Anorexic ka ba anak?

It's Friday and Salma has playschool class at 10AM, so we were trying to make her hurry up and get ready, I carried her to the dining table to make her eat her breakfast.

She pushed her food away, and said "I don't want to eat, I will get fat.."
I was shocked of course, nanlaki mga mata ko! But taking it on a light mood, I said "Ayaw mo nun? Cute nga eh! Fat is cute noh!"

Salma complete with maarteng facial expression, imagine twitched nose and squinting eyes, she pointed to her cheeks and pinched em while saying, "Eh I dont like, chubby chubby na cheeks ko o!"

Natameme na ko..wala na ko masabi. Sarap kutusan hahaha! Ang arte!

This is how I see this, she's not anorexic - of course not hahaha!
She just doesn't feel like eating and she knows na how to reason out or make up excuses! Like what she did the other day when she didn't want to go to school, claiming she was sick.

Hmmm...naughty witty kid. Manang mana sa pinagmanahan. Lol.

Harrold's Bday at Kanin Club

 

Sinigang na kanin

lemon chicken

crispy tadyang

crispy dinuguan

Lolo and Salma with their toothpick

Kanin Club
TechnoHub, Commonwealth Ave. QC

Salma Anecdotes

YouTube-ing Salma

At Salma's age, it wouldn't be surprising to know that she has now become a rival on our television and computer. And yes, she wins most of the time. I miss some episodes of my primetime bida shows because she wanted another channel. Marlowe can't focus playing online poker because Salma wanted to watch on youtube.

Last Monday, before hopping into the shower, I left the computer on, with the browser on youtube playing a Keri Hilson music video. While I was in the bathroom, Salma shouted and said "Mommy!! I don't like the many many videos there (on the side bar)!" She was referring to the choices of other Related Videos on the side, she was choosing what to watch next.

I answered her, "Why? What do you want to watch?" She said "Mickey Mouse! Cartoons! I want cartoons!" I told her to wait for me, but she still kept on whining and nagging me to change the video playing on youtube.

I, annoyed already, answered her "Eh di you type on the search box the word Mickey Mouse!" Still whining, she went back to the computer, nagdadabog pa. And then after a little while, the music on the computer stopped playing, then she shouted again "Mommy!!!! What happened???! It's wrong eh!!!"

So I went out of the bathroom to check because Salma sounded really upset already..hehe..when I saw what was on the screen I couldn't help but laugh!! I immediately called Marlowe to tell him the funny story!

This was what I saw on the screen:

Hahahaha! Salma actually typed on the search box! But of course, she doesn't know yet how to type words correctly kaya ganyan! Hahaha! Funny haha kasi atleast she knows how to "search" for her favorite videos. LOL

Should I be worried?

Sometime July, I enrolled Salma in a nearby playschool. She has classes every Wednesday and Friday.

Last Wednesday, as Yaya and I were preparing her to class, Salma naman on the other hand, seemed too lazy to go, she wouldn't eat her breakfast as her eyes were glued on TV, so I turned it off. She went down the bed, I was trying to take off her clothes so we can bathe her na pero ayaw pa din nya, she went inside the cabinet and pretended that she's hiding as if nakikipaglaro ako. I was telling her firmly that she needs to get moving because she's late na for school, pero dinededma ako, parang walang naririnig at iniiba ang usapan! So I asked her,
Me: Salma do you want to go to school?
Salma: (deadma)
Me: Yes??
Salma: (shaking her head)
Me: No?
Salma: (nodding)
Me: Why?
Salma: I'm sick. (complete with kawawa face)

Eh wala naman syang sakit. Well, may konting sipon sya pero konti lang, pwede naman sya pumasok eh. I told her Im gonna call her teacher and she has to be the one to tell her teacher her reason for not going to school, and I did. Sabi nya nga sa teacher nya "Im sick."

Hay nako.. alam ko nagdadahilan lang ang bata. Pero sige, sick daw eh. Then come afternoon, I asked her Me: Salma, are you sick?
Salma: No!
Me: Then why did you tell your teacher that youre sick, ha?
Salma: Nah, Im just joking her!

Hayy.. Kaloka! Marunong na magdahilan ang anak ko, namana yata talaga kalokohan ng daddy nya! Pero naisip ko din, baka na-bore sa school kasi kaka-start pa lang ng 2nd sem at wala pang ibang enrollees kaya wala pa syang classmates. Hmmm.. ano, should I be worried sa kalokohan na yun ni Salma? Natatawa ako na medyo nagiging worried din of course, ayoko naman na maging pala-absent sya paglaki nya diba.


Boy-Girl
Last Saturday, we were wathcing the new abs-cbn noontime show ShowTime where one of the casts is the gay comedian Vice Ganda, for those of you who doesn't know him, eto sya:

Salma: Mommy, what's his name?
Me: Vice Ganda.
Salma: I thought he's a boy??
Me: Yes he is, but he's gay - a boy pretending to be a girl.
Salma: Ah... so he's 2 (2 genders) ! He's a boy-girl!
Me: Ahmm.. yes. (Hahaha wala na ko masabi eh, anu pa nga ba! Haha!)

Nakakaloka noh...pano kung medyo malaki malaki na si Salma at magtanong pa yan ng magtanong..Hahaha! Hayyy....

Cooking for my hubby

When we got married, I tried my best to be as domesticated as I could be. On our first mornings together, I woke up early to prepare breakfast for Marlowe. Bacon, ham, eggs, toasts, butter, jam.. the works! Parang pang-hotel na breakfast talaga, pero yun pala, my husband just wanted to have peanut butter sandwich and hot choco-milk in the morning. Hehe..now he's very vocal with his appreciation of what I do - heat his milk and make sure that we never get run out of peanut butter. =)

But of course, aside from breakfast - there's lunch, and dinner. So my bestfriends were cookbooks and cooking blogs (my favorite: www.pinoycook.net). I learned to cook dishes I never imagined I could cook when I was single, mga simple lang din naman like Pinakbet, Monggo, Tinola, etc. Pero big deal na sakin yun...kasi when I was single, kitchen and I equates to disaster, lahat kasi ng niluluto ko parang lasang laruan lang.. haha! Hindi talaga edible...ewan kung baket! Nasasayang ko lang ang food. Pero nung nag-asawa na ko, kahit papano, I can proudly say, natuto na ko! Edible na talaga ang luto ko! Or..on second thought...baka no choice lang kami kasi wala na kaming kakaining iba. hahaha!

The biggest challenge for me is cooking for two. Hindi ako maurnong magtantya ng para sa dalawang tao lang...parati may sumosobra, eh ayaw na namin kumain ng leftovers kasi mangyayari 24 hours mai-stock sa ref kasi usually dinner lang naman ako kelangan magluto, unless weekends. Kaya ayun...sadly minsan kinakatamaran ko na din.  I sort of gave up cooking. Hanggang sa nagreklamo na asawa ko puro pancit canton na lang kasi kinakain nya. LOL

So ngayon, I promise itutuloy kong mag practice magluto para sa asawa ko. hehe. Lalo na, tipid mode kami ngayon, kelangan iwasan ang pagpapa-deliver or pagkain-kain sa labas. Hehe.

The other night nga I thought of cooking sweet & sour fish when I saw that I got a free sweet&sour recipe mix from Del Monte, so I prepared the fish na..pero ang kaso...I also prepared the sweet & sour sauce -from scratch! Nakalimutan ko na meron nga pala akong ready-mix na from del monte. Haha. Naalala ko na lang nung tapos na kami kumain. Ayun, ang verdict, my sweet &sour fish is sweeter than it should be hahahaha lasang dessert! =P 

Halloween 2009

I remember saying to myself halloween last year that Im going to prepare for this year. So, August pa lang when I was preparing for Salma's 3rd bday, when she told me she wanted to wear Cinderella dress, I planned already of having one custom-made for her come halloween, but it didnt push through coz a month before halloween, she said she wanted to be Ariel (Little Mermaid), so I decided to postpone buying costume because of her fickle-mindedness. True enough a week after that, she suddenly wanted to be Snow White, and then one week before PAWS Scaredy Cats & Dogs Year 6, Salma told me she wanted to be a Superhero. But then, I didn't have the time anymore to buy a ready-made costume. And of course, sadly I couldn't make or even buy one for my dog Clover too - aside from the fact that it would be a hassle to get her from my parents' house and then bring her back there after the event.

Naisip ko na lang to just watch the event kahit walang costume si Salma, but then again, kawawa naman if she won't join trick or treat diba...so isip isip ng costume...naghalungkat ako sa cabinet at nakita ko yung binigay na cheongsam sa kanya nung neighbor namin a few months ago! Pinasukat ko agad kay Salma at buti na lang kasya pa!!! And buti na lang din she liked it! She's really pretending to be Chinese on it hehehe in character talaga! nag-i-intisk intsikan ang loka!

"siopao siomai hopia pansit!"

the program has started na when we arrived. just like last year, ang daming tao! enjoy!

with Ninang Andeng, baby Kylie and CJ as Rainbow Brite!

Both Kylie and CJ won prizes for having the cutest and best costumes! We're so proud!

I thought Salma have stage fright like mommy.. pero susme.. pag akyat namin ng stage dinedma na ko! Bigla na lang nagpo-posing posing! Bumaba na ko ng stage pero sya andun pa din at ayaw na bumaba! Hahaha!

It's really fun Trick-or-Treating in the mall, aircon na nakakapag-window shopping pa si Mommy! Haha!

PAWS Scaredy Cats & Dogs year 6

October 25, 2009

Eastwood Central Plaza

Prayer for Emotional Healing

I want to share with you a prayer that helped me a lot during my moments of weakness. Times when there were much negative emotions building up inside that I could no longer express in words what I wanted to tell Him. This prayer summed up what my heart yearns for.

PRAYER FOR EMOTIONAL HEALING

Loving Father,

I come before You with faith

in Your promise

that whatever I ask for in Your name

You will grant to me if it is for the good

of my soul and in accordance

with Your Divine Will.

I come trusting in Your great love for me

and believing that only You

know what is best for me.

I come to You now to ask

that You enter my heart

and heal all my wounded emotions.

You know me better than I know myself.

Bring Your healing love

into every corner of my heart

and release all the buried

negative emotions inside

that have not been resolved

and continue to cause

me pain and anguish.

Remove all unhealed hurts

and painful memories

that block the flow of Your graces,

robbing me of Your peace, love and joy.

Heal all feelings of sadness, loneliness,

fear and anxiety.

Heal all guilt, despair,

feelings of betrayal and rejection.

Heal all feelings of anger, hatred,

resentment and bitterness.

Bring Your healing love to all my emotions

that have caused me feelings

of hopelessness, discouragement,

helplessness and despair.

Grant me the grace to forgive all those

who caused these negative

emotions and likewise to be forgiven

by those to whom I have done the same harm.

O Lord, give me a repentant heart,

forgive me for my sins

and failures, and be merciful to me.

Help me to realize the blessings

that resulted from each painful experience

and how this has led me closer to You.

As You release from me

all these painful emotions,

fill all empty spaces

with Your love, Your peace, Your joy

and the powerful presence

of Your Holy Spirit.

After I have been healed,

may my life be a witness

to Your power and glory

and may I reach out to others, too.

All these I pray in Jesus’ name

through Mary and all the angels

and saints.

Amen.

Tita Cory

I know my blog is delayed, as Im trying to update it and I'm currently on the month of August , I remembered the very first day of August which saddened many Filipinos throughout the world.

Even if it's now months after President Cory Aquino passed away, I still wanted to mark on my blog a tribute for her.

I admire Pres. Cory so much not only for what she has done to make our country attain democracy, but most of all, I admire her for her unwavering faith, purity of soul, selfless love for the people, and the sacrifice she offered for the common good.

She served the country like how a mother serve her children. She was called to be a Leader, and President Cory did it as what God meant a Leader to be.

She fought the battle peacefully. Remained calm but still showed great courage and strength.

Most especially, President Cory encouraged and led the Filipinos to pray and really believe that prayers are indeed powerful - more powerful than any weapon there is. She taught us how to patient, she proved to us that God answers prayers in His time, and not ours.

One more thing I like best from her is how she gives emphasis to the virtue of simplicity. Her celebrity daughter, Kris Aquino, said that her mother advised her to never enter politics unless she learns how to live a simple life. Makes a lot of sense, right?

With that, I support and believe the Canonization of Cory Aquino, she is the saint of people power.

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/327378/57878619?m=8a2642d9

Click the link if you also believe.

August 2009 Celebrations

Have I told you that my favorite month is August? I bet I already did! Obvious naman why =)

Salma's Birthday
Shakey's. Pizza. Arcade.

We were still awake before midnight of August 6, so we decided to just wait for the clock to strike 12, lit a candle (candle lang, wala pang cake eh hahaha!), and sang Happy Birthday to sweety Salma :)

 

Pizza and arcade party for our family and closest friends, some neighbors and Salma's playmates.

 Giant PIZZA!!!

 

 

 

After the party, we went to Salma's happy place =  Starbucks!

Miko's Birthday

Casino Royale. Poker party. Dance showdown. 

The Birthday Boy

Salma not in the mood for picture-picture

 

Daddy can I join your game?

 

Mame's Birthday

Surprise. Sharmila Ortigas H.D. 

She thought we're just gonna have the usual birthday dinner - just us - so surprised she cried when she saw long table with familiar faces, complete with cake and balloons!

 

 

 

Ang original na magkamukha! Hehe! next si Salma. lol

 

My 27th Birthday

Yikes! I'm OLD!

Tagaytay overnight. Swimming. Casino. Bag of Beans.

Co-celebrators Edu and Zasha (jen's daughter)

 

poker na naman!

 

 

 

 

 

Birthday Dinner on my actual birthday (Crisostomo, Eastwood Mall)

Starbucks after dinner

Happy month!!!

Though medyo nagdrama-drama lang ako nung birthday ko hahaha! (What's new?!?!)

Siguro ganon lang talaga, I become emotional tuwing August and February. Gets nyo? Dapat si Marlowe gets na yon..so, bebi...alam mo na na dapat pinaghahandaan mo those months, ok? Hehe! :)

Girlfriends

I always find myself being grateful and overwhelmed with the gift of friendship. I always say that the 3 most important things in my life are the 3 F's: Faith, Family and Friends. Friends always make me happy, make me feel loved. Sometimes kasi I feel so useless and unworthy, and the gift of friendship never fails to lift me up.

needless to say, when i consider someone my friend, I mean it in the TRUEST sense of the word, that's why I easily get hurt when I feel that its unrequited.

Ive already written last year about an old friend whom I care for so much (upto now), but disses my husband - actually anyone, anything..everything, I don't know why - basta kontra sya sa lahat. We somehow got used to her attitude of saying nasty remarks about people (by people, i dont mean random people - it means our other friends, her family, her husband, our husbands or boyfriends), sanay na kami kaya di namin pinapansin masyado mga sinasabi nya, but then I thought what if iba makausap nya - someone who doesnt personally know us/my husband/my other friends? Eh di sira na kami sa taong yon?

That happened na nga actually, pero last year lang I decided to confront her about her attitude. I wanted to tell her coz as her friend, I can't just let her do that to other people. baka kasi porke wala nagsasabi sa kanya, kala nya parating okay lang. So I confronted her through a letter, a friendly yet honest letter. I hugged her pa after giving her that letter. I still used to text her pero dedma naman.

Months after, we went out pa, I didn't give her cold shoulder, I  still smiled and made chika to her-the usual, pero sya yung nagbago, sya yung nailang. She couldn't look straight into my eyes anymore. And since then, ako rin "natabangan" na sa friendship namin. Sad, pero ganon eh.

Ngayon I just pray na if not sa akin, I believe someday she'll meet someone na makapagparelaize sa kanya ng value ng relationships, and if if she realized that, she'll learn how to be careful and sensitive sa mga salitang binbitiwan nya.

Another challenge happened naman with another group of friends, though it doesn't directly involved me, affected pa din ako and super na-sad, siguro I thought kasi the friendships in that group was real - naive lang siguro ako, or idealistic?

Anyway, here's the kwento - kasi one girl from our group (lets call her D) who was super nice to me kept saying stuff about this other girl (call her O) who also belongs to our circle. Eversince nakasama ko si D, she always had little chismis's about O. Actually deadma lang ako at first, kasi her style hindi mo maobvious na chismis (a.k.a. backstabbing) sa una, kasi she says it to me in a "as if concerned" tone...parang ako, nakikinig lang..kasi dati, I wasn't that close to O. But eventually, I became close to O na din, but still di pa din ako nakialam. Pero natuturn off na din ako dun sa kay D..kasi if they really were friends - tulad ng pinapakita nila samin - dapat yung mga nanonotice ni D na "bad" daw about our friend O, sya na mismo magsabi diba.

Until the time came na nalaman na ni O from other sources (take note, plural - not just one source), na D was saying not-so-nice things behind her back. O realized that D is a fake friend, and she decided right then and there to delete D in her life - deadma and delete forever.

Dun ako na-sad, kasi wala na naging chance for them to talk and fix whatever the problem was. Si D di na rin nag-effort kesyo ayaw nya na mauna mag-approach kasi she would appear guilty (hello..totoo naman eh).

Pero siguro, if I were in O's shoes, di ko na din siguro kaya pang i-try na i-fix yung friendship...kasi trust na yung nasira eh. At ang dami pang nagpatunay dun sa ginagawa nung tao na yon. I mean, it' easier to accept na may mga tao talagang maninira sayo...could be because of matinding inggit and insecurity, normal lang na may mga ganong tao sa buhay natin.. deadma lang, as long as malayo sila sayo - mamatay sila sa inggit. Pero mahirap kung yung taong gumagawa non malapit sayo...kasama mo parati, pinapapasok mo sa bahay mo at hinahandaan ng pagkain, tinuturing mong friend, tapos ganon pala. Hayy. sad.

Now at this point in my life, Im proud to say I know who my real friends are. Ito yung mga friends ko na nawala, nalayo sakin, hindi ko nakasundo, nakasagutan ko..pero til now, andyan pa din. Sila yung kaya kong sabihan ng kahit ano, na hindi ko iniisip kung after ko ba sabihin yon, magbabago ba tingin nila sa akin. These friends of mine, I know na kapag may mali akong ginawa, alam ko kaya nila akong pagsabihan. Kapag may balak akong gawing masama, alam ko pipigilan nila ako, and they know na if I didnt listen to them...alam nila na mas-kelangan nila akong pigilan. Coz they know that I will thank them after.

Andrea and Jen, thanks. After another 5 years na-prove na naman natin kung gano tayo ka-solid. Haha!

Though ngayon, ibang level na mga issues natin, nakakatuwa kasi ibang level na din yung pag-handle natin sa issues. Super nakakatuwa kasi nawitness natin how each of us have grown :) 

Five years from now, Im sure Ill be blogging again about how thankful I am for you girls. :)  

 

Old Website

Pre-blogspot, I only use Geocities for our website (imagine manual HTML...then came MS Frontpage! but still, couldn't believe I was that tech-savvy when i was younger.lol) parang ngayon, nakalimutan ko na lahat yon. =S

Now i got email that geocities is closing, users were asked to copy their files..so I did. It was so fun seeing your old files HAHA!

Here are pics of our old layouts...manually made by yours truly. ahem. only proves how much inlove I was with my exBF (now hubby)!

What really cracked me up was seeing our old Guestbook which Ive totally forgotten about! I didn't know it still existed until i saw it! Hahaha!

Only old friends and readers of this blog will surely relate to what I'm feeling right now. Haha. If you're thinking that you might be one of those who wrote on our guestbook before, check it out now, click the link below, and be amused. :)

http://pub12.bravenet.com/guestbook/show.php?usernum=983160169&v_cardid=

Realizations after Ondoy

Through the recent calamity, a lot of things had been running on mind.

For the most part, Matthew 6:19-21 says it all  

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  

In just a matter of 6 hours, hard-earned material possessions were gone - home, businesses - that people were working hard for in 10-20 years were just destroyed in just a snap. Even life of loved ones taken, gone, just like that.

Again, we are reminded that we have to simplify our life by focusing on what lasts eternally. Everything, including our life, here on earth are just temporary. God just entrusted us to take care of these things, including our family, time will come that God may take it all away from us, thus we shall not be too attached and just do our part in taking care of what He has entrusted us.

It is more important to invest in the eternal life that follows, because life here on earth is just a temporary assignment, a test - we are just here on earth for a little while. Understanding this will help us achieve contentment in life easier.

On then other hand, I was overwhelmed with the compelling feeling that I have since looking out my window from the 7th floor that 26th of September - upon seeing the creek overflowing, I immediately thought of the people who might be trapped, submerged, or worse drowning. I felt I had to do something. 

Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something!

Well, on a side note, I have this personal issue of feeling useless at times, I feel that I am weak, that the world can go on and on without my help - but during that time I really felt that I am someone who couldn't do nothing. I knew I could! And I knew that it was God who was calling me to help. And in fact, the help I offered didn't just favor the people, but mostly, it made me feel better about myself.

Don't let what you cannot do be a hindrance to what you CAN do.

And it was so surreal seeing people from all walks of life, going hand-in-hand to save and help the flood and typhoon victims. It inspires me to do more. And I am so grateful to God for putting in my heart that feeling and motivation of doing something to help my kababayans.

Truly, this tragedy brought out the best in us - the Filipinos.

But let us not forget, that Helping is not done once. Helping shouldn't stop, because many are in need of it. And still, let us not underestimate the power of PRAYERS. Keep on praying, and do it more fervently.

One more thing we shall not overlook is WHY this calamity happened. Our climate is changing. Ondoy, sadly, is just a taste of what we have done to our nature. We cannot turn back time and restore what has been long damaged. But we could still do our part in minimizing the bad effects of our recklessness and start taking care and giving back to our mother nature. I have mentioned that we are called by God as trustees of His creation, let us not fail Him in doing so. I hope that this be a lesson for us to work adn exert our efforts in conserving energy, a simple garbage segragation in your own homes could go a long way. Knowing that conserving energy not only lowers your Meralco bill, but also does a lot to help our environment, makes it easier and gives us a happier feeling when we decide to unplug sometimes.

Let us all say this prayer... “Oratio Imperata for Deliverance From Calamities”

“Oratio Imperata for Deliverance From Calamities”

“Almighty Father, we raise our hearts to You in gratitude for the wonders of creation of which we are part, for Your providence in sustaining us in our needs, and for Your wisdom that guides the course of the universe.

“We acknowledge our sins against You and the rest of creation.

“We have not been good stewards of Nature.

“We have confused Your command to subdue the earth.

“The environment is made to suffer our wrongdoing, and now we reap the harvest of our abuse and indifference.

“Global warming is upon us. Typhoons, floods, volcanic eruption, and other natural calamities occur in increasing number and intensity.

“We turn to You, our loving Father, and beg forgiveness for our sins.

“We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard earned possessions be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made.

“We beseech You to inspire us all to grow into responsible stewards of Your creation, and generous neighbors to those in need.

“Amen.”

Our Kababayans need our help

Please donate, volunteer, and most importantly, pray for all the victims of Typhoon Ondoy.

REDCROSS
http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/wtd.aspx

Monetary Donations

1. CASH or CHECK
Please send cash or check donations to the PNRC National Headquarters in Manila. Checks should be made payable to The Philippine National Red Cross. We can also arrange for donation pick-up.

2. BANK DEPOSIT
Account Name: The Phil. Nat’l. Red Cross

METROBANK
Port Area Branch
Peso Acct.: 151-3-041-63122-8
Dollar Acct.: 151-2-151-00218-2
Type of Acct. : SAVINGS
Swift Code: MBTC PH MM

BANK OF THE PHIL. ISLANDS
Port Area Branch
Peso Acct.: 4991-0010-99
Type of Account: CURRENT

BANK OF THE PHIL. ISLANDS
UN Branch
Dollar Acct.: 8114-0030-94
Type of Account: SAVINGS
Swift Code: BOPI PH MM

For your donations to be properly acknowledged, please fax the bank transaction slip at nos. +63.2.527.0575 or +63.2.404.0979 with your name, address and contact number.

SMS and G-CASH (Globe)

SMS
text REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)

G-CASH
text DONATEAMOUNT4-digit M-PINREDCROSS to 2882

You may also deposit your Donations thru  
ABS-CBN SAGIP KAPAMILYA
BANCO DE ORO
Acct name: SAGIP KAPAMILYA
Acct.# BDO 5630020111
swift code is BNORPHMM ABS CBN branch

FOR THOSE ABROAD:
YOU CAN DONATE ONLINE THRU CREDIT CARD
Click the link for details , just inndicate donation for Typhoon Ondoy, Philippines

http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com/donate.php
http://www.myayala.com/ 
http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/Default.aspx?S=48&SS=972

FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO VOLUNTEER (repacking and distributing goods)
ABS-CBN needs volunteers for Sept. 28, 29 & 30. Shifts are 8:00AM-12:00NN; 1:00-5:00PM and 5:00-9:00PM. Call 924-4101 loc. 2603, 2579, 4759.

From UsGirls - We need every able bodied person to help the victims of typhoon Ondoy. Donations of all sorts are most welcome. Join us tomorrow, 8 AM at Examiner St., Sagip Kapamilya Office. Us Girls is on a mission to donate blankets, clothes, formula milk and easy-open goods. To those who are willing to help, please reply to this post or send your inquiries to Roy, Wet or Toni at 0915 4836861.

Junior Chamber International - Manila will be accepting donations at the Baypark Tent, Roxas Blvd near Malate Church and Rajah Soliman Park starting today to help the victims hit by typhoon Ondoy. Volunteers are welcome to join the packing of... goods (Canned Goods, Ready-to-drink Milk, Bottled Water, Blankets and Clothes).


GAWAD KALINGA needs people to help buy goods, and to sign up for the centers. Contact Raul Dizon 09178888109 and Felice Caringal 09178888304. We are targeting 6PM for the centers to be fully operational. Operation GK Walang Iwanan Headquarters will be in RFM Gym in Pioneer.

DROP OFF POINTS for your donations:
SAGIP KAPAMILYA CENTER - Tomas Morato corner Sct. Bayoran (near Alex III)

GMA Kapuso Foundation

Ateneo De Manila University (court)

Miriam College (INSA office)
UP DIliman (Vinzons Hall)
7-11 Branches
McDonalds Branches (NCR)
Petron Gasoline Stations
Starbucks branches
Mail and More (FedEX, Air21) outlets 
One Orchard Road, Eastwood City
LUCA branches (Rockwell, Shangrila Plaza)
DSWD (Batasan Complex, QC), DSWD (Quiapo, Manila), DSWD (Pasay City), Petron Gasoline Stations, White Space (2314 Pasong Tamo Ext., Makati), Balay Expo (Araneta Center, Cubao, QC), and Ateneo De Manila.

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. Proverbs 25:21

The goodnight song

About a couple of weeks ago, while we were on our way to visit Lola Ching in Malabon, Salma might have felt a little bored she suddenly asked me to sing her the "goodnight song", without thinking, I just made up lyrics saying goodnight-goodnight in a nursery rhyme sing-song tone.

She snapped and said "NO! not that! Mommy you're wrong". I said I don't know the goodnight song eh, I told her you ask Lola Ne, then Mama also sang a made up song - mali pa din daw, until Salma asked Lolo, and then Yaya. Mali pa din. Naiinis na sya, but she still went on at making us sing THE GOODNIGHT SONG!
Until the radio played BEP's I gotta feeling.... Salma cried out in amazement "There!!! That's the goodnight song!!" We were all like, "Ahhhhhhhh!! Okayyyyyy!" Hahaha laughtrip!

Marlowe's Jollibee Party

A year before Marlowe turned 30, I was already planning to give him a surprise birthday bash. At first I thought of reserving a venue, like bar/grill resto. But since I saw how much he "enjoyed" going to  Jollibee parties last year, I've decided to give hm his own Jollibee party!! And besides, he never experienced having one during his childhood. Aww

Reserved the branch I think March pa lang, mahirap na baka maunahan. I was with Salma when I did the reservations, the crew thought it was for my daughter's party, when asked for the age/numbers that they would put on the cake candle, of course nagulat sila at natawa! :)

The surprise plan was going quite well, I've sneaked into his celphone and got the numbers of his friends, informed them 2 weeks ahead, and most of his friends were very cooperative naman, excited pa!

I guess Marlowe somehow knew that I have something cooking up for his bday, but he doesn't have idea that it's gonna be like that - a funny jollibee party.

Until the day finally came, I told yaya to bring Salma to the office, but to bring clothes for changing na, they pretended that Salma was just gonna tambay in the office to play with lolo and lola. But actually, they went to the venue na.. I was exchanging texts with my SIL if guests have already arrived. Ive made up an excuse to Marlowe if he could drive me to Starbucks (near Jollibee) because kunwari I was meeting up with a buyer there. I changed my clothes, I wore a dress which made him grin - I said I just felt like wearing a dress kasi bago eh, para kako malabhan na! LOL. That moment I knew kinikilig na sya kasi alam nya na na this is it- party time na! haha! Though I was sure di pa nya alam na sa Jollibee yon. He changed clothes too, and quite overdressed din for Starbucks meetup hahahaha, so I really knew excited na din sya! Nakakatawa. Pero may panira eh, all of a sudden our neighbor (invited sa surprise party-well informed naman, or so i thought) called up marlowe asking "Hello, ay marlowe Happy Birthday, andyan na sina (name of her kids)? nagcommute lang kasi sila, check ko kung nakarating na sila dyan?" So na-weirduhan na si marlowe, ask nya "Ha?? Anditosaan??" sagot naman si neighbor "Dyan sa Jollibee? Andyan na sila??" Grrrr...Marlowe passed the phone to me, natatawa na sya. Ako badtrip syempre. Pero what the heck, ilang minuto na din naman im gonna spill it to him na..so okay lang. But no one from us was talking about it, natatawa na lang kami. So we drove to Starbucks, pero nung malapit na, I told him "Dun mo na nga sa JOllibee!" tapos ayun tawanan na! Hahahaha! Ayun si loko excited na umakyat sa party nya hahaha!

the bday boy!

"happy birthday daddeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...."

continuation inuman at Baliwag

Papa's Bday at Makati Shang

Last April 25 was Papa's bday, we celebrated it by spending the night over at shangrila makati. All of us. in one room. in one big bed. :) siksikan kami but honestly, it was one perfect family night. just being together and complete. Thank you Lord that in spite of all the challenges we had been through, we're all still alive, healthy, and our faith and our bond are stronger than ever :)

Boracay Holy Week 2009

We bought our plane tickets almost 1 year ahead (sometime July or August 2008). Hahaha. excited much?

Holy Week kasi is the only definite days that Marlowe is available, so he took the opportunity to de-stress and thought of using his Mabuhay Miles, but changed his mind and just bought the tix cash..super cheap kaya (PAL express), we got caticlan round trip just 4k per pax!

Last minute, my SIL and her (ex)fiance went with us (separate flight). And just day before going there I learned that Erik and Ate Dhang were also there.

This year's Bora trip was fun and relaxing at the same time, had that familiar feeling of never wanting to go back (to the real world), parang nasa paradise talaga. But of course, we missed Salma so much whom we left with her Lola Cecille.

in my favorite hide-away place in Boracay: REAL COFFEE!

again, I say, nothin beats the feeling while reading a good book and sipping smoothie under the Bora sun

Hayy..Boracay..till we meet again.

Robbed

My grade school classmate, Jonelyn, forwarded me this text message:

A nice story to reflect on this day: A man experienced being robbed by thieves.

In his diary, he wrote: "Let me be thankful first, because they took my purse and not my life; second, although they took my all, it was not much especially my faith; and third, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed."

Let us see God's purpose behind every trial and the good things behind the worst situations.

This was sent to me last April which was very timely because that was when my bag got stolen in Jollibee inside CCP grounds, after the 1st birthday celebration of our cousin's daughter, Zahia.

We were having so much fun that day and before leaving, I decided to pee. I went to the restroom with Salma, it happened so fast, but if you want to know the detailed story just read my blog last April.

After all the panic and the trauma, the least that I wish to hear was blame from other people, because nobody wanted that to happen and I cannot say that I became too careless with my possession, who would have thought that some people could still get your bag away from you while peeing, when the bag was just beside you inside the cubicle?

Marlowe kept telling me all the shoulda-woulda-coulda (I shouldve been vigilant, alert, I shouldve shouted at the top of my lungs when I realized someone snatched my bag, etc.). His litany kept running in my head that it pushed my buttons and didn't think anymore, to make the story short my emotions exploded and it didn't matter to me anymore that my parents and relatives were there, and that we were in a public place.

Mama, my brother and cousin tried to pacify me by saying that marlowe was just angry because he wasn't able to do anything to help and protect me. I think marlowe said sorry after a little while, and I tried to make him realize that it already happened, yes I am devastated with the things that got lost, not to mention - the ninewest bag - it was marlowe's bday gift to me last year, those things were precious, valuable.

But still, those are just material things, I have to let it go, and just be thankful that I, especially Salma, wasn't hurt. What if I shouted and tried to call the attention of people outside the restroom and the robber had a weapon? Could you imagine what she could've done to shut my mouth? What if I ran after her and turns out she wasn't alone and her companions were just waiting oustide the door - armed, what could they do to me and salma to refrain us from running after her? what if's...it's so scary to think of all that could have had happen. So I am just thankful that they just got my bag and not our lives.

Now, here are the pictures from that unforgettable day, which reminds me that before the robbery happened - I should not forget that we were all together as a family - so happy and having so much fun celebrating my niece's first birthday, and with that I should be grateful enough :)

Salma and I with the birthday girl

family pic with Jollibee

I was so proud to see Salma posed with Jollibee for the first time, I thought she'd grow up scared of mascots.

dancing "single ladies" with jollibee and kuya Yuri

my pretty baby

salma with mommy and her ninong Yuri

My New Sideline

I'd like to say that I am a professional hobbyist. meaning, I just do what I love doing and try to profit from it. :)

It started last year, when I couldn't go out of our building anymore, I just go from 7th to 4th floor back and forth, and thank the heavens for my niftiest connection to the outside world aside from celphone and TV - the Internet - thus started my love for online shopping! Super convenient, especially with Globe GCASH, konting pindot, voila! andyan na kinabukasan yung binili mo! :) There was one time nga, naiinis na si Marlowe sakin kasi sunod sunod mga packages dumating - hahaha shopaholic much?

So this year, I decided to make my love for (online) shopping and dressing up/fashion to give me something back. lol.



I started from getting stuff from local suppliers, then eventually got my supplies from Bangkok.




And then, last summer I launched my Beachwear line - swimsuit coverups! because I remember 2 summers ago when I was so desperate looking for a beachwear that could hide my stretchmarks but wouldn't make me look manang.



So far, this hobby of mine has already made me scratch off some "To-buy" things on my list this year :)

Thank you, Lord for giving me the motivation in doing this. :)

My online shop:
www.cucumberph.multiply.com

Potty Training my Salma

Around early this year was also the time that Salma was finally potty trained.

For some, 2 1/2 years old is already late. I know quite a few who start training their kids before they turn one!

But for me, I am not as persistent in teaching her and lecturing her. my style was just simple - I always hold to the principle that each child is unique and each has their own pace, so I don't force Salma if I could see that she's not yet ready. I just let her grow at her own pace.

I started attempting to potty train her before she turned 2, but she showed unreadiness because everytime I ask her to go to the T&B she hesitates, she only goes to the bathroom to take a bath, otherwise she feels uneasy inside na para bang nandidiri sa banyo.

I also tried to use the plastic potty trainer that my friend Jill gave to Salma on her 1st bday, but Salma pushes it away everytime I ask her to sit on it to make pee or poo. She only touches the trainer when she's not gonna do number 1/2 - but just to play with it.

So you ask..what worked for Salma? I just told her "you know what Salma, you're a big girl now..Im gonna send you to school already and all your classmates are big boys and girls like you, not babies anymore. So you should stop wearing diapers and start making wiwi on the toilet, because if you go to school wearing diaper..your classmates are gonna laugh at you!"

OKay.. some of you might not agree with the last statement (go shoot me!), but hey, it worked for us (so kanya kanya lang yan ok?).

From then on, if I ask her "would you like to wear a diaper today?" she says "No mommy, Im not a baby anymore, Im a big girl now....." followed by "....buy me a Dora skate board!"

Hahaha..now that made me speechless, how can you respond to that? You cannot say naman na "no, youre still a baby you cant ride a skateboard." haha eh di ni-contradict ko sarili ko? haha speechless talaga ako..natawa na lang. hahahaha!

First Quarter of 2009

February, we went to the 1st bday party of my highschool friend, Cecille's baby. Mia and Erik were there and that was when Erik expressed his plan of organizing a HS reunion for our batch since its been 10 years already!



March - Im trying to remember what we did on our 3rd wedding anniversary (March 18, 2009), but I couldnt recall what. This is why I am always trying to make a big deal of occassions - because Id really want to make a special memory...anyways, since Ive changed and adjusted to my husband's "simplicity" and "practicality" I guess March 18 just passed up as ordinary day. (though gotta double check my organizer)

But what Im sure of is the pictures above with the Toyota Hilux was taken on March 18, Wednesday - we had it blessed after teh Healing Mass that we regularly attend to every Wednesday :)

That Toyota Hilux is Marlowe's first bought (brand new) vehicle! And I remember consoling myself, make believing that it was Marlowe's anniversary gift to me. Hahaha pwede na rin. sabi nman nya OO daw eh yan daw regalo nya hahaha.. pero pag nalakasan ko pag-shut ng door galit na galit..masmahal pa yata yung sasakyan kesa sakin. hahaha joke bebi! nagddrama lang hahaha :)

New Year 2009

Just like last year we spent the New Year at my parents' house. It's so nice to spend the New Year there because of the view, we didnt have to spend for fireworks because we can watch from our view deck our neighbors' fireworks!

new year's day (jan. 1) we went to Bulacan - Marlowe's grandparents

Big Bird - Lola Ne's gift to salma

the Dora sofa bed - our gift to Salma

December 2008

Our Christmas was so happy, we spent it at my parents' house, together with Marlowe's family. My 2 grannies were also there, Lola Martha and Lola Ching, with my cousins Cocoy, Andrew and Alvin.
The house was so noisy, full of shouting and laughter - just the way I like it.
I then realized how I missed setting up the dining table for my family and I missed opening gifts with my brothers. Last Christmas, Im thankful that I have experienced it again :)




Did you notice our Christmas tree decors? We (I and my siblings) decorated it with old (embarrassing) pictures, gantihan kami! but turns out Miko has the most embarrassing photos among us hahahaha!

ill be back to blogging..

Aside from the fact that i miss blogging so much. few of my friends had been bugging me for quite some time to get back on it, well I didnt know that they're following my blog. haha. how sweet.

So i guess, just to update im just gonna give a quick rundown of the major events that happened this year :)

There are no such thing as accidents

There are no such thing as accidents
For everything in this world happen for a reason

Everything that happens is part of God's plan
For He always has something great in store for us.

Before we were born, God already chose who our parents would be,
And God never makes mistakes
Thus, there's also no such thing as illegitimate children.

So in times of confusion,
when we couldn't help but question God why such things happen,

Simply hold on to this:

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding"

Proverbs 3:5

It;'s not about me

It's really not about me, not about my passion, my wants, my feelings, my dreams, my goals, my peace of mid, my contentment, nor my happiness. It's not THAT. Its not what matters.

Only God knows what I am here for, only Him knows my purpose as well as my deepest desires and only him can make me experience fulfillment and true happiness.

Even if at times I don't understand why I am here. Even if I don't feel happy here, I just trust that He is the one who put me here, and this is part of His great plans for me.

No matter what I feel, no matter what gives me pleasure, its still not that.

Most of the time, its when I feel much suffering that I find the true meaning of my being, as long as what I do is all for God's pleasure, and not mine.

And he will call you Ate...

Earlier this morning, after taking a bath with Salma, she kept looking on my bulging tummy, she then pointed at it and asks, "Mommy what's inside there?"

I answered, "Baby Brother" (no, i'm not pregnant, my tummy is just really big because of fats of course Haha..I just told her that to make her ready if ever we're gonna have another baby).

Then I added, "When baby brother comes out, he will call you Ate. Ate Salma."

She paused for a while and said, "Baby brother is over there (pointing to my tummy). When baby brother come(s) out, he will call you Ate Mommy!"

Hahahaha. Yeah, Ate Mommy :)