictures. Hehe! (02/24)

- Nami-miss ko na kayo ni Baby Remus. (02/18)

- Tatay: Malikot ba'ng anak ko?
Nanay: Super.
Tatay: Ako bahala dyan, hehe. (02/17)

- Cheer up! Pogi ng baby mo! (02/16)

- Matulog na kayong mag-ina. (01/30)

- Nanay: Tayo'y tumalon, tayo'y sumigaw, maghawak-hawak, tayo'y sumayaw...
Tatay: Manood ka lang dyan, wag ka tumalon, sumigaw at sumayaw. (01/09)

- Isipin mo na lang, kapalit ng sakripisyo mo ngayon e magiging healthy ang baby natin (12/05)

- Lanlanlinlalalan... :-) (11/26)

- Nanay: 9th week, kasinlaki na siya ng grape.
Tatay: Wow! Laki na ng anak ko! (11/23)

- Nanay: 5th week, kasinlaki na siya ng sesame seed.
Tatay: Wow! Anlaki-laki na ng anak ko! (10/25)

- Meme muna mga babies ko. (10/22)

- Text mo ako kapag sunduin kita dyan ha. Wag ka masyado maggagagalaw, baka mapagod babies ko. (10/19)

- Ang mahalaga, be strong, be positive and be happy para maganda mga babies natin. (10/18)

we're ready!

2010-06-17T11:23:00.001+08:00

Hmmm...Am I?

packed up!

nanay's things (with special instructions to tatay: unahing ilagay sa ref 'yung chocolates)

rian's things

I've been asking myself this question for quite some time and I realized that nothing can prepare me for what's going to happen inside the delivery room. Not books, not other mommies' experiences. Just myself.

the weekends that were...

2010-06-10T20:15:00.005+08:00

April 3-4. Black Saturday and Easter Sunday. The usual weekend minus the regular Saturday TV shows. Went to SM Rosario to check out some baby stuff.

April 10-11. Went to my high school friend's mother's wake. A sad reason for meeting up with friends whom I haven't seen for a long time but we had a great time chatting.

April 17-18. My father had a stroke last April 12 (please see my previous post). I stayed at the hospital while Nanay went home and Irvin went to work. Luckily, we were given the green light to go home that day and we were out of the hospital by 6 PM. Tatay and Nanay temporarily stayed at Nanay Medoy's house.

Sunday. We left early for MOA for me to have my 3D ultrasound. While waiting for my turn and buying time, we bought some baby stuff. Cuteness! :) At In My Womb, well, my baby was in a Frank breech position so I had to be scheduled for a rescan (please see my previous post). But Irvin and I were already satisfied looking at him moving inside my belly.

April 24-25. Outing at Munting Buhangin! Went to Tanza right after lunch but we were able to leave by 4 PM so yes, sunset no more :( We arrived at MB at around 6:45 PM so KAINAN NA! Chika up to 12 MN. We rented a nipa hut with aircon (I was with Hazel, Nana and Enald, Irvin was the security guard on duty so he slept outside).

Sunday. This is it! Sun, sand and sea with Irvin and Kishie :) We left at around 1 PM, stucked with slow traffic going to Tagaytay and had merienda at Yellow Cab.

my fave preggy pic

terrazas de punta fuego as backdrop

bat ako lang ang...erm...voluptuous?

pa-cuteness

May 1-2. Went to SM with Nanay to shop for baby stuff :) Sadly, my credit card limit for installment was not enough to cover my purchases so I had to charge it to straight payment. And then I forgot to divide my purchases into single receipts of 2K so I can avail of free tall Starbucks beverage and Baby Company GC worth 100. Hay, what a loser!

Watched Pilipinas Got Talent that night, Jovit Baldivino is really one talented boy! Woohoo! I will be voting for him at the finals!

Sunday. Chat with Ate. Had my prenatal check-up (thank God everything's okay though he is still in a breech position).

May 8-9. The usual Saturday. Sunday - we accompanied Tatay at SM Supermarket that morning. That night, we accompanied Nana to SM Cinema Rosario. We were supposed to watch Iron Man 2 (for the second time) while Nana watches a Marian-Dingdong movie. But we were already late for Iron Man 2 and I would not watch a Marian-Dingdong movie so Irvin and I ended up at a bench just outside of the movie house talking until we run out of topics to talk about. Har har!

May 15-16. I went with Irvin at Baste, needed to work on something! So while Irvin was on a seminar, I was with my book, paper and pen the whole day. Slept at Tanza because there were some painting jobs done at our house in Rosario. Sunday - worked on a project :)

week 37

2010-06-06T12:26:00.003+08:00

My baby has reached one of his life's biggest milestones: today he is considered full-term. And Nanay is safe to deliver him anytime :)

God bless our journey, Baby Rian!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

When you have come to the edge of all the light you know and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught how to fly. - Patrick Overter

photo journal: night or day

2010-05-24T23:20:00.001+08:00

cayon kulet 2

2010-05-24T22:51:00.000+08:00

Hobby na ni Cayon ang magpatahimik ng mga maiingay. Isang araw...

Cayon (to Mommy): Quieeeet!
Mommy: Bakit mo 'ko sinasabihan ng "Quiet"?!
Cayon: Natutuyok nga si Mac! (translation: Natutulog ang stuffed toy nya na si Mac, isang character sa Cars.)

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Cayon (to Clarence): Kwawence, wag ka ingay! Andyan na 'yung WIIIIUUUUU (referring to police car)!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Nag-aayos si Mommy ng mga damit...

Cayon: Mommy, ano 'yan (sabay turo sa damit na may logo ng American Eagle)?
Mommy: Eagle!
Cayon: Hindeee...matanglawin!

happy birthday to me!

2010-05-21T22:49:00.005+08:00

It's not that I don't feel appreciative for the rest of the year, but for me, birthdays are exceptional times to be extra-grateful for the blessings I have received for the past year.

Last year, I prayed that I wish to be pregnant when I turn 28. And here I am, with my enormous pregnant belly (and with all the perks and discomforts of being on-the-way) at 34 weeks and 5 days. Thank you, God.

For my ever loving family, who never ceased to care for me despite of my twofold personality; for my ever supportive in-laws, who accepted me (or at least that's what I think haha!) despite of my lack of domestic skills; for my wonderful friends, who still laughed at my jokes; for my comical colleagues, who made every closing season an enjoyable event; and for my career, which somewhat provides me a sense of financial security...thank you, God.

For the kind souls who greeted me on my special day (and to those with side wishes for my safe delivery), I thank God because they made me feel that I am not forgotten: (via text) JJ, Agnes, Mavel, Dinay, Leng, Ninong Ento, Arvie, Jen Joyce, Debbie and Ivy; (via email) AMASE, Fellie, Josette, Lily, Karen, Melody and my team; (via Communicator) Matt, Des, Bell, Lems, Russ, Karlo, Grace and Majo; (via Facebook) Sarah, Leng, Paula, Jen Joyce, Monica, Bev, Majo, Ms. Cherie, Iana, Ivan, Marie, Weng, Rose, Karen, Mayeth, Badjut, Mark, Joyce, Arjay, Lani, Megs, Rolando, Rhein, Ate Jo, Riyo, Aliza, Shey, Thess, Sheila, Sherry May, Tetes, April, Rio and Ai, Jhoy, Abbie, Dane, Tintin, Ate Kath, Ate Cherry, Ayinne, Ate Lois, Berna, Ate Sarah, Jase, Sol, Ma'am Matek, Ma'am Pin, Kuya Art, Ate Alyn, Ate Chichi, Ate Sherill, Eunice, Arianne, Ate May, Ate My, Achie, Edna, Ivy and Ate, whom I miss so much.

And for 10 years now, God has blessed me with an amazing someone who laughs and cries with me, and who showers me with so much love I could drown yet keeps my head afloat so I can breath and live. Thank you, God, for giving me someone as patient and as understanding as Irvin, who would fetch me from my workplace even if I can go home myself, whom I can wake up in the middle of the night just to massage my crampy legs even if I can do it myself, and whom I can rouse in the early morning to help me stand up even if I manage to get on my feet by myself just by exerting a little effort.

And to Remus Eian, my little Irvin, you are one of God's biggest (and cutest) blessing to me. I know that I will never be a perfect parent, but I will try to be one. See you very soon!

caleruega. may 24, 2010

simula na ng...

2010-05-20T09:50:00.000+08:00

G-A-S-T-O-S!

Ang mahal pala talagang magpalaki ng anak, and take note, hindi pa siya lumalabas sa akin nyan ha!

Hindi naman sa ina-account ko lahat, pero accountant kasi ako e hehehe! Hindi ko talaga maiwasan na hindi i-monitor ang mga gastos. Pointer na din sa mga nagpaplano kaya ishe-share ko sa inyo, eto po ang overview.

Prenatal check-up - Php 300/visit (luckily, reimbursable ito sa health card namin)
Prenatal medicine - PhP 800/month ('yan 'yung average)

'Yan 'yung regular na monthly expenses. Lalagyan ko sana ng "Others" pero na-realize ko na mahirap pala i-estimate 'yun. It would include 'yung mga kung anu-ano ko pang binibili like fruits (minsan kapag feeling healthy), low-fat milk (calcium!) at 'yung mga paminsan-minsang trip kong kainin.

Sa health center ako nagpabakuna para libre :)

Isama pa diyan ang maternity clothes (kasama na ang mga bagong bra at mga lola panty), talagang total change of wardrobe.

And recently, nag-shopping na kami for the baby. (Thanks to my colleagues and friends for the inputs, especially to Ate Lois, my former SA at SGV.)

Apparel
149.75 Tie-side shirts - sleeveless (2 pcs)
159.75 Tie-side shirts - short-sleeved (2 pcs)
179.75 Tie-side shirts - long-sleeved (2 pcs)
152.78 Onesies - going-home outfit (1 pc, w/ 10% discount)
503.55 Receiving blankets (2 pcs, w/10% discount)
069.75 Bonnets (3 pairs)
069.75 Mittens (3 pairs)
119.75 Infant socks (3 pairs)
089.75 Bibs (3 pcs)

Diapers
039.75 Diaper clamp (2 pairs)
285.50 Disposable diapers (48 pcs)

Nursery Linen
1376.55 Comforter, bolsters, pillow (1 set, w/10% discount) - c/o AMASE
0296.78 Extra bolsters and pillow case (1 set, w/10% discount)

Bathing Accessories
1439.55 Bath tub and bath support (1 pc each, w/10% discount)
0079.75 Wash cloth (6 pcs, w/10% discount)

Grooming accessories
00.00 Nailcutter (included in the apothecary set below)
58.28 Powder case (1 pc, w/10% discount)

Toiletries
064.00 Liquid bath (1 bottle)
032.00 Baby oil (1 bottle)
014.00 Ethyl alcohol (1 bottle)
049.75 Cotton balls (1 pack)
296.78 Cotton buds for newborn (1 pack, w/10% discount)
093.75 Petroleum jelly (1 bottle)
099.75 Baby wipes (2 packs)

Apothecary
719.78 Thermometer, nasal aspirator, dropper (1 set, w/10% discount)

Feeding/Nursing Essentials
1500.00 5 oz feeding bottles (4 pcs)
1999.50 9 oz feeding bottles (6 pcs)
0341.78 Extra nipples (2 pcs)
1799.77 Electric sterilizer (1 pc, w/ 10% discount)
0215.78 Bottle and nipple brush (1 pc each, w/ 10% discount)
0289.00 Liquid cleanser for bottles and nipples (1 bottle)
0034.75 Bottle tong (1 pc)
0479.75 Bottle keeper (1 pc)
0179.78 Milk container (1 pc, w/10% discount)

Nursery Finishings/Other Essentials
7650.00 Crib/playpen

20,930.62 TOTAL

Ayaaan, akalain mo...sa dami ng hindi ko binili ay naka-21 tawsan pesosesoses na ako!

Oo, madami pa akong hindi binili diyan! As in! (Nanghihinayang lang ako na hindi ako nakapamili sa Baclaran para makamura kasi hindi ko naman pwedeng kaladkarin si Nanay sa ganitong init ng panahon!)

Napansin nyo, tig-2 pieces lang 'yung mga tie-side shirts? Kasi buhay pa 'yung tie-side shirts namin ni Ate (o di ba, CIRCA 1975 pa 'yun!). Actually, kaya lang ako bumili ay para kapag nag-picturetaking, hindi naman mukhang aping-api ang aking Mi Bebe na medyo manipis na 'yung damit nya with matching embroidery pa ng "Moya-Solis".

Napansin nyo, walang pajamas, lampin at bigkis at konti lang ang receiving blankets, bonnets, mittens, bibs at booties? Kasi nasa amin pa 'yung pinagliitan ng mga pamangkin ko. Sayang nga 'yun crib ng mga pamangkin ko, nasira nu'ng umalis sila.

Napansin nyo, may "c/o AMASE" 'yung set of comforter, bolsters at pillow? Kasi sila ang sponsor nyan e! (Ooops, speaking of this, sa katapusan ang payment due date ng credit card ko...hehehe! Love you, girls!)

Napansin nyo, may bath tub at bath supporter pa? Kasi baka mahirapan si Nanay na magpaligo e, para makatulong sa kanya. ('Yan ay kapag pumapasok na ako, mag-aaral siyempre akong magpaligo ng baby!)

Napansin nyo, ang mahal ng bote? Kasi naman, obviously, 'yan ang pinakamagagamit so nag-invest na ako sa Avent at Chicco.

Napansin nyo, walang car seat at stroller? Kasi mahal e, wala na akong pera hahaha! Actually, sabi ni Ate ay ipapadala daw nya 'yung pinaglumaan ng mga pamangkin ko. Siyempre, ako naman, with open arms kong tatanggapin 'yun.

'Yung baby book at nursery bag, plano kong ipa-sponsor sa mga officemates ko kapag binigyan nila ako ng baby shower, hehe!

'Yung iba, later ko pa bibilhin like 'yung hairbrush and comb (hindi ko pa sure kung may hair siya :P), finger toothbrush (hinliliit at wash cloth na lang daw sabi ni Nanay), breast pump at breast pad (hindi ko pa sure kung may breast ako este breastmilk pala, hehehe), rubber cot sheet (eto 'yung parang bubble sheet na baligtarang pink at blue, alam nating lahat 'yan!) at mosquito net (hindi ko pa sure kung kailangan ba nito or magdamag ko na lang pagbabantayin si Irvin para walang lamok na makalapit sa amin).

Alam ko simula pa lang ito.

Pero katulad ng palagi naming iniisip ni Irvin: God will provide.

thought for today

2010-05-13T13:24:00.003+08:00

Thanks for sharing this, Bernadette!

my in my womb experience

2010-05-10T22:07:00.003+08:00

We opted to avail of In My Womb's Pearl Package (the cheapest 3D/4D package they have). I had my first scan last April 18 but since my baby is presented in a Frank breech position (and his face is covered by his hands and legs), the doctor had to reschedule me for a rescan to get a clearer view of my baby's face.

April 21. More than 30 minutes of lying uncomfortably on my side. Seeing him twist and turn, frown and smile, cover his face and pick his nose. Here he is:

Almost everyone (including my family, his family, my friends and colleagues, his friends and colleagues, even the doctor) agrees that he looks like Irvin. On the other hand, Irvin disagrees and says that our baby looks like me, but I think he says so just so I would not feel sad hahaha! Me? I'm happy having a little version of Irvin :D

a newborn's conversation with God

2010-05-09T20:06:00.005+08:00

Received from a friend's email:

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to Earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile and be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, "You will simply call her Mom."

~ * ~

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there!

And to my soulmate and my angel, I love you Nanay!

pregnancy 101 (my version)

2010-05-01T21:23:00.001+08:00

Well, I just realized I wanted to share my experiences, musings, questions and whatever’s about this scary and crazy ride called pregnancy :)

Foreword. This is my second pregnancy. My first pregnancy, sadly, ended up in miscarriage in March of 2009. Now I have someone I call “my one missed angel” up in heaven who now cares for his baby brother.

Symptoms and side effects. For me, pregnancy has both the yucky and cutie side. What I always bear in mind is that pregnancy is such a beautiful thing, and beautiful things come with small and big sacrifices.

I blame all of these to pregnancy hormones: increased vaginal discharge (Ooops, sorry, I hope you’re not munching on something while reading this. But yes, I needed to invest in pantiliners.); constipation (Ooops again! I told you, pregnancy has the yucky side.); heartburn (There were days when that burning sensation in my chest and throat is just too much. Aaargh!); breast changes (I needed to get new bras, which are a size bigger.); round ligament pain (The pain is tolerable, though.); fatigue (I’m too tired to explain…); shortness of breath (especially now in my 3rd trimester); frequent urination (That GTG feeling!); forgetfulness (What am I writing about again?!); leg cramps (which make me cry in the middle of the night); and backaches (a good excuse for a quick massage).

And there are those stretch marks (I did not know I have these until one day, Irvin looked at me quizzically and said, “Ay, ano yan?” I wanted to cry when I saw my abdomen in the mirror.) and skin darkening.

But lucky me, I have not experienced morning (or for others, all-day) sickness. No nausea, no fainting, no dizziness. No bleeding gums or nosebleeds. No extraordinary cravings (lucky husband, too!).

Sleep. During my 1st trimester, I had trouble sleeping because I had to run to the bathroom to pee every so often. During my 2nd trimester, I fall asleep easily but wakes up during the night, usually with a grunt of pain, because of leg cramps. Now that I’m in my 3rd trimester, there were nights when sleep would elude me - sometimes because the weather is too hot, or because the baby kicks too much, or because I have a lot of things in my mind.

Baby kicks. I was on my 18th week when I felt him move, but I was not sure then. January 30, I am sure, it was definitely my baby! Feeling my tummy and seeing the “wave” is so much fun, it has become a bonding time for me and Irvin.

Emotions. Super happy one moment, crybaby the next. I am charging pregnancy hormones for these times. (I can imagine Irvin rolling his eyes upon reading this. I admit that there were times I was SO mean to him. Sorry!)

Worries. I asked Irvin once if there had been a time when he worried that our baby would have an abnormality or an illness upon birth. He said none. So is it part of motherhood or am I just being a nonsense worrier?

Baby name. I was on my 5th month when we started scouting for a baby name. I didn’t realize it was so difficult – exchanging text messages, browsing through baby names websites, listing viable names. We settled with a name, actually two names with our initials R and E, by February 17 (we became tired of researching for a name).

References. I was lent a copy of the book What to Expect When You’re Expecting, but when I saw that the book is okay, I decided to buy one. One colleague also lent me a copy of The Smart Mom’s Guide to Pregnancy and Baby’s First Year, this one is very helpful also. My favorite website is www.babycenter.com.

Postscript. I am currently on my 32nd week. A few more weeks and I will be embarking on a lifetime journey of motherhood - crossing “decision” lanes, driving along potholed roads and steering towards responsibility and growth. Well, wish me luck!

tough times

2010-04-26T19:07:00.001+08:00

Two weeks ago, my father had a stroke. The stroke affected that part of his brain which controls his sense of balance. I still thank God that that is the worst part, he was not paralyzed and he need not be rehabilitated.

When he was hospitalized, I was in a circus of emotions.

My father is a strong man and I realized that it’s just plain heartbreaking to see someone you’ve known all your life to be tough in a weak state of health. And I have a mother and a seven-month pregnant belly to worry about. (Thanks to Irvin, I have someone to share my burden with.)

Right now, he is having his recovery at home. He is still having problems with his vision and his walk is still unstable. But by and large, he is okay.

I remember reading Bo Sanchez’s blog entry entitled All Things Will Work Out For Your Good. There may be times when you will ask, “Where is God?” The answer: He is working, connecting the pieces of your life together, completing the jigsaw puzzle that is your life.

the weekends that were...

2010-04-02T20:49:00.006+08:00

February 20-21. Special Saturday because I met with my highschool buddies, Arvie and Ivy, the latter on her Mazda 3 hatchback. Arvie and I just realized how poor we are, hahaha! Ate at Joey Pepperoni's. Just the usual Sunday at home.

February 27-28. A restful Saturday, thank God. Sunday - went to our Ninong Art for his despedida, and then to my prenatal check-up (everything's okay, yes!!!). Now Showing that night: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire :)

March 6-7. Experienced something new this Saturday - weekend market at Salcedo Park with JJ and May. Yum! Yum! Yum! Just the usual Sunday at home. (Ruffa walks out on The Buzz. And so??? Hehehe.)

March 13-14. The usual Saturday. Sunday - my first (and only) time I have solved a Sudoku puzzle, Pacquiao wins over Clottey (the fight is not as exciting as I expected but I'm happy nevertheless), Bea's birthday at Julugan (lotsa' chatting with relatives) and videoke at Island Songs (We Are The World and That's What Friends Are For).

March 20-21. Saturday - attended Mama Jasmin's birthday, had a nice chat with Irvin and his cousins. The usual Sunday :)

March 27-28. Joined Earth Hour! Sunday - went to SM (for our quest for the crib we once saw at a mall), then to my prenatal check-up (thank God everything's okay).

(Usual weekend = books, TV, chat with Ate)

preggy pics

2010-04-02T13:31:00.008+08:00

Presenting...the evolution of a butete :) (Warning: not for the faint-hearted. Hehehe!)

at 5 weeks and 3 days

at 17 weeks and 6 days

at 21 weeks and 4 days

at 26 weeks and 4 days

skype-ing with the canadians

2010-03-28T11:12:00.005+08:00

One of the reasons why I especially love weekends is because I get the chance to see my niece and nephews from the other side of the globe.

Taken yesterday. Ate and Lex on the front. Behind them is my brother-in-law, Norly, who fell asleep as he was putting the two boys, Cayon and Clarence, to sleep.

Instant family picture! Thanks to Skype! :D

lex kulet 15

2010-03-27T10:45:00.000+08:00

Tita: Lex, sing ka naman ng Lady Gaga...
Lex (whispers to Mommy): Mommy, 'di ba bad 'yung Gaga?
Mommy: Okey lang 'yun, Lex. Name nya naman 'yung Gaga.
(Tsk tsk tsk, bad influence pa si Tita!)

~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~

Kakapabunot lang ni Tatay Ely ng front teeth nya...
Tita: Lex, tingnan mo si Tatay Ely oh!
Tatay Ely smiles big.
Lex (whispers to Daddy): Si Tatay vampire!
(A! A! A! A! A!)

~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~

Tita: Lex, isip ka naman ng name para sa baby boy ni Tita.
Lex: Asia?
Mommy: E pang-girl 'yun e. Isip ka pa ng iba...
Lex: Ahm, okay!
After 12 hours...
Tita: O Lex, nakaisip ka na ng name para sa baby ko?
Lex: Ahm, yes!
Tita: Ano 'yun?
Lex: Pepe!
(Hmmm...mukhang pinag-isipan nga!)

beautiful blogger award from mae

2010-03-24T21:22:00.004+08:00

Thanks for the award, Mae! I've been very busy with a lot of research (on pregnancy) and Harry Potter and taking a rest so I've been inactive with blogging and bloghopping for quite a while. Sad :(

7 random thoughts:

1. I am currently on my 26th week off pregnancy. Since last Sunday, I've been having difficulty sleeping because my baby is too energetic that sometimes I worry if my baby is kicking too much.

2. I just realized that it's hard shopping for baby items!

3. And picking a baby name is easier said than done.

4. I am seriously considering paid blogging as an extra means of earning. I just don't know where and how to start. (I do welcome tips, hehehe!)

5. It's summer time here in the Philippines. And I am dreaming of sun, sand and sea. But I don't think that will happen...and I am very sad :( (All I want is to walk by the beach, catch a beautiful sunset and feel the sand on my feet. *Sigh* If only I could...)

6. I do have a lot of online tasks to fulfill (see my introduction). So that brings me to ask myself about Number 4.

7. On labor and delivery...I am scared and excited, all at the same time!

old skul

2010-03-21T11:18:00.003+08:00

When I say old school, I mean old school! Hahaha!

I recently got hold of my highschool and college ID's. Can't believe it's been 12 and 8 years ago. Time flies.

So, sa itsurang 'yan pala na-inlove si Irvin?! :P

thought for today

2010-03-16T14:29:00.002+08:00

From a teammate's email :)

photo journal: baby back ribs

2010-03-07T11:56:00.002+08:00

2009's biggest blessings

2010-03-07T11:49:00.006+08:00

1. My Nokia E71. A month after my miscarriage, I decided to get a new phone. Naisipan ko lang pagpahingahin ang luma kong phone na matagal-tagal ko na din naman napakinabangan. Pumili pa ako ng qwerty para astig. Awa ng Diyos, hindi ko pa din kaya ang maging touch textist. Pero in all fairness, super like ko itong E71, as iiiin!

2. Baby Naysen (aka Pulang Nissan). Salamat kay Ate Sette, kung hindi dahil sa kanya ay hindi kami makaka-afford magkaroon ng sasakyan. Naaalala ko pa nu’ng binigay ko ‘yung perang naipon ko, napaluha talaga ako ng gabing ‘yun. Pero ganoon lang talaga ako. Wala akong pinagsisisihan na pinakawalan ko para dito ang hard-earned savings ko. Sana lang matigil na ang oil price hikes!

3. Baby Naykon (aka Nikon D60). Salamat sa aking friend, bukod sa pumayag siyang ibili ako nito sa US ay pumayag din siyang bayaran ko ito ng installment (take note: root word is friend). Pero iko-confess ko, nawalan ako bigla ng interes sa photography. Ewan ko nga ba *sigh*. Pero isinusumpa ko, matapos ko lang ang Harry Potter, magpapakadalubhasa na ako sa aperture, shutter speed at expose. (Kasi nga, saan ba ako makakahanap ng Time-turner?!)

4. Baby Vaio (aka Sony Vaio CW series). Bakit kamo kasama ito sa 2009 gayong 2010 ko na ito natanggap? Well, gusto ko lang. Hehehe! Actually, nakatakda namang mapasakamay ko ito ng 2009, ‘yun nga lang walang mapagpadalhan. Narindi na siguro si Ate sa kakaparinig ko tungkol sa hirap, gutom, pagod at gastos na nagugugol ko sa tuwing may ipapadala sa kanya kaya binigyan nya ako ng reward, hihihi!

5. Harry Potter and Twilight. Well, well, well. Thanks to Irvin, bow.

But of course, there is no denying that family and friends (and all the perks that come with having them) are the biggest and best blessings of all time :)

the boy who lived is the boy i love :)

2010-03-07T11:46:00.000+08:00

Tuesday night.

Elay: Alam ko na kung saan mag-aaral ang anak natin!
Irvin: Saan?
Elay: Sa Hogwarts!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Nakaka-adik pala talaga ang Harry Potter. Sa sobrang high para akong na-Levicorpus.

Alam ko, masyado nang late ang simula ko pero sa nararanasan ko ngayon, talagang masasabi kong better late than never.

Christmas Eve 2009 (galing ito sa Pensieve). Na-surprise ako sa isang malaking box na nakabalot ng bongga sa ibabaw ng kama. Natural na mabigla ako kasi hindi ko alam kung paano napunta ‘yung box doon, samantalang labas-pasok naman ako sa kwarto. Oo, may idea na ako kung ano ‘yun (sa dami ba naman ng parinig ko), pero hindi ako talaga nag-e-expect (wushuuu, magtigil nga!). Siyempre nagpa-cute muna ako, binasa ko muna ‘yung card bago ko binuksan ‘yung gift.

At nang aking buksan, haaay! Dream come true!

Isang boxed set ng Harry Potter books, hard bound. *Sigh* In love na naman ako kay Irvin :D (Actually, may kasama pa ‘yung dictionary na pang-baby. Sweetness!)

Tinapos ko munang basahin ‘yung mga hindi ko pa tapos (siyempre, alangan namang tapusin ko ‘yung tapos na, di ba?). January na ako nagsimula sa Harry Potter, timing sa bedrest ko. ‘Yun nga lang, nu’ng pumasok na ako, nakakalungkot na dahil parang wala pang isang chapter a day ang average na nababasa ko. Nasa Book 6 pa lang tuloy ako ngayon. Tsk! Kung pwede lang gumamit ng Time-turner!

Kaya welcome me to the club! Isa na ako ngayon sa mga nagtatanong ng “bakit ganoon sa movie e sa book ganito, blah blah blah?” Nang minsang nahulog ang hanger habang nagsasampay ako, aba siyempre ginamitan ko ng “Accio hanger!” Hanep, napasakamay ko ulit (dahil inabot ni Irvin, hehe). O di ba, i-apply sa araw-araw na pamumuhay para kapaki-pakinabang. At nu’ng minsang ang eksena sa binabasa ko ay natutulog si Harry, nakarinig ako ng alarm, akala ko oras na para gumising si Harry. Sa TV pala nanggaling ‘yung alarm. Kwela talaga!

More than Harry Potter, personal favorite ko sila Sirius at Dumbledore. (At personal kaaway ko si Fudge at Umbridge.)

Hahaha, tama na nga at baka may scar na sa noo paglabas nitong anak ko :)

thought for today

2010-03-06T15:33:00.000+08:00

Received from Bernadette. Thanks girl!

the weekends that were...

2010-02-27T22:18:00.001+08:00

January 9-10. Since I stayed at my parent’s during the weekdays, sa in-laws ko naman ako ng weekends. Sinundo ako ni Irvin ng Saturday night sa amin after ng basketball game nya. Started with Harry Potter!

January 16-17. Dahil tapos na ako sa Harry Potter 1 and 2, siyempre ‘yan ang Now Showing sa kwarto namin. First time ko din napanood ang Up, ang cute! Favorite ko si Alpha Dog :P Since we did not have the chance to go on a date last January 14 (our 10th anniversary, yiheee!) and since bawal din naman sa akin ang long walks, we settled to drop by Angels Hills Chapel and have dinner at Bag of Beans Tagaytay. Nakahiga ako the whole travel, hehe, spoiled! Anyway, disappointing ang experience namin sa Bag of Beans. First, ‘yung first 2 orders ni Irvin ay hindi available. Second, ang tagal bago nai-serve! Third, ang tagal bago naibigay ung bill! Kainis, grrr! Okey lang sana ‘yung food, although for me e medyo pricey dahil hindi naman extraordinary ‘yung sarap.

January 23-24. It’s my MIL’s birthday! Dinner at Anak ng Seaside Tagaytay (and yep, Tagaytay again). Then dessert at Café Breton, yum yum yum! Sunday is a rest day kasi papasok na ako ng Monday.

Ituro Mo! Iluto Ko!

Sa Cliffhouse.

Me and my MIL.

Nanay and Tatay.

Nanay, Tatay and Ate.

January 30-31. Sayang, I was not able to attend our team’s Family Day :( I just stayed at home at rested. It was Nanay Medoy’s house blessing come Sunday, ninang ako (ng bahay).

February 6-7. A restful weekend after a tiring closing week. Agnes, Leng and I were on video conference, happiNESs! Spent the night watching the final week of May Bukas Pa, and yes, I cried a lot! Sunday - bid Lola Nita a bon voyage and watched Irvin’s basketball game :)

February 13-14. We went to MOA right after lunch. Since we still have 2 hours to roam around while waiting for my schedule at In My Womb, we watched Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. We’re quite disappointed. (Later I found out from an officemate that there are relevant details from the book that are missing in the movie.)Then, we proceeded to In My Womb for my ultrasound. Please see my previous post.

nanay's (and tatay's) boy

2010-02-22T10:26:00.004+08:00

February 13, 2010, 8:10 PM. After waiting for an hour, it was my turn at In My Womb Ultrasound Center. I availed a fetal biometry with gender determination in 2D. Honestly, I was really nervous because it is not just knowing if we are having a baby boy or a baby girl, it is also a chance to get a glimpse of the overall status of the baby. I did not pray for a baby boy or a baby girl, I prayed for a healthy and a normal baby. (But I guess I needed a more advanced procedure called congenital anomaly scan in order to assess the baby’s health in detail.)

The baby is generally okay, fairly big by a week for his age :) I am one happy Nanay!

After much prodding and shaking, it showed. We’re having a baby boy! You guessed it, Irvin cannot wipe the smile off his face. He was singing “Father and Son” on our way home.

happiness

2010-02-22T09:16:00.002+08:00

Isn't it hard to write when you have nothing but happiness and contentment in your heart? Sometimes I feel like that, I simply can't write anything melodramatic or significant.

But I realized, I need not face dilemmas nor become brokenheared in order to write something sensible. Can I write about happiness? Of course.

I am not a perfect person. Right now, I am happy and satisfied with my life but that doesn't mean I don't get angry or sad or confused. Most of the times, I do, but I let it pass. It is one of the finest lessons I learned from Morrie Schwartz (in Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie). You let the negative feelings flow in you, experience it, embrace it. And then you let it go.

That is the most rational thing to do, isn't it? But I am telling you, many people would dwell on it, make those negative feelings eat them up.

I am not an expert on happiness and I would have to say I still have tons of lessons to learn about life. I live a very simple life. I hear other people's stories and I would say, "Why haven't I experienced that?" I give advice based on what I read or on other people's experience. And I just take every challenge as a chance to experiment.

Of the few things I know, I am delighted that one of them is counting my blessings. This, most probably, is the key to the radiating happiness I feel.

A cozy weather. A good book. Morning sunshine. Health. A safe ride to and from work. Crazy colleagues. Thoughtful friends. Pay day. A stable job. Food. Kids' smiles. Greetings from my sister. A text message from the husband. A phone call from my parents.

"You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased." - Psalm 4:7

~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~

I've written this article two years ago, can't remember why I forgot to post it :)

Happy Monday everyone!

baby vaio

2010-02-18T14:56:00.004+08:00

January 18, 2010 is the day my Ate made one of my dreams come true.

Life has been sweet to me, not because I received a laptop but because I have a sister :)

"She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child." - Barbara Alpert

lex kulet 14

2010-02-18T13:25:00.002+08:00

Galing pa sa baul…
A few weeks after Tita’s miscarriage, nag-post siya ng blog about the experience. Nabasa ni Mommy…
Lex: Mommy, bakit ka naiyak?
Mommy: Kasi yang tita mo, may sulat sa computer…
Lex: Bakit siya sulat-sulat pa? Ala na siya sick? Sabi mo kay Tita, wag na siya sulat sa computer para di na ikaw umiyak.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Isang araw, wala ng masabi pa si Lex.
Lex: Tita, may game ako!
Tita: Okay, sige nga.
Lex: Si Jaylie ba girl or boy?
Tita: Girl!Lex: Huh?! Pano mo alam?

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Lex shows her stuffed toy.
Tita: Lex, ano’ng name nyan?
Lex: Ahm…Emily…
(Rhymes with Enelie kaya binalik ni Tita sa kanya.)
Tita: Alam ko na, Lex ang name nyan!
Lex: Excuuuse me, this is not A PEOPLE!

avatar

2010-02-18T13:16:00.001+08:00

Watched it three times - once at the Premiere Cinema and twice at IMAX. Did you think we like it? Na-uh!

We LOVED it!

photo journal: locked up

2010-02-10T18:31:00.001+08:00

cayon kulet

2010-02-10T18:19:00.004+08:00

This is my pilot post on my nephew's musings :)

Cayon: Quiet!!!
Mommy: Cayon, bad ‘yang “Quiet”.
Cayon: Wag ingay!!!
(Oo nga naman, Mommy. Hirap sa yo ayaw mong lilinawin e!)

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Favorite ni Cayon ang Nutella sandwich, kaya naman isang araw iginawa siya ni Mommy nito.
Cayon: Mmmm...I loooove Spedah!
Daddy: Cayon! Hindi spedah, Nutella! Nu-tel-la, Nutella!
Cayon: Inde…tinapay!
(Daddy ha! Ti-na-pay, tinapay!)

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Hindi halatang Thomas & Friends ang favorite ni Cayon...
Tita: What is your name?
Cayon: Cayon…Layjah…Thomas!
(Thomas pala surname ni Norly, akala ko Hernandez.)

the weekends that were...

2010-02-03T12:41:00.006+08:00

November 28-29. Needed to work that Saturday to make up for the times I was on leave. Sunday, my usual rest day.

December 5-6. Had breakfast at McDo Cavite City (heavy traffic encountered due to Efren Penaflorida parade), went to the office (reworked the manufacturing program I have been doing for 3 days, but I still thank God that I discovered my error before Monday), supposed to go to a bazaar at SMX but we can’t find a parking space.

December 12-13. Saturday is rest day (after a very eventful and tiring month-end closing). Sunday, attended the christening of my inaanak Chloi (by my cousin Ate Andrea).

December 19-20. Saturday, had my laboratory tests (urinalysis, CBC and hepatitis screening) at Divine Grace, dropped by SM Bacoor, attended Xian’s christening (by Irvin’s cousin Erik) and went to Tagaytay for a date at Yellow Cab (yiheee!). Sunday is Ate’s birthday! We had lunch at Mang Inasal at SM Rosario then dropped by Nanay Medoy’s house for some chikahan.

December 26-27. Saturday, rest day and Christmas chat with Ate. Sunday, had dinner with Leng and Nes (and Tan) at Gumbo, MOA. Happiness! Miss Sarah and Mhay!

January 2-3. Saturday, rest day and New Year chat with Ate. Sunday, check up with Dra. Jamir. Sad. Please see my previous post.

what is a sister?

2010-01-31T19:44:00.006+08:00

A sister is someone more special than words. She's love mixed with friendship, the best things in life. She's so much inner beauty blended together with an outward appearance that brings a smile to the happiness in your heart. A sister is one of the most precious people in the story of your life. And you'll always be together, whether you're near or apart.

Together, you have shared some of the most special moments two people have ever shared. A sister is a perspective on the past, and she's a million favorite memories that will always last. A sister is a photograph that is one of your most treasured possessions. She's a note that arrives on a special day, and when there's news to share, she's the first one you want to call. A sister is a reminder of the blessings that come from closeness. Sharing secrets. Disclosing dreams. Learning about life together.

A sister is a confidante and a counselor. She's a dear and wonderful friend, and - in certain ways - something like a twin. She's a hand within your hand; she's so often the only one who really understands.

A sister is honesty and trust enfolded with love. She's sometimes the only person who sees things more clearly. She is a helper and a guide, and she is a feeling, deep inside, that makes you wonder what you would ever do without her.

What is a sister? She's someone more special than works; someone beautiful and unique. And in so many ways, there is no one who is loved so dearly.

- Douglas Pagels

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

(This should have been my post for my Ate's birthday, but several things got hold of me. So...ahm...sorry, Ate. Hehehe! Mwaaah!)

thought for today

2010-01-27T12:40:00.001+08:00

happy new year!

2010-01-27T10:15:00.004+08:00

I know, I know. My first post for 2010 is such an awful piece. So, for my comeback, this is for you!

Yes, I am back to my happy self!

a surge of pregnancy hormones

2010-01-09T09:14:00.003+08:00

Warning: Technically, I am a happy and optimistic person. I don't really know what prompted me to write this post, guess I just needed to spill the frustrations. If you're having a bad day, stop right here. If you're still interested, read on. But remember, you've been warned.

As most of you know, I am pregnant and on my 16th week tomorrow. And currently, I am on a bedrest. (But not right now, I am sitting in front of my desktop, writing this post. Hubby's at work and he would be scolding me upon learning that I've spent an hour or so out of the bed. I told you, I needed to get this out of my system.)

My scheduled prenatal check-up is December 21, which I cancelled because of the many files that sit at my workstation and need my immediate attention. When I woke up with a heavy feeling on the morning of December 23, I decided to take a leave and push through with my check-up. Unfortunately, my OB is already on her Christmas vacation and will be back on December 28. The holidays and weekend passed and December 28 came. Still, my OB is on vacation. Her assistant told me that she'll be back on January 4. That time, I needed to see an OB so that I can consult about the occasional pain that visits me irregularly before regular work resume on January 4 . Irvin and I contemplated on whom to consult. We went to an OB who refused to take me simply because I am from another OB. After so much considerations, we settled to consult with my former OB (we liked her, but not the hospital where she is a resident).

Believe me, that day is so stressful that I cried over it while sipping on Jollibee's Chocolate Frost Blend.

Sunday, January 3. We went for my check-up. My OB asked me to lie down while she feel my abdomen. She put out the gel, spread some on my abdomen and glided a gadget (I think that's the Doppler) over it. She stopped at a point in my right abdomen, and then, there it is. The loud, clear and magical sound of my baby's heartbeat. I was overwhelmed because I never heard it in my first pregnancy. But the oh-so-heavenly feeling was quickly snatched from me. She said that the cramp she felt in my abdomen might be a sign of early contractions. I asked what that means. She said that the uterus is already pushing the baby out, as if in a labor.

Sadly, my second pregnancy is "at risk" again.

For accountants like me, no period is ever busier than the year-end close which, in my case, will take place this coming week. I sent text messages to my colleague and team leader, and to my friends, to inform them of my situation.

For several days, PSP and books have been my constant companion. But the work-addict side of me always remind me of the work and colleagues I left in a demanding and difficult time. I feel guilty. Add to it a remark, sarcastic or not, that I just made a "proper timing" in taking a rest. Not reacting is just as hurtful as reacting negatively.

If they only knew how much I wanted to help.

I cried last night, while my husband is asleep. I said sorry to my baby, for feeling disheartened.

To those who raised their eyebrows upon learning that I took a leave during a hectic period, I wish that my situation won't happen to you. I wish that your carefully planned pregnancies won't end up in miscarriage or in another "at risk" pregnancy. Because it is much harder to juggle between your bread-and-butter and the family you would love to build than to perform year-end closing of a company's financial books.

To those who expressed their sympathy and are silently praying for me, thanks a lot for your support. May God's blessings pour out to you and to your family.

To my family (including Irvin's), whose neverending love touches me, even if you're halfway around the world, with so much gratitude.

To God who is my strength, even in those times I have taken you for granted.

To my readers, sorry for a not-so-happy post for a supposedly-happy-new-year. I hate it that my first post for 2010 is this. I hope you understand, writing is one of my life's channels.

photo journal: sunset

2009-12-06T12:27:00.002+08:00

the weekend that was nov 21-22: overdue

2009-12-06T12:16:00.004+08:00

Saturday. Had my first ultrasound. Yehey! Pinakita sa akin ni OB 'yung katawan ng baby at 'yung heartbeat nya. Happiness! Super happy din si Irvin :D

Sunday. We watched The Twilight Saga: New Moon at MOA with Agnes. Ang ganda, super! It's way better than Twilight! Still deciding whether I'm on Team Edward or Team Jacob. Pero si Irvin, Team Jacob!

the weekend that was nov 14-15: overdue

2009-12-06T12:08:00.003+08:00

Naka-SL ako nu'ng last two days kaya long weekend for me, buti na lang okey na ako by Saturday dahil celebration ng birthday ni Irvin at anniv namin with his family. This time, iba naman, sa Tagaytay kami. Hahahaha! :P Gabi na kami nakapunta (as usual). We had dinner at Max's then coffee at crepe sa Cafe Breton. Yum yum!

Sunday. 8 weeks. It's Yuan Jacob's christening! Okey naman. It's Manny Pacquiao's day, too! Ang galing, proud na proud na naman ang mga Pinoy. Bonding lang with Kishie later that day, we watched MJ videos, Shaun the Sheep at Good Morning Mickey episodes.

Gusto kong mag-beach. Waaah!

the weekend that was nov 7-8: overdue

2009-12-06T11:25:00.002+08:00

Toxic ang work nu'ng Friday, madaling araw na akong nakauwi. Na-miss ko ang videoke session with AmAsE. Haaay, so sad. Nakahiga lang ako buong morning, nagsasaulo ng mga song lyrics :) Later nu'ng afternoon, nagpunta kami nila Nanay at Irvin sa pinsan ko para maki-celebrate sa pagpasa sa Teacher's Board Exam.

Sunday. 7 weeks. Nagpunta kami nu'ng morning sa Cavite City para magdala ng food. First time ko din nakita ang soon-to-be inaanak ko na si Chloe. Tabachingching!

Bonding lang with Nanay at Tatay sa bahay :)

11 weeks

2009-12-06T10:26:00.006+08:00

Yes, I am back! I've been busy with a lot of workload, which sometimes required me to spend extra hours at the office. I know it's not healthy, my bad. Every day, I wake up and wish it's Saturday so I could stay in bed for a few more minutes or hours. But then the alarm would sound again, and reality sets in. I just pray that God would give me a sign should I need to take a break. And I talk to my baby, too, that she let me know should she feel something terrible.

I've had my first ultrasound two weeks ago, the OB showed me the heartbeat and informed me that the baby's size is just as it should be. I was ecstatic. I'm not sure if I am overreacting. I think, from someone coming from a recent miscarriage, that is a normal reaction.

Procrastination has got its way to me. In my early weeks, I felt sleepy almost every two hours and I'm happy that I've gone past that stage now. And I realize how many blogs are yet to be posted, books to be read, DVDs to be watched.

Pregnancy symptoms? Well, luckily, no morning sickness for me. Fatigue, constipation and heartburn. All products of hormonal changes inside me. And I welcome them.

hear ye! hear ye!

2009-11-25T17:09:00.002+08:00

Oct 17. Hindi pa ako delayed pero excited na akong mag-pregnancy test, bakit bawal ba?! Siyempre, as usual, nalilito pa din ako sa resulta.
Oct 18. Dahil nga atat ako, nag-test na naman ako, nakakalito pa din. Gimik ba talaga ‘to ng mga pabrikang gumagawa ng home pregnancy kit?
Oct 19. Delayed na pero pass muna, huwag ko naman daw araw-arawin sabi ng aking butihing kaibigan.
Oct 20. Pass muna ulit. Bukas na lang para sure na sure na.
Oct 21. O ayan ha, 3 days delayed na. Ganun pa din ang resulta, isang malinaw na linya at isang malabong linya. Nabasa ko naman na mas mataas ang probability na positive ‘yun kesa negative. Kaya go na kami ni Irvin sa OB sa Divine Grace. Nagpa-laboratory muna ko, “POSITIVE” na!

Opo, buntis po ako :D

Ngayon, nasa 9 weeks na ako at kasinlaki na siya ng grape. (Irvin says: Wow, anlaki-laki na ng anak ko! FYI, ganyan din ang sinabi nya nu’ng kasinlaki na ng sesame seed ang baby namin.)

Medyo mabigat sa loob ni Kishie, 3-year old pamangkin ni Irvin, ang tanggapin na magkakaroon ng bagong baby kaya nakakatuwa nu’ng isang araw bigla na lang siyang bumulong sa akin na “Ate na ako!”

Si Lex, kahit malayo, feel ko ang pag-welcome nya. Nang tanungin kung ano ang gusto nyang cousin, baby boy ba or girl, “Ahm…baby boy…tsaka girl!”

Muli nagpapasalamat ako sa mga nag-congratulate sa akin, sa mga nagpaalala na ingatan ko na ito, sa mga mothers na nagbibigay ng motherly advice at sa mga masasaya dahil magkaka-baby na kami. And to you, Bro, thank you for giving us another chance to care for someone whose more valuable than ourselves.

Please, please pray for my safe pregnancy.

And Bro, Ikaw na ang bahala sa amin.

the weekend that was oct 31-nov 1: overdue

2009-11-25T16:55:00.001+08:00

Saturday. Rest lang throughout the day since alam ko mapapagod ako ng Saturday night at Sunday. I was not able to meet up with my friends sa SM pero natuloy naman ang videoke session, minus Sarah nga lang. Woohoo! Ang sarap talagang pagsamahin at kainan at kantahan.

Sunday. Araw ng mga Patay. Maaga kaming pumunta sa Love Memorial Park then dumiretso ng Naic para makipag-meet sa mga pinsan ko at makikain pero hindi na kami sumama ni Irvin sa sementeryo. Umuwi na din kami sa Rosario. Then pumunta naman kami nila Tatay sa aking balikbayan tita, kay Nanay Medoy, para tingnan ‘yung bahay nila at konting chika. Uwi ng Tanza at rest na kasi may pasok bukas kahit holiday :(

meron bang miss your family day?

2009-11-20T18:33:00.003+08:00

Andito pa ako sa opisina, kasalukuyang nagba-blog pero dapat nagtatrabaho. Ewan ko, bigla lang akong nawalan ng gana. Buong araw akong nasa training at habang nasa training, naiisip ko na ang mga kailangan kong gawin pagkatapos. Stressed? Malamang.

Kakababa ko lang ng phone, nakausap ko si Tatay. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong nag-senti. Tumatawa habang umiiyak at umiiyak habang tumatawa…ng mag-isa. Hindi ko kasi alam kung nauna ba ang luha o ang saya.

Ako: Hello! Tay! Anu nah?
Tatay: Ano ba?! Kanina pa kami tawag ng tawag dyan ng Nanay mo.
Ako: E di ba tumawag na nga si Irvin na nasa training ako buong araw…
Tatay: E kaninang umaga pa ‘yun e.
Ako: E kadadating ko lang nga sa pwesto ko.
Tatay: Kadadating lang…’asan ka na ba? Tanza?
Ako: Hinde, dito nga lang sa pwesto ko. Andito pa ko sa office.
Tatay: Ano??? Hindi ka na dapat nag-o-OT e!
Ako: E kailangan e.
Tatay: E ano, saan ba kayo uuwe?
Ako: Dyan kami uuwi.
Tatay: A-yos! Ako ang nagtimpla ng manok e.
Ako: E baket, masarap ba ‘pag kayo nagtimpla?
Tatay: Siyempre, eto nga’ng nanay mo hindi pa binibitawan ‘tong manok hanggang ngayon e!
Nanay: (inaudible side comments)
Tatay: O sige na, sabihin mo kay Irvin dahan-dahan ha. At ikaw din, ‘wag kang magpapakapagod!
Ako: Oke! Babay!

Nothing special, normal na naming pag-uusap ‘yan.

Pero bigla na lang akong naiyak. Siguro, palagi ko lang silang nami-miss. Khit every weekend naman kaming magkasama. With them, talagang hindi enough na weekend lang kami nagkikita. At kaya naiintindihan ko kung bakit nalulungkot sila kapag nababawasan pa ang pagtigil ko sa kanila ng dalawang araw.

Nami-miss ko din ang ate ko at ang mga pamangkin ko. Two days from now would mean two years ko na silang hindi nakikita. Lumaki na ang mga pamangkin ko, pati ang katawan ni Ate at ni Norly, lumaki na din. Madami na ang nagbago. Kaya bawat chat at tawag namin nagsisimula sa “O ano’ng bago?”

National Miss Your Family Day ba today?

O inaatake lang talaga ako ng kaartehan?

this is it!

2009-11-11T10:43:00.004+08:00

Two days before it is being pulled out of theaters, Irvin and I watched This Is It last night. Again, we were mesmerized by his timeless moves and his dazzling voice. We can’t help but sigh over his should-have-been performance for his 50 already-sold-out-concerts. It would have been another history for the music industry.

“It's an adventure. It's a great adventure. We want to take them places that they've never been before. We want to show them talent like they've never seen before.” - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson

King of Pop

Love Lives Forever

thought for today

2009-11-10T12:31:00.003+08:00

Thanks Bernadette!

the weekend that was oct 24-25: overdue

2009-11-02T15:46:00.006+08:00

Just the usual Saturday.

Sunday. We held a bridal shower for Sarah. Medyo bad trip na ko dahil late na kami nakapagsimula, at bad trip na din si Irvin dahil bad trip ako hehehe. Ayun, kainan, games, video presentation, gifts at picturetaking!

the weekend that was oct 16-18: overdue

2009-11-02T15:39:00.000+08:00

Friday. Nag-leave ako dahil for quite a while ay may nararamdaman akong masama, alam ko UTI ‘yun pero I have to be sure kung galing pa din sa kidney stones ko. Ni-refer ako nung kapitbahay namin sa isang doctor sa Korea-Phil Friendship Hospital sa Trece. After waiting for 2 hours, pagpapa-laboratory at lunch, dumating din ang doktor. Tama ako, a very bad case of UTI pero hindi na galing sa kidney stones. Bago nya ako bigyan ng gamot, nagbigay na ako ng disclaimer that I might be pregnant. Nagpa-laboratory ulit ako, negative. Niresetahan na nya ako ng strong na gamot, but being the paranoid that I am, hindi muna ako bumili. I just have to be sure.

After sa hospital, nag-SM Dasma muna kami ni Irvin habang hinihintay si Agnes. Magmi-meet kami para sa birthday ng Mama ni Sarah. So ayun, kain at gala lang kami. Hehehe. Pagdating ni Nes, dinaanan lang si Ate Sarah then punta na kila Sarah.

Ok naman, chicha at chika. Binigay na sa amin ang invitation. This is it.

Uwian na. Pagod na ako.

Saturday. Sale! Aga namin nasa SM para makaiwas sa buhos ng tao. Ang ending - nag-grocery lang kami. Wala ding nabili. Uwi na din. The usual Saturday except nung gabi. My gulay, mga 11 PM na un nung umalis kami sa bahay para pumunta sa Cavite City para sumalubong kay Mhay. Yey! Di naman masyado excited di ba? Nasa amin na si Baby Nayks, wow! (‘Yun nga lang naiwan pa sa US ung manual. Tsk tsk tsk. Hehehe.)

Sunday. Just the usual Sunday. Chat with Ate. And bumalik lang kami sa SM pra bumili ng 4-GB SD card for Baby Nayks.

the weekend that was oct 10-11: overdue

2009-10-25T11:06:00.002+08:00

Sabado. Natuloy din ang matagal ng planong mag-shopping with Agnes. Sobrang dami ko kasing pera e, gusto kong magwaldas. Ahehehe! Nangarap na naman. Kailangan ko kasing bumili ng dress para sa kasal ni Sariray, lector ako. Juice ko, umaga pa lang laos na ang byuti ko. Bah naman e hindi na pala nagbababa sa Ayala ung mga provincial buses, naglakad tuloy kami. Anyway, ayun, SM tapos Glorietta tapos Landmark. Salamat at nakakita din ng okey na medyo mura. Tapos gumala-gala na lang kami, nag-Bo’s Coffee. Pamatay oras habang naghihintay kay Irvin na pinaayos si Naysen. Nung nagkita kami, kanya-kanya ng kwento, kawawa din si Irvin.

Haaay. Pag-uwi, plakda na.

Sunday. Da usual pa din. Sa bahay lang. Masaya dahil in fairness, hindi na tinotoyo si Fader :D

the weekend that was oct 3-4: overdue

2009-10-25T10:46:00.003+08:00

Bakasyon muna bago sumabak sa isang panibagong week ng closing! Whew!

Sabado. Nakikiramdam kami sa magiging epekto ni Pepeng, luckily, hindi naman masyadong nagparamdam. Pumunta kami sa binyag ni Enzo, baby ni Ate Ianne na pinsan ni Irvin. Ninong at ninang si Irvin at ako, at si Kuya Bong at Ate Sette. Grabe, kinabahan akong magdala ng baby noh! (Wala pa yata akong maternal instinct :P) Sa Creekside ang reception. Kodakan lang at siyempre kainan!

Uwi na sa amin after. Wala si Nanay, natulog sa Cavite City kaya sumunod si Tatay. Kami na lang ni Irvin ang tumao sa bahay.

Linggo. Da usual lng. Tinawagan namin ni Tatay si Ate dahil sira ang computer ko at humihingi ng kapalit. (Hear! Hear!)

ninoy's letters part 2

2009-10-20T19:05:00.002+08:00

Got this from an email: another heartbreaking love letter of Ninoy to one of her daughters...

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

August 26, 1973
Fort Bonifacio
11:10 a.m.

Miss Aurora Corazon C. Aquino
PERSONAL

My dearest Double Mommie:

I have just heard Mass with Senator Jose W. Diokno and I received my communion in preparation for tomorrow’s big show. Last night I wrote Noy-noy and explained to him the crucial and vital decision I made yesterday after a lengthy conference with my lawyers.

During the Mass, while Pepe was reading the prayer of the faithful, the last paragraph struck me: “For all our fellow men, who suffer: may they know that if a grain of wheat dies, it yields a rich harvest.’ Let us pray to the Lord.”

As soon as I got back to my room, I looked up the complete quotation from your Bible, which Mommie sent me sometime ago and in the gospel according to John, I found the following:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

What does this mean? Is it an invitation to suicide? I think it simply means that there is much more than earthly comfort, joy and carnal pleasure in this world. The message of Jesus, as I understand it, is that we must be ready to sacrifice for our fellow men at all time, and if need be, even offer our lives for them. Unless we are willing to suffer with, and share our love with our neighbors, then we are like the grain that does not fall into the ground… and will always remain only a grain of wheat. But if we pick up our cross, and in the spirit of self-sacrifice and self-abnegation suffer for our neighbors, then like the grain that falls into the earth and dies, we will grow and bear much fruit.

In a way this is the rationale behind my decision. I have no doubt I will be convicted to a long prison term. I am prepared to spend the rest of my natural life behind bars because I will not defend myself and will accept the “tyrant’s revenge.” This is my act of protest against the deprivation of our people of their freedom and liberties and this is my act of defiance against dictatorship. I have deliberately chosen a life of loneliness, separated from you my loved ones and turned my back on the gaiety and comfort of life in this world in the hope that by so doing, I might awaken some latent forces that will cause a chain reaction and that will eventually lead to an explosion of human atoms wanting to be free.

I have watched and observed you very carefully and all these years and of all my children, you are the most sensitive, the most emotional and therefore the most artistically inclined. You have a keen eye for details and you are possessed with a sharp analytical mind and intellect. Unfortunately, you have not used your talents to the maximum and have been content to coast along, a trait I hope you will correct in time.

You will recall I have often told you of your responsibility, at least to me, because you carry the name of the two greatest women in my life, your grandmother and your mother. Hence, you are my double mommie. I have always planned to discuss many things with you and Ate because you are now young ladies but unfortunately we never had the time during those days when I pursued public office.

Now that I have all the time for you, we are limited only to two one-hour visits a week. Isn’t this ironical? At any rate, I decided to put down briefly in writing some of the things I really wanted to tell you.

1. Never sell yourself short. You are pretty, talented and gifted. Believe this and make the best of your assets. As in the parable of the talents, one day you will be made to account God on how you used your gifts. Do not be like the man who merely hid his talent and never allowed it to multiply. Be like the one who invested his talent wisely and watched it increase tenfold.

2. Be more tolerant to your brother and sisters. Most especially to the two younger ones. I hope you will take time to be charitable to our baby doll, Krissy. She loves to hear stories, please accommodate her for me. Do not provoke Viel, our little princess, especially now that her protector is in jail.

3. You are sometimes rather high-strung and spirited. Properly restrained, these tendencies can well be the source of your inner drive and motivations. But there are times when your spirit turns to unreasonable rebelliousness and intransigence, especially with your superiors. Learn to give and take because life is a continuous compromise. We cannot always have our own way all the time. And the world is made up of all kinds of people. Some are wonderful and sweet, others are simply downright boring and sour. Learn to live with all kinds of people as God sends His rain to all men, to both the just and the unjust.

4. Listen to Mommie’s advice. She has your welfare at heart. She brought you in the world in agony and pain, risking her very life. Spent the better part of her youthful years trying to bring you up healthy and strong. She sacrificed her own comfort and curbed many of her desires to give you the best. The least you can do for her now is to love her with all your heart and mind. Search the whole world, you will never find a more sincere friend than your mother.

5. Learn not only to like but love Noy-noy. When I wan your age, I continuously fought with my sisters. I had daily battles with your Auntie Maur. Yet look at her today. Now that I am helpless, your Auntie Maur is showing such concern and love which I will never repay. It will be the same with you and Noy. I have not doubt Noy will be your “refuge and staff” in the not too distant future.

6. Please do this great favor for me. I want you to serve Lolo Pepe and Lola Ma in their declining years. They have lavished paternal love and understanding on your mommie and I through all these years. They went our of their way to get us started in life starting with the purchase of Magao through all my political battles. I had hopes of serving them in the twilight of their years, but this privilege is now denied me. I hope you will make up for your daddy’s inability to repay them for their many kindnesses. Love and serve them well!

7. I do not know what career you will eventually pursue. I wish you would finish your college education before thinking of marriage because the world is getting more and more partial to college graduates. The present trend is for both spouses to work and earn to meet the rising cost of living. If you have a career of your own, you will not only be an asset to your family but can always fall back on vital reserves in case of any unforeseen tragedy or reverses. One of my greatest regrets is not to be able to bequeath you with a modest inheritance to get you fully started in life. I squandered your legacies in the numerous political battles I was engaged in. And it is too late now for tears and lament!

Finally, please pray for your daddy, who loves you very much and whose sufferings will be greatly eased if your will grown up into a real fine lady whom everybody will be proud of. Your success will be the most soothing balm for my tortured heart.

I thought of writing you this letter on the eve of my trial to fill the vacuum of my loneliness. Alone with no one to talk to on a fine Sunday morning, I retreated into my little corner of make-believe and imagined that you sat in front of my table discussing with me some vagrant thoughts.

Never ever forget you are my double mommie and therefore my love for you is doubled.

Lovingly,
Dad

thought for today

2009-10-14T08:12:00.002+08:00

Thanks, Bernadette!

our new baby

2009-10-09T11:45:00.004+08:00

No, I am not giving birth :) Baby Nayks is coming to me on October 17. Giddy!

And thank you, Friendship Mhay!

ondoy

2009-10-07T21:48:00.002+08:00

Another late post. This was seating in my Drafts for over a week!

Shockingly devastating. That is what summarizes my thoughts about the recent typhoon Ondoy.

It took just one day of nonstop downpour to flood almost the whole of Metro Manila. There is lack of food, clothing, medicine and water. Some places still experience total blackout. Others are still submerged in flood water. There are a number of fathers, mothers, siblings and children who are still missing. Houses, lives and dreams were corrupted.

But here we are, Pinoys, still moving on.

The Storm

I have my share of “being stranded” story when typhoon Milenyo hit Manila in September 28, 2006. Luckily, I was home when Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) displayed its fury. Ondoy made its landfall on the eastern part of north Luzon which brought strong winds and tremendous rain in the area. Somewhere, I read that Ondoy broke records in terms of rainfall (even that of Hurricane Katrina). Flood in some areas reached up to 20 feet nearly drowning a large part of Marikina, Pasig and Rizal. Landslides occured. Dams released water. Rivers overflowed. Roads became impassable. A large part of Luzon was placed under the “state of calamity”. To date, death toll here in the Philippines related to typhoon Ondoy rose to 240 (41 in Vietnam and 9 in Cambodia).

The Celebrities

We hear stories of survival of many celebrities. Among them are Cristine Reyes, Gladys Reyes and kids, and Carmina Villaroel and her family. But what touched me most is when I saw photos of Gerald Anderson with his brother and Jericho Rosales in his surfboard. Of course, there are other gallant stories like those of the couple Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo and Cesar Montano, but my favorite is that of Gerald and Jericho. Gerald Anderson, together with his brother Kenneth, braved the flood waters to check if his neighbors were okay. Jericho Rosales did a heroic act when he saved a boy, an elderly woman and a dog. Also, two thumbs up to Angel Locsin who used her Hummer just to help rescue Ondoy’s victims.

I had goose bumps when I heard about their stories. I mean, that really is heroism. Doing a selfless act without bragging about it.

Bayanihan

Both ABS-CBN and GMA launched telethons to accept donations, in cash or in kind. Many local celebrities helped in the distribution of relief goods. Hollywood celebrities and other prominent figures published announcements to help the victims of Ondoy. Kris Aquino knocked on the doors of the management of the products she endorse to spill some donations and asked other celebrities to do the same. Most private companies and schools made their own effort to help. Truly, the bayanihan spirit lies in every Pinoy’s heart.

And thanks to Facebook and Twitter!

Moving On

I remembered watching K Brosas, one of the celebrity victims of the typhoon, in SNN. In her interview, she was asked what lesson she learned and she said: Palaging iisipin na may bukas pa… At pagkatapos ng May Bukas Pa, Lovers in Paris. (Something to that effect.) I laughed so hard.

Cameras roll and Pinoys, with half of their body immersed in flood or mud, will give a big smile and an excited wave.

We do have a way of coping with disasters. Very strange. Very Pinoy.

Notes: Ondoy photos here. Also, Bianca Gonzales’ blog compiles a comprehensive list of how and where to donate to Ondoy’s victims.

photo journal: pink among yellows

2009-10-03T17:33:00.001+08:00

the weekend that was sep 25-27

2009-10-03T17:22:00.001+08:00

Friday. Feeling weekend na ako. Hindi dahil long holiday kung hindi dahil wala kami sa office, yehey! Tamang-tama, change of scene.

We had a team activity at the Batangas Refinery in San Pascual, Batangas City. Hindi R&R activity, intelektwal ito - knowledge sharing sessions. Nagkaroon din kami ng plant tour kaso gabi na noon at umuulan pa ng ubod lakas kaya ayun, hindi din nakapag-picturetaking. Sayang! Minsan lang ako makakita ng malalaking tangke ng krudo at gasoline, hindi pa ako nakapagpa-picture. Anyway, kumain kami sa isang Dampa-style restaurant kung saan siksi, liglig at umaapaw ang pagkain. Nagpaalam na din kami sa mga officemates naming uuwi. Me and some of my teammates opt to stay sa housing facility ng Chevron called Banaba.

Malapit lang ang Banaba sa Refinery, parang isang subdivision…na nakakatakot. Hehehe! Joke lang! Nakakatakot lang kasi gabi na kami nagpunta and since hindi naman lahat ng bahay may nakatira, medyo madilim and naligaw pa kami. Joy and I are supposed to stay in two separate bachelor’s quarters na medyo nakahiwalay pa sa house ng teammates namin. So we checked na lang muna ‘yung house and we found out na pwede pa kaming ia-accommodate (anlaki kaya nu’ng house). Yehey! Actually, kahit sa sofa set lang ako matulog basta may kasama lang ako sa house J Nakanood pa kami ng Florinda, SNN, Bandila, at SOCO (marathon ito!). Picturetaking!

Nalaman naming sa Bandila na naka-signal # 1 na sa Metro Manila, Batangas, Cavite and other nearby provinces. Pero it was not enough para ihanda kami sa mga susunod na araw.

Saturday. 6:15 ako nagising, wala na si Joy sa tabi ko dahil nauna na sila ni Ruffy. Malakas ang ulan at hangin. Hindi makakapag-swimming sa clubhouse. Masyado pang maaga kaya nagbasa muna ako ng isang Bob Ong book. Naligo, nag-ayos. As scheduled, umalis na kami ng 9 AM. Kinausap na ng teammate kong si Sheila na sa Tagaytay-Dasma dumaan dahil tatlo kaming taga-Cavite na bababa doon. Ayos lang naman ang biyahe kahit sobrang lakas ng ulan kaso pagdating sa Lemery, biglang napahinto ‘yung van sa harap namin, tapos nag-U-turn. Uh-oh. Baha, bonggang-bonggang baha. Kailangan din naming mag-U-turn dahil sa sobrang lakas ng current, alanganin kung mag-take kami ni risk. And siyempre, safety first. Malayo din ang inikutan, madaming baha sa daan pero dire-diretso na. 12 NN ng dumating kami sa SM Dasma. Bumaba na din ‘yung mga kasama namin para kumain at mag-CR. Kawawa din sila, mahaba pa ang byahe nila.

Kumain muna kami ni Irvin, gutom na ko dahil hindi naman kami nag-breakfast. Nag-ikot-ikot bago umuwi.

Tumawag agad ako sa amin pagdating. Sobrang worried sila Nanay at Tatay. Nu’ng nanood ako ng news saka ko lang naintindihan. Grabe na pala ang nangyayari sa Metro Manila, to the point na mag-iisip ka kung Metro Manila nga ba ‘yung tinitingnan mo sa TV. Worried din kami kasi that time, nasa Marikina si Ate Sette. Nasa news ang TV most of the time. Ang masasabi ko lang: devastating.

Nakatulog ako ng 7-9 PM and then woke up and watched TV again. Grabe talaga, nakakalungkot.

Sunday. As usual, Sunday morning habit muna before anything else. Then news. Then umuwi sa amin. Lagi lang kami nakatutok sa TV for updates. So happy na marami ng nagko-conduct ng charity works.

May God bless us all!

the weekend that was sep 19-20: overdue

2009-10-03T17:16:00.003+08:00

Last night, I went home having a real bad case of sore throat. So bad I was not able to talk for a few hours and that is soooo difficult for me. Luckily, Nanay is in her kwento mode so I just listened to her.

Saturday. Still has slight fever. My brother-in-law called and told us that we are going to Enchanted Kingdom tomorrow. I just spent the whole day lying in the bed, reading and watching TV. Bad news: my desktop crashed. Waaah!

Sunday. I am already missing my 3.5 year old-desktop, I have no other means to chat with my sister and see my pamangkins. Sigh.

Oh well, yeah, Enchanted Kingdom. We left home at around 3 PM, so yes, that is already late. We only have few pictures and few rides (The Grand Carousel, Flying Fiesta, Wheel of Fate - my first, Rialto, Flying Fiesta - again). We missed the fireworks because we are already inside the Rialto theater then. So sad that I was not able to have my Roller Skater and Rio Grande Rapids moments. Plus, I was looking forward to conquering my fear of Space Shuttle but unfortunately, the ride was closed. Till next time! (I will post the pictures in another post.)

Before going home, we dined at RSM restaurant at Tagaytay. Yum yum!

May nagpapa-cute... :P

backlogs!

2009-09-29T14:14:00.004+08:00

1. Warning: super late post-birthday post (OMG, what happened to me?! *Sigh*) Thanks to my now ex-teammates (Bo Sanchez's books) and my friend Agnes (an Esprit bag) for the gifts.

2. I attended the SGV Alumni Homecoming last July 20, together with my then teammates Mike (from Tax) and Lems (from Cebu branch). We had a great time, enjoying the food and each others' company and picturetaking. We had an opportunity to pose with (THE) Mr. Wash Sycip and I had a few minutes with my boss, Boss JAF.

3. Last August 3, as Mrs. President Cory Aquino's remains were being transferred from La Salle Greenhills to Manila Cathedral, the cortege passed by Ayala Avenue. The nationalism in us urged us to go out of our building and pay our last respect to her. Never mind the heat and the crowd, we were thankful to be a small part of the Philippine history.

the weekend that was sep 12-13: overdue

2009-09-29T10:57:00.002+08:00

Last night, I had a sumptuous dinner with friends at John and Yoko. It was raining so hard and I was not sure if I can catch the last Binakayan shuttle trip so Irvin fetched me at the office. We were home at around 1 AM.

Saturday. A day of disappointments. First, we were supposed to go swimming but the plan was cancelled. Second, we bathed in the rain but it didn’t rained too hard. Haaay. We were able to watch (for the nth time) Rush Hour with Tatay. Irvin had a boys night out at Island Cove while I stayed at home, catching up on some readings.

Sunday. Chat with Ate and Rush Hour 2 with Tatay. :)

thought for today

2009-09-22T08:10:00.003+08:00

Thanks, Bernadette!

the weekend that was sep 5-6: overdue

2009-09-21T15:45:00.002+08:00

Yes, weekend!

It's closing time and again, I've been harrassed by work. It's a tiring week for me. Irvin fetched me at around 4 AM of Saturday. Luckily, I got to sleep for 5 hours before going to Rosario. Just the usual family time. (I cried over an MMK episode starring Helen Gamboa and John Wayne Sace, it broke my heart.)

Sunday. I got to chat with Ate for 3 hours! Irvin and I went to SM to buy a DVD player for my Tatay :)

drooling over robin!

2009-09-13T09:55:00.004+08:00

I still remember the day I bought this issue. I was calmly walking on my way to the office when I saw Robin Padilla on the cover of FHM in a magazine stand at 7-11. My feet dragged me through the glass door, my hands absentmindedly caught the copy. I paid for it and walked away with a huge smile on my face.

Haaaay! Excuse me, I need to wipe something off my face.

the weekend that was aug 28-30: overdue

2009-09-13T08:13:00.001+08:00

Another long weekend for me!

Fiesta sa Tanza kaya naman kesa problemahin ko ang transportation papasok at pauwi, I opted to take a leave. Nagpunta kami sa Cavite City para pick-up-in 'yung in-order naming panghanda, nagpaluto dun sa caterer namin nung kasal. Pag-uwi siyempre tumikim agad kami, hehehe! Nagpunta kami sa Suzuki Service Center, malapit lang kila Irvin. Then, nag-goodbye na kami kay Paula. Flight nya today.

Smooth naman ang araw. Gabi na dumating ang mga visitors. Usually mga relatives ni Nana at friends ni Enald. Napagod ako kasi nakikipaghabulan ako sa mga bata, in short, nakikibata. Bad trip din dahil hindi ko naabutan ang fireworks. Okey naman ang lahat.

The usual lang ang Saturday at Sunday ko. I took the chance to rest because I know that the coming week will be a busy one. (In fact, August 31 is a holiday but I have to work. Waaah!)

photo journal: black forest

2009-09-12T23:03:00.003+08:00

* Playing with monochrome effect :)

lex kulet 13

2009-09-12T22:50:00.003+08:00

Nagpa-TFC na ang Hernandez family kaya naman isa sa pinakamasaya si Lex.

On Going Bulilit

Lex: Mommy, bakit si Dagul big boy na pero small pa din?

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

On Kokey

Tita: Lex, like mo ba si Kokey?

Lex: Oh noooooo!

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Kamustahan…

Tita (to Daddy): E kamusta naman si Cayon…?

Daddy: Yan ang piiiiiiinakamabait! (in a sarcastic tone)

Tita (to Daddy): E kamusta naman si Lance…?

Daddy: Yan, isa pa yan! Napakabait! (sarcastic tone ulet)

Lex: Bakit hindi ako?!

the weekend that was aug 21-23: overdue

2009-09-12T22:01:00.007+08:00

Friday. Thank God it's holiday! This is one of the rare opportunities that I get to take advantage of holidays so I made this day a memorable one.

Paula will be working abroad and will not be back until after 2 years. She still has a week-long stay here in the Philippines so I grabbed the chance to be with her. I asked if she want us to have lunch at Tagaytay or if she prefers to watch Harry Potter 6, knowing that she still haven't watched it. She favors Harry Potter so Harry Potter it is!

We had lunch at Aveneto and went straight to IMAX after. This is a first for all of us.

We had a great time together. Old friends are really as precious as gold. Love you, Hips!

I had a usual Saturday - reading, ironing clothes, TV.

Sunday. Irvin, Agnes and I were off to Robinson's Imus early to watch And I Love You So (Bea Alonzo, Sam Milby and Derek Ramsay from Star Cinema). This is my second time to watch the movie, the first time was with my teammates last Wednesday. I enjoyed the movie so I don't have any uncertainties watching it again.

That afternoon, Nana, Enald and Hazel and Irvin and I attended Yuan's birthday at Amaya. We had real quality family time.

That evening, we Irvin and I accompanied Enald and Hazel to Cavite City to check out the laptop being sold by a friend. We went home with the Toshiba laptop. Good for you, Hazel!

Whew! This had been a eventful weekend :)

at long last...

2009-09-12T21:37:00.004+08:00

At long last, I am back to blogging. What happened to me? Well, I really don't know. I think I just have to regroup my shattered thoughts and find extra time amidst the busyness of my schedule.

I just moved to another team where every month-end closing seems to be a challenge. For the past few weeks, I have been working late, loading information to my little timid brain and analyzing the increase and decrease of every account.
What about weekends? Weekends are the best times of my week. I get to bond with my parents and my husband so I don't waste so much time in front of the computer.

To my blogger friends, I am sorry that I have not been able to visit your sites for quite a while.

Oh well, I wish I could prove that I really am back to my blogging self.

ninoy's letters part 1

2009-08-27T16:32:00.002+08:00

This is (allegedly) Ninoy's letter to his daughter Ballsy. I got this from an email sent by my colleague. I first admired Ninoy's writings back in college. I forgot the TV program I was watching then, it featured Ninoy's letter to Cory. I was deeply moved by his words, so moved that I cried.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

August 18, 1973

Fort Bonifacio

Makati, Rizal
Ms. Maria Elena C. Aquino
25 Times St. Quezon City

My dearest Ballsy,

I write you this letter with tears in my eyes and as if steel fingers are crushing my heart because I wanted so much to be with you as you celebrate your legal emancipation. Now that you have come of age, my love, a voice tells me that I am no longer young and suddenly, I feel old.

An old poet gave this advice very long ago “when you are sad, remember the roses will bloom in December.” I want to send you bouquet of roses, big red roses from my dreamland garden. Unfortunately for the present, my roses are not in bloom, in fact they have dropped all their petals and only the thorns are left to keep me company. I do think it is fitting to send you a thicket of thorns on this memorable day!

I am very proud of you because you have inherited all the best traits of your mother. You are sensible, responsible, even-tempered and sincere with the least pretenses and affection which vehemently detest in a woman. I am sure like your mother, you will possess that rare brand of silent courage and that combination of fidelity and fortitude that will be the life vest of your man in the tragic moments of his life.

During my lonely hours of solitary confinement in FortMagsaysay, Laur, Nueva Ecija last March and April with nothing else to do but pray and daydream, with only my fond memories to keep me company, I planned a weekend barrio fiesta for you in Tarlac for your 18th birthday. I fooled myself into believing that my ordeal would end with the fiscal year. I planned to invite all your classmates and friends and their families for the weekends.

The schedule called for an early departure by bus from Manila and the first stop will be Concepcion , where lunch will be served by the pool. And after lunch, you were to visit the SantaRitaElementary School to distribute cookies and ice cream to the children of that public school where you were first enrolled.

I guess sheer nostalgia prompted me to include Santa Rita. We were only three then: Mommie, you and I. Those were the days of happy memories little responsibilities, tremendous freedom, a great future ahead and capped by a fulfillment of love.. You are the first fruit of our union, the first proof of our love and the first seal of our affections.

From Concepcion we were to proceed to Luisita for the barrio fiesta. I intended to invite a friend who could roast an entire cow succulently. Swimming, pelota, dancing and eating would have been the order of the day.

Sunday morning was reserved for a trip around the Hacienda and the mill and maybe golf for some of the parents and later a picnic-lunch on Uncle Tony’s Island . Return to Manila after lunch. I am afraid this will have to remain as one of the many dreams I had in Laur.

Our future has suddenly become uncertain and our fate unknown. I am even now beginning to doubt whether I’ll ever be able to return to you and the family. Hence, I would like to ask you these special favors.

Love your mother, whose love for you, you will never be able to match. She is not the greatest mother in the world, she is your sincerest friend.

Take care of your younger sisters and brother and lavish them with the love and care I would like to continue giving them but am unable to do so.

Help Noy-noy along and pray hard that he will grow to be a real, responsible man who in later years will protect you all.

You are the model for your three younger sisters. Your responsibility is therefore great. Please endeavor to live up to our highest expectations. Be more tolerant to Pinky, more accessible to Viel, our little genius-princess, and more charitable to Krissy, our baby doll, and make up for my neglect.

Finally, forgive me, my love, for not having been an ideal, good and thoughtful father to you all as I pursued public office. I had hopes and high resolve of making up, but I am afraid my destiny will not oblige.

I seal this letter with a drop of tear and a prayer in my heart, that somehow, somewhere we shall meet again and I will finally be able to make up for all my lapses, in the kingdom where justice reigns supreme and love is eternal.

I love you,

Dad

the weekend that was aug 15-16: overdue

2009-08-24T13:18:00.006+08:00

It's APE time! We had to fast for 10-12 hours so imagine the hunger after all those tests! (It's also my first time to undergo the pap smear test.)

Watched and enjoyed G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra, it is better than Transformers 2. Action-packed from start to finish! (In short, sulit!)

Sunday. After several weeks of rainy and cloudy days, the sun shone upon us and we took advantage of it by reviving our old weekends - jogging at Island Cove (with photo session :P). Rest the whole day, yipeee!

the weekend that was aug 8-9: overdue

2009-08-24T13:16:00.001+08:00

Saturday. Woke up late. It was WD5 yesterday, the busiest and the most toxic among month-end closing days. Irvin fetched me (and my teammate Jabs) around 12:30 AM. Just the usual Saturday - iron clothes, read, TV, rest.

Sunday. Went grocery (and bra, hehehe) shopping with Nanay and Irvin at SM Bacoor. Just the usual restful Sunday. Another month-end closing battle again tomorrow!

cuties!

2009-08-22T22:37:00.006+08:00

When will I see them again...?

photo journal: through the glass

2009-08-22T22:19:00.002+08:00

corazon c. aquino (1933-2009)

2009-08-19T14:13:00.002+08:00

My small tribute to Mrs. Cory Aquino...

the weekend that was aug 1-2: overdue

2009-08-19T13:44:00.007+08:00

I woke up to the sound of a very, very bad news: Former President Cory Aquino passed away. My eyes were glued to the ABS-CBN's special TV coverage on her all morning.

Oh well.

It's John's despedida and Geh's birthday! We celebrated by singing our hearts and our lungs out and dancing 'til sanity escape us :) Harharhar! (Actually, it's just me and Geh.) Note: I have a new fave videoke song, Beer by Itchyworms.

We finished around 11 PM, had a good time and good laugh with friends.

More kulit (and love triangle) pictures!

Sunday. Watched TV coverage on Cory. Really, really sad. I didn't catch the whole of Kris's interview on The Buzz, but the latter part of that interview is really heartbreaking. I cried with her.

the weekend that was jul 24-25

2009-07-30T12:53:00.004+08:00

Leave ulit ako ng Friday to rest and to avail my leave credits, hehehe! Ang dami pa e 5 months na lang. Maybe a good opportunity to rest para na din in preparation for my next pregnancy (naks!). Irvin opted to take a leave, too (gaya-gaya). Since he will be away this weekend for their team building activities, inayos na lang nya 'yung "baby" nya while we listen and laugh to The Morning Rush downloads. Went home to Salinas after the afternoon snack :)

Saturday. Internet sa morning, chat with Ate after lunch and plantsa the rest of the day. Whew! I watched A Walk To Remember and rekindled my love for Shane West :) Re-watched MJ's 30th Anniversary Celebration (I love the Chris Tucker part).

Sunday. Got a new haircut! :)

Reunited with my highschool friends, Ivy and Arvie, went to Yellow Cab Tagaytay. Daldal, tawa at kain (so in short, walang tigil ang bibig). Have missed them a lot!

The Good

The Bad :P (nakikihawak ng bouquet ni The Good)

The Beautiful ('Kala nyo ah! Isa pang nakikihawak ng bouquet...)

Nasa bahay na si Irvin nu'ng hinatid ako ni Arvie, lots of kuwento din about sa team building nila. Antok na pero we managed to finished an MJ special on channel 2, The Michael Jackson Story 1958-2009.

lex bait

2009-07-30T12:45:00.002+08:00

Ate shares her story of how a parent can be proud of their 5-year old child. When Lex wants something, she asks "Mommy, sweldo mo ba?" If Ate says no, then she'll keep her mouth shut. When she sees a new kind of Barbie on TV, she would say "Mommy, di ba ibibili mo lang ako nyan kapag sale lang, di ba?"

I was touched I nearly cried. Nanay and Tatay cried when I retold the story to them.

I never thought a kid could be mature enough to understand some of life's complicated situations.

That day, I learned the importance of silence and patience from my 5-year old niece.

how well do you know your husband?

2009-07-30T12:34:00.002+08:00

Got this tag from Mae... :)

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what's he watching? PBA!

2. You're out to eat, what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Caesar, that is what I will choose (I get to choose because he's going to say it's up to me anyway).

3. What's one food he doesn't like? Anything with squid or mushrooms (makes his tummy ache).

4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order? The usual bottomless lemon iced tea.

5. Where did he go to high school? Tanza National Comprehensive High School.

6. What size shoe does he wear? 9.5

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? The Beatles and John Lennon CDs, books and other memorabilia.

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? Nothing in particular, really.

9. What would he eat every day if he could? Nothing in particular, also.

10. What is his favorite cereal? None.

11. What would he never wear? Thongs, hahaha!

12. What is his favorite sports team? In PBA, he is an all-time Purefoods fan but now he is switching to where Ranidel De Ocampo is (Ranidel is an old friend of him).

13. Who did he vote for? In the last presidential election, he voted for Eddie Villanueva.

14. Who is his best friend? His cousin, Marc Lee.

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? Tickle him before going to bed (kills sleepiness)!

16. What is his heritage? 100% Noypi!

17. You bake him a cake for his birthday, what kind would it be? A cake which looks and tastes like disaster.

18. Did he play sports in high school? Basketball.

19. What could he spend hours doing? Loitering at Ace Hardware, dissecting his "baby" and soundtripping.

20. What is one unique talent he has? Making me extra happy!

the weekend that was jul 17-19: overdue

2009-07-27T16:27:00.012+08:00

Nag-leave ako ng Friday because of...

But first, we went to Naic for the death anniversary of my uncle, Mama Jun. Saglit lang kami, naki-breakfast lang. Hindi namin mapapalampas ang pansit luglog ni Nanay eh :)

Halos buong week ng masama ang panahon, pero decided pa din kami ni Irvin na tumuloy no matter what (huwag lang lulubog ang Coastal Road). But luckily, nasa bahay lang si Ate Sette so nakahiram kami ng car. Yey! Go go go! Dumating kami sa MOA around 11 AM, kumain muna sa Don Hen then watch na. The movie is good, madaming iba-ibang emotions ang nahugot sa akin. Uwi na din after. Masama pa din ang panahon at traffic sa Coastal pauwi pero okey lang.

(Coastal Road and me enjoying taking a picture of myself!)
(Us enjoying pasta, pizza and potato!)
Saturday. Magmi-meet kami ng aking SGV friends para sa pagbabalikbayan ni John. Kasabay namin si Ai at si Agnes papunta, ni-meet namin sina John, Geh at Sol sa MOA. Masama na naman ang panahon. We had late lunch at TGI Fridays. Yum! Yum! Tambay muna sa Starbs before mag-uwian.

Sunday. Just another typical Sunday. Rest, read and chat with Ate (who enjoys TFC sooooo much).

photo journal: the loner

2009-07-25T20:37:00.002+08:00