THERÊcords

Prince of Mischief

2011-10-08T18:08:00.000+08:00

Oct. 8, 2011 - Navy, Prince of Mischief, how is that your mischievous smile lets you get away with anything? Today, I have bruises on my lips after you punched me and tried to push me off the bed. My lips would be swollen for a day or two, but my love for you will remain forever.

Pedring = Brotherly Bonding

2011-09-27T15:20:00.000+08:00

Sept. 27, 2011 - Typhoon Pedring has been raging all night. Navy woke up and mimicked the howling wind outside. "Rrrrr!" he said while he tapped Kuya Blue to wake up. "There's a pig!" Blue said, half-awake and perhaps still in dreamland. The two enjoyed peeking out the window until the rain started to get inside, ending their morning bonding.

What Saved Me This Morning

2011-09-17T19:24:00.000+08:00

Found this stress quote online. It pretty much summarizes how crazy my morning was.

STRESS IS...
WHEN YOU WAKE UP SCREAMING
AND YOU REALIZE YOU HAVEN'T SLEPT YET.

Rewind...rewind...I was running super, super late for work. I just got off the phone from a frantic phone call. In my hand I had a piece of paper where I had scribbled some things. I also had my sign pen -- the cover of which I left on my desk upstairs.

The kids were having breakfast. Navy screamed as Mommy passed. "Ok," I thought, "I'll take a quick bite so that I can squeeze in some time with the kids." I put my paper and pen down on the dining table. Blue made a sandwich for me while Navy breastfed. In less than ten minutes, Blue had gone upstairs and Navy was satiated. Me, I had popped the sandwich into my mouth and was ready to resume my crazy morning.

That's when I noticed something was written on my paper. Hmmm... I didn't write that.

Here's a closer look, in Blue's handwriting...

Awww. This saved my day!

Is it Possible to Change Overnight?

2011-09-10T18:29:00.006+08:00

Sept. 2 – Friday Blue handed me a folded letter from school. I nervously opened it to find an invitation for Blue to join a seminar. It read “Leadership Training Seminar for selected student leaders.” I felt proud that he was selected but the thing is…it would be held overnight…in school…without me.

Sept. 5 – Monday I sign the reply slip with Blue’s details, but I leave out the box asking whether I am giving consent or not. While this is not the first time for Blue to be away from home, it’s his first without a familiar adult. I say to myself, “I’ll think this over one more day.”

Sept. 6 – Tuesday I finally give my “yes” then I whisper a little prayer as I send the reply slip back to teacher.

Sept. 9 – Friday A heavy rainfall floods most of the city. I arrive at 3:10 with a heavy heart, knowing that I have very little time left to bond with Blue. (seminar starts at 4pm)

I fetched Blue at his usual waiting area and he said sadly, “Bye, mom!” I told him, “I’m not leaving you yet. I have to help you change your clothes and show you your stuff.” On the way to the car, Blue said, “Mom, can I come home with you? Can I not join the seminar?” Awww. My heart was shattered.

In the car, we rushed into changing his clothes and all the last minute reminders. With teary eyes we hugged and kissed. But we both promised we wouldn’t cry. Blue laughed. He insisted that if he doesn’t cry, I should give him a reward. “I’m not calling this bet!” I said. We both laughed and headed out into the rain. I felt the rain was sympathizing with my broken heart.

As we trudged along the crowded walkway (sleeping bag and all), we passed by a kid who said, “Oh, look, Blue is part of the leaders’ training!” Blue looked back at me and smiled, “I’m happy! Oh, mom, I have mixed emotions!” I smiled back at him, feeling that somehow, things will be all right.

We went to the second floor and Blue found his room -- Room 7, the red group. Some parents were still lingering in the other classrooms. Most have already set up their child’s sleeping provisions. I start to set up Blue’s and noticed another mom in the room. She was nagging the same reminders that I had given Blue. Hahaha! It is kinda funny when you hear it coming from somebody else!

Meanwhile, Blue started to get excited. He went out to visit the other classrooms to see who else are there. Obviously, he has forgotten about mom. :(

Then it was time for me to go…kiss and hug, and some more reminders. Blue said, “Mom, I’m OK. You don’t have to repeat everything that you told me!” Ouch! But that’s assurance enough for me.

Ok, I admit. I lingered a bit more outside the room. In the other classroom, I saw a dad hugging his daughter so tightly. I looked away, afraid that it might make me cry. Blue kept running around. He was clearly thrilled! I gave him one last kiss. One of his roommates came out and joked, “My turn, can I have a kiss, too?” I took that as my cue to leave.

Sept. 10 – Saturday I had a rough night. I just couldn’t sleep while worrying if my baby is ok. I so wanted to go to school early. I turned to the computer to keep me occupied.

I arrived in school 15 minutes early. I told myself, “just right…not too anxious!” It turns out, a lot of parents were more anxious than me. Hehe. Booo! I tried not to listen to their stories about yesterday’s goodbye and their restless night. I tried not to listen because I knew their stores all too well. Their stories were mine.

I finally saw Blue. He was the first to say, “Hi, mom!” I replied, “Hi, baby!”

In the car, he had so many stories to tell, too many new friends to talk about. I asked, if it was still OK for me to call him baby. “Why, of course” he replied, “I AM still YOUR baby!” My heart smiled.

When we got home he said, “I’ll go upstairs to say hi to my friends!” By friends, he meant TV and his toys. I followed him and gave him a tight hug! “I really missed you, honey!” “I missed you too, mom…a lot!” But he said this while his eyes were glued on his TV show.

Ah, my Baby Blue is back! But somehow, I know something has changed in him. Outside, he still is my baby. But I know that overnight, he has grown into a responsible young man.

Paper Whistle

2011-06-24T16:19:00.003+08:00

I got this activity from www.artistshelpingchildren.org. I gave the instructions to the kids to keep them busy on this stormy day. However, we couldn't make it work. I honestly got a headache from too much blowing. It literally took the air out of me. Whew!

Do try it and help us figure it out. (Click on the image for a better view.)

Poetry by Blue

2011-04-19T17:23:00.003+08:00

Haiku
Trees

sturdy like tall mountains
green like slithering snakes
bears fruits sweet delight

Rhyming Poetry
The Sun

The sun is very hot
It's bigger than a lot
It goes away and comes to set
It never gets wet

The sun is very yellow
It doesn't have a shadow
When you look at the sky you'll see it glow
The sun shines until we grow

The sun is very high
It's so hot that you will sigh
If you touch it you will cry
As the sun goes down I say bye

Free Verse
Plants vs. Zombies

Once you enter the dangerous field
With thin zombies and exotic plants
There are random levels.
You'll encounter a green lawn, deep pool
and at the end of the game you'll have to defeat
the BIG BOSS
Many different kinds of zombies
Come to eat your brain
So you must!
Protect your lawn

I ♥ Blue's Tacos

2011-01-29T18:07:00.003+08:00

Daring To Begin

2011-01-05T14:00:00.004+08:00

Another year has come to pass. Indeed 2010 was a great year. Still, I'm overwhelmed by things undone, and feats yet to be accomplished. Today I find myself wondering what 2011 has in store for me. More so, I'm daunted by the things I want for myself this new year. Quite frankly, I don't know where and how to begin.

In the last few days of 2010, I found inspiration in these:

A prayer amidst holiday merriment said,

"We may not be where we intended to be, but we are definitely not in the same place we were before."

A song in church said,

"Help us to begin where we are."

And so, here I am, letting go of what-might-have-beens... and, totally in agreement with whoever said that "Making the beginning is one third of the work." Five days into the year I say,

Happy New Year, everyone! Here we go, 2011!

Chess Queen

2010-12-11T15:56:00.009+08:00

Dec. 1, 2010
Blue's School Diary Entry:
Bring costume for Human Chess Game on Wednesday. Role: QUEEN.

Mom: Why queen? Aren't there girls in Chess Club?
Blue: Yes. There are 3 girls.
Mom: So why are you the queen? Do you want me to write teacher to...
Blue: But, Mom! I want to be the queen. It's the best piece!"

Dec. 8, 2010, before school
Blue gamely poses for the camera, wearing his tiara & veil.

Dec. 8, 2010, after school
Blue sees me waiting for him at the school entrance. He couldn't contain his excitement and was shouting at the top of his lungs. "Mom, we won! We won!"

Awww. My heart is smiling. It was smart of Blue to have chosen to be queen. He also didn't mind being ridiculed for being a girl. He even learned to play with a team. Who cares if he sat on the tiara and broke part of it! My boy was queen for a day, and he was, in all aspects, A WINNER!

Navy's First Halloween

2010-11-01T09:56:00.001+08:00

Pink Navy

2010-10-31T11:47:00.001+08:00

Oct. 30, 2010 - Navy breaks out with pink spots all over :(

Guess Where We Found Navy This Morning

2010-10-02T14:11:00.005+08:00

Love at First Sight

2010-09-12T21:02:00.005+08:00

Isang Hamon Sa Mga Magulang sa Pagtatapos ng Buwan ng Wika

2010-08-30T23:46:00.007+08:00

Patapos na naman ang Buwan ng Wika. Salamat sa Diyos na ako ay isang guro. Salamat sa pagkakataon na maibahagi ang kulturang Pilipino sa maliliit na bata at sa pamilya nila.

Noong isang linggo, puro “Baby” ni Justin Bieber and naririnig kong inaawit ng mga bata. Ngayon, may malalakas na hagikhikan pagkatapos nilang awitin ang “Dyip ni Mang Juan.”

Dati-rati, sa tuwing naglalaro, isa sa mga mag-aaral ang mahilig mag-“air bending” (hango sa “The Last Airbender”). Ngayon, paulit-ulit ang hiling niya, “Teacher, maglaro naman tayo ng luksong baka!”

Noong isang linggo rin, hilig ng isang grupo ng mga mag-aaral na ihanay ang mga upuan nang magkakasunod. Umuupo sila roon at sinasabing sila ay nakasakay sa tren, at tutungo sa Hongkong Disneyland. Ngayon, may dalawang magkaharap na hanay ng mga upuan. Sa dulo ng bawat hanay ay may nakatalikod na silya. Umuupo sila roon at sinasabing sila ay nakasakay sa dyip, at tutungo sa “beach” upang mag-picnic.

Datapwa’t ang sinisigaw pa rin ng mga bata ay “Ready or not, here I come!” hindi mapapantayan ang saya nila tuwing naglalaro ng Taguan Pung.

Para sa mga batang hindi mahilig kumain ng prutas o gulay, masaya ako dahil nagustuhan nila ang matamis na manggang pinatikim ko.

Para sa mga batang wikang Ingles ang nakagawian, masarap pakinggan na sambitin nila ang “Magandang Umaga,” “salamat,” at “paalam.”

Nawa’y ipagpatuloy ng mga bata ang pagmamano sa mga nakatatanda. Nawa’y maging totoo sila sa pangakong hindi lang puro “video games” ang aatupagin. Lalabas na raw sila ng bahay upang maglaro ng Patintero. Sanaý patuloy rin nilang kagiliwan ang “Bato-bato-pik” at “Sawsaw Suka.”

Maliliit pa ang aking mga mag-aaral. Sayang! Hindi pa nila maiintindihan ang “Langit Lupa Impiyerno.” Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Mas lalong mahirap ipaliwanag sa kanila ang “Siato” na paborito naming laro noon.

Sa aking pagtatanto, napakasarap maging isang bata, ngunit higit na masarap maging batang Pilipino. Nawa’y marami pang mga batang mamulat sa mga laro at kaugaliang Pinoy. Isang hamon sa mga kapwa ko magulang – gawin nating kasing-saya ng ating kabataan ang paglaki ng ating mga anak.

Ngayon din nga pala ay Araw ng mga Bayani. Ipinagmamalaki ko na sa aking munting paraan, ako ay may nagawa para sa kulturang Pilipino.

Remembering Cory

2010-07-01T13:57:00.005+08:00

Practice Makes Perfect

2010-05-17T22:37:00.004+08:00

Who cares about the swimming pool? Have mic? Will party! Our summer outing quickly turned into a videoke session.

It's probably safe to say that there's no stage-fright in this family!

Under Water

2010-05-17T21:33:00.002+08:00

Journaling says: It was our first time to pose for an underwater camera. Blue was a pro. Alvin and I still need more practice. Navy couldn't be submerged yet, so here is a picture of his legs underwater.

My Little Paleontologist (Day 3)

2010-04-23T22:13:00.008+08:00

Piece after piece came out without a hitch.

easy as pie

That is...until the very last one --the skull was exposed. It took a while, and a cut index finger, before we were able to remove it from the plaster.

After the dig, building the model was equally entertaining.

Wow! What an awesome activity! We only had twelve pieces to look for and they were all contained in a plaster block. It was a glimpse into how tedious a dig could get. It must be a thousand times more difficult in the real world! I say, we can now kiss the ground that Paleontologists walk on. For Blues part, he loved the activity so much that he wishes there are other dinosaur species available. What's more, he now wants to be a Paleontologist some day. Indeed, digging is way C-O-O-L!

My Little Paleontologist (Day 2)

2010-04-22T22:49:00.003+08:00

We were so eager to begin because more bones were exposed at the end of Day 1. Blue easily excavated the tail bones by himself. After that, the two sides of the rib cage also came out without much effort. Our lucky streak didn't last, however. While we were able to expose more bones, we couldn't pull them out as they were buried deep in the plaster. Oh well, at least we are halfway done.

My little Paleontologist gets down & dirty.

today's finds

Read on to Day 3, the last day.

My Little Paleontologist (Day 1)

2010-04-22T01:39:00.009+08:00

In an effort to keep Blue away from TV, we tried this "Dig A Triceratops Skeleton" kit. The kit includes a special digging tool, a brush and a plaster block from which 12 "fossils" can be excavated. Afterwards, you can build a 20cm Triceratops model from the bones you have unearthed.

the kit, its contents and Blue's first fossil find

...other family members join in...

Thirty minutes into the activity, I got really impatient and took out pliers to make digging faster. The others followed suit by using a screw driver and a paper clip. I now have more respect for Paleontolgists. Man, what patience they must have!

Day 1 ends with three unearthed bones and a lot of pink dust.
Nine more bones to go!

Read on to Day 2

Camp Blue

2010-04-10T08:11:00.002+08:00

Blue enjoys building a "clubhouse" using the sofa bed. He could stay there forever with his gadgets and toys in tow. Last night, I felt privileged that he asked me to sleep beside him there.

I must admit it was hard on my back. I also had to sleep with my feet sticking out the tent's "door." Another added difficulty was having to check on the baby outside every now and then. It's definitely not on my list of the most restful nights.

BAH, who cares? It was so much fun! I felt like a kid while trying to fit in that tight space. The Ben Ten night light was extremely cool. I felt so giddy that we played with video games until we couldn't keep our eyes open anymore. The best part was seeing how happy Blue was when he woke up with me still inside the tent. What a heartwarming experience!

the makeshift tent

Blue sound asleep

I ♥ Jollibee Chicken Barbeque

2010-02-21T15:18:00.008+08:00

Jollibee launched the Chicken Barbeque around August or September of 2009. Back then, I was very much pregnant and had a giant craving for sweet meat. From their website, Jollibee describes the Chicken Barbeque this way:

Tender and juicy chicken marinated in a special sauce that seeps all the way through the chicken meat, giving that sweet smoky BBQ flavor in every bite. It is grilled to perfection and is served with steaming java rice and a special dipping sauce.

Needless to say, I was hooked from the very first time I tried it. I love the sweetness of the chicken. And, oh, how I love the special sauce. While in the hospital after giving birth, my mom asked me what I wanted for lunch. Without thinking twice, my answer was (you guessed it right) Jollibee Chicken Barbeque. My baby is three months old now, and yet I am still addicted to it.

And so yesterday, I was really disappointed when my drive-through order looked like this...

My order came, not with the special sauce, but with toyo at calamansi. What's more, my chicken was clearly not grilled to perfection. It was charred black. I felt cheated! As a drive-through customer, I only opened my order at home, giving me no chance to complain about my food or have it exchanged.

My husband called the customer hotline to complain. And here is what they had to say:

On the sauce - each store has the prerogative to serve the special sauce or soy sauce. One must request for it to get your order right. Hmp. Couldn't they just ask for the customer's preference as the order is being made?

On the charred meat - the chicken wasn't burned, it only looked that way because of the marinade. Wouldn't I know burnt meat when I see one? Magpapalusot pa!

The customer is always right. And yes, they will replace my order with a new one. But we wouldn't want to contribute to the world's food waste, would we? So we politely declined.

After this, I am slightly cured of my addiction...

...but only by a wee bit.

I would certainly know better next time. And here I am again, anticipating to open the next box of Jollibee Chicken Barbeque.

No, Thank You, Mr. Mayor

2010-02-11T18:39:00.007+08:00

A sign hangs at the entrance gate of our subdivision...

Thank you mayor for asphalting our roads.

I say, thanks Mayor...FOR NOTHING!

For one, they only asphalted the main roads of the subdivision. Inner roads (such as ours) were left forlorn. Clearly it was just for show; so that even neighboring subdivisions would see the efforts of the "good" mayor. Next, why make road repairs only now that it's election season? What a shameless act of politicking! Tsk. tsk.

I would have re-elected Mr. Mayor. But thanks to him, and every other deceitful politician I now have a clearer picture of whom I wouldn't vote for:

someone who puts his logos, monograms, or initials on just about anything from lamp posts to school bags Didn't your mother teach you not to vandalize?

someone who has a private army What did your teacher say about bullying?

someone who uses charity as an opportunity to make himself known As the Bible says, "When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do."

someone who needs a long convoy of police cars/ motorcycles with sirens when traveling Even kinder kids know how to wait for their turn!

and of course, someone who repairs roads only when elections are near Who are you kidding? Mas maganda pakinggan sa Filipino...Sinong niloko mo?

Impressions

2010-02-09T21:40:00.004+08:00

I can't stop laughing after reading Blue's essay about the Chocolate Hills in Bohol.

Chocolate Hills

Ang chocolate hills ay magandang lugar. Noong bata pa ako pumunta na ako doon. Pag di umulan parang malaking chocolate ang mga ito. Pag-umakyat kayo sasakit ang paa niyo.

by Blue

What Coffee Means to Me

2009-12-10T21:31:00.001+08:00

Brothers

2009-12-09T16:41:00.001+08:00

Blue just came home from school. He entered the bedroom and greeted me, the baby and the dog...

"Hi Mom!"

"Hello, little brother!"

"Hello, dog brother!"

A Wonderful Tribute to Teachers

2009-12-02T17:26:00.001+08:00

What Teachers Make, or
Objection Overruled, or
If Things Don't Work Out, You Can Always Go to Law School

By Taylor Mali
www.taylormali.com

He says the problem with teachers is, "What's a kid going to learn
from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"
He reminds the other dinner guests that it's true what they say about teachers:
Those who can, do; those who can't, teach.

I decide to bite my tongue instead of his
and resist the temptation to remind the other dinner guests
that it's also true what they say about lawyers.

Because we're eating, after all, and this is polite company.

"I mean, you¹re a teacher, Taylor," he says.
"Be honest. What do you make?"

And I wish he hadn't done that
(asked me to be honest)
because, you see, I have a policy
about honesty and ass-kicking:
if you ask for it, I have to let you have it.

You want to know what I make?

I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional medal of honor
and an A- feel like a slap in the face.
How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall
in absolute silence. No, you may not work in groups.
No, you may not ask a question.
Why won't I let you get a drink of water?
Because you're not thirsty, you're bored, that's why.

I make parents tremble in fear when I call home:
I hope I haven't called at a bad time,
I just wanted to talk to you about something Billy said today.
Billy said, "Leave the kid alone. I still cry sometimes, don't you?"
And it was the noblest act of courage I have ever seen.

I make parents see their children for who they are
and what they can be.

You want to know what I make?

I make kids wonder,
I make them question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them write, write, write.
And then I make them read.
I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful
over and over and over again until they will never misspell
either one of those words again.
I make them show all their work in math.
And hide it on their final drafts in English.
I make them understand that if you got this (brains)
then you follow this (heart) and if someone ever tries to judge you
by what you make, you give them this (the finger).

Let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true:
I make a goddamn difference! What about you?

Unbelievable Manny Pacquiao

2009-11-15T16:59:00.005+08:00

Manny Pacquiao never ceases to amaze me. Just when I lost all faith in him -- thinking he's way too busy over politics and showbusiness -- KABOOM!

GTT

2009-10-24T14:43:00.005+08:00

How I survived my Glucose Tolerance Test.

Last night
7:00 pm - my last meal

11:00 pm - my last liquid intake

Today
7:30 am - I had my blood drawn at the lab (the first of 4). I was sent home with a bottle of cold orange dextrose. I was instructed to drink the liquid straight and not throw it up. I went home, put the bottle in the freezer for it to cool (to make it taste better), and chatted with my Tita on the phone. All the while, I felt so parched. Ahh, I want to drink some water.

8:23 am - I read the bottle label. It says finish all the contents within five minutes. Having been warned of the taste, I was apprehensive. I opened the bottle, had a sip, and hmmm... it tastes like orange soda! No problems there. I just have to wait for an hour to have my second blood test at the lab.

8:40 am - I start to feel nauseous. I keep burping and some of the liquid regurgitates when I burp. Uh-oh! I have to hold this down. I try to sleep it off, but to no avail.

9:00 am - It's time to get back to the lab. My head is spinning. I asked my husband to drive me back to the lab. I endured the short trip with my eyes closed half of the time. My lips feel so dry. I want some agua!

9:23 am - Blood extraction 2 of 4. Ouch! It's on the other arm this time, but it hurt more than the first.

9:30 am - I join the boys for breakfast but I have no choice but to drool. I'm hungry and thirsty! But at least the woozy feeling is gone. I can't wait for this to be over. Over the course of the meal, I tried to convince Blue to come back with me so we can squeeze in a haircut. Lots of complaints and grumbles were thrown, but I was able to persuade him in the end.

10:23 am - I'm back at the lab again. Blood is drawn from the first arm. I'm thinking, I'll never ever get used to this. I'm reminded of why I have an irrational fear of doctors. Huhu. It's a good thing Blue was there to cheer me on.

10:30 am - Blue and I are at the Kiddie Barber shop. I ease up a bit while Blue is having his haircut. It feels so relaxing to be in a different place. I almost can't remember that I have to go back for one more stab. The vein of my left arm starts to turn blue-black. What a friendly reminder! Plus my stomach is starting to roar. I need to eat soon!

11:05 am - The haircut finished earlier than expected. Parking was a problem at the lab. We parked at a nearby supermarket. Despite the semi-long walk, we still got back early for the last test. Oh, the wait is so horrible. I want to eat. I want to drink. I need to eat. I need to drink.

11:23 am - My blood is drawn for the last time today. (Hopefully not again in a long long time.) Since my vein had turned purplish, they had to get blood from another vein. Ouchy! But at least, this is the last.

11:30 am - We drop by the supermarket for a celebratory drink. I get a small bottle of chocolate milkshake. Blue gets a bottle of gatorade.

12:00 pm - I drink water for the first time today. Agua! At last! Alvin blends Four Season Shake to accompany lunch. Ahh, lunch! It's the best meal...EVER! I cap it off with a Krispy Kreme donut for dessert. Oh bliss!

...and that is how I survived my first-ever GTT!

He's Coming Soon!

2009-10-23T18:21:00.004+08:00

at 29 weeks

at 31 weeks

We had a tough time getting clear 3D ultrasound results. So many things were blocking our view of our little boy. We went back 5 times over a period of more than a month. It was only getting harder as my tummy got bigger. Hence, we had to settle for blurred photos. Oh well!

In hindsight, our purpose was for Blue to get involved in the coming of the baby. At least in that department, we know we scored big time. Here's a short essay that Blue wrote for his project on contractions...

"I can't wait for my brother to come out. He's coming very soon. He'll arrive anytime in November. I'll be sad if Mom and Dad go to the hospital while I'm in school. But I'll be visiting and we'll all be happy. We're all excited for that day to come."

Things A Pregnant Woman Can't Do

2009-10-10T21:05:00.003+08:00

First Trimester Onwards

I can't drink coffee and soft drinks as much as I used to.
I can't eat as much dessert as I want.
I can't stay up late, or pull an all nighter.
I can't do rigorous physical activities.
I can't ride a roller coaster.
I can't wear my skinny jeans.

Second Trimester Onwards

I can't carry my little boy and any other heavy object.
I can't have "contact" with my husband. (only for difficult pregnancies)
I can't sleep on my back for a long period of time.
I can't wear my normal pants.
I can't wear short blouses.
I can't wear high heels.
I can't get a hair treatment even if I feel so ugly.
I can't sleep through the night.

Third Trimester Onwards

I can't see my belly button and my lower belly.
I can't see my pubic area.
I have difficulty cutting my toenails.
I can't bend to touch my toes.
I have difficulty using the seatbelt.
I almost can't fit in the driver's seat.
I can't drive.(during severe back pain)
I can't get a massage even if my back is killing me.
I can't walk as fast as I want to.

After Typhoon Ondoy -- Contemplating Disaster Preparedness

2009-09-28T10:10:00.008+08:00

One of my favorite bits of information is this...
The human brain is not wired to react in times of disasters.

In a plane crash, most victims are found still seated and strapped in their seats. Survivors are staring open-mouthed and clueless. Nobody will move to the exit unless someone shouts, "This way!"

Observing the events of Typhoon Ondoy, I can’t help but wonder how human nature would have helped or doomed me.

QUANDARY. We live in Parañaque - a mountainous area. Floods are not commonplace. We even have water shortage problems! But even this highland was not spared. Friends in a neighboring subdivision had their cars completely submerged. Creeks overflowed. A lot of houses were flooded.

For these flood newbies, evacuation would have never crossed their mind. After all, one would assume that the flood waters would soon subside.

In Marikina where floods are ordinary, why were many people trapped on the roof of their homes? Didn’t they even consider evacuating? What about those living in the posh villages? These families spent riches fortifying their homes. Human naivety (or pride?) would have led them to assume that their second floors, third floors or attics would protect them from the flood.

DELIBERATION. So if flood started pouring into our home last Saturday, this is what a newbie like me would have done…

• Wow, this is the first time flood has entered our house! Cool! I’ll take pictures and probably post them online.
• Call or text my housemates/relatives to say that our house is being flooded.
• Move what we can to a higher place.
• Take more pictures.
• Wait for the flood to subside.

But then again, I have no idea the waters are rising fast! Some victims said the water rose to 2-storeys high in just an hour. An hour? Come to think of it, I would have been doomed.

I heard government officials ranting that the residents did not evacuate. But no one is really to blame. We’re all but humans and again…The human brain is not wired to react in times of disasters.

EYE-OPENER. Without being overly paranoid, how can we protect ourselves next time? Think about this...The human brain is programmable. They say to prepare yourself for a plane crash, you should read all the safety instructions, listen to the demonstration and make a mental note of all the exits. Everywhere we go, huge exit signs are being installed for us to make a mental picture of them. This will be useful information when disaster strikes.

Similarly, we should not rely on anyone else to save us. When flood victims were asked if they had ropes to tie themselves with in case the flood grows, they had none. Even the Marikina flood veterans had nothing on them.

Make a disaster preparedness plan at home. Set your evacuation options. Create your own disaster kit. Don't count on instinct or adrenalin rush to save you. Beating human nature can be the key for you to survive.

Pixar's Up

2009-09-13T17:31:00.013+08:00

We saw the 3D version of Up yesterday. It’s a story of an old balloon salesman who chases his dream of having the adventure of his life when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away.

I couldn’t really relate much with the sentiments of the old man. I’m sure Blue couldn’t either. Maybe I expected a touching movie that would make me cry. Perhaps I’m just too happy that it barely tipped my tear-jerk meter. It was a warm, feel-good movie though. Over all, there were a lot of laughs. The dogs were hilarious. Donning our 3D glasses was an extra treat as well.

What’s nice to note is that the movie’s production designer is actually a Filipino. Ricky Nierva was placed in charge of the movie’s entire visual look. Up was a box office hit that earned $250 million in the US alone. Now, isn’t that something to brag about? Hats off to Filipino artists and animators!

The King of Pop is Out of Our Lives

2009-06-25T20:58:00.005+08:00

Michael Jackson passed away early this morning. I read the news over the internet. In the haste of my morning routine, my mind quickly set the information aside. However as the morning passed and more media coverage was being shown, my mind started to process it. Michael Jackson is dead. Indifference turned into disbelief. Disbelief turned into a sense of loss.

On my drive to work, the radio station played "She's Out of My Life." Instantly, my sense of loss turned into sadness. I started to cry and I don't even know why. I guess in some way, he is a part of my life... and also of all those who belong to this generation. He is the King of Pop, afterall. Goodbye MJ!

Signs of Life

2009-05-12T18:17:00.007+08:00

March 23 - Officially, this was the first day of summer vacation. After a hectic 3 weeks, my zombie/robot mode is over. I suddenly realize my period is delayed. I'm never delayed.

March 26 - Alvin brought home a home pregnancy test kit. The moment of truth. The boys expectantly stare at the test strip to see the results. Alvin begins to check the clock. One minute...nothing. Tic... Toc... Three minutes...still nothing. The instruction says the lines should have appeared by now.

Blue said glumly, "We're not gonna have a baby, are we?"

I finally decided to add one more drop of urine. In a flash, two purple lines were clearly visible.

It's POSITIVE!

Blue is smiling from ear to ear. I start to cry. We have a family hug.

That night, Blue whispers to my tummy, "Hello, I'm Kuya Blue. Do you know that I love you?"

April (the whole month) - I was too nauseous...too tired and weak. My bestfriend, Kath, says my hormones are on track. Me? I feel so old and so not ready for the baby.

May 7 - Reality Check. I had my first ultrasound to date the baby's arrival. Up to now, I still couldn't believe there's somebody in my tummy.

Seeing the baby for the first time was sheer joy. Alvin felt the same way, too.

As for Blue, he grabbed my legs, opened them wide and said, "Baby, come out now!" Hehe. We know how impatient Blue would be in the coming months. He'd have to settle for baby's ultrasound photos for now. See you in November, baby!

Of Boys And Bottle Caps

2009-03-17T21:05:00.008+08:00

Friday
Blue comes home with a pocket-full of plastic bottle caps.

Alvin and I think, "Hmmm, our son is imaginative. He's inventing new ways to play with simple everyday objects."

Weekend
Blue dumps the bottle caps in our dresser drawer and forgets about them.

Alvin and I think, "Drats! Our son brought home more trash. Blue should get rid of them soon."

Monday
Blue comes home with more bottle caps and a 1 and 1/2 inch long wound on his face. Upon investigation we find out that Blue and his friends looked for bottle caps inside trash bins. In one of the bins, he poked his head inside to get a closer look. The cover accidentally fell and scratched his face.

Alvin and I are dumbfounded. We couldn't think.

No, Thank You!

2009-03-09T19:37:00.003+08:00

We were having lunch today when I saw my student pulling something out of his mouth. He took out a triangular slice of garlic and laid it on his other palm. He offered it to me, and said...

"Teacher, you want pizza?"

Er, no thank you!

What Does A Mom Know About Bidaman?

2009-03-08T17:25:00.008+08:00

My husband and I am strongly opposed to buying Bidaman toys. (The same goes for Zoids and any other toy that requires intensive assembly.) Why? I won't even get into how little educational value comes with playing with the toy. We reason that if Blue buys a Bidaman, he has to be able to build it himself.

Unfortunately, Blue manages to get his hands on them when he goes to the mall with Lola. He starts building them when he gets home with very little success. These toys have millions of little parts (ok, I exaggerate, maybe just about a hundred). Just getting them out of the plastic brackets is already a tall task. When left disassembled it would be a sheer waste of money. (A small set costs P700, and that's even on sale!) Which leaves us poor parents no choice but to put them all together. And today, this detestable job fell on me...(imagine me shaking my head as Blue says in his oh-so-sweet voice, "Mom, I'm going to be needing your help with this.") Let me just share what I had to endure:

the instructions:

the parts: (this is just 1/4 of the set; scissors not included)

the mechanical part:
caution- not for dummies
I actually finished putting the whole gun together before we realized that the trigger was not functioning properly. I had to do it three times before I got it right. And then there was another mechanical part (Blue said it was for rapid fire...whatever!). I had to do that one twice!

the finished product:

I had fun putting the stickers, but in general I kept saying to myself, "I'm not cut out for this." Thank God for quality time, but no thanks for Bidaman!

I Want This Job!

2009-02-18T17:35:00.005+08:00

Today I was at the memorial park when I caught sight of this giant metal-contraption-with-wheels. "What's that?" I pondered. As I alighted from the car, the smell of newly mowed grass welcomed me. I closed my eyes and inhaled. Hmmmmmm. I feel good... ta-da-da-da-da-da-dan!

Then I realize, the "monster" is actually a lawn mower. So big that one actually has to drive it. Wait a minute! I want to be able to do that... on a regular basis. Imagine...just driving around, everything is so peaceful (sans the noisy engine of the mower -- ok, let's think of it as white noise), nothing but green all around, and the divine smell of newly mowed grass. I love it! This is my kind of thing.

Karma Chameleon (Dancing Bluey)

2009-02-17T21:38:00.008+08:00

We watched Blue perform at their school's Teachers' Day Program today. Alvin even took a day's leave from work just to be able to see the show. Awww, thanks, hon!

Blue's class performed Culture Club's Karma Chameleon. They were great! Going home this afternoon, Blue confessed, "I was so nervous, mom!" Hehehe! It didn't show a bit, son!

Getting ready to get up the stage.

That's Blue, third from right.

Walking on Water Mom vs. Blue

2009-02-14T21:00:00.000+08:00

We both started by crawling slowly.

Blue learned quickly how to keep his balance.

Blue's actually walking on water here!
(TIP: You have to run fast!)
I'm blurred, but that semi-stand is the best I could ever do.

I fell with each attempt to run!
I can hear people cheering Blue...
I can also hear them laughing at me.

Ok, ok, Blue's the winner.
I'll just smile for the camera then.

Happy Teachers' Day

2009-02-12T17:51:00.008+08:00

It was Teachers' Day in school today.

I received gifts, hugs,
and hand-written letters like this...

dyr tsr tnk yu i lav yu
(Dear Teacher, Thank you. I love you!)

I love my job!

I Love Jollibee!

2009-02-09T18:17:00.009+08:00

Yesterday, we attended my niece's birthday party. It was held...you guessed it right...at Jollibee! I guess it's safe to say that most (if not all) Filipinos love Jollibee. Why? Perhaps it's the food flavor that's so close to home, or the abundance of choices, or the ambiance, or the Chickenjoy that's absolutely joyful. From yesterday's party, here are the reasons why I love Jollibee:

I love Jollibee reason #1. Effortless Fun.
First of, it was great that it was so near our house. Second, we didn't have to come in anything fancy. The atmosphere was so relaxing, especially since it was a Sunday afternoon. Simply put, you wouldn't have any choice but to enjoy and smile. And so, we donned our party hats (none of the kids wanted to wear them anyway) and braced ourselves for a pleasant afternoon.

I love Jollibee reason #2. (the obvious) Yummy Treats!
Chickenjoy, spaghetti, corn and carrots, brownies, chocolate sundae, and iced tea...need I say more?

I love Jollibee reason #3. Ridiculously Hilarious Party Hosts
They introduced themselves with a quasi-cheer-dance number. They were Jollibee's back-up dancers. They made fun of Jollibee's four fingers (the usual joke, but still funny anyway). When a child mistakenly greeted a different person saying, "Happy Birthday, Maisy!" they quipped, "Sino si Maisy?" "Ako ba yun?" They didn't mind making a fool of themselves, and their brand of comedy worked bigtime!

I love Jollibee reason #4. The Mascot Appearance of a Lifetime!
Normally, mascots would just appear for a dance number, a short picture taking, then run off to change. This time, Jollibee lingered. He joined in the party games and mingled a lot with the kids. I can't forget how he even stooped down to "chat" with the birthday girl. He even helped pull adults out of their seats when they were too coy to join the contests. He was gone for a while, probably to cool off, but he came back with a lot more. He gave a dance number and helped in the candle blowing ceremonies. He even mimed birthday wishes for the celebrant. Jollibee was definitely the life of the party.

With all these, a party at Jollibee is definitely worth it. I had fun, to say the very least. I guess, I now fully understand what they mean when they say "Sa Jollibee, bida ang saya!"

Ben 10: Race Against Time

2009-02-07T16:22:00.007+08:00

Blue is a fan of Ben 10. It's not a secret that he is a Ben Ten wannabe. For a mom like me, the cartoon series gets a thumbs up. While Cartoon Network is a kiddie channel, I still feel that some shows are not kid-friendly. Ben 10 is one of the shows that Blue is allowed to watch; and it's also one that we enjoy watching together.

And so today, when we couldn't agree on a movie to watch for a Saturday movie-in-bed-family-bonding, we settled on Ben 10: Race Against Time. Personally, I was apprehensive that they could pull off a cartoon-to-movie adaptation. I mean, an animated movie -- sure! But real people portraying, Ben, Gwen and Grandpa Max? Hmmm... I'm not too sure.

But the truth is, I was excited to see how they're going to show the aliens. I didn't have to wait long. Heatblast came out in the first 10 minutes of the movie. And was he cool!...er...hot! (just a little to chubby, though.) When Greymatter came out, he was hilarious! We were just rolling with laughter. I was hoping to see Four Arms, but too bad he wasn't in the movie. Wild Mutt made up for it plenty, though. I was shouting like a kid when he came out, "Hahaha! Stinky, slobbering dog!" His fur seemed so, well, furry! I liked that! Diamondhead was also there, but I wasn't really a fan. As for Ben, Gwen and Grandpa? They weren't so bad either.

My husband is not so familiar with Ben 10, but he laughed hard and enjoyed the movie just the same. Blue's choice for today's movie was surely great. The only thing is...

Blue grabbed his Omnitrix immediately after the movie. He asked me to put it on him, but Daddy wanted it as well. Now they are taking turns being Ben. Ok, ok, I have no complaints. It's great father and son bonding, after all. But wait, who's the evil alien? ME?!?! I can hear them coming, "Look, there's an evil alien taking over our computer!" Uh, oh! Have to go now...

Hail to Coffee

2009-02-04T22:31:00.003+08:00

Caffeine is my shepherd; I shall not doze.
It maketh me to wake in green pastures:
It leadeth me beyond the sleeping masses.
It restoreth my buzz:
It leadeth me in the paths of consciousness
for its name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of addiction,
I will fear no Equal™: For thou art with me;
thy cream and thy sugar they comfort me.
Thou preparest a carafe before me in the presence of The Starbucks:
Thou anointest my day with pep; my mug runneth over.
Surely richness and taste shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the House of Mochas forever.
~Author Unknown

I'd Love to Have My Coffee In One of These

2009-02-03T22:47:00.004+08:00

click to see modern and creative mug designs

Judging A Book By Its Cover

2009-02-03T16:30:00.006+08:00

Sometimes I feel I'm too trusting -- ever idealistic, ever believing there's still perfection in this quite imperfect world.

How about you? Can you tell if a person has a dark side just by looking at him? Take this test to find out.

I got 6 out of 10. Hmmm, seems fair enough.

Coffeeholic.I.Am

2009-02-02T21:33:00.007+08:00

What amount of coffee consumption could be quantified as an addiction? One cup a day? Two? The most I've ever had was three. (And that was on one rare occasion only...one!) But the smell of coffee... el aroma... it's haunting me. Without any actual stimulus, I can imagine the smell wafting in the air. I just have to have a cup. These past few days, it's not just the smell anymore. Anything related to coffee -- a teaspoon, a cup -- stokes my desire to sip. I dare say I am becoming a coffeeholic.

How addicted am I? I can't tell yet. But I do know how this started. The marketing genius behind Starbucks' Christmas campaign is to blame. Drink your coffee, collect stickers, then exchange them for a planner. Hahaha! I did get my planner (2 in fact). But the thing is, I also came away with this addiction as a bonus.

BAH! I don't care anymore! One anonymous author once said:

Everybody should believe in something.
I believe I'll have another coffee.

Goodbye, Jerry!

2009-01-30T22:58:00.003+08:00

Jerry finally succumbed to his illness today. He's had a urinary tract infection for the past two weeks. In human years, he was an old guy at 60+. Ahh, I hate it when a pet dies. It's just so sad. We're gonna miss you, baby!

My Baby Cousins

2009-01-30T22:55:00.004+08:00

to them I am T, Ate T, T-man, Tehhhresssaaah

with them I am a doting big sister, but mostly a goof and a child

when they can't believe we're listening to the same songs,
they would ask, "how old are you?"

they are fun, rowdy, noisy, sweet, food-trippy, sometimes needy

definitely not babies anymore,
but they will always be my baby cousins.

Blue's 20 Books in 2009

2009-01-28T15:20:00.000+08:00

Here are the books that Blue has finished reading this year.

1. Diary of A Wimpy Kid - Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney

2. Geronimo Stilton - A Very Merry Christmas

3. Pokemon Destiny Deoxys Manga by Takashi Teshirogi

My 20 Books in 2009

2009-01-27T00:13:00.019+08:00

TITLE: Cool To Be Kind (Random Acts and How to Commit Them)

AUTHORS: Val Litwin, Brad Stokes, Erik Hanson, Chris Bratseth

DESCRIPTION: In August of 2002, four twenty-something friends in Canada packed a motor home and embarked upon a three-month nonprofit marathon known coast to coast as The Extreme Kindness Tour. Their mission: to commit as many random acts of kindness in as many communities as possible. This record documents their heartwarming stories of friendship and kindness and provides readers with ways to start their own kindness movements and get involved in their own communities. From mile zero to St. John's, The Extreme Kindness Tour staffed soup kitchens, broke horses, roofed houses, delivered flowers, sang songs, visited hospitals, raised funds, and staged rallies determined to make someone's day and encourage them to "pay it forward," connecting the world through kindness.

DATE FINISHED: Jan. 31, 2009

TITLE: The Cat Who Came to Breakfast

AUTHOR: Lilian Jackson Braun

DESCRIPTION: This is the 16th installment in Braun's popular "The Cat Who..." series. Jim Qwilleran and and his Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum, journey to a peaceful island paradise that is rapidly being developed into a luxurious resort, where a series of mysterious ""accidents"" has been occurring.

DATE FINISHED: Feb. 7, 2009

TITLE: Deadly Decisions

AUTHOR: Kathy Reichs

DESCRIPTION: Violence is escalating, and spilling onto the streets of Montreal. A nine-year-old girl is killed in crossfire on her way to ballet class. The body of a teenager killed in North Carolina is found hundreds of miles away. Forensic anthropologist Dr Temperance Brennan has to pick up the pieces: she knows she shouldn't let emotion get in the way, but when nin-year-old Emily's body is wheeled into the morgue she cannot help but react. An exhumation uncovers the bones of another inocent in a clandestine grave close to a biker gang headquarters. With her boss in hospital and sparring partner Detective Andrew Ryan mysteriously unavailable, Tempe alone begins a perilous investigation into the lawless underworld of organised crime...

DATE FINISHED: March 29, 2009

TITLE: The Stone Diaries

AUTHOR: Carol Shields

DESCRIPTION: This fictionalized autobiography of Daisy Goodwill Flett, captured in Daisy's vivacious yet reflective voice, has been winning over readers since its publication in 1995, when it won the Pulitzer Prize. After a youth marked by sudden death and loss, Daisy escapes into conventionality as a middle-class wife and mother. Years later she becomes a successful garden columnist and experiences the kind of awakening that thousands of her contemporaries in mid-century yearned for but missed in alcoholism, marital infidelity and bridge clubs. The events of Daisy's life, however, are less compelling than her rich, vividly described inner life--from her memories of her adoptive mother to her awareness of impending death. Shields' sensuous prose and her deft characterizations make this, her sixth novel, her most successful yet.

DATE FINISHED: April 7, 2009

TITLE: Death du Jour

AUTHOR: Kathy Reichs

DESCRIPTION: Death du Jour is the second novel by Kathy Reichs in the Temperance Brennan series. This novel finds Tempe trying to link a series of seemingly unrelated deaths in both Quebec and the southern United States. Katy, Tempe's daughter, appears more extensively in this book, as does Detective Andrew Ryan.

DATE FINISHED: April 2009

TITLE: Your Boy: Raising A Godly Son In An Ungodly World

AUTHOR: Vicki Courtney

DESCRIPTION: When popular speaker Vicki Courtney released the best-selling Your Girl in 2004, and Beth Moore declared it "A must read for every daughter’s mother," it wasn’t long before a fast-growing audience was naturally requesting Your Boy. After all, parents are seeking help to grow godly sons as well. And as the mother of two boys herself, Vicki rises to the occasion with this inspiring, tell-it-like-it-is new favorite.

DATE FINISHED: April 2009

TITLE: Where The Heart Is

AUTHOR: Billie Letts

DESCRIPTION: Oprah Book Club® Selection, December 1998: A funny thing happens to Novalee Nation on her way to Bakersfield, California. Her ne'er-do-well boyfriend, Willie Jack Pickens, abandons her in an Oklahoma Wal-Mart and takes off on his own, leaving her with just 10 dollars and the clothes on her back. Not that hard luck is anything new to Novalee, who is "seventeen, seven months pregnant, thirty-seven pounds overweight--and superstitious about sevens.... For most people, sevens were lucky. But not for her," Billie Letts writes. "She'd had a bad history with them, starting with her seventh birthday, the day Momma Nell ran away with a baseball umpire named Fred..."

Still, finding herself alone and penniless in Sequoyah, Oklahoma is enough to make even someone as inured to ill fortune as Novalee want to give up and die. Fortunately, the Wal-Mart parking lot is the Sequoyah equivalent of a town square, and within hours Novalee has met three people who will change her life: Sister Thelma Husband, a kindly eccentric; Benny Goodluck, a young Native American boy; and Moses Whitecotton, an elderly African American photographer. For the next two months, Novalee surreptitiously makes her home in the Wal-Mart, sleeping there at night, exploring the town by day. When she goes into labor and delivers her baby there, however, Novalee learns that sometimes it's not so bad to depend on the kindness of strangers--especially if one of them happens to be Sam Walton, the superchain's founder.

DATE FINISHED: April 2009

TITLE: Called: Hello, My Name Is Mrs. Jefferson. I Understand Your Plane Is Being Hijacked. 9:45 Am, Flight 93, September 11, 2001

AUTHOR: Lisa D. Jefferson & Felicia Middlebrooks

DESCRIPTION: With one ring of the phone, Lisa Jefferson went from GTE Airfone supervisor, suburban wife, and mother to the listening ear of a nation shattered by tragedy. Called tells the gripping account of 9/11 from her vantage point...the moment she took the call from Todd Beamer on United Airlines Flight 93...hearing the immortal words, "Let's Roll"...seeing her life transformed, simply by responding to the call. Jefferson sends a stirring challenge to all of us--whether it comes during quiet obscurity or international adversity, we must be prepared to answer God's call.

DATE FINISHED: August 2009

TITLE: The Reading Bug

AUTHOR: Paul Jennings

DESCRIPTION: The one person who will do more than anyone else to help your child learn to read ... is you.

Parents are the best reading teachers in the world.

An easy-to-read, practical guide packed with simple strategies to help your child learn to love books. Paul Jennings cuts through the jargon and controversy to show how every parent can infect their child with the reading bug.

* Brilliant booklists for parents and children
* The whole reading experience explained
* Great cartoons and anecdotes
* Practical advice from bestselling writer and teacher Paul Jennings

Paul Jennings is Australia's bestselling children's author. He worked as a special-education teacher and lecturer before becoming a full-time writer.

DATE FINISHED: August 2009

She Made My DayWelcome Andrea

2009-01-26T20:00:00.000+08:00

20 Books in 2009 Reading Challenge

2009-01-25T22:00:00.004+08:00

It's my first time to join a reading challenge. Found this one that's just right for me.

20 Books in 2009 Reading Challenge

The goal for this challenge is to read 20 books in the 2009. Here are the rules:

1. You can read as many books as you want by any author or in the same series.
2. If the book is a re-read, it must be from a year ago.
3. Comics, catalogs, manga, journals and audiobooks do not count.
5. Fiction or nonfiction; paperbacks, hardbacks, advanced copies, e-books count.

Click here if you want to participate, too.

Took A Ride on the Pasig Ferry

2009-01-15T16:37:00.015+08:00

I got on board the Pasig Ferry today. Our school is planning to have a fieldtrip for Transportation Day. Since there is a ferry station very near our school, we might try taking the kids for a ride.

The walk from our school to the station was exciting enough. I've never been to that area before. When we got there, I was surprised at how clean and modern the facilities were. The staff were friendly, too. They even encouraged us to take photos outside at the dock.

We came in early for the next trip so we had to wait for a while. It didn't take long when one of the staff announced, "Sir, Ma'am, pwede na po kayong bumaba." It meant we can go down to the boarding dock already. I couldn't help but say, "Yiiiiiiiiiiheeeeeeeee!"

The boat ride to the next station took less than 20 minutes. We were expecting it to be rough since it was a very windy day. Reassuringly, it went very smoothly. The view really did keep me entertained. Normally, I would be on the road, looking down at the flowing river. Seeing the familiar roads from another point of view was definitely a treat. I was also delighted at seeing mini-boats docking here and there, with passengers getting on and off. Pasig River is an actual thoroughfare. Cool! When we reached our stop, I didn't want to get down yet. Oh, I wanted to see more. There will surely be a next time.

Reality. Check.

We took a jeepney then a tricycle on the way back to school. I haven't taken public transportation in ages. I simply loved it! During the jeepney ride, two women and a child got on. They realized they had no loose change, and the driver had no change for their P500. They were volunteering to get off when a man, a stranger, offered to break down their cash. Wow! I've forgotten how much can be experienced from daily commutes. I didn't realize I'm missing out on all that.

Dinos Alive World Tour Manila

2009-01-12T16:02:00.027+08:00

In the past year, Blue's interest for dinosaurs have been overshadowed by other 7-year old stuff. When he learned about Dinos Alive, however, he was completely thrilled. (I'm glad to know he's still a true-blue dinosaur fan.)

We made our trip to Dinos Alive on the last weekend of the tour. The ticket prizes have been slashed down to P400, plus we got an additional 10% off using our SM Advantage card. Alvin, Blue and I got in for P360 each. With our post-holiday near-empty pockets, we felt the prize was still a little steep, but not bad.

Blue was evidently elated upon entering the dark exhibit area. He trotted a little bit ahead of us but retreated and said "I'm scared!" with a laugh. He quickly got over his fear, though. His outbursts changed into Whoas and Oh-my-goshes.

Blue was hoping to see a Pachy-cephalosaurus or an Ankylosaurus. He first saw the head-banger, and shouted "Mom, a Pachy!" I can't forget the grin on his face when he saw the other one. It was frozen in mid-charge towards the first. I bet he was imagining the impact as their skulls collide. He whispered, "kaboom!" And I said to myself, "sulit na!"

When he saw his favorite Ankylosaurus...

...man, that was priceless!

"OH MY GOSH, ANKYLO!" he shouted. He positioned himself near the tail and allowed it to brush him on the head. "Hahaha! Mom, it hit me with its tail!"

On the downside, though, the robotics was a little bit disappointing. Most dinosaurs showed very little movement. Metal tracks were visible. Some dinosurs even had speakers and gears instead of bodies. Worse, the signs that say "do not touch" were just way too big. They simply ruined the whole Jurassic experience!

Outside the exhibit, there was a giant dancing dinosaur, a movie theater which showed a short dinosaur feature, and lots of cool activities for kids. Alvin loved the lounge area where they showed Spiderman and Transformers. Blue also enjoyed the Triceratops Train ride and the Fossil Dig. We wasted almost an hour queueing for the simulation ride. The feature was so lame, but we had fun taking photos inside. We were so hungry after that. Good thing the food court had lots of yummy treats.

While there isn't much more to rave about, it was great for family bonding. Just before getting into the car, Blue said, "Mom, Dinos Alive was nice!" If only for that Dinos Alive was a roaring experience indeed!

I n D e P e N d E n C e

2009-01-11T15:45:00.001+08:00

Today I chanced upon Blue standing on a chair to get a drinking glass from the cupboard. I stood behind him, afraid that he might fall. After getting the glass, he said nonchalantly, “Excuse me mom, I’m going down.” He walked away carrying the glass on one hand and a big bottle of juice on the other. I asked, “Do you need help pouring your drink?” Blue quipped, “Mom I’m a big boy now...not so big, but a guy!”

How many times have we had this conversation about him not being a baby anymore? Many times he had said, “I’m a man now!” I cried to him just the other day saying, "Please don't grow up so fast!" He just threw it right back at me saying, "Stop crying, Mom!"

Today, he even categorized his “manhood” by calling himself, not a big boy but A GUY! When he went on a school fieldtrip, I was so worried about… well… everything that could possibly go wrong. I brought him to school that morning, and he practically shooed me away. I wanted to bring him to his classroom, but he wouldn’t even let me enter his building. “MoooOOOM!” (He showed me a sign then read it aloud.) “Parents are not allowed beyond this point.” I conceded, but I prompted him for a kiss and a hug. He gave me a quick peck and ran away...without looking back.

Crrrrash! Can someone help me pick up the pieces of my broken heart?

We Are Not Alone (a send-off essay for Anna-Leen)

2008-12-13T14:37:00.005+08:00

Coming home from Anna-Leen’s funeral, there’s a motion-picture that’s stuck in my mind. I clearly remember the hearse parking by the curb, then Jeff’s vehicle moving behind it. Jeff stepped off, his head bowed a little. He was wearing a crisp white shirt and was clutching yellow flowers in his fingers. In every way, he looked like a groom at the end of the altar, anxiously waiting for his bride.

There he was, waiting ...so certain of the changes to come, yet so clueless about what the future holds. There he was, going through the motions of the ceremony, mingling with the guests, seeing them off one by one. And then it was his turn to leave... The only difference was there was no bride to come home with. What should have been a journey for two is now a passage for the lonesome.

What a sad, sad movie...

As my heart breaks for the loss of a very dear friend, I try to come to terms with this loneliness. Looking back at Leen’s illness and her ultimate passing, it’s neither the pain nor the tears that I remember. Rather, it’s the outpouring of love and support from everyone around her. When I was afraid and crying, I remember how friends made me feel that we were going through that together. When her illness took a turn for the worse, our group started a 9 o’clock prayer habit. Back then, we felt there was strength in numbers. But as I look back at it now, it was more for us than for Leen. That we wouldn’t feel so alone in our sorrow; that we could be with each other even though we were miles apart. When we finally bid adieu to Leen, there was a sense of family that hugged us in one tight embrace.

CAMARADERIE...COMPANIONSHIP... For me, these words have become synonymous with Anna-Leen’s name. In the seventeen years of our friendship, I remember wondering why with every gathering; Leen would always have a brother, a cousin, a friend (heck, even a friend of a friend) in tow. Sometimes I questioned whether our group was not entertaining enough. Hehe. When she was already ill, I speculated that perhaps they were her scapegoats from being questioned about her condition.

It’s only now that I realize that Leen has carefully meshed every aspect of her life into a seamless whole. Her eulogy program was a clear testament of this web she had created. She would have laughed at the troupe that was preparing the program for her. What an ensemble it was -- her family, her relatives, her friends. We were all working together as if we had known each other for a long, long time. Hahaha! Who am I kidding? Because of Leen, we DO know each other for a long, long time! Ah, ever so caring, Leen! It was as if she knew that she would be leaving us so soon. She found a way for us to find company in her absence.

Flashback to my sad movie...there were hearty moments after all. There was no bawling while we laid Leen to rest. Instead there were quiet tears and poignant songs; quite appropriate for someone who is now at peace. No one could ever measure how much love was given out at the service. I can’t recall how many people squeezed my shoulder, touched my hand or said reassuring words. And Jeff...no one could ever count how many people hugged him that day.

Now I come to realize, there is no loneliness to come to terms with. Essentially, there is no loneliness for we were never, never alone. In God’s perfect plan, and in Leen’s perfect execution, we are left with each other. We are a family now. I call her dad, Papa. Her brothers have become like brothers to us as well. Her cousins have become our friends. Our group has grown to include Jeff and the couple’s good friend, Jason. Certainly, this companionship could never fill the void that Leen has left. But thank you, Leen for all these people that you have brought into our lives. They will forever remind us of you.

Thinking of Anna-Leen

2008-12-13T13:07:00.005+08:00

Gone to Soon (video grab from Jason)

2008-12-13T12:12:00.000+08:00

A Big Smile

2008-12-03T22:43:00.006+08:00

Nature gave us something to smile about last Monday. It was literally "a big smile!"

The first photo above shows a sketch of this unique planetary alignment. The second is an actual shot from someone with a good camera. The third is from my cellphone.

Here's a short explanation from www.thedaze.biz (the first two photos are also from this website)-- In the last week in November and the first week of December 2008, the two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, will be close together in the evening sky, forming a spectacular double. The two are closest together on Monday December 1st, with Venus lying about 2 degrees to the South (left) of Jupiter. On the same night the Crescent Moon will appear just beneath them, forming a "Smiley Face".

Christmas - A Time To Honor Mothers

2008-12-02T20:01:00.013+08:00

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels tried?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

Christmas, as they say, is a time for kids...a time for child-like wonder...a time to remember the baby who was born to save the world. With this song, I realized that Christmas is also about a mother and her ultimate sacrifice.

I often think that being a mother is hard work. I often complain that I don't get enough credit. I still get teary-eyed with every milestone my little guy reaches. I can't stop hugging him, kissing him and telling him how much I love him. And always, it rips my heart to think that someday, my boy is going to leave me to have a life of his own.

Considering what Mama Mary had to sacrifice, I feel so diminutive. I can just imagine how agonizing it could have been to have a son, and yet not really have him. I couldn't even begin to fathom how selfless Mama Mary was to have to share her son with everyone else. For a regular mom like me, it's already unbearable to see my son get hurt or to be disappointed in any way. For Mama Mary, she had to endure the sorrow of watching her son die on the cross.

This Christmas season, I send out a standing ovation to all the mothers out there. Keep on nurturing your children...you'll never know how your love molds greatness in each of them.

PS. I love you so much, Mom!

I'm Sad :'(

2008-12-01T21:33:00.005+08:00

Alicia Keys - Like Youll Never See Me Again.MP3

If I had no more time
No more time left to be here
Would you cherish what we had?
Was it everything that you were looking for?
If I couldn't feel your touch
And no longer were you with me
I'd be wishing you were here
To be everything that I'd be looking for
I don't wanna forget the present is a gift
And I don't wanna take for granted the time you may have here with me
'Cause Lord only knows another day is not really guaranteed

So every time you hold me
Hold me like this is the last time
Every time you kiss me
Kiss me like you'll never see me again
Every time you touch me
Touch me like this is the last time
Promise that you'll love me
Love me like you'll never see me again

Oh Oh Ohhhhh

How many really know what love is?
Millions never will
Do you know until you lose it
That it's everything that we are looking for
When I wake up in the morning
You're beside me
I'm so thankful that I found
Everything that I been looking for

I don't wanna forget the present is a gift
And I don't wanna take for granted the time you may have here with me
'Cause Lord only knows another day is not really guaranteed

So everytime you hold me
Hold me like this is the last time
Every time you kiss me
Kiss me like you'll never see me again
(can you do that for me baby)
Every time you touch me
(see we don't really know)
Touch me like this is the last time
(see every day we never know)
Promise that you'll love me

My First Time

2008-11-29T22:57:00.006+08:00

Oh, rapture! It's my first time to get inside an inflatable jumper.

This was at my son's birthday party. The whole time I was inside, I was pretty much shouting, "Wooohoooo!" Over and over I kept thinking, "Why didn't they have this during our time?" I literally jumped my party stress away. If only for this, the rental payment was indeed well worth it.

Watch Out for the Baobabs!

2008-11-21T15:50:00.012+08:00

Looking back at our US trip last summer, I can say that one of the magical moments for me was seeing a baobab tree. This was at the Disney Animal Kingdom safari. The tree reminded me of The Little Prince. Without a doubt, that book is one of the milestone pieces that got me hooked on reading.

Thank you, Lord, for life's simple pleasures like books and baobabs.

Exerpt from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Now there were some terrible seeds on the planet that was the home of the little prince; and these were the seeds of the baobab. The soil of that planet was infested with them. A baobab is something you will never, never be able to get rid of if you attend to it too late. It spreads over the entire planet. It bores clear through it with its roots. And if the planet is too small, and the baobabs are too many, they split it in pieces...

"Sometimes," he added, "there is no harm in putting off a piece of work until another day. But when it is a matter of baobabs, that always means a catastrophe. I knew a planet that was inhabited by a lazy man. He neglected three little bushes..."

So, as the little prince described it to me, I have made a drawing of that planet. I do not much like to take the tone of a moralist. But the danger of the baobabs is so little understood, and such considerable risks would be run by anyone who might get lost on an asteroid, that for once I am breaking through my reserve. "Children," I say plainly, "watch out for the baobabs!"

Why Didn't I Think of That? Words of Wisdom from Pre-schoolers

2008-11-17T15:53:00.015+08:00

One of my students was humming a familiar tune. I said, "Hey, where did that come from? (of course I meant to ask, what movie or show did he hear that tune from?) He looked at me with a puzzled look and said, "From my mouth!" Why didn't I think of that?

-----0-----

I read somewhere that Gorillas actually burp. To teach my students some manners, everytime someone would burp loudly, I would say that he/she is acting like a gorilla. One day, somebody burped so loud and I said, "I think we have a gorilla here!" Somebody else asked, "Teacher, why do gorillas burp?" The kid who burped answered quickly, "Because they eat bananas!"

Why didn't I think of that?

Bye, Michael Crichton!

2008-11-04T18:47:00.012+08:00

Michael Crichton, the author behind thriller Jurassic Park, as well as books such as Congo and Disclosure, died today after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 66.

He was my favorite author of all time. I love the readability of his text. I also admire how much information (wether fiction or not) is put into all his stories. I read a tribute to him which goes, "Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand. The world knew him as a great story teller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us - and entertained us all while doing so." I couldn't agree more.

Michael Crichton's books really helped fuel my love for reading. He was a blessing to literature indeed.

2008-10-10T21:57:00.002+08:00

I'm loving this song right now. I just had to blog about it. Go...listen...NOW!

Ang Huling El Bimbo - FilharmoniKA featuring Ely Buendia

Toothbrush Nightmare

2008-10-06T18:14:00.001+08:00

My family is in recovery from a nasty cough. I recall reading somewhere that a toothbrush should be changed after the user gets sick. Toothbrushes harbor bacteria because they are always moist. Germs can spread easily to nearby toothbrushes. (And, gasp, who knows what your virus could have mutated into!) Dutifully, I shopped for new toothbrushes today. I felt excited coming into the bathroom to change the old ones. Such excitement soon turned into scrutiny and later into disgust.

Jeepers! Creepers! There was mold inside our toothbrush holders. (Our toothbrushes are kept in plastic caps that are suctioned on our bathroom mirror.) And why not? After brushing, we keep the toothbrushes in the caps without waiting for them to dry up. (Who has the time to do that, anyway?) It's a breeding haven for molds.

Ok, ok! There were only a few specks of black on the caps. BUT STILL!!! Our toothbrushes stay there more than they stay in our mouths. I wouldn't eat a moldy bread. Why would I put a toothbrush in my mouth that's been a few millimeters away from mold? BLECK!

My husband likes to keep his toothbrush in a case. (A cap that covers only the toothbrush's head isn't secure enough for him.) I checked inside the case, and sure enough, there was mold inside, too!

My parents like to keep their toothbrushes inside a cup. When I checked, there was mold all over the handles, too. YIKES!

Getting overly obsessive, I checked the lid of the cup they use while toothbrushing. You guessed it right. There's mold...on the lid. THE LID! The part that actually touches their mouth. EWWW!

We thought we were protecting our toothbrushes by keeping them enclosed. Yes, we were protected from creepy crawlies. But sadly, we were dumb enough to let mold in. Mold that could and probably already did make us sick.

Well, at least now that I have a new toothbrush, I can use the old one to brush the molds away. You can just imagine how much I scrubbed them away. From now on, these are the things I resolve to do:

1. Check and clean our toothbrush caps often.
2. Change our toothbrushes every three months
3. Not to get too carried away by Stephen King's Dreamcatcher.
It's a story about alien molds.

Enough said!

My Baby Has A Black Eye!

2008-10-03T18:16:00.009+08:00

Blue got punched in school today. The school nurse informed me about it early this morning. (Receiving calls like that literally makes my flesh crawl.) This afternoon, I talked to his teacher about the incident.

TEACHER'S VERSION: Blue pushed another kid, that's why the kid punched him. She talked to both boys already, and they shook hands and made up.

BLUE'S VERSION #1: He accidentally pushed the kid that's why the kid punched him. He walked away to tell teacher about it. However, another kid accidentally stepped on the first kid's shoelaces, making him trip. The kid thought it was Blue again, so he scratched Blue.

BLUE'S VERSION #2: He accidentally pushed the kid that's why the kid punched him. He walked away to tell teacher about it. However, he slipped and accidentally kicked the other kid. That's why the kid attacked him a second time.

No witnesses...2 six-year olds...Will the truth ever come out?

For me, it was just a simple conflict between kids. Sure, they got into a scuffle. But it's part of life, and what's good about it is that they were able to resolve it afterwards. (with Teacher's help, of course)

But wait, this is the teacher in me that's reacting. My husband thinks I under-reacted. He said I could have at least demanded to talk to the other boy's parents. Now I feel awful. How's a parent to react?

When I first saw Blue, my first reaction was "My Baby!" I mean, the scratch could have been serious if it were a few millimeters nearer the eye. A bruise ran under the whole length of his eye, almost reaching his nose. He cringes when it's touched.

But Blue carried himself well, and he assured me that he was ok. Ah, my baby's a little man now. Thanks, Baby, for making me feel that I've done what has to be done.

I'm Raising A Reader! (and you can too)

2008-09-28T15:03:00.018+08:00

Sept. 13, SATURDAY. We just came home from the Manila International Book Fair. As with any trip to a book sale, I'm totally beat. I'm tired from all the walking and I'm certain I spent more than I should have. Not to mention, I went home empty-handed again. But look who's smiling ear to ear with all his book purchases. My son, Blue can't decide which book to read first. I can't forget how tightly he hugged me when I allowed him to get one more book. He said, "You're the best, Mom!" Well, I guess I have no right to complain.

Too exhausted as I was, I quickly fell asleep that night. I was awakened by Blue snuggling near me. I checked the time, and it was nearly eleven o'clock. The lights were still on and Blue was still reading his new book. I had to remind him that it's way past his bedtime. He promised to close the book as soon as he finished the chapter he was reading. When he woke up the next morning, he quickly reached under his pillow to commence reading. I had to remind him to have breakfast first. Throughout that day, he was too absorbed in his book that it was doubly hard to call him for meals and other routines. As a mom, it irks me that I have to wait and call him several times. But deep inside, I'm giving myself a pat on the back. "Congratulations! You have raised a reader!"

Rewind...Rewind...Blue didn't suddenly wake up one morning wanting to read books. It's a lifetime of exposure to books that molded him to be this way. Here I'll outline our colorful journey into the world of books:

I started reading to him when he was still a baby. We started with picture books where I would just point out pictures for him. We also had animal picture books where Blue learned to mimic animal sounds. Suffice it to say, reading to Blue at that stage really helped his language development. He learned to speak with ease and clarity, not to mention a vocabulary that any mom would be proud of.

We moved into more complicated topics as the years passed. From reading, Blue learned about dinosaurs and wanted to know more about them. This explains our big collection of dinosaur books (both fiction and non-fiction). He just couldn't stop reading about them. During this stage, Blue learned that books are his friends. There's an endless fountain of knowlede that can be sourced from books.

During this time, too, Blue began to notice that mommy was reading books as well. He started asking me about books that I was reading. He would gladly snuggle up and listen to what my books were all about. Sometimes, he would move away and say, "Your books are corny!" Who cares? At least he has learned that books are part of mommy's life, and can very well be a part of his.

When Blue started reading (around 4-5 years old), we shifted into leveled reading books. Blue loved to show off his reading progress. Wow! When he reads, I can't help but cry. Blue flew from books that had 1 sentence per page to those that had short chapters.

By the time Blue was six, I knew that he was hooked on books. He couldn't sleep without reading first. Sometimes he wants to read on his own. Most nights, he would still request that I read for him. This was the hardest part for me. Sometimes, my throat would be hurting so bad from reading his chapter books. Once, I just read him a page from a cookbook just to satisfy his reading routine. (Hahaha! Imagine how much he complained when I did this!)

Blue would be turning 7 before the year ends. Right now, he's into Captain Underpants, Geronimo Stilton and other chapter books. The label says these are for 7 to 10 year olds. I can't help but be proud that my six year old is reading books that are beyond his age.

*****

As you can see, it wasn't an easy task. It's really a COMMITMENT to read to your child on a DAILY basis. You would have to set aside the day's worries and stress; moreso, squeeze out your last ounce of energy for a storytelling session. You would have to learn to invent different voices to animate what you read. You would have to seek divine providence for extra patience when your child says "Read it again!"

But the fun part is you never run out of topics to talk about. There's always a talkathon on inventing different story endings; or a long chat on what-would-you-do-if-this-happened-to-you? You get to spend nights under the covers with a flashlight and a book. (How many people my age can still do that?) And most of all, it's snuggling with your child every night; and getting to hear, "Thanks for the story, Mom. I love you!" over and over again.

And the cherry on top...I have a reader. In this time of PSP, Wii and endless TV, I'm glad that my son can make time for reading in his daily routine. Somehow I feel assured that he would have a lifelong thirst for learning. I can't wait for him to start reading books that I have read myself. But for now, I will just continue to read with him daily. I hope that more parents would start doing this as well. It's a battle we can surely win...with one bedtime story at a time.

Blue's Random Thoughts(should I start to panic?)

2008-09-03T18:40:00.002+08:00

Blue's quietly doing his homework when he suddenly mimicked scribbling in the air. Then he blurted out...

"Tips on how to make your mom fly away!"

My husband's laughing hysterically. I'm starting to get worried.

Dinosaur Day

2008-08-13T22:24:00.005+08:00

Blue is a big dinosaur fan! He's been reading about them since he was four years old. He knows more dinosaur names than I do. He was really thrilled when he found out about the life-sized dinosaur exhibit at Cafe Puccini at the Fort Strip. We were still a few blocks away and he was already shouting, "I see them, Mom!" He almost jumped off the car when we came to a stop. Some of the dinosaurs there were new to us. Blue was clearly elated. Blue's happy and the exhibit is free... what more can a mom ask for.

More photos in Frozen Frames.

You Don't Mess With the Zohan

2008-08-13T22:23:00.003+08:00

...And blow me away, he did!
Hahaha! We laughed our hearts out during this one!
Do leave your brains at home if you intend to watch it.

Girlfriends in the Land of Sos Tomato and Susu Koklat (July 10-15, 2008)

2008-08-02T17:12:00.015+08:00

Click To See More Photos
(for my multiply contacts only)

It wasn't the best of ideas we've ever had. Going on a vacation in the middle of the schoolyear was simply unthinkable! Leen tires easily, Cristy is pregnant and I have a school to look after. Hence, we weren't excited until it was really, really time to go.

We arrived in Kuala Lumpur on the night of July 10. We were so hungry and sleepy by the time we got to Kath's house. We had a quick dinner and off to snoozeville we went!

Day 1 - We went to the National Mosque, but it was closed that day. Mr. Teh (our official taxi driver and tour guide) brought us to the National Museum instead. We also dropped by the Royal Palace. We had lunch at Chinatown -- the first of our many food adventures. After checking in at our hotel, we rode the train going to Petronas Towers, and going back to Kath's house. Whew! We were so tired! We felt so old.

Day 2 -We went back to Petronas Towers to have photos taken from the outside. We went shopping at a local grocery for "pasalubong." Kath met us for lunch at Madam Kuan's. Then we headed to Beryl's Chocolate Shop for more "pasalubong" shopping. After that, we went to the KL Tower. We tried Turkish Ice Cream. It was a bit mind-boggling that the Turkish guy was expecting us to ask him about Ylmaz Bektas. Hay, sometimes Filipinos can really be too "showbiz." From the KL Tower, we attended mass, then had dinner at KFC.

Day 3 - We took a bus going to Genting Highlands. It took us a while to check in at First World Hotel (long bus ride, long queue to the cable car, and a long wait for our rooms to be available). At least we got another chance to satisfy our food cravings. That day, it seemed we only paused for a while before we were eating again. We probably had 4 or 5 meals that day.

Day 4 - We went to Snow World in the morning. Somewhere in the middle of putting on stinky cold gear and actually subjecting ourselves to freezing temperature, we were thinking..."Why are we doing this?" Well at least, we had wonderful photos from that. Kath and her family returned to KL that afternoon. I'm glad I was able to spend time with her before they left. After they left, we finally went out of First World Hotel and explored the surrounding areas. We had an early dinner at a coffee shop. That night, I got to ride the Flying Coaster. It was great, but it wasn't as fast as I imagined it to be. Too bad Sky Venture was closed. Leen and Jeff also joined me for an indoor roller coaster ride. To cap the night, we watched "Journey to the Center of the Earth."

Day 5 - Mr. Teh fetched us at dawn to bring us to the airport. By 5pm that day, I was home sweet home.

Wow! It was indeed an experience. Kath and Almer were awesome hosts. Malaysia was just so nice. We had so much fun, and our tummies were always full to the brim. Next project, girls?

25 Best Loved Filipino Children's Book Characters

2008-07-20T21:00:00.016+08:00

My husband thinks I am more excited than Blue to visit this exhibit. Well, who wouldn't be excited? Imagine seeing your favorite children's book characters come alive -- in rubber foam 3D, that is! And, boy, I'm so glad we didn't let the rain stop us from going! The exhibit really didn't disappoint.

For me, the thrill was in seeing characters from books I've read in my childhood. There was Juan Tamad, Pagong and Matsing and Ibong Adarna. For Blue, the delight came from imagining the characters in books he has yet to read. Ampalaya, Barumbadong Bus and Filemon Mamon fired his interest. We both marvelled at the intricacy of how Raquel (from Ang Mahiwagang Buhok ni Raquel) was made. In that instant, we weren't mother and son anymore. We were two readers transported into an imaginary world of books. It was a fantastic moment.

In the end, the best thought came from Blue. He said, "Mom, why is the exhibit ending soon? What a waste if other kids wouldn't get to see it!"

Check out some of our photos in Frozen Frames.

Read more about the 25 Best Loved Filipino Children's Book Characters here: http://www.pbby.org.ph/links-ncbd-2008.html

On the Road With Blue - New Contents

2008-07-20T20:00:00.001+08:00

Blue has moved on to big school. I no longer ride with him on a daily basis. Sad.

But there's no cause for tears. We now say hello to the open road. Alvin and I try to bring him to new and exciting places as often as we can. Watch out for our adventures as we go literally on the road.

PURPOLIO

2008-06-10T16:59:00.002+08:00

I love bargain shopping! Yesterday, amid the hustle and bustle of last-minute back-to-school shopping, we went to Divisoria. (An ordinary market to some...a shopping mecca to me!) But wait, the purpose of yesterday's shopping was not for personal things but for our school's essential stuff. Never mind that I wasn't able to buy anything for myself. Here are two things that made my day:

1. Garlic Salted Squid - For me, a trip to "divi" won't be complete without a hearty lunch from the Thai Kitchen. It's at the food court of 168 Mall. Good shopping finds plus a tummy full-to-the-brim....haaay....who wouldn't be happy? I can almost imagine myself making that contented Garfield smile.

2. Purpolio - We saw a sign that said "Purpolio - P60." The stand was selling portfolio bags for P60. We lost a little bit of self control, laughing at the misspelled (and mispronounced) sign. We began saying "OH, PURPOLIO!" out loud -- and over and over. The lady beside me was examining expandable envelopes. She overheard us laughing and said, "Hindi nga yan purpolio e, eto ang purpolio!" (translation: "Those are not "purpolio," these, (holding an envelope towards me) are "purpolio." I politely acknowledged her remark and went inside the store. Waaaah! I really laughed my head off with that one! Hilarious!

Today, I still have post-Divi pains (from all the walking we had to endure). But what a day! I love Divisoria! Can't wait for my next trip.

2008 Shake Up

2008-06-05T15:54:00.011+08:00

Half of 2008 has gone yet my mind is still reeling from how much different this year has been.

JANUARY - The remnants of the New Year celebration were still scattered in the streets. My nose was still filled with firecracker dust, yet, I found myself queueing to get a Visa at the US Embassy. How many years ago was it when I was first denied? As faith would have it, I got a ten year multiple pass to the US of A. The once called denial queen...ha!...who would have thought?

FEBRUARY - I began swirling into a life so not my own -- bringing the schoolyear to an end (and it's not even March yet), fetching my cousin Danielle from her beauty pageant practices (she won Ms. Congeniality), losing sleep over Daddy's emphysema-labored breathing at night, worrying about a dear friend's failing health, and basically stressing over wanting my easy life back.

MARCH - We made a makeshift stage in our school's backyard. The kids brought Noah's Ark to life. Wow! It was one of those moments that a teacher would never forget. Happy kids, proud parents, and a fulfilled, warm-chocolate type of feeling deep inside.

MARCH (still)- Holy Week came so early this year. It felt weird in many ways -- perhaps an omen of things to come. Our usual routine at the beach (composed mainly of praying, bonding and lots of eating) turned horrible awry! On Holy Thursday night, Daddy had difficulty breathing. He was purple as an eggplant when he got to the emergency room. We were told that we almost lost him that time. Next time I saw him was through a small glass window in the ICU. We couldn't even come to him (not even to say goodbye). All we could do was wave and put on a brave face. I'll never forget when Daddy mimicked a hug with his arms. I had to move away and cry.

Well, Daddy returned to us safely from that one. Albeit with oxygen tank in tow, he went back home soon after that.

APRIL - Summer Vacation! Yehey! This is it! I'm finally going on a vacation! I feel it was a well deserved break, yet there is still one final hurdle to conquer. Daddy was back in the hospital again. His heart's function was still down to 35%. At that time, his lungs was so weak that an operation would have been too risky. I last saw him in the hospital on April 18. I was to leave for my US trip the next day. It was so hard, not knowing if I'll see my daddy again.

I was fortunate that my cell phone messages came in late. I was spared the emotional trauma of worrying while Dad's operation was going on. By the time the phone messages came in, Daddy was already in the recovery room. His operation was a success! =D

MAY - Our US trip ended; we got back home on May 17. The trip was so much fun! Check out our photos: Florida 2008 and California 2008.

Our vacation was a journey into ourselves as well. Alvin and I learned so much about what it means to be a family. We've been married for seven years, yet we never really saw ourselves as one solid unit. This month was really about reconciliation and planning for an exciting future. For the most part, it was a month of returning to family as well. Seeing Daddy and Mommy was sheer joy. My cousins, too, returned from their trip in Australia. We shouted like crazy little kids when we saw each other. Oh, I just love my extended family! For the latter parts, May was also about recovering from jet lag. Haaaa! The grooooove...can't get it back!

JUNE - June? Well, it's only the first week. Blue will be going to big school next week. We're really excited about that (um, in a nervous-parent kind of way, hehe). Things are looking up in our school as well. This schoolyear will surely be more exciting than the last.

SHAKE...SHAKE...SHAKE! Wow! Wouldn't you say it's been intensity gazillion in my 2008?

It takes a lot of courage to release
the familiar and seemingly secure,
to embrace the new.
But there is no real security
in what is no longer meaningful.
There is more security in the adventurous and exciting,
for in movement there is life,
and in change there is power.
--ALAN COHEN

Horton Hears a Who

2008-04-07T15:26:00.006+08:00

We saw Horton Hears a Who last night. Still can't stop talking about it. Blue enjoyed watching it. I was laughing so loud the whole time.

The movie sends a simple message that "A person is a person no matter how small." It makes me think that everything has a purpose. Everything, everyone is important. It has serious implications on so many aspects of life -- from religion to earth conservation to how we relate with the people we meet daily.

It truly was a feel-good movie. I'm so glad I watched it.

What A Mess!

2008-04-06T10:32:00.004+08:00

Can't help but shudder at my half-finished site.

My laptop's killer virus has been eradicated. I'm fighting the urge to write about 1 whole year's photos that were accidentally erased. Man! I cried buckets over them. I was aghast...broken-hearted... but that's all been fixed now. Thanks to Mr. Data Recovery Guy. He saved my photos! (Not to mention my husband's neck for having lost the files in the first place). Well, credit should really go to my husband. Thanks, hon! You cleaned up well this time!

Still, there's a lot of work to be done. My laptop still can't connect to the internet. And this site is still undone. tsk. tsk. tsk....

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

2008-04-05T15:23:00.001+08:00

This blog is 1 year old today!

Techno-troubles!

2007-12-08T22:47:00.001+08:00

Why do I feel that technology is waging a war against me?

First, I ruin my blog layout, then my laptop comes down with a nasty virus. Nasty is even an understatement. My printing jobs hang, that I have to restart my computer everytime I have to print something. For the past three days, I even had to feed thick layers of paper, just so a single sheet would feed properly. To top it all, the virus has been blocking my internet connection. Everyone in my home network can access the internet...except me!

At the same time, our water heater wouldn't work automatically anymore. You have to press on it the whole time it's boiling. Waaaah! Talk about a major roadblock to my multi-tasking morning routine!

As if these weren't enough, my cellphone line was cut off momentarily. The previous week was just mayhem that I completely forgot to pay my overdue phone bill. I had to endure two days without my cellphone before it was reconnected.

To add insult to injury, I have to borrow my husband's laptop just so I can feel a semblance of being "normal." But...this is just so different....so not mine. Huhuhu! I miss my laptop.

Aaaah! I can't help wishing that there was a button to press, then, eveything will just resume to its last-good-configuration. Pleaaaase, erase and rewind!

.......

PS: Having said all these, I feel like such a techno-geek. Makes me shiver! Brrrr! I just wish everything will be ok very soon.

Crash! Bang!

2007-11-28T15:03:00.000+08:00

I accidentally clicked the pick-a-new-template button last Saturday.

I've been working on a new look intermittently.

Hope it turns out well.

My Strawberry Boy

2007-11-06T20:52:00.000+08:00

Words To Ponder #001

2007-10-28T00:25:00.002+08:00

Emotion.Explosion

2007-10-20T17:26:00.000+08:00

Yesterday a bomb exploded in Glorietta 2. The explosion occurred around 1:20pm. We immediately learned about it because the mom and sister of my co-teacher were in the same mall. I gathered my students and told them about what happened. I explained that the affected area was near the activity area where many kids usually stayed. Most of the kids eyes grew bigger realizing that kids like them could have been hurt. We said a little prayer (Blue cried a little, hoping that none of our relatives were there) After that the kids went back to playing -- as if nothing happened.

At that moment, I wish I had the innocence of a child -- I mean, to be able to filter out fear and sadness, and all other bad emotions. The rest of the afternoon was chaos -- everyone were tuned in to the news, every now and then a text message would arrive to warn people away from malls. Haay! What a sad, sad day. I wish I can just go back to playing...like the kids...I wish.

It was the worst incident of its kind in Philippine history. Last night before I slept, the official count was 10 dead, 103 wounded and 10 missing. Today is another day. Another day of political mud slinging. Another day of search and rescue. Another day of shopping as the mall reopened again. In some grim way, I guess we are all like little children. Life will surely go on... sans the paranoia, horror and disgust. Another day...as if nothing happened.

I love Pacman!

2007-10-07T17:58:00.001+08:00

A few hours ago, television once again managed to freeze time for the Filipinos. The feature - Manny Paqcuiao's rematch against Marco Barrera. If it weren't for the broadcast lag time, I swear, a resounding yell would have been heard when Pacman proved his might once again.

Wow! You've got to love this guy. Who wouldn't? At the time of the controversial ZTE deal, the insulting medical school comment of Teri Hatcher in Desperate Housewives, and another show calling former president Cory Aquino a slut; his victory is just so rejuvenating! He has united the Filipinos over and over, more than any bumbling politician ever did or ever could! As Eric Morales put it in their beer commercial, "Wala kang katulad, Manny!"

Pavarotti Passed Away

2007-09-20T18:26:00.000+08:00

Heard (and read) on the news:

"Luciano Pavarotti, the Italian singer whose ringing, pristine sound set a standard for operatic tenors of the postwar era, died Thursday at his home near Modena, in northern Italy. He was 71."

For me, Pavarotti is (for lack of a better phrase) the poster boy of being a male operatic singer. Name any commercial where a tenor appears, and he will surely look like him and mimic how he sings. I do hope geniuses like him will continue to be born as our civilizations gets older.

On the Road with Blue #002

2007-08-28T17:41:00.004+08:00

I'm driving. Blue has been quiet for quite some time.
Suddenly, he said,
"Mom, I challenge you to a NO-MOVING-CONTEST! "

......?????.....Duh?!!
"How can I drive without moving?"

being a mom is a tough job

Alladin Meets Two Face

2007-07-07T14:48:00.000+08:00

On the Road with Blue #001

2007-07-06T13:36:00.003+08:00

Blue and I travel together on a daily basis. Our road trips are a treasure throve of memories to blog about. Hence, I'm starting this "On the Road with Blue" series. It's all about the things that we see along the way and how Blue (with his awesome mind) reacts to what we encounter. So here's the first...

We're still reeling from the Transformers movie the other day. While stopped at one intersection, Blue noticed a tanker a few cars in front of us. There was white smoke coming out from pipes at the end. (the kind of smoke that they used on Bumblebee in the movie) Coming closer, Blue asked me to read the vehicle's label. It read--CRYOGENIC LIQUID. Cool! Just what they used to freeze Megatron!

When we had a chance to overtake the tanker, Blue shouted, "Open your window, Mommy!" And so I did (not thinking whether those fumes might be dangerous or not). Some of the smoke got inside our vehicle. It was cold! We both tried to feel the cold smoke....."Weeeeee!"

Then as we left the tanker behind, Blue knowingly said, "Megatron is inside that truck." Haay, it's really great to be a kid!

More Than Meets The Eye

2007-07-05T14:36:00.001+08:00

Flying Little Man

2007-06-01T14:41:00.001+08:00

As I post this blog, Blue's flying on an airplane en route to Cebu. It's his first plane ride. I'm so thrilled for him! He's on a four-day vacation with Alvin's parents and brother. This is not his first time away from us, and also not the longest. My bestfried, Kath, commented that he really is such a big boy -- being able to take trips without us. She said I can let go of him already.

Oh, I don't know about that. On the outside, he does seem like a big boy. But if you check his bag, he still has his favorite Elmo pillow in tow. I told him this morning that Elmo is shabby, tattered and black already, he might as well leave it. He said, "..it's because he's Dark Elmo today!" Hahaha! Of course! Why didn't I know that?

Lobster Thermidore

2007-05-29T00:14:00.000+08:00

I'm such a bad person! I was given a fortune lobster as a Thank-You present. The instructions were quite simple. Feed it once a day with a pellet. Give it a vegetable treat once a week. If you're going on a vacation...go ahead and leave it inside the ref! For Pete's sake! You can even leave it there for 3 months!

It all seems so easy and yet my pet is in lobster heaven now. Huhu! I only had it for 2 days. I didn't even get to give it a vegetable treat! Which leads me to think...I should have sealed it shut in the ref! Ayayay! Happy thoughts please! Perhaps this lobster quote will suffice:

"I don't need music, lobster or wine
Whenever your eyes look into mine;
The things I long for are simple and few:
A cup of coffee, a sandwich--and you!"
Billy Rose

The Boys Meet Spiderman

2007-05-27T22:27:00.001+08:00

A Treat For Me

2007-05-21T17:16:00.002+08:00

What happened to my weekend? What, I just woke up and it's Monday again?! I woke up early because I had a looming sense of unfinished business (like it was doomsday or something). But surprise of all surprises! I received a call that I need not report to school today! Woohoo! Oh Happy Day!

Happy Birthday Dad!

2007-05-20T19:05:00.000+08:00

I had to wake up early on a Sunday! This on top of an overnight bout of diarrhea! It was really a struggle to get up! We had a seminar for Carly's Baptism at 8:30am. I was her Ninang or Godmother. What a whirlwind--9:30 mass, 10:30 baptism, then lunch at home for Dad's birthday. The house was swarming with people when we got home! The heat was terrible! The pace at the buffet table was frantic! But the food was great! (Thanks to mom - she only had 1 hour of sleep - I have no right to complain) But that's not all! There was still a 3:00 party at Dad's Restaurant in Alabang for ZJ's 3rd Birthday and Carly's Baptism. This day has made gluttons out of everyone.

Afterwards Alvin treated me for an Ice-blended White Chocolate Dream at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Blue got an Ice-blended Melon Dew. Tsk, tsk, tsk! Gluttony alert to the highest level!

HATCH Open House, Happy Birthday ZJ

2007-05-19T21:20:00.001+08:00

We had an open house at our school today. So far, we have a few confirmed students. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for our 25-student target. What a tiring day (and emotional day, too! - no thanks to my pick-up a.k.a. sauna adventures). ZJ's birthday dinner at home was really a treat!

P r O c R a S t i N a T i O n

2007-05-15T17:51:00.000+08:00

procrastinate... put off... delay... dawdle... dally... defer... drag your feet... hang fire... postpone.

Can you sense that I'm procrastinating here? So many things to be done, yet I have no spirit to start the ball rolling. What a lazy day! What a lazy me!