Sunday is Family Day

I'm in the mood for preparing something for my loves and the output looks easy but the process is not. Anyway, it's all worth it when I saw their clean plate. Except of course for the little one who, in fairness did her best to eat her star shaped bread *which by the way she really eats when it's at its normal shape*, choked a minutes later and vomits all that tiny little bread she had eaten. *Sigh* I will not give up giving this little one something to eat. I should not :p

pancakes galore!

bear shaped pancake and star shaped bread

egg-in-a-hole with bacon is a S U C C E S S!!!

On another note, after our brunch, we headed to China Town then Church then Plaza Sing to scout again for the cheap package. We decided to compare it via online booking by ourselves and it really turns out a bit better actually. So past midnight, we or Dadi managed to booked a ticket to Korea via Zuji! Yipeeee! Hotel and Visa to go and were good! Thank you Lord for all these blessings.

Goodbye 2012. Hello 2013.

Goodbye 2012. Hello 2013.

Each day is travelling as fast as a bullet. I didn't realize it's already 13 years after the dreaded year2k. Last month's so-called viral end of the world according to Mayan Calendar didn't happen. That's two "threats" to the world I am living in and it's still alive and kicking. Time is passing by so fast that sometimes it scares me. I cannot cope up with how fast it flies by. I couldn't even managed my time well to record those memorable events in my and baby's life. I love writing down my thoughts and feelings on a notebook and modern times made me a hardcore blogger. That was back when time is still in my hands. Now, I got a lot of backlogs. So, at least at the beginning of each year, I tried my best to look back into the previous year and blog them - well, at least the summary of it. I do this because I am hoping that in the future, time will slow down and let me go back and read through all the things I have written down. I have a backup in case blogspot site will not be in existence in the near future :) So, to start my previous year lookback, below were the pieces of my 2012 puzzle.


In January, celebrating our first new year in our new place and our manila visit is the top happy moments of this month. This was also our princess's first time to be a flower girl although she didn't walk, I think she did really enjoy her princess gown. This month is also memorable as I was able to see my HS barkada after a long time. Thanks to FB. A visit from Mama Mary is indeed a blessing. And of course, our bf-gf anniversary :)

In February, bunso's arrival and working here made it to the top happy moment of this month. Mama Mary's one month visit ended on this month also. What's good about this month is, this being the love month, I got a dinner surprise from dadi. This month's downer is work related. The year was only starting and the stress was pinning me down already.

In March, first time to watch a musical (Wicked) at MBS with Dadi and the gucci baby#2 were the top happy moments of this month. Only downer is still work related.

In April, our yearly tradition bisita iglesia is our top moment of the month. This month, we welcome in our family the new 2 iPad's, one for bunso and one for me.

In May, celebrating mother's day is the top of this month. This is extra special mother's day because now Cheska know already how to greet me with a kiss! Plus I got a surprise flowers from dadi which is a big wow. And I got a new pair of very expensive Tory Burch shoes. Hooray!

In June, celebrating father's day is the top of this month. Dadi was also the ninong of the Malanyaon-Lim's new bundle of joy - Baby Manu.

In July, celebrating baby Cheska's 3rd birthday and my in laws visit to singapore is the top of this month. And our first time to be inside Universal Studios Singapore :) It's a busy busy month but full of happiness and all gala :)

In August, birthday celebration with family and our family trip to KL, Malaysia is the top of this month. The downer was the farewell dinner for one of my favorite friend - cuz.

In September, a lot of things happen on this month. Mostly birthdays and farewells to some colleagues. Those made it to the top of this month is of course our wedding anniversary, bunso's birthday, my new LV mini pochette and of course, my new LV Bag #3. Downer is still work related. Plus a few close friends from work are leaving.

In October, the top of this month is our trip together with two friends from work in Legoland and Hello Kitty Town and of course the Johor Premium Outlet. It was a really memorable trip and truly unforgettable :p It's also Ate Bheng's birthday so as a gift, we gave her the ticket to watch the ASAP Singapore while I and Cheska had a bonding moment at her favorite place - SingKids. I had my Tory Burch slippers delivered which I ordered online and a lot cheaper than buying at the store.

In November, my first 10km marathon run together with my bunso is on the top of this month plus this was the first month that I'll be free from stress from work. I've acquired some friends at work and I'm so thankful for them. This month was all despedida lunch and night out. It was fun and I'm surely gonna miss these guys. But all these happy moments were negated when I was hospitalized for ectopic pregnancy for 4 days. All will be blogged soon so I'll remember them in the future.

In December, aside from celebrating Christmas and New Year's Eve, my top 1 of the month is the christmas gift I got from habidad - a mulberry wallet. And blessings are pouring with our Manila and Baguio trip with Cheska and my Vietnam trip.


So for the year 2012, It's nothing but blessings and memories with families and friends. The only downer for this year for me is my work and I'm hoping that 2013 will be good to me when it comes to this area. Goodbye 2012! It’s been fun and lovely being with you!

Stress Free - Day 4

My schedule for Day 4 is full. And I'm loving it!

1. Appointment with Dr. Eunice Chua at Thomson Medical Center for follow up check up.
2. Trip to Philippine Embassy to run an errands for dadi
3. Remit money at LP

Stress Free - Day 3

Day 3 is Sunday. After mass, it's still shopping day. We finally managed to bookes our ticket though for Pinas Vacay, thanks to Dadi. It will be a bonding time between me and Cheska. Thank you Lord as I am enjoying my relaxing moment so far. It's been 3 days only but I think I am really loving this stress free moment. I still wake up every 3 AM in the morning to check my phone only to realize that I am not employed anymore and not totally doing any support now. Oh, what a relief!

1. Shop till we drop (still)
2. Tickets to Pinas - booked!

Stress Free - Day 2

I have nothing to say about Day 2 as this is our usual weekend routine - Shopping. Specially now there's a reason to, and in spite of what had transpire few days ago, it will and still is part of the family's routine. And of course, a trip to the toy store for Cheska will always complete the meal.

1. Shop till we drop

Stress Free - Day 1

For 12 years that I have been working overseas, this will be the first time that I will be resting and so looking forward to it. There is of course the financial things to think about but God never forsake me. I have never been so stressed in my life, work wise, and I am hoping to get the best out of my "vacation" which I hope won't last that long. So, I am here blogging it because I know once I started working again, I will have this to look back to and tell myself that I have done the best rest in all of my life. I thank GOD for giving me reasons and sane mind to choose between what will be best for me. I thank dadi of course, for always supporting me in every way. He is the best husband and friend and father. I wouldn't trade him for the world.

So Day 1, ironically, I woke up early. I was planning to sleep till noon but my mind was so busy thinking of what will I do for the rest of the day. From now till the end of my "stress free" days, I will list down the things I have done for each day so I will know how much I have accomplished and done without wasting it. Or I could just go and sit around the whole day. But knowing me, first thing on my mind right now is to actually clean up our messy room and organize my things. Yay! Will update this blog till end of this day for more updates weeeeeeee. Job hunting probably after two weeks. For now, I WILL AND SHALL RELAX!

1. Blog, Internet Surfing, Check Mails
2. Cleanup / Organize / Declutter
3. Watching Breaking Dawn @ 11:25 PM
4. Trip to Starbucks before heading home @ 2AM

Marche Bar and Bistro

Yesterday was really one of my not so good days. As sweet as ever, dadi knows how to cheer me up. We ended up in Raffles in Marche Bar and bistro. We were kind of surprise at first at their menu as there's not much choice. We did try the roasted chicken gourmet pizza and the back bacon and cheese roll crepe. Glass of riesling for me and a beer for dadi. Food was absolutely divine and good for two serving. I even over reacted at the taste of the crepe since I am not a fan. And the wood fired pizza is so delicious. I was not even hungry at that time but we ate a lot! Now I cant stop thinking about it and I am now continually advertisin the place for free lol! Pictures we took was not good but you really have to try them even once and let me know if it's just me or they are really good.

Thank You for Staying :)

I never thought how empty this corner of our house will be. Now that your stay is over, it might be empty but you have filled our hearts with blessings and hope in our life. Thank you for staying. Thank you for being part of our humble home for a month. thank you for the blessings you have brought in our life and those other families you have visited. You truly our Mother who knows whats best for us. Till next visit?

Almost There

Few days and counting… We’re almost there…
Today, we have bought few basic kitchen items. We’ve checked out the things we like before and we have checked the best price of these items. We suggest to check the price in best denki and harvey norman and do comparision of the prices and freebies and all that stuff and go to Gain City at Marina. Whatever pricess best denki and harvey norman offers, they can give you at a lower price.
Little by little, it will all form as what we picture it.
Baby steps and we are loving each one we make.
Thank you Lord!

Busy Bee

Today was a tiring day for us. We went to Hougang for our final viewing of the place and did some measurements. We just got a little sad that the place won’t be available earlier than we’d hoped to. It will only be ready only end of August. That means less than 3 months of “paglalaway” to moved in to the new place plus the fact that we still have to pay double rent. Still, it’s a blessing that we’ll only be counting that few months instead of hunting. We got more and more anxious to move the closer we get to the time. Our favorite place now were Ikea, Harvey Norman or Best Denki hehe.

From hougang, we went to Suntec to meet Mareng B and Cuz. Had a “sweet” moment and laughter at Gelare. Yummy!
 
our order - waffle with vanilla and cookies & cream ice cream and gelare club sandwich


cuz’ order – waffle with fruits *healthy! haha*
  
mareng b and pareng r’s order – waffle with blueberry (??) ice cream and gelare club sandwich

Nagutom ulit ako! Afterwards, we went separate ways hehe. We went to Nike and Royal Sporting house because dadi’s been drooling on this particular Nike shoes but been waiting for i-don’t-know-what. And I always nag him to buy it already but he’s being the way he is and never an impulsive one like me. And now he’s nagging me that good thing he waited :p We got the great deal ever! For the price of 1 running shoes, we got 3, 2 swimsuits and a cap. Yay to the great haul and great singapore sale. Weeeeeee!
 
dadi’s loot. who says only girls loves shoes???


my loot. now i have to force myself to use that yoga membership, do some running and swimming. *let’s see wehehe*


ate bheng’s loot daw haha. new iron.

Realization

I just realized during the pre-cheska time of both our lives, we always always go travelling at least once or twice a year. Now, with Cheska around, the only travelling we’ve done is Manila. BUT, this past 3 years wasn’t better than our travelling days. I’ll say they are both equally blessings that I’m unworthy to have. We have now a place we can finally call home *not blogged about it yet* and bags, bags, bags and most importantly is I’ve survived the greatest big ordeal of my life.

I don’t want to get uberly dramatic, but if you travel back with me in another decade back of my life, you would understand why i feel so blessed for having these chances in my life. I have these moments where I always whine and complain about a few things but I guess it’s who I am. I blurt out whatever I felt and although I admit being transparent to almost everyone makes them judge me. I realized you can’t change who you are just because you want to “blend” in with what is right or wrong in other people’s eyes. Of course, this still applies, in my own opinion, if you are not stepping on anyone’s shoes.

Back to my realization, when I look back, I saw myself tugging helplessly on the big boulder on my shoulder. I did make a lot of sacrifice back then. I asked for redemption but all I heard is - it will come, in time. Now, I have it and I’m thankful. Thank you Lord for all these blessings in my hand.

Blessings

For all the things happening in our life, be it good or not so good, thank you Lord.

For how every little things are falling into it’s proper place, thank you Lord.

For the way we are moving forward – as a family, thank you Lord.

Please help to guide us all the way and let this not be a reason that will pull us down.

Thank you po!

God’s Blessing

Yesterday, I received an sms from Mom asking me to check the PICPA site. When I saw the sms was from Bunso with a smiley at the end, I knew it was a already a good news. She just took a gruelling days of taking that exam and today she got the news! SHE PASSED!!!!! Thank God!!!! We have been praying for this blessing like forever and now that it’s here, it’s the sweetest thing that ever happened to our family. I called them immediately just to congratulate her and was laughing and crying at the same time. Tears of joy. We’ve seen her study so hard. She was the one who even pleaded us to give her one more chance. I am the happiest! Congratulations bunso! Love you to bits. I just hope we were there to celebrate this joyous moment with you but I’m sure you know how happy we are. Thank you Lord for this enormous blessing! May CPA na ako!

Day 4 – Manila Vacation

I woke up alarmed by the way Sister A is calling bunso. I guess this is just my intuition being the “dad” to them.There’s no panic in her voice or anything. I just felt like something was off. And I was right. The moment she said there were a lot of water coming out from her, I woke up my mom, brush my teeth, wash my face and wore something better than the one I had from sleep. We were all done in 10 minutes tops. I was so scared and my heart was beating twice faster than its normal rate. Eventually, we’ve managed to get a cab and went straight to Fabella Hospital. I know, what you’re all thinking. My mom was so opposed to it but my sister wants to give birth there so we let her. She’s had all her checkups at UST’s public rate which is quite ok. When we got to Fabella’s emergency room, I was stunned to see about 10 or more pregnant ladies waiting in line *to give birth????*. No other companion was allowed in there but I was still able to ask the nurse about Sister A’s situation. She’s not contracting. She’s not experiencing any other kind of pains or signs that she’s in labor. It’s her water bag that got me so worried. What will happen to the baby if it dried out? What if from that amount of water coming out from her, the baby comes out? Eventually, the nurse took her inside where I saw numbers of beds – are they going to let her give birth there??? We were not born with a silver spoon or anything but it’s so damn scary. I was so willing to sell my soul to anyone who could just give me enough amount to let my sister give birth to at least a decent hospital but she won’t let us. And adding more insult to our injury, the bitch who I assume was the doctor but doesn’t look like one and doesn’t act like one, we’re asking us in a higher tone of why are we there.

Bitch -> Bakit kayo nandito?
Me -> *in a nicer tone* Eh miss, pumutok na kasi yung panubigan nya. Worry ko baka delikado na sa kanya. Hindi pa ba sya manganganak nun?
Bitch -> *about 5 levels higher* Eh kaya nga dalhin mo dun sa labas para mainterview yan eh.
Me -> *shocked. About 3 levels higher na.* Kailangan mong magsungit? Nakita mong nagpapanic mga tao ditto, magsusungit ka pa?

Honestly, I was waiting for her to say something in return so I can convince Sister A to go to another hospital. But since she didn’t said anything, she queued outside and waited for someone to assist her. When I was outside with my Mom, I looked at her face and she was so freaking calm. She’s scaring the hell out of me and my mom and she’s just calm. But knowing her, among all of us, she’s really the strongest one. That’s one of her traits I really admire the most. I never thought of her giving birth. The way I look at them is the way what I always remember of them. What I always see in her is that pretty little girl in a kindergarten uniform with a long curly hair and blushing cheeks and a smile ready for everyone to see. She’s the apple of everyone’s eye. She’s always been the apple of my eye. The little sister I was always proud of. But looking at her now, she looks like she’s the one who’s 5 years older than me when it comes to situations like this. With that walking down the memory lane 10 minutes moment I was having, she came out of nowhere with an announcement I was truly thankful for.
Sis A -> Ma, ayoko na po dito. Dun na lang ako sa UST.
We hailed a cab to UST while listening to her about the reason she walked out of that forsaken hospital.
Sis A -> Sabi nung bwisit na doctor, bakit daw ang sungit ng sungit mo ate eh hindi naman daw ako dun nagpapacheckup.

Well, she’s got a point there. I guess I was so worried that time. And she did started it! Hay, so mature of me! ‘Niwey, as soon as we got to UST, although most are interns who are taking care of her, still, it’s a different feeling that someone who knew a lot of things better than I am is taking care of my little sister. The guy took her to the IE room *dunno what IE means???*, examined her and took out the dreaded “silver quack”. They kept on asking her questions which I almost answered for her but held my tongue, luckily. I let her manage her own situation and just sit at the side where she can see me. I was praying so hard to keep her and the baby safe. Another woman doctor came in who’s really nice. She explained to me and to my Mom on what’s happening. She eyed me suspiciously when I told her I was the elder sister so I called my Mom. She explain the expenses and how are they gonna do with the baby and my sister. She’s only 2 cm dilated at that time. At almost 3PM, she was still in the delivery room. I was too worried to go but thought of just using the money to pay to the hospital instead of paying $250+ bucks for another day’s extension. This was the very first time I went to the airport without anyone hugging me goodbye =( Surprisingly, I didn’t cry. I’m just too worried about my sis and the baby. But I prayed and prayed. I was able to sleep the whole flight maybe out of exhaustion. As soon as I got out of the plane, I called my Mom. She’s still in the delivery room and still on 4cm. The moment we got home, I cried. I wasn’t planning on sleeping so I waited till I received an SMS that she’s having a CS. She’s about 8cm but the heartbeat of the baby is slowly deteriorating. At about past 1 or 2AM, I received another SMS that both Sister A and the baby are healthy and sleeping. I thank God for everything, for the blessings, for that enough amount in my pocket so they could be in safe hands. I was so happy that they’re both alive and in good health. God is really good all the time =)

Let’s welcome our little angel. Our baby Naomi Ayesha.

Prayers

I couldn't do it alone. I don't know if my prayers were strong enough so I'm pleading everybody's help. Just a silent prayer. This two big event coming our way. This really matters to me more than anything else. My other wish could be asked at a later time :) Please please pray for my youngest sister who will be taking her board exam for CPA on 11 October and 18 October. And my other sister who will be giving birth to our little angel by end of October. Although I know how we all are asking for something new everyday for ourselves, for our family and for our friends, I just hope you could squeeze this two tiny requests, please? :) It would mean so much to us.

May GOD help us as He had all along.

Great things in life

I never thought a heart so small could endure much feelings of different "levels" and "categories". God is truly amazing for creating things that's beyond our comprehension. Who else could think of such complex structure where a fertilized human egg grows inside another human being's body nurturing for nine months completing the cycle. Lesser or more week of staying in the womb will make that baby physically incomplete. Turning the human's womb into an oven with precise temperature is absolutely amazing. Having a heart that's as small as a palm can grasp bearing much emotions that could turn someone into an instrument of peace or chaos in the world. I guess this may be nonsense to you but to me, it's one of those meaningless idle moments of my time at work thinking about anything :) Anuvah-itu!

Blessings in Life

Just few days ago, my sister kendz finally open to public her very first botika. It's a joint venture between her good bf roniel, us *from what was left from our wedding cash gifts hehehe* and kendz. I'm so proud of how my babies had matured and actually had the courage that I don't think I have when it comes to realizing their own dream. I'm also thankful that I have a husband who support and understands my family too. Truly, God works in mysterious ways. Giving you blessings that you never thought would come into your life. And when it rains, it pours. And I am so thankful at the moment that it's blessings and happy moments that are pouring in. In 3 months time, we will be welcoming the new baby in the franco family! Oopps, don't get excited. Not yet from me :) And hopefully again a month after that, I keep on praying for my bebi buntso to pass her board exam. Sana ako naman may good news before the year ends hihihi.

God's countless blessings

Talk about God's blessings! For 6 years, God had blessed us for so many things. Particularly ffg, since he joined the company, there were times that he had been winning prizes from his company's raffle draw. It's not just luck. It's God's blessings to us though we know that we don't deserve any of it. His grandest was our trip to Hawaii back in 2003 and we were really really happy and thankful about it. Few weeks ago, for their post Chinese New Year event, he won a hamper. Last week, for one event, a cocktail party, he went home with an iPod shuffle - door gift lang yun ha! Then just last saturday, for their IT Dinner and Dance, he won a Panasonic Lumix digital camera! It has been ages that we were talking about replacing our old reliable Fujifilm digital cam (also won from a raffle hehehe) but couldn't find the "extra" money amidst our wedding related expenses. Though I was able to buy a samsung digital camera for my family at the IT show (pampalubag loob for getting ditched by my friends - mangiwan ba?!?!), we were still thinking if we could get ourselves one. But thanks to God, that didn't happen. We were able to replace our old digital camera at no cost :) Yipeee!