A Day with Kuya

I have alot of cousins but I have a few I call family. Two weeks ago, our eldest cousin who works in a cruise ship had a stopover in this island and my sister and I weren't missing that meet-up for the world so we both didn't go to work!  

It was a blast! Walking around as we chatted about everything under the sun was great. Lunch was of course here. Pochero, Pork and Seafood (prawns, squids, mussels) Inihaw, Ensaladang Talong and 'ample' amounts of rice. Bingeing at its best. 

We brought him to the common tourist places like the Esplanade, Merlion and wherevers then we headed home. It's the best place to be after a day's walk in the midst of tourists and traffic. 

Hours later, it was time to once again separate but this time there were no sad goodbyes rather happier days to look forward to---we'll see each other again on July for my sister's wedding in Manila!   (provided the swine flu has died down. who knows?)

Smiling Moment

Today, my youngest did the sweetest thing.    As he called out to say goodbye when the schoolbus arrived, I was drying my hair and the noisy appliance hindered my ability to hear and wasn't able to return him wishes of a good day and i love you's. His dad told me that he literally stood by the gate, waiting for a response and when there was none, he turned to him and said, "Papa, can you please make sure that you tell Mommy I left already?" Dad says "Yes, I will."  "Make sure ok? You must go up to Mommy and tell her." "Yes, ok, I will." And off he went.

Next thing I saw was a smiling man going towards me as he told the scenario word per word.

From latter days to today

People say that when years pass, things fade. Perhaps true in certain situations but not when it comes to good friends filled with 'youthful' memories--let's call it the good old school days.

Max and his wife, Pearl, stayed a night in this island and thanks to facebook, we were able to plan a couple of hours meet for some wine and dine. We went European in the tropics! Dinner at a German restaurant called Brotzeit and drinks at the Swissotel The Stamford, the tallest hotel (for now) here. I have to say the evening view is beautiful.

Lots of teasing, reminiscing and embarassing moments to talk about. He reminded me of my boyish attitudes and how I never let the boys push me around as they did to the others or I'd punch them (literally). Memories of the most liked and disliked teachers, the pop-up quizzes we dreaded and more...it was really fun! Hopefully when I go to Manila on July, we could meet more batchmates and see how we've all grown-up.

Thailand hangover

Click on the Mosaic!

Am so looking forward to the weekend. After our Thailand trip last week and our daily never-ending adventures there; all of a sudden I just wanted to STAY home. Another sign of aging I guess haha Add to that the visit from the flu virus for some days and voila, home is the best place to be.

I've been a SAHM (stay at home mom) when the kids were little, not that they're big already and I enjoyed it. Heck I even told myself and others that I would not work and stay the same MomMe that I was in Germany. But, things don't always work the way we want it to and in my case, work, besides family and friends became a sanity saviour when times were rough. Hmm, what's the connection of this part to...

Aaanyway, Thailand was great. The kids being big now are able to enjoy certain adventures with us. Alyanna rode and drove the ATV (with just some slight assistance from a guide), Keanu was able to ride elephants without me panicking that he'd tumble, and Rex had his first motorbike youthful accident--some scratches to chat with friends about. We all went to Patong too, you know, Thailand's red light area. It's not as brutal as I thought. When I saw Alyanna with a questioning look, realistic, compassionate and eye-opening explanations were quickly given. I don't want the kids to think that life IS perfect. (I know what too much shielding does to an individual and my kids have to be stronger)

The food was great! We had the authentic Thai buffet dinner on our first night and it left us with tummies only our mothers could love. I loved the food so much that I'm actually looking around for Thai cooking classes. Yum!

Meet Anna by the way, the resort's gentle, gentle giant.

Loves of our Lives

Following the tradition of having a 'kid' in every country we go to, we've added an Australian in our family. Meet Jessie. Our 4 1/2 month old golden retriever. We fell inlove with her on March 1. The kids have been asking to have another 'sibling' for Jake for years but I'm not an impulsive mother in that way. I consider age gaps quite seriously (based on experience) and everyone's readiness for another baby at home. I want to make sure most especially, that our dearest Jake won't feel jealous and out of place---and everyone should understand that. 

In my book, only a handful are more important than him. 

Anyway, it's been more than a month since her arrival and routines are in place. There are little wee-wee accidents and nibbled furnitures every now and then but that's part of it. She is slowly learning from Jake's attitude and not slobbering the whole time---I personally find it degrading when a dog incessantly licks just almost everyone for attention. 

Jake, being the kind-hearted one that he is, has surprisingly been patient and understanding of Jessie's naughty nature. He doesn't mind when she bumps him off as he drinks or snatches his toy or when she tries to lick off the food from his mouth. He even lets her 'walk him'!

So, 3 kids, 2 dogs, a turtle and a hamster...next please?

Whatchamacallit

The problem with working with nice people?---You care for and don’t like to abuse them. Every leave or absence that has never been questioned makes it difficult to ask for the next one. Exactly what happened a week ago: My supposedly short trip with the fam to Phuket has just been extended. My boss found out I was shortening my stay just to be back at work and voila! He told me I can take the full break the fam has.        Ok, it has been agreed since the beginning that I either work 4 long days or 5 short days and I can take offs anytime (without pay) so I really shouldn’t feel bad right?  oh, but I do!  A case of unnecessary guilt I guess.

Thing is, I know how the office works and we are given roles to play. My colleague being the BIIIG numbers cruncher can’t really be bothered by the mere zeros on my files so I run more the admin and she, the finance. A bit of minimal crunching on my side when it gets hectic.  The big guy has also for the past months regarded me as his right hand correspondent which has since changed my role.  Sometimes I wonder what exactly my job title is but what the heck, what matters is I'm happy and have more freedom.

Hmmm, it's like at home: cook, plumber, security guard etc etc...job title?    

Hero.

Today's a day

Today marked the first time our office opened for nothing. With the internet system down, our hands were tied. Email, Fax and worse, the day’s business is at risk. The market changes fast and that can cost a lot when you want to buy or sell shares. First world marketing with “fourth” world service as my colleague would put it. No more comment.

But as it is, a disadvantage to one is an advantage to another---the latter to me. It’s lunch time and my boss told me that I’m useless in the office for the day so he said that I could go off early. Woohoo! I never thought being useless could be useful ha ha

With my paycheck on hand and a half-day’s work, where do you think I’m going?

Here of course.

to sandy area we go

The kids' spring break has arrived and with this economic downturn, having vacations require more than second and third thoughts. Devising a good break from reality requires moolah of which I don't enjoy abusing but at the same time, living to just work isn't right either.  Am sure there's something in between...

Alone? I can do with a budget getaway. But if the family has a certain criteria then I'd have to do better than the simple ones I have in mind without bleeding the pocket. Luckily, Asia offers alot of options and budget airlines are also there to lighten the weight a bit.

So, after gathering tips, repeated calculations and considerations, we decided to go here. The travel agency gave me a good deal for 5 people for almost a week's stay so I hope I did well like last summer.  

The rates would have been better if all of us would be in one room but peace has a price. I want to spend time with them and their enjoyment counts the most but I would also like to take advantage of  my self-proclaimed me time. 

Procrastination @ its best

There are not enough hours in a day at the moment to fit in what I've been planning to do and have been wanting to write. House, family, work, friends, even pets...there's always something brewing so this is the result---a collection of 'have beens'.

Come Feb 21 we marked our 11th year. The day was for the kids, the night was ours. It was the same day of the Swiss school's family day too but on the last minute, we decided not to go because the clouds were signalling bad weather. True enough, it rained bad around noon. The rest of the day was spent lazing at home and  by 7 pm, A and I took the night-off. We went to Senso Ristorante & Bar and had a wonderful meal with the sommelier's recommended red wine. Before that, we passed by the mall and picked-up a nice pair of white gold earrings with smoked Quartz stones. I wasn't expecting anything given the flow of expenses.

Feb 22 was the Swiss Club's Mardi Gras event. The children opted to go for the military look. We met with some friends and enjoyed the sinful buffet, games and magic shows. A had to fly to Hong Kong so he left after 2 hours while I ran around with the kids to finish the obstacle games. Though it was an action-packed event, I got lucky and ended it having a Malaysian massage recommended by the driver of my boss.   It was great! She nailed every single strained muscle I had. 

Feb 28 was Alyanna's school spiel at the SwissHotel. They have been practising the Mama Mia hits for weeks. 

It's the second week of March and I feel like rushing myself on writing the next ones before the past takes the best of my memory :-)

Mama Mia...here we go again

My daughter is now 10 yrs old and I see that she's entering the nursery stage of puberty and boy I think I have to get one of those "Puberty for Dummies" book. 

Not that I'm actually hoping this happens but I'm merely anticipating it so I could better MY self-control, patience and understanding on what our daughter will be going through as early as possible. Practice makes perfect they say but with children, there's no amount of practice to make us really ready for what's to come. We can just save enough strength and sanity to get through it.

The root of this is because I know I wasn't an easy one either. ouch.

(Bracing myself)

Bacolod: Feb 13-16, 2009

Though I have gone home for surprise visits to Manila many times, I still find ways to make it a surprising one.

One of my brothers-in-law have family in Bacolod and getting out of the city with good food and just simple living--this is a place to breathe out stress. It was over the holidays that they planned to make a weekend getaway out of Manila and I, on the other hand, was hoping to get a break (any break) after the action of searching and moving homes so this was the perfect timing. With one of my BIL as an accomplice, it wonderfully happened as planned.

There were doubts that I might be there given that I've popped-up several times for special occasions or family outings but when it was time for them to board and no ME on sight, doubts slowly disappeared. 

It was when they arrived the place and were just checking-in when I and A suddenly entered the reception area.....a second of silence then screams, hugs and laughter followed. See, Friday the 13th's aren't bad after all.

It was a weekend of eating. Good food and company is something I never disciplined myself against from. My family (clan) appreciates food so A had to keep up. He didn't seem to have a problem with it though coz every restaurant we went to had delectable dishes. 

The weather wasn't permitting us to do our sugarmill tours but when you're with my family, boredom is the least of your problem. Some will laze around and enjoy the relaxing effect of the rain, some will go to the malls...there's surely something going on. Not to forget that we had our niece, Lara, to keep us on our feet. 

Going to the casino to play on the pula/puti (red/white) table and betting just FIFTY pesos was making me nervous while my dear brother was embarassed for my stinginess haha    But I won P300 after a couple of rounds so that was fun. A wondered why everyone bet only on the RED but as Filipinos would do it, Valentine's Day had an influence. 

Home

This is our new place. Tomorrow marks our first month here and so far, everything has been smooth. We've all adjusted well and feel more at ease over here. The style of the house is really more homely and kind of something I'd like to live longer in. 

We've been planning to get-to-know our neighbors but neither weekends nor weekdays were free for such a brief hello. Since the move in, we've been busy fixing-up, juggling activities to spend time with the kids, work, trips, and social life have filled-up the past 4 weekends but we've spent them well. The present and future to do's may be overwhelming but it is what it is. A household never stops running...or does it?

1st Vorschule Tag (Preschool Day) @ the Swiss School

   

Monday, Feb 9, was Keanu’s first day in Vorschule at the Swiss School and it was a busy and exciting day for all of us. Not that this is his first day to go to preschool or so, but it felt more official. I guess the one he was in before gave me more the impression of a childcare. He was looking forward to the big day and Alyanna was feeling up and about as well to have her little brother in the same school and telling him to not be shy to speak German. (Keanu understands but doesn’t speak it fluently yet. It’ll come for sure).

Of course, we were all awake at 6:30 to start the day’s routine and equally excited for the little one. Rex, was up to give us some photo time and wish Keanu a good day. Jake, yaya and my sister were watching as the whole house woke-up to this other chapter of ours.

Being the first day, we knew Keanu was fighting the ‘nervous itch’ he was having about the language barrier he might encounter with the kids. Thankfully, a little bit of assurance from everyone was enough to cover it. The teacher, Frau (Mrs.) Ackermann was very accommodating and her assistants too. They had two more students having Canadian and Indonesian moms who also spoke English at home most of the time and just now being introduced to German,---so they knew how to read Keanu’s blank look when he doesn’t understand something.

As a welcome, the children sang a song for Keanu and shook his hand and then proceeded to introduce themselves and played games. We looked from outside and though I felt a twinge of sadness that my bunso (youngest) is slowly growing up and out of his bed but my happiness watching him enjoy prevails over that.

Just as the children welcomed Keanu, the ‘classmum’ arranged a nice get-to-know dinner for me as well and we're now planning to go watch a theatre show.

@ Sixth Crescent

We finally selected and confirmed the tenancy agreement to our new home for the next two years. It's not as big as the one we currently live in now but I prefer its more homely design. Not that I'm complaining with the old one---this house always gave the wow factor to whoever saw it. With its high ceilings and looong design, its quite impressive. However, after living in such, I want to go back to the traditional feel and cut of a regular house.

Close to the school of the little ones, very accessible to public transportation and an open field for our dear dog Jake---it's a good choice. Of course we're now half an hour's drive to the airport than 12 mins. and biking to the East Coast Park is no longer possible, but hey---you win some, you lose some right?

Now it's time for the next phase...moving in, moving out!

Never too late

I have a lot of catching-up to do--- but as unpredictable and full daily schedules can be, I fall short of my own resolution to be more consistent with writing. House hunting, work, Doctor appointments, being weekend entertainer for the kids with A ladidadida...

Ha! I'm trying to find an excuse for lack of diligence to write...tsk tsk tsk

It's NEW Year my dear, IT'S NEW YEAR...

An adventurous 2009 lies ahead...good luck!

MALIGAYANG PASKO SA INYONG LAHAT!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

FROEHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN!

---HAVE A GOOD ONE!---

A month of house-hunting again

Hunting for houses has its exciting moments but it's getting to be tiring these past few days. Going round and about in the traffic nowadays doesn't give me any pleasure as my motion sickness takes over.  Lease will be expiring soon and time's flying fast. The decision to either extend for another month or move out in a few weeks have to be done before the year ends. 

We've viewed at least 15 properties---a combination of condominiums, terrace houses and semi-detached ones. I was hoping to this time get a good-cut condo because of the facilities but it's turning out to be not appropriate for us. Some of the terrace houses (can have pool facilities) have been pretty appealing but the asking prices were too expensive for what we think it's worth. So, the list so far has zoomed-in to more houses again. 

I've short-listed 2/3 from what we've seen and hopefully in the next few days a decision can be made so that I can start planning and contacting contractors, movers, utility issues, kindergarten, renovation dates and so on.

geeesh, just 3 years ago I came here for 5 days to do this?! now the whole circus starts again...

After the doldrums comes well-being

Even before the Christmas season began, I have gained quite an amount of flesh. Not that I'm really horrendously looking but hey, I've managed to be "underweight for my motherly age and frame" of which my doctor has strongly scolded me for. Explaining that my obsession on being thin is wrong. Me being prescribed appetite stimulants is definitely alarming. Though honestly, I wasn't really concerned with it. I just thought I looked fine and happily FIT size 36 clothes, weighing 56 kgs and getting praises from people. So I ignored the seldom (becoming often) dizziness.   You'd see my past posts with me all over and looking okay.     Twas because I was still fine...except the negativity around me.

End 2006 til Q3 2007 it was alright until I started psyching myself to lose more. Guilty of typical human thinking and discontent. But as true as what my mother told me long time ago, the body CAN ONLY take as much (abuse) as it can, then it'll decide when to give up. And yes, it did....(back to first paragraph)

"Practice what you preach." ahhh, the famous quote. I'm supposed to know how CRASH dieting can be damaging to one's body. How healthier it is to lose slowly but surely---I used to scold people for not doing so?! I was a fitness trainer wasn't I? bad, bad me. 

I don't fit a size 36 now, but I fit a 38-40. I think I'm fine with that temporarily and let's see how I progress after this feasting season. At least I'm not having dizzy spells and feelings of blackout.

There are reasons of why such stages in life happen. You go through it and live it. Either succumb to or overcome it.   Then begin again...It's probably the circle of life I have to live.

Kulit-bulilit

At the beach, onstage, at the playground...nothing can be more stressful and exciting than keeping your eyes and attention to a (beginning to be) adventurous tyke. Measuring his limits, reasoning his qualms out, even using the power of tears from time-to-time...he surely knows how to get what he wants. 

With all the buzz of work and daily agendas, I realized that this has been drafted more than a month ago. wow! that fast? I forgot to share his kindergarten's K2 graduation day where the rest of the school would be performing as well. 

When the big day came, we were so excited to see him in his pirate 'porma'. I know stagemoms aren't allowed to do the paparazzi but hey, my son's runway moves were the very climax of his class and I am a proud mother  ;-)

Meet the PALMER

my neighbor's doggiebear! He was just shaved in this photo so just imagine how he looks like with a full body of fur! My children cuddle him like he's one big stuffed toy---need I wonder why?

Sadly, I got a letter being passed around our area a week ago, asking "us" neighbors to sign a letter that he has to be muzzled when being walked because he's so big and MIGHT EAT their kids?!---asking for our opinions and comments. you can guess what my reply was.

Some nutcase family just moved in the block and are afraid of even cats entering their garden coz it MIGHT scratch and cause sickness to their kids. Well, welcome to the world or stay in an incubator!

Palmer stays Boscombe Road's gentle giant.

Turning the table...

Currently in the midst of decision making. Back or not. Yes or no. Try or let it go. All of which were propositions to go forward once more. Perhaps it'll work out, perhaps not. But what are the choices anyway? To either go and bite the bait, enter risky business and be strong OR cower in a corner and be bullied by unimaginable, unpredictable scenarios. 

One becomes different and changes in every chapter. Unconcerned with what is deemed of no real worth to existence. Family and good friends will be there if they're real. If not, then it's not worth ticking the clock for. There are more important things that matter.

When you miss out a period of your life and find it in the most unusual timing, you realize the better half has been hiding way too long. You're not there to please others rather satisfy yourself.---Selfishness and self preservation as I said before have something in common. 

Lesson learned? Life doesn't stop...it makes a pause then finds its way to a probably better road. Just curious why is it that when you don't want anymore, it becomes wanted.     go figure   :-)

Someone once said to me: "the truly happy person is one who still enjoys the scenery even when taking a detour"---hmmm, the detours were worth every turn. 

Day Makers

Nothing can be more delightful in a mother's eyes than seeing her precious kids running around with big smiles of pride and in their fave costumes to boot.

Halloween may be over but my pride lingers...

Nana Croft and Optimus Keanu!

Living Points

1) Gone are the days of thundering beats
Sunsets and sunrises of infinite blur,
The clouds of grey have failed and moved away
The goal is no longer, 'Come what may...'

                              

2) Lack of time is not the reason why beautiful moments are chosen to be unwritten.....there are those better left untold. 

                              

3) Solitude became a welcomed gift. Selfishness and self-preservation have something in common. We know that.

"NATURAL" Heart

Among all our three kids, Alyanna, has always been aware and conscious of the environment. I can proudly squeeze in some tap on my (our) shoulders for successfully raising her in that way. Though she's not yet too keen on going on dirty and squishy places---she accepts its nature.  I love animals as well but her interest in them is much more genuine than mine. Watching National Geographic and Animal Planet is no problem for her and picks the information to be archived. 

We have Jake, the family's dog; Paul, the abandoned turtle; Al and Yanna, the 2 hamsters she woed my sister into buying  (after the first two namely: Batman, who escaped and disappeared; and Gandalf, who one day decided to eternally sleep); last but not least, Puss, a white cat who occasionally visits our house and making innocent attempts on the hamsters. 

For the past year, she has been talking her Dad into getting her a horse. Good God! and when that seem to not be possible due to its size, she has been settling for something smaller----a pony. A Shetland one. Great...

Not like picking apples

I'm seeing RED! No, I'm not mad, I'm just on the hunt for red shoes. 

What I thought would be an easy task given the number of malls and selection in this shopping island is turning out to be a challenge. 

My workplace being in Orchard saves me alot of time and money commuting around as I do my shopping after work. I have roamed around shops in the area for 2 weeks now and have tried lots of pairs but in vain so far. Either there's no size or it's not the red I'm looking for.  

oh well...patience is a virtue.

just one of those days

I was so upset this morning on the way to work. I had to let 4 trains pass-by before I could squeeze in. Terrible. What's worse is, people are insensitive. They can't even keep their bags where no one would be pushed or scratched by it!

I was victimized today by one lady's handbag. I was wondering what kept on poking my waist irritatingly and when I turned to see HER bag causing it, I told her to "please" move it away a bit. The creature, probably having a bad day raised her voice telling me, "so where?!, so where?! you see so tight olreydi"-----the passengers looked and frowned at her as I shook my head in disbelief and asking WHY are we breathing the same air?

I had two choices:

(a) to waste airtime arguing and be like her or (b) move away and say ommm...

I like...

Call me shallow but I'm so taken with the MOTORAZR2 V9, my new toy. I specially like the thought that it's new and mine. Told ya--shallow :-)

Yeah--the cheap, economical me always opted for A's 6 month old ones and strongly convinced to keep my prepaid number forever. But forgetfulness gets me everytime, leading to not having enough credits to accept calls he he. So A offered to get me a line once and for all.  

I've been fumbling with it for 2 days now and I still can't figure out how to change the alert tone for receiving messages! We're not talking blackberry/iphone stuff here but I can't seem to find that in the user's guide. Talk about prehistoric me. Help, anyone? 

Pirates of the Andaman

Besides lazing under the sun, reading a book, swimming and all those usual to do's in the beach, Treasure Hunting is definitely a MUST. When A and A took the role of treasure keepers, they made sure that we get to do a real hunt.

I was designated navigator to Captain Keanu but turned out that I was better off as Mommy---having no sense of direction, I didn't really make it easier for the little pirate. They say "Women can't read maps?"---yeah, I'm learning.

But, despite the lack of navigational skills, we succeeded. The treasure was found. 

It was an enjoyable activity for everyone and perhaps next time, I should do the keeping :-)