Some thoughts

I was at the mall today doing errands when I decided to stop by at Goldilock's and buy P and T their favorites. I then over heard a guy questioning the sales lady on how they cook their palabok :)
As in with all the, "how do you cook your noodles?", What are the ingredients on the sauce?"
it seems to me the guy wanted to know Goldilock's recipe :) I bet he could have Googled it instead.

Anyhoo, it made me into thinking how some people can really pry without hesitation. I mean at some situations it could be helpful to pry but on most, it's not. Most people want to be left alone and value privacy so much. I know because I want my own space too and I cherish it too much that I think a part of me will be lost when I'm deprived.

Funny how a simple palabok story made me think and reflect. :)

Funny guy

Did I tell you I married a funny guy?

Me: You need a haircut. Or are you growing your hair long?

T: Yes I want to look like F4 (he was addicted to Meteor Garden and I am addicted to Boys over Flower)

Me: What?!

T: Yes F4..like Shanchai! (Shanchai's the girl on the group with super long hair)

A Happy Working Mom

Add busy to that.

I've been doing blog hops too for the other blog I am in charged of (from my boss) and most of my friends here I still visit *cough* Tina, mate I'm still on your blog :) I take a peek often and leave comments too.

I realized I owe it to my blog to at least update it since I've been getting where-are-yous from friends around the bloggyland. I've been around I just took a different name :)

You might be wondering how Peaches is doing, well she's sporting a new look at this time. Her Granny took her to the salon a few days back and had her hair chopped-- and now my baby girl looks like a baby boy. Thank goodness she has her earrings so people can still recognize that she's a girl. (did I tell you T hates it when people mistake Peaches as a boy?)

Peaches also got goodies from my parents at the States. She received mess free color markers from Crayola and more Dora stuff (oh, she's addicted to Dora and Barney). And my Mom gave her two pairs of slippers that Peaches could only wear when she's 6 years old--great huh?

Last week was fun and crazy. I had to squeeze in bonding times with cousins, Ate A and M in between work scheds. M enrolled for culinary arts program and we're calling him Chef M soon. I accompanied both cousins in preparation to M's stay here in Manila. We had to furnish their newly acquired condo too. It was fun shopping for furnitures and what nots. But the best thing of all was my near faint when I saw how much culinary arts cost. Whew-whew!

Then summer has officially ended in this part of the world. This would also mean bye-bye to Peaches' swim time >.< she has yet to wear the self floating swimsuit her Granny bought her from Europe.

Whew! that's a lot to tell for today :)

I hope you missed me!

REPORTING FOR DUTY!

Hello everyone! (if there's anyone left of my blogger friends)

I've been away from my blog for a long time because of my work. I just didn't have the proper mind to post a decent one everytime I'm done with my day. No, my boss isn't a slave driver, it's really me who's a workaholic. That's what happens when you love what you're doing :)

Anyways, you must be wondering about my plans for P's Chinese language lessons. Well, anytime soon I'll be receiving my first "lesson plan" for her so wish me luck. In the meantime, she's learning a lot from Dora (the explorer). She knows simple words like abre, cierra, busina, bate, remeneate, azul, verde, arco iris, la lechuza, hace, silencio, por favor.... She's really cute. She tries to say the words but of course it's still abit garbled but you get it once you hear the same songs (where she learns the words from) 1Million times a day (lol)

Oh yeah it's mother's day today. ;) I was greeted by lots of friends and family and I appreciate each one who remembered. We spent the day driving around Pasig looking for a place to "chill out". We tried the Scholastic Book Buffet but went away disappointed. We then went to Fun Ranch to make up for Peaches' lost book opportunities (oh, she loves to read her books) and actually found a potential preschool for her this coming June. The tot didn't have the chance to snooze the entire day because she was too busy playing. Our last stop was Tiendesitas where SIL made a few shopping(nice pants, dear!)

Dinner was served by FIL (MIL is somewhere in Europe so...) and I was glad I was at least off the stove for a while! :) But I wasn't off the hook when Peaches started to scream and cry when it was bedtime. *sigh*

I guess you read and hear it all the time that being a mom is a 24/7 job with no compensation, no paid leaves, no sick leaves, no quarterly bonuses, sometimes you're unappreciated, no excuses when you're tired and most of all resignation is impossible--but you know, it's the truth. That's what and who we are. Moms will always be that way. I wanted a whole day of un interrupted sleep today but I know it was impossible so I gave up on the idea because even if my body wants me to, my mind and heart won't stop thinking what will happen to my child and husband while I sleep the day.

Ahhh...whatever.. being a mom pays. (Thanks, Tita ROchelle :) )

TO LEARN OR NOT TO LEARN CHINESE

That's my 1000000 dollar question. I'm contemplating on teaching Peaches her third language-Mandarin.

Now, let me lay down what keeps me from doing it:

- Both parents are non-speaking
- Both parents are working (okay, I am a WAHM but my hours are demanding)
- I may not meet my own expectations

And the possibilities are high because:

- Learning materials are within reach (CHILDBOOK)
- Work related (on my part)
- It's the best time for Peaches to learn because children her age can easily absorb whatever information you provide
- Troy and all others are PRO-trilingual Peaches

Now, you wonder why I have second thoughts.... I guess it boils down to, I'm scared I might let them down. I'm scared. Period.

I know this is good for my daughter. I also know it's not an easy process but I just need to conquer my inner fear then, I can truly get on with it.
As I listen to myself say all this, I can see how selfish I am. See, hindering a potential growth for my child because I fear my own failure.

Please help me pray for courage.

SLEEPING ISSUES

For the longest time, Peaches was sleeping at irregular hours at night but I knew it was going to be hard for both of us if it continued so I made steps to make her sleep on a regular hour. It was a success (I think) because now she's able to sleep between 8:30PM to 9PM--BUT not after numerous tossing and turning in her bed, crying over nothing, 8oz of milk, a hug and a kiss from Mommy, prayers, good nights to her toys and dolls and finally picking and biting on her blanky. It is I think the hardest part of my day but when I see her sleep soundly, the feeling of serenity and content overwhelm me.

There are "good" nights when she's too sleepy and too tired to fight her sleepiness and would just want to lie down and close her eyes, those are the rare nights when I can truly maximize my time at night and I'm thankful to have those once in a while.

The worse nights are when I'm too tired but she's not. These times, I easily lose my patience and would just want to walk away and lock myself in the bathroom. And when I do that my heart bleeds when she pounds the bathroom door, crying for Mommy. *sigh*

That's one part of a Mom's ups and downs :)

The waking every 2 hours or so is another issue...

THE FRESH AIR FUND

Even in the midst of the economic crunch, we are still able to feed our children and clothe them with warm, nice clothes. They are still able to enjoy vacations that will truly enrich their growth. But take a look at some children who could not enjoy the same benefit as your child. There are plenty of them and that's why THE FRESH AIR FUND was founded by good people hoping for a better future for all these kids.

Let's get to know them more...


"THE FRESH AIR FUND, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. Nearly 10,000 New York City children enjoy free Fresh Air Fund programs annually. In 2008, close to 5,000 children visited volunteer host families in suburbs and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada. 3,000 children also attended five Fresh Air camps on a 2,300-acre site in Fishkill, New York. The Fund’s year-round camping program serves an additional 2,000 young people each year."

"Fresh Air children are boys and girls, six to 12 years old, who reside in low-income communities in New York City and are eager to experience the simple pleasures of life outside the city."

In line with this, the Fresh Air Fund asks for your support as they are in need of families that are willing to open their homes for a child this summer. Any willing family with a generous heart can participate- you need not be living in a big house as long as there is room in your family, you can be of help.
You can also opt to donate if you live far from the location that Fresh Air Fund caters.

For more information you can go directly at their website,
http://freshair-newsrelease.com/#Host_a_Child.

I hope I somehow touched your giving heart.

PEACHES LAUGHING WITH GRAMPS AND GRANY

This was taken 05-10-2008 and Peaches is 5 months old :) I realize how chubby her cheeks are.
Hope you enjoyed it! :)

P.S.
Ate A if you're reading this, Nani's vids are welcome!

THE IMPORTANCE OF PICTURES

Whenever I have new pictures, I send it to my parents right away. I can tell how much they appreciate every single one. They look at every picture like it's the most important thing in the world. And sometimes my heart bleeds when they say "If only I could hug Peaches".
You see, pictures compensate for not being physically there for their first grand child.
They are so proud of Peaches that they show her pictures to anyone who would look.

Most of the time we would all laugh together on the stories behind each pictures. It's as if they were with us when we took the shot.
And eventhough most of the time they would always say, "Peaches doesn't look a bit like you! She got all that prettyness from her Dad!" or "Peaches didn't get the De Jesus look, she's an Alcantara!", I know how much they love her and adore her, that's why I continue to give photos and take time to edit them (Tatay doesn't like low quality photos!).

Anyway, that's how important pictures are to me and my family...how about you?

MMR shot and a kiss

Last Monday we took Peaches to her Pedia for her MMR shot. I know that the controversy behind MMR was long proven a hoax. I read several researches of big wicks on Health and Medical Companies and all of them didn't see any connection between MMR and Autism. Still, I felt a bit apprehensive but finally gave in because deep down I know that MMR's benefits to Peaches surpasses any doubts (which are baseless) I have.

Okay so back to the pedia appointment...We were last on the list so it was a long wait for Peaches who for the first time didn't mind at all. She enjoyed playing peek-a-boo with her nanny and daddy. Ate food and shared with other kids in the waiting area. Didn't throw a fit. And when it was our turn, she was happy to see her Pedia but when he started to check her, she kept on pushing his hands away :)

Best of all, Peaches didn't cry when her shot was given. She smiled and gave her pedia a kiss :)
Because of that we were given P500 discount on our bill...woot!

After that, she was still as energetic as ever!