Womanhood and Everything in Between

I went to SM Megamall for an early lunch date with a college friend. Sakto lang din ang invitation nya kasi I have an appointment with DFA for my passport renewal. Yes my dear friends, may satellite office na ang DFA sa SM Megamall.  =) We ate at Cajun Red Rock Restaurant for a change. I had the shrimp and ribs treat. Wala kong picture, sorry. =( Hindi kasi alam ni friend that I'm into blogging, basag ang trip ko dun pag nagkataon. Hehe. Anyway, the food was ok. Nakakabusog. Malamang, kasi half slab of rib yung order ko with shrimp, grilled corn pa at rice. Hehe. Nakishare pa ako sa country potato salad ni friend. Kalowka lang! It's nice talaga to go out with your friends, noh? Nakakabata lang ng feel kasi wala kayong ibang pag uusapan kung hindi yung mga kalokohan nyo noong araw. Ayun nga, tawa lang kami ng tawa. =) After lunch I went straight to DFA office at the new building of Megamall, although 2:30 pm pa ang schedule ko and I arrived 1:30 pm, hindi naman nila ako hina...

After 16 hours of long-and-winding road to and from Bicol, I am now at the comfort of my swivel chair here at the office. Nakiligo lang ako sa bahay namin sa Bicol tapos byahe na naman. Nakakapagod pala. Hindi na ako sanay mag-commute kaya hindi talaga ako nakatulog sa byahe. Si mamang driver kasi parang galit sa preno. Wagas kung makaapak ng preno. Lol! Anyway, masaya yung naging byahe namin ni Angela pabalik ng Maynila. Ang daming kwento ng anak ko. Pagsakay pa lang namin ng bus, kinuha nya yung phone ko at pina-dial yung number ni Daddy nya. Angela: Daddy, nakasakay na kami ng bus (malamang narinig ng lahat ng pasahero yung boses nya sa sobrang lakas) Daddy: Ah, ok (feeling ko lang na yan ang sinagot ng Daddy nya =) ) Angela: Sunduin mo kami sa Alabang, ha? Daddy: Anong oras? (assumption lo lang ulit, hehe) Angela to Me: Mommy, anong oras daw tayo susunduin ni Daddy? (sa pabulong na boses) Me: (nag iisip pa ako ng isasagot) Angela to Me: Saan yung maikli saka mahaba? (yun...

I ask myself that question everyday. Am I a good mother? I want to be the best mother I could ever be. I guess most of us do. But how do we measure the goodness of a mother? I grew up in Bicol with my mom. I grew up with my mom's oldest brother as my Papa. My biological father was in different places because of his work as a military man. (He then transferred to Navy and retired as a Coastguard.) I only saw him during summer vacations. My mother raised me alone. She worked her ass day and night to provide me decent meals and nice clothes. She managed to send me to a private school while she ran her salon and her other sidelines. She was into Avon, Natasha, Boardwalk, Triumph and more others. I saw her at her best and worst, strong and weak. I witnessed how she struggled for both of us to survive. And I love her more than anything in this world. She IS the BEST mother, a mother could ever be. I can never be compared to her. I have two wonderful-smart-lovely daughters. My eldes...

For the first time since I got married and had children (naks, parang long time ago lang ang feel), I'll be travelling ALONE later tonight to my hometown in Bicol. Angela went with my mom for a short vacation after her graduation. It was supposed to be a long one but her school called me up last week that she still needs to be re-assessed before she can enroll for this school year. Hindi ko nga maintindihan kung anong pa-epek ng school yun, TOP 1 po ang anak ko nung nursery sya. Ano pa ho ba ang kelangan nyong i-assess sa kanya? Kaya naman ho naming bayaran ang tuition fee nya! Ooopppss, sorry I got carried away. Lol! Anyway, I actually look forward for my 8-hour trip tonight. In fact, I miss travelling by bus. I miss the bus stops where the restaurants have overpriced meals just because the passengers have no other options. I miss buying the pasalubongs where the products are delicacies from Bicol (pasalubong to Bicol from Bicol, doesn't makes sense noh? Hehe). I miss the cr...

".... don't lose hope.  And never let anyone tell you that you can't chase rainbows. " - Kate Leong 

I'll be celebrating my 30th birthday in five more months. The 29 years spent here on earth were like a roller-coaster ride. I had my fair share of happiness and pain. But I haven't stopped believing in life. And for this year, I wish to fulfill this list before I turn 30! Here goes my bucket list. In no particular order: 1. Enroll in a yoga class 2. Learn how to drive (I know, right?) 3. Get myself a driver's license (as required for #2) 4. Go on a staycation with my family in a nice hotel 5. Road trip to Pagudpud with hubby (and that I will do the driving) 6. Out of the country trip with hubby 7. Learn to bake cupcakes and cakes 8. Open up a new business (could be related to food or clothes) 9. Start jogging 10. Exercise more 11. Experience Caramoan Island! 12. Visit an orphanage 13. Visit an old friend 14. Forgive someone from the past 15. Ask for forgiveness from someone I've hurt or offended 16. Learn to ride a bicycle 17. Cook often 18. Reinven...

These are my phone conversations with Angela lately (she's in Bicol with my side of family for a short-summer-sweet vacation), Tita: Bi, si Angela nagpapasaway na naman dito. (She says it loud enough for Angela to hear.) Angela: (Stealing the phone from my Tita.) Angela: (In a nag-iinarte voice) Eh kasi naman Mommy, hindi kasi nila alam kung gaano kasakit ang nararamdaman ko. Me: Speechless sa drama ng aking anak... Angela: Mommy, kelan mo ako susunduin dito? Me: 'di ba sa 27 pa ako darating dyan. Akala ko ba gusto mo dyan magbakasyon? Angela: Eh bakit kasi Mommy wala kayo dito? Me: 'di ba nga may work kasi si Mommy saka si Daddy. Saka kasama mo naman dyan si Mommy Lola saka si Mommy Nay 'di ba? Angela: Eh wala naman akong Daddy dito. Puro na lang Mommy. Me: Oo nga naman.... Tita: Abi, pinalo ko kanina si Angela kasi ang tigas ng ulo. (Madahan sa kamay) Me: Ano pong ginawa? Tita: Humarap sakin tapos kunwari umiiyak. Me: Ahh, nag woworkshop na naman yun, Auntie...

I grew up in a family with hearts full of devotion for the BIG GUY up there. I can still remember the years where I spent my summer vacations with a group of youth spreading out the word of God through summer camps. I can clearly remember how I spent weekends after weekends attending seminars with a nun and how I almost ended up just like her. And then I realized that God has a bigger plan for me. He wanted me to be a wife and bear his children. That's where the unending gratitude happens. I know I should be more grateful and thankful and appreciative  of all the blessings that He has given me despite of my shortcomings as a Catholic. I have a loving and responsible husband. I have two adorable kids. I have my supportive family and in-laws. I have a job. Our small construction business is getting blessed as well. We are all healthy and happy. And a long list to go. Though I have confessed my devotion, I still have my inadequacy. I failed countless of times. I sinned over and over...

Isn't she adorable? =)

When I started blogging, I also begun gaining more friends. Single and married ones. And then I met SAHMs (stay-at-home-moms), I certainly envy them. Just imagine, they get to prepare their kid's foods and be assured that they are anything but healthy and safe. They can shower them and see to it that they brush their teeth as well. They can play non-stop and won't get easily tired. And they can put them to bed and read them their favorite books. Just some of the things that I cannot do because I am a Work-Outside-Home-Mom. My husband and I decided to put up our own company, it's because we envisioned ourselves working at the convenience of our own house. Just like everyone, we don't want to be an employee forever. Especially now that we have 2 kids, I always wanted to work at home while I attend to their needs. Di ba? We, moms, don't want to miss our kids' milestones, right? And I don't want to feel useless if I don't get to earn money for my family. D...

I can't remember exactly from whom I got the link to Kate's blog, Chasing Rainbows . I don't know the family personally but after reading her blog, I feel her, maybe because I am a mother. Just like Kate, I am a mother. Kate Leong met the love of her life on an unexpected trip to Puerto Rico while she was working as a Flight Attendant. They got married. And they waited and waited to be blessed with a child. After painful miscarriages and a good faith, they were blessed with an angel. Gavin was born with a number of health issues. Actually, surviving day 1 was already a big miracle for the family. And being an angel himself, he survived them all. They got pregnant again while Gavin was only 6 months old. Another baby boy came and was named Brian. Brian became Gavin's strength. The family believed that Brian became his brother's greatest therapist. Gavin struggled for his life. At age 5, I personally believed that he had fought the biggest battle that us, adults, ...

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I know I mentioned in my post here that going out on dates with your partner is one key to a happy marriage. But whenever my husband's busy with work, kahit anong yaya ko, he really says no. Sad, noh? But wait, he found time yesterday to go out with me. Yes! Finally, I had him all by myself! Usually kasi, we tag along the kids on our dates. Aminin mga mommies, naguguilty talaga tayo kapag iniiwan natin ang mga bagets sa bahay. Kaya madalas, isinasama na lang namin sila. Family date lagi. Mabibilang ko na lang talaga sa daliri ko yung mga labas namin ni R na kaming dalawa lang. And yesterday was one of them. We watched a movie, you want to guess which movie? Syempre, we watched Laida and Miggy! Haha! Kinilig talaga ako sa kanilang dalawa. Ganda! Maganda talaga yung movie, sana may sequel pa. (Fan mode lang!) Anyways, after movie, we had dinner. And walked around in the mall while holding hands. Parang highschool lang ang peg. =) I really had a great time yesterday. Sana maging m...

I really feel incomplete without full breakfast in the morning. Just like today. I felt a little jaded when I reached my office. I actually felt too lazy to work. And then I made my way to our canteen for my morning breakfast. And tada!! Now, I feel more energetic and ready to face the day! =) Do you also feel the same way mga mare? It is indeed true, at least to me, that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Ako ha, I certainly become grouchy whenever I skip breakfast. Alam mo yun, mainit talaga ulo ko. Exagge man sa iba pero if you are a breakfast person, you'll agree with me. Kayo mga mare, what did you have for breakfast? I had (half order) rice, hotdog, longganisa and coffee. Solb! *Burp

When I became a mother, a became extra conscious of cleanliness. Minsan nga to the highest level pa. Especially my mom, OA kung OA talaga 'yun sa kalinisan. No touch ka kay baby pag hindi ka pa naghuhugas ng kamay or hindi ka pa naglilinis using alcohol. Hand sanitizers are all over the place, too. Ganyan talaga tayong mga nanay, gusto natin germ free tayo lagi para hindi magkasakit ang mga bagets. Dati nga, hindi uso sa bahay namin ang hand soap, bareta lang ok na. Pero dahil nga nanay na ako, I only want the best for my kids and for the whole family. Kaya I chose to be more vigilant and careful. I hate seeing my kids sick and I don't dare risk our health.  And isn't it wonderful to join and win contests that will make your mom-and-child bonding safe and germ-free? What's more gratifying than to see your kids healthy while you get to enjoy a makeover and splurge on shopping? That is just so great! =) Join Sakura as they search for the Mommy of the Month! Sa...

Tons of bloggers in the whole world will definitely agree with me once I stated my reasons why I so love blogging. And I know this is not the only post regarding this topic. Most of the bloggers I know have openly shared their motivations as well. When I was younger, I kept a diary to myself. I wrote poems, short stories and daily inspirations. As well as all the troubles I'm into, my crushes and my secret relationship. But having an inquisitive mom, my diary was no secret to her, thus my adventures and escapades as a teenager. Surely, as a teenager who was very much curious of my surroundings with my planned escapades well written in a diary, I always get busted. But nowadays, with the help of technology, I am now into this blogging thing which is my online journal, I can easily get away from my nosy-not-techie mom. Oh uh, I forgot, I am no longer a teenager pala, I am already a married-grown-up woman with two adorable kids. So, no more misadventures for me. Ok, enough intro. ...

I accidentally hit the delete button earlier in the Blogger dashboard, that's why this is a repost. I feel compelled to do so for my readers (assuming me, again =) ). As I have been stalking  following tons of blogs, I have always noticed the Bloglovin follow button at the sidebars. But I kept on ignoring it, I thought it was just one plain button. Until I decided to click away and find out what the fuss is all about. And boy! I just had one amazing experience! (I may be overstating a little, my writing skill is in a test drive, but don't get me wrong as well, I am really having fun with Bloglovin =) ) Bloglovin helps our blog hopping more organize and easy. Though it may not be the only blog reader available, I just can't turn my back on the lovely follow button that we can choose from. Hehe! Oo na, 'yun talaga ang major kong reason! Lol! If you haven't tried Bloglovin yet, click here and have a happy blog reading! You can now also follow me in Bloglovin! ...

A post long overdue. We spent the Holy Week at home lang. So last Holy Wednesday (I know, right? Long overdue na ito. =) ), nag picnic picnican na lang kami sa bahay. At bilang si hubby eh mahilig sa grilled dishes, isang mausok na tanghali ang sumalubong sa aming mga kapitbahay. =) We had pork barbeque, inihaw na hito, inihaw na talong, inihaw na hotdog (not in the picture because we finished it right away) at ensaladang mangga. Again, I am not an expert here so please bear with my hula hulang ingredients. =) the pork marinade after mixing all the sauces in the above photo Look at my husband DIY ihawan. He made them all, the griller and the griller stand. Ang talino, noh? pogi, isa ngang barbeque please! =) sa aming ihawan yum yum let's eat!!

Good morning mga mare! How was your weekend? Ako, I was able to relax a little last weekend. Angela was a little grouchy pa rin nung Saturday but no fever na kaya ok na ako dun. According to the doctor, the fever was caused by infection in her right ear. The doctor saw small amount of pus inside. Hindi na natanong ni mama what caused the infection. In-assume na lang namin na siguro napasok ng tubig yung ear nya nung nag swimming swimming sya tapos hindi natuyo yung tubig tapos yun na. Anyway, I am happy now that she's doing fine. =) Yesterday, nagawa ko ng kuhaan ng picture yung dalawang bagets wearing the gifts from Denise and Krisna courtesy of their ever generous sponsors, Bop Baby Bop and The Little Bugger . These are from Krisna of Life As A CEO and Bop Baby Bop . Thanks, Bop Baby Bop! These are loved! =) Baby Rain wearing the beautiful headband. Polka dots kung polka dots ang baby. This is from The Little Bugger and Denise, the...

'Twas my resolution to become more active in blogging especially now that I'm already gaining friends through this blog in a short period of time. But then again, family comes first. But before I go missing again (I have to attend to my daughter's needs), let me share some kaganapan happenings in the past days. Last Wednesday, while on my way for a barbeque party (party talaga? meryenda time na kasi namin na saktong may birthday celebration pala yung isa naming kasamahan dun sa barbeque-han ni manang) I received a call from Krisna informing me of the super mahal na sinisingil ng LBC for the shipment of the head pieces that I won. And then she mentioned that she was in Megamall to ship nga sana the items. Ping! Megamall ba kamo? Aba, eh malapit lang naman sa office namin 'yang Megamall na 'yan, kunin ko na lang di ba? At iyon nga po ang nangyari. After eating lotsa barbeque and puto pao (which is very delicious talaga), I hailed a cab  fx and off to Megamall ang...

I'll upload more photos this time and I'll just put a side comment for the kwento. =) They celebrated their class closing party at school. (Bilang pambara sa sarili ko, malamang sa school ang closing party nila. =) ) she took a self portrait before leaving the house for her class closing party my mom pins her award with her classmates another award and another and another. At her Moving Up Day, pilit ang ngiti dahil sa init hindi makangiti ng maayos dahil sa lipstick dahil pa rin sa lipstick at hindi masakit ang ngipin nya yehey!!! ang lipstick pa rin ang salarin kaya hindi maibuka ang bibig anyare, ma? :)  hindi mapakaling mga chikiting she holds up her certificate with pride with daddy and the proud parents. :)