A Late Birthday Post: Turning 38

I've been contemplating (too long it’s April na) on what to write as a birthday post. As I shared, I turned 38 last March. Honestly, I have so many drafts for a birthday post and, ironically, they ended up unfinished. Somehow, I just can’t find the right amount of inspiration to end it and publish. Plus, life offline is so so busy. 

So here’s another attempt. This time I’m writing 8 things I learned since I became 30, that monumental part of my life where everything just took a 5^th gear to where I am now.

I was 30 when I got married and got pregnant to my first born five months later. It was also at that time that, consequently, I moved out of my parents’ house and started my own family. I was around that age too when I got promoted to managerial position. Overwhelming 3-0 really. 

After years of what seem to be a roller coaster ride (I have a love-hate relationship with roller coasters), I’m here now sharing the things I learned. Off course, if given the time, I’d write more but for now, let’s keep it to 8 important truths in life as I see it (in no particular order):

• Motherhood is no walk in the park. Some of the most hair-pulling, grueling experiences I came across as a mom were never shared in books, on the internet; not even my mom was able to share half of the hardships of parenting. Each parent needs to experience the journey, learn from it and grow with it. There will be a time when trial and error is the only option you have but the end in mind is always what's best for the family. That is our battle cry in this chaos of parenting. It's a fun ride, nevertheless. I love kids so I enjoy the journey. 

• Marriage is no walk in the park either. From experience and as what I have observed with other married couple, I believe in 3 things to keep the marriage together 1) you have to love and marry the person for who he really is, not who you want him to be, 2) make sure you see yourself growing old with this person. It's important that you develop a strong friendship bond as this will get you through past the romantic and horny stage, past the financial and household crisis. In the movie American Quilt, the question,  'Should you marry your best friend or your lover,?' was something that stuck to mind. I go for the best friend! 3) Most importantly, always put God in the center of your relationship and home and He will guide your hearts to make your marriage fruitful. 

• Never underestimate kids’ perspective, intuition and intelligence. Everyday my kids amaze me with their question ranging from 'I-can-answer-that-without-batting-an-eyelash' easy to 'OMG-what-to-say' difficult and trick questions like ‘Mommy, why God is a statue? Is he dead? So many eyelash batting before we can think of a clever, kid-friendly and truthful answer. Then they go 'why Mommies know everything?' Endless conversation really, never a dull moment :) My mindset at raising the kids is that I am just a steward of God assigned to take care of Sophie and Sam. And being that, it is my responsibility to raise them well as good and God-fearing individuals but they are never mine, they are God's children. 

• A mantra that I have embraced since I was young: ‘God grant me the courage to change the things I can, the serenity to accept the things I cannot change and the wisdom to know the difference.’- Reinhold Niebuhr. This always helps me to get a grip on life especially when it just gets too frustrating. 

• ‘Don’t worry, at the end of the day, it will all fall into place’ - something I learned from a mentor. You know what, it always does. So when I'm bound to hit a wall, I just hum these words and sing a prayer song (they say singing a prayer is like praying 3 times over). 

• Invest is now one of my favorite words. Over the years, I learned that if you invest something - in friendship, love, in career, financial, etc. - there is always a return. Just as you cannot reap a fruit if you don't plant a single seed and nurture it, you cannot expect success if you don't sweat it out. My younger self was the impatient, hungry kind who like it snappy, always moving, no idle time, fast paced, go go go! But as I got older, I learned to wait and be patient - for kids to learn to walk and talk, learned to work hard and climb the ladder to a better and stable career, to invest time on a good friendship. There is always a time for everything and we need to start at something,work on it and be patient with God's sweet time because hard work bears beautiful fruits. On the flip side, I also learned that there are people and things that you just have to let go to declutter life. Those that just brings you down and cause you constant stress, as Elsa said 'Let it go'!

• This is so me right now. It just comes with age, I guess.LOL. I somehow outgrew my inhibitions, speak words of wisdom which surprises even thyself. I find myself sounding like my mom, if that is a good thing... 

                     

Maybe it is. A former staff who is now abroad sent an online card on my birthday with this message.  

I was overwhelmed by the birthday messages on FB and texts from colleagues, subordinates and friends. They were totally unexpected and heartwarming :)

         At this point too, I don't care much about the norm and decide based on what I think is best for            me and my family whether it be the brand of shampoo or the school for the kids. I'm also trying (yes trying) to live life simply, focusing only on what's essential and those that add value to life. I guess               this is why for the past birthdays, I can't think of any material gift I want for myself. What I cherish now are those immaterial things. 

• Life is short. Carpe Diem! Live life to the fullest. Don't say 'yes' when you really mean 'no' and vice versa. Don't stress over little things, don't sweat the small stuff. This last part practically sums up all other things I live by for years and years now. Of course, with #7 in mind. 

Have a peaceful and safe long vacation everyone! :)

Milestones

Before the year comes to an end, I'm hoping to be able to fill in this blog with the important events and moments in our life that somehow didn't make it on time. Haay, so much for making this blog a time capsule when it's not even updated. Anyway, here's a rundown of our happy moments and I'm so looking forward to more in the coming year :)

Staying Strong at 72!
We celebrated my Mom's 72nd birthday last month. Had a simple dinner at Sentro in Greenbelt where they serve great Pinoy dishes.

the whole fam bam 

Some of the delectable dishes we ordered. You gotta try the corned beef sinigang, vietnamese spring roll and dalandan juice. 

The celebrants. That's right, my sister and brother also celebrated their birthdays last month. Can you imagine a household with 3 Scorpions in one roof? haha :)

Happy birthday Mama! Thank you for always being the wind beneath our wings. 

Making Memories Last:

Another milestone for us was to finally do Sam's moulded hand print. We did this before for Sophie and attempted to do it for Sam when he was 1 year old but it was a flop.

I really wanted to have these memorabilia hanging on our walls; it's nostalgic and timeless. Sophie now wears a size 32 shoes while Sam wears a size 30 and these imprints remind me of the time when they were both mommy's pig tail, always tailing around even inside the bathroom and holding on to 'mommy only' while in the mall.

After 3 years, I found another brand in Powerbooks. With the help of Ate Sophie, we did Sam's hand mould. The little boy was pretty amazed to see the details of his hand when he saw the final output :)

My one note for this brand of mould is that it's more for older kids. The instructions said to keep your hand (of foot) on the gel mixture for 2 minutes or until the gel sets. I don't think a baby or younger kid can stay still that long. Sam's mould had some glitches because he was already squirming after a while. I like the brand I used for Sophie's hand print. I bought it at Rustan's but it's now out of stock.

Cute chubby hand trying to stay still

 the almost finish product. The pack comes with a frame for display. 

Cheer Dance Competition:
The Gray Monkeys, that's what these first graders were called during the annual cheer dance competition.
It's our first year in traditional school and watching these kids compete and my daughter being part of a big activity was exciting. I was pleasantly surprised to see her on the front row, cheer leading and being good at it. I'm so proud of my little girl and the rest of the gray monkeys. They put so much heart into their performance and the will to win was so evident. They went home with a 2nd prize trophy, beating the higher levels. Yay! All hard work paid off :)
Watching them reminds me of my school days - the cheering and dance competitions, winning and making history and having so much fun!

The gray monkeys in full action. 6 to 7 year-old kids in synchronized performance. Amazing :)

 waiting for the announcement of winners. Can you see the anticipation on their faces? 

 The winners' faces. So happy and tired 

Another Celebration of Life:

Last but not the least, husby celebrated his 37th birthday last December 16 and we had a quiet celebration since it was a weekday and exam week for the kids. We tried a new resto in our part of the hood named Alejandro's. Love the food there, we were so hungry I didn't bother take pictures but you gotta try their monggo with gata, crispy pata (the meatiest I've ever had) and fried chicken. There are two other branches of Alejandro's both in Cebu so the newly opened resto in Regalado Avenue is the only one in Manila.

Don't forget to make a wish first 

Husby kept repeating that's he's already 37 like it's as surreal as it can get.

But life is like that, in my opinion, overwhelming and surreal. It's how we handle life - age, problems, blessings, people around us and so on. Without these spices in our lives, it would be a total bore, don't you think? Anyway, I always believe in the saying, 'what won't kill you will make you stronger.'

I'm a realist, sometimes too much for my own good but I also appreciate the little happiness that comes to our life like these milestones. They maybe simple to some but they are big time to us.

As for the problems we encountered this year, I just try to remember what my mentor would say when things get rough: 'It'll all fall into place at the end of the day.'

An Ode To My Husband

Eight years and a day ago today, I got hitched. Yesterday, I woke up with the same feeling as that defining December 10, 2005, knowing very well that I made the best decision ever - marry the man I forever love. Ah wait. I hear a poem coming. Totally inspired for one right now.

So without further ado, husband, here’s a poem from me to you:

Eight Years After (Short and Sweet and S***)

To my lovely husband

My most treasured friend

(and that is an understatement)

Thank you for your love

If not, so Sophie no Sam

Thank you for the dozens of flowers

For being my driver for hours and hours

Without even trying you make me laugh

Life is beautiful, no matter how tough

 

To my dearest husband bestfriend

I love you to the moon and back

I’m forever grateful for our special bond

Now it’s time for some hanky pank (*wink *wink)

Happy Anniversary dear husband. We have a lot of dreams for the our family, our kids and the future and it's inspiring to work on those goals with a great partner. As the quote on our wedding souvenir goes 'God is a great matchmaker' - Jewish Proverb.

May we have forever more :)

Marriage: Car Talks and Kaltok Moments

My breakfast last week but I'm not here to give you a rundown of reviews and comments about the too sweet coffee or the sinfully good croughnut (or did I just give you my review?).

But this post is meant to share something else - marriage and, as they say, beyond.

I'm in similar settings on some days the past weeks, killing time with breakfast and coffee. One time, I decided to try a new location being 2 hours early for work, the newly opened coffee shop across the office. The scenes and smell of our cafeteria in the mornings just got a bit tiring.

I'm usually early for work but for several days I'm SUPER early because of Stephen's erratic work schedule.

As much as I'd rather catch more zzzzs in the morning and tell husby to go ahead without me, I know that goin to work together in our car will definitely save me cab money. Plus he is paranoid about taxi scams nowadays and insists we just take the car together.

More than saving money, car rides with husby to and fro work has become our exclusive couple time. The 'car talks' are as random, funny, honest and unadulterated as it can get *wink* wink*. No qualms because we know it's only us who can hear the conversation so we swear, we debate, we rant, we do dirty talk *wink again*  and we make random chismis. Haha!

Sometimes Stephen gets confused where one story ends and the other starts, I appreciate that he is really a good listener and keeps up with me during those 'confusing' times. It's a rare trait for a guy, do you agree? If you have been reading my blog for years now, I believe you have this rare trait as well so thank you for visiting back :)

I honestly love our 'car talks' and I hope we can enjoy that for years to come. Of course, we always entertain car poolers when needed. We will behave when you're riding with us don't worry :)

We have a rule between us too of no sleeping in the car because you have to entertain whoever is driving (and it's usually Stephen). Even if it's a 30-minute or a 6-hour drive, the rule is absolute.

Oh and here's another unspoken rule: I have to pretend to be genuinely interested in basketball-related yadada and say 'Stephen supplied' comments like 'Oh really?' or 'talaga?' with much gusto.

At this point, with almost 8 years of marriage, I can tell you that communication and humor are two important factors to keep a relationship together. There is never an excuse not to make constant talks and discuss matters, even how serious or trivial, with your husband.

And humor. Well, I think it's one thing that we can laugh together with our partner, at each other and at ourselves everyday. As one Tacloban victim said when asked by a CNN reporter why they are happy, 'Laughter is the best medicine.'

If you want to have a doze of our funny moments that we fondly call our Kaltok moments, visit my Stephen's blog here. It's not updated anymore but that's basically how our everyday life is, nag-iiba iba lang ang kaltoker and kaltokee. hehe.

Here's a more recent kaltok moment:

We attended a children's birthday party yesterday and after the party, friends decided to continue to get together in another venue. With the kids in tow, of course. One friend, his wife and son rode with us in the car on the way to Starbucks.

Friend: (to Stephen) Yung kaibigan natin, wala pa baby. Sabi nga niya pagbalik niya from abroad, wala na daw labasan ng kwarto (alam niyo na yan).

Friend's son: Huh?! Bakit hindi lalabas ng kwarto Tatay? Paano yun, paano siya kakain, baka mamatay siya dun?

The adults in the car laughed silently, the kid was seriously worried.

Me: Sige, daddy, magpaliwanag ka ngayon. Explain in writing!

Everyone (err just the adults) laughed while our friend tried to string words to explain 'walang labasan sa kwarto' to his son. Guess who got one big kaltok.

Because We are Made Equal

One the weekend, while buying my weekly supply of seafood from our 'suki' in the wet market, a little boy came to me and said something in a very faint voice. I had to ask him again what it was he said because I could hardly hear him and a bit surprised that he just popped out of nowhere.

The little boy repeated, 'Ate, pabukas (please open)' as he handed to me very shyly a small pouch of candy. He likes me to open his candy for him.

When the adults around heard this, they quickly reprimanded the child saying it's not proper to ask favor from a costumer. I was quick to interpfere and said it's okay. Before I opened the wrapper I asked the adults 'Is it okay for him to eat candy?' (I usually do not let my kids eat candy that early in the morning). They said yes and I proceeded with helping the boy. He gave me a sheepish smile and ran to his mom who was the one cleaning the fishes I bought.

The adults were still giving the kid a piece of their mind so I repeated 'Okay lang talaga.' Then Aling Lina the stall owner said, 'Yung iba po kasi suplada talaga (Some costumers are really haughty and snob). They don't like to be approached like that.'

I kept quiet but deep inside me I was bothered.

Does a kid deserve a harsh treatment from another individual, even a stranger? They're only children. By any means, these haughty people poop gold or diamond in the morning? Unfair di ba? The kid was just being sweet and pa-cute, anyway :)

In yesterday's mass, the officiating priest said something about All Soul's Day and the Pinoys' tradition of visiting their dearly departed. He said something like why be proud, greedy and selfish when we all end up RIP naman? Good point Father.

It's just about 50 days before Christmas. Spread the love! :)

Kids and Time

My four year-old pogo stick (that’s what his lolo calls him) always asks,

Sam: ‘Mommy, I’m four now then on my birthday I’m five na. I’m a big boy na?’

Me: ‘Yes baby’

Sam: ‘No, I’m not a baby Mommy (he whins and yet he's not a baby). I’m a big boy na eh, I’m five na.

I always forget he doesn’t want to be called a baby anymore but sometimes he blackmails me with, ‘Sige ka, wala ka na baby’ when I don’t give in to his whim.

Oh little boy, you are so smart. You know Daddy and Mommy’s weaknesses even at a young age. You know how to play your cards and you never let other people use your own tricks against you. You are that uncanny and clever you are. You’re only 4?

I was looking for a picture of him for his homework the other day and I saw this. This was taken during his baptism.

This is him now. All assuming and very confident of himself and yet every Mommy’s boy, much to his Dad’s chagrin.

Last weekend, we met with her teacher for the 2^nd assessment progress talk and I’m so happy to hear from her teacher that Sam made progress in terms of writing and circle time. If before he nochalantly sleeps through writing time and wakes up only for recess, now he writes his name on his worksheets and answers and colors with minimal prompt. He also now joins circle time and no longer behaves like Mr. Supervisor; going around while everyone is in a circle. He just needs to improve on his spoken language, more of Filipino so he will be familiar with the words.

This morning during story telling time, the little boy amazed us when he was able to read words 'cock a doodle doo',  'boom boom boom', 'moo' and 'buzz buzz' from his new Dr. Seuss book. He can now sight read :)

Oh yeah, I think he’s a big boy indeed. Even Ate Sophie has grown so much that I sometimes marvel at how time had flown. They were just babies a few sleeps ago.

Looking at old photos, I now realize how short a time is. ‘Sandali lang, malaki na sila’ is what I always hear from the older parents and now I can relate.

Stephen and I were talking about our relative’s huge 2-lot house in the south. Now that the parents have two grown up kids living on their own, only the parents are left in the house and I can imagine how quiet it is in there. No more drills to get up for school and work, no more kids running around screaming, no more co-sleeping aka 'masikip na parang mga sardinas sa lata' sleep. It's relaxing and it could be the break parents always looked forward after decades of taking care of children.

I’m not yet looking forward to that, though. Right now, I just want to enjoy every moment that we sleep together. Doesnt matter if their feet or leg end up on my face or my abdomen. Sometimes I even wake up unable to breath and realize that the little boy is sleeping on me. He thinks he’s still that light.

The little girl, in 3 months time will be 7. Her long legs dangle awkwardly when her Daddy carries her for a big hug. 'Di na bagay i-carry but they're still our babies.

See her pink dress below? When I bought this dress at The Ramp two christmases ago, the hem reached below her knees. Now, it's worn as a shirt. The body still fits but now too short for a dress. Next thing I know, I’m preparing for her transition to High School. Right and her 18th birthday. Now, I just want to be busy for her 7th birthday :)

Something New + Life Lessons

A week? Have I been MIA that long already? Oh well, the recent fire incident in our company got us all very very busy (and stressed!). We have to keep the 'show running' so to speak despite the situation. I’m just glad that everything is back to normal now.

Anyhoo, here’s a few of the updates from my side of the world. 

1. Husby and I checked out this dining place from our corner of the hood. Casa Renato is a resto/event place that serves Mediterranean cuisine. It’s located in Dahlia street in Fairview but once you step into their foyer, it’s like you’re transported into another place and time. The place has many interesting nooks and crannies. We got a seat al fresco and maybe it was already night time because the air is so cool and refreshing I had to request the waitress to turn off the ceiling fan.

Private Dining area for 6

the foyer

What's on our table. A bucket of ice also arrived with our orders.

the place is filled with these 

We promise to come back next time, I love their lamb curry and beef salpicao! Kulang ang 1 rice. If you’re around the area, check this place. I read the dish description very well because I want to recreate their dish. 

Lamb Curry with papadam P325.00

Beef Salpicao P295.00

 I agree

2. I helped a friend/neighbor bake her very first batch of cupcakes. She wanted to learn how to bake so I helped her through the basics and shared whatever tricks of the trade I know.

Our first batch of chocolate cupcakes. The following day, she sent me chocolate chip and carrot cupcakes. Well, I got a fast learner here.

3. Got myself a new do! I’ve been contemplating on a shorter hair for the longest time and finally had made the time to do it. Actually, I wanted a super short bob with wispy bangs but the hairstylist suggested I take the short do one step at a time so we agreed on this. I’m loving my new-found stylist, she’s an angel. My old stylist changed salon so I needed to find a new one. I also retouched my hair color.

                                          before                                          after

So there. It was one hell of a week but I’m glad to be back to earth. But the challenge does not stop. Apart from toxic work, it's exam week for my little grade schooler so after work, I have to rush home for our review sessions. Haizzz. 

Our experience at work taught us a lot of things and more importantly made us realize how we should be thankful for what we have everyday because we’ll never know what tomorrow brings. In advertising, we have a saying that goes like ' you are as good as your last project' and sometimes in life we have to live like today is our last day to live. We have to say I Love You and show we care to the people important to us, we have to make the most of our time and pray as if tomorrow kukunin na tayo ni Lord. Promise, that's really my realization last week. 

Have a blessed Tuesday everyone! J

Assorted Thoughts on Parenting

I am exhausted beyond words. I haven’t had a single proper sleep for almost 3 weeks now. In the morning, we have to be up before 6am or it’s cram time to get Sophie prepped before her school service arrives. After she leaves, it’s hubby and mine’s turn to get ready for work. Good thing before school started we decided to change our little boy’s schedule from morning to afternoon because if not, the chaos at the Garcia home is unimaginable.

As for the laundry, because we haven’t found a 2^nd helper yet I decided to get someone else to do our laundry and ironing per week. I really need to destress and declutter our life soon because I’m about to explode due to physical, emotional and mental exhaustion :( I have to be honest with myself that being an (almost) full time homemaker and full time working mom is not a good idea for sanity sake. 

Honestly during times like these, I imagine myself or imagine my single friends’ lifestyle. Please don’t judge me, I’m just thinking out loud.

photo credit
Don't worry I try to be more presentable than this when I leave the house. 

How life would have been better if I am single, no family with kids, no major responsibilities. All I have to worry about is good ‘ol me. Or, how life would have been if there was only one child to think of. Maybe, just maybe, it will be easier financially, emotionally and physically. Just being honest with myself here because I want this blog to be as truthful and realistic especially when it comes to parenting. As I always tell my friends who are planning to have kids for the first time and asks for my advice – make sure you are prepared emotionally, physically, financially and mentally. Being a parent is a wonderful thing, it’s truly priceless and rewarding but it will definitely turn your life around 360 degrees. The cost of milk and diaper alone is overwhelming, the emotional ups and downs you go through whenever your child has a milestone or an accident, and all else in between is just insane. Insanely good or insanely suicidal, your choice on how you look at it. 

Parenthood, in all levels and angles, is never an easy walk in the park. It’s really more of a roller coaster ride, the kind that’s gets your guts upside down and makes you vomit and not those cutesy caterpillar-designed rides for kids. So kids, always appreciate your parents. They may not be perfect but they try to make life perfect for you any way they know and can afford. 'Ya hear me? 

Of course, I never wish for a single life now. Imagining is different from wishing. My kids are everything to me and I can’t as well imagine life without them. I just wish that we will find a perfect balance in our life, the permanent answer/s to all our problems now (if there's such a thing). While I await that moment I need to manage my expectations and be happy and contented with what we have now. 

I am always hopeful at the end of the day. I try to find something good in bad situations and believe that it all happen for a reason. Like our scenario now in which I sleep late to finish some chores and get up really early the next day to prepare Sophie and Sam's baon, I like it (well, parts of it). I enjoy preparing their bento meals, with all those fancy decors and accessories. It brings out my crafty and sometimes kikay side. Last night I made sure I did the grocery really quick so I have time to drop by a Japan store for more bento accessories before my ride arrives. The kids were excited with their mini pizza, chocolate croissant and fruits bento baon today. 

one of their bento baon - heart shaped rice, sausages and grapes :)

Simple things to make me smile and makes kids smile the more. Happiness is a state of mind after all.  

http://pinterest.com/pin/260434790923171957/

The Ups and Downs of Life

Only 3 letters to describe this week and the last - O.M.G! Only God knows how we survived the weeks with no helpers (nada, zero, bokya). The last one left two Saturdays ago and as much as I know I still need her while the replacements are not yet in, I let her go for both our own good. So much drama in goodbyes but the scenes were so much opposite than with their predecessors. I know, not the perfect time to lose a helper because school is here and we are going through adjustments now that Sophie is going to a big school and both kids now have different schedules. 

Thank God for mother-in-laws, my MIL stays with the kids so hubby and I can manage to go to work. As much as I want to take a leave to take care of the house, work is as demanding because of several projects that we need to launch and all other important stuff that needs my attention. When it rains it really pours sometimes, noh? So I’m very grateful that my MIL agreed to stay with the kids.

If there is one other thing important and rewarding that I learned from this experience is that my kids rose to the occasion especially our little Ate Sophie.

Every morning before we leave for work, I always tell her to be a helpful Ate. To help Mama Karol (my MIL) take care of the house and his brother.

I’m proud of my little girl when my mother-in-law will tell me how Sophie fixed our bed, cleaned the 2^nd room and helped babysit his brother. She would also remind Sam to not go out without the company of an adult. These stories bring a big smile on my face and special warmth in my heart. I must’ve done something right with the little lady. Something that I sometimes doubt because I’m a working mom and my career is a non-9-to-5 type.

Every night since Monday, we have a ‘good-job-Ate’ special talk and I know how much she is proud of herself as well. Did I mention that she’s also a good dishwasher? She’s only 6 but behaves and thinks beyond her years :)

My little boy has become doubly independent as well. He eats by himself now and can manage to do simple errands here and there. My reward to the little ones? Storytelling night of as many books they want, in character! They have a blast listening to mommy.

Last Sunday night, a new helper arrived. Thank God because our laundry is pile high! I attempted to do the laundry last weekend and boy was it exhausting! I haven’t done that much laundry in my entire life.

We are still waiting for helper #2 and I'm seriously praying we can get right back on track and have a hint of normalcy at home soon. Our schedules are chaotic right now and I'm totally beat (I think I need to take a muscle pain reliever anytime soon) but we will have to live with that for now. 

Last Monday, I took a leave from work to bring the kids to school and orient the new helper on household schedules and chores. It was another being-pulled-from-all-directions kind of experience but I firmly believe this is only a phase and we will get pass this soon. That after the rain, a rainbow appears (with pot of gold please :)). I’m still thankful that at the end of the day, blessings are far greater than the mishaps and our family stays strong together.

I’m so looking forward to our weekend vacay, time for some serious R&R :)

   

RA 9845 or Anti Red Tape Act of 2007

The week that my dad was in the hospital, my brother and I had to go to the city hall in Pasay City and got documents for his health care benefits. 

Honestly, there are so much more the city needs to mprove on in so many aspects but I am proud to say it has gone a long way after its change of governance and I can't be happier. It even now offers free health care program to city residents who are senior citizens, like my dad. 

Another indicator that the city has improved is that the city hall now looks better from my last visit in 2004. So much better I was able to use their bathroom without hesitation. 

One important indicator that this city is serious about getting out of the dump (if you've seen this place 15 or 20 years ago you'll know what I mean) is this: copy of the Republic Act (RA) 9485 or the Anti Red Tape Act of 2007 posted at the entrance of the Mayor's office with specific emphasis on NO LUNCH BREAK. In case you're interested, here's a link I found about RA9485: http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2007/ra_9485_2007.html

When I read through the RA, it's stated under SEC.8e

SEC. 8

(e) Adoption of Working Schedules to Serve Clients - Heads of offices and agencies which render frontline services shall adopt appropriate working schedules to ensure that all clients who are within their premises prior to the end of official working hours are attended to and served even during lunch break and after regular working hours.

I hope this is the start of better government service for us. It's frustrating when you have to take a leave from work and because of the bereaucratic red tape, spend almost all day in a government agency to process a document or get a license (arrgghh!). I better bring a copy of this next time I visit a givernment office.

P.S. : this is a very approriate post for #dapattama #malingmali. 

3 Things I Miss

During my father's stay in the hospital, I went back and forth the hospital to help mom watch over him during daytime. On some days, I needed to take the public transport to either get there faster or because the car was not available.

While on commute, here are some of the things I realized I missed:

1. Commuting perse. Taking the 45minutes or so LRT train ride (no matter how over crowded it may be) from Roosevelt to Pedro Gil gave me a magnificent view of the city. I adore passing by Luneta Park as the sun sets, the park explodes with hues of orange, read, pink and blue. Remind self to bring the kids to a train ride, they will surely love it.

Once I missed my train stop (Pedro Gil and Gil Puyat always confuses me) and got off at Libertad station instead. I took the opportunity to buy some fruits and flowers for Papa at the local market. All the possibilities of finding something to do or to buy when you commute. Commuting comes hand in hand with walking which is not just a great excercise but a way to discover nooks and crannies of a place and find a hidden jewel. I found a bakeshop near Pedro Gil station that makes great chicken teriyaki and pork asado buns. Just be careful and alert on the road when you commute.

2. I missed college. I was on a same jeepney with a group of students from my former school (UST), I can’t help but hear their casual conversations. It sounded trivial now for me but back in the days, those were serious stuff for any college student - group work and if everyone is doing his/her part, chika about professors, class schedules, etc. How easy life was way back then as compared to now, all you have to do was study (and party in between!). 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:UST_Main_Building.jpg

3. I miss my family. The days in the hospital had me realize how much I miss chatting nonstop with my mom, teasing and bickering with my dad, younger brother and nieces (a trait I got from Papa).                                                                                                                             My kids are especially fond of their lolo and lola but since we moved to the north and schedules got busy even on weekend, visits to my parents' house in the south have been less. The kids know when it's been a while since they last saw their grandparents because they start asking why we haven't gone to lolo's place. Now I know that we need to spend more time with them, on a travel, a simple visit to the mall or a dinner out of town. We haven't traveled with them for a long, long time. I remember the last we had was a trip to Boracay and I was still single then. 

Cute Halloween

This is obviously another Halloween post and, promise, my last for the year :0 With kids around, there's always a reason bake and have fun with food. This year our theme is cute Halloween inspired by the cartoonish monster candy topping I bought from Sweet Craft :)

I made muffins and dirt cake. The muffin recipe came from our recent Baking Partners challenge, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffin and topped it with dark chocolate ganache as adhesive for the icing. Isn't that vampire the cutest?

And this is our dirt cake, made out of Betty Crocker fudge brownie mix, glow in the dark gummy worms, more of monster candies, choco lentils and marbles. The kids dig this so much!

When I went to the market to buy squash for my muffin, I spotted a couple of these really cute squash, they're as small as a coffee bun but they're perfect shape for a jack o' lantern. I used one squash for my muffin and the other we carved into a lantern.

 

Lighted with a tea candle. Our very first pumpkin lantern and we're definitely doing this again next year.

 

To complete our cute Halloween theme, we dressed up the outdoor with these monster faces. I bought corrugated card boards in bright colors (P44 per pack) and cut them to different shapes and sizes. Can I just share how much improvement  an additional layer of eyes can make?

  

Here, Sophie was adding dots to the ghost's face
 

We hang all the monster faces on the window and added some bats and black cat (not in photo). I also found jelly eyes in the grocery and hang them around the lawn.

 Happy Halloween! More so, this time is also the perfect occasion to remember the Saints who guide and help the living and our departed loved ones. Let's light some candles and pray for the soul of our departed relatives and friends.

Let's Do This

How was your Christmas? Me, I had a wonderful holiday with my husband, kids and relatives.  Got lovely gifts from family, friends and co-workers. 

It was a busy one but fun, of course. 

I'm sure our brothers and sisters in Mindanao are busy too but in a very very different way and it's no fun at all. 

I'm sharing this call out with you so you too can share your blessings to Sendong victims. I'm glad I was able to become a bridge to those who wish to help through our network. 

This year, I had the means to give special gifts to people I care about the most. I'm thankful to the Lord for giving the opportunity to do that. 

I'm also thankful to the Lord for making me an instrument to help those in need. To extend a hand the best way I can. 

You too can help so let's do this. 

Eleven Days and Counting: Rushing Through The Holidays

Whoa! Only 11 days before Christmas and there are so many things left to be done, gifts to buy and wrap. To top it all off are the Christmas parties that I have to attend. Goodness, can’t I stretch the days a little more? Parang sa showbiz, kapag hindi pa ready ang next gap or segment, spiel muna si host para ma-stretch ang time. 

What happened to my early August holiday shopping? Suddenly, I’m rushing (again) to get all things done before the family’s Baguio trip on the 23rd. Okay lang sana kung fly ka lang sa Christmas party and have fun. Sophie’s school party, for one, will be done in a home for the aged in Marikina. And the little girl got a little bibbo ang volunteered for a part in three different presentations. Not one, not two, but three parts (!) which only means I need to find her costumes for these three characters. Waaah! Can you sense the panic in me?

I’m sure most working moms are in a panic mode right now. In my industry alone, this is the season also for special projects like Christmas and Yearend specials, departments are preparing for the launch of new programs at the start of 2012 so as much as I need to take a few days off to take care of personal errands, commitments need me to be at work as much as I can.

Right now, I try to survive the holiday rush with a trip to the malls before and after work, good that both malls near my work have extended their operating hours until 11pm. Another thing to be thankful for are the online stores and the very enterprising friends who offer gift-worthy items so I can do quick shop while working (although I think I ended up buying more for me than those on my list, nyak!)

Multitasking is the key but how far can you go in terms of multitasking? I remember one fateful morning at work, I was finishing a brief for a meeting while purchasing our airline tickets for Coron while having my breakfast of coffee and bagel while doing my makeup. By the time I finish, I was practically wasted. 

Sometimes I don't know if my mantra for the holidays should be 'get done with it and fast!' or 'oh Christmas, don't come yet I want to enjoy the spirit to the fullest.' 

Which is yours? :)

What Passion Means for Me

This past two weeks have been a total whirlpool of events for me at work (and at home). Thus, the rarity of blog posts recently.
In a nutshell, I'm attending emergency meetings and internal meetings left and right because of this very major project we need to launch asap. This one is really a challenge in a big scale.

And you know how I feel right now?

 I'm soooo excited and revved up for it! Let's get it on, I say! I can't wait to get through the concept and study phases and start with the actual leg work. I know it will not be an easy feat for the team and easy is such an understatement. Part of the challenge is to make everyone get into the boat as enthusiastic and excited as I am. I'm seeing a very beautiful rainbow after the journey through deep waters and thunderstorms. And do you know what's at the end of every rainbow? :) I just need to make sure everyone stays safely on the boat throughout this hell raising trip. Isn't that exciting?

This morning during breakfast, I realized that my love and passion for my career is and will always be that flame that will never die. If I stop doing what I'm passionate for, then that's probably the time I'll start to die. I'll probably stop when I'm old enough, in a catheter and rheumatic and can't to get up from bed in the morning and go to work.

With that, I leave you with quotes from two great people. Their words reflect so much of how I feel about my work. I'm off to another meeting in 10 minutes :)

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. "

Martin Luther King, Jr. 


"You've got to follow your passion.  You've got to figure out what it is you love--who you really are.  And have the courage to do that.  I believe that the only courage anybody ever needs is the courage to follow your own dream." - Oprah Winfrey

Busy Bee

Oh wow! I’ve been busy much that I wasn't able to write something here yesterday. Just to share with you, here's how my Monday went :

530am - got up to assist Sam to his potty trainer (he's a full-pledged big boy now, no more wee wee on the bed :)). Tried to get some more zzzs until 7am.

7am - got up, had breakfast with the kids

730am - cooked and prepared Sophie's school lunch meal. Today she's having pork cutlets, hard boiled egg and banana. I then checked her Reminder folder for any update.

8am – while the kids get bathed, I organized our mails and other documents. I regularly follow Suze Orman on Twitter and she gave tips on the stock life of different types of documents/bills, etc. So yesterday, I sorted out our old and current bills. Decluttering my life little by little.

9am – checked our weekly expenses and alloted payments for the bills, helpers wage,etc.

930am – prepared for work

10am – got a text that a project’s shoot was moved earlier to 11am (geesh, always last minute changes). Called my staff to make sure everything is covered for the morning shoot.

1130am – got to work, checked on my emails while finalizing my staffs’ appraisal forms, plus plus other things to do on the side. I'm super multi-tasking by this point. 

12nn – I went to the shoot location. this is for one anchor only so it’s quick plus our talent is a pro, so love it!

130pm – lunch break (haaay, salamat...)

230pm – to shoot location again, for another pair of anchors

4pm – had a meeting with one section and a supplier for a software demo (Thank God for the energy He gives me everyday)

5pm – work, work, work until 930pm!

930pm – homeward bound I go J

Reached home past 10 in the evening, checked again Sophie's reminder folder. It's Linggo ng Wika and the school is organizing a Palarong Pinoy with the students' family on the 27th. Sounds exciting :)

So that’s basically my day in and day out on weekdays. If there are no shoots, it’s a little bit more relaxed.

You see, I can always tell my yayas to prepare Sophie's baon but I think it's still different when the little girl knows that Mommy prepared her lunch (with matching Disney notes) so if I can do it I always will. 

While in the shower today, my single life flashed back particularly at that point when I think I'm just going in circles. Nothing's really happening in a major major way. 

Now that I'm married and a working mom, I can barely find time to have a moment to myself (except in the shower). But would I have it any different? I don't think so :) 

How was your Monday? :)