Day 4:
We were almost done packing the night before and so we were more relaxed on the morning of our flight back to Manila. Medyo hirap nga lang gisingin si Aliya, and I was almost tempted to give in to her request not to take a bach anymore. But since we’re still about to make lakwatsa that whole day, pinilit ko pa rin maligo. I know kasi the feeling na hindi naligo tapos, humid yung weather sa labas, mas pangit yung feeling, eh. Good thing I insisted kasi that put her in a better mood. We requested our friend to move their pagsundo to us to 930 instead of 8 or 830am. Since we were able to check out early, I still had time to go back to Bugis to buy the bag I saw the day before. I so wanted to buy kasi the bag kaya I asked my husband if I can go alone while they waited for our friend at the hotel. Since walking distance lang naman ang Bugis, nakapunta pa ako, videotaped the place, and bought the bag I’d been eyeing. Nagsisi lang ako kasi sana I also bought the other one. Eh dahil I was rushing na, I decided na lang to buy one. By the time I got back to the hotel, wala pa sila. Oh well…
They arrived shortly before 10am. We left our luggages in the hotel and walked to Bencoleen Street. We took the buys, yay! Nice experience because I really like bus rides, especially if the bus is super neat. I like their bus, super layo sa itsura ng bus natin sa Pinas! Malinis, maganda, hi-tech, hehe. Our family friend, the Camachos, pre-bought cards for our transpo. We alighted sa Marina Bay, and yes… they bought us tickets to the Marina Bay Sands Skypark! Woohoo! It was quite an experience! Entering Marina Bay Sands pa lang, super sosyal na. I look forward to checking in there one day. If only it was not our last day in SG, we could’ve stayed in the hotel a bit more to explore the place. Ang ganda talaga, as in tourist spot na siya in itself!
We took the elevator going to the Skypark, which is at the 57th floor! Btw, the tickets cost 20SGD for adults and 14SGD for kids. It was exhilarating at the top. Kita ang buong Singapore. It was wonderful realizing we were higher than the Skyride, hehe. And all the while I thought the Skyride was so taas na, mas may tataas pa pala! Pictorial galore kami sa taas. Wala nga lang ramps kaya mahirap sa stroller. The girl staff was Pinay and she’s the one who took our photos (for viewing later and purchase if you want). We saw all the buildings from a bird’s point of view. We even saw the Louis Vuitton building from atop. We rested for a while and sat on the planks where the air was cool. After around 30 minutes of sitting there and snacking, saka pa lang may staff na lumapit to tell us that it’s bawal to sit there, haha! After 30 minutes talaga before he took notice of us!
Since it was already past 12, we were all hungry na. hindi na namin naikot yung Marina Bay (much to our regret kasi we didn’t get to see the other areas there, including the famous infinity pool!) We went to the 56th floor and viewed our photos. They were all good! We’re not the type who’d purchase photos taken by the staff and placed in illustration board-like frames, haha… but here, we were willing to give in. Pero the Camachos insisted on paying pa rin for our photos, hehe. Thank God for generous friends! The photos, by the way, cost 30SGD for the first print, then 20SGD for the second and succeeding prints. But if you order ata 7 prints, they’ll give you a CD copy of all the photos the staff took of you. Cool! We all got 7 prints, including the Camachos’ and they got the CD. They just tagged us for the other photos kaya sulit pa rin.
After that, we took the bus again and had lunch in Sun Tec City. I was mesmerized by the wall décor sa entrance ng Sun Tec kasi parang library. Ok, maybe I was overreacting and this might just seem ordinary to some, but maybe it’s the geek in me speaking. Yung wall decors nila mga books and books in bookshelves galore! Sayang, hindi kami doon kumain. I would’ve loved to have my photo taken with those as the background.
We strolled a bit after lunch and Aliya fed the fish in the Koi Garden. A pack of Koi food costs 1SGD.
By around 215pm, we bid our goodbyes and thanked them. We took the cab and went back to the hotel. Super perfect timing kasi andun na rin yung coach namin going to the airport. It took siguro around 30 minutes or less going to Changi. Checking in was a breeze. Sa dami ng pwedeng gawin, picturan, mabilhan sa airport, kulang ang time to roam around.
We boarded at around 5pm for our 520pm flight. All in all, it was a wonderful trip. Both hubby and I agree that we enjoyed the vacation a lot and we look forward to going back in the next few years… maybe even checking in at the Marina Bay Sands and lounging at the infinity pool, God willing.
To God be the glory!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Valentine's Day is Coming Up...
... and I still dont have a gift for my husband. I've asked him what he wants but he said he's ok with no gift at all. We just came from a vacation from Singapore and we spent quite an amount in that trip, so maybe he's thinking of making tipid for a while. I'm thinking of treating him to a couple's massage. Hmm, yeah, maybe that'll just be my gift for this year's V-day... unless i come up with something more interesting between today and Tuesday.
Yaya is Leaving and I'm Feeling Disappointed
Our nanny of 3 years is leaving in April and I feel sooo disappointed! She's not perfect but she's the best we've got so far. We've had 4 nannies before we got her and all were close to disastrous helpers. Now that this yaya has told us she's going back to the province to continue her studies, I can't help but feel bad about it. I know she deserves to grow and discover herself more, but maybe because I know my daughter adores her makes it all the more painful. :(
Monday, February 06, 2012
Singapore Travel Kwento Day 3
DAY 3:
On day 3, our half day city tour is scheduled. Kasama ito sa package namin. We were picked up by the coach at 840am, late siya ng 10 minutes. Senior citizen na yung driver and we were wondering if siya ang magtu-tour sa amin, eh hindi naman nagsasalita. Nasanay kasi kami sa Hongkong at Thailand na machika ang mga sumusundo sa amin, que dirver pa siya o tour guide. Tapos, nadapa pa si Aliya. Hindi man lang niya kami tinulungan magfold at magbuhat ng stroller, nakita na nga niya na nagpapakarga si Aliya, hmm. Sa loob ng coach, he wasn’t even talking. So I asked him where he’ll bring us, I mean, what are the inclusions in the city tour. He just said he’s just driving and he’ll bring us to our tour group. Whew! Para kaming nabunutan ng tinik kasi kung siya ang kasama namin sa tour, parang wala kaming matututunan. Eh diba one of the nice things about having a tour guide is yung mga trivia na makukuha mo about that country?
So, hinatid niya kami sa Marina Bay. We were met by the group and the tour guide sa foot ng Marina Bay Skyride. Medyo bad mood si Aliya kasi may gasgas yung knee niya. Ayaw naman niya magpalagay ng band aid. We rode bus number 9, puro Indian families ang kasama namin. Romy said this is our first tour na wala kaming nakilalang Pinoy. The tour guide, whose name I forgot na, first brought us to Merlion Park. Super looking forward kami kasi diba, this is where all tourists go, haha! But since we were only given 15 minutes there, bitin ang pictorial namin. And because there were so many tourists, Sali-saliwa ang nagpapapicture. Daming tao!
Because we were so bait, kami pa ang nauna bumalik sa bus. And because everyone wasn’t there yet, nakapag-restroom pa ako. Next stop was a temple near Chinatown. I forgot the name of the temple, pero ok lang siya. There are more interesting temples in Thailand. Bale ang ginawa lang namin talaga dito, nag-CR. After 15 minutes, off we went to Singapore Gems and Metals Inc. Super ako naaliw dito, precious stones and jewelry making always interests me. Maybe because my own dad used to make jewelries as a hobby. And he had a wide collection of precious stones when I was a child. The workers there remind me of papa’s craft. Makes me miss him all the more, and makes me resent the fact that I wasn’t able to bring him to these places. After a few minutes of picture taking, saka ko lang na-realize that there are earrings, pendants made of precious stones for sale… at 12SGD and above! I so wanted to buy sana pero time’s up na! Downside of being in an organized tour, limitado ang oras sa bawat lugar.
Off we went to the Botanical and to the National Orchid Garden. Super nag-enjoy si Romy because he’s got a green thumb and he likes orchids. Pictorial uli dito, then balik sa bus. Last stop was Little India. Since napagod kami sa paghabol ng oras, and this is the last stop na, and I know through my research that this is just near our hotel, we told the tour guide not to wait for us na. We took our time, though hindi naman wonderful ang makikita dito. Interesting, yes, because of the sights and smell and ambience of being around Indians and their culture, pero wala ako pinamili dito. Pumasok kami sa isang mall, and had lunch there. Romy and I always find different cultures and emerging ourselves in them quite an experience, kaya we opted to stay here for a while and eat here. Though hindi naman extraordinary ang kinain namin. I was always kasi taking into consideration what Aliya will eat, kaya yun ang ino-order ko. So hindi ako umoorder ng maanghang, may toyo at may toge.
Lunch is over and we walked back to our hotel. Medyo long walk kasi may construction sa Bencoleen Street kaya iniwasan namin mga crane at may mga harang kasi sa tawiran. Pagdating sa hotel, my hubby and daughter so wanted to swim. Kaya ayun, nag-swim sila sa pool ng Parc Sovereign, while I grabbed the opportunity to go back to Bugis Street to shop. Ay, super enjoy ako shopping alone! I bought more bags, keychains, a blouse and Merlion Chocolates. Ang cute ng Merlion chocolates, yung may almonds, 6.50SGD lang! I should’ve bought more! As pasalubong to my mag-ama, I bought langka, 5SGD lang!
Pagbalik ko sa hotel, hala, they’re still in the pool! My daughter was having the time of her life swimming! Ang yabang na nga, sarili niya mina-maniobra ang salbabida. I thought to myself, swimming lang pala katapat nito, umalis pa kami ng Pilipinas, haha!
They showered and dressed up, and we ate the langka. Then off we went to Sentosa. We took a cab to Vivo City, picture picture as usual, then went to Level 3 of Vivo City to buy tickets for the Songs of the Sea. 10SGD for adults and kids (same rate) and yung roundtrip monorial to and from Sentosa to Vivo City is around 3SGD yata, not sure anymore. This whole time, tulog na si Aliya, napagod sa swimming. We just let her, para ma-recharge. Wala siyang kamalay-malay, when she woke up nasa giant Merlion na kami sa Sentosa, which is in Waterfront Station. We enjoyed our stay here, taking note of the fact that next time we visit Singapore, we’ll have to spend one whole day in Sentosa so we can avail of more attractions.
Since I so wanted to see a beach, hehe, we proceeded na to Beach Station. Nice! Aliya played with the sand, which is a first because she used to be so diri with sand. Kung may pampalit lang sana kami ng damit, nag-swim muna kami dun! It was already 630pm (at ang liwanag pa!) so we grabbed a quick dinner in McDo. Dinner kami picnic style sa grass outside McDo. Aliya enjoyed this simple joy of eating while sitting on the grass, nagmamadali nga lang kami kasi we have to line up for Songs of the Sea, which will start at 7:40pm. Eh ang tagal ng apple pie which I ordered sa McDo, so we had to hurry up with our dinner.
Medyo gilid na kami sa benches sa Songs of the Sea. We all enjoyed the show, a first for us. Kasi wala namang ganito sa Pilipinas. I love the effects and the water works. Medyo may pagka-80’s nga lang ang acting ng mga actors. The show lasted around 20 minutes I think. We were so hyper and love the feeling na nasa beach pa kami at this hour, hehe. Ambabaw ba?
Konting ikot pa kami sa Beach Station, pictorial uli, then pila na kami to ride the monorial back to Vivo City. One of the nice things about marrying my husband is that, we’re so the same with regards to travelling. We’re both willing to explore, make mistakes, and find interesting stuff about the places we visit. Monorail kami to Vivo City, then cab back to Parc Sovereign. Andun na kami around 845pm.
By 9pm, dumating na yung friend and godson ni hubby na taga-doon na. Kwentuhan sila. Bumaba ako sandali to chat with them, pero sinimulan ko na ang pag-eempake since check out na kami the next day. Pinagkakasya ko mga pinamili namin, to think we have an extra luggage with us. At 12midnight, umakyat na rin sa room sa wakas si Romy and Aliya, announcing we have to check out the next day at 830am because Bimbo and his family will bring us to Marina Bay Sands the next day.
On day 3, our half day city tour is scheduled. Kasama ito sa package namin. We were picked up by the coach at 840am, late siya ng 10 minutes. Senior citizen na yung driver and we were wondering if siya ang magtu-tour sa amin, eh hindi naman nagsasalita. Nasanay kasi kami sa Hongkong at Thailand na machika ang mga sumusundo sa amin, que dirver pa siya o tour guide. Tapos, nadapa pa si Aliya. Hindi man lang niya kami tinulungan magfold at magbuhat ng stroller, nakita na nga niya na nagpapakarga si Aliya, hmm. Sa loob ng coach, he wasn’t even talking. So I asked him where he’ll bring us, I mean, what are the inclusions in the city tour. He just said he’s just driving and he’ll bring us to our tour group. Whew! Para kaming nabunutan ng tinik kasi kung siya ang kasama namin sa tour, parang wala kaming matututunan. Eh diba one of the nice things about having a tour guide is yung mga trivia na makukuha mo about that country?
So, hinatid niya kami sa Marina Bay. We were met by the group and the tour guide sa foot ng Marina Bay Skyride. Medyo bad mood si Aliya kasi may gasgas yung knee niya. Ayaw naman niya magpalagay ng band aid. We rode bus number 9, puro Indian families ang kasama namin. Romy said this is our first tour na wala kaming nakilalang Pinoy. The tour guide, whose name I forgot na, first brought us to Merlion Park. Super looking forward kami kasi diba, this is where all tourists go, haha! But since we were only given 15 minutes there, bitin ang pictorial namin. And because there were so many tourists, Sali-saliwa ang nagpapapicture. Daming tao!
Because we were so bait, kami pa ang nauna bumalik sa bus. And because everyone wasn’t there yet, nakapag-restroom pa ako. Next stop was a temple near Chinatown. I forgot the name of the temple, pero ok lang siya. There are more interesting temples in Thailand. Bale ang ginawa lang namin talaga dito, nag-CR. After 15 minutes, off we went to Singapore Gems and Metals Inc. Super ako naaliw dito, precious stones and jewelry making always interests me. Maybe because my own dad used to make jewelries as a hobby. And he had a wide collection of precious stones when I was a child. The workers there remind me of papa’s craft. Makes me miss him all the more, and makes me resent the fact that I wasn’t able to bring him to these places. After a few minutes of picture taking, saka ko lang na-realize that there are earrings, pendants made of precious stones for sale… at 12SGD and above! I so wanted to buy sana pero time’s up na! Downside of being in an organized tour, limitado ang oras sa bawat lugar.
Off we went to the Botanical and to the National Orchid Garden. Super nag-enjoy si Romy because he’s got a green thumb and he likes orchids. Pictorial uli dito, then balik sa bus. Last stop was Little India. Since napagod kami sa paghabol ng oras, and this is the last stop na, and I know through my research that this is just near our hotel, we told the tour guide not to wait for us na. We took our time, though hindi naman wonderful ang makikita dito. Interesting, yes, because of the sights and smell and ambience of being around Indians and their culture, pero wala ako pinamili dito. Pumasok kami sa isang mall, and had lunch there. Romy and I always find different cultures and emerging ourselves in them quite an experience, kaya we opted to stay here for a while and eat here. Though hindi naman extraordinary ang kinain namin. I was always kasi taking into consideration what Aliya will eat, kaya yun ang ino-order ko. So hindi ako umoorder ng maanghang, may toyo at may toge.
Lunch is over and we walked back to our hotel. Medyo long walk kasi may construction sa Bencoleen Street kaya iniwasan namin mga crane at may mga harang kasi sa tawiran. Pagdating sa hotel, my hubby and daughter so wanted to swim. Kaya ayun, nag-swim sila sa pool ng Parc Sovereign, while I grabbed the opportunity to go back to Bugis Street to shop. Ay, super enjoy ako shopping alone! I bought more bags, keychains, a blouse and Merlion Chocolates. Ang cute ng Merlion chocolates, yung may almonds, 6.50SGD lang! I should’ve bought more! As pasalubong to my mag-ama, I bought langka, 5SGD lang!
Pagbalik ko sa hotel, hala, they’re still in the pool! My daughter was having the time of her life swimming! Ang yabang na nga, sarili niya mina-maniobra ang salbabida. I thought to myself, swimming lang pala katapat nito, umalis pa kami ng Pilipinas, haha!
They showered and dressed up, and we ate the langka. Then off we went to Sentosa. We took a cab to Vivo City, picture picture as usual, then went to Level 3 of Vivo City to buy tickets for the Songs of the Sea. 10SGD for adults and kids (same rate) and yung roundtrip monorial to and from Sentosa to Vivo City is around 3SGD yata, not sure anymore. This whole time, tulog na si Aliya, napagod sa swimming. We just let her, para ma-recharge. Wala siyang kamalay-malay, when she woke up nasa giant Merlion na kami sa Sentosa, which is in Waterfront Station. We enjoyed our stay here, taking note of the fact that next time we visit Singapore, we’ll have to spend one whole day in Sentosa so we can avail of more attractions.
Since I so wanted to see a beach, hehe, we proceeded na to Beach Station. Nice! Aliya played with the sand, which is a first because she used to be so diri with sand. Kung may pampalit lang sana kami ng damit, nag-swim muna kami dun! It was already 630pm (at ang liwanag pa!) so we grabbed a quick dinner in McDo. Dinner kami picnic style sa grass outside McDo. Aliya enjoyed this simple joy of eating while sitting on the grass, nagmamadali nga lang kami kasi we have to line up for Songs of the Sea, which will start at 7:40pm. Eh ang tagal ng apple pie which I ordered sa McDo, so we had to hurry up with our dinner.
Medyo gilid na kami sa benches sa Songs of the Sea. We all enjoyed the show, a first for us. Kasi wala namang ganito sa Pilipinas. I love the effects and the water works. Medyo may pagka-80’s nga lang ang acting ng mga actors. The show lasted around 20 minutes I think. We were so hyper and love the feeling na nasa beach pa kami at this hour, hehe. Ambabaw ba?
Konting ikot pa kami sa Beach Station, pictorial uli, then pila na kami to ride the monorial back to Vivo City. One of the nice things about marrying my husband is that, we’re so the same with regards to travelling. We’re both willing to explore, make mistakes, and find interesting stuff about the places we visit. Monorail kami to Vivo City, then cab back to Parc Sovereign. Andun na kami around 845pm.
By 9pm, dumating na yung friend and godson ni hubby na taga-doon na. Kwentuhan sila. Bumaba ako sandali to chat with them, pero sinimulan ko na ang pag-eempake since check out na kami the next day. Pinagkakasya ko mga pinamili namin, to think we have an extra luggage with us. At 12midnight, umakyat na rin sa room sa wakas si Romy and Aliya, announcing we have to check out the next day at 830am because Bimbo and his family will bring us to Marina Bay Sands the next day.
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Friday, February 03, 2012
Singapore Travel Kwento Days3-4
My travel kwentos about our 3rd and 4th day in Singapore are still in the works. Hope to be able to finish them early next week!
The best of both worlds
My babies, which means my husband and daughter are quietly asleep now. I'm still up, obviously, because I still have to finish editing the finale week of the soap opera I'm headwriting. Makes me grateful for a job like this, where I am able to stay at home and be with my family 24/7, yet still make a living out of a career I so dearly love.
Big part of this gratitude is the attitude God has given me and placed in my heart. It's always easy to complain and think that the grass is always greener at the other side of the fence... but come to think of it, lots of parents would want a career like mine. So, tonight, as I always do, let me thank you, God for this life, for this job, for your love.
To God be the glory.
Big part of this gratitude is the attitude God has given me and placed in my heart. It's always easy to complain and think that the grass is always greener at the other side of the fence... but come to think of it, lots of parents would want a career like mine. So, tonight, as I always do, let me thank you, God for this life, for this job, for your love.
To God be the glory.
Singapore Travel Kwento Day 1
Airline: Philippine Airlines
Travel Dates: January 26-29, 2012 (4D/3N)
Travel Agent: Scorpio Travel and Tours, Megaplaza, Cityland, Garnet Street, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Hotel Accommodation: Parc Sovereign Hotel, 175 Albert Street, Singapore, Singapore
Day 1:
Our flight was at 6AM. We had to get up at 1AM because I had Basic Taxi pick us up at 2AM. Since we were advised by the travel agent to be at the NAIA Terminal 2 three hours before the flight, we made sure we get there at 3am. Turns out we were too early, because airport staff normally arrives at 4am, so wala rin. Nakapila kami nang matagal, though we filled up our immigration forms na while waiting.
Time for check-in. I specifically asked the girl at the counter to make sure na hindi kami nakatapat sa pakpak ng eroplano, para may view of the sky ang daughter ko. Ayun, sakto kami sa pakpak talaga! Grrr! Eto pa, hindi kami pinagtabi! My husband and 4 yr old daughter Aliya were seated beside each other, pero ako, nasa after the aisle pa! Alam naman niya na family kami travelling together! Hmpf! Parang ewan!
Anyway, the flight departed as scheduled. Ok food, pero iba pa rin sa Singapore Airlines. There was a shortage of blankets, good thing we hand-carried my daughter’s blanket kaya may nagamit siya sa plane. Flight took 3 and a half hours, so we landed in Changi Airport Terminal 2 at 9:30am. Temp was 36degrees!
Immigration personnel were not as intimidating, mainly because they know we were travelling as a family. But as most IOs, hindi sila friendly. We found our sundo without difficulty, as there was only one exit sa terminal 2 arrival area. We got into the coach, which served as our airport transfer service. This one’s included in the package we got. Everytime we travel, gusto namin may airport transfer na, para hindi lugi sa taxi.
I learned early on that Singapore isn’t a huge place after all. Wala pang 30 minutes, nasa hotel na kami. Yun nga lang, Din (whose wife is Pinay and hails from Bacoor, Cavite), the Singaporean who served as our driver has no idea kung tuloy ang half day city tour namin that day. He just said nag-iwan na ng itinerary yung Vacation Asia (our tour operator) sa front desk ng hotel. Good thing they did indeed. At least alam namin kung ano IT namin. When we left kasi the Philippines, ang sure pa lang is that second day ang Universal Studios. Yung half day city tour, hindi pa sure kelan gagawin. Since we got to Parc Sovereign at 11am, wala pang available rooms. Check in is at 3pm, like most hotels. Romy, my husband contacted his friend who lives there and we were told he’ll meet us for lunch. Eh ang tagal dumating, so I thought I’d go look for a money changer muna. Since tanaw ko na ang Bugis Street from our hotel, I explored it right away, alone, on our second hour in Singapore. Natuwa ako sa location ng hotel namin, as in walking distance lang from Bugis, Chinatown, and all those interesting shops and food stalls! Pagbalik ko sa hotel, wala pa ang friend. We rested for a while, changed into more airy clothes, left our luggages sa hotel, and off we went to Bugis for lunch. Tuwang tuwa kami sa Bugis! Naoverwhelm ako kasi andami ko na gusto bilhin agad! And the stuff there are cheap! If only it’s not time for lunch yet, I’d beg Romy to go explore na kami! Anyway, our first lunch was in an eatery in Bugis. Mine was Sweet and Sour Pork Rice (SG$2.50), Romy got a Chili Chicken Meal with Salted Vegetable Rice (SG$2.50). Conversion is to multiply by around Php33.00. We got fruit juices for SG$1.00 each. Not bad!
After lunch, Romy and Aliya headed back to the hotel while I asked to be left for awhile so that I can go buy some stuff in Bugis. Super aliw! Parang Pratunam experience, daming bilihin! I bought keychains (12 pieces for SG$10), ref magnets (4 for SG$10), and Singapore bags (3 for SG$10), and vowed to return for more. Kung hindi lang nagtext si Romy na may room na kami, hindi pa ako babalik, eh. I did kasi the packing, so ako lang nakakaalam where to find immediate necessities like their slippers, change of clothes, vitamins, etc.
Few minutes after staying sa hotel, Romy’s barkada who now lives and works in Singapore said he’ll bring us to Orchard Road. Since I’m the OC-OC traveler who’d research muna before going to a different place, alam kong Orchard is the sosyal part of Singapore with all the nice malls and where the branded (read: expensive) stuff are. Since hindi naman kami pumunta dito para mag-mall at bumili ng branded, I wasn’t as interested. But the friend looked to eager to bring us there, andun daw ang Lucky Plaza where the Pinoys and Filipino stores are. Sa loob-loob ko lang, galing kami sa lugar na puro Pinoy, dadalhin mo kami ngayon sa lugar na puro pa rin Pinoy? Not wanting to hurt his feelings, and giving him the benefit of the doubt, hala, sige! Sama! Aysus! Taga-Singapore nga siya pero hindi pala siya expert sa commuting outside his place of work and residence! Anlayo ng nilakad naming makarating lang sa MRT Station, dalawang lipat ng trains, and pagbaba sa Orchard Road, haba pa ng lakad. Para daw makita namin ang malls! Sumesenyas na ako kay Romy na this is not what we came here for. Edi sana nag-Rustan’s or Shangrila na lang ako. Plus, si Aliya was getting irritated na. Antok and pagod na. And wala naman interesting tingnan for a kid like her. Haay, may pagka-insensitive lang talaga yung guy kasi vocal na nga kami na wag na sa mall kasi sawa na kami sa mall, lakad ever pa rin siya, wanting us to see this and that mall! Bottom line, dadating ang nanay niya at gusto niya ipasyal sa Orchard. OMG! Nadamay pa kami! Ok, he wants us to enjoy, he wants his nanay to enjoy, pero point is, this is not our idea of pasyal in Singapore. And Orchard is not in our list of places to go dahil hindi naman kami ma-branded na shoppers. Took a long time before he let us go. Antagal pa niya bago nakahanap ng taxi, hindi rin daw kasi niya alam kung pwede magpapara kung saan-saan lang. I told them kasi hindi na kaya ng powers ko mag-MRT uli. Taxi na lang kahit medyo mas mataas ang fare. Whoah! Yung metro ng taxi was only SG$5.00! Nagpakapagod pa kami kanina… pero nice experience mag-train. Pero dahil may kasama kaming bata, syempre take into consideration ko rin energy level ni Aliya.
When we got back to the hotel, it was around 415pm. Super antok kami lahat, we took a nap and woke up at 7pm. Ang liwanag pa ng 7pm dun! Parang 4pm lang ang itsura! We freshened up, then off we went to Bugis and Chinatown uli for dinner hunting. Pero hindi rin napigilan ni Romy kasi nag-pasalubong shopping na rin siya that night. Nag-ikot ikot kami sa mga RTW, bags, souvenir shops, fruit stalls, etc. Tuwa kami sa mga orchids, and the Chinese who visit and read their horoscopes along the road are interesting! May mga naghuhula din, at maraming nagpapahula. We had dinner dun sa hawkers center sa Albert corner Prinsep Street. Food this time was so-so. At SG$3.50, I got rice, nuggets, hotdogs, fries combo meal kasi gusto ni Aliya ng fries. Romy got noodles na super anghang. Price was around that range din. I saw a dessert station,, yung flavored ice with gulaman, corn and bits of what tries to look like strawberries, pero HINDI masarap! I remember kasi having something like that during our trip to Thailand years ago, masarap yun. Ito, hindi. Hmmm, hindi lang siguro ako marunong pumili.
By around 1030pm, umuwi na kami sa hotel. Hindi ko napigilan, naligo pa rin ako kahit malamig. At 1130pm, we called it a night.
Travel Dates: January 26-29, 2012 (4D/3N)
Travel Agent: Scorpio Travel and Tours, Megaplaza, Cityland, Garnet Street, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Hotel Accommodation: Parc Sovereign Hotel, 175 Albert Street, Singapore, Singapore
Day 1:
Our flight was at 6AM. We had to get up at 1AM because I had Basic Taxi pick us up at 2AM. Since we were advised by the travel agent to be at the NAIA Terminal 2 three hours before the flight, we made sure we get there at 3am. Turns out we were too early, because airport staff normally arrives at 4am, so wala rin. Nakapila kami nang matagal, though we filled up our immigration forms na while waiting.
Time for check-in. I specifically asked the girl at the counter to make sure na hindi kami nakatapat sa pakpak ng eroplano, para may view of the sky ang daughter ko. Ayun, sakto kami sa pakpak talaga! Grrr! Eto pa, hindi kami pinagtabi! My husband and 4 yr old daughter Aliya were seated beside each other, pero ako, nasa after the aisle pa! Alam naman niya na family kami travelling together! Hmpf! Parang ewan!
Anyway, the flight departed as scheduled. Ok food, pero iba pa rin sa Singapore Airlines. There was a shortage of blankets, good thing we hand-carried my daughter’s blanket kaya may nagamit siya sa plane. Flight took 3 and a half hours, so we landed in Changi Airport Terminal 2 at 9:30am. Temp was 36degrees!
Immigration personnel were not as intimidating, mainly because they know we were travelling as a family. But as most IOs, hindi sila friendly. We found our sundo without difficulty, as there was only one exit sa terminal 2 arrival area. We got into the coach, which served as our airport transfer service. This one’s included in the package we got. Everytime we travel, gusto namin may airport transfer na, para hindi lugi sa taxi.
I learned early on that Singapore isn’t a huge place after all. Wala pang 30 minutes, nasa hotel na kami. Yun nga lang, Din (whose wife is Pinay and hails from Bacoor, Cavite), the Singaporean who served as our driver has no idea kung tuloy ang half day city tour namin that day. He just said nag-iwan na ng itinerary yung Vacation Asia (our tour operator) sa front desk ng hotel. Good thing they did indeed. At least alam namin kung ano IT namin. When we left kasi the Philippines, ang sure pa lang is that second day ang Universal Studios. Yung half day city tour, hindi pa sure kelan gagawin. Since we got to Parc Sovereign at 11am, wala pang available rooms. Check in is at 3pm, like most hotels. Romy, my husband contacted his friend who lives there and we were told he’ll meet us for lunch. Eh ang tagal dumating, so I thought I’d go look for a money changer muna. Since tanaw ko na ang Bugis Street from our hotel, I explored it right away, alone, on our second hour in Singapore. Natuwa ako sa location ng hotel namin, as in walking distance lang from Bugis, Chinatown, and all those interesting shops and food stalls! Pagbalik ko sa hotel, wala pa ang friend. We rested for a while, changed into more airy clothes, left our luggages sa hotel, and off we went to Bugis for lunch. Tuwang tuwa kami sa Bugis! Naoverwhelm ako kasi andami ko na gusto bilhin agad! And the stuff there are cheap! If only it’s not time for lunch yet, I’d beg Romy to go explore na kami! Anyway, our first lunch was in an eatery in Bugis. Mine was Sweet and Sour Pork Rice (SG$2.50), Romy got a Chili Chicken Meal with Salted Vegetable Rice (SG$2.50). Conversion is to multiply by around Php33.00. We got fruit juices for SG$1.00 each. Not bad!
After lunch, Romy and Aliya headed back to the hotel while I asked to be left for awhile so that I can go buy some stuff in Bugis. Super aliw! Parang Pratunam experience, daming bilihin! I bought keychains (12 pieces for SG$10), ref magnets (4 for SG$10), and Singapore bags (3 for SG$10), and vowed to return for more. Kung hindi lang nagtext si Romy na may room na kami, hindi pa ako babalik, eh. I did kasi the packing, so ako lang nakakaalam where to find immediate necessities like their slippers, change of clothes, vitamins, etc.
Few minutes after staying sa hotel, Romy’s barkada who now lives and works in Singapore said he’ll bring us to Orchard Road. Since I’m the OC-OC traveler who’d research muna before going to a different place, alam kong Orchard is the sosyal part of Singapore with all the nice malls and where the branded (read: expensive) stuff are. Since hindi naman kami pumunta dito para mag-mall at bumili ng branded, I wasn’t as interested. But the friend looked to eager to bring us there, andun daw ang Lucky Plaza where the Pinoys and Filipino stores are. Sa loob-loob ko lang, galing kami sa lugar na puro Pinoy, dadalhin mo kami ngayon sa lugar na puro pa rin Pinoy? Not wanting to hurt his feelings, and giving him the benefit of the doubt, hala, sige! Sama! Aysus! Taga-Singapore nga siya pero hindi pala siya expert sa commuting outside his place of work and residence! Anlayo ng nilakad naming makarating lang sa MRT Station, dalawang lipat ng trains, and pagbaba sa Orchard Road, haba pa ng lakad. Para daw makita namin ang malls! Sumesenyas na ako kay Romy na this is not what we came here for. Edi sana nag-Rustan’s or Shangrila na lang ako. Plus, si Aliya was getting irritated na. Antok and pagod na. And wala naman interesting tingnan for a kid like her. Haay, may pagka-insensitive lang talaga yung guy kasi vocal na nga kami na wag na sa mall kasi sawa na kami sa mall, lakad ever pa rin siya, wanting us to see this and that mall! Bottom line, dadating ang nanay niya at gusto niya ipasyal sa Orchard. OMG! Nadamay pa kami! Ok, he wants us to enjoy, he wants his nanay to enjoy, pero point is, this is not our idea of pasyal in Singapore. And Orchard is not in our list of places to go dahil hindi naman kami ma-branded na shoppers. Took a long time before he let us go. Antagal pa niya bago nakahanap ng taxi, hindi rin daw kasi niya alam kung pwede magpapara kung saan-saan lang. I told them kasi hindi na kaya ng powers ko mag-MRT uli. Taxi na lang kahit medyo mas mataas ang fare. Whoah! Yung metro ng taxi was only SG$5.00! Nagpakapagod pa kami kanina… pero nice experience mag-train. Pero dahil may kasama kaming bata, syempre take into consideration ko rin energy level ni Aliya.
When we got back to the hotel, it was around 415pm. Super antok kami lahat, we took a nap and woke up at 7pm. Ang liwanag pa ng 7pm dun! Parang 4pm lang ang itsura! We freshened up, then off we went to Bugis and Chinatown uli for dinner hunting. Pero hindi rin napigilan ni Romy kasi nag-pasalubong shopping na rin siya that night. Nag-ikot ikot kami sa mga RTW, bags, souvenir shops, fruit stalls, etc. Tuwa kami sa mga orchids, and the Chinese who visit and read their horoscopes along the road are interesting! May mga naghuhula din, at maraming nagpapahula. We had dinner dun sa hawkers center sa Albert corner Prinsep Street. Food this time was so-so. At SG$3.50, I got rice, nuggets, hotdogs, fries combo meal kasi gusto ni Aliya ng fries. Romy got noodles na super anghang. Price was around that range din. I saw a dessert station,, yung flavored ice with gulaman, corn and bits of what tries to look like strawberries, pero HINDI masarap! I remember kasi having something like that during our trip to Thailand years ago, masarap yun. Ito, hindi. Hmmm, hindi lang siguro ako marunong pumili.
By around 1030pm, umuwi na kami sa hotel. Hindi ko napigilan, naligo pa rin ako kahit malamig. At 1130pm, we called it a night.
Singapore Travel Kwento Day 2
DAY 2:
Breakfast at 8am. Gulat kami kasi when we were giving our meal stub sa buffet, the waiter was asking for a third meal stub. For the baby. Pay for the baby, sabi niya. Eh sa ibang hotels, libre naman si Aliya, ah. Punta ako sa front desk, and complained. Syempre wala sila magawa, ganun daw ang policy. Inis ako kasi hindi naman for sure kakain ng buffet si Aliya! Malamang cereals lang. Pero siningil pa rin kami ng SG$6. Sabi ko, i-charge na lang sa credit card ko. the receptionist said pwede i-settle na lang upon check out, umoo na lang ako. Kesa hindi namin papasukin si Aliya sa restaurant, hindi ko mate-take yun! So ayun nga, ni hindi niya naubos ang cereals, at isang kagat lang siya sa nuggets. Ohwell.
9:30am, sinundo na kami ng coach. Kami lang ang laman. Walang ibang sinundo. In less than 20 minutes nasa Sentosa na kami. Very accommodating yung driver, si Mr East. Dami niya tips. Pagdating sa Universal Studios, wala nang pila-pila. Syempre picture picture kami dun sa globe ng USS. First mascot we saw was Frankenstein, then nagpa-picture kami kay Woody Woodpecker. The first half of USS mostly for kids – Madagascar, Shrek, The Lost World. Tuwa kami dun sa Madagascar: A Crate Adventure. First time ni Aliya sumakay ng ride! I know medyo kabado siya, but not afraid. Kami pa nasa pinakaharap sa ride, so kita niya lahat. Happy naman kasi very entertaining the whole ride. Tapos ng ride, picture with the Madagascar cast, very festive ang music sa area na ito. Then watch kami ng SHREK’s 4D Adventure. Cute din, fun and worth the pila. Buti nga hindi mahahaba ang pila the day we were there. Hindi pa sanay si Aliya mag-wear ng 3d glasses. This is her 3rd 3d experience pero may pagka-wary pa siya. All in all, it was a nice show. Nagpa-picture kami kay Puss in Boots, hindi lumabas si Shrek and Fiona! Then buy kami ng Shrek shirt (SG$23.90), kiddie USS shirt (SG$19.50), and a Fiona doll (SG$26.90). Romy got a Donkey shirt, free kasi for every two shirts bought. Bumili din ako ng USS fans (SG$2.900 each).
Next stop is Jurassic Park, The Lost World. Gusto ko sana sumakay pero gutom na kami. And tirik na ang araw nito. We ate at the Discovery Restaurant, the structure and interiors of which resembles the hall used in Jurassic Park the movie… yep, where the famous shaking jelly ace scene was shot. Tapos, eati kami with Jurassic Park soundtrack playing, nice experience! I’ve always been a fan of the movie kaya aliw ako here.
On to Ancient Egypt. Aliya likes this part as well kasi during one of their school activity, she was an Egyptian princess. Kaya feeling niya, can relate siya, hehe. Maraming eyptians dito for picture taking, may men on stilts na kunyari horses sila. Ganda ng exteriors dito. We wanted to ride the Treasure Hunters attraction kaya lang when we saw the ride itself, parang wala lang. But I love the fact that we got a photo op with a Brendan Fraser look-alike who’s posing as The Mummy’s Rick O’Connelly.
After this area, punta kami sa SCI-FI City. Andito si Optimus Prime, picture picture. And I SOOOO wanted to try the Transformers The Ride. Up to now, I’m not over the fact that I wasn’t able to ride it! Ang haba kasi ng pila! Usap na kami ni Romy na babalikan nila ako after 15 minutes, pero 40 minutes pa pala ang waiting time! Eh may mga hindi pa kami napupuntahan. So off we proceeded to New York (Street). Andun ang New York Public Library, ginaya talaga nila ang itsura ng New York. Complete with a parked yellow cab. Then may performers dun. Tapos buy kami ng more souvenir items. It is a must for me talaga na wherever we go, may bibilin akong keychains, ball pens and ref magnets. Keychains I bought were priced at around SG$7.60-SG$10.00. Ref magnet was I think less than SG$10.00. Bought pens ranging from SG$7-SG$10.00 each Aliya was so fond of this Woody Woodpecker pen so I bought it, priced at SG$10.90.
Off we went to Hollywood Street. More shops, and where Steven Spielberg’s show Lights! Camera! Action! was on. As well as the live musical classic, Monster Rock. An all-Americal boyband consisting of really cute guys were performing really upbeat songs from the 60’s. I feel transformed back in time! I took more pictures of them than I did for Po of Kung Fu Panda, and other mascots we saw in there. Romy had his pics taken beside the vintage cars parked outside Mel’s diner. This part of USS resembles America decades ago.
Since we had an hour to go before pick-up time, we watched the interactive Donkey Show in Far, Far Away… which was I think, not even worth the cueing up for. We had our pictures taken with Betty Boop, Po of Kung Fu Panda, and Marilyn Monroe.
At 7pm, we met Mr East at our meeting place and went back to our hotel. Since we were too tired to walk far for dinner, we ate at the nearby food center just round the corner from our hotel. Romy bumped into another old friend and we had a nice chat over wanton noodles and chicken rice.
Breakfast at 8am. Gulat kami kasi when we were giving our meal stub sa buffet, the waiter was asking for a third meal stub. For the baby. Pay for the baby, sabi niya. Eh sa ibang hotels, libre naman si Aliya, ah. Punta ako sa front desk, and complained. Syempre wala sila magawa, ganun daw ang policy. Inis ako kasi hindi naman for sure kakain ng buffet si Aliya! Malamang cereals lang. Pero siningil pa rin kami ng SG$6. Sabi ko, i-charge na lang sa credit card ko. the receptionist said pwede i-settle na lang upon check out, umoo na lang ako. Kesa hindi namin papasukin si Aliya sa restaurant, hindi ko mate-take yun! So ayun nga, ni hindi niya naubos ang cereals, at isang kagat lang siya sa nuggets. Ohwell.
9:30am, sinundo na kami ng coach. Kami lang ang laman. Walang ibang sinundo. In less than 20 minutes nasa Sentosa na kami. Very accommodating yung driver, si Mr East. Dami niya tips. Pagdating sa Universal Studios, wala nang pila-pila. Syempre picture picture kami dun sa globe ng USS. First mascot we saw was Frankenstein, then nagpa-picture kami kay Woody Woodpecker. The first half of USS mostly for kids – Madagascar, Shrek, The Lost World. Tuwa kami dun sa Madagascar: A Crate Adventure. First time ni Aliya sumakay ng ride! I know medyo kabado siya, but not afraid. Kami pa nasa pinakaharap sa ride, so kita niya lahat. Happy naman kasi very entertaining the whole ride. Tapos ng ride, picture with the Madagascar cast, very festive ang music sa area na ito. Then watch kami ng SHREK’s 4D Adventure. Cute din, fun and worth the pila. Buti nga hindi mahahaba ang pila the day we were there. Hindi pa sanay si Aliya mag-wear ng 3d glasses. This is her 3rd 3d experience pero may pagka-wary pa siya. All in all, it was a nice show. Nagpa-picture kami kay Puss in Boots, hindi lumabas si Shrek and Fiona! Then buy kami ng Shrek shirt (SG$23.90), kiddie USS shirt (SG$19.50), and a Fiona doll (SG$26.90). Romy got a Donkey shirt, free kasi for every two shirts bought. Bumili din ako ng USS fans (SG$2.900 each).
Next stop is Jurassic Park, The Lost World. Gusto ko sana sumakay pero gutom na kami. And tirik na ang araw nito. We ate at the Discovery Restaurant, the structure and interiors of which resembles the hall used in Jurassic Park the movie… yep, where the famous shaking jelly ace scene was shot. Tapos, eati kami with Jurassic Park soundtrack playing, nice experience! I’ve always been a fan of the movie kaya aliw ako here.
On to Ancient Egypt. Aliya likes this part as well kasi during one of their school activity, she was an Egyptian princess. Kaya feeling niya, can relate siya, hehe. Maraming eyptians dito for picture taking, may men on stilts na kunyari horses sila. Ganda ng exteriors dito. We wanted to ride the Treasure Hunters attraction kaya lang when we saw the ride itself, parang wala lang. But I love the fact that we got a photo op with a Brendan Fraser look-alike who’s posing as The Mummy’s Rick O’Connelly.
After this area, punta kami sa SCI-FI City. Andito si Optimus Prime, picture picture. And I SOOOO wanted to try the Transformers The Ride. Up to now, I’m not over the fact that I wasn’t able to ride it! Ang haba kasi ng pila! Usap na kami ni Romy na babalikan nila ako after 15 minutes, pero 40 minutes pa pala ang waiting time! Eh may mga hindi pa kami napupuntahan. So off we proceeded to New York (Street). Andun ang New York Public Library, ginaya talaga nila ang itsura ng New York. Complete with a parked yellow cab. Then may performers dun. Tapos buy kami ng more souvenir items. It is a must for me talaga na wherever we go, may bibilin akong keychains, ball pens and ref magnets. Keychains I bought were priced at around SG$7.60-SG$10.00. Ref magnet was I think less than SG$10.00. Bought pens ranging from SG$7-SG$10.00 each Aliya was so fond of this Woody Woodpecker pen so I bought it, priced at SG$10.90.
Off we went to Hollywood Street. More shops, and where Steven Spielberg’s show Lights! Camera! Action! was on. As well as the live musical classic, Monster Rock. An all-Americal boyband consisting of really cute guys were performing really upbeat songs from the 60’s. I feel transformed back in time! I took more pictures of them than I did for Po of Kung Fu Panda, and other mascots we saw in there. Romy had his pics taken beside the vintage cars parked outside Mel’s diner. This part of USS resembles America decades ago.
Since we had an hour to go before pick-up time, we watched the interactive Donkey Show in Far, Far Away… which was I think, not even worth the cueing up for. We had our pictures taken with Betty Boop, Po of Kung Fu Panda, and Marilyn Monroe.
At 7pm, we met Mr East at our meeting place and went back to our hotel. Since we were too tired to walk far for dinner, we ate at the nearby food center just round the corner from our hotel. Romy bumped into another old friend and we had a nice chat over wanton noodles and chicken rice.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
My Top Ten Local Junk Foods
There are days when I just want to give in to my craving for junk foods. Never mind the cholesterol they’d be giving me. The following is a list of what I usually buy whenever I need that unhealthy-food-fix.
10. Piattos Sour Cream Flavor by Jack and Jill- cheaper than Lay''s Sour Cream
9. Moby Chocolate Puff- puffy and airy sensation in the mouth
8. Dingdong Mixed Nuts by JBC Food- whenever I crave for something salty
7. Curly Tops by Ricoa- brings back childhood memories
6. Goya Dark Chocolate- inexpensive alternative to the imported dark ones
5. Chocolate Sponge by Oishi- melts in your mouth goodness
4. Oishi Marty’s Cracklin’ Salt ‘n Vinegar Flavor- satisfies craving for real chicharon
3. Clover Cheese Flavor by Leslie’s- the thinner and cheesier, the better
2. Chippy Barbecue Flavor by Jack ‘n Jill - best with Coke
1. Chiz Curls by Jack ‘n Jill - my all time favorite!
10. Piattos Sour Cream Flavor by Jack and Jill- cheaper than Lay''s Sour Cream
9. Moby Chocolate Puff- puffy and airy sensation in the mouth
8. Dingdong Mixed Nuts by JBC Food- whenever I crave for something salty
7. Curly Tops by Ricoa- brings back childhood memories
6. Goya Dark Chocolate- inexpensive alternative to the imported dark ones
5. Chocolate Sponge by Oishi- melts in your mouth goodness
4. Oishi Marty’s Cracklin’ Salt ‘n Vinegar Flavor- satisfies craving for real chicharon
3. Clover Cheese Flavor by Leslie’s- the thinner and cheesier, the better
2. Chippy Barbecue Flavor by Jack ‘n Jill - best with Coke
1. Chiz Curls by Jack ‘n Jill - my all time favorite!
Requirements in Applying for a Marriage License in the Philippines
Whether you plan on having a civil or a church wedding, the Marriage License is a requirement in getting married in the Philippines. Application for the license can be secured at the local Civil Registry from the city, town or municipality where either the bride or groom resides. Your personal appearance is also a non-negotiable requirement in the said application. Philippine law prescribes a ten-day waiting period from the filing of the Application to the issuance of the marriage license. The license is valid for 120 days from date of issuance and may be used anywhere in the Philippines.
The following documents are also required alongside the application form:
Birth Certificate of each of the contracting parties. Some civil registrars honor only Certified True Copy issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO). Online application for birth and marriage certificates are now being accepted by NSO via the e-Census, a web facility aimed to provide Filipinos within and outside the country a faster means in applying. It also has a 24-7 hotline called the NSO Helpline Plus:telephone no. (632)-7371111. Their email address is
e-census.info@mail.census.gov.ph
2. Parents'' Consent (for 18-21 years old) or Parent''s Advice (for 21-25 years old).
3. Certificate of Attendance in a pre-marital counseling and family planning seminar conducted by the Division of Maternal and Child Health at the Municipal/City Hall in the same municipality or city where the contracting parties applied for the marriage license.
4. Marriage Contract. This applies if the couple has already civilly married. It should be marked ''Certified True Copy'' and issued by the city/town Civil Registry Office where the wedding has been officiated. Whether you plan on having a civil or a church wedding, the Marriage License is a requirement in getting married in the Philippines. Application for the license can be secured at the local Civil Registry from the city, town or municipality where either the bride or groom resides. Your personal appearance is also a non-negotiable requirement in the said application. Philippine law prescribes a ten-day waiting period from the filing of the Application to the issuance of the marriage license. The license is valid for 120 days from date of issuance and may be used anywhere in the Philippines.
The following documents are also required alongside the application form:
1. Birth Certificate of each of the contracting parties. Some civil registrars honor only Certified True Copy issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO). Online application for birth and marriage certificates are now being accepted by NSO via the e-Census, a web facility aimed to provide Filipinos within and outside the country a faster means in applying. It also has a 24-7 hotline called the NSO Helpline Plus:telephone no. (632)-7371111. Their email address is
e-census.info@mail.census.gov.ph
2. Parents'' Consent (for 18-21 years old) or Parent''s Advice (for 21-25 years old).
3. Certificate of Attendance in a pre-marital counseling and family planning seminar conducted by the Division of Maternal and Child Health at the Municipal/City Hall in the same municipality or city where the contracting parties applied for the marriage license.
4. Marriage Contract. This applies if the couple has already civilly married. It should be marked ''Certified True Copy'' and issued by the city/town Civil Registry Office where the wedding has been officiated.
The following documents are also required alongside the application form:
Birth Certificate of each of the contracting parties. Some civil registrars honor only Certified True Copy issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO). Online application for birth and marriage certificates are now being accepted by NSO via the e-Census, a web facility aimed to provide Filipinos within and outside the country a faster means in applying. It also has a 24-7 hotline called the NSO Helpline Plus:telephone no. (632)-7371111. Their email address is
e-census.info@mail.census.gov.ph
2. Parents'' Consent (for 18-21 years old) or Parent''s Advice (for 21-25 years old).
3. Certificate of Attendance in a pre-marital counseling and family planning seminar conducted by the Division of Maternal and Child Health at the Municipal/City Hall in the same municipality or city where the contracting parties applied for the marriage license.
4. Marriage Contract. This applies if the couple has already civilly married. It should be marked ''Certified True Copy'' and issued by the city/town Civil Registry Office where the wedding has been officiated. Whether you plan on having a civil or a church wedding, the Marriage License is a requirement in getting married in the Philippines. Application for the license can be secured at the local Civil Registry from the city, town or municipality where either the bride or groom resides. Your personal appearance is also a non-negotiable requirement in the said application. Philippine law prescribes a ten-day waiting period from the filing of the Application to the issuance of the marriage license. The license is valid for 120 days from date of issuance and may be used anywhere in the Philippines.
The following documents are also required alongside the application form:
1. Birth Certificate of each of the contracting parties. Some civil registrars honor only Certified True Copy issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO). Online application for birth and marriage certificates are now being accepted by NSO via the e-Census, a web facility aimed to provide Filipinos within and outside the country a faster means in applying. It also has a 24-7 hotline called the NSO Helpline Plus:telephone no. (632)-7371111. Their email address is
e-census.info@mail.census.gov.ph
2. Parents'' Consent (for 18-21 years old) or Parent''s Advice (for 21-25 years old).
3. Certificate of Attendance in a pre-marital counseling and family planning seminar conducted by the Division of Maternal and Child Health at the Municipal/City Hall in the same municipality or city where the contracting parties applied for the marriage license.
4. Marriage Contract. This applies if the couple has already civilly married. It should be marked ''Certified True Copy'' and issued by the city/town Civil Registry Office where the wedding has been officiated.
The Divisoria Experience
Nuong bata pa ako, ang ideya ko tungkol sa Divisoria ay isang malayo, mainit, masikip na lugar kung saan kailangan kong mag-ingat sa naglipanang mga mandurukot, at kapag uwian na’y malagkit at mabaho ang pakiramdam. Not to mention, masakit ang ulo sa tindi ng araw. Whew! Puro negative, noh?
‘Yan ay nuong hindi ko pa naa-appreciate ang Divisoria. Pero simula nang magtrabaho ako’t nagkaroon ng limang barkadang babaeng mahilig bumili ng tela sa Tutuban, na-realize kong hindi naman pala dapat katakutan o iwasan ang Divisoria. For the first 2 trips, buong barkada kaming pumupunta doon mula sa opisina namin sa Ortigas. Pero nang kalaunan, natuto na akong pumunta mag-isa. Pero Cluster Mall at Tutuban Center lang ang kaya kong suyurin nuon. Duwag pa akong mag-experiment sa ibang katabing establishments.During my wedding preparations, doon ko natutunan ang pasikot-sikot sa Divisoria. Doon ako nagsimulang ma-inlove sa shopper’s haven na ito. At nang magkaroon kaming mag-asawa ng isang mini-grocery, sinasadya talaga namin ang Divi para bumili ng mga paninda. In fact, kahit sa pagbisita ko ng ilang beses sa Chatuchak sa Bangkok, na according to Wikipedia ay ang largest market of the world, mas at home pa rin ako sa Divi.
I’ve always loved going to flea markets. Likas na kuripot, naha-high ako kapag nakakakita ako ng mga stall after stall of inexpensive goodies. Feeling proud ako kapag may nahahalukay akong mura pero magandang damit sa tambak ng mga “sale.” At yan ang nae-experience ko kapag pumupunta ako ng Divi. In fact, sa pinakahuling pagpunta ko doon nitong buwan ng Mayo, sobrang ni-look forward ko siya na halos hindi ako agad nakatulog the night before, nililista sa utak kung ano ang mga bibilhin ko. Pag-uwi ko, naaalala ko pa rin ang ilang bagay na pinanghihinayangan kong hindi ko binili.
So, paano nga ba natin ma-e-enjoy ang Divisoria? Para sa akin, dapat may plano ka. May strategy. Para hindi sayang ang oras, para hindi doble ang pagod, para hindi mapabili ng mahal kung may mas murang mabibilhan pa pala. Through the past months, I have developed a fool-proof step-by-step plan kapag magdi-divi ako. Eto ang planong iyon, na baka makatulong sa inyo:
1. Go on a weekday. Mas kaunti ang tao, mas hindi siksikan. In my case, Lunes o Martes ako pumupunta. Iniiwasan ko lalo na ang Miyerkules dahil araw ng simba sa Quiapo, maraming taong namimili pagkatapos magsimba.
2. Start early. I always make it a point that I leave the house (I live in Cainta) before 9:30am. I take the LRT instead of the bus para mas mabilis ang byahe.
3. From Isetann Recto, sasakay ako ng jeep pa-Divisoria. Hindi ako bumababa sa Tutuban Mall dahil ang strategy ko lagi ay inuuna kong mamili sa malalayong building (168 Mall, Divisoria Mall) saka ako maglalakad pabalik sa bungad kung saan naroon ang Cluster Building at Tutuban Mall.
4. Kapag inip ka na sa traffic along Recto, at kung hindi na gumagalaw ang jeep na sinsasakyan mo, maari nang bumaba sa may McDo at lakarin ang papuntang Divisoria Mall.
5. By the way, mas maiging mag-commute na lang dahil pahirapan ang parking sa lugar na ito.
Ngayon, hindi naman kailangang puntahan ang lahat ng malls at kalsada sa Divisoria. Tulad ng nabanggit ko na, dapat may plano ka--- kasama diyan ay kung ano ang bibilhin. Heto ang isang tip: kung mga laruan at party needs ang hanap mo, the best ang Divisoria Mall. Sa ground floor, nanduon lahat ng mga laruan from Barbie dolls, to kotse-kotsehan, to pogs and text cards, to collectors figurines ng Ben-10, Naruto, Pokemon, etc. Banig-banig kung ibenta ang mga toy cars, play money, glitters, badges, etc. Ang mga cartoon character stickers ay pumapatak from P2.50 up. Kiddie wallets cost P5.50 up. Dito rin makakabili ng mga party hats, banners, balloons, piñata, loot bags items, at kung anu-ano pa. Sako-sako ng mga palto-platuhan, maliliit na kutsara’t tinidor, mga kupita at kung ano-anong laruan para sa bahay-bahayan ang matatagpuan din dito sa ground floor na mabibili ng per kilo. Hindi nga lang masisiguro ang quality ng mga ito lalo na matapos tayong ma-inform tungkol sa dangers imposed by the paints used on such toys.
Tip: Kung masyado kayong nalalayuan sa Divisoria Mall, may isang toy store din sa ibaba ng Cluster Mall at Alexis Marketing. Mas mahal nga lang nang kaunti ang mga ito.
Sa upper floors ng Divisoria Mall, mayroong mga clothes, bags and accessories but I personally find the selection in 168 trendier.
Bago tayo lumakad papuntang 168, though, madadaanan natin ang Tabora Street. Dito kung saan naglipana ang mga kitchen supplies tulad ng mga pots and pans, gas range, pandakot ng bigas, tongs, spatula… basta anything for the kitchen. Konting lakad pa along Tabora ay kung saan naman makaka-order kayo ng souvenir items for weddings, birthday parties, corporate give-aways. May mga gumagawa rin ng tarpaulin, invitations at banners. Dito rin sa Tabora nakapwesto ang mga tindahan ng mga lace, beads, ribbons, gift boxes at iba pang party-related items. At speaking of parties, narito rin ang mga pang-costume party ng mga chikiting tulad ng fairy wings, angel wings, bird wings, mascara, etc. Nagtitinda rin sila ng mga stuffed toys at some native items tulad ng abaniko, salakot, banig, sinamay at kung ano-ano pa.
Usually, from Tabora, tuloy na ako sa 168 Mall. Mas malawak ang choices dito pagdating sa mga damit, bags, shoes, accessories, kikay stuff. May mga shirts for men and women for as low as P100, at mga blouses na nagsisimula sa P250.00. Of course may mga 3 for P100 at P65.00 na mga kamiseta sa bangketa along Recto pero mas may quality ang mga nasa 168. Ang sikat ngayong ion-free sports watch na binebenta ng P100 each sa mga tiangge sa mga malls sa Ortigas ay nagkakahalaga ng 2 pieces for P130 sa 168. Ang mga hikaw, bracelets, at kung ano pang kakikayan ay mabibili sa P10 each, kahit anong disenyo! Dito sa 168, makakabili rin ng mga household items and décor, school and office supplies, electronics tulad ng cellphones, portable dvd players, mp5, at hardware items.
Malinis din ang food court sa 4th floor ng 168. Mayroong Jollibee, Rice in a Box, Greenwich, Reyes Barbecue, among others. Bagamat hindi spic and span ang restrooms, pwede na kumpara sa ibang public restrooms sa ibang karatig-malls.
From 168 pabalik ng Recto Ave, may mga nagtitinda ng Japanese corn (P35 per kilo), suha (3 for P100), broccoli (P50 per tali) at kung ano-ano pang gulay at prutas. Konting lakad pa at naroon ang hardware items at rolyo-rolyo ng cotton and polyester stuffing for pillows and stuffed toys. Sa pagbaybay ninyong muli along Recto Ave ay makakakita kayo ng mga interesting finds. Sneakers for P50, flipflops for P25, knapsacks from P150 above, payong for P50 above, underwear for P20, belts for P20, men’s pamporma shorts for P70 to P160, infant wear (mayroong 3 for P100). At dahil nalalapit na ang pasukan, naka-display din ang mga school uniform, school supplies, shoes, bags, etc. Ang mga spiral notebook na tig-P19.75 sa malls ay P9.00 lang sa divi.
Malamang, sa mga oras na ito ay gutom na uli kayo. Bakit hindi subukan ang mga ulam sa Sarap! Sarap! Sa ibaba ng Alexis Marketing along Recto. Malimit kaming kumain dito ng asawa ko dahil napakaraming choices ng ulam at mura pa. Magtiyaga nga lang maghintay ng mauupuan dahil palaging puno ang lugar na ito. Very friendly, alert and accommodating ang staff pero kung ikaw ang tipo ng hindi nae-enjoy ang pagkain dahil maingay ang paligid, this is not the place for you. Todo ang volume ng sound system nila at may walang kapagurang “barker” pa na nagtatawag ng costumers sa may entrance ng pwesto nila. Konting lakad at naroon ang Chowking for a more relaxed and airconditioned meal time.
Sa may ibaba ng Chowking, narito ang nabanggit ko na kaninang toy store kung ayaw mo nang kariring pumunta pa sa Divisoria Mall. Sandamakmak din ang mga mura sa Alexis Marketing kung saan laging ga-higanteng plastic bags ang bitbit ko sa tuwing namimili ako dito.
Kung tela naman ang hanap ninyo, pasok na sa Cluster Mall. Nang una kong na-realize na kayak o palang pumunta ng Divisoria many years ago, dito ako dumidiretso upang bumili ng tela na ipatatahi ko sa aming kustorera. Dito rin ang puntahan ng mga bibili o magpapasadya ng mga gowns. Sa 2nd floor, pag-akyat ng escalator, diretso na sa Pasilio H at doon ang sunod-sunod na mga pwesto ng mga gowns. Biro ninyo, a fully-beaded wedding gown can cost for as low as P5,000.00 only! Mother of the bride gowns and entourage gowns cost P3,000 and up, depende sa istilo at telang gagamitin. In fact, 3 years ago, nang ikakasal pa lang ako, ang mga flower girl gowns ay nagkakahalaga lamang ng P350 ++! Syempre, mayroon din ditong mga barong at coats para sa mga kalalakihan.
Ngayon, ewan ko lang kung matapos suyurin ang lahat ng lugar na nabanggit ko ay may lakas pa kayong mamili sa Tutuban Mall. It’s also worth the trip but I personally find their stuff more expensive. Pumapasok na lang ako dito upang magpahinga at magpalamig. Ilang minuto lamang ay tatawid na uli ako ng kalsada upang sumakay ng jeep papuntang Isetann-LRT, kung saan nagtatapos ang aking full day adventure sa Divisoria, ang isang lugar na alam kong babalik-balikan ko hanggang hindi nawawala ang aking enjoyment sa pagsha-shopping.
‘Yan ay nuong hindi ko pa naa-appreciate ang Divisoria. Pero simula nang magtrabaho ako’t nagkaroon ng limang barkadang babaeng mahilig bumili ng tela sa Tutuban, na-realize kong hindi naman pala dapat katakutan o iwasan ang Divisoria. For the first 2 trips, buong barkada kaming pumupunta doon mula sa opisina namin sa Ortigas. Pero nang kalaunan, natuto na akong pumunta mag-isa. Pero Cluster Mall at Tutuban Center lang ang kaya kong suyurin nuon. Duwag pa akong mag-experiment sa ibang katabing establishments.During my wedding preparations, doon ko natutunan ang pasikot-sikot sa Divisoria. Doon ako nagsimulang ma-inlove sa shopper’s haven na ito. At nang magkaroon kaming mag-asawa ng isang mini-grocery, sinasadya talaga namin ang Divi para bumili ng mga paninda. In fact, kahit sa pagbisita ko ng ilang beses sa Chatuchak sa Bangkok, na according to Wikipedia ay ang largest market of the world, mas at home pa rin ako sa Divi.
I’ve always loved going to flea markets. Likas na kuripot, naha-high ako kapag nakakakita ako ng mga stall after stall of inexpensive goodies. Feeling proud ako kapag may nahahalukay akong mura pero magandang damit sa tambak ng mga “sale.” At yan ang nae-experience ko kapag pumupunta ako ng Divi. In fact, sa pinakahuling pagpunta ko doon nitong buwan ng Mayo, sobrang ni-look forward ko siya na halos hindi ako agad nakatulog the night before, nililista sa utak kung ano ang mga bibilhin ko. Pag-uwi ko, naaalala ko pa rin ang ilang bagay na pinanghihinayangan kong hindi ko binili.
So, paano nga ba natin ma-e-enjoy ang Divisoria? Para sa akin, dapat may plano ka. May strategy. Para hindi sayang ang oras, para hindi doble ang pagod, para hindi mapabili ng mahal kung may mas murang mabibilhan pa pala. Through the past months, I have developed a fool-proof step-by-step plan kapag magdi-divi ako. Eto ang planong iyon, na baka makatulong sa inyo:
1. Go on a weekday. Mas kaunti ang tao, mas hindi siksikan. In my case, Lunes o Martes ako pumupunta. Iniiwasan ko lalo na ang Miyerkules dahil araw ng simba sa Quiapo, maraming taong namimili pagkatapos magsimba.
2. Start early. I always make it a point that I leave the house (I live in Cainta) before 9:30am. I take the LRT instead of the bus para mas mabilis ang byahe.
3. From Isetann Recto, sasakay ako ng jeep pa-Divisoria. Hindi ako bumababa sa Tutuban Mall dahil ang strategy ko lagi ay inuuna kong mamili sa malalayong building (168 Mall, Divisoria Mall) saka ako maglalakad pabalik sa bungad kung saan naroon ang Cluster Building at Tutuban Mall.
4. Kapag inip ka na sa traffic along Recto, at kung hindi na gumagalaw ang jeep na sinsasakyan mo, maari nang bumaba sa may McDo at lakarin ang papuntang Divisoria Mall.
5. By the way, mas maiging mag-commute na lang dahil pahirapan ang parking sa lugar na ito.
Ngayon, hindi naman kailangang puntahan ang lahat ng malls at kalsada sa Divisoria. Tulad ng nabanggit ko na, dapat may plano ka--- kasama diyan ay kung ano ang bibilhin. Heto ang isang tip: kung mga laruan at party needs ang hanap mo, the best ang Divisoria Mall. Sa ground floor, nanduon lahat ng mga laruan from Barbie dolls, to kotse-kotsehan, to pogs and text cards, to collectors figurines ng Ben-10, Naruto, Pokemon, etc. Banig-banig kung ibenta ang mga toy cars, play money, glitters, badges, etc. Ang mga cartoon character stickers ay pumapatak from P2.50 up. Kiddie wallets cost P5.50 up. Dito rin makakabili ng mga party hats, banners, balloons, piñata, loot bags items, at kung anu-ano pa. Sako-sako ng mga palto-platuhan, maliliit na kutsara’t tinidor, mga kupita at kung ano-anong laruan para sa bahay-bahayan ang matatagpuan din dito sa ground floor na mabibili ng per kilo. Hindi nga lang masisiguro ang quality ng mga ito lalo na matapos tayong ma-inform tungkol sa dangers imposed by the paints used on such toys.
Tip: Kung masyado kayong nalalayuan sa Divisoria Mall, may isang toy store din sa ibaba ng Cluster Mall at Alexis Marketing. Mas mahal nga lang nang kaunti ang mga ito.
Sa upper floors ng Divisoria Mall, mayroong mga clothes, bags and accessories but I personally find the selection in 168 trendier.
Bago tayo lumakad papuntang 168, though, madadaanan natin ang Tabora Street. Dito kung saan naglipana ang mga kitchen supplies tulad ng mga pots and pans, gas range, pandakot ng bigas, tongs, spatula… basta anything for the kitchen. Konting lakad pa along Tabora ay kung saan naman makaka-order kayo ng souvenir items for weddings, birthday parties, corporate give-aways. May mga gumagawa rin ng tarpaulin, invitations at banners. Dito rin sa Tabora nakapwesto ang mga tindahan ng mga lace, beads, ribbons, gift boxes at iba pang party-related items. At speaking of parties, narito rin ang mga pang-costume party ng mga chikiting tulad ng fairy wings, angel wings, bird wings, mascara, etc. Nagtitinda rin sila ng mga stuffed toys at some native items tulad ng abaniko, salakot, banig, sinamay at kung ano-ano pa.
Usually, from Tabora, tuloy na ako sa 168 Mall. Mas malawak ang choices dito pagdating sa mga damit, bags, shoes, accessories, kikay stuff. May mga shirts for men and women for as low as P100, at mga blouses na nagsisimula sa P250.00. Of course may mga 3 for P100 at P65.00 na mga kamiseta sa bangketa along Recto pero mas may quality ang mga nasa 168. Ang sikat ngayong ion-free sports watch na binebenta ng P100 each sa mga tiangge sa mga malls sa Ortigas ay nagkakahalaga ng 2 pieces for P130 sa 168. Ang mga hikaw, bracelets, at kung ano pang kakikayan ay mabibili sa P10 each, kahit anong disenyo! Dito sa 168, makakabili rin ng mga household items and décor, school and office supplies, electronics tulad ng cellphones, portable dvd players, mp5, at hardware items.
Malinis din ang food court sa 4th floor ng 168. Mayroong Jollibee, Rice in a Box, Greenwich, Reyes Barbecue, among others. Bagamat hindi spic and span ang restrooms, pwede na kumpara sa ibang public restrooms sa ibang karatig-malls.
From 168 pabalik ng Recto Ave, may mga nagtitinda ng Japanese corn (P35 per kilo), suha (3 for P100), broccoli (P50 per tali) at kung ano-ano pang gulay at prutas. Konting lakad pa at naroon ang hardware items at rolyo-rolyo ng cotton and polyester stuffing for pillows and stuffed toys. Sa pagbaybay ninyong muli along Recto Ave ay makakakita kayo ng mga interesting finds. Sneakers for P50, flipflops for P25, knapsacks from P150 above, payong for P50 above, underwear for P20, belts for P20, men’s pamporma shorts for P70 to P160, infant wear (mayroong 3 for P100). At dahil nalalapit na ang pasukan, naka-display din ang mga school uniform, school supplies, shoes, bags, etc. Ang mga spiral notebook na tig-P19.75 sa malls ay P9.00 lang sa divi.
Malamang, sa mga oras na ito ay gutom na uli kayo. Bakit hindi subukan ang mga ulam sa Sarap! Sarap! Sa ibaba ng Alexis Marketing along Recto. Malimit kaming kumain dito ng asawa ko dahil napakaraming choices ng ulam at mura pa. Magtiyaga nga lang maghintay ng mauupuan dahil palaging puno ang lugar na ito. Very friendly, alert and accommodating ang staff pero kung ikaw ang tipo ng hindi nae-enjoy ang pagkain dahil maingay ang paligid, this is not the place for you. Todo ang volume ng sound system nila at may walang kapagurang “barker” pa na nagtatawag ng costumers sa may entrance ng pwesto nila. Konting lakad at naroon ang Chowking for a more relaxed and airconditioned meal time.
Sa may ibaba ng Chowking, narito ang nabanggit ko na kaninang toy store kung ayaw mo nang kariring pumunta pa sa Divisoria Mall. Sandamakmak din ang mga mura sa Alexis Marketing kung saan laging ga-higanteng plastic bags ang bitbit ko sa tuwing namimili ako dito.
Kung tela naman ang hanap ninyo, pasok na sa Cluster Mall. Nang una kong na-realize na kayak o palang pumunta ng Divisoria many years ago, dito ako dumidiretso upang bumili ng tela na ipatatahi ko sa aming kustorera. Dito rin ang puntahan ng mga bibili o magpapasadya ng mga gowns. Sa 2nd floor, pag-akyat ng escalator, diretso na sa Pasilio H at doon ang sunod-sunod na mga pwesto ng mga gowns. Biro ninyo, a fully-beaded wedding gown can cost for as low as P5,000.00 only! Mother of the bride gowns and entourage gowns cost P3,000 and up, depende sa istilo at telang gagamitin. In fact, 3 years ago, nang ikakasal pa lang ako, ang mga flower girl gowns ay nagkakahalaga lamang ng P350 ++! Syempre, mayroon din ditong mga barong at coats para sa mga kalalakihan.
Ngayon, ewan ko lang kung matapos suyurin ang lahat ng lugar na nabanggit ko ay may lakas pa kayong mamili sa Tutuban Mall. It’s also worth the trip but I personally find their stuff more expensive. Pumapasok na lang ako dito upang magpahinga at magpalamig. Ilang minuto lamang ay tatawid na uli ako ng kalsada upang sumakay ng jeep papuntang Isetann-LRT, kung saan nagtatapos ang aking full day adventure sa Divisoria, ang isang lugar na alam kong babalik-balikan ko hanggang hindi nawawala ang aking enjoyment sa pagsha-shopping.
Checklist: School Supplies and Rainy Schoolday Gear
ng sumusunod ay ang mga basic requirements na hinihingi at the start of the school year. Kung ilan ang dapat bilhin (tulad ng mga kwaderno) ay depende sa required ng teachers. Sa checklist na ito, maaring may mga kulang, at maari ring may mga hindi kailangan. Adjust to what your student really needs.
Isang kahon ng Pencils
Ballpens
Isang kahon ng crayons
Water Color and Brush
Glue/glue sticks
Eraser
Sharpener
Pencil case
Scissors
Ruler
Notebooks
Pad of Lined Paper
Folders (Short and Long)
Fasteners
Envelope (Brown and Plastic, Short and Long)
Oslo Paper
Bond Paper
Pocket dictionary
Thesaurus
Calculator
Stapler, Staple remover
Correction Fluid/ correction pen
Hand wipes/ hand sanitizers
School Bag (with or without stroller)
Lunch bag or lunch box
No-spill drink container
ID Cord
School Uniform
PE Uniform
School Shoes
Sneakers for PE Class
Socks and other underwear
Face Towel
Comb
Hindi na nga yata natin mababago na ang opening of classes dito sa ating bansa ay alinsabay din sa hudyat ng tag-ulan. Kaya naman hindi dapat mawala sa listahan natin ang bilhan ng tama at sapat na proteksyon sa ulan ang ating mga bagets. Narito ang mga must-haves sa tag-ulan.
Raincoat – tendency nating bumili ng one or two sizes bigger dahil iniisip nating kalalakihan lang naman ito ng ating mga anak. Pero personally, hindi ko makalimutan how I hated the feeling of wearing my plastic raincoats way back in elementary and highschool dahil maliban sa mainit sa katawan ang mga ito ay ang laki-laki pa ng binibili ng parents ko para sa akin. Lalo na kapag nakasuot sa ulo ko ang plastic hood at tatawid ako sa kalsada, takip ang buong mukha ko dahil sa laki at tigas ng material ng hood! Thank God never naman akong nasagasaan! Make sure you get those that fit comfortably and those with hoods that move with the head.
Rainboots – exciting para sa akin nuong bata pa ako ang maglakad sa baha. Pero syempre, hindi advisable na basain ang aking “charol” black shoes and white socks. Kaya naman very convenient ang mga bota, kahit na ba mabigat sila sa paa.
Plastic Shoes/Gelly Shoes – kung hindi komportable ang mga chikiting sa bota, try making them wear these gelly shoes. They are light, waterproof and molds to your feet’s shape.
Payong – cute sana ang mga five-fold umbrellas pero sa mga panahong bumabagyo na, hindi maaasahan ang karamihan sa mga ito. Invest in the long umbrellas that give better coverage and protection.
Jacket – kung proteksyon sa ulan ang kailangan, mas makakabuting waterproof jackets ang bilhin. The more pockets, the better.
Tandaan, hindi kailangang mamahalin o bago lahat ng gamit sa pagdating ng pasukan. Ilan lamang sa mga tipid tips ay ang sumusunod:
1. I-check kung kasya pa ang school uniform from last year. Kung kasya pa o pwede pang i-repair, fight the temptation of buying a new one. Naririnig ko noon sa mother at mga tita ko na pinasosobrahan nila ang tela kapag nagpapagawa sila ng uniform naming magpi-pinsan upang pwede pang luwagan o habaan sa mga susunod na taon.
2. This is basic shoe care. Tuwing hapon, o gabi pagkatapos gamitin ang sapatos, hayaan munang nahahanginan at huwag ipasok sa kahon nang madumi. Huwag hayaang naiipon ang putik, alikabok, pawis at amoy sa sapatos. A wet wash cloth would do for quick everyday clean-ups. To prevent odor, soak a ball of cotton in alcohol and insert in the shoe. The more you take care of your shoes, the longer they will last… thus, the less likely you have to buy a new pair.
3. Sigurado, may mga pahina ang mga old notebooks from the last school year na hindi pa nagagamit. Bakit hindi tanggalin ang mga ito from their original binding, ipunin ang lahat ng unused pages from other old notebooks saka tahiin ng yarn. Voila, my new notebook ka na!
4. At ang pinakatipid sa lahat, huwag mahiyang gumamit ng mga hand-me-downs. Mga bigay ng mga kamag-anak, kaibigan, kapitbahay. Kung malinis, maganda at maayos pa, bakit itatapon na, hindi ba?
Sa panahon ngayon, ang pagiging matipid ay hindi nangangahulugan ng pagiging kuripot, kundi ang pagiging resourceful and wise. Ang mahalaga ay nakakapag-aral ang iyong mga bagets dahil sa pagpupursige mo. Malay mo, ang pinapag-aral mo pala ngayon ay ang magiging movers and shakers of this nation in the future!
Isang kahon ng Pencils
Ballpens
Isang kahon ng crayons
Water Color and Brush
Glue/glue sticks
Eraser
Sharpener
Pencil case
Scissors
Ruler
Notebooks
Pad of Lined Paper
Folders (Short and Long)
Fasteners
Envelope (Brown and Plastic, Short and Long)
Oslo Paper
Bond Paper
Pocket dictionary
Thesaurus
Calculator
Stapler, Staple remover
Correction Fluid/ correction pen
Hand wipes/ hand sanitizers
School Bag (with or without stroller)
Lunch bag or lunch box
No-spill drink container
ID Cord
School Uniform
PE Uniform
School Shoes
Sneakers for PE Class
Socks and other underwear
Face Towel
Comb
Hindi na nga yata natin mababago na ang opening of classes dito sa ating bansa ay alinsabay din sa hudyat ng tag-ulan. Kaya naman hindi dapat mawala sa listahan natin ang bilhan ng tama at sapat na proteksyon sa ulan ang ating mga bagets. Narito ang mga must-haves sa tag-ulan.
Raincoat – tendency nating bumili ng one or two sizes bigger dahil iniisip nating kalalakihan lang naman ito ng ating mga anak. Pero personally, hindi ko makalimutan how I hated the feeling of wearing my plastic raincoats way back in elementary and highschool dahil maliban sa mainit sa katawan ang mga ito ay ang laki-laki pa ng binibili ng parents ko para sa akin. Lalo na kapag nakasuot sa ulo ko ang plastic hood at tatawid ako sa kalsada, takip ang buong mukha ko dahil sa laki at tigas ng material ng hood! Thank God never naman akong nasagasaan! Make sure you get those that fit comfortably and those with hoods that move with the head.
Rainboots – exciting para sa akin nuong bata pa ako ang maglakad sa baha. Pero syempre, hindi advisable na basain ang aking “charol” black shoes and white socks. Kaya naman very convenient ang mga bota, kahit na ba mabigat sila sa paa.
Plastic Shoes/Gelly Shoes – kung hindi komportable ang mga chikiting sa bota, try making them wear these gelly shoes. They are light, waterproof and molds to your feet’s shape.
Payong – cute sana ang mga five-fold umbrellas pero sa mga panahong bumabagyo na, hindi maaasahan ang karamihan sa mga ito. Invest in the long umbrellas that give better coverage and protection.
Jacket – kung proteksyon sa ulan ang kailangan, mas makakabuting waterproof jackets ang bilhin. The more pockets, the better.
Tandaan, hindi kailangang mamahalin o bago lahat ng gamit sa pagdating ng pasukan. Ilan lamang sa mga tipid tips ay ang sumusunod:
1. I-check kung kasya pa ang school uniform from last year. Kung kasya pa o pwede pang i-repair, fight the temptation of buying a new one. Naririnig ko noon sa mother at mga tita ko na pinasosobrahan nila ang tela kapag nagpapagawa sila ng uniform naming magpi-pinsan upang pwede pang luwagan o habaan sa mga susunod na taon.
2. This is basic shoe care. Tuwing hapon, o gabi pagkatapos gamitin ang sapatos, hayaan munang nahahanginan at huwag ipasok sa kahon nang madumi. Huwag hayaang naiipon ang putik, alikabok, pawis at amoy sa sapatos. A wet wash cloth would do for quick everyday clean-ups. To prevent odor, soak a ball of cotton in alcohol and insert in the shoe. The more you take care of your shoes, the longer they will last… thus, the less likely you have to buy a new pair.
3. Sigurado, may mga pahina ang mga old notebooks from the last school year na hindi pa nagagamit. Bakit hindi tanggalin ang mga ito from their original binding, ipunin ang lahat ng unused pages from other old notebooks saka tahiin ng yarn. Voila, my new notebook ka na!
4. At ang pinakatipid sa lahat, huwag mahiyang gumamit ng mga hand-me-downs. Mga bigay ng mga kamag-anak, kaibigan, kapitbahay. Kung malinis, maganda at maayos pa, bakit itatapon na, hindi ba?
Sa panahon ngayon, ang pagiging matipid ay hindi nangangahulugan ng pagiging kuripot, kundi ang pagiging resourceful and wise. Ang mahalaga ay nakakapag-aral ang iyong mga bagets dahil sa pagpupursige mo. Malay mo, ang pinapag-aral mo pala ngayon ay ang magiging movers and shakers of this nation in the future!
Checklist: Things to Buy for your Newborn
This article was written around 3 years ago. Hope this helps expectant moms who are starting to shop for their babies:
The moment I realized I was pregnant, one of the things I was so excited to do was to shop for the baby. But it was only until I was 7 months pregnant that my husband and I made our first purchase for the baby – tie-side shirts. Being obsessed with lists, I asked family and friends for suggestions as to what to buy for the baby lest I get carried away and spend a fortune for things we don’t actually need.Here’s what I came up with:
Baby Book for records
Parenting Book (What to Expect the First Year)
Disposable Newborn Diapers – Prokids carry a line of newborn nappies
Cloth Diapers
Chino Pino - but ended up not using this at all
Rubber Mat for changing diapers/Changing Table
Diaper Rash Cream -Desitin
Petroleum Jelly
Cotton Balls
Cotton Buds
70% Isopropyl Alcohol
Baby Wipes
Diaper Pail
Receiving Blankets
Tie-side Shirts, Onesies - sleeveless, short-sleeved, long-sleeved
Sweaters
Pajamas
Shorts
Mittens and Booties – ties preferably, not garterized ones
Caps – my baby didn’t like wearing caps, though
C-Shaped Pillow – for support while breastfeeding the baby
Pillow cases
Bolster and extra bolster cases
Bedsheets, Comforter
Washcloths
Towels
Tub
Bathing Net
Hamper
Small Basin, Plastic Canisters, Small Basket/Carry-All
Dresser/Cabinet
Nursing Bra – believe me, it’s close to impossible to breastfeed with an ordinary bra!
Breastpump – used the Pigeon Electric Pump
Breastpad – also by Pigeon. But it can get very expensive especially if your breasts are full. Others suggest cut-out panty liners or cotton hankies.
Breastmilk Bottle Liners –by Playtex
Adult Diapers/Sanitary Pads –for the first few days after pregnancy as the flow tends to be really heavy!
Nipple Guard
Sterilizer -electric or stove top
Feeding Bottles –Avent can be very expensive but it’s worth it!
Bottle and Nipple Brush
Toys
DVDs, CDs
Baby Soap, Shampoo and Oil – we personally use Nivea and Johnson and Johnson’s.
Thermometer
Saline Nose Drops –Salinase
Nasal Aspirator – the old-fashioned, rubberized ones are more effective
Nail Clipper – by Safety 1st
Baby Brush and Comb –by Safety 1st
Night Light
Diaper Bag – the more compartments, the better.
Stroller/Umbroller – umbroller is more portable and a lot lighter.
Carseat – a must-have especially in the states.
Playpen/Crib/Bassinet –make sure you buy a really sturdy piece as babies can get really active once they’ve discovered what else they can do aside from lie in bed and sleep.
Rocker – though my baby only used this until she was 3 months old.
Baby Monitor – nice to have, but not necessary
The moment I realized I was pregnant, one of the things I was so excited to do was to shop for the baby. But it was only until I was 7 months pregnant that my husband and I made our first purchase for the baby – tie-side shirts. Being obsessed with lists, I asked family and friends for suggestions as to what to buy for the baby lest I get carried away and spend a fortune for things we don’t actually need.Here’s what I came up with:
Baby Book for records
Parenting Book (What to Expect the First Year)
Disposable Newborn Diapers – Prokids carry a line of newborn nappies
Cloth Diapers
Chino Pino - but ended up not using this at all
Rubber Mat for changing diapers/Changing Table
Diaper Rash Cream -Desitin
Petroleum Jelly
Cotton Balls
Cotton Buds
70% Isopropyl Alcohol
Baby Wipes
Diaper Pail
Receiving Blankets
Tie-side Shirts, Onesies - sleeveless, short-sleeved, long-sleeved
Sweaters
Pajamas
Shorts
Mittens and Booties – ties preferably, not garterized ones
Caps – my baby didn’t like wearing caps, though
C-Shaped Pillow – for support while breastfeeding the baby
Pillow cases
Bolster and extra bolster cases
Bedsheets, Comforter
Washcloths
Towels
Tub
Bathing Net
Hamper
Small Basin, Plastic Canisters, Small Basket/Carry-All
Dresser/Cabinet
Nursing Bra – believe me, it’s close to impossible to breastfeed with an ordinary bra!
Breastpump – used the Pigeon Electric Pump
Breastpad – also by Pigeon. But it can get very expensive especially if your breasts are full. Others suggest cut-out panty liners or cotton hankies.
Breastmilk Bottle Liners –by Playtex
Adult Diapers/Sanitary Pads –for the first few days after pregnancy as the flow tends to be really heavy!
Nipple Guard
Sterilizer -electric or stove top
Feeding Bottles –Avent can be very expensive but it’s worth it!
Bottle and Nipple Brush
Toys
DVDs, CDs
Baby Soap, Shampoo and Oil – we personally use Nivea and Johnson and Johnson’s.
Thermometer
Saline Nose Drops –Salinase
Nasal Aspirator – the old-fashioned, rubberized ones are more effective
Nail Clipper – by Safety 1st
Baby Brush and Comb –by Safety 1st
Night Light
Diaper Bag – the more compartments, the better.
Stroller/Umbroller – umbroller is more portable and a lot lighter.
Carseat – a must-have especially in the states.
Playpen/Crib/Bassinet –make sure you buy a really sturdy piece as babies can get really active once they’ve discovered what else they can do aside from lie in bed and sleep.
Rocker – though my baby only used this until she was 3 months old.
Baby Monitor – nice to have, but not necessary
Pajama Party
Aliya will be attending her first ever pajama party today! Yay! I don't even remember being able to attend one when I was a child, much more when I was already an adult. Their teachers were the ones who organized this, even suggesting to bring along blankets, snacks and flashlights. Haha! I'm excited for my little girl!
4 Years After...
A lot has happened that I havent been able to blog for four, yes, four looong years!
Anyway, I'm back now and hope to be able to blog regularly again.
I am doing this for my daughter, Aliya, though I intend to be able to share and help others with the things I'll be writing here... most probably reviews, rants, raves, mothering experiences, etc.
I hope to be able to start writing about our recent Singapore trip. Blogs about stuff I am interested in help me a lot many times, and I intend to do the same.
So, hi again, world! This is abibride, signing off, but only temporarily.
Anyway, I'm back now and hope to be able to blog regularly again.
I am doing this for my daughter, Aliya, though I intend to be able to share and help others with the things I'll be writing here... most probably reviews, rants, raves, mothering experiences, etc.
I hope to be able to start writing about our recent Singapore trip. Blogs about stuff I am interested in help me a lot many times, and I intend to do the same.
So, hi again, world! This is abibride, signing off, but only temporarily.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Been busy being a SAHM (Stay-At-Home-Mom) hardly have the time to blog!
Anyway, here are our princess' 15th Month Updates... read on!
A.) WORDS SHE CAN NOW SAY:
Mommy, Daddy, Baby, Wawer (Flower), Takchi (Taxi), Ta (Tita), Aw-aw (Dog)
De-ti (Dirty), Ah (Dora), Ah (Lola), Oh (Lolo)
B. WORDS SHE NOW UNDERSTANDS/CAN POINT TO (AROUND THE HOUSE, IN BOOKS):
Aircon, Electric Fan, Bentilador, Mirror, Doll,
Ball, Shoes, Dog, Cat, Sheep, Fish, Sheep, Butterfly, Rabbit, Hamster,
Apple, Window, Door, Brush, Cellphone, Telephone, Lesson, TV, Book,
Lucky (our pet dog), Lolo Pamintuan (our neighbor), Bird, Exercise, Airplane, Baby,
Diaper, Head, Hair, eyes, Nose, Ears, Mouth, tongue, Teeth, Neck, Hands, Fingers, Bellybutton, Armpit, Knees, Foot, Toes,
Shower, Bolt
C.) INSTRUCTIONS SHE CAN FOLLOW:
Brush your hair, Get that, Give to Mommy, Open That, Cover Your bottle,
Feed your dolls, Feed your doggie, Pakainin mo doll mo,
Smell this, Kick the Ball,
Point your/touch your/where's your/show me your (parts of the body)
In Jesus' Name (she says "E-mem!")
Clap, laugh, sing,
Jesus (clasps hands),
Reach up high and tickle the sky!
Tickle your armpit, tickle your toes
Dance, Drive, Go Down, Go Up, Arms Up, Arms Down,
Hello Everybody (runs to the window and waves)
Rub nose with mommy/daddy
Sit, Stand, go there, let's go, come here,
close the door, wave, bye,
Flying Kiss, Beautiful eyes, Gigil,
close your eyes, close your mouth, exercise,
turn off the electric fan, stand there, check your height.
D.) ACTION SONGS SHE ALREADY KNOWS
Eensy Weensy Spider
My Toes my Knees
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Anyway, here are our princess' 15th Month Updates... read on!
A.) WORDS SHE CAN NOW SAY:
Mommy, Daddy, Baby, Wawer (Flower), Takchi (Taxi), Ta (Tita), Aw-aw (Dog)
De-ti (Dirty), Ah (Dora), Ah (Lola), Oh (Lolo)
B. WORDS SHE NOW UNDERSTANDS/CAN POINT TO (AROUND THE HOUSE, IN BOOKS):
Aircon, Electric Fan, Bentilador, Mirror, Doll,
Ball, Shoes, Dog, Cat, Sheep, Fish, Sheep, Butterfly, Rabbit, Hamster,
Apple, Window, Door, Brush, Cellphone, Telephone, Lesson, TV, Book,
Lucky (our pet dog), Lolo Pamintuan (our neighbor), Bird, Exercise, Airplane, Baby,
Diaper, Head, Hair, eyes, Nose, Ears, Mouth, tongue, Teeth, Neck, Hands, Fingers, Bellybutton, Armpit, Knees, Foot, Toes,
Shower, Bolt
C.) INSTRUCTIONS SHE CAN FOLLOW:
Brush your hair, Get that, Give to Mommy, Open That, Cover Your bottle,
Feed your dolls, Feed your doggie, Pakainin mo doll mo,
Smell this, Kick the Ball,
Point your/touch your/where's your/show me your (parts of the body)
In Jesus' Name (she says "E-mem!")
Clap, laugh, sing,
Jesus (clasps hands),
Reach up high and tickle the sky!
Tickle your armpit, tickle your toes
Dance, Drive, Go Down, Go Up, Arms Up, Arms Down,
Hello Everybody (runs to the window and waves)
Rub nose with mommy/daddy
Sit, Stand, go there, let's go, come here,
close the door, wave, bye,
Flying Kiss, Beautiful eyes, Gigil,
close your eyes, close your mouth, exercise,
turn off the electric fan, stand there, check your height.
D.) ACTION SONGS SHE ALREADY KNOWS
Eensy Weensy Spider
My Toes my Knees
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Paalam, Daboy
Charming smile, yan ang unang-unang napapansin kay Daboy. Matipuno. Mukhang mabango. Bagay ang red checkered polo. Bagay ang blue polo. Bagay lahat. Tisoy kasi. Pero hindi rin lingid sa kaalaman ng marami sa mga nakatrabaho niya't nakasalamuha na mabait din siyang tao.
Nakatrabaho ko si Daboy nuong nagsisimula pa lang ako sa showbiz. Hindi niya ako naging leading lady. Pero isa ako sa mga writers sa high-rating show niya noon na Kasangga. Ipinasok ako ni Jun Lana sa writing team ng Kasangga. Nakailang meeting na kami noon, at medyo matagal bago ko na-meet nang personal si Daboy. Hindi ako na-disappoint nang makita ko siya. Mukha nga siyang artista. Gwapo. Matangkad. Mestizo. At higit sa lahat, friendly. Lahat ng nasa team, mula kay Jun, hanggang sa mga writers at researchers, kinamayan niya. Taping yun ng spiels niya para sa Kasangga.
Sumunod ko siyang nakasalamuha, sa bahay niya. Gusto niyang i-meeting ang creative team. Kung tama ang pagkakaalala ko, pinakain niya lang kami noon. Ni walang naganap na meeting na pormal para sa show.
Dahil close na close at masaya ang team ng Kasangga noon, kahit hindi required, pumupunta kami sa taping. Kahit saang sulok pa yan ng PIlipinas. Full support din kami pag bumisita sa spiels taping ni Daboy. Sa isa sa mga pagbisita namin, tinawag ako't inakbayan ni Daboy. Pinagmalaki niya ako sa mga tao sa paligid. Sabi niya, "Eto'ng writer kong 'to. Batang-bata pa, magaling na magsulat. Paano pa paglaki niya!" Obviously, jino-joke niya ako sa height ko. Pero the way he said it, walang panlalait. Mas nakakasakit pa yung mga ibang taong pinupuri ka pero alam mong may masamang sasabihin pagtalikod mo.
Sumunod ko siyang nakasama, nilibre niya kami sa isang bar sa Tomas Morato. Nag-rate kasi ang episode na sinulat ko, yung tungkol sa isang Cannibal sa Iloilo. Unang pagkakataon noon na mag-hit kami ng rating na 15%. Sa panahong iyon, mataas na ang 15%. Kaya nanlibre si Daboy. Nagpakain, nagpainom. Syempre hindi ako uminom. Pero nag-enjoy ako sa piling ng buong staff at crew.
Nang pumunta kaming buong Kasangga team sa Cebu para mag-taping, nandoon din si Daboy. Kahit isa siyang artista at siya ang bida ng show, kung makihalubilo siya sa amin, para kaming mga kaibigan niya. At nang makita niya ako, inulit na naman niya yung joke niya tungkol sa pagiging manunulat ko kahit bata pa ako. Oo, nabenta na ang joke. Oo, hindi na siya nag-isip ng bagong joke, pero kebs ko. Kesa naman sa ibang mga artistang nakakwentuhan mo na sa taping, pero next time na magkita kayo hindi ka na nila kilala. O kaya papansinin ka lang pag nalaman nilang writer ka. O kaya tatabihan ka sabay segue na baka pwede silang ipasok sa show na sinusulatan mo. Hehe, kanya-kanyang style yan, eh.
Pero para sakin, gusto ko pa rin si Daboy. Totoong tao pa rin siya. May mga limitations man, may mga kapintasan man, pero wala akong natandaang pagkakataong na-oppress ako sa show niya. Kaya sa pagpanaw niya kamakailanlang, nalungkot ako. Okey, hindi ko aamining umiyak ako kasi sasabihin ninyo, ang OA ko. Kumpara sa bonding niya sa ibang tao, katrabaho, kaibigan, kakapiranggot lang ang memories ko kay Daboy. Pero muli, kebs ko ba. Blog ko ito. At gusto kong mag-pay tribute kay Daboy.
Kaya kay Daboy, masaya ako dahil alam kong tinanggap mo si God bilang Lord and Saviour mo nuong mga panahong nasa ospital ka (may reliable source kaya ako!). Kaya Daboy, enjoy ka diyan sa langit. At salamat sa kapiranggot na alaala!
Nakatrabaho ko si Daboy nuong nagsisimula pa lang ako sa showbiz. Hindi niya ako naging leading lady. Pero isa ako sa mga writers sa high-rating show niya noon na Kasangga. Ipinasok ako ni Jun Lana sa writing team ng Kasangga. Nakailang meeting na kami noon, at medyo matagal bago ko na-meet nang personal si Daboy. Hindi ako na-disappoint nang makita ko siya. Mukha nga siyang artista. Gwapo. Matangkad. Mestizo. At higit sa lahat, friendly. Lahat ng nasa team, mula kay Jun, hanggang sa mga writers at researchers, kinamayan niya. Taping yun ng spiels niya para sa Kasangga.
Sumunod ko siyang nakasalamuha, sa bahay niya. Gusto niyang i-meeting ang creative team. Kung tama ang pagkakaalala ko, pinakain niya lang kami noon. Ni walang naganap na meeting na pormal para sa show.
Dahil close na close at masaya ang team ng Kasangga noon, kahit hindi required, pumupunta kami sa taping. Kahit saang sulok pa yan ng PIlipinas. Full support din kami pag bumisita sa spiels taping ni Daboy. Sa isa sa mga pagbisita namin, tinawag ako't inakbayan ni Daboy. Pinagmalaki niya ako sa mga tao sa paligid. Sabi niya, "Eto'ng writer kong 'to. Batang-bata pa, magaling na magsulat. Paano pa paglaki niya!" Obviously, jino-joke niya ako sa height ko. Pero the way he said it, walang panlalait. Mas nakakasakit pa yung mga ibang taong pinupuri ka pero alam mong may masamang sasabihin pagtalikod mo.
Sumunod ko siyang nakasama, nilibre niya kami sa isang bar sa Tomas Morato. Nag-rate kasi ang episode na sinulat ko, yung tungkol sa isang Cannibal sa Iloilo. Unang pagkakataon noon na mag-hit kami ng rating na 15%. Sa panahong iyon, mataas na ang 15%. Kaya nanlibre si Daboy. Nagpakain, nagpainom. Syempre hindi ako uminom. Pero nag-enjoy ako sa piling ng buong staff at crew.
Nang pumunta kaming buong Kasangga team sa Cebu para mag-taping, nandoon din si Daboy. Kahit isa siyang artista at siya ang bida ng show, kung makihalubilo siya sa amin, para kaming mga kaibigan niya. At nang makita niya ako, inulit na naman niya yung joke niya tungkol sa pagiging manunulat ko kahit bata pa ako. Oo, nabenta na ang joke. Oo, hindi na siya nag-isip ng bagong joke, pero kebs ko. Kesa naman sa ibang mga artistang nakakwentuhan mo na sa taping, pero next time na magkita kayo hindi ka na nila kilala. O kaya papansinin ka lang pag nalaman nilang writer ka. O kaya tatabihan ka sabay segue na baka pwede silang ipasok sa show na sinusulatan mo. Hehe, kanya-kanyang style yan, eh.
Pero para sakin, gusto ko pa rin si Daboy. Totoong tao pa rin siya. May mga limitations man, may mga kapintasan man, pero wala akong natandaang pagkakataong na-oppress ako sa show niya. Kaya sa pagpanaw niya kamakailanlang, nalungkot ako. Okey, hindi ko aamining umiyak ako kasi sasabihin ninyo, ang OA ko. Kumpara sa bonding niya sa ibang tao, katrabaho, kaibigan, kakapiranggot lang ang memories ko kay Daboy. Pero muli, kebs ko ba. Blog ko ito. At gusto kong mag-pay tribute kay Daboy.
Kaya kay Daboy, masaya ako dahil alam kong tinanggap mo si God bilang Lord and Saviour mo nuong mga panahong nasa ospital ka (may reliable source kaya ako!). Kaya Daboy, enjoy ka diyan sa langit. At salamat sa kapiranggot na alaala!
Aliya at 10 months
what aliya can now do...
PROMPT: Praise the Lord! --- ALIYA: raises both arms.
PROMPT: Very good!--- ALIYA: claps hands.
PROMPT: close open, close open --- ALIYA: closes, and opens hands.
PROMPT: flying kiss!--- ALIYA: puts hand on her lips, makes smacking sound.
QUESTION: where's ur nose? --- ALIYA: touches her nose.
QUESTION: where are ur ears?--- ALIYA: touches her ears.
QUESTION: where's ur tongue?--- ALIYA: sticks out her tongue.
PROMPT: twist ur tongue--- ALIYA: twists her tongue.
QUESTION: where's ur bellybutton?--- ALIYA: pats her tummy.
PROMPT: beautiful eyes.--- ALIYA: smiles and blinks her eyes.
PROMPT: hello?--- ALIYA: puts her hand on her ears as if talking to the phone.
PROMPT: where's the airplane?--- ALIYA: looks outside the window.
PROMPT: twinkle twinkle little star. --- ALIYA: curls fingers as if they're twinkling.
PROMPT: wow, nice dress!--- ALIYA: looks at what she's wearing.
PROMPT: arms up!--- ALIYA: raises arms.
PROMPT: arms down! --- ALIYA: puts arms down.
PROMPT: bad smell--- ALIYA: twitches, curls her nose.
PROMPT: kiss --- ALIYA: bends and kisses whatever's within reach.
PROMPT: very good! ---ALIYA: claps her hands and smiles.
... bow...
PROMPT: Praise the Lord! --- ALIYA: raises both arms.
PROMPT: Very good!--- ALIYA: claps hands.
PROMPT: close open, close open --- ALIYA: closes, and opens hands.
PROMPT: flying kiss!--- ALIYA: puts hand on her lips, makes smacking sound.
QUESTION: where's ur nose? --- ALIYA: touches her nose.
QUESTION: where are ur ears?--- ALIYA: touches her ears.
QUESTION: where's ur tongue?--- ALIYA: sticks out her tongue.
PROMPT: twist ur tongue--- ALIYA: twists her tongue.
QUESTION: where's ur bellybutton?--- ALIYA: pats her tummy.
PROMPT: beautiful eyes.--- ALIYA: smiles and blinks her eyes.
PROMPT: hello?--- ALIYA: puts her hand on her ears as if talking to the phone.
PROMPT: where's the airplane?--- ALIYA: looks outside the window.
PROMPT: twinkle twinkle little star. --- ALIYA: curls fingers as if they're twinkling.
PROMPT: wow, nice dress!--- ALIYA: looks at what she's wearing.
PROMPT: arms up!--- ALIYA: raises arms.
PROMPT: arms down! --- ALIYA: puts arms down.
PROMPT: bad smell--- ALIYA: twitches, curls her nose.
PROMPT: kiss --- ALIYA: bends and kisses whatever's within reach.
PROMPT: very good! ---ALIYA: claps her hands and smiles.
... bow...
Missing Child Matthew Found. Praise God
This letter is from the father of Matthew "ChuChu" Samudio, one of thanksgiving and rejoicing. This is for everybody who took the time to pray for them and get the word out about what happened.
Read on.
"For almost 3 horrifying days, I thought I would never have the courage to look at Chuchu's photos without shedding buckets of tears. Whenever I scan my laptop for photos of him to be used for the flyers we distribute all over Metro Manila; I can't help but to burst into tears; no make it sobs which only provide temporary relief to the agonizing pain I felt every time I think of what could have happened to my precious little boy.
Whenever I close my eyes, which have denied me of sleep for 3 days, pictures of my Chuchu would appear, his disarming smile, his funny antics, the way he makes this hand sign and shout "OCK ON" which he actually meant "ROCK ON!" I could still hear him call me "YEYE", his own funny way of calling me "DADDY".
The way he would wake me up in the middle of the night for his usual midnight treat "FRIME FRIME". (An instance when his infant formula was all consumed up, so to pacify him, I gave him a small dose of my mom's ENERVON PRIME in choco. Yes go ahead and sue me! hehe!). Apparently, he liked it even better than his usual milk drink. So I bought him a chocolate flavored formula...formulated for kids this time. He was there with me, all mine to love and nurture.
Until he was abducted.
Believe me, you don't want to go through what I have gone through.
Waking up at night imagining where your kid is, where is he sleeping. What is he eating? Who will wash him after taking a poo? What would have been on his young mind waking up and suddenly everything is different. Would he cry and call our names? Or would he just keep still and accept the fact that this is his fate. That this is how life is supposed to be. Imagine a 3 year old kid absorbing all those confusing, horrible thoughts. Kids his age shouldn't be exposed to such cruelty. They are supposed to play, eat, sleep and then play again.
Up until now, the past 3 days will be a complete mystery for me. Because he can't even speak straight, I wonder, where did he sleep? Did he take a bath? Was he maltreated? Abused? What was going on in his mind all those time? Did he feel that we abandoned him? It kills me every time I imagine my precious child walking on dark alleys, begging for food and drink. Alone and no one to protect him...
If only I can, I would make him forget those horrible 2 and a half days. If I have the power to clear off his mind, I would not even bat an eyelash. His physical state might be perfect, but what about his emotional and mental state? \
In his usual "kastitaloy" language, he told me that every time he would walk away from the group, THAT girl would pull his ears so bad that when I looked at it, it is still swollen and red. He was picked up on the markets of Sta Rosa Laguna, almost falling asleep, as one witness say. Apparently, they start begging as early as 5am.
I still cry whenever I imagine him being subjected to such cruelty. He hasn't done anything wrong. He is still an angel.
I still have to deal with the demons of those cruel 3 days.
But inspite of the traumatic experience, FINALLY, Chuchu is with ME.
And I want to thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for helping Chuchu find his way back home. For the prayers, reposting, linking of this blog, your connections with the media and government agencies. People from all walks of life united in goal. To bring back my son safe and sound. Looking on the bright side of things, Chuchu brought out the good that was hidden in all of us for so long. Suddenly, we remembered praying, Suddenly, we began caring for people we don't even know. We became compassionate, understanding and vigilant.
If not for you people, he could have ended as a beggar all his life.
A drug addict.
A denizen in the street.
A pickpocket.
Or it could have ended a life of an innocent child.
If not for your unwavering support, Chuchu will not be here with us.
So in gratitude, I will make sure, that Chuchu, will have the best that life could possibly offer. I will make sure that he gets the best education, the skills. I will hone him to become a good member of the society. I will shower him the love, care and most of all PROTECTION from evil. You can mark my word on that.
Those past few days was a nightmare for me, I often thought that, people have really, really gone bad this time. But seeing Chuchu sleeping so comfortably in his room with his stuffed toys and what-have-yous; I thank God that there is still GOOD in this world.
And it was shown through you guys.
So let me thank you from the bottom of my heart, for giving me the chance to provide my son with the best future that I can offer.
And together, let's all look at his photos. But this time, with HAPPINESS and LOVE in our hearts.
THANK YOU DEAR GOD,
AND THANK YOU... MY SON'S HEROES.
Best Dad In The Making,
MICHAEL KENJI SAMUDIO"
Read on.
"For almost 3 horrifying days, I thought I would never have the courage to look at Chuchu's photos without shedding buckets of tears. Whenever I scan my laptop for photos of him to be used for the flyers we distribute all over Metro Manila; I can't help but to burst into tears; no make it sobs which only provide temporary relief to the agonizing pain I felt every time I think of what could have happened to my precious little boy.
Whenever I close my eyes, which have denied me of sleep for 3 days, pictures of my Chuchu would appear, his disarming smile, his funny antics, the way he makes this hand sign and shout "OCK ON" which he actually meant "ROCK ON!" I could still hear him call me "YEYE", his own funny way of calling me "DADDY".
The way he would wake me up in the middle of the night for his usual midnight treat "FRIME FRIME". (An instance when his infant formula was all consumed up, so to pacify him, I gave him a small dose of my mom's ENERVON PRIME in choco. Yes go ahead and sue me! hehe!). Apparently, he liked it even better than his usual milk drink. So I bought him a chocolate flavored formula...formulated for kids this time. He was there with me, all mine to love and nurture.
Until he was abducted.
Believe me, you don't want to go through what I have gone through.
Waking up at night imagining where your kid is, where is he sleeping. What is he eating? Who will wash him after taking a poo? What would have been on his young mind waking up and suddenly everything is different. Would he cry and call our names? Or would he just keep still and accept the fact that this is his fate. That this is how life is supposed to be. Imagine a 3 year old kid absorbing all those confusing, horrible thoughts. Kids his age shouldn't be exposed to such cruelty. They are supposed to play, eat, sleep and then play again.
Up until now, the past 3 days will be a complete mystery for me. Because he can't even speak straight, I wonder, where did he sleep? Did he take a bath? Was he maltreated? Abused? What was going on in his mind all those time? Did he feel that we abandoned him? It kills me every time I imagine my precious child walking on dark alleys, begging for food and drink. Alone and no one to protect him...
If only I can, I would make him forget those horrible 2 and a half days. If I have the power to clear off his mind, I would not even bat an eyelash. His physical state might be perfect, but what about his emotional and mental state? \
In his usual "kastitaloy" language, he told me that every time he would walk away from the group, THAT girl would pull his ears so bad that when I looked at it, it is still swollen and red. He was picked up on the markets of Sta Rosa Laguna, almost falling asleep, as one witness say. Apparently, they start begging as early as 5am.
I still cry whenever I imagine him being subjected to such cruelty. He hasn't done anything wrong. He is still an angel.
I still have to deal with the demons of those cruel 3 days.
But inspite of the traumatic experience, FINALLY, Chuchu is with ME.
And I want to thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for helping Chuchu find his way back home. For the prayers, reposting, linking of this blog, your connections with the media and government agencies. People from all walks of life united in goal. To bring back my son safe and sound. Looking on the bright side of things, Chuchu brought out the good that was hidden in all of us for so long. Suddenly, we remembered praying, Suddenly, we began caring for people we don't even know. We became compassionate, understanding and vigilant.
If not for you people, he could have ended as a beggar all his life.
A drug addict.
A denizen in the street.
A pickpocket.
Or it could have ended a life of an innocent child.
If not for your unwavering support, Chuchu will not be here with us.
So in gratitude, I will make sure, that Chuchu, will have the best that life could possibly offer. I will make sure that he gets the best education, the skills. I will hone him to become a good member of the society. I will shower him the love, care and most of all PROTECTION from evil. You can mark my word on that.
Those past few days was a nightmare for me, I often thought that, people have really, really gone bad this time. But seeing Chuchu sleeping so comfortably in his room with his stuffed toys and what-have-yous; I thank God that there is still GOOD in this world.
And it was shown through you guys.
So let me thank you from the bottom of my heart, for giving me the chance to provide my son with the best future that I can offer.
And together, let's all look at his photos. But this time, with HAPPINESS and LOVE in our hearts.
THANK YOU DEAR GOD,
AND THANK YOU... MY SON'S HEROES.
Best Dad In The Making,
MICHAEL KENJI SAMUDIO"
Makulay ang Buhay!
Bow ako sa ad agency sa likod ng TV ad na ito ng Meaty Ginisang Gulay Flavor Mix. Aside from maganda ang message (encouraging kids to eat their veggies), ok din ang recall ng song, madaling i-memorize ang lyrics, very visual, very appealing, cute ang CGI at mga sikat na child stars ang mga talent nila. Very child-friendly. This is Aliya’s current favorite. Super saya niya kapag napapanood ang ad na ito. In fact, she was already sleeping one night and Romy and I were watching local tv when they showed the said commercial. We were surprised and amused when suddenly, Aliya got up and started smiling and babbling and clapping. She heard the commercial in her sleep and she decided to sit up! Her hair was a mess and her eyes half-open but she was todo-bigay sa clap and bounce act niya! After the commercial, she went back to sleep as if nothing happened.
Aliya at 9 months
Understands and obeys the prompt, “Clap Your Hands 1, 2, 3!”
Knows how to "Close-Open” her palms
Knows how to send a Flying Kiss! With matching smacking sound pa!
Looks at the sky when asked where the airplane is.
Looks at her tummy when asked where her bellybottom is.
Stops whatever she’s doing once she hears the following commercials: Colgate, Palmolive, Tang.
3rd tooth sprouted last June 25.
Knows how to "Close-Open” her palms
Knows how to send a Flying Kiss! With matching smacking sound pa!
Looks at the sky when asked where the airplane is.
Looks at her tummy when asked where her bellybottom is.
Stops whatever she’s doing once she hears the following commercials: Colgate, Palmolive, Tang.
3rd tooth sprouted last June 25.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
MY BIRTHING STORY
Romy’s best friend Gerald Garcia’s wife Emily gave birth May 27 at The Medical City. We went to visit them right after giving Aliya her morning bath. Chatting with Emily and watching her fresh out of the delivery room made me remember what I myself went through when I gave birth in Sept last year. Made me remember to write my BIRTHING STORY. Here goes…
Sept 4, 2007, 10pm
We just finished dinner. I settled in our sofa bed to watch TV, when I felt a little pop, then the gushing of water. Even if it was my first time, I knew it was my water bag. I told Romy, “Honey, manganganak na yata ako!” Our helper Len-len didn’t know what to do as I rushed to the bathroom. I asked for my towel, and asked Romy to call up my mom and bring the car to our place. Water kept gushing down my legs. Instinctively, I took a shower. I know I can take my time.
10:10pm
Romy helped me get dressed while I instructed Len-Len to bring our hospital bags to the car, which has now arrived. Since we don’t have a garage in our place, we park in my parents’ house which is only 5 minutes away.
1030pm
We arrived at The Medical City. My OB Dr Florante Gonzaga already gave me a pass/note so I can go straight to the Pre-Labor room in case my water bag breaks. With our digicam, I even took a shot of me being wheeled to the room. They strapped the Fetal Heart Monitor and the Contraction Monitor around my tummy. Hearing my baby’s heart beating is indeed music to my ears. The resident OB did an IE on me and said I haven’t dilated. I can hear them talking on the phone to Dr Gonzaga who, by that time, is understandably ready to sleep, hehe.
1145pm
Dr Gonzaga arrived fresh and cool. I love my OB! He’s so reassuring and fatherly! I laid hands on my tummy and spoke words of victory. Dr Gonzaga told me that now that my water bag broke, he will have to do a CAESARIAN SECTION on me. I didn’t mind because I’m not sure if I still want to undergo labor. I got too excited though and eventually started chilling. They thought I was nervous. I signed the waiver and asked my mom to take pictures as I do this. Romy was told not to leave the vicinity as I will be giving birth soon.
Sept 5, 1220am
Romy and I are now very excited. I reminded Romy to make sure to take pictures during the delivery. Dr Gonzaga promised he will allow Romy to be inside the delivery room when I give birth. I later found out this is a privilege and a blessing as not all OBs permit this. I think it was also because Dr Gonzaga is the Chairman of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Dept of The Medical City. They transferred me from the bed to the stretcher.
1235am
A nurse (or two, can’t remember anymore) wheeled me to the Delivery Room. I remember this room because this was also where I had a d&c a year ago when I had a blighted pregnancy. I asked for blankets, very cold inside. The anesthesiologist, Dr Torres arrived. His voice is soothing, kind and he’s ma-chika. Even asking me about my job and what shows I write. He was also my anesthesiologist last year.
Nurse took sample of my skin. The thought of a little knife against my skin made me more nervous, but reminded self that this is nothing compared to the CS proper later. I also told myself I have no choice, manganganak at manganganak talaga ako. Kelangan maging matapang!
Dr Torres asked me to relax for it is now time for the EPIDURAL. This is the part I dread the most. I saw an AVP on epidurals before and am not sure if I can endure the pain. It took time though before they can insert the needle because they have to spray something cold on my back to numb it, I guess. A male nurse was holding me real tight because when administering the Epidural, one has to be curled in a really curled position. Unlike a few minutes ago when I was feeling cold, now naman I was sweating like crazy! Parang, please Lord, matapos na sana! Finally, DR TORRES said, “Abegail, eto na. Relax ka lang.” I kept praying and praying! Dr Torres said, “Ok, tapos na.” I said, “Tapos na ho?” It wasn’t really painful at all! Konti lang!
I felt the thick as in very thick fluid flowing through my veins and that was the part that kinda hurt. As in dumadaloy talaga yung fluid! Around three times I felt it.
Then I was assisted to lie on my back. A cloth cover was positioned in front of me and I started to notice my legs are now really numb. Dr Torres asked if I can bend it and I can’t. He said it’s good, only means the epidural has taken effect. Started feeling groggy by this time…
I remember I was staring at the very bright light of the ceiling and hear voices…
Until I heard a baby crying! And I heard Romy’s voice, “Baby, don’t cry. Daddy’s here. Daddy’s here.” Ohmigosh! Nanganak na ko!
I heard a nurse say, “Mommy, andito na’ng baby mo.” I turned to the left and indeed, there’s my baby! A tiny, pinkish, baby! The nurse let me kiss the baby and she brought the baby’s lips to my boobies. Bonding daw. Gosh! I’m so happy! Amputi ni baby!
Then I felt soft, painless tugging down my abdomen. I asked a nurse what was happening and she said I was being stitched up. Wow, hindi masakit, ha! I even heard Dr Gonzaga and Dr Torres chatting, about something else. So I felt walang problema kasi naka-move on na sila, haha! After a few minutes, Dr Gonzaga and Dr Torres congratulated me. I just delivered daw a healthy baby girl! I asked, “OK po ba siya?” Dr Gonzaga said “She’s ok, she’s very healthy. You’ll now be transferred to the recovery room.” That was all I wanted to hear and then I fell asleep.
Next thing I knew, I was feeling very cold again (maginawin talaga ako), I asked the nurse for more blankets, and to turn down the airconditioner. Nurse was kind and kept monitoring if I can already move my legs. I still can’t. Most I can do then was wiggle my toes. A few moments later I can bend my knees a little. My blood pressure was consistently normal, too. I thank God because I’ve heard horror stories of blood pressure either shooting up or down when a woman gives birth, whether normally or by caesarian.
200am
I was told I will be moved to my room! Wonderful! I can’t wait to see Romy! Around 2-4 nurses checked my vital signs, my legs, my bleeding, my temperature. Everything was ok, they gave clearance that I can be wheeled to my room.
It seemed to me to be a very looong hallway. Parang the time to get to my room and be with Romy took forever. As we reached the private room Romy got for us, I can see attendants preparing my bed, and Romy approaching me. I asked him right away how our baby is. He said she’s ok, she’s healthy. He also showed me pictures of Aliya and of me during delivery.
During that time, I was under a lot of painkillers and I felt really really groggy. I was able to sleep after that but I remember my dreams were all filled with Aliya, me going to the nursery and breastfeeding her.
I remember waking Romy up frequently during the night to ask for ice chips. My throat was super dry and I was only allowed ice chips. I never appreciated ice chips more than that day at the hospital! They’re like the ultimate comfort food!
700am
I woke up craving for ice chips again. Nurses started checking on me.
730am
Dr Gonzaga came to see me and check on my tahi. He said all is well and that I can go home in two days!!! Oohlala! 2 days lang ako sa hospital and I can go home with Aliya na! So thankful to God, I know it was His hand controlling and blessing us talaga.
830am
Mama (who went home the night before after I gave birth and after she saw Aliya) and Papa arrived. They congratulated me and I can see pride and happiness in their eyes! Mareng Jacque Tan came, she’s my first visitor and she brought a Red Ribbon Cake! Too bad I was only allowed ice chips, and more ice chips. Romy’s sister Ate Thelma, her husband Kuya Ed and son John-John came next. Visitors started coming, text messages from friends, churchmates, relatives, former classmates were nonstop, too. My sister Belle went straight to see me right after work.
I was given a sponge bath and I felt really better. Though looking back, I was so bangag then! Romy asked me to proofread info for Aliya’s birth certificate and it was so hard for me to concentrate on the words.
Sept 6, 830am
Dr Gonzaga checked on me again and said my stitches are fine. He’ll issue my release for the next day. My catheter was removed and I was assisted by Romy and a nurse in getting up and out of bed. It was my first time to get up and I felt really dizzy… and my stitches were super painful, too! I was also able to stand, sit on a chair, pee in the CR, and visit Aliya in the nursery for the first time! It was a momentous event! I was ushered to the Breastfeeding Station and started to, well, attempted to breastfeed! I have never held a baby all my life that’s why these moments re just so special, and uhm, scary!
Sept 7, 900am
I went to the nursery to breastfeed and bond with Aliya. She’s so cute and she tries hard to feed from me. Watching her cheeks move and open her eyes a bit to look at me is heavenly!
The lactation consultant also gave me tips on how to breastfeed and taught us how to bathe an infant. Our dear friend Francis (Dy), who was visiting then, was able to witness Aliya’s first time to bathe with us.
After bathing, we didn’t return her to the nursery anymore. We roomed her in already as we are to check out that afternoon.
500pm
We checked out after a lot of paperwork. Whew! Filing the SSS, Philhealth and other papers were indeed tasking, especially for Romy who did all the legwork.
600pm
Arrived my parents house. And for the first time, it dawned on me… ohmigosh, there’s a baby in the house! My baby! Halleluiah! Praise be to God! Aliya is an answered prayer, a blessing, a gift.
Sept 4, 2007, 10pm
We just finished dinner. I settled in our sofa bed to watch TV, when I felt a little pop, then the gushing of water. Even if it was my first time, I knew it was my water bag. I told Romy, “Honey, manganganak na yata ako!” Our helper Len-len didn’t know what to do as I rushed to the bathroom. I asked for my towel, and asked Romy to call up my mom and bring the car to our place. Water kept gushing down my legs. Instinctively, I took a shower. I know I can take my time.
10:10pm
Romy helped me get dressed while I instructed Len-Len to bring our hospital bags to the car, which has now arrived. Since we don’t have a garage in our place, we park in my parents’ house which is only 5 minutes away.
1030pm
We arrived at The Medical City. My OB Dr Florante Gonzaga already gave me a pass/note so I can go straight to the Pre-Labor room in case my water bag breaks. With our digicam, I even took a shot of me being wheeled to the room. They strapped the Fetal Heart Monitor and the Contraction Monitor around my tummy. Hearing my baby’s heart beating is indeed music to my ears. The resident OB did an IE on me and said I haven’t dilated. I can hear them talking on the phone to Dr Gonzaga who, by that time, is understandably ready to sleep, hehe.
1145pm
Dr Gonzaga arrived fresh and cool. I love my OB! He’s so reassuring and fatherly! I laid hands on my tummy and spoke words of victory. Dr Gonzaga told me that now that my water bag broke, he will have to do a CAESARIAN SECTION on me. I didn’t mind because I’m not sure if I still want to undergo labor. I got too excited though and eventually started chilling. They thought I was nervous. I signed the waiver and asked my mom to take pictures as I do this. Romy was told not to leave the vicinity as I will be giving birth soon.
Sept 5, 1220am
Romy and I are now very excited. I reminded Romy to make sure to take pictures during the delivery. Dr Gonzaga promised he will allow Romy to be inside the delivery room when I give birth. I later found out this is a privilege and a blessing as not all OBs permit this. I think it was also because Dr Gonzaga is the Chairman of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Dept of The Medical City. They transferred me from the bed to the stretcher.
1235am
A nurse (or two, can’t remember anymore) wheeled me to the Delivery Room. I remember this room because this was also where I had a d&c a year ago when I had a blighted pregnancy. I asked for blankets, very cold inside. The anesthesiologist, Dr Torres arrived. His voice is soothing, kind and he’s ma-chika. Even asking me about my job and what shows I write. He was also my anesthesiologist last year.
Nurse took sample of my skin. The thought of a little knife against my skin made me more nervous, but reminded self that this is nothing compared to the CS proper later. I also told myself I have no choice, manganganak at manganganak talaga ako. Kelangan maging matapang!
Dr Torres asked me to relax for it is now time for the EPIDURAL. This is the part I dread the most. I saw an AVP on epidurals before and am not sure if I can endure the pain. It took time though before they can insert the needle because they have to spray something cold on my back to numb it, I guess. A male nurse was holding me real tight because when administering the Epidural, one has to be curled in a really curled position. Unlike a few minutes ago when I was feeling cold, now naman I was sweating like crazy! Parang, please Lord, matapos na sana! Finally, DR TORRES said, “Abegail, eto na. Relax ka lang.” I kept praying and praying! Dr Torres said, “Ok, tapos na.” I said, “Tapos na ho?” It wasn’t really painful at all! Konti lang!
I felt the thick as in very thick fluid flowing through my veins and that was the part that kinda hurt. As in dumadaloy talaga yung fluid! Around three times I felt it.
Then I was assisted to lie on my back. A cloth cover was positioned in front of me and I started to notice my legs are now really numb. Dr Torres asked if I can bend it and I can’t. He said it’s good, only means the epidural has taken effect. Started feeling groggy by this time…
I remember I was staring at the very bright light of the ceiling and hear voices…
Until I heard a baby crying! And I heard Romy’s voice, “Baby, don’t cry. Daddy’s here. Daddy’s here.” Ohmigosh! Nanganak na ko!
I heard a nurse say, “Mommy, andito na’ng baby mo.” I turned to the left and indeed, there’s my baby! A tiny, pinkish, baby! The nurse let me kiss the baby and she brought the baby’s lips to my boobies. Bonding daw. Gosh! I’m so happy! Amputi ni baby!
Then I felt soft, painless tugging down my abdomen. I asked a nurse what was happening and she said I was being stitched up. Wow, hindi masakit, ha! I even heard Dr Gonzaga and Dr Torres chatting, about something else. So I felt walang problema kasi naka-move on na sila, haha! After a few minutes, Dr Gonzaga and Dr Torres congratulated me. I just delivered daw a healthy baby girl! I asked, “OK po ba siya?” Dr Gonzaga said “She’s ok, she’s very healthy. You’ll now be transferred to the recovery room.” That was all I wanted to hear and then I fell asleep.
Next thing I knew, I was feeling very cold again (maginawin talaga ako), I asked the nurse for more blankets, and to turn down the airconditioner. Nurse was kind and kept monitoring if I can already move my legs. I still can’t. Most I can do then was wiggle my toes. A few moments later I can bend my knees a little. My blood pressure was consistently normal, too. I thank God because I’ve heard horror stories of blood pressure either shooting up or down when a woman gives birth, whether normally or by caesarian.
200am
I was told I will be moved to my room! Wonderful! I can’t wait to see Romy! Around 2-4 nurses checked my vital signs, my legs, my bleeding, my temperature. Everything was ok, they gave clearance that I can be wheeled to my room.
It seemed to me to be a very looong hallway. Parang the time to get to my room and be with Romy took forever. As we reached the private room Romy got for us, I can see attendants preparing my bed, and Romy approaching me. I asked him right away how our baby is. He said she’s ok, she’s healthy. He also showed me pictures of Aliya and of me during delivery.
During that time, I was under a lot of painkillers and I felt really really groggy. I was able to sleep after that but I remember my dreams were all filled with Aliya, me going to the nursery and breastfeeding her.
I remember waking Romy up frequently during the night to ask for ice chips. My throat was super dry and I was only allowed ice chips. I never appreciated ice chips more than that day at the hospital! They’re like the ultimate comfort food!
700am
I woke up craving for ice chips again. Nurses started checking on me.
730am
Dr Gonzaga came to see me and check on my tahi. He said all is well and that I can go home in two days!!! Oohlala! 2 days lang ako sa hospital and I can go home with Aliya na! So thankful to God, I know it was His hand controlling and blessing us talaga.
830am
Mama (who went home the night before after I gave birth and after she saw Aliya) and Papa arrived. They congratulated me and I can see pride and happiness in their eyes! Mareng Jacque Tan came, she’s my first visitor and she brought a Red Ribbon Cake! Too bad I was only allowed ice chips, and more ice chips. Romy’s sister Ate Thelma, her husband Kuya Ed and son John-John came next. Visitors started coming, text messages from friends, churchmates, relatives, former classmates were nonstop, too. My sister Belle went straight to see me right after work.
I was given a sponge bath and I felt really better. Though looking back, I was so bangag then! Romy asked me to proofread info for Aliya’s birth certificate and it was so hard for me to concentrate on the words.
Sept 6, 830am
Dr Gonzaga checked on me again and said my stitches are fine. He’ll issue my release for the next day. My catheter was removed and I was assisted by Romy and a nurse in getting up and out of bed. It was my first time to get up and I felt really dizzy… and my stitches were super painful, too! I was also able to stand, sit on a chair, pee in the CR, and visit Aliya in the nursery for the first time! It was a momentous event! I was ushered to the Breastfeeding Station and started to, well, attempted to breastfeed! I have never held a baby all my life that’s why these moments re just so special, and uhm, scary!
Sept 7, 900am
I went to the nursery to breastfeed and bond with Aliya. She’s so cute and she tries hard to feed from me. Watching her cheeks move and open her eyes a bit to look at me is heavenly!
The lactation consultant also gave me tips on how to breastfeed and taught us how to bathe an infant. Our dear friend Francis (Dy), who was visiting then, was able to witness Aliya’s first time to bathe with us.
After bathing, we didn’t return her to the nursery anymore. We roomed her in already as we are to check out that afternoon.
500pm
We checked out after a lot of paperwork. Whew! Filing the SSS, Philhealth and other papers were indeed tasking, especially for Romy who did all the legwork.
600pm
Arrived my parents house. And for the first time, it dawned on me… ohmigosh, there’s a baby in the house! My baby! Halleluiah! Praise be to God! Aliya is an answered prayer, a blessing, a gift.
Monday, April 21, 2008
I Like
if my 7 month old daughter Aliya can now write, here's a list i know she'd want to make:
"I Like"
Sound of plastic bags
Chewing plastic and paper, much to mommy’s objection
Books, reading (my fave book is the Baby Jesus Board Book from Tita Jacque)
Watching “Brainy Baby” and “Your Baby Can Read”
Mommy’s bolster
Milk more than water
Pedcee more than Ferlin and Tikitiki
Chewing my toes
Chewing all my fingers
Practicing how to walk
Standing
Crawling
Slapping daddy’s face
Slapping mommy’s neck, chest, legs
When daddy starts closing all the windows, because that means he’s going to turn on the aircon next!
Rolling over pillows and bolsters
Swinging my legs
Watching dad’s aquarium
Chewing corners of blankets, pillow cases, edge of mommy’s pajamas
Playing with non-toys like the TV remote, mom’s cellphone, plastic container of my cotton balls, unused diapers
Strolling outdoors early in the morning and late in the afternoon
Watching my animated face in the mirror
Tapping mommy’s computer keyboard
Spraying my saliva
Babbling
Screaming
Twitching my nose
Making “gigil”
Dancing the “Gorgeous Gorgeous” song that dad and mom composed
Arms Up and Arms Down exercise
Mommy’s massage
Slapping the wall
Grasping the bedframe
Rattles, toy keys, real keys
Ninang AA’s monkey gift which mommy named Monkey Bee (because he’s a monkey but he looks like Jollibee)
Looking around during car and cab rides
"I Like"
Sound of plastic bags
Chewing plastic and paper, much to mommy’s objection
Books, reading (my fave book is the Baby Jesus Board Book from Tita Jacque)
Watching “Brainy Baby” and “Your Baby Can Read”
Mommy’s bolster
Milk more than water
Pedcee more than Ferlin and Tikitiki
Chewing my toes
Chewing all my fingers
Practicing how to walk
Standing
Crawling
Slapping daddy’s face
Slapping mommy’s neck, chest, legs
When daddy starts closing all the windows, because that means he’s going to turn on the aircon next!
Rolling over pillows and bolsters
Swinging my legs
Watching dad’s aquarium
Chewing corners of blankets, pillow cases, edge of mommy’s pajamas
Playing with non-toys like the TV remote, mom’s cellphone, plastic container of my cotton balls, unused diapers
Strolling outdoors early in the morning and late in the afternoon
Watching my animated face in the mirror
Tapping mommy’s computer keyboard
Spraying my saliva
Babbling
Screaming
Twitching my nose
Making “gigil”
Dancing the “Gorgeous Gorgeous” song that dad and mom composed
Arms Up and Arms Down exercise
Mommy’s massage
Slapping the wall
Grasping the bedframe
Rattles, toy keys, real keys
Ninang AA’s monkey gift which mommy named Monkey Bee (because he’s a monkey but he looks like Jollibee)
Looking around during car and cab rides
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Job Openings in GMA TV
- PROJECT LIBRARIAN
- ETV publicity specialist
- TV transmitter systems engineer
- VTR Automation engineer
- Production Coordinator
- Accountant (Contractual)
- Jr. Accountant
- GL Unit head
- management Accounting section head
- IT Specialist
- Satellite Systems Engineer
- Assistant Unit head, technical
operations
- moving image artist
- SR. videographic artist
- audio editor
- Art director
- Copy Specialist
- SR. Desk editor
- Editor
- research analyst
- research executive
- research manager
*Interested partiescan submit the
following requirements to RECRUITMENT
SECTION of the GMA 7 HRD department:
-Comprehensive Resume
-Transcript of records
_ 2 x 2 picture
Address:
GMA Network Inc, GMA Complex Edsa Cor.
Timog Ave, Diliman, Q.C.
Tel: 982-7777 loc. 2505 / 2506 / 2512
e-mail add: recruitment@gmanetwork.com
(indicate the position desired at the
subject heading)
For info's re the positions kindly
check the website: www.igma.tv/jobs.php
- ETV publicity specialist
- TV transmitter systems engineer
- VTR Automation engineer
- Production Coordinator
- Accountant (Contractual)
- Jr. Accountant
- GL Unit head
- management Accounting section head
- IT Specialist
- Satellite Systems Engineer
- Assistant Unit head, technical
operations
- moving image artist
- SR. videographic artist
- audio editor
- Art director
- Copy Specialist
- SR. Desk editor
- Editor
- research analyst
- research executive
- research manager
*Interested partiescan submit the
following requirements to RECRUITMENT
SECTION of the GMA 7 HRD department:
-Comprehensive Resume
-Transcript of records
_ 2 x 2 picture
Address:
GMA Network Inc, GMA Complex Edsa Cor.
Timog Ave, Diliman, Q.C.
Tel: 982-7777 loc. 2505 / 2506 / 2512
e-mail add: recruitment@gmanetwork.com
(indicate the position desired at the
subject heading)
For info's re the positions kindly
check the website: www.igma.tv/jobs.php
Rule of Fours
Rule of Fours
4 jobs i have had:
VTR Girl/Camerawoman for a Talent Agency
Copy Writer for an Ad Agency
Account Executive for a Telecommunications company
Writer for an Entertainment and Booking Company
Now a Scriptwriter for a TV network
4 movies i watched over and over:
Lord of the Rings trilogy
Sleepless in Seattle
Cape Fear
Scent of a Woman
4 places i have lived:
Project 4, Quezon City
Noveleta, Cavite
UP-BREHA, Baguio City
Area 2, UP Diliman
4 shows i watch:
America’s Next Top Model
Kid Nation
Extreme Make-over, Home Edition
24
4 people who email me:
My newlyweds yahoogroup
My highschool yahoogroup.
My college yahoogroup
A churchmate
4 favorite things to eat:
tacos!
Pizza
Sinigang na baboy
Chicken feet – my dad’s recipe
4 places i would rather be:
Basta andun family, hubby and baby ko.
4 things i look forward to this year:
Completion of the construction of our house!
moving in to our own home!
God’s wonderful plans for me now that I’ve changed networks.
My baby Aliya’s first bday! ( we might just have a private and mini gathering with the family)
I'm tagging Jacque, Anna, Rhoda, Shelley. forward to your answers.
4 jobs i have had:
VTR Girl/Camerawoman for a Talent Agency
Copy Writer for an Ad Agency
Account Executive for a Telecommunications company
Writer for an Entertainment and Booking Company
Now a Scriptwriter for a TV network
4 movies i watched over and over:
Lord of the Rings trilogy
Sleepless in Seattle
Cape Fear
Scent of a Woman
4 places i have lived:
Project 4, Quezon City
Noveleta, Cavite
UP-BREHA, Baguio City
Area 2, UP Diliman
4 shows i watch:
America’s Next Top Model
Kid Nation
Extreme Make-over, Home Edition
24
4 people who email me:
My newlyweds yahoogroup
My highschool yahoogroup.
My college yahoogroup
A churchmate
4 favorite things to eat:
tacos!
Pizza
Sinigang na baboy
Chicken feet – my dad’s recipe
4 places i would rather be:
Basta andun family, hubby and baby ko.
4 things i look forward to this year:
Completion of the construction of our house!
moving in to our own home!
God’s wonderful plans for me now that I’ve changed networks.
My baby Aliya’s first bday! ( we might just have a private and mini gathering with the family)
I'm tagging Jacque, Anna, Rhoda, Shelley. forward to your answers.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Tagged - Domino Effect
Here's the rule: Copy the entire list and add your name at the bottom. And tag at least 5 friends. (But you can tag as many as you like.)
Thea
Childstar
Mike
My Scrappy Side
Abie
Aggie
Alpha
Apple
Apols
Jacqui
Jane
Joanne
Jody
Joy
Kelly
Mich
Peachy
Jan
RHODA
I'm tagging my blogmates Anna, Jacque, Sheryll and Vim! You may want to allow pings on your entry to enjoy the full domino effect. Enjoy!
Thea
Childstar
Mike
My Scrappy Side
Abie
Aggie
Alpha
Apple
Apols
Jacqui
Jane
Joanne
Jody
Joy
Kelly
Mich
Peachy
Jan
RHODA
I'm tagging my blogmates Anna, Jacque, Sheryll and Vim! You may want to allow pings on your entry to enjoy the full domino effect. Enjoy!
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Tummy Troubles
was rushed to Medical City tonight due to a whole-day attack of hyperacidity. i felt so tired and weak already due to too much pressure on my tummy, ribs and back. thank God the doc caroline quiwa found nothing else, my gallbladder and liver arent swollen or anything. she just prescribed some medications for me. got back home at 9:30pm.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
wasnt able to sleep last night, been thinking of sooo many things! today aliya just took a two-hour nap, wanting to feed every now and then. so all in all, i only got to nap for maybe 30 minutes. it is now almost 11pm, and she still doesnt look like she's going to sleep soon. haaay, romy and i are sooo sleepy na!
***
it's a wednesday and we got to watch our newest fave reality show, Kid Nation. really interesting and i love to watch how kids react to very serious and mature situations. sayang uncle tony doesnt have velvet channel, told him one of the smart kids looks alot like his son simon when he was smaller.
***
the renaldo lapuz craze seems to be wavering now. havent watched the whole clip yet, though.
***
it's a wednesday and we got to watch our newest fave reality show, Kid Nation. really interesting and i love to watch how kids react to very serious and mature situations. sayang uncle tony doesnt have velvet channel, told him one of the smart kids looks alot like his son simon when he was smaller.
***
the renaldo lapuz craze seems to be wavering now. havent watched the whole clip yet, though.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Kindness Pays Off
From JOEL OSTEEN’s book, Your Best Life Now
page 264
“The Bible teaches us that God is our vindicator. He will not let you lose out. You may think you’re getting the short end of the stick, but when it’s all said and done, God will make sure that you don’t lose anything truly valuable. Moreover, He’ll make sure you get your just reward. Your responsibility is to remain calm and peaceable even when those around you are not.”
page 264
“The Bible teaches us that God is our vindicator. He will not let you lose out. You may think you’re getting the short end of the stick, but when it’s all said and done, God will make sure that you don’t lose anything truly valuable. Moreover, He’ll make sure you get your just reward. Your responsibility is to remain calm and peaceable even when those around you are not.”
Monday, February 04, 2008
Aliya turns five months tomorrow!
Time flies so fast! my lovely daughter Aliya Jirah will be 5 months old tomorrow! Praise God! Another thing that's keeping us excited these days is that tomorrow they'll be starting the construction of our very own house! yehey! To God be the Glory!
Saturday, February 02, 2008
if God is for me, who dares to be against me?
Sa blog ng kaibigan kong si datzitdatzol, sinulat niya kung paano niya hinahangad na mapadpad sa Fleet Street ang mga kinaiinisan, kinamumuhian niyang mga tao. Mga taong gusto niyang makadaupang-palad ang character ni Johnny Depp sa Sweeney Todd. Hindi ko napanood ang pelikula, mahina ang sikmura ko sa mga ganoong klaseng eksena, pero aaminin ko, sa mga pagkakataong nagagalit din ako, naiisip kong sana ay ipaghiganti ako ni God. Hindi naman ako umaabot sa pinagdarasal kong mapatay sila at gawing siopao. Ipaghiganti lang ako ni God, masayang masaya na ako.
Kung college pa ako, kapag may mga naapi, gusto ko silang tulungan at ipaghiganti. Sumasali ako sa mga rally. Nagpapakapaos ako sa pagsigaw sa mga kalsada. Ang kauna-unahang rally na sinalihan ko ay nuong first year college ako sa UP Baguio. Nilibot namin ang Session Road noon, pinaglalaban ang karapatan ng mga mahihirap, ng mga nawalan ng trabaho, ng mga kulang ang sweldo, ng mga tinanggalan ng scholarship, etc. Siguro kung hindi ako napasama sa Campus Crusade for Christ at naging busy sa mga evangelistic activities, isa na akong ganap na aktibista.
Ngayon, paminsan-minsan ay lumalabas pa rin ang aking pagiging aktibista. Kumukulo ang dugo ko kapag may mga nakikita akong minamaltrato, kinakawawa, iniitsapwera, inaapi. Kapag sinasamantala ang kabaitan ng mga kaibigan ko, pinagdarasal kong ipaghiganti ni God ang mga kaibigan ko laban sa mga power-tripping na mga tao sa buhay nila. Kapag nanonood ako ng news at may mga feature tungkol sa mga batang kinawawa o mga battered wife, hindi ako mapakali sa upuan ko. Nung isang linggo, papunta ako sa SM Taytay, may nakita akong isang lalaking may pinapalong aso… yung aso, may hila-hilang kariton na puno ng mga panggatong. Lawit na ang dila ng aso at tagilid na ang lakad niya. Parang dinurog at dinikdik ang puso ko. Hindi ako mapakali, awang-awa ako sa aso. Nagka-goosebumps ako at nahirapan akong huminga. Hindi ko makuhang walang gawin para sa aso. Nakita kong natatawa pa ang lalaki nang sumalampak sa kalsada ang kawawang aso sa sobrang pagod. Bibili na sana ako ng mineral water para painumin ang aso pero hindi ako makakita ng kahit maruming planggana kung saan maari siyang uminom. Nakita kong pinatayo siya uli ng lalaki at nagsimula na naman ang pagpapahirap. Kahit nagmamadali ako, nilapitan ko ang lalaki, sa abot ng aking makakaya, kinalma ko ang sarili ko at pinagsabihan ko siyang hindi ganoon ang tamang pagtrato sa aso. Nagulat ang lalaki, nang maka-recover na siya, sabi niya tine-train niya. Sabi ko tine-train para ano? Para maging kalabaw? Para maging laborer? Aso ho yan. Mas malakas pa ang katawan ninyo kesa sa kanya. Hindi makasagot ang lalaki, ngumisi lang at nilayasan ako. Nasa SM Taytay na ako, naiiyak pa rin ako kapag naalalala ko ang itsura ng aso. Kinagabihan, pinagdasal kong sana sa mga oras na yon, makatakas na ang aso at maging mas mabait na ang kanyang amo. Kung hindi nga lang bawal ang pet sa amin, aampunin ko yun, eh.
Kamakailanlang, may mga taong nang-iwan sa akin sa ere. Kinalimutan ang pagkakaibigan namin, walang kaabog-abog na nilaglag ako. In short, kinawawa ako. Hindi lumilipas ang isang araw na hindi ko pinagdasal na ipaghiganti ako ni God. Huwag silang mag-alala, hindi ko sila kakalabanin. Pero si God ang bahala sa kanila. Sabi ng discipler ko noon sa UP Diliman, imprecatory prayer ang tawag sa prayer na ito. Yung isinasa-Diyos mo na lang ang paghihiganti. Yung hindi mo nilalagay sa sarili mong kamay ang batas. Yung full dependence kay God na Siya ang gagawa ng paraan para ma-Sweeney Todd ang mga nang-api sa iyo. Kaya sa inyong may kasalanan sa akin, eto ang dasal ko:
PSALM 35
1 Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; Fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take hold of buckler and shield, And rise up for my help.
3 Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me; Say to my soul, "I am your salvation."
4 Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life; Let those be turned back and humiliated who devise evil against me.
5 Let them be like chaff before the wind, With the angel of the LORD driving them on.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery, With the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7 For without cause they hid their net for me; Without cause they dug a pit for my soul.
8 Let destruction come upon him unawares; And let the net which he hid catch himself; Into that very destruction let him fall.
9 And my soul shall rejoice in the LORD; It shall exult in His salvation.
10 All my bones will say, "LORD, who is like Thee, Who delivers the afflicted from him who is too strong for him, And the afflicted and the needy from him who robs him?
11 Malicious witnesses rise up; They ask me of things that I do not know.
12 They repay me evil for good, To the bereavement of my soul.
14 I went about as though it were my friend or brother; I bowed down mourning, as one who sorrows for a mother.
15 But at my stumbling they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together; The smiters whom I did not know gathered together against me, They slandered me without ceasing.
16 Like godless jesters at a feast, They gnashed at me with their teeth.
17 Lord, how long wilt Thou look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, My only life from the lions.
18 I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation; I will praise Thee among a mighty throng.
19 Let not those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; let not those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.
20 For they do not speak peace, But they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.
22 Thou hast seen it, O LORD, do not keep silent; O Lord, do not be far from me.
23 Stir up Thyself, and awake to my right, And to my cause, my God and my Lord.
24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to Thy righteousness; And do not let them rejoice over me.
26 May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant. 28 And my tongue shall declare Thy righteousness And Thy praise all day long.
Kung college pa ako, kapag may mga naapi, gusto ko silang tulungan at ipaghiganti. Sumasali ako sa mga rally. Nagpapakapaos ako sa pagsigaw sa mga kalsada. Ang kauna-unahang rally na sinalihan ko ay nuong first year college ako sa UP Baguio. Nilibot namin ang Session Road noon, pinaglalaban ang karapatan ng mga mahihirap, ng mga nawalan ng trabaho, ng mga kulang ang sweldo, ng mga tinanggalan ng scholarship, etc. Siguro kung hindi ako napasama sa Campus Crusade for Christ at naging busy sa mga evangelistic activities, isa na akong ganap na aktibista.
Ngayon, paminsan-minsan ay lumalabas pa rin ang aking pagiging aktibista. Kumukulo ang dugo ko kapag may mga nakikita akong minamaltrato, kinakawawa, iniitsapwera, inaapi. Kapag sinasamantala ang kabaitan ng mga kaibigan ko, pinagdarasal kong ipaghiganti ni God ang mga kaibigan ko laban sa mga power-tripping na mga tao sa buhay nila. Kapag nanonood ako ng news at may mga feature tungkol sa mga batang kinawawa o mga battered wife, hindi ako mapakali sa upuan ko. Nung isang linggo, papunta ako sa SM Taytay, may nakita akong isang lalaking may pinapalong aso… yung aso, may hila-hilang kariton na puno ng mga panggatong. Lawit na ang dila ng aso at tagilid na ang lakad niya. Parang dinurog at dinikdik ang puso ko. Hindi ako mapakali, awang-awa ako sa aso. Nagka-goosebumps ako at nahirapan akong huminga. Hindi ko makuhang walang gawin para sa aso. Nakita kong natatawa pa ang lalaki nang sumalampak sa kalsada ang kawawang aso sa sobrang pagod. Bibili na sana ako ng mineral water para painumin ang aso pero hindi ako makakita ng kahit maruming planggana kung saan maari siyang uminom. Nakita kong pinatayo siya uli ng lalaki at nagsimula na naman ang pagpapahirap. Kahit nagmamadali ako, nilapitan ko ang lalaki, sa abot ng aking makakaya, kinalma ko ang sarili ko at pinagsabihan ko siyang hindi ganoon ang tamang pagtrato sa aso. Nagulat ang lalaki, nang maka-recover na siya, sabi niya tine-train niya. Sabi ko tine-train para ano? Para maging kalabaw? Para maging laborer? Aso ho yan. Mas malakas pa ang katawan ninyo kesa sa kanya. Hindi makasagot ang lalaki, ngumisi lang at nilayasan ako. Nasa SM Taytay na ako, naiiyak pa rin ako kapag naalalala ko ang itsura ng aso. Kinagabihan, pinagdasal kong sana sa mga oras na yon, makatakas na ang aso at maging mas mabait na ang kanyang amo. Kung hindi nga lang bawal ang pet sa amin, aampunin ko yun, eh.
Kamakailanlang, may mga taong nang-iwan sa akin sa ere. Kinalimutan ang pagkakaibigan namin, walang kaabog-abog na nilaglag ako. In short, kinawawa ako. Hindi lumilipas ang isang araw na hindi ko pinagdasal na ipaghiganti ako ni God. Huwag silang mag-alala, hindi ko sila kakalabanin. Pero si God ang bahala sa kanila. Sabi ng discipler ko noon sa UP Diliman, imprecatory prayer ang tawag sa prayer na ito. Yung isinasa-Diyos mo na lang ang paghihiganti. Yung hindi mo nilalagay sa sarili mong kamay ang batas. Yung full dependence kay God na Siya ang gagawa ng paraan para ma-Sweeney Todd ang mga nang-api sa iyo. Kaya sa inyong may kasalanan sa akin, eto ang dasal ko:
PSALM 35
1 Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; Fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take hold of buckler and shield, And rise up for my help.
3 Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me; Say to my soul, "I am your salvation."
4 Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life; Let those be turned back and humiliated who devise evil against me.
5 Let them be like chaff before the wind, With the angel of the LORD driving them on.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery, With the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7 For without cause they hid their net for me; Without cause they dug a pit for my soul.
8 Let destruction come upon him unawares; And let the net which he hid catch himself; Into that very destruction let him fall.
9 And my soul shall rejoice in the LORD; It shall exult in His salvation.
10 All my bones will say, "LORD, who is like Thee, Who delivers the afflicted from him who is too strong for him, And the afflicted and the needy from him who robs him?
11 Malicious witnesses rise up; They ask me of things that I do not know.
12 They repay me evil for good, To the bereavement of my soul.
14 I went about as though it were my friend or brother; I bowed down mourning, as one who sorrows for a mother.
15 But at my stumbling they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together; The smiters whom I did not know gathered together against me, They slandered me without ceasing.
16 Like godless jesters at a feast, They gnashed at me with their teeth.
17 Lord, how long wilt Thou look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, My only life from the lions.
18 I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation; I will praise Thee among a mighty throng.
19 Let not those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; let not those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.
20 For they do not speak peace, But they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.
22 Thou hast seen it, O LORD, do not keep silent; O Lord, do not be far from me.
23 Stir up Thyself, and awake to my right, And to my cause, my God and my Lord.
24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to Thy righteousness; And do not let them rejoice over me.
26 May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant. 28 And my tongue shall declare Thy righteousness And Thy praise all day long.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
OUR FAVORITE NEIGHBORS MOVED OUT TODAY!!!
Huwaaa!!! Our beloved neighbors Simon and Jacque Tan moved out today, and I'm so sad! It seems only yesterday when Jacque and I were preparing for our respective weddings and scouting for houses to rent. I found this apartment bldg near my parents' house when this was still, literally, a skeleton. I showed this to Romy, he liked it and we reserved for unit A. I know Simon and Jacque were looking, too and the idea of being neigbors excited me. I remember i spent quite an amount texting (read: convincing) Jacq to reserve a unit in the same bldg. To make the long story short, they got Unit C. And fellow w@wie/yahoogroup-mate/newlyweds Karla and Alex Borromeo got unit J. Pwede na nga tawaging The Newly-Weds' Building itong tinitirahan namin, eh.
However, Karla and Alex couldn't bear the traffic, so they decided to leave a few months after. I remember feeling so senti talaga the day they moved out. Mareng Karla, aminin ko na, kinunan ko pa ng picture yung car ninyo nung alam kong those will be one of the last times na magpa-park kayo sa tapat namin, hehe.
Now, two years, career changes, and our own babies later, Simon and Jacque and baby Simone decided they need a bigger place. Oo naman, kami nga we're so masikip na, what with all the baby furniture and toys piling up, masikip na talaga this 2-bedroom unit we have. I understand naman, kaya lang nalulungkot talaga ako. It's alot more fun and comfy kasi knowing na sa tabi mo lang pwede kang kumatok at makipag-chikahan... as if naman nagagawa namin madalas yun, haha!
Today, Simon finally hired a group of movers, and seeing them make hakot the Tan's stuff made me feel the way i felt when the Borromeos left. Naalala ko tuloy yung mga breakfasts together namin, mga surprise birthday get-togethers, mga impromptu dinners and gimmicks, mga DVD-swapping, etc. Mga tipong... " Mare, looks like it's going to rain, baka mabasa ang mga sinampay ninyo!" o kaya yung mga "Romy, may butter ba kayo? Kasi gumagawa ako ng ice cream, wala pala kaming butter." O kaya yung, "Sis, pag dumaan yung batang kumukuha ng basura, pakidamay na kamo yung sa amin!"
Oh well, I really hate goodbyes, one of the things i dread talaga! Kahit na ba sabihing they'll only be 10 mins away from us, it's still sad. Life in The Newly-Weds Building will never be the same again...
We love you Simon, Jacque and Simone!
However, Karla and Alex couldn't bear the traffic, so they decided to leave a few months after. I remember feeling so senti talaga the day they moved out. Mareng Karla, aminin ko na, kinunan ko pa ng picture yung car ninyo nung alam kong those will be one of the last times na magpa-park kayo sa tapat namin, hehe.
Now, two years, career changes, and our own babies later, Simon and Jacque and baby Simone decided they need a bigger place. Oo naman, kami nga we're so masikip na, what with all the baby furniture and toys piling up, masikip na talaga this 2-bedroom unit we have. I understand naman, kaya lang nalulungkot talaga ako. It's alot more fun and comfy kasi knowing na sa tabi mo lang pwede kang kumatok at makipag-chikahan... as if naman nagagawa namin madalas yun, haha!
Today, Simon finally hired a group of movers, and seeing them make hakot the Tan's stuff made me feel the way i felt when the Borromeos left. Naalala ko tuloy yung mga breakfasts together namin, mga surprise birthday get-togethers, mga impromptu dinners and gimmicks, mga DVD-swapping, etc. Mga tipong... " Mare, looks like it's going to rain, baka mabasa ang mga sinampay ninyo!" o kaya yung mga "Romy, may butter ba kayo? Kasi gumagawa ako ng ice cream, wala pala kaming butter." O kaya yung, "Sis, pag dumaan yung batang kumukuha ng basura, pakidamay na kamo yung sa amin!"
Oh well, I really hate goodbyes, one of the things i dread talaga! Kahit na ba sabihing they'll only be 10 mins away from us, it's still sad. Life in The Newly-Weds Building will never be the same again...
We love you Simon, Jacque and Simone!
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Active Generosity
Romy and I were watching something on TV the other night. It was about a family who badly needed financial, spiritual, emotional support. It was burdensome to watch, but I also felt a different kind of burden. I was burdened to help.
I feel this way a lot of times. For years I have been like this and it’s one of my most consistent characteristics. I watch, hear, read about someone needing help and first think I do is grab a pen and paper to jot down how I can give. But sometimes, I am not able to. Ok, a lot of times, I must admit. I also have limitations, I also have obligations, I also have needs. But the desire to give never fades.
Back in highschool and college, I always give little gifts and notes to my friends. It makes me feel good, maybe I feel even better than the receiver. Yun pa lang iaabot ko pa lang sa person, mas excited pa ako sa kanya, eh. CJ, one of my disciplers in college told me that maybe I have the gift of giving. It sounded good, and I never forgot what she said. Since then, I believed that’s the ministry I want to be in. To be in the Ministry of Active Generosity (a phrase I coined years ago during a Quiet Time)… that’s always part of my prayers. Kaya nga kapag ina-announce sa church about world missions, wala man akong desire to fly and be “out there,” sobra naman yung call sa akin to fill out a check and give.
Now that I’m an adult, a wife, a mother to be (in 4 months’ time), I find myself facing more and more responsibilities. I am tempted to think that with all these obligations, maybe I can’t be in the ministry of active generosity anymore. But then again, the desire has never left me.
Still during that time Romy and I were watching the said show on TV, I was reminded by what one of my former disciplers Thania Amper told me, “our desires are given by God.” Ms Joy Muleta also preached this during one of those ladies’ meetings of her group that I was able to attend, “Our desires are given by the Lord. Whatever he knows will make us happy, He will give it to us in due time. Don’t limit yourself, signs and wonders will follow you wherever you go. He will provide the means and the resources to fulfill those desires.”
Wow, diba?! I have the desire to give. I am happiest when I am able to give. But under my present situation I am being tempted to limit myself. But since this desire is given by God, and He knows this makes me happy, He will enable me to be a giver. He will provide ways para I can fulfill my desire and at the same time to be a blessing to others. Diba nga, pag galing kay God, hindi magkukulang? Walang kulang? Kapag para sa gawain ni Lord, Siya mismo ang magpupuno?
Now I know, I shouldn’t throw away my prayer. By faith, I know I will be in the ministry of a MORE active generosity. Signs and wonders will follow me. I will have more than enough, I will be a blessing to more people. Not by my own strength, but by God’s spirit and power.
I feel this way a lot of times. For years I have been like this and it’s one of my most consistent characteristics. I watch, hear, read about someone needing help and first think I do is grab a pen and paper to jot down how I can give. But sometimes, I am not able to. Ok, a lot of times, I must admit. I also have limitations, I also have obligations, I also have needs. But the desire to give never fades.
Back in highschool and college, I always give little gifts and notes to my friends. It makes me feel good, maybe I feel even better than the receiver. Yun pa lang iaabot ko pa lang sa person, mas excited pa ako sa kanya, eh. CJ, one of my disciplers in college told me that maybe I have the gift of giving. It sounded good, and I never forgot what she said. Since then, I believed that’s the ministry I want to be in. To be in the Ministry of Active Generosity (a phrase I coined years ago during a Quiet Time)… that’s always part of my prayers. Kaya nga kapag ina-announce sa church about world missions, wala man akong desire to fly and be “out there,” sobra naman yung call sa akin to fill out a check and give.
Now that I’m an adult, a wife, a mother to be (in 4 months’ time), I find myself facing more and more responsibilities. I am tempted to think that with all these obligations, maybe I can’t be in the ministry of active generosity anymore. But then again, the desire has never left me.
Still during that time Romy and I were watching the said show on TV, I was reminded by what one of my former disciplers Thania Amper told me, “our desires are given by God.” Ms Joy Muleta also preached this during one of those ladies’ meetings of her group that I was able to attend, “Our desires are given by the Lord. Whatever he knows will make us happy, He will give it to us in due time. Don’t limit yourself, signs and wonders will follow you wherever you go. He will provide the means and the resources to fulfill those desires.”
Wow, diba?! I have the desire to give. I am happiest when I am able to give. But under my present situation I am being tempted to limit myself. But since this desire is given by God, and He knows this makes me happy, He will enable me to be a giver. He will provide ways para I can fulfill my desire and at the same time to be a blessing to others. Diba nga, pag galing kay God, hindi magkukulang? Walang kulang? Kapag para sa gawain ni Lord, Siya mismo ang magpupuno?
Now I know, I shouldn’t throw away my prayer. By faith, I know I will be in the ministry of a MORE active generosity. Signs and wonders will follow me. I will have more than enough, I will be a blessing to more people. Not by my own strength, but by God’s spirit and power.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Kapag Nakita Ko Siya
Mayroon akong kaibigan, pero hindi na ngayon. May mga bagay na hindi kami pareho ng pananaw, pero nagkakasundo kami. But things changed, mostly for this person. dumami ang pera niya, naabot niya ang mga pangarap niya. Nagkaroon siya ng mga impluwensiyang kung ako ang tatanungin, hindi ako agree. Nagbago ang pagkakaibigan namin, unti-unti kaming nagkakalayuan ng loob. Pero lagi ko siyang pinagdadasal, kasi nakikita ko kung paano niya tratuhin ang mga kaibigan ko.
Ngayon, kung paano niya tinrato ang ga kaibigan ko, ginawa na rin niya sa akin. iniwan niya ako sa ere. Kinalimutan niya ang pinagsamahan namin.
May kaibigan akong nagtanong, paano kung isang araw, magkasalubong kayo? Anong gagawin mo? Sa totoo lang? Ewan ko. definitely hindi ko siya iiwasan. Pero kung anong sasabihin ko sa kanya, hindi ko pa alam. Sa dami ng hinanakit ko, ewan ko kung ano ang sasabihin ko at ano ang hindi.
Ngayon, kung paano niya tinrato ang ga kaibigan ko, ginawa na rin niya sa akin. iniwan niya ako sa ere. Kinalimutan niya ang pinagsamahan namin.
May kaibigan akong nagtanong, paano kung isang araw, magkasalubong kayo? Anong gagawin mo? Sa totoo lang? Ewan ko. definitely hindi ko siya iiwasan. Pero kung anong sasabihin ko sa kanya, hindi ko pa alam. Sa dami ng hinanakit ko, ewan ko kung ano ang sasabihin ko at ano ang hindi.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
It's Our Second Year!
Happy anniversary to me and my husband Romy! Happy birthday too to him! Love you honey!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Control
Sabi ng OB ko, don’t let the baby control you. You’re the parent, you should learn to be in charge. Sabi ng Babywise na book, doable daw na ngayon pa lang makapag-set na ng sleep and feeding routine para sa baby. Itong mga sinabi nila, example ng “madaling sabihin, mahirap gawin.” Minsan nga, feeling ko, imposible gawin.
In fact, as I write this, super nagmamadali ako. Nagmamadali mag-type at the same time kino-control na wag masyado maingay ang lagapak ng daliri ko sa keyboard at baka magising na ang amo ko, este, ang anak ko.
Pag nakahiga ako, kung ano-anong blog entry ang gusto kong isulat, pero puro hindi ko nagagawa kasi wala akong time. No, hindi ako nagsusulat ng mga scripts ngayon dahil naka-leave ako, pero gosh, mas busy pa ata ako ngayon kesa nung mga panahong nagsusulat ako ng Mulawin, Darna, Habang Kapiling Ka, etc.
Parang lagi akong on-call, hindi naman ako duktor. Parang kapag gising na ang baby ko, wala na akong ibang pwedeng asikasuhin. Pag tulog naman siya, at feel niyang maiksi lang ang tulog niya, patay tayo diyan! Isang subo pa lang ako ng lunch ko (na inaakyat na nga lang ng maid naming sa kwarto, yes, di na ko makapag-lunch downstairs at all), nagsisimula na siyang magising! Pababa pa lang ako para maligo, nagbabadya na siyang mag-hello kay mommy. Magbubukas pa lang ako ng computer, nag-iinat na siya!
Sa totoo lang, ngayon ko nga lang naranasan kumain ng parang hinahabol ng tren, o mag-cr na ayaw kong isara ang pinto para marinig ko pag umiyak si Aliya. Minsan nga, kumain ako mag-isa sa Shakey’s (nung nag-day off ako sa Megamall, last day ng Ramadan) at nung may nagtawanan nang malakas, nagulat ako, hindi na kasi ako sanay na may nagtatawanan nang malakas. Akala ko kasama ko si Sliya nung mga time na yun at bawal magtawanan nang malakas. Nung may nabasag na baso, nagulat na naman ako, hindi na talaga ako sanay na pwedeng mag-ingay.
Ano ang point ng blog entry na ‘to? Wala lang. Para lang masabing, yehey, pinagbigyan ako ng anak ko at nakapag-computer ako! Yun lang.
In fact, as I write this, super nagmamadali ako. Nagmamadali mag-type at the same time kino-control na wag masyado maingay ang lagapak ng daliri ko sa keyboard at baka magising na ang amo ko, este, ang anak ko.
Pag nakahiga ako, kung ano-anong blog entry ang gusto kong isulat, pero puro hindi ko nagagawa kasi wala akong time. No, hindi ako nagsusulat ng mga scripts ngayon dahil naka-leave ako, pero gosh, mas busy pa ata ako ngayon kesa nung mga panahong nagsusulat ako ng Mulawin, Darna, Habang Kapiling Ka, etc.
Parang lagi akong on-call, hindi naman ako duktor. Parang kapag gising na ang baby ko, wala na akong ibang pwedeng asikasuhin. Pag tulog naman siya, at feel niyang maiksi lang ang tulog niya, patay tayo diyan! Isang subo pa lang ako ng lunch ko (na inaakyat na nga lang ng maid naming sa kwarto, yes, di na ko makapag-lunch downstairs at all), nagsisimula na siyang magising! Pababa pa lang ako para maligo, nagbabadya na siyang mag-hello kay mommy. Magbubukas pa lang ako ng computer, nag-iinat na siya!
Sa totoo lang, ngayon ko nga lang naranasan kumain ng parang hinahabol ng tren, o mag-cr na ayaw kong isara ang pinto para marinig ko pag umiyak si Aliya. Minsan nga, kumain ako mag-isa sa Shakey’s (nung nag-day off ako sa Megamall, last day ng Ramadan) at nung may nagtawanan nang malakas, nagulat ako, hindi na kasi ako sanay na may nagtatawanan nang malakas. Akala ko kasama ko si Sliya nung mga time na yun at bawal magtawanan nang malakas. Nung may nabasag na baso, nagulat na naman ako, hindi na talaga ako sanay na pwedeng mag-ingay.
Ano ang point ng blog entry na ‘to? Wala lang. Para lang masabing, yehey, pinagbigyan ako ng anak ko at nakapag-computer ako! Yun lang.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Embracing Change
My daughter Aliya will be one month old tomorrow. The whole family is happy and grateful for her, she’s such a wonderful bundle of joy. She’s brought so much love and happiness to each member of the family like no one else has done before. She, too has totally changed our lives. People say one’s life will never be the same again once a baby is born to a family. Indeed, my life has totally changed, both in expected and unexpected ways.
Expected were the sleepless nights, and the baby sharing our family bed, and the change in shopping priorities and the endless diaper change and the date nights to be minimized. But the unexpected are the ones that really, totally are taking a toll on me now. Emotionally, spiritually, physically.
Don’t get me wrong, I of course love and am in love with my daughter. She’s an answered prayer and I deeply want to spend the rest th her, togethe with my super loving and patient husband Romy. But the adjustments and changes are just so draining that I always feel like crying. Actually, since Aliya was born, I’ve cried more times in 4 weeks that I did in 4 years when I was still without child. Even when I was still pregnant and hormones and emotions were expected to go wayward, I was not this weepy, impatient, irritable, frustrated, and disappointed at myself.
You see, there are a lot of things I am faced with now that nobody ever told me to expect. Nobody told me breastfeeding could be so tiring, draining and challenging. It so ties me down that I just have to squeeze in mealtimes and bath times and brushing my teeth! I have never watched a full TV show in 4 weeks! I have even developed gassiness by the constant exposure of my tummy each time I pull up my shirt to feed her. Also, nobody told me it’s neither natural nor easy to shoot a baby’s mouth on a mother’s nipple. Angles, tongue placement, listening for swallowing, counting the suckling, baby’s body positioning, my own body’s angling, are just some of the many things I have to look out for each time I breastfeed. For the side-lying position, which I always use, it’s not easy to prop oneself sideways, one hand under a pillow, then making sure she’s angled tummy to tummy with me, at the same time making sure her head isn’t tilted, looking out for her mouth’s positioning, listening for clicking and suckling and swallowing, at the same time balancing myself so that my breast don’t get too high or too low for her, then pressing on my other breast which always leaks whenever I feed with the other, then reaching out for a towel to cover my tummy lest I develop colic myself, as well as for another pillow to support my aching back! Whew! Sometimes I feel like I have to be superwoman to achieve all that!
Positioning isn’t the end of it all, though. Because once she starts feeding, there are times that she’d cry as if somebody’s taking her away from me, and would squirm and be fussy and would push me and kick me, right at the spot of my caesarian wound!
Bottle feeding is not an easy job either. I am particularly frustrated whenever she’d show hunger cues, like rooting and putting her fist on her mouth and then I’d respond by giving her the bottle and then she’d reject it. Her tongue would push the nipple, or if ever she takes in the milk, she’d only spill a good amount of it on the side of her mouth. It breaks my heart to see the milk go to the towel or her pillow when she should be taking it in for nourishment and growth.
Burping is another thing that frustrates me. I never thought I’d consider a hassle this supposed to be simple task of burping a baby. First, it takes a lot of effort to get up in the middle of the night carrying the baby and waiting for forever for her to burp. Secondly, it disrupts her sleep and her mood. Nursing her usually puts her to deep slumber. But each time we’d take her up for a burp, she’d wake up again, disrupting what should have been a long and restful sleep. Is there any other way to burp baby without having to carry her and wait for that much-awaited sound of releasing gas?
When I was still pregnant, what I thought I’d find difficult when it comes to taking care of baby was changing diapers and not having enough sleep and cleaning her poop. Now these things are no longer big deal to me. In fact, I look forward to changing her diapers (whether cloth or disposable ones) and cleaning her poop because it only means she’s getting adequate food thus the ability to pee and poop regularly. What I thought would be hard were actually not. And what I never thought difficult, particularly feeding (both breast or bottle), are the tasks that I now find painstaking and frustrating.
As they say, welcome the unexpected. I guess a better way of saying it is embrace and adjust to the unexpected. We new mothers have no choice but to do so. We can just console ourselves that this isn’t going to last forever. Breastfeeding is not an eternity. Diapers are not forever. Babies grow. My baby Aliya is growing. And I know there will come a time that I will just have to look back to these tiring and challenging times and be grateful for God’s grace, thankful that I have an Aliya to do all these things for.
Expected were the sleepless nights, and the baby sharing our family bed, and the change in shopping priorities and the endless diaper change and the date nights to be minimized. But the unexpected are the ones that really, totally are taking a toll on me now. Emotionally, spiritually, physically.
Don’t get me wrong, I of course love and am in love with my daughter. She’s an answered prayer and I deeply want to spend the rest th her, togethe with my super loving and patient husband Romy. But the adjustments and changes are just so draining that I always feel like crying. Actually, since Aliya was born, I’ve cried more times in 4 weeks that I did in 4 years when I was still without child. Even when I was still pregnant and hormones and emotions were expected to go wayward, I was not this weepy, impatient, irritable, frustrated, and disappointed at myself.
You see, there are a lot of things I am faced with now that nobody ever told me to expect. Nobody told me breastfeeding could be so tiring, draining and challenging. It so ties me down that I just have to squeeze in mealtimes and bath times and brushing my teeth! I have never watched a full TV show in 4 weeks! I have even developed gassiness by the constant exposure of my tummy each time I pull up my shirt to feed her. Also, nobody told me it’s neither natural nor easy to shoot a baby’s mouth on a mother’s nipple. Angles, tongue placement, listening for swallowing, counting the suckling, baby’s body positioning, my own body’s angling, are just some of the many things I have to look out for each time I breastfeed. For the side-lying position, which I always use, it’s not easy to prop oneself sideways, one hand under a pillow, then making sure she’s angled tummy to tummy with me, at the same time making sure her head isn’t tilted, looking out for her mouth’s positioning, listening for clicking and suckling and swallowing, at the same time balancing myself so that my breast don’t get too high or too low for her, then pressing on my other breast which always leaks whenever I feed with the other, then reaching out for a towel to cover my tummy lest I develop colic myself, as well as for another pillow to support my aching back! Whew! Sometimes I feel like I have to be superwoman to achieve all that!
Positioning isn’t the end of it all, though. Because once she starts feeding, there are times that she’d cry as if somebody’s taking her away from me, and would squirm and be fussy and would push me and kick me, right at the spot of my caesarian wound!
Bottle feeding is not an easy job either. I am particularly frustrated whenever she’d show hunger cues, like rooting and putting her fist on her mouth and then I’d respond by giving her the bottle and then she’d reject it. Her tongue would push the nipple, or if ever she takes in the milk, she’d only spill a good amount of it on the side of her mouth. It breaks my heart to see the milk go to the towel or her pillow when she should be taking it in for nourishment and growth.
Burping is another thing that frustrates me. I never thought I’d consider a hassle this supposed to be simple task of burping a baby. First, it takes a lot of effort to get up in the middle of the night carrying the baby and waiting for forever for her to burp. Secondly, it disrupts her sleep and her mood. Nursing her usually puts her to deep slumber. But each time we’d take her up for a burp, she’d wake up again, disrupting what should have been a long and restful sleep. Is there any other way to burp baby without having to carry her and wait for that much-awaited sound of releasing gas?
When I was still pregnant, what I thought I’d find difficult when it comes to taking care of baby was changing diapers and not having enough sleep and cleaning her poop. Now these things are no longer big deal to me. In fact, I look forward to changing her diapers (whether cloth or disposable ones) and cleaning her poop because it only means she’s getting adequate food thus the ability to pee and poop regularly. What I thought would be hard were actually not. And what I never thought difficult, particularly feeding (both breast or bottle), are the tasks that I now find painstaking and frustrating.
As they say, welcome the unexpected. I guess a better way of saying it is embrace and adjust to the unexpected. We new mothers have no choice but to do so. We can just console ourselves that this isn’t going to last forever. Breastfeeding is not an eternity. Diapers are not forever. Babies grow. My baby Aliya is growing. And I know there will come a time that I will just have to look back to these tiring and challenging times and be grateful for God’s grace, thankful that I have an Aliya to do all these things for.
Monday, April 16, 2007
What Brings Me Joy?
1. Waking up each morning and finding my husband Romy next to me.
2. Waking up in the middle of the night feeling my husband’s arms around me.
3. Waking up in the morning with new inspiration, with renewed passion, with positive thoughts, with excitement for whatever lies ahead, or in mornings when I know my husband doesn’t have to go to work and we can spend the whole day together.
4. Being able to have a meaningful, quality time with God.
5. Caressing, resting my palms on my growing tummy and feeling my baby kick.
6. Looking at the calendar each day, knowing that each day is a day nearer to our baby’s arrival.
7. Monthly consultations with my OB Dr Florante Gonzaga and hearing him say that everything’s going smoothly, that my baby is doing great.
8. Hearing my baby’s heartbeat through the Doppler device.
9. Transvaginal ultrasound that doesn’t hurt.
10. Weighing myself and gaining just the right weight.
11. Being able to connect to the internet without delay or hassle.
12. Finding an informative, browser-friendly site on the internet, whether it be about pregnancy, or house-keeping, or parenting, or whatever topic interests me.
13. Checking my emails and reading personal mails from friends.
14. Successfully downloading pictures from my cellphone to my PC, or from my PC to my Multiply site.
15. Being able to experiment and whip up a delightful dish.
16. Bringing one of my proudly cooked-dishes to my parents’ house and seeing their reactions.
17. Eating out with my husband, and occasionally, with my parents and sister.
18. Chatting with my girlfriends over lunch, dinner or merienda.
19. Receiving my monthly subscription of Reader’s Digest.
20. Finding out that our Meralco bill isn’t as steep as we fear it to be.
21. Things at home that give us comfort: My trusty computer, our reliable airconditioner, our shower, our bed, our microwave.
22. Waking up in the morning knowing that it’s Sunday and we get to go to church and spend time with God, see our friends and family, eat out and stroll around the mall.
23. People saying that my tummy is getting bigger.
24. Wearing maternity clothes.
25. The prospect of a lazy day when I can just browse the net, catch up on filing papers and bills, watch DVDs, experiment on cooking, read a good book, or just lay in bed feeling my baby move.
26. Watching DVDs of my favorite TV series and movies.
27. Finishing an entry in my journal.
28. Comfort food like California Maki, nachos with everything on it, cold fruits like pakwan, melon, apples, grapes.
29. Fresh garden salads, fresh fruit shakes.
30. Hearing the sound of the dolphin chime in our house.
31. Salonpas, Vicks vaporub, manzanilla. They were some of my best friends especially during my first trimester of pregnancy.
32. Singing a familiar, touching praise or worship song in church.
33. Receiving text messages from friends.
34. Receiving a call about a new show or project where I am episode writer.
35. Our investment fund. Knowing that the money we invested is earning its interest.
36. My husband whose sense of humor never fails. He dances for me, too!
37. An interesting back issue of a magazine I really like. The fact that I got it for a lower price gives me joy as well!
38. Receiving a text from my husband saying he’s already on his way home.
39. Hearing the sound of our gate knowing that my husband has arrived safe and sound.
40. Planning special occasions which I know will make my parents happy. Coming up with nice gimmick ideas for friends and loved ones.
41. Receiving gifts from friends and loved ones, especially those that are unexpected.
42. Dinner with our newlywed friends Jacque and Simon, and Karla and Alex, or with Gerald and Emily, and Jimrod and Seth.
43. The fact that Romy and I will be parents very very soon.
44. Being able to buy nice things at discounted prices.
45. Traveling!
46. Flea markets, nice but inexpensive restaurants, pet shops.
47. A nice book or CD that somebody lent to me.
48. Meetings that start on time and end early.
49. Basic, Avis or MGE Taxi just when you need them.
50. Checking in excellent hotels. Buffet breakfasts, bubble baths, foot spas, clean sheets, good airconditioning, excellent service, cozy bathrooms.
51. The fact that I am able to list 50 blessings, and the fact that I can come up with more!
2. Waking up in the middle of the night feeling my husband’s arms around me.
3. Waking up in the morning with new inspiration, with renewed passion, with positive thoughts, with excitement for whatever lies ahead, or in mornings when I know my husband doesn’t have to go to work and we can spend the whole day together.
4. Being able to have a meaningful, quality time with God.
5. Caressing, resting my palms on my growing tummy and feeling my baby kick.
6. Looking at the calendar each day, knowing that each day is a day nearer to our baby’s arrival.
7. Monthly consultations with my OB Dr Florante Gonzaga and hearing him say that everything’s going smoothly, that my baby is doing great.
8. Hearing my baby’s heartbeat through the Doppler device.
9. Transvaginal ultrasound that doesn’t hurt.
10. Weighing myself and gaining just the right weight.
11. Being able to connect to the internet without delay or hassle.
12. Finding an informative, browser-friendly site on the internet, whether it be about pregnancy, or house-keeping, or parenting, or whatever topic interests me.
13. Checking my emails and reading personal mails from friends.
14. Successfully downloading pictures from my cellphone to my PC, or from my PC to my Multiply site.
15. Being able to experiment and whip up a delightful dish.
16. Bringing one of my proudly cooked-dishes to my parents’ house and seeing their reactions.
17. Eating out with my husband, and occasionally, with my parents and sister.
18. Chatting with my girlfriends over lunch, dinner or merienda.
19. Receiving my monthly subscription of Reader’s Digest.
20. Finding out that our Meralco bill isn’t as steep as we fear it to be.
21. Things at home that give us comfort: My trusty computer, our reliable airconditioner, our shower, our bed, our microwave.
22. Waking up in the morning knowing that it’s Sunday and we get to go to church and spend time with God, see our friends and family, eat out and stroll around the mall.
23. People saying that my tummy is getting bigger.
24. Wearing maternity clothes.
25. The prospect of a lazy day when I can just browse the net, catch up on filing papers and bills, watch DVDs, experiment on cooking, read a good book, or just lay in bed feeling my baby move.
26. Watching DVDs of my favorite TV series and movies.
27. Finishing an entry in my journal.
28. Comfort food like California Maki, nachos with everything on it, cold fruits like pakwan, melon, apples, grapes.
29. Fresh garden salads, fresh fruit shakes.
30. Hearing the sound of the dolphin chime in our house.
31. Salonpas, Vicks vaporub, manzanilla. They were some of my best friends especially during my first trimester of pregnancy.
32. Singing a familiar, touching praise or worship song in church.
33. Receiving text messages from friends.
34. Receiving a call about a new show or project where I am episode writer.
35. Our investment fund. Knowing that the money we invested is earning its interest.
36. My husband whose sense of humor never fails. He dances for me, too!
37. An interesting back issue of a magazine I really like. The fact that I got it for a lower price gives me joy as well!
38. Receiving a text from my husband saying he’s already on his way home.
39. Hearing the sound of our gate knowing that my husband has arrived safe and sound.
40. Planning special occasions which I know will make my parents happy. Coming up with nice gimmick ideas for friends and loved ones.
41. Receiving gifts from friends and loved ones, especially those that are unexpected.
42. Dinner with our newlywed friends Jacque and Simon, and Karla and Alex, or with Gerald and Emily, and Jimrod and Seth.
43. The fact that Romy and I will be parents very very soon.
44. Being able to buy nice things at discounted prices.
45. Traveling!
46. Flea markets, nice but inexpensive restaurants, pet shops.
47. A nice book or CD that somebody lent to me.
48. Meetings that start on time and end early.
49. Basic, Avis or MGE Taxi just when you need them.
50. Checking in excellent hotels. Buffet breakfasts, bubble baths, foot spas, clean sheets, good airconditioning, excellent service, cozy bathrooms.
51. The fact that I am able to list 50 blessings, and the fact that I can come up with more!
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