The Journey Continues...

Constantly working nights is starting to take its toll on me I think. Before, staying up late and with little sleep was no problem. But after a little more than a month with that routine sure is different now. Sometimes, while on my way home, I’ll start to get sleepy; maybe even dazed. Thankfully, I haven’t had any dizzy spells or headache. The last thing I’d need would be migraine. That would be a drag. Anyway, when I get home and see Lance, I’d feel better already. I mean, who wouldn’t feel relieved when you see your kid smiling at you?

For the first time, I’ll be yaya less for a few days because Lance’s yaya told me she’ll be visiting her sister in Bicol to spend the New Year there. She’ll leave on the 29^th and will be back on Jan. 1. That means more bonding time with Lance. Hehe! And since I don’t know how to cook, my sister and I are now thinking of what food to prepare for New Year. Most probably we’ll just buy food and cake at Conti’s. Or maybe, we’ll just spend New Year at our relative’s house. Anyhow, Lance and I will have a lot of time together this weekend and I’m looking forward to that! :)

First off, Merry Christmas!!! I’m sure all of you had a wonderful time this Christmas. We had a great time too! This is the first Christmas we spent as a family. Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures to show. Lance has cough and colds and is in no mood to smile or to pose in front of the camera. He just wants me to carry him always.

As mentioned here, we had the Garcia Christmas party in Angono last Dec. 22 and we had such a great time there. I’ll post a separate kwento about that party. Dec. 23 we just stayed home and clean the house. Dec. 24, we went to my cousin’s house in Tandang Sora to have dinner. We went home by 9pm because we really want to have our Noche Buena at our house. Dec. 25, we heard mass at 7:30am at Christ the King then went to Parañaque to visit my other relatives (my mom’s side). We stayed there till lunch time and since Lance is still not feeling ok we went home na after lunch and slept. When I woke up I opened the gifts I received. Lance’s gifts are still wrapped under our Christmas Tree since he doesn’t want to open it yet. He opened a few already but I have no picture of him opening it kaya there are some more gifts unopened para I can take pictures pa when he opens it. Hehe! That’s it! That’s how we celebrated our Christmas! And now I’m back to work (and pretending to be working), and will be here until tomorrow. I was on leave yesterday because I am observing Lance’s colds because it seems he’s not getting better. He’s taking some medicines na and I brought him to a “manghihilot” last night so hopefully he’ll feel better today. :)

As post Christmas gift, I am also tagging everbody in my blogroll just like what Nice did. Cmon guys and hop on!

The rule: When you get tagged, you have to add your name below the person who tagged you and by doing so you are letting the list grow.

Limadang.com
RamblingMoo.com
blogginginmypyjamas
Chinneeq
Dora-zooropazoo
Babyshern
HiPnCooLMoMMa
Rachel’s Soulful Thoughts
When Silence Speaks
Dancing in Midlife Tune
Underneath it All
I am Dzoi
Hobbies and Such
moms…..check nyo
Choc Mint Girl
Amel’s Realm
My Thoughts
Rusin Roundup
Juliana’s Site
Max
Rooms of My Heart
Mariuca
A Great Pleasure
MondayMorningPower
LadyJava’s Lounge
Colin aka Cotojo
NafaSG
Hanna
My Life My World
Mommy’s Gibble Gabbles
Author’s Sweet Life
A Window To Our World
Jenny’s Wandering Thoughts
We are Family
Momma Stuff

Paul, Toni and Lance - Bridging the Distance

Paul and Toni

It’s only 2 days left before Christmas and people are still busy buying gifts for friends, godchildren and loved ones. Some friends I know started buying Christmas gifts as early as September to avoid the Christmas rush. I was busy this month that I was only able to buy gifts just last week. And I’m not yet finish. I don’t have a gift for Paul yet and I’m not sure what to give him. He too has been asking me of what gift I want to receive. I was telling him that I would like to receive gold bullion as gift, (of course I was just kidding). But if he can afford it, why not? Right? Gold increases its value unlike other materials that depreciates in time. Plus you can buy so much in just a small amount of gold. Here’s hoping for a very nice Christmas gift. :)

I need to list them down before I forget them because I haven’t blogged for the past few weeks and I have so many kwentos to share.

1. Shower Party at Victoria Court
2. Abdiel’s Baptism
3. Our ISO audit
4. Trip to Divi
5. Employee Christmas Party
6. Jon and Vangie’s Wedding
7. Ruel and Norie’s Wedding
8. Adtel employees (with their families) Christmas Party
9. World Trade Bazaar Shopping
10. Surprise Party for Tita Sening’s 75^th birthday
11. And of course, tags from fellow bloggers

I hope I did not forget anything. I’m still waiting for pictures on some of the events kaya it may take some time before I can post them. Was not able to take pics kasi either I’m hosting the event or I’m the one in-charge of the party kaya busy ang lola niyo. Unahin ko na lang yung mga walang pics. :)

Her question was: What would you want to receive this Christmas?

I’ll do this in bullet points.

• My ultimate wish this Christmas is a DSLR. Canon has a promo now but the husband is not keen to the idea of buying a new camera. Haayy…
• Attend a photography class, but since I won’t be receiving a DSLR now, I need to scratch this one too.
• A red alice crocs, a pair of havaianas or nike flip flops
• Clothes (either pants, blouse, or just a shirt, good if all)
• Books

That’s on top of my mind now. Hopefully, the husband will change his mind and buy a DSLR. Hehehe! Thanks Abie for the tag. Sorry it took me some time to answer it. :)

I was on leave yesterday to bring Lance to his pedia for his well baby check up and to do some last minute shopping na din. Lance kept on running at the clinic and was just shouting and roaming around. When it was finally our turn, his pedia was shocked with his weight. He now weighs 13kgs and is 85cms long. As usual we were not given vitamins (for obvious reasons lolz!) and she said that Lance is doing ok. I asked her to check Lance’s knee because I think he has a lump there but the pedia said there’s nothing to worry. But she noticed that Lance is bow-legged particularly his right leg. She said that it can be corrected but Lance needs to lose weight. She advised me to give Lance apples, pears or banana before lunch or before his meal so that he’ll be full already when it’s time to eat. She also suggested changing his milk to low fat or lessen the scoops of milk with the same amount of water. Other than that, she said that Lance is a happy baby. Lance even waved bye to his pedia and blew her a kiss.

Right now, we’re doing the second option, that is lessening the milk, and hopefully it will work. Or else, I need to have bigger and stronger arms when I carry him. Lolz!

I just talked to my dad and stepmom a few minutes ago. They’re both doing well out there in Daly City. It’s been just about a year since my dad left for the US and about a year and a half I think since I last saw him. Now he’s there juggling a couple of jobs. I remember him saying before that all he needs would be a piece of land where he can plant and just watch them grow. My dad has a green thumb, you see. The backyard in our old home had a lot of plants and trees there. I’d often refer to it as rainforest. I, on the other hand, know nothing of plants. I wouldn’t be able to identify plants and trees without the fruits. If I had the resources, I’d look up for some land for sale and I’d buy my dad a piece of land where he could just tend to his plants. By the way, my dad says the only thing he can’t manage to grow, is his hair. I miss my dad.

The holidays are here again, but the weather not so cold here though. When I was still in Taiwan, there was a time the temperature went down to 13°C. Now that is cold for someone who’s used to the tropical climate. Anyway, one of the typical things you get to see there especially during the holidays would be dogs all dressed up in boots and even sweaters. There would even be some dogs there that ride on what looks like baby strollers/carriages. The dogs would just sit around there looking all pretty while their owners push them around town. Spoiled dog, huh? Being a dog lover myself, I used to buy some dog supplies for my pets. There was even a time I got nipped in the finger when I was playing with my puppy back then. Talk about puppy love.

I brought my sister’s car last Thursday since there’s a jeepney strike going on. I’m not sure also if there are enough cabs since most people will take a taxi going to their destination. Ayoko naman mag abang ng taxi ng matagal kaya nagdala na ako ng sasakyan, total suspended naman di yung coding. Before ako umalis ng house, ayaw mag start nung kotse. Syempre binuksan ko pa yung hood kahit na wala akong alam don. Hehe! I asked help from my brother’s in-laws na nakatira lang sa kabilang street. Buti andon pa sila so pinapunta sa house yung driver tapos sumunod yung FIL ng brother ko. Sabi nila there’s a problem with the battery and it needs to be replaced but I don’t have to worry kasi makakarating pa daw yon ng maayos sa office.

So I left and went to work. I really need to bring the car because I’ll bring home our monthly rice subsidy and the Christmas groceries given to the employees. Nakarating naman ako ng office without hassle. Nung pauwi na ako, ayaw na naman nya mag-start so naki series ako sa car nung officemate ko and umandar naman siya. So drive na ako pauwi. I normally pass by Xavierville pauwi kasi don less traffic. Ayun nasa Xavierville ako, biglang tumigil yung kotse. Kinabig ko siya pakanan para makatabi ng konti pero ang tigas na nung steering wheel. Buti na din lang, nasa may right side na ako talaga kaya di naman ako naka cause ng traffic. Nung try ko start yung car, ayaw na ulit. I called my officemate to ask help. I also called Paul and my sister para mapuntahan ako sa Xavierville. Buti din kung san tumigil yung kotse, may mga guards yung building so tumulong sila para itulak yung car para nakatabi talaga. Meron din daw kasing dumadaan don at nag-tow ng mga sasakyan. Hirap pa naman kasi automatic yung car so shift ko lang to neutral para di masira. Habang tinutulak yung car, dumating na yung officemate ko. Syempre naki series ako ulit at umandar na naman yung car. Naitabi din siya ng maayos. Sumagot na din sa text ko yung sister ko and si Paul. Papunta na daw si Paul kasama FIL ng brother ko and yung driver. Sinabihan ko na din officemate ko na pwede na nila ako iwan since parating na sina Paul. So they left na, tapos iniwan ko din yung car na umaandar para din mag charge yung battery. Finally dumating na sina Paul. Sabi nung FIL ng kuya ko, since umaandar na daw ulit makakarating yon sa house. Yung driver na lang yung nag drive nung car tapos ako sumakay na sa sasakyan nila. And ayun, nakarating naman sa house ng ok.

Kakatuwang experience siya. First time ko masiraan and ang bait talaga ni God sa kin. First andon ako sa maliwanag na area nung Xavierville tumirik, tapos yung building pwede mag park sa harap para di ako ma-tow. Katuwa no! Ayun, the following day, napalitan na namin yung battery nung car so ok na siya ulit.

When my cousin and her family went to the US for her brother’s wedding, they also visited some of the cities and states there. It was as if they’re having their second honeymoon. They didn’t have a hard time looking for a place to stay especially for Las Vegas. They checked hotels Las Vegas which has a list of all the hotels in Las Vegas including pictures and descriptions. They liked the hotel they chose and when I saw their pictures, it really showed they had the grandest time ever.

As I was browsing, I saw a site that provides assisted living software. This is the first time I heard of it and it impressed me. They have a product called the service minder software which is designed for senior living and assisted living facilities. They also have several services which will help you increase efficiency and profitability. Not only that, all the transactions are documented making it easy for you to monitor and check. You might want to check their site and see.

At first, I thought that only older people will experience arthritis. I often hear it from my aunts and uncles who are old already that’s why I got a misconception. One of my friends here in the office experienced that. And he is only in the mid-30s, which proves that arthritis is not only for old people. My friend has osteoarthritis where he experience pain in the joints and has difficulty walking. He only felt good when his doctor gave him osteoarthritis relief medicine. There are several foods that he is not allowed to eat and he is still under medication. Haven’t heard from him yet how he is doing but I hope he’s doing great.

Its mid-December already and you can really feel the spirit of Christmas. I was telling some of my friends that it is only this year that it is already December and I haven’t bought any gift yet for anyone. I’m really busy this month and even the decors at home are not yet complete. We were able to put up the Christmas tree but that’s it. Our home still lacks decors like socks or Christmas lights or even those christmas flags that we can put outside the house. I still need to take out from the storage room some other Christmas decors. Hopefully I can do that this week.

Finally, I have the time to update this blog. I know I owe you guys tags and updates, I’ll do them as soon as I can. Just keep them coming! I just have one final activity this Friday and from then on, I can blog again daily. Yipee!!

I really miss my blog and even bloghopping. I am not updated anymore to the activities of my friends and fellow mommies. Thanks to those who still drop by even if I seldom update for the past few weeks. I was really busy in the office. I can’t even blog at home since I’m tired already when I arrive from work. Anyhow, I’ll try to do the tags one by one soon. I’ll also visit your blogs so that I’ll be updated with your happenings. Okies! :)

When I started working, some friends told me to get insurance as early as I can. They were telling me to get one while I’m still young so that the premium to be paid is not too high. Unfortunately, at that time I can’t understand its importance. I only got one because I have a friend who became an agent and explained to me its relevance that why I got convinced. What I like most about my friend’s company is that they have life insurance no exam policy. You just have to answer their questionnaire regarding your health and that’s it. Paul and I have our insurance now and we’re thinking of getting another one. Whether another life insurance or an educational plan for Lance. We haven’t really weighed things yet so we don’t know yet which one to get.

I again experienced paying late on one of the bills that I received monthly. That’s because I was not able to receive the bill at all. When I called the company they said that the bill was delivered to our house. I guess the messenger just inserted the bill in our gate since we don’t have those nice mail boxes that can be seen right away. I really think we need a nice mail box since I often experience missing bills in our house. I don’t want to have someone from the electricity company going to our house and will tell me that they will cut our power because we haven’t paid. That will surely piss me off.

This is a long overdue post. We went to Batangas last Nov. 24-25 for our town fiesta. It was the 50^th year arrival of the Virgin Mary to our town so people really prepared for that day. That’s also one of the reasons why our parents stayed for two months to be there during the fiesta.

There’s the usual parade and procession. We were not able to join the procession because they had it on Sunday night and we need to go back to Manila since we still have work the following day. Here are some of our pics during the fiesta:

lance with my sister and his nanny before hearing mass

with us and with my parents

I remember when I was just new here in the office. Aside from the main task that was assigned to me, that is the ISO Quality Management System, I also conducted market research. At that time, the North Expressway is not yet built. We conducted a survey about fiber optic cables when laid on the expressway. We went to the provinces near the expressway, visited their city halls and asked about the demographics of the province. That was one part I enjoyed the most, combining work with travel. :) We get to see the province and what it has to offer. I hope we’ll have another market research to conduct where we can travel and see other places. :)

My friend who’s coming home from another country is looking for a place to stay for vacation. She is also looking for condos for sale so that she won’t need to rent anymore whenever she’s here visiting. The last time she was here was about 5 years ago, but this time around she plans to be here every year thus the search for a condo. It doesn’t have to be big, better if it’s fully-furnished and of course the amenities must be great. My other friend recommended one already and we’re planning to check out the place sometime next week. I hope the place will suit her taste. :)