PurplePinay

Spring Awakening

2009-04-15T17:07:00.011+08:00

Hell yeah, I’m still alive.

Tons of things had happened in the winter season, sans snow and layered clothing. The family repatriated back to Manila last December, just in time for the holidays (iba pa rin talaga ang Paskong Pinoy!). I went back to California alone in January to land our project’s first release/go-live (and spent Valentine’s day Riki-less and Evan-less), but flew back home just in time for the Eheads Final Set and the onslaught of the summer heat. We finally bought our starter home in January and is now in the process of sprucing up the unit’s interior with the help of professionals. Hopefully we can move in by the beginning of June and start enjoying the magnificent view! (Living in between houses is difficult especially if all your stuff is still in unopened shipment boxes).

Amidst all the relocation activities, Evan had gradually transitioned to his new home location (Makati for now), quickly brushed up on his Tagalog skills and have breezed thru Nursery in two months (he even grabbed the Most Obedient Award during Moving Up day and got perfect scores in his Science and Math exams!).

If two years ago, relocating to another country proved to be physically and emotionally draining during the first month (detailed story here), going back to Pinas was the exact opposite. After a day or two of shaking off the jetlag, we are already in our comfort zone. It’s like we never left at all! Certainly there are a lot of things we will miss in the Bay Area – beautiful neighborhood and weather, speed driving in the freeway, outlets and shopping, zero financial worries, flexible working schedule allowing frequent family travels, the public libraries and community parks, and first-world facilities and services, among others. It was indeed a great family adventure and we are very grateful for the blessings. But believe it or not, we are genuinely happy to be finally back - to be with family and friends and always be present at their lives’ important milestones, to be able to eat all our favorite Filipino food anytime, and yes, even to drive in the exciting and traffic-stricken streets of Manila. Evidently, pilipinong tunay talaga kami and this is our home.

So, pictures and more updates coming up in my Multiply album soon, as I start to open my boxes and find my hard drive photo repositories. J

Mabuhey!

EVANTales: Art Gallery

2008-12-09T10:06:00.005+08:00

Riki called me at work this afternoon to warn me that Evan had prepared something for me when I get home and that I should make sure I act surprised (so as not to disappoint my little man).

No need to fake any facial expression because what I saw made my eyes grow big and my mouth open wide.

Evan ceremoniously asked his dad to unveil the curtain (or rather blinds) and dyaraaannn... their own father and son gallery. Can you spot daddy and baby Swampfire?

The t-shirt says it all. 100% awesome!

Work-related stress, all gone.

EVANTales: Ben10 Overload

2008-12-03T07:44:00.008+08:00

I first heard about Ben Tennyson when we were in Walt Disney World last September. Evan, Riki & Lola were all talking animatedly about this one kid they saw in the Disney store wearing the cool Omnitrix watch (Emi to self: the what?!). Evan wanted one for himself too, badly.

So when we got back home to Walnut Creek, father and son wasted no time and visited their favorite orphanage (Toys R Us) to look for Ben and his awesome watch. Fine, just another waif to bring home for Evan to play with. Or so I thought.

What I didn't know was that the minute you wear the watch-like device (the Omnitrix), it will enable you to transform to several alien forms!

Alas! Now we live with half of the alien force. Meet Evan's adopted siblings: Swampfire, Chromastone, Humongousaur, Jetray and Echo Echo.

We are still finalizing the adoption papers for the remaining five.

48 Quarters

2008-12-01T10:36:00.007+08:00

It was August last year when I started collecting the US State quarters. I am now just 2 coins away to completing the 50 US states!

The US Mint website describes the 50 State Quarters® Program as "an innovative 10-year initiative (1999 - 2008) commemorating each of the 50 United States, as allowed by Public Law 105-124. This is an unprecedented program by which the United States quarter's design will change five times each year for a 10-year period, beginning in January 1999. States are honored in the order in which they were admitted into the Union".

I still have to find the Alaska and Hawaii quarters, both just released in 2008. Anyone?

Twilight

2008-11-22T08:53:00.012+08:00

Let's admit it. No REAL person would be perfect enough to portray Edward Cullen. Besides, everyone has their own vision of who their Edward is. Mine was James Franco.

With this premise, I went to the theater with very low expectation on the movie. Adding to that, I didn't particularly like the actor they chose to play the dashing vampire. I didn't even like him as the wizard killed by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. I also have this standing impression of never liking a film adaptation of any book I loved, with the exception of the LOTR trilogy. For me, the book was always better than its bigscreen version.

Which probably explained why I "enjoyed" Twilight the movie.

The movie plot was generally faithful to the book's story although the musical scoring failed to effectively accompany the scenes. The shrieking of the teenage girls inside the theater were more compelling.

Robert Pattinson's acting was as bland and cold as a vampire. But I guess Edward Cullen's character was really so endearing that it carried him (the actor) till the end of the movie. And yeah, that scene where he walked Bella to school with his sunglasses on, he was undeniably HOT there.

The actors playing Bella and Chief Swan though gave justice to their respective roles. I actually liked Bella in the movie! However, Jacob Black was another story (I am from Team Jacob so I have high expectations). So let's just leave that one till the next saga.

Albeit bland acting and scoring, Bella and Edward's courtship and love story were indeed so romantic and engaging (remember reading the first book till 4 in the am?), you can't help but be kilig throughout the film.

So I say, go out and watch it!

And then go read the book again. :)

EVANTales: He's Three!

2008-09-14T03:01:00.004+08:00

Riki and I now have a pre-schooler!

Parenting literature says this is an amazing time in a kid’s life since it is the stage where they are becoming their own person and exploring new things and social groups on their own. So of course, we are excited for the numerous possibilities for our explosive little man.

In his three years of existence, he had already accomplished so much that we are everyday in awe of his impressive development and maturity.

A seasoned traveler – Evan had been on 20 airplane rides in his lifetime, he is already more comfortable of flying than me (I still hate takeoffs!). He buckles his own seatbelt, operates his own in-flight entertainment system, gives the flight attendant his own choice of drinks and food, and settles on his seat to enjoy the long flights. He even demanded his own carry-on luggage so he can race with Riki in the walkalators! He knows his way around airports, train stations, subways and hotel facilities. He knows all the drills by heart! He had been to 4 countries, 11 US states and 2 Disneys – and what’s amazing, he clearly remembers all experiences and can recount them in details afterwards!
A technology lover - Evan taught his Lola Lynne how to use the Macbook and how to surf the internet (we captured it in video, it was so hilarious!). He can open a browser and go to his favorite kiddie sites (e.g. pbskids.org) and play on his own. He views my Multiply site to check his vids and pics too! He loves and expertly uses all of his dad’s gadgets – iPhone, iPod, DSLR, digicam, videocam, DVD player and cable tv remote.
An independent mind – at a young age, he is capable of making his own choices in terms of clothes to wear (we stand in front of the closet and he points to what he wants to wear that day), shows to watch (he knows his kiddie channels by heart), places to go to (especially during shopping!) and activities to engage in (yes, even haircuts!).
A witty and funny kid – people always enjoys Evan’s company because he is good with conversations. Rookiedaddyhood tells all the amusing stories.
A mini-Riki and Emi – what touches me the most is that our little boy finds joy in sharing our passion – books, sports and music. We can’t wait for the day when we can go to rock concerts together! Peace, love and rock & roll!

Happy Birthday Baby!

Please don’t grow so fast…Mom is not ready to let go of his little boy yet. Sniff!

EVANTales: Human Energy Photo Contest Winner

2008-06-22T05:18:00.003+08:00

A common vice of all mothers is to brag about their kids, in all possible ways. I am no exception to that rule.

I blog about Evan all the time. I drown my friends with Evan kwento all the time. I have Evan's face plastered in my office laptop wallpaper, that even my non-Filipino colleagues at work recognized him already. And yeah, Evan's pictures and home-made videos are all over the www thanks to his DV rebel dad.

But I don't stop my motherly pride there. I even entered his picture in an office photo contest, for more exposure! And guess what, my entry won the category for the most number of online votes! Woohoo!

Yeah, I did some shameless campaigning to get votes. But during the process, I discovered some people voted for my entry even though they didn't know it was Evan in the picture nor that the entry was mine! Only proves that Evan's charm radiates to everyone, even strangers. Hehe!

Ever since Evan came into our lives, we have been receiving an avalanche of blessings. Now, even his mere picture is contributing to the bucket. My winning entry got me this. Sweet!

A Mom's Day to Remember

2008-05-10T12:46:00.008+08:00

The other night, I was on the couch watching the evening news, when Evan approached me and lovingly said..." I love you Mom. Happy mother's day!" I was teary-eyed from utter joy.

It was the first time EVER that he greeted me on his own during this special occassion. He is 2.5 years old now. I know he fully meant and comprehended what he just said. Which made that moment very memorable and touching.

Then last night, Riki and Evan excitedly ushered me to view this MTV.

I am one of the luckiest mom (and wife) in the whole wide world.

Happy mother's day to all moms :)

EVANtales: A Different Kind of Alphabet

2008-04-30T10:49:00.003+08:00

This is Riki and Evan's own (super high-tech) version of the ABC's. Evan did the voice-over himself, I can't be more proud of my 2.5-year old!

And yes, since the target audience of this educational video are kids, it is a bit lengthy. But don't miss the last part (XYZ's). It is so hilarious, I'm sure you will have a good laugh. Ang kulet! Haha!

Watch out for Harry Potter as well. "It's my favorite".
ENJOY! :)

Great job again Dad! Mwah!

EVANtales: What Did You Do Today?

2008-04-17T21:02:00.001+08:00

Here's a very creative way to report your day activities to your Mom when she comes home from work.

This are all still pictures. Great job Dad! :)

EVANtales: Dropkick Garcias (Music Video)

2008-04-08T20:41:00.001+08:00

The song "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" had been blasting in our car stereo, in our laptop music player, even in our OnDemand channel for a straight month already... Evan can even pronounce the artist band's name so fluently - "Mom, I want Dropkick Murphys!"

This music video is inevitable.

My two boys rock! YEAH!

EVANTales: A GuitarHero Soccer Painter who plays Golf!

2008-03-31T19:00:00.005+08:00

Keeping up with my two "boys" is proving to be such a hard task each and every day!

One night just two weeks ago, Evan was (supposedly) watching his nightime kiddie show, while I leisurely read my book beside him in bed. I heard him muttering "Nice swing!"...and later on..."Oh, he missed it!" Deep into devouring my new book, I confidently thought he was just reacting to one of his PBS Sprout shows. Then he suddenly turned to me and asked seriously, "Mom, is that a birdie?". I was so startled, I quickly looked for the remote to change the channel. Evidently, he had switched from his kiddie show to guess what...the Golf Channel. He had been watching the Puerto Rico tournament the whole time!

I quickly googled all the golf terms the next day to catch up with this new father-son bonding activity.

But lo, I am still distinguishing between a lob and a sand wedge, they have already moved on to playing soccer (they are enrolling in a father-son soccer class this spring), watercolor painting, and yes...Wii Guitar Hero!

I think it is high time for a daughter in this family! (Kidding!)

LV loves me!

2008-03-03T09:46:00.003+08:00

Last week, I received this greeting card from Louis Vuitton in my snail mail. Inside was a handwritten personal greeting from the Sales Associate who assisted us when we bought my Speedy at the SFO branch.

What great after-sales service / special treatment indeed! Makes me want to pay them another visit.

Dad, Mother's day is coming up soon. Hehe.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-23T04:44:00.002+08:00

There are so many things Riki and I are thankful for this year. But he tops the list.

Eversince he came into our lives, we have been receiving a downpour of blessings. The joy he brings to us everyday though is more than we could ever wish for.

Happy Turkey Day everyone!

EVANtales: Our Little Manny Pacquiao

2007-11-13T18:39:00.003+08:00

Riki bought Evan his first boxing set recently, and they have been "training" eversince.

This is Evan, our little pillowpuncher. Well, for now, i guess a better passion than girls. Hehe!

EVAN Amazing

2007-08-07T13:39:00.001+08:00

In a month’s time, Evan will be turning TWO already. My little man is growing so fast! And for a toddler his age, his unfolding intellectual and social developments are so impressive. We know he is indeed special the moment he was born, he scored 9.9 in his APGAR test!

I am such a proud mom, I just have to do this brag list. :)

1. Evan can count from 1 to 10 when he was just 1.5 years old. Now, he can count from 1 to 20.

2. He knows his ABCs pretty well. We’re not just talking memorizing the ABC song. He’s so way beyond that already. He can already IDENTIFY and READ his ABCs (but only in capital letters)! Show him any letter, in any order, he will tell you what it is. And his hobby now is reading letters everywhere he goes. S.A.F.E.W.A.Y, E.X.I.T, S.T.O.P, etc.

3. The book What To Expect The Toddler Years said that average kids at this age can identify 4 objects by pointing. Well, Evan can identify almost 100+ objects! He is very good at picture-reading. He knows all parts of his body, can identify all primary colors, he knows the name of almost all furniture and fixtures at home and even the animals in the zoo. We spent almost 15 minutes at night saying goodnight to all of them, “Goodnight tiger, goodnight elephant, goodnight headboard, goodnight tree, goodnight mirror, goodnight eyes, goodnight tummy…”

4. Evan is very good with words. Some kids his age are still “bulol”, but my angel speaks most of his words (English and Filipino) clearly already. He is like a parrot. He repeats every new word he hears from people around him and will remember them from then on. One time, when driving thru Mcdonald's, upon hearing the order taker’s standard greeting “Hi, what’s your order?” He promptly replied (from way back in his car seat!) “cheese burger meal”. What a riot indeed! Hehe.

5. Very much like his father, Evan is such a sociable person. If most kids shy away from people, especially strangers, Evan, on the other hand, finds delight in initiating contact with them. He happily greets our housekeeper “Hello, good morning!”, gives everyone in the supermarket a sweet smile and a “Hi”, and quickly warms up to friends and visitors in minutes.

6. Evan converses not in simple chunks of words but in complete simple sentences already! He never fails to surprise us with his new lines every day. From “let’s go to Lola’s bedroom” to “I don’t know” "I don't like" to “Whoa, look at that!”

7. Evan is also gifted with logic and wit. He always inquire about things, bombarding us with his “Why?”, “What’s that?” and “Who’s that” questions. He also knows how to follow multiple instructions already like taking off his socks and then his shoes and putting the former in the laundry bag and the latter in the shoe closet. He also knows how to assert himself, oh yes he does! Here are some classic and adorable conversations:

Daddy: “Evan, please help me clean your toys”.
Evan: “Dad, I’m tired”.

One time when we we’re reciting our nighttime prayers:
Mommy: "..please bless Mommy, Daddy, Lola, Kuya Galen, Tito Ryan…"
Evan: (cutting me off mid-sentence) "Family!"

Lola: “Evan, don’t run!”
Evan: “Walk lang.”

8. He sing-along to many songs already on his own. Sometimes we will just hear him humming while he plays or while staring at the horizon during road trips. From “Twinkle, twinkle, little star” to “Itsy Bitsy Spider” to most of his favorite TV (and On-Demand) kiddies shows.

9. He is a book lover! Maybe because he always see his mom and dad reading books (in the bathroom, in bed, in the couch, everywhere). Or his mom reading one single book straight for two days (and acting as if no one's around... teehee!). He likes to read his books with Dad all day long and before bedtime. He even squeezes in his own storyline to make his bedtime stories relatable to his everyday life.

Daddy: "In a faraway kingdom, there was once a prince."

Evan: "... and a little boy..."

Daddy: "He was proud, arrogant and mean."

Evan: "...drink water, wear shoes..."

10. He is showing signs of being an OC like me! He can’t stand open closet doors, he follows his dad to the bathroom, flushed the toilet, put down the toilet seat (YES!), turned off the bathroom light and exhaust switch (his dad always forgets), arranged protruding chairs and placed all shoes lying around the living room in the shoe closet!

Yes, we are talking about my 23-month old baby here.
Now you will say AMAZING is an understatement. ☺

If you want more adorable and amazing anecdotes about Evan, read Riki’s Rookiedaddyhood tales here.

Is This Goodbye?

2007-07-23T14:23:00.002+08:00

Warning: If you haven’t finished reading the 7th Harry Potter book yet and would not like a spoiler, don’t read the rest of this entry.

Book 7 was finally released here in the US at exactly 12:01 am of July 21. And yes, I joined all HP fans globally who lined up outside bookstores hours before the midnight release, eager to get a copy of the much-awaited final installment ASAP! Who can sleep during that Friday night anyway?

I got my book by 12:28 am. I have made reservations months before so I was given priority over the Muggles in the queue. I came with two, who were at the very end of the line. Tsk, tsk.

At exactly 1:09 am, I finally joined Harry, together with Ron and Hermione, in their quest to find the Horcruxes.

For the next thirty-eight hours (inclusive of quick bites, sleep and trip to the john/grocery), I devoured all the magical details, and by the epilogue, was enveloped with sadness of saying goodbye to all my beloved witches and wizard. I want more!!!!!!!!!

So how did I do with regards to my assumptions? Let’s check:

1. Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape executed an Unbreakable Vow ahead of Snape and Narcissa Malfoy. Thus, the one done by the latter was not valid. --- They didn’t do an Unbreakable Vow, but they did have something more powerful than that, an allegiance to each other.

2. Snape is thus still loyal to the Order! He will redeem himself in the last book. --- YES! SNAPE was loyal to Dumbledore all along. More than loyal actually, everything he did was for his great love for Harry’s mother, Lily Evans. Talk about total redemption.

3. If in the case that I am wrong, I hope he pays for this crime with his own life! --- Snape did die. Voldemort killed him, for the wrong reasons. :(

4. Dumbledore is still alive. Either that or he will resurrect from the dead, just like Gandalf. This time he will be wearing an all white cloak already. Alright, this one’s beyond stretching already. Haha! --- As I said, this is indeed wishful thinking. Nevertheless, his legacy will continue in Harry’s life. He named his youngest son Albus Severus.

5. A big part of me wants Harry to die fighting Voldemort. Otherwise, it would be very difficult for me to let go!!! I will want more volumes of how he will live his life after Hogswarts. Will he become an Auror? Will he marry Ginny? --- He was always the “Boy Who Lived”. Go Figure. And yes, he married Ginny and produced little Potters. What they did professionally after Hogwarts, JK did not say. Hmmm... will there be a book 8?

6. More focus on the growing romance between Ron and Hermione in Book 7. --- Finally! A kissing scene for my two favorite characters! Kilig! They do end up together as well, and had two kids. :D

7. Who is R.A.B?!?!?!?! Can he be Snape? -- It was Sirius bro, Regulus Black.

JK, thank you for telling the world this wonderful tale. Please! Continue the magic. :)

Deathly Halfway

2007-07-18T15:20:00.003+08:00

Three more days before the most awaited day in 2007! Seventy-two more hours before this excruciating torture ends. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be out on July 21 already!

Good thing the release date in my current geographical location is a non-working day. Otherwise, I will have to utilize one vacation day again for this very important, and yes, life-shattering event, as what I have done for the last five books.

I have just finished reading Book 5 and 6 again to refresh my (epidural-damaged) memory and get ready to devour the last book. No need to read Book 1 to 4 already, I have done so five times or more for each in the past five years.

So how will this great (magical) tale end? Everyone have their own conjecture, their own desired outcome and explanation of things. Here’s mine:

1. Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape executed an Unbreakable Vow before Snape did one with Narcissa Malfoy. Thus, the latter was not valid.
2. Snape is thus still loyal to the Order! He will redeem himself in the last book.
3. If in the event that I am wrong, I hope he pays for his horrible crime with his own life!
4. Dumbledore is still alive. Either that or he will resurrect from the dead, just like Gandalf. This time he will be wearing an all white cloak already. Alright, this one’s way beyond stretching already. Haha!
5. A big part of me wants Harry to die fighting Voldemort. Otherwise, it would be very difficult for me to let go!!! I will want more volumes of how he will live his life after Hogswarts. Will he become an Auror? Will he marry Ginny?
6. I hope there will be more chapters on the romance between Ron and Hermione in Book 7. I am a fan. Hihi.
7. Who is R.A.B?!?!?!?! Can he be Snape?
8. Will Hogwarts be still open this year?

My name is Emi and I am a die-hard HP fanatic.

Halika, Byahe Tayo

2007-06-23T02:14:00.001+08:00

After the release of the tourism promotional song "Halika, Byahe Tayo", I have been manually plotting my domestic travels on a hardcopy map of the Phils., trying to color the areas I have visited already. Boy was it a tedious task.

I dream of doing my own Travel AVP using the song but I guess I still have a long way to go to be able to complete it. I haven't even been to Mindanao yet!

My Lakbayan grade is C!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out atLakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

After this expat assignment, we will definitely continue exploring and appreciating the beauty of our beloved Pinas (and thereby improving my travel quotient)!

SuperDad Day

2007-06-20T12:19:00.002+08:00

A Rookie Dad no more
You have been elevated to the level of SuperDad

Thanks for always being there for Evan
For all the love and blue skies you bring to our lives.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy Riki!
We hope you had fun on your special day this year.
We love you!

M

2007-06-02T05:54:00.002+08:00

MAY, Month of
This entry is a memoir of my ordinary life for the month of May.

Memorial Day
The last Monday of May here in the US is observed as Memorial Day, a time where those who gave the ultimate sacrifice (their lives) are remembered and honored. This day is also a national (non-working) holiday.

Holiday (here in the US) is always an adjective for the word SALE. So off we go again to the garlic capital of the world, Gilroy, not to buy garlic of course, but to pay homage to the outlet stores.

Mighty Mouse
A wireless mouse for my Macbook. Blue-tooth enabled.
See also: Mom’s Day

Mom’s Day
For most parts of the world, the second Sunday of May is a day where mothers are honored, given extra attention and offered special gifts. I had been an inducted member of this privileged group of celebrants for two years now.

My mom and I were treated to a lunch and a tour of Napa. Evan wore his “My Mom Rocks!” t-shirt. Riki treated me for dessert afterwards at my new favorite place in downtown Walnut Creek, the Apple store. I ordered the Mighty Mouse and the laptop bag for my Mac. Woohoo!

I really wish we had Mother’s Week instead.

See also: Mighty Mouse

Moment, Purple Flower
I have been looking for a copy of the book Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal since 2005. It had been on the top of my Xmas/Kris Kringle wishlists for the last two years, and a constant query to Customer Service during all my Powerbooks visits. But all efforts to find it were futile. The book seems to evade me for some reason.

That reason was made clear to me the week following mother’s day. When Riki picked me up from work one afternoon, he presented me (an additional) late mother’s day gift. A hardcover copy of the evasive Rosenthal book and a FIRST EDITION copy at that!!! I was panting from disbelief and sheer joy.

You remember the scene in Serendipity where Halley (Bridget Moynahan) gave Jonathan (John Cusack) a first edition copy of the book Love in the Time of Cholera as a wedding present? It was exactly like that moment, except that I wasn’t looking for a telephone number on the first page of the book.
See also: www.encyclopediaofanordinarylife.com for other purple flower moments

Muggle Task and Opinion
I finally got the chance to go to a bookstore and reserve my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (coming out July 21!). After getting my personal details for the database record, the attendant posed a very serious question to complete my reservation. Is Severus Snape a friend or a foe?

My answer was automatic. Of course he is a friend! Professor Albus Dumbledore had trusted him eversince. That is enough for me to believe that he is indeed worthy to be considered loyal. And I bet there will be a twist in Book 7, where Snape will be singing his redemption song in the end. So let's see if I am right on July 21, 2007.

More importantly, the “ Snape Is Loyal” sticker Border’s handing out is purple.

Multiply
I created my Multiply account last year just so I can have access to free mp3s online. But after a month of daily browsing thru Jon and Bibi’s photo albums, I was finally encouraged to ramp up my site just to make it decent for them, and for other visitors as well.

This blog and my Smugmug Family Album will still remain as my main sites though.

Musing
But writing with simplicity requires courage, for there is a danger that one will be overlooked, dismissed as simpleminded by those with a tenacious belief that impossible prose is a hallmark of intelligence.
- Alain de Botton, The Consolation of Philosophy

My Credit

If you have read the Rosenthal book, you will understand while I am writing my post this way. Kudos and full credit to Amy!

See also: Moment, Purple Flower

TRAVEL DIARY: April 2007

2007-05-06T17:43:00.002+08:00

Time to start exploring the Golden State!

Armed with printed Mapquests directions and our dependable digicam (DSLR still budgeted for May!), we braved the intertwining freeways and roads of Northern California to visit some of its well-known tourist attractions from our Walnut Creek home this April.

April 7, 2007: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Getting There: 3.5 hours / 170 miles
Whoa! That’s what you’ll utter when you witness Yosemite’s beauty. The graphite mountain, the majestic waterfalls, the gemstone lakes, everything is so picturesque. Lonely Planet calls it the Taj Mahal of national parks. I haven’t seen the Taj Mahal, but I must agree still. Being there, witnessing the awesome beauty of nature makes you feel closer to God indeed, to his awesome creation.

Inside the park, there are hybrid air-conditioned buses that offer free rides around the vast territory. This is a better way to explore the area than bringing your car to every station. You can just hop in the bus, get off one camp to explore the trails and engage in massive camera-whoring activities, then hop in the next bus again to go to the next camp.

April 15, 2007: GILROY
Getting There: 1 hour / 78 miles
Lonely Planet only devoted two short paragraphs for Gilroy, plainly describing it as the garlic capital of the world. Omitted was the important fact that it houses plenty of factory outlet stores! This is certainly a place where everyone's sentiment is “too many stores, so little time!”. A shopaholic’s haven indeed.

It is also the hometown of Riki’s Italian friend/previous co-worker Luca. After a day of record-high kilometers in my pedometer, drinking Japanese beer and Italian espresso in their American home, while chitchatting with their French friends in the backyard (where there are lavenders in full bloom!) is definitely a welcome cool-down before heading back home to Walnut Creek.

April 21, 2007: SAN FRANCISCO and SAUSALITO
Getting There: 45 minutes / 31 miles
A visit to San Francisco will not be complete without seeing (and walking over) the “red” Golden Gate Bridge. Picture-taking in the south and north vista points of the bridge are mandatory. My little man Evan though seemed unfazed by the majestic bridge, taking more interest in the pigeons socializing with all the tourists in the area.

North of the Golden Gate Bridge, is the lovely town of Sausalito. When I first saw this bay neighborhood, only one word came into mind, quaint. Perfect for a romantic stroll, an al fresco meal and a cup of coffee, Sausalito is such a lovely place to spend a relaxing day during the weekend. My favorite place so far!

San Francisco has so many interesting places to visit, a day of exploring is not enough. However, after playing with the pigeons, Evan decided to take his nap already on our way to Exploratorium, which means end of the trip for us for that day. We will definitely come back for more in the future.

April 28, 2007: MONTEREY PENINSULA
Getting There: 2 hours / 120 miles
Sausalito is now just second on my list of favorite places in Northern California. The Monterey Peninsula now tops the list…well, so far. The Monterey Bay Aquarium was a mesmerizing treat for marine animal lovers, strategically located in Cannery Row, which basically is an avenue of charming shops and restaurants, all promoting the area’s sardine-canning business. Riki and Evan had a blast watching the otters, jellyfishes, hammerhead sharks, octopus, penguins and a dozen types of fishes.

I had a better fun time though when we drove along the 17 Mile Drive, a breathtaking scenic route connecting Pacific Grove and Carmel. I just fell in love with the stately and posh seaside homes, the sea, the breeze and the Lone Cypress Tree. This is bed and breakfast destination extreme!

April 29, 2007: SIX FLAGS DISCOVERY KINGDOM
Getting There: 30 minutes / 23 miles
Never a fan of monster rides, Six Flags was not on our list to visit. However, the recently re-opened Marine World/Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo boasts of a wide variety of zoo and marine animals. So off we go, together with other Pinoy office friends to the amusement park. While the rest of them are screaming their lungs out in the thrill-rides, we explored the park, watched the animal shows and posed with the Justice League and Looney tunes folks.

Whew, that was fun! Travelling is indeed more meaningful when you have your family and friends with you to share those memorable shots.

This is just the executive summary of our April adventure. If you want to see the rest of the fun pictures, click this.

Till next month's sojourn! :)

Bitter Sweet Symphony

2007-04-12T23:19:00.001+08:00

Prologue
To capture a month-long adventure in words is indeed a tedious task. Reading the resulting lengthy narrative is even a greater feat. Thank God for pictures to make things shorter but more interesting!

Finally, our California move sonata.

Saying Goodbye
Juliet had aptly said it. Parting is indeed such sweet sorrow. As much as you are excited with what lies ahead as you depart, the notion of leaving people and things you love behind is truly heartbreaking.

Since we will be away for the next 18-24 months, we have to dispose most of our belongings. We gave up our condo (where all our happy memories since Riki and I got married happened), sold all our personal stuff (and just got to keep in storage selected items for posterity) and forced GAEL to join the (car)workforce for the meantime while we were away. (Gael is one year old today, April 12... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!)

If saying goodbye to these THINGS was hard, imagine the sadness of saying goodbye to PEOPLE. With only a two-week window after getting our US visas, Riki and I had despedida parties/lunches/dinners till the early morning of our March 1 departure flight. I realized we are indeed so loved, having families and friends wishing us well and telling us that they will miss us while we’re away.

To everyone in Pinas, you are the reason why we will definitely come back home in 2008/2009.

The Adventure Begins
It was Evan’s first plane ride.
It was Riki and Evan’s first trip to the US.
It was Riki and me’s first trip out of the country.
It was the family’s first plane ride/trip together.

It was a Business Class booking, and it was free.
Thank you my beloved employer!

Buhay Expat
Moving to CA on an expat status definitely has its perks. From the exclusive club hotel accommodation pre-departure, business class airline tickets, grand airport limo transfer (complete with a bottle of champagne opened at your delight!), a designated relocation consultant at your heed and call for the first two weeks, to the luxury of corporate housing accommodation and transportation. Everything seems to be served in a silver platter, as they say (free of tab).

Well, everything except the implement to immediately cope with the emotional challenges of relocating to a foreign country with a different timezone, opposite weather and far more diverse culture than your comfort zone home country. The first two weeks had been especially hard to Evan who stayed awake at nights, slept during the day, felt grumpy and irritable the whole day and moved bowel every three hours. Good thing my mom followed us after three days, to the rescue! Whew!

And then there’s work of course. In the midst of all the relocation adjustment we have to endure, I have to start earning our keep and report for work. And as if my adjustment issues at home are not enough, I have to do the same in the workplace. My new role here is TOTALLY different from, again, my comfort zone. My expertise is Functional SAP. But lo, they assigned me to the Technical Team. I am to lead the Infrastructure Services group in the org chart. That means, I have to learn SAP Environment Management fast to be able to deliver in my new position. After two weeks on the project, I am popping 800 mg. of Ibupropen a day to ease the pain of my newly-acquired malady, migraine.

As I ponder later on, after all the haze had subsided, it really is fortunate (and in a way necessary) that we came here with all the luxury and convenience attached with our visa status. Otherwise, with all the emotional hurdles the family had to endure, we might be questioning why we were here in the first place, uprooting ourselves from an otherwise comfortable (and nanny-abundant!) sphere.

Immersion
All adaptation profiles go through the anxiety stage to the growth stage (we learned that from our Cultural Orientation here). As Riki and I start to get comfortable with our new surroundings, settled in our new home for the next two years, everything began falling into their right places. And then we started appreciating the flowers, and yes, even the squirrels.

Having Filipino friends, colleagues and even new acquaintances around also made life easier. Believe me, after a whole day at work speaking in English, it is a welcome exercise to converse with fellow Pinoys in our beloved language afterwards. It’s like eating all leaves (salad) and bread for breakfast and lunch, and finally going home to eat kanin and ulam for dinner.

Most importantly, the fact that the family is intact and together in this new life adventure, everything turns into sunshine and good memories (pictures and avps).

Action Items
This move is only temporary. Thus, it is but wise that we maximize it and make sure we have fun!

The first three weeks of hurdling relocation issues is now over.
The fifteen months of shopping, travel, exploring and good times begins!

The Garcia’s TRAVEL DIARY starts on the next post. :)

Mac and Me

2007-04-02T15:17:00.002+08:00

Yes, I am still alive!

It has been a month since we started our Northern California adventure. We have finally settled down (after a month of relocation hurdles!) in our cozy apartment and is now ready to explore the land of the free!

I finally got my dream Macbook (woohoo!) last Friday, so I am now officially back in the blogging business. Our BIG MOVE stories on my next posts.

Much Ado About... Poo

2007-02-19T18:44:00.001+08:00

It is now official!

We just got our L1/L2 visas approved last Friday. We can now openly tell our friends (and relatives) that The Garcia Trio will be temporarily relocating to the Sunny State of CA for the next 18 months. Thanks to our generous benefactor, my beloved company, the best employer in the world!

It has been my long-time dream to hit the hay and just be an expat’s wife. Imagine traveling the world for free. It had never occurred to me that I will be realizing that dream not for myself but for my husband. I guess God is telling me Riki had been a very good provider the past years he deserves a break (or is it a bigger, global reach for his entrepreneur gigs?).

It was Riki’s first time to be interviewed by a US Consul. On the way to the Embassy that morning, we went through all the possible questions he might be asked during the interview, even rehearsing how he will construct and deliver his answers. During the ACTUAL interview, the Consul just had ONE question for him, whether he had been to the US already in the past. He simply answered “No.” And that’s it. Haha! Talk about over-preparation.

Evan, on the other hand, just treated it as another (early) day away from his crib, playing with the other applicant toddlers at the compound while waiting for our go at the queue. And when it was our turn to be interviewed, then he decided it was high time to poo (in his nappy)! Thank God there is a thick glass window between us and the interviewer Consul. Well, if you gotta poo, you gotta poo right? Talk about making a statement in his own small way.

So now till the end of this month, we will be busy packing our bags (and boxes) as we start a new adventure beginning March.

One Good Afternoon

2007-02-12T09:31:00.002+08:00

I have been residing in our condo unit since I got married last December 2003. Throughout those years, I have had several encounters with various celebrities who are tenants of the building as well. But none of them stroked my fancy enough for me to rave about it. Until last Saturday.

I am about to move out by next month and finally, I got my much-awaited “starstruck moment”!!!

This got to be one good afternoon…

His music had inspired me since university days. Who would have thought I would be having a normal neighbor-to-neighbor conversation with him on a normal Saturday afternoon, talking about life crossroads, business ventures, local politics and yes, even SWOT analysis! Well, actually it was Riki who did MOST of the chitchatting since I was just too starstrucked to say anything sensible. He was at my house, for crying out loud!

I acted imbecillesque, yeah I know…

For someone whose singing voice is so powerful, he converse in an amazingly lazy, soft-spoken way. But true to the brilliance he exhibits through the music he creates, the man is sharp-witted in other facets of life evidently. A golden boy indeed.

Till today, starstrucked pa rin ako. Afterall, he is still just a doorbell away (he said so himself!). Hay.

MOVING!

2007-01-30T11:15:00.001+08:00

The first month of 2007 seemed to have zoomed past me. Everything is now but a blurred memory.

I welcomed the year by MOVING to a new role (goodbye SOX!) as my work group MOVED to a new global organization. Heck, we even MOVED to a new office floor in the middle of the month.

There was no time to finalize my new year’s resolutions (personal and professional) as by the end of the first week, I was informed I will be MOVING work location in two months. Hooray! This is a much-awaited move. A fulfilled dream to finally MOVE-OUT of our cramped one-bedroom condo unit (although I will sorely miss my rockstar/celebrity new neighbor).

In all that haze of MOVEMENTS and preparation to MOVE, the itch to MOVE my blog to a new host was overpowering. I even went to the point of creating an account already on the other end of the pond and began tinkering on my new template there. But what separation-anxiety that resulted to! At the end of the day, I realized all I needed to do was change my blogspot address, and I am now at peace again.

Yes, I finally moved to http://purplepinay.blogspot.com/!
(from my old address http://ladylavender.blogspot.com/)

There will be a lot of MOVEMENT in this (renewed) blog in the coming days, sidebar repositioning and template customizing. New posts will come after all these hurl of activities. Just in time to begin detailing my upcoming BIG MOVE.

This 2007, I am indeed MADE TO MOVE (borrowed from our competitor’s tagline...hehehe!).

Happy New Year!!!

2007-01-02T15:18:00.001+08:00

By February, I will be MOVING to www.purplepinay.blogspot.com

Please update your links! :D

THREE is a Magic Number

2006-12-15T01:01:00.001+08:00

The best month of the year had come!
Time to count our reasons to celebrate!

ONE:
1 year older, you still make my mornings lovely.
Happy Birthday Daddy RIKI!!!
Labyu!

TWO:
2 times, or rather, TWICE the woman I was before,
I am now officially out of the Roman calendar.
Happy Birthday Purplepinay!!!

THREE:
3 years of marital bliss. Our bestman had aptly foretold it.
“A marriage modern enough to survive the times
But also old-fashioned enough to last forever.”

Happy 3rd Year Anniversary to me and my Prince Charming!

From this day forward, it will be theater kitchen hopping, parties (and calories) galore and more theater kitchen binging! Next year na diet! Hahaha!

In retrospect, this year had been a relatively slow year for me bloggingwise, hopefully next year my prose juices will be rejuvenated. Till then….

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!!!
See you all in 2007!

Evan's 2nd Halloween

2006-10-30T16:58:00.001+08:00

TRICK:
A year ago, everyone’s saying that Evan was the spitting image of his Dad. Here we are celebrating his first Halloween.

TREAT:
Just like wine getting better as it age, Evan grows more good-looking every single day. And everyone is now saying he looks just like Mom! Haha!
Here we are Trick-or-Treating at our condo’s Halloween Party!

Happy Halloween Everyone! BOOOO!!!

The Untold Birthday Story

2006-10-25T16:36:00.001+08:00

It is almost two months after Evan's birthday bash and I am yet to start my party story entry. Looking at how things are going on right now (read: a blogger's block), it seems this will be included in my 2007 to do list already.

Albeit the blogging indolence, my Smugmug album is always updated! View Evan's party pictures here!

P.S. My party suppliers were all SUPER!!! Peninsula Manila (venue), Jelly Bellies (party planner), Adworks (invites), Abby Frias (photo), Jason Magbanua (video), Ryan (face-painter) and 168 Divi Mall (loot goodies)! Thanks y'all! Mwah!

Saturday Morning

2006-10-25T16:15:00.003+08:00

Eversince Evan turned a year old, (early) Saturday mornings became bonding time with Daddy. A cruise around the city (while listening to their favorite COLDPLAY album of course – yes, because he had been listening to it since he was still in my womb, Evan now knows WHEN TO START singing in the Speed of Sound song! Isn’t that amazing?), a stroll along Baywalk, a visit to Grandpa in the South. As for me, a welcome treat to stay late in bed and have my morning coffee (or Coke!) in peace. Hehe!

Last Saturday though, I decided to join in this exclusive (early morning, gasp!) bonding activity and dragged my two boys just across the street from our home to watch an early basketball championship game where my officemates were playing for the gold trophy.

Of course, when you go out with Mommy Emi, every moment is a potential scrapbook moment so a digital camera is a must in the diaper bag! Good thing though since guess who we bumped into in the court? :)

Turned out the Red Bull team have their practice every weekend in the ‘hood. Cool!

Here's a peak at the fun games that day. Congrats Ninang Bibi!!! Champion!

PUEDEH!

Happy Birthday EVAN!!!

2006-09-10T18:48:00.001+08:00

The much-awaited birthday story coming soon on this site!!!

The Grandest Cake of Them All

2006-08-04T14:50:00.001+08:00

And the "Emi & Evan Award for BEST DAD" goes to...

2006-06-18T01:01:00.002+08:00

dear Daddy Riki,

with a dad like you, growing up is indeed "brighter than sunshine"!

thank you for always being there for me and mommy.

happy father's day!

we love you!

Evan

Ten Simple Pleasures

2006-06-13T14:02:00.001+08:00

I was tagged by Jojo.

Here are my 10 simple life indulgence:

1. a bear hug from Evan and Riki
2. giggling and playing with Evan in bed
3. quality (alone) time with Riki (don't think kinky now...)
4. a long, unhurried, refreshing HOT shower
5. soaking in the bathtub, listening to slow music while eating ROYCE Nama Chocolates
6. Scrapbooking (I still prefer the traditional way, all the cutting and pasting relaxes and excites me at the same time)
7. editing pictures and videos, and coming up with short video clips
8. watching a full season of my favorite TV series non-stop! (bio break and fridge trips not included...)
9. reading a book all day
10. weekends!!!... (and all other days spent NOT working)

I am tagging... YOU!

Better LATE Than Never

2006-05-30T15:36:00.001+08:00

My whole family had the FLU last week, thanks to carrier me (which was ironic since i just got the shots the other week!) so this hurray post is uber-late!

Nevertheless, i have to shout one last time before i rest!
SOOUUL PATROLLL!!!!!

I say, there are two magic words.
PURPLE jacket. Wooo!

Quarter Backtrack

2006-05-16T17:13:00.001+08:00

A quarter-year had past since my last (decent) post. Looking at how things are going on right now, it seems a quarterly update is this site’s scorecard for this year.

Evan’s arrival last September had triggered this blogslacker mode. My prose juices (as if I had any to begin with) might have been flushed out together with my amniotic fluid. Well, as I always like to say (or use as an excuse)… everything now takes a backseat to “motherhood”.

Greatest Show in the World
Motherhood…ah yes! That had been my priority this 2006. Evan, as of this writing, is already 8 months old. My global colleagues fondly refer to him as the “little one”. But I always correct them that it’s not an appropriate term to use anymore, Evan grows so fast he now measures like a one-year old kid! And his mental and motor skills development is advanced as well. He can now walk (actually he run most of the time) and jump with minimal support and can hum a lullabye already (yes! my son is showing the gift of music! Hooray!). He now sits on his own and knows how to turn the TV off (amazing isn’t it?). He can now say “Daadee” to his old man. Still waiting for him to say "Hot Mama” yet though. Maybe when he get his first tooth. Yes, that’s where he slacks. No dental activity yet for my hyperactive kiddo. Sigh.

Watching him grow each day is really an exhilarating experience, you wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world (yes, even for the season-ender of Prisonbreak!). One of my favorite mother, Wanda Wizowski-MacPherson, said it perfectly. “I am lucky to be a mom. I have the front row seat to the greatest show in the world – watching my kids grow up.”

Everything said, I whole-heartedly and proudly share this greatest show with everyone. If you want to see how my little man grows more adorable every month, view his online monthly album in our smugmug site, here.

Pimp My Ride, Mom!
During our pre-Evan days, going out of the house is as simple as getting your wallet and dashing out of the door. But alas, when you have a child, even the simplest trip to the supermarket or the mall becomes a major (as in MAJOR!) production. Aside from your wallet, it is also a MUST to grab the diaper bag (make sure you have enough diapers, milk preparation, baby wipes and bib in there!), the stroller and the toys. And in our case, the yaya and my mom. Yes, we are yet to brave the outside world with Evan without the latter. The only time Riki and I ride with Evan alone in the car is when we brought him home from the hospital. Thereafter, my mom and yaya have been a formal and fixed member of the Garcia entourage for all out-of-the-house events and trips.

More stuff, more passengers. Our old and battered sedan thus seems so crowded and inadequate.

This gave me the valid justification to FINALLY push through with my long-time plan of buying my own car. I have been postponing this dream purchase for three years already, always finding a financial excuse NOT to buy yet. But this year, the universe seems to conspire to help me get my dream ride. A hefty performance bonus and a promotion at work (SALAMAT SOX!!!) also helped facilitate the decision-making process. It is HIGH TIME indeed.

Last April, we brought home the newest member of the family, GAEL. Charolastra!

And since I have been waiting for him for the longest time, Riki was generous enough to get me a customized plate. My name + Evan’s bday. Woohoo! And as a family tradition, Gael was also baptized at the Santuario De San Antonio. :)

After thirty-one years, I finally bid farewell to commuting.

Brighter Than Sunshine
Three weeks ago, I flew to North America for a semi-annual three-day meeting. I stayed there for ten days, the longest time I had been away from Evan ever. Before work, during work and after work, I was able to squeeze in some leisure trips.

Walking in the City of Angels
I always treasure my time. So after arriving at the SFO airport and checking-in at my hotel, I and my friends from Vallejo drove straight to Los Angeles. Hollywood and Universal Studios here I come!

Where is the moment when needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost

They tell me your blue skies fade to grey
They tell me your passion's gone away

You stand in the light just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee to go

You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces everytime
And I don't need no carryin' on

Cause you had a bad day...

Theme parks are indeed for all ages. I had a blast at the Universal Studios! The best I have gone to so far (well, the other ones are just Enchanted Kingdom and Ocean Park). The 4D/3D rides (Terminator 2, Back To The Future, Backdraft, Shrek, etc.) had been so much fun, I almost lost my voice shouting all throughout the ride/show. The Studio Tour was also enjoyable, we went through the “plane crash” set of Spielberg’s War of the Worlds, Wisteria Lane, and various studios and stages where Universal shoots its TV series and movies. Amazing!

For more pictures of my LA adventure, go here!

I opted not to visit Disneyland at Anaheim. I am reserving that first Disney experience for a future trip, with Riki and Evan.

My First Major League Game
One of my meeting’s after-office team activities is to watch a baseball game, to immerse the participants (majority of which are from outside NA) in an American tradition and favorite pastime. So off we go to SBC Park to watch the San Francisco Giant vs. The New York Mets game!

This is my first time to watch a baseball game and what do you know, I am watching it in style! Since this is a company activity, my group was given not just free tickets to the game, but the privilege to watch it from the company’s own suite box, complete with all the special freebies and overflowing food and drinks! Sweet!

Now I don’t just know who Barry Bonds is, I have watched him play live. The Giants won that night! Lovely!

Obviously, I enjoyed this trip, unlike the one I had last year. The only bad thing about this experience is my air carrier. I flew via PAL this time and let me tell you, their business class sucks. The chairs are uncomfortable (and sometimes, even defective!) you cannot sleep soundly, the entertainment system is so low-tech, the food and service is bad, and as always, the flights are delayed. The only good thing I got from flying PAL are the miles – I now have enough for 3 round trip tickets to Bora! At least my family’s summer vacation next year is now covered. Yey!

FNT
From all my raves above, you can say 2006 is a good year for me so far. New experiences, new places visited, new purchases.

Here are my other Fascinating New Things for 2006:
1. House, Grey's Anatomy and Prisonbreak series
2. Wentworth Miller!!!!!
3. Dora The Explorer (Yum Yum Yum Delicioso!) (We did it! We did it! Hooray!)
4. Blink and Tipping Point
5. Royce Nama Chocolates (Mild Cacao)
6. Toy’s R Us (but Ikea is still my favorite store in SG!)
7. Leap Frog Toys
8. Baby Blues comic strip
9. The Killers and Aqualung
10. Wentworth Miller!!!!

IDOL!!!

2006-03-10T11:03:00.001+08:00

Taylor Astig!!!

Idol!!!!

Aw!

Extraordinary

2006-03-08T20:02:00.001+08:00

That’s what it says in Jason Magbanua’s (newly designed) website. And truly he has every right to claim that title. His work is exceptional. Just check out his launch video! Astig!

The AVPs get better every wedding. It makes me want to get married again (hehehe!). Can’t wait for my renewal of vows! Hay…

Jason sets the trend/standard when it comes to wedding videos. Others try to follow. But they pale in comparison. Honestly.

(Jason, sobrang lakas mo sa akin, I came back from hiatus just for this plug. Don’t I deserve a free 1st birthday AVP for Evan? ;) )

Dear friends, just hold on… I will be back…soon. :D

YAWN

2006-01-30T16:49:00.001+08:00

“...Have you ever thought about yawning, for instance? Yawning is a surprisingly powerful act. Just because you read the word “yawning” in the previous two sentences – and the two additional “yawns” in this sentence – a good number of you will probably yawn within the next few minutes. Even as I’m writing this, I’ve yawned twice. If you’re reading this in a public place, and you’ve just yawned, chances are that a good proportion of everyone who saw you yawn is now yawning too, and a good proportion of the people watching the people who watched you yawn are now yawning as well, and on and on, in an every-widening, yawning circle.

Yawning is incredibly contagious… “

- Malcolm Gladwell, The Tipping Point

So, how may times did you yawn while reading this post?

Happy Monday! :)

It’s The Most Wonderful Time…

2006-01-20T18:07:00.001+08:00

...of the year! DECEMBER that is, my favorite month. :D

Last month had been a frenzy of activities and festivities (this month a flurry of work and deadlines thus the lateness of this post!). I TRIED (the operative word here!) composing a decent blog entry but every time I sat down and started tinkering at my laptop, all my other deliverables at the office and in our business kept on haunting me, blocking my creative juices from flowing. Today I just gave up.

So I ended up doing this bullet-point photo blog to summarize my December. What a good way to start my new blogging year. Bleh!

BACK TO SOX!
I ended my maternity leave and went back to work on a time most people are going on vacation already. Except for people in Compliance and SAP who are cramming for year-end reportorial requirements and year-end closing. First day at the office (December 2), my local and global back-fills rushed to SEND their Turnover Documents and set-up turnover meetings. It seems these emails had been sitting in their DRAFT folder since November! SOX to everyone is like a hot plate you just can’t wait to drop. Hay!

PARTY POOPER BDAY BOY
I had placed my orders online for the flowers to be delivered to Riki’s office at least two weeks before his birthday on the 15th. Guess what? My very unpredictable husband was out on client call (in Quezon!!!) on that day checking out manufacturers of virgin coconut oil. So end of story, my surprise was ruined. His officemates ended up enjoying the bouquet and pleading to have a stem each. Hmph!

TWO YEARS of MARITAL BLISS
How time flies indeed. Last year, december 16, we were just enjoying marital bliss and getting ready for our Boracay vacation the next day (Evan is a bora baby! Hehe...), now we have added parenthood to our many blessings. I took this day off from work to do my last-minute arrangements for Evan’s party on the 18th and started my Xmas shopping. (Yes! You read it right, I crammed to finish my xmas list this year one week before Christmas day. End result, I spent beyond my xmas budget. Dang!). Riki took the afternoon off from work (bawi kaya sa surprise spoiler the previous day?) and joined me at the mall to buy my birthday gift. Finally, I got my sterling silver bracelet I so long wanted (to match my white gold jewelries and wedding/engagement ring). Yey! We had dinner that night at Circles Events Café at the Makati Shangri-la to celebrate our bday cum anniversary cum bday. After filling our stomach (up to esophagus!) with food and chocolates for three hours, Riki and I went on our much awaited movie date (after three months of home arrest!). It was really nice to spend some quality (alone) time with my better-half and enjoy the perks we use to take for granted when we were still not parents.

LAST YEAR IN THE GREGORIAN CALENDAR
Next year, specifically the 17th day of the last month, I will belong to the box most people call “wala na sa kalendaryo”. Tired from the escapades of the previous night, I just stayed home and played with Evan the whole day. I felt lucky and so blest to be at this point in my life where all I have ever hoped for in life, I already have – my own family. Everything else that will come my way, are just bonuses. God is indeed good!

WELCOME TO THE FAITH
We really love doing celebrations during the month of December! That is why we made sure Evan’s christening will be on this month. And specifically on this date, the 18th. A year ago on the same day, Evan was conceived (yes! I am that OC I know the exact date!). So it is just appropriate to welcome him to the Christian world on the same day God gave him to us. Perfect isn’t it? He was baptized in the same church where Riki and I got married two years ago, the Santuario de San Antonio. During the ceremony, Evan was so behaved. He was just looking intently at the priest, as if he can understand what the latter was saying. He didn’t even cry when the priest poured the holy water on his head (he loves bathing! Hehe…). How can you not love such an adorable angel? Afterwards, we had a great and fun party at Italianni’s Greenbelt 2, where all our families and friends came to celebrate with us as we welcome Evan to the Christian world. Stuffed mushroom yummy!!!

More pics of the baptism ceremony and after-party here!

HOHOHO!
For Christmas I ordered online matching White Stripes t-shirts for me and Riki. When the package arrived a week before xmas eve, mine was the wrong item. Grrrrr!!! I have to mail it back, and the correct item will be delivered only after the holidays already. So I ended up not having one during xmas eve. Terno pa naman dapat kami ni Riki. Huhu!

It was Evan’s first Christmas! He was the best xmas gift for me and Riki. We couldn’t asked for more. Here he is opening his gifts, his piggybank (which Riki and I bought and started filling when we first learned that i was pregnant) and playing cute, making everyone's life happy and worth living.

TAKE TWO!
I just can’t get enough of the buffet in Circles (diet? Is that a word?) I have to bring my good old college friends back there during our annual Xmas reunion dinner. We had a grand time catching up on each other’s life updates and stories, in between plates. Hehehe!

BLAST FROM THE PAST
I bought Riki a Magic Mic/Sing for his birthday, but I was only able to give it to him two days before the new year. So, on new year’s eve, we both sang our heart out (to my Mom and the yaya’s detriment!) NONSTOP till we have tried almost all the good songs in the selection. How timely right? We welcome the new year with a BANG indeed. Hahaha!

POSTSCRIPT
Another (late) xmas dinner with my college friends on the second week of January, this time minus Lisa (since she’s already back in SG), plus Jojit (who just came back from Canada after the new year). When Jojit said he had made reservations already at the Shang Palace, everyone went “HUWAT?!?! Our wallets haven’t recovered yet from the Circles gimmick!” Good thing, the ever generous guy that he is, he treated us all for dinner. Weeeee!!!

Fine dining is such a wonderful experience indeed…especially when it is not you who will be paying. Hehe! ;)

Emi out!

Ang Batang Panday

2006-01-10T13:36:00.001+08:00

Ready...SING!

Bawat sandali ng aking buhay

Pagmamahal mo ang aking taglay

San man mapadpad ng hangin

Hindi magbabago aking pagtingin

Pangako natin sa Maykapal

Na tayo lamang sa habang buhay

Maghintay

Ipaglalaban ko ang ating pag-ibig

Maghintay ka lamang

Ako’y darating

Pagka’t sa isang taong mahal mo ng buong puso

Lahat ay gagawin makita kang muli

Makita kang muli...

Now the favorite sleeping song of my son Tristan...este!...Evan. Hehe!

What Happens...

2005-12-29T11:18:00.001+08:00

...when your mom and grandma used to watch PBB? This.

A Happy and Peaceful New Year to everyone, from The Garcias! :D

Welcome to the Christian World!

2005-12-18T21:25:00.001+08:00

... my little angel.

A Purple-letter Day

2005-12-17T21:10:00.001+08:00

...and a special purple box from the two men in my life. Ain't life grand?

Threesome at Two

2005-12-16T10:25:00.001+08:00

Happy Anniversarry Baby. Love you more!

Daddy na Beybi Ko

2005-12-15T09:29:00.001+08:00

There is no one else for me
I could search the world through all eternity
I could sweep the sky and the sea
If there'll be no one else for me

And through me, eyes will see
There will be only you...

(Afterimage)

We love you!

Sweet November

2005-11-28T21:41:00.001+08:00

Adieu to you November.
My last month of sweet freedom from corporate drudgery.
No more weekday pleasures like waking up past ten in the morning, all-day playtime with my adorable son and sinful dvd (and eating) marathon.
Now back to the grind.

This November, I also did send-offs to a handful of loved ones.

My office buddy Jinggay flew to the United States early this month to start working on a global project. She is now vroom-vrooming in the streets of California on her cool sports car.

My long-time friend Jen left for Australia two weeks ago to marry the man who proposed to her in a yacht cruise with the Sydney Opera house in the background. And I used to think she is destined to find real happiness in solitude.

My sister-in-law Chrystal left for Canada to seek greener pastures, braving the winter and homesickness, all for the welfare of her family. My brother and nephew are sorely missing you.

Lastly, my good friend Grace joyfully said goodbye to single-blessedness and finally tied the knot this month to the love of her life. She is now busy doing inventory of all their new coffee-makers, glasses and pressure cookers.

Adieu to you November… hello my favorite month of the year - December. Time to party! :)

Pilipinong Tunay

2005-11-24T21:58:00.001+08:00

Let me borrow my hubby’s pen name for the title of this entry.

The same way I borrowed his recently acquired book SKETCHES: Stories of Inspiration from the TOYM Awardees for my bedtime reading (I need an alternate to my What To Expect During the First Year). The book is basically a collection of inspiring vignettes/essays of real-life experiences, written and shared by the TOYM winners themselves.

One essay particularly struck and affected me. It was written by Raquel B. Del Rosario-Fortun (TOYM Awardee for Forensic Pathology, 2002), the “first Filipino pathologist formally trained in forensic pathology to establish a practice in this specialty in the Philippines”. You might recognize her, she’s quite popular nowadays (via TV appearances in connection with some controversial shootout/human rights issue.)

Her piece inspired (as well as validated) my desire to stick it here, in our beloved Philippines.

Let me share with you the essay. I lifted it word for word from the book. (Yes, I have that much free time nowadays!).

*************************************************************************************************************************************************
LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT

Love it or leave it. This is one advice given to Pinoys constantly whining about their country and I have considered it time and again, being a true-blooded, certified whiner myself.

Why stay? We are on the brink of electing yet another actor to the presidency. The air is bad and we keep getting stuck in traffic. A huge chunk of the population seems hopelessly mired in poverty living under bridges and on mobile pedicabs or caritons, and still they manage to maintain a robust sex life and add to the bloated headcount some more. We are certainly an intelligent lot, we do know what ails us but somehow we are not too good at fixing up. In most things where we need a system, we don’t have one effectively in place. We do not take rules seriously. And where unemotional straightforward dealings are needed, we tend to spice up the issue with pakikisama too much and too often, and end up ruining the dish.

As a professional in a fledgling field, the desire to simply pack up and go at times can be overpowering. During really, really low moments, I imagine myself as a walking signboard emblazoned in screaming bright lights with “Pirate me…pleeeease!” Really, why stay? A forensic pathologist in the Philippines has no practice at all because we cannot even distinguish a good autopsy from a bad one. Anybody who calls him/herself an expert is accepted. Forensic expertise is a matter of simple affiliation with a certain institution and/or several years on the job. It can even be mere interest in a particular field with absolutely no academic background, formal training, research work, teaching position and so on. We do not study our dead but we simply dispose of them (after, of course, some prayers and must-have funeral trappings).

Although one could argue that being Third World, we cannot prioritize the dead since we do not even have enough resources for the living, I tend not to agree completely because some of those who can actually afford still choose a fancy coffin over good professional autopsy.

Now, what if I were elsewhere? I would be a medical examiner in an office with an administrative and technical support staff. I would have a salary enough to live on. I would work in a clean morgue that is well-lit, well-ventilated with all the equipment in place. I could change my gloves and scalpel blades as often as I wanted. I could get all the samples needed and send them off for analysis regardless of cost. I would go to crime scenes and courts and work with real professionals a la C.S.I. (Crime Scene Investigation) and not use my own vehicle and spend for gas. Wow! Best of all, the intellectual environment would definitely be more gratifying than where I am now. I would be constantly kept on my toes by lawyers who know what questions to ask. I would be doing really serious work. No need to waste time, patience and saliva on inane issues like virginity and the hymen, and that worthless paraffin test.

But come to think of it, I have been around a bit. A year in Seattle, six months in Kobe, a month in Nicosia, three weeks in Sierra Leone, another six months in East Timor, a few days in Darwin, Sydney, Singapore, Saipan, The Hague, etc. So I do have a fairly good idea what it is like to live elsewhere. I liked many of the things that I saw especially in the progressive countries: the efficient mass transport system, discipline and no-nonsense law enforcement. As a professional I could find a real job, I would be understood, appreciated and compensated. But while I fancied bits and pieces of certain places here and there, no other country could compare with what I have back home. For one thing, I suppose home is really where my husband and daughter are and so it is unthinkable to even consider moving somewhere, without them in tow. And looking back now, I recall I was awfully homesick whenever I left, the gloom settling in after a few days of excitement over the trip. I remember breaking into tears for no apparent reason while walking on the beautiful campus of the University of Washington. I realized I was depressed and commiserated with unfortunate compatriots who came home in coffins. The loneliness and despair could be so bad it could drive one to commit suicide apparently if no support system were around. So thank God for relatives and other well-meaning fellow Pinoys!

And so I am still here, trying to earn a decent living like most everyone else. Trudging along and yes, whining some more like the rest. But quite curiously, I noticed a change in me. From “why stay?” I find myself asking “Why leave?” All things considered, it is not really that bad. For starters, the Philippines IS a beautiful country. Move out of the city and into the countryside and see that we have as much, or even more than what the other nations have. As for Filipinos, we do have our good and bad points just like anybody else. What’s the bottom line? This is what I am and where I belong. I may be proficient in English but it is still foreign to me. If you pinch me I will never blurt out “Ouch!” Aray pa rin ang lalabas. Sure it is novel to experience winter but in my country I can wear a tee all year round. Our colorful bouganvilleas and san franciscos also hang around without perennially replanted. And the food! How can I survive without rice? And buko, tapsilog, tinapa, ube-macapuno ice cream etc. Here I have a life. Those times when I was an expatriate in some foreign land, I found myself working early morning and late nights. On weekends I did my laundry.

But while my personal life may be satisfying as a Filipino, I do wish my professional life could be better. It is tiring to keep swimming against the current but I suppose any crusade is never a walk in the park. If I were in a more advanced society I would simply join the system whereas here, the challenge is to actually build one. Perhaps there will be generations of forensic pathologists after me who will have an easier time. Meanwhile, I will just have to keep on, among other things hoping there will be enough paid cases to financethe more numerous pro bono ones. Anyways, if I stop putting a price tag on everything, rewards do come my way. Like the time a grateful parent of one of the child victims of the Damas fire in Paco brought me bananas and biscuits. Or that unusual incident when a lady judge thanked me after my testimony, rose from the bench and walked me out the courtroom door. I was floored by the gesture, I stammered my own “thank you” and bowed (I just came from Japan then). Unthinkable, but so Filipino. Walang ganyan sa States! Thank you Ma’am. You really made my day. I remember I was feeling so bad that time because as usual, I drove to court myself, abonado na naman sa gasolina.

So love it or leave it? Part-time OFW contracts and conferences abroad are most welcome, yes. Maybe I could leave sometimes, but stop loving the Philippines altogether? Can’t. For all its imperfections, it is still the one for me. At tama nga, dahil bayan ko ito, dapat sagot ko. There is work to be done.

*************************************************************************************************************************************************
I can totally relate.

Like Dr. Del Rosario-Fortun, I also love my life here in the Phils., albeit all the political, social and economic unrest. Like her, I get terribly homesick when I am out of the country. I always have that desire to go home at once.

Here in the Philippines, I have a life. A happy and fulfilled one.

I thank God everyday that I have a stable job here so I don’t have to leave for greener pastures. I will always be close to my family and friends and won’t miss the important events in their lives (weddings, birthdays, reunions, etc.). Anytime, I can delight on the following experiences: Sonya’s Garden, Aling Nene’s barbeque, Glorietta, Greenbelt & Rockwell, Café Breton, Xaymaca, Baguio, Bohol & Boracay. I can scout as early as now for education options for my son as this will affect other major life decisions like a house purchase. I am even happily awaiting the day I can bring Evan to his first UP Fair.

I am not saying though that people who experience otherwise are less fortunate and happy. Others are meant to find their lives and happiness in a foreign land. It is just all a matter of preference and fate.

My sole point here is: as for me, I am destined to travel (and explore) the world, but will always have Pinas as my home.

Sleepyheads

2005-11-20T20:30:00.001+08:00

To the left or to the right

Straight up or sideways

Nothing beats sleeping with my old man.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZ...

Drop It Like It's Hot (musings of a passive capitalist)

2005-11-17T22:21:00.002+08:00

I was updating my calendar the other day of the various tasks and appointments I have lined up for the next few weeks (in line with my preparation for Evan’s baptism this coming December), when suddenly, the harsh reality struck me.

Just two more weeks and I’ll be going back to work already!

Back to corporate slavery. Back to the chaotic and pressure-filled environment, to the early mornings and late-nights telecon meetings. Hay.

Worse, I will be leaving HIM at home.

How can you be away from such an adorable son, who always has something new and cute to show Mommy everyday? How can you be away from those endearing squeals, gurgles and coos which make me feel so blessed in life (my son loves to converse already! how bright!)? How can you be away from that angelic smiling face and those resounding laughter which never fails to take my breath away? Triple hay.

If only I can drop work like it’s hot. I wish it was that simple.

In a previous post, I have shared my dream (or better yet, I have to start calling it a… GOAL) of setting myself free from the binds of an employer max by the age of 35. I await that defining moment where I can say “I QUIT!” to the corporate world and joyfully shout “YOU’RE HIRED!” to myself. I still have a month and four years to go.

Well, as most things are, these are EASIER SAID THAN DONE. I admit, this dream is not an easy feat to achieve, especially for a risk-averse person like me. I will not easily invest my resources on an undertaking unless I’m sure of a fast payback. Besides, it is hard to leave the comforts of a stable job that pays well, provides health benefits for you and your family and constantly offers travel opportunities around the world for free (and let me add, in style!). But still, the prospects of having full control of your time and using more of it for the family rather than in service of a legal entity has its own attractive merits, especially in the long-term.

So, the dream of becoming an entrepreneur continues.

Yes, I used the term DREAM because, as of this writing, I have not acted on it yet. My business plan is still stored in my head, I haven’t even put it in writing! The most I had done to earn an income aside from my salary is when I (and a friend) retailed some tees for just a month a long, long time ago. I remember spending my profit on a new rubber shoes afterwards. Talk about retained earnings. So you see, it is hard for me to hire myself (I have to offer ME a BETTER package than what I am getting now from my day job. I have to sustain my lifestyle (and whims) without burdening my husband. I have to help provide for my growing family). But I am not giving up hope.

Riki is my inspiration. He had already tested the waters several times in the past, and is still doing it now. It is quite oxymoronic really. He is an engineering graduate and I am the business graduate. Yet, he is the one who is more inclined to entrepreneurship than I am. We own a copious amount of business books. He bought 95% of them, the other 5% are my business books from college. He even subscribes to business magazines. He is such a voracious reader of business literature. More importantly, he used his learning from reading to concretize his business plans and make them a reality. He had already registered our corporation with SEC and had acquired all the business permits! Well, he is a risk-taker by nature so he is not afraid to initiate ventures (electronics trading, diaper business, hotdog stand, retail store, etc.). As most cases, not all of these were rewarding, but he is persistent nonetheless. He says, they are just “learning blocks”.

As for me, I try to support him in his enterprise in every way i can, providing financial accounting expertise, sometimes acting as a devil’s advocate/check and balance. But of course, success of such endeavors contribute to the family’s wealth! But more importantly, I try to learn from his experiences so that I can apply it one day in my own venture/s as well.

And in the event... that I fail in the future as a businesswoman, I still have a back-up plan. To be the wife (business partner) of a mega-successful entrepreneur. Teehee!

In the meantime… back to work in 13 days!

Confessions of a Fanatic

2005-11-16T22:03:00.001+08:00

My name is Emi and I am a die-hard Harry Potter fan.

I have read Books 1 to 4 five times, book 5 twice, book 6 once (for now).

Aside from my hard-bound English copies, I also have several foreign-language edition in my bookshelf - Book 1 in Chinese, Book 2 in Thai, Book 3 in Dutch and Book 5 in Italian. I am still in the process of acquiring more of these foreign issues to expand my collection. I also have mp3s copies of the audiobooks, books 1 to 5.

I discovered HP and the Sorcerer’s Stone in a featured article in Time Magazine, way before it became a hot item here in Manila. I basically introduced the book to my family and friends by lending it to them. My copy of HP and the Sorcerer’s Stone had been borrowed and read by more than twenty people, the other books by more than five people each.

I always get my copy of each new book on the first day of release (thank God the Phil. release date is now simultaneous with the worldwide date!). And if that date falls on a weekday, I always file a vacation leave from work so that I can enjoy the new book ASAP. I cannot imagine hearing the ending of a particular book from someone else (thus, I don’t read spoilers as well).

As much as I enjoy the books more than their counterpart movies, still that doesn’t preclude me from watching the latter on their first show date (also a MUST!). Thank God for Sureseats!

Fortunately this year, I am still in my maternity leave, so I was able to watch it during the first screening time today.

Most people may refer to my behavior as an addiction. Well, I'd rather call it passion.

P.S. Book 4 is my favorite in the series...and yes, the movie HP & The Goblet of Fire is now my favorite as well! :D

happy 2nd birthday ROCK!

2005-11-14T18:18:00.001+08:00

I was reading my old posts today and i came upon this entry.

Great timing eh! :D

Happy birthday "my precioooussss"!

PBB (Postpartum Bane and Bonus)

2005-11-08T23:09:00.001+08:00

Another overdue post. I started composing this a month ago, but was just able to finish it this week. Blogging definitely takes a backseat to more important tasks of motherhood. Nevertheless, I feel obliged to complete my childbirth story so that y’all (especially the prospective mothers) will see the TOTAL picture. Hehe (*devilish grin*)!

As narrated in a previous post, my labor and delivery via the C-section department (by choice!) was an easy, fast and relatively painless one. Looking back at the events that transpired during that fateful day now, two months later, it seems to be a very pleasant experience.

Recovery from the procedure, on the other hand…was an entirely DIFFERENT STORY. Read on for my post-partum woes:

1. Gas Pains. This is THE ULTIMATE BANE of my whole birth experience. The moment I got out of the recovery room and entered my hospital suite, my mom kept on reminding me to refrain from talking too much (or at all!) But how can I do that when I have so many stories to tell Riki and the rest of the family about my recent (and first ever) operation and my first bonding experience with my son Evan? How can I abstain from using my speech organ when I kept having visitors in my room who all demand a complete narrative of my delivery experience? Well, as always, mothers know best! I should have listened and not uttered a single word at all (which I will NOW remember for my next delivery/operation – if any!). My extended epidurals may have been so effective I did not feel any pain in my incision afterwards, but it did not helped at all eliminate those terrifying gas pains. They were so excruciating I cried so hard the first time I tried getting out of bed the day after the operation. And they were the reason why I was only able to successfully stand up and go see Evan in the nursery on my third day in the hospital. (Yeah, I know that is so pathetic but really, if you can only imagine and feel the pain I felt that time!). These pains continued way till my second week post-partum.

2. Flatulate, extricate, urinate and ambulate. In layman’s term, “pass gas and poop, make wee wee and then move your ass!”. If a patient (who just gave birth) is to graduate from the hospital, these are the milestones one has to achieve and complete first. In my non-pregnant state, passing gas and stool was just a breeze. Effortlessness is the word. Riki and I even have these funny moments where we compare who can pass gas longer and louder, who’s got a sinker and who’s got a floater. But man, after giving birth, all of those body movements seem SO HARD to do (especially if the nurse/doctor keeps on tracking your progress every hour and making marks on her chart! Such pressure!) Dang! If I was indeed being graded in doing those tasks, I would have flunked HARD. So how did I do it? I took a remedial to complete the course (read: induced movements via a suppository and laxatives). Emi madaya, hehe!

3. Afterpains. After the anesthesia faded, entered the various body pains – muscle, shoulder, stomach, chest. My body felt so sore and beaten during the second week!

4. Baby Blues: THIS I did not expect at all (*serious tone*). I had always been a happy and excited pregnant woman, I was well-prepared for the coming of my child and I have always thought I will be super A-OK after the delivery. It should be one of my happiest days. But I was wrong. It was just day five (the day after we left the hospital) when the baby blues hit me. I just felt sad suddenly. Over what exactly, I cannot pinpoint. During dusk, I would sit at the corner of our bed, stare at the window and just felt the tears running down my cheeks. I feel so depressed and so unfulfilled. So many frustrations and negative thoughts kept running in my mind. I was unsuccessful in breastfeeding. I don’t have an excuse now for being fat still. I am so clumsy as a mother. I can never have my old lifestyle anymore, where it is just me and Riki in the house. I am not used to a large household (read: more than two persons) post-marriage. I missed my old life with Riki, where we can do anything we want, anytime. I am so tired and drained in this new routine of sleepless nights and endless days – doing nothing but feeding and changing diaper. This emotional state lasted for a week. What brought me out of my misery? Riki brought me out of the house at the end of the first week, treated me on a date at our favorite nook restaurant (the T Salon) and to some retail therapy. When we went home, I was ok already. So fresh air lang pala solution sa depression ko. All i needed was a breather/break.

WHEW. So there, those were all the things which made me feel out of control during my first two weeks as a new mom. My woes which THEN made me swear to myself not to subject myself in this birthing experience again (simply because I felt I sucked in it!), and which made me doubt if I had made the right decision to even go through it in the first place. But all these ugly thoughts are gone now, details forgotten and simply doesn’t count anymore. They just lasted for two weeks, as part of my baby blues probably.

I still have some body pains now, from the continuing chores of baby lifting, feeding and diaper changing. But I don’t whine about it anymore. They are now joyful moments for me. I have even added to my skillset the following: baby bathing, nail trimming, ear and nose cleaning. And guess what, I am now an expert in all these tasks! And I await every chance to be able to do them again, all for my great love for my son Evan (who grows more adorable each and every day!).

Motherhood is indeed a challenge. But beyond those challenges, it brings this unexplainable great satisfaction and happiness. It is indeed worth all the pain and hardship, as every mother would attest to.

So what’s the bonus? These.

camerawhore at a very young age

adorable angel

how time flies!

Evan's First Halloween

2005-10-29T17:44:00.001+08:00

The Evil Cannevils

BOOOO!!!

Happy Halloween everyone!

* Special thanks to Ninang Dess for the accessory. Mwah! :D

Di Naman Po Ako Tisoy...

2005-10-03T15:31:00.001+08:00

...maputi lang po ang damit ko.

More pictures of our cute bundle of joy (who will be turning 1 month in four days!) here!

Who's Your Daddy??

2005-09-30T15:17:00.001+08:00

Who said you can’t have two men in your life at the same time... and get away with it screaming happiness and contentment, rather than infidelities?

HELLO WORLD!!!

2005-09-21T16:53:00.001+08:00

***********************************************************

I was born last September 7, 2005 at 9:40 am at The Medical City.

I weighed 7.9 lbs and measured 50 cm. (My APGAR score is 9.9!)

My mom and dad named me Evan Sebastian.

Guess who I look like? MY DAD! Hihi... Sorry Mom! ;)

************************************************************

Two weeks ago, I finally expelled my placenta and delivered our much-awaited “chubby cheeks” baby boy-bundle of joy into this world. The next fourteen days after that fateful day had been a whirlwind of activities and emotions. The very expecting and well-prepared preggy mom that I was before, I still was not able to fully geared up myself for most of what occurred during those memorable (yet blurry in my memory now – how time flies so fast!) days. Motherhood is indeed a joyful but challenging phase in a woman’s life.

I have so many stories to tell. But I have so little time these days. I can only do this in between feedings (and diaper-changing).

So for now, let me share with you first the events that transpired during that very special day in our lives, the 7th of September…

Since I started my maternity leave last September 5 (Monday), I just stayed at home, doing last minute preparation for my scheduled trip to the hospital on September 8 (Thursday). Yes, we already requested for a scheduled cesarean on that date. I want my baby to have the same birthday as Mama Mary, he being a blessing from God to us. But then, it seems God has a different plan… because that Wednesday…

5:30 am: I was awaken by a new kind of pain in my lower abdomen. Oh no, is this what they call prelabor symptoms already? But I am just on my 39th week! I tried to ignore the pain since I know the early stage of labor (latent) can still last as long as a day and does not yet require a run for the hospital. However, the contractions seems to grow stronger (read: more painful) and become more consistent already. I started timing it and it is already at an interval of 5 minutes each. Yikeess! Am I in ACTIVE labor already?!!? But it’s only Wednesday. I am SUPPOSED to give birth tomorrow as per our plan!

I woke up Riki, we called my OB-GYNE after thirty minutes of observing the consistent contractions. After giving her a brief description of my conditions, she told me not to wait any further and rush to the hospital already. Yes, I am indeed in active labor and will be giving birth anytime.

It was fortunate that the contractions started early in the morning and Riki had not left for the office yet. He was still supposed to report for work that morning since our plan is to check in the hospital later that night. So hurriedly, he got dressed, picked our bags, and got ready to leave for the hospital.

However, I was not ready to go yet. I may have prepared our hospital bags, even the loot bags/goodies we will be giving out to our visitors later, but I have not yet “readied myself” for the trip. So I asked him to sit still first, drink some water and give me at least 15 minutes more.

Trying to ignore the labor pains, I took a quick but satisfying hot shower first (no way I am going to the hospital without shampooing my hair! I know it will take a while before I can do that after giving birth!), put on some fresh clothes and dabbed some lip and cheek tint in my face.

7:00 am: Now I am ready to go to the hospital. :)

7:30 am: We arrived at The Medical City, parked our car at the basement and walked to the Admission Office on the ground floor. Yes, we were not panicking yet and we tried to deal with the situation in a calm manner, since we were certain naman the baby won’t be coming out in an hour or so pa. I already have my admission slip prepared by my OB-GYNE the weekend before so I just handed it to the hospital staff, and they already know what to do. I was instantly wheel-chaired to the Pre-Labor Room, where they did all the necessary tests, fetal heartbeat monitoring and other preparations. Upon examination, my cervix was declared to be opened 3 cms. already. My God, it is just 3 cms and the pain is this excruciating already!? It’s C-Section definitely for me!

(But I am proud to say that although I was in great pain…yes I have low tolerance for contraction and labor pains….even an IE was hurtful that time… I did not do those stereotyped violent shouting and “blaming the husband” moaning we normally see in TV shows and movies. I just grimaced and twist silently in pain. Hehehe!)

8:15 am: My OB-GYNE arrived at the pre-labor room already. After checking my chart and my actual condition, she teasingly asked me the question “So, you still want to do trial labor first?” to which I immediately answered “NO! Please let’s get this done with. My baby is already in the cut-off weight to qualify for a c-section, the pain is killing me yet my cervix is only 3 cms dilated, what more if it is 7-10 cm! And I know I will end up cesarean anyways, so why prolong my pain!”. Riki, who was at my side during that time (and who seems to be in more pain than I was) totally agreed. So I signed the consent forms, the nurses did the pre-delivery/operating procedures (e.g. shaving and IV application) and off we go to the operating room.

8:50 am: The TMC’s delivery/operating rooms were so squeaky clean, brightly lit and relatively spacious. Everything looked so conducive for surgical operations. Hehehe! All the equipment are new so I felt relaxed and confident (the meticulous patient that I was) that my procedure will proceed smoothly and safely. Luckily, there was also a clock on the wall so I was able to keep track of time as the operation progressed.

This is my first time to have a surgical operation. And this is also the first time that I was bare in front of strangers, male and female. It felt weird at first, but since I know it’s plainly “medical” business, I tried to focus my attention on other things instead.

My anesthesiologist was a cool cono male doctor. He even asked me what type of music I want played during the procedure! Astig! I doubt if he has Lemonheads or Sebastian Bach in his player though. Sayang, if only I knew, I would have brought my own CD. So I just let him play whatever is in his collections. I started hearing a Julia Fordham song, or was it SwingOut Sisters?! (I am not a fan, so I can’t remember the title of the song… hehe) and that helped me relaxed a bit. He started working on my spinal cord and applying the local anesthesia/epidural/what-have-you in my back.

After a few minutes, I felt my lower body started to get numb, until I can’t feel any of the pinches he had been doing in my tummy anymore. That is when they started “slicing” me already.

During the entire “opening up” procedure, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, listening at the music in the background, and eavesdropping at my anesthesiologist and pediatrician who were chatting besides me while my OB and her team are doing the work below. They were talking about showbiz news so I would like very much to join in their conversation, if only my OB had not instructed me not to talk during the procedure. Dang! This procedure is so cool. I can’t feel anything at all (note that this perception will slightly change in my post partum/recovery story).

9:40 am: I heard Evan’s first cry. My baby is finally out!!! I want to take a look at him right then and there but there is a blanket cover plunked in my chest area blocking my view. From the sides, I saw the pediatrician and her team carried and placed him in the bassinet at the other end of the room and started cleaning him. He was still crying. What a strong (but shrilly) cry. Wow! My baby is so brusko! :)

My OB came up to me, asked me sweetly if I was ok, smiled and reminded me not to talk yet. Then she told me that Evan already had meconium stain (he made poo-poo already inside the womb) but he was ok. He seems not to have swallowed the substance yet, so nothing to worry about. She assured me that they will take care of Evan at the NICU and congratulated me for being a new mom. After that defining moment, I have forever developed this deep bonding with my OB.

They wrapped Evan in a thermal blanket and brought him to my side. Finally I was able to see him, greet him for the first time and kiss him in the cheek. Yes, he really has those cute chubby cheeks. I AM NOW OFFICIALLY A MOM!

After that short encounter however, they whisked him away from me again to be brought to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where he will be taken cared of in the meantime. I still have to be stitched up.

I had been expecting all along that I will be rather emotional and tearful during this particular moment, when I first see my child. But I was not. Rather, I felt so relieved and contented, so I was all smiles. Relieved that the delivery was all over, that Evan was born healthy and with no deformities. God has been so good to us!

11:00 am. I was brought to the recovery room, my intestines and uterus back inside me again, still wide awake (the sedative did not work on me. hehehe!)

Whew! In just half a day, I have gone through my birthing stage…maybe not during the date that we initially wanted... but in a manner I have always preferred… swift, smooth, painless and peaceful.

Or so I thought. Wait till you hear my post-partum narrative.

All Systems Go!

2005-08-31T19:20:00.001+08:00

Just one more week and our wait for dear Evan will be over! :D

Everything and everyone is now ready for his arrival.

1. All work in the office had been properly turned over already (my out-of-office note is already composed and ready to be activated! Hehehe!). Friday will be my last day. VACATION at last from the workplace! (I just realized now that this is the first time in almost nine years of corporate slavery that I will have a vacation longer than two weeks! I love my son!)
2. My workstation is now in shipshape. I am such an OC, I will not be able to leave a messy cube! Everything had been properly filed and stored, my Inbox had been cleaned and all my files backed-up.

3. Our house had been scrubbed, vacuumed, polished and tidied already (thanks to CALL and CLEAN housekeeping services!) and is now geared up to accommodate all of Evan’s baby things. (i.e. crib, stroller, etc)
4. I have washed and ironed Evan’s baby clothes myself. Thanks to dear mommy-friends for the tips!
5. Our hospital bags are all packed and ready!
6. Digicam and camcorder batteries charged, memory cards and tapes all refreshed.

7. I had my eyebrows waxed already last weekend (for the picture taking in the hospital of course!).
8. Manicure and pedicure, check!
9. Pregnancy scrapbook almost complete!

10. My OB had already given me my Admission slip.
11. We have already set a date for my Cesarean procedure next week (long story – but aside from the fact that Evan is almost an 8-pounder now, I and Riki had decided not to do labor anymore!)
12. We will do the hospital room reservation (and viewing) on Saturday already.
13. Philhealth documents prepared and signed (yes, this is the only benefit – aside from my paid maternity leave – that I will be getting from my company).
14. Although I have already done the fund transfer from Riki’s account to mine as early as last month –hehehe!, my credit card is ready to be swiped (ANAK, SAYANG ANG MILES!!!). ;)

Excitement (and of course I admit, a tinge of fear) is in the air now. I pray that I will have a safe delivery and Evan will come out healthy and fine.

So please pray for us too! :)

Little baby on the way
Getting bigger everyday
Kicking Mommy here and there
God listen to our prayer

Little Evan though not yet here
Is loved so much, has grown quite dear
Delivery time is growing near
Thay’s why we pray our plea you’ll hear.

In Utero

2005-08-22T19:31:00.001+08:00

Last night, we were able to finally catch the encore special of National Geographic Channel - the “In The Womb”. For parents-to-be like us, it was really a very enlightening and informative documentary. We were able to validate most of the special moments we have experienced with Evan while he is still in my womb. The first beating of the heart, the kicks, the regular hiccups, and of course, the exciting interaction via 3d/4d ultrasound imaging where we first saw him actually yawning and moving his head, hands and feet and adorably sucking his fingers.

The documentary showed that it is the father (or rather his mighty sperm which successfully penetrates the mother’s egg) that really determines the sex of the baby. This is what forms part of the famous Chromosome pair 23.

"An egg contains one X chromosome, but the sperm can carry either a single X or a single Y chromosome. A sperm carrying a Y chromosome will produce a male - XY - and a sperm carrying an X will result in a female - XX."

So there, we’re having a boy…thanks to Riki’s winner sperm! Hahaha!

After watching the show, I dug into our old photo albums to look at our own baby pictures.

So sino kamukha ni Evan? :)

Emi ------------- Evan ------------ Riki

My Grand Baby Shower

2005-08-17T18:08:00.002+08:00

Yesterday, my work colleagues gave me a "surprise" baby shower party in the office. Good thing i brought my camcorder that day so i was able to capture this very memorable moment! (A friend from the office texted my hubby early that morning about the shower plans, too bad my nocturnal hubby was still snoring, i was the one who read the text message. Haha!)

I have been to so many baby showers in the past, but let me just say this was the most fun of them all! ;)

Why? Let me count the reasons:

1. My dear friends organized the event for me (during office hours!). I was really touched.
2. My extra generous big bosses gave me a GRACO lightweight travel system - a complete set of baby stroller and baby car seat/carrier - as a gift!!!

3. A yummy PURPLE cake

4. Lots of food for everyone in the party to enjoy (everyone shelled out some bucks)

5. a GRACO stroller and car seat/carrier that matches Evan's playard/crib! Yey!

6. Fun game where people cracked up guessing who is the baby in the picture (name that 'ture!)

7. Sweet messages and well-wishes from officemates inside a symbolic feeding bottle

8. a cool GRACO stroller with a low and load basket and a parent organizer tray

9. Evan's cute face plastered in the loot bags which people were able to take home after the party

10. More gifts from my thoughtful officemates!!! (baby grooming set, baby thermometer, baby clothes, accessories, a lovely baby bag, etc.)

11. a versatile GRACO car seat cum carrier with parent hood

12. Everyone seems to have a fun (break) time!

Did i already mention that i got to bring home a GRACO baby travel system?!? Hehehe...

Daddy Riki was so ecstatic to pick me up that night!

surprise!!! ang dami kong gifts!!! who's that baby!

lots of yummy food and a lovely purple cake!

a gift from my very generous bosses!!!

cute loot bags more gifts for Evan! messages in a (feeding) bottle

great friends who organized my baby shower

My son is really so lucky, a lot of people loves him already (and he is still in the womb!)
What more when he comes out! :)

Project Armoire

2005-08-15T18:17:00.001+08:00

I was shopping last Friday at Gingersnaps for several birthday gifts items for the kiddie parties I was supposed to attend last weekend when I saw this baby t-shirt. I just have to buy it for Evan! Daddy Riki has shirts with the same design and color. Terno sila! Yey!

Evan's first tee

It will be the first item i will hang in his baby armoire, which will be my next project after I give birth. Can’t wait to start it!

lifted the pics and details here!

Evan Speaking...again!

2005-08-09T17:33:00.001+08:00

Mommy always tells me "Evan, you are so lucky because you have a kind, loving and cool dad".
I say “I know Mom, we talk every morning while you are still sleeping.”

I really love hanging out with my dad. We always watch Baby Bach Musical Adventure… remember he gave me my second name Sebastian? And I love listening to Coldplay’s latest album in his car (although mommy is complaining already!). So recently, we switched to Baby Genius Nature’s Experience (which thankfully stopped mom's bickering).

Just the other weekend, he bought me my own playard already!!! It was so cool! It has a diaper changing table, a diaper side bag, a bassinet and WTP toy accessories! Most importantly, it is pack and play! So wherever we go, we can bring it with us! Dad assembled it himself (while mommy just sat down capturing the moment in video) the minute we arrived home that day!

Mommy also said, “You know Evan, Daddy can’t wait to finally see and hold you come September.”
I answered ”I know Mom, I caught him reading your book the other night. Hihihi!”

Our Little Man

2005-08-01T17:34:00.001+08:00

Forty four more days (or less) and we will finally get to hold our bundle of joy in our arms! Every day is indeed filled with anticipation and excitement now. All we can think of is our little handsome man. I don’t even have time to blog (nor bloghop) nowadays since all my efforts are currently directed to preparations for his arrival. Finally, I have made considerable progress with my Pregnancy Scrapbook! Yey!

But I just can’t let this particular happy event pass undocumented. I have to share it with all of you.

Two weekends ago, we had our 3D/4D Ultrasound Imaging done and we finally got to see Evan’s face for the first time and witness him in live motion!

We watched him move his head from left to right, suck his toe (which was soooo adorable!), yawn and smile many times (which made us – even the sonographer – utter OOHHHH!!! in unison), stretch his cute little feet and kick mommy’s tummy, and move his hands and rub it against his face. All REAL-TIME! The whole experience was indeed so thrilling, memorable and tear-jerking! It was worth every penny (3D sonogram costs triple the conventional 2D black and white ultrasound).

Let me tell you, seeing your baby in realistic surface images provides indeed a special emotional connection. From that moment on, I can see/imagine his face in my mind whenever I look down at my bulging belly, I can visualize him better when I feel his kicks and movements, and his image yawning always brings a smile on my face. That is now my “happy thought”. It is indeed magical!

We also got to bring home a CD copy of all the actual video clips and all the colored snapshots of the entire procedure. So Daddy Riki and I can now watch Evan doing his cute little movements inside my womb anytime we want , over and over again. Better still, we can share such delightful moment with all our families and friends. AND… we can now include these footages when we create his BABY JOURNAL VIDEO. Weee!!

So everyone, take a look at my undeniably handsome and adorable baby!

evan "chubby cheeks" sebastian

adorable yawn

cute little feet

Di ba kamukha ko? :D

ISANG TULOG NA LANG!!!

2005-07-15T13:58:00.002+08:00

I saw these boxes at the bookstore as early as Tuesday morning... talk about torture!!!

4 NA TULOG NALANG!!!!

2005-07-12T09:27:00.001+08:00

Blue It Is!!!

2005-06-25T20:25:00.001+08:00

Mothers know best indeed! Guess what, IT’S A BOY!!!

We finally confirmed our baby’s gender this morning when I had my third trimester ultrasound. We are definitely having a baby boy as our first-born! So we can now officially call him EVAN SEBASTIAN. Weeeee!!!

I was supposed to have a 3D/4D Ultrasound earlier but Evan was still in his usual breech position, and was hiding his face from the “camera” (facing backwards or nakadapa!). Hehehe! Nahihiya pa ata sya magpakita kina mommy and daddy. The doctor/sonographer told us that it was not a good position yet for her to perform the 3D/4D Ultrasound. We were so excited pa naman to finally see our baby's face in close up! Sayang! :(

So we just had to do the normal Trans-abdominal Ultrasound to check for his vitals and his gender. He was so malikot during the whole procedure, turning from one side to the other! Good thing the doctor was able to view his genitals at once when we started because for the rest of the process, he hid it from our view already! Hahaha! I think he doesn’t want his thingy to be exposed long enough for everyone in the room to see (he even warned me later not to post the printout in my blog! Hehe!).

We were able to see the current position of his feet and hands as well and actually witness how he moves them (now I know what is kicking me where!). Thankfully, everything is ok and healthy with my playful son! :D

We will try to do the 3D/4D again after two weeks. I just need to have a serious talk with Evan first to change his current fetal position and convince him not to shy away from the “camera” next time.

We’re having a baby boy! :D

Pink or Blue, We Love You

2005-06-22T17:41:00.001+08:00

Before my pregnancy, I had always preferred (I don’t want to use the term “wanted” here, it sounds so strong) a girl as my first-born. I am so excited to dress her up, share with her all my kikay activities and escapades and groom her to be a mini-Emi. Riki, surprisingly, also wanted a girl as well. He said he had been so "pasaway" when he was young, he was afraid a boy will give him the same problems he gave his parents. He thinks a girl will be more responsible and thus, will make us both happier.

So when we finally received the good news last January, we started calling our baby (in the womb) ELLE, even though we are not sure of the gender still. We don’t have a second name picked out yet. But I was already planning her birthday party motif, her wardrobe closet and her photo/video shots in my mind. And Riki, of course, was in seventh heaven.

Then, an officemate told me early February to check out my baby’s gender at this site

http://www.findyourfate.com/chineseastro/lunarcalender.html. Just for fun. Guess what? It told me I’m having a boy! Dubious, I let all my mommy friends take the test as well for benchmarking. And they confirmed that it indeed gives the correct results. Oh no, time for a paradigm shift.

From then on, we changed our baby’s name to EVAN (still my choice). Riki wanted the second name – SEBASTIAN. I wanted GAEL. But Riki violently objected. Meron daw sya kaseng kilalang manlalasing sa province named Mang Gael. Ok fine! I’m cool with Sebastian. At least rocker pa rin dating ng name ng baby boy namin! Hehehe! As months passed, I started to love those two names dearly and can’t wait to write it in his birth certificate.

So all over again, we started getting excited on the prospects of having a boy. Riki is now imagining giving Evan guitar lessons early (so they can sing together during Parent-Child day in school), going on fishing trips together (without Mommy! Hmph!) and wearing matching Lacoste t-shirts (paid by Mommy’s money). I, on the other hand, was re-constructing his wardrobe closet in my mind already.

During my second trimester ultrasound last May, we were so excited to finally confirm the baby’s gender, but he/she was in a breech position, covering his/her “thingy” with his/her bended legs! Hay grabe ‘tong batang to! Sinu-suspense pa si mommy and daddy!

So we continue calling him EVAN. And treating him as a baby boy.

Which almost everyone around us contradicted. Almost all are telling me every day that it is a girl, based on how I look preggy and on my overall aura. Imagine, I have only one friend who told me it is otherwise! Well, I still say, it’s a boy! Based on the kicks I feel, the skin pigmentation I’m having (huhu!) and the size of my uterus. My doctor said my baby is long, mana ke daddy!

Honestly, this debate is really adding to our excitement. Girl or boy, we will definitely be happy and contented because this is God’s greatest gift to us. Still in the womb, he/she had been a good luck charm to both of us eversince, personally and professionally. Our only wish is that he/she be a healthy baby.

So pink or blue, we will definitely love you BABY.

And you will definitely have a lot of purple baby things! ;)

This Saturday, I will have my third trimester 3D ultrasound. We will finally put to rest this issue of gender.

Will keep you all updated next week! :D

Dear Dad,

2005-06-19T12:30:00.001+08:00

I am so excited to get out (of mommy's womb) so that I can join you when you sing this song to me...

"You're living proof that dreams do come true
I love you and I'm here for you

Just the two of us, we can make it if we try
Just the two of us,
Just the two of us, building castles in the sky
Just the two of us, you and I."

LOVE YOU DADDY!
Happy 1st Father's Day!

Love,

Evan

To Have and To Hold

2005-05-24T10:06:00.001+08:00

After my own wedding way back in late 2003, I have this self-belief that mine was the perfect one so far. Yeah I know this statement may have the hint of conceit, but I am sure that all brides feel this way as well! All brides MEANING all those who have been so much involved in their wedding preparations and the actual event, all those who had great fun going through the whole process of getting married, and all those who at one point in time, may have considered giving up their present career to pursue one in Wedding Coordination instead.

And when people (or rather friends!) used your wedding as a reference when doing their own preparations, getting the same suppliers as yours to be able to get the same product/output, and plainly be inspired to get married as well after seeing yours, that self-belief is all the more strengthened.

Needless to say, I always end up feeling that mine was more organized, or more fun, than all the other weddings I have attended afterwards. Well, except for a chosen few.

One of them was my friend Zed’s wedding last Sunday. The affair was small but intimate, the tone solemn but fun! Let me just say, his bride definitely had good and classy taste! Their overall theme was Japanese (Zen) and it was so consistently applied in the reception, which was done at The Conservatory in Manila Pen. From the Japanese lanterns and decorations in the room (not a trace of those ever-used flowing vines and flowers), the table centerpieces, the seating cards, the wedding favors (Japanese plates) up to the Thank You cards (great Japanese picturecards with Haikus – you can actually frame them and use them as a home décor!), everything was so classy, minimal yet elegant. Plus the program emcee was the best I’ve seen so far. The guy was fluently spontaneous but witty, teasing but respectful. The speeches were so personal and touching too. And of course, the weddings AVPs! But well, it was done by Jason Magbanua, so need I say more? ;) (Check it out here!)

Overall, I was impressed indeed! Riki and I had a great time, and our stomachs fully satisfied. Although, he still claims my friend Lisa’s buffet and chocolate fountain was still to beat! Hehe!

To Zeds and Tammy, let me just quote one of my BM’s classic lines…”May your marriage be modern enough to survive the times, but also, be old-fashioned enough to last forever!”

And so now… here is my first ever “official” (read: presentable) pregnant poses! I LOVE WEDDINGS!!! :D

Evan Speaking...

2005-05-20T15:25:00.001+08:00

My mommy said “Guess what Dad, big babies (inside the womb) can hear sounds and voices already during the second trimester onwards!”

My daddy instantly brought home many classical music CDS for me and mommy to listen to.
He also started reading me bedtime stories at night.

After a while…

My mommy said again “Dad, Evan knows Finding Nemo too well already!”
My daddy replied, “Well then, let me introduce him to Harry Potter now… but… in my favorite language!”
He then ordered this book from Italy especially for Mommy and me!

"Capita! Grazie Papa!"

Now, he reads me three pages or so of HP each night…using his cool “Godfather” accent.
“Capisci Evan?”
“Cristallino Papa! Ti voglio Bene!” Mwah!

Isn’t my Dad the coolest?
I can’t wait to get out and see him!

Expecting on Mother's Day

2005-05-11T19:22:00.001+08:00

Last Sunday was my first ever Mother’s Day!!! After 30 years of greeting everyone else, now is my turn to be hailed to the fold and enjoy the privileges of this special day of the year.

Some might say I am not a full-pledged mother yet, just an expecting one. But no matter what adjective you stick to it (gravid, brooding, conceiving, impregnated, with child, with young), the operative word is still “mother”. And I am one already. Hehe!

Substantiation? Check out Evan playing in my insides! (this was taken when he was still 8 weeks young...now he's 22 weeks old...growing fast indeed!)

So how was my first mother’s day, you may ask? Mega expecting that I am, I was waiting for a bouquet of fresh flowers from my better half first thing in the morning. That’s what I do for my mother/grandmother/favorite aunties every year on this special day. So this time, I expect to get one as well. But alas, until the setting of the mighty sun, I was still expecting. How appropriate.

It has always been the nature of my spouse to go against my expectations. If he knows I am expecting a ring on our anniversary, he will give me a bracelet instead. But still, he will give me the ring on a later date. When I least expect it. Or in some cases, when I have given hope already. That is his own way of surprising me (which is very difficult…because I am...again...the magic word… always expecting!) Well, at least I still get what I want in the end. After lots of expecting nga lang.

But this does not mean he didn’t do anything to treat me on this special Sunday. It turned out he just have a different plan of indulging me. And at the end of the day, what he did was more thoughtful and meaningful than what I was anticipating.

He brought me to Gingersnaps, patiently waited while I browsed through all the stuff, excitedly tried on numerous items, and most importantly, encouraged me get all the items I want (no limits!) and afterwards, he paid for all of it! Before this day, I was still using my normal clothes (except for two maternity pants I bought earlier) since my tummy is not yet that big.

He made me feel that I am indeed on my way to motherhood already, and can definitely start looking like one. And consistently, as what he always does during medical check-ups, emergency check-ups, morning sickness flashes, he was always there to share the joy (and sometimes difficulties) of the moment with me, my ever present and sympathetically pregnant hubby.

And to make things more wonderful, Evan was kicking like crazy while I try all those maternity clothes, evidently sharing in mom and dad’s blissful experience.

What more can a first-time mom ask for on her first mother’s day?* :D

*well, actually this! and he gave it to me a few days after (since the person who bought it in Amsterdam came the week after Mother's day!). A welcome addition to my growing HP foreign edition collection. I love my better-half sooooo much! Thanks beybi! Mwah!

HP Dutch Version

If Ever I Would Leave You

2005-04-21T14:13:00.001+08:00

waaah!!! baket natanggal si Anwar?!?! hikbi... :(

Con Te Partiro

2005-04-20T11:10:00.001+08:00

Everyday, on my way to work to Makati (that is on occasions that I go to work), I always pass by that big towering billboard area besides Café Lupe in Guadalupe. During normal business times, those huge squares contain various commercial ads of different products and services.

But for the last two weeks, those colorful ads were all taken out and only one simple poster was placed in the middle. A beautiful picture of Pope John Paul II solemnly praying, with the caption “ We Love You Pope…we will miss you”.

It was such a heartening sight which inspires me to start my working day right. The image of JP 2 was always comforting. And it strengthens my feeling that even though he is dead already, he is still my Pope, watching over us all. I personally admire the owner of that big billboard space for forgoing thousands of revenues for the past two weeks to pay his last homage and bid farewell to our beloved JP II (or to however initiated that humble act, since I heard from the business grapevine that the owner of the billboard is renting the space from the nearby seminary).

Today, I passed by the same billboard and I gazed and lingered at JP II’s charming image once again, this time with a somewhat sad feeling. A new Pope had been elected already*, and I know that poster will be taken out soon. Reality is now sinking in. It’s finally time to say goodbye. I hope the new Pope is as kind, compassionate and effective as John Paul II.

*Early this morning, I was prematurely awakened by my baby’s heartbeat sound (which I now used as my SMS alert tone). I received a text from Jojo, informing me of the election of the new Pope. It was kind of a weird moment because I was currently dreaming of the conclave conclusion, but in my dream, it was Cardinal Vidal who was chosen. Very partial huh? Well, the beloved Cardinal was born and raised in Marinduque, our hometown, and he was a good friend of my great grandfather as well as Riki’s. So yes, I am indeed biased, even in my dreams. Hehe!

John Paul II

2005-04-04T18:22:00.001+08:00

I saw him in person only once, last January 1995, during the World Youth Day celebration here in Manila. I was part of the four million young people who cheered him in the streets of Luneta. I was one of the millions who sang "Let us tell the world of His love..." and shouted "John Paul II, We Love You " from noon till night till the next morning.

I was one of the many who cried instantly, continuously and joyfully upon seeing him waving from his Pope Mobile (and He was not even smiling directly at me!). It was the only time I cried upon seeing someone for the first time. I will never forget that moment. I am teary-eyed right now while remembering that fateful day.

In my lifetime, he was the only Pope I have known, respected and loved.

I will truly miss you Pope John Paul II. I know you are with God already. Thank you for bringing me closer to Him. And thank you for teaching me compassion for my fellow human beings.

Walang Ganyan sa States!

2005-03-30T18:38:00.001+08:00

Initial Excitement
Last March 11 (Friday), I flew to the US to attend a 4-day face-to-face meeting with my global counterparts in the organization. Finally, after 30 years, nakarating din ako sa isteyts, ALL EXPENSES PAID PA!!! I stayed in California for ten days and then back to good old Pinas, just in time for the Holy Week vacation.

And I traveled in style people! It is our company’s policy that if your flight time is more that six hours, you always travel BUSINES CLASS. And what difference it is compared to flying via the Economy Class. No long queues during check-in and boarding, free food and comfy chairs at the Business Lounge/waiting area, priority baggage and most of all, better seats, food and service during the flight itself.

I was even upgraded to FIRST CLASS during my flight back!!! And whoa, I learned there are only 12 seats in that section (yes, I counted them before leaving the plane!), most seats are window AND aisle seat at the same time (only four in the middle are not), and most of my seatmates are Japanese and American businessmen (I guess) who are all in their coat and tie. I was wearing a plain t-shirt and my dirty denim jeans and running shoes. But still, care ko! I enjoyed the first class service to the max like a princess. They served better food here using expensive plates (as opposed to the normal square silver trays in the other sections). The flight attendants addressed us all by our formal names, and are at our beck and call. Special and personal treatment indeed! (Halata bang ngayon lang ako nakasakay ng First Class?!... hehehe!)

That is indeed the way to travel! – especially for a pregnant woman like me and most importantly for long flights. (hay… if only I can afford it personally!).

I arrived in San Francisco International Airport also on March 11 (Friday). This part of North America is 16 hours behind vis-à-vis Phil. Time. HK airport is still my favorite, infrastructure-wise. The Custom Officer greeted me “Welcome Back, Mrs. Garcia!” Heller? It is my first time in this stateside land! Ngek, napagkamalan pa ata akong Mexican. The weather is not that cold, thank God. It is already the start of spring here.

And the sadness begins…
The minute I entered my hotel room in San Ramon, the homesickness began. I have two and a half days to waste before the start of my business meetings. I intentionally arrived early to have extra free days to just cope up with jetlag and adjust my system to the different timezone, as per advise of my colleagues. But after the first night, I had fully recovered from my jetlag. Thus, most of my first weekend was spent calling up all my relatives and friends in the area, telling them all that I have arrived and that I needed company badly. And thank God for my highschool friend JANE and her family who dropped all their plans that Sunday to tour me around San Francisco!

Nevertheless, at the end of each day, I still end up alone in my hotel room, beaten and lonely. And that was pure torture. Even if my body and mind is so tired from all the sightseeing (coupled with my still prevailing all-day “morning sickness”), I can’t go to sleep. I missed Riki and was regretting that I did not give in to his wish to come with me here. I spent the first four nights crying while talking to him on the phone in the middle of the night till the wee hours of the morning. I am dying to go home already. This seems so far from home. I promised myself I won’t come back here without Riki anymore.

The sleep-deprived participant
I began each of my working days with only two hours of sleep. Fortunately, the discussions during the meetings are interesting and dynamic so I didn’t fall asleep in my chair. I also got to present a Cultural Moment featuring the Philippines to the global team and many were excited to go to Boracay in the future! And yes, some of them have Filipino friends who let them eat Filipino food – even the mortifying “balut”! Their favorites are the Adobo and Lumpia. It was also during these sessions that I got the whole picture and realize the full impact and criticality of my new role. And boy I think I need a raise! And lastly, I did a presentation of my team’s Plan for 2005 to the Global Leadership Team and what a terrifying experience that was! These people are the big bosses in my IT group globally, and this is the first time I got to meet them personally. Luck must really be on the pregnant woman’s side because I was able to come out of that conference room alive and proud. They were all impressed with my presentation and answers. *ears flapping* Hay….. now I can go home!

Amusingly as well, everyone was also giving me special and sweet attention once they get to know that I am pregnant. The bulging belly (or the prospect of one) is indeed an attraction and a way to melt hearts anywhere in the globe.

Time to Play!
After business is done, I have three more days to spare for more sightseeing and shopping. My good friend Jane is again back to the rescue. She saved me from my lonely hotel room and brought me to their house so that I can sleep there for the rest of my stay. Riki and I are forever indebted to her, her fiancé Frank and her extended family. If not for them, my first visit to the US would have been a bad memory.

So off we went exploring the streets and shops of San Francisco, Sacramento, Vallejo, Concord and San Pablo, even the valleys and vineyards of Napa. We ate our lunches and dinners in various houses, all of Filipino families living there. (Grabe! Lahat sila nanonood ng TFC! Hahaha!). They wanted to take me to LA and Rheno as well, but unfortunately, we don’t have time anymore. They made me promise to come back again next time with Riki already, and for a longer period.

Here are some pictures of our pasyal.

The bay area view is so beautiful and serene. I can’t get enough of the Golden Gate Bridge. Yes, we even walked in the bridge itself halfway through and back and then crossed (by driving) it later to get to the other side, and eventually get to the Twin Peaks. I also witness the world-famous Frisco cable cars in action! We also lingered for a while in the Exploratorium to watch the swans in the pond at the Palace of Fine Arts. Many of our local showbiz stars shoot their movies in this place. We also checked out the celebrated Lombard Road (too bad spring is only starting so no colorful flowers there yet!), the Coit Tower (where I got to view the Alcatraz from afar), and of course passed along Fisherman’s Wharf/Pier 39 and the ever-present everywhere Chinatown.

I have to visit Napa Valley! This is where Big stayed for a while went he left Carrie in New York. The vineyards are just awe-inspiring, and the wineries are simply breathtaking. However, visiting Napa when you are pregnant is not that advisable. I was not able to experience what every tourist who goes there does – wine tasting! It is indeed frustrating. Especially when you see everyone enjoying it and savoring the moment. Grrrr! I just amused myself tasting all the variants of the yummy chocolate fudge, which I ended up buying, together with some wines of course.

And oh, let me just tell you that the Napa Store Outlet is a delightful pitstop! My credit card were happily swiped in its outlet of Nine West, Liz Claiborne, Quicksilver (my hubby is now into windsurfing!), Tommy Hilfiger, AEROSOLES (this is my best buy!! Well, next to my Camcorder!), among others! Everything is half the price or way lower than half the price in the Phils! Weeeee!

We went around appreciating the city riding the Regional Transit/Light Rail. Of course, a must stop is the office of Governor Arnold, the Capitol Hills. My shopping here was concentrated on the Victoria Secret store where I think I bought around two dozens of lingerie for myself, my kikay cousins and friends. This was such a fun experience for the whole group! Those colorful thongs are just soooo cute!

We also went shop-hopping to various areas (some of which I can’t recall the names already!). My Filipino friends seem to know all the factory outlets and stores with good buys, to my advantage! Perfumes, lotions, clothes, shoes….good thing my luggage is expandable!!! But the highlight of my shopping spree is my acquisition of my first and brand new Canon Digital Camcorder for a price cheaper than the amount I paid for my Canon Digital Camera in Singapore! WAGI! Now Riki can practice shooting videos in time for the BIG birthing moment! Hehe!

Throughout all these escapades, although I am comforted by the company of my Filipino friends, I still miss Riki so much. I have fully exhausted my Globe Handyphone’s credit limit and shamelessly used my friend’s phones just to talk to him and let him know what we are doing and where we are. Everything will be more fun and memorable if only he was there to experience it with us.

Thus, after ten long days of serious work, pleasurable trips, shopping spree, sleepless nights, chronic crying sessions and homesickness in the Land of the Free, me and Evan are happily back last March 22 (Tuesday) to the warm and soothing arms of my dearest husband (now beautifully tanned from his recent windsurfing lessons!). GIGILLLL!!!

I can truly say, walang ganyan sa States! ;)

Off to the Golden State

2005-03-10T20:00:00.001+08:00

I am trying to pep myself up with this Phantom Planet song...

On the stereo
Listen as we go
Nothing's gonna stop me now
California here we come
Right back where we started from

Pedal to the floor
Thinkin' of the roar
Gotta get us to the show
California here we come
Right back where we started from...

Parting is indeed such sweet sorrow.

And I Think To Myself...

2005-03-08T21:43:00.001+08:00

Many great and classic songs had been covered by various artists over the years. Sometimes the cover song is even better than the original rendition. Like Kurt Cobain’s version of Lead Belly’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”.

Tonight, I just heard the best version of “What A Wonderful World”. Anwar Robinson swept me away. Moreso, not only did his performance capture me, he captured me. Those neat dreadlocks, that angelic face, and yes, that fashion sense! Alas, I have a new crush.

Since the first time I saw him during his audition for AI, he already stroked my fancy. He defines the word “NICE”. I had at once picked my favorite. The same way I did with Fantasia last season. These are people cut out way above the rest. They are so unconventionally cool.

In the past, I can only tolerate listening to "Moon River" if i am watching Mr. Big dancing awkwardly with Carrie in his empty loft. But now, I like the song. Anwar’s version of the song that is. He had totally injected coolness into that oldie song. The same way Fantasia did for “Summertime”. The same way Riki does when he sings any jologs song. (yes! I just need to brag about that. Hehe!)

Simon Cowell’s words couldn’t have been more appropriate. Anwar is indeed the ultimate music teacher. A genuinely nice person with a great voice. I will enroll Evan Sebastian in his class anytime, at any cost! And I will make sure I personally bring my son to school and fetch him later so that I can talk with his teacher about his progress. Haha!

Now, I can’t wait to see Anwar do a Bob Marley piece!

And yes, i have to start downloading mp3s of his performances to date...

Singapore Lah! (part 2)

2005-02-21T19:31:00.001+08:00

This is the overdue continuation of my overdue entry re my SG trip.

I just recovered (again!) from a week-long sickness. I had amoebiasis and had been throwing up and flushing out all liquids and solids from my now frail (and badly beaten) pregnant body. My pregnancy during this first trimester is becoming a series of unfortunate events.

Anyways, let’s talk more about my Baudelaire fate in another entry. For the sake of my BITIN friends, let me wrap up my SG kwento. However, my recent illness had not only sucked out all my physical liveliness, but my creative juices as well. I had been trying to convert my journal bullet points to paragraphs for thirty minutes now, to no avail.

So let’s just make this a sort of visual (with short captions) story.

One afternoon, I returned early to my hotel room after my workshop. The doorbell rang and entered a local hotel crew.

Crew: “Good Afternoon Ma’am. MAY I CLOSE YOUR CURTAINS?”
Emi: “HU-WAT?!!?”
Crew (patiently repeated): “May I close your curtains ma’am?”
Emi (thought bubble): “Well, I can do that myself, but if it will please you greatly, then go ahead!”
Emi: “uhmmm…sure!”

The Curtain Administrator smiled and proceeded on closing all the curtains, and then left (evidently to go close other room’s curtains as well) happily. I still want to enjoy the sunset….so I opened my curtains again afterwards. Talk about job empowerment.

Lisa and I at the Night Safari (the world's first wildlife park with a night view). We watched the Creatures of the Night (Animal) Show then took the 3.2 km tram ride to see all the nocturnal animals across the dense secondary forest whose landscape dramatically changes from that of the Himalayan foothills to the jungles of Southeast Asia and Africa. The latter was such a fun and relaxing ride!

We watched Finding Neverland in this cool movie theater (Golden Village) where all the seats are Lazyboys, complete with blankets and a mini table for your (popcorn) orders. Totally a luxurious and ultimate cinema experience (c/o Citibank Gold Class)!

Gong Xi Fa Chai!!!! A trip to SG's Chinatown.

Lisa said the cable car ride is only 5 minutes and is faster than the bus ride to Sentosa Island. SHE LIED!!!! The trip to Mt. Faber side alone is more than five minutes!!! This ride is scarier than the one in Ocean Park in HK. At least sa OP, you get to enjoy the mountain and ocean view. Here you get to see the solid highway below, where if misfortune strikes, you will end up when you fall!

The Mighty Merlion. A majesctic background while watching the Magical Sentosa Show at the Musical Fountain.

Sentosa’s official mascot. Intriguing name for a monkey, don't you think. ;)

AT LAST!!!! So long Singa Pura. Can't wait to see my beybi again.

Dreamlike Period

2005-02-10T18:04:00.001+08:00

Yesterday, I looked down at the scale with disbelief in my eyes. I have to ignore it. It is so surreal. So I validated once again this morning. And yes, it is the same angle as yesterday. I have indeed lost ten pounds since fours weeks ago!!!

I have strived for the past years to lose even just five pounds, and the operative word here is STRIVED. Strive means to do your outmost, go all-out! However, gravity (or whatever force is applicable!) always seems to pull the lever to the right. Always to the right.

Now that i don't even attempt to try, i lost twice my past goal. I guess pregnancy during the first trimester is indeed more effective than South Beach Diet.

So Emi cherish this now. You will gain all of it in just four days during your second trimester.

Singapore Lah! (part 1)

2005-02-09T19:58:00.001+08:00

This is an overdue entry. But posting my travel journal notes is necessary so that moving forward, every time a friend will ask me how was my first time in the Lion City, I don’t need to relive every experience (over and over again) but can simply exclaim, check out my blog for more details! (which will not only translates to minimized discourse effort and chika time savings but more hits for my site as well!) *wink!* So here goes...

Saturday, January 22
12:30 pm. Whew. No wonder check-in time for international flights is at least two and a half hours before time of departure, especially if you are flying out from the old NAIA airport! I just passed check-in and immigration, queuing for an hour! Good thing I brought the stroller for my laptop instead of the burdensome shoulder bag.

This is the first time I will be living home (and Riki) for a full week. Most of my past travels only lasted the weekends. Although I am excited with this trip since it will be my first time in Singapore (yes, I know, I’m 30 and this will just be my first time to see the Merlion!), the sadness of leaving my loving hubby is overpowering. If only he can come with me! Hikbi...

6:00 pm. After a turbulent three and a half hour flight, I touched ground on the famous clean city! I am already physically drained. I wasn’t able to eat the meal served during the flight – I chose the chicken variant and ewww, it taste bad! Good thing my good friend Lisa is picking me up at the airport. She tipped me that calling any SG local lines (yes, even mobile phones) can be done free at any public phone located before the baggage claim area. This airport is so cool! Although HK International Airport is still prettier for me.

7:30 pm. Funan the IT Mall will close in thirty minutes! Good thing I already did my research before I went here, so I knew exactly what I want to buy – a Canon digital IXUS 500. My friend Lisa and I checked out only two stores before closing a deal with the latter. I got it for PHP 7k less than the SRP in the Phils! Plus, there were a lot of freebies we were able to extract from the vendor (aside from the Free Canon 7-in-1 bag with cleaning kit and small tripod + a CF256 memory card from Canon itself!) – I got another free CF128 memory card, extra battery and a leather case! I think it was a good deal. Finally, I now have my own digicam – where style meets substance. Oh Singa Pura, get ready to be captured!

The first night I stayed at Lisa’s place at Ang Mo Kio. The minute I hit the bed, Emi out! (but of course, that is after I called my beybi first to say “Good night! Sleep Tight! Don’t let the bed bugs bite!”

Sunday, January 23
11:10 am. After attending mass at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Lisa and I proceeded to my current favorite store in the whole wide world. IKEA!!! The outlet here in SG is definitely bigger and better than the one in Mongkok, HK. More showrooms and more stocks! Heaven, heaven, heaven! And of course, I got to finally try the ever-famous meatballs in the IKEA Café. Yum yum indeed! Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to taste the Buffalo Wings, since I now puke everytime I eat chicken (details of this disorder on a separate post).

After a blissful four hours of shopping at the store, I left IKEA with a heavy heart. So many things to see, so little time! Dang.

My Favorite Store

6:00 pm. After a quick check-in in my hotel along Orchard Road, Lisa brought me to spots in Raffles and City Hall. The MRT system here is so nice! Our own MRT will pale (and shrink) in comparison. Although I noticed something. The air inside the train has a “distinct” smell. Hehehe! But still, it’s way too cool!

Here are some of the spots we’ve checked out that night!

The grand Raffles Hotel

The Awesome Chijmes Hall

The Mighty Merlion!

11:54 pm. Sleepless in Singapore. Mute. Sound on. Change channel from CNN to Music Channel. Mute. Turn on hallway light. Turn TV off. My feet hurt. I’m so tired. Turn bedside lamp on. Turn TV on. Sleep Emi sleep! Change channel. Mute. Turn off hallway light. Still wide awake.

I never really like sleeping in a hotel room alone. No matter how much I tire myself, I still have trouble dozing off. This will be a very long week.

...to be continued!

Musical Tag

2005-02-07T14:52:00.001+08:00

I was tagged by kat!
Here’s my own…

Random 10
1. NoyPi – Bamboo
2. Straight No Chaser - Rivermaya
3. It’s True That We Love One Another – White Stripes
4. Amber – 311
5. Evil – Interpol
6. Hard To Explain – The Strokes
7. Somebody is Waiting For Me - Juliana Hatfield
8. Comfort in Your Strangeness – Cynthia Alexander
9. Imbecillesque – RiverMaya
10. Hate To Say I Told You So – The Hives

1. What is the total amount of music files on your computer?
A LOT (more than my data- and wedding- files!)

2. The last CD you bought is:
Dashboard Confessional’s A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar
(with a bonus VCD of MTV2 Album Covers – Dashboard Confessional and Michael Stipe of REM)

3. What is the last song you listened to before this message?
Some classical music played by my husband to wake and greet me (and our baby) in the morning

4. Write down five songs you listen to a lot or mean a lot to you:
You Are So Beautiful – covered by my very own RIKI
Intertwyne – Cynthia Alexander
She Is Love – Oasis
You and Me – The Wannadies
Are You Strong Enough To Be My Man – Sheryl Crow

5. Who are you gonna pass this stick to? (3 persons and why)
JOJO – I wanna find out what a true MAMA (and a YOU blog addict, naks!) listens to
MIKE – I am currently exploring less-ear splitting music/genre for my pregnancy
ANNE – I wonder what are ear pops for a quirky girl?

When You Are Finally Expecting

2005-01-31T18:00:00.001+08:00

The day has come that I can freely announce to the world my greatest joy to date!

It is now official. Yes folks, I am finally… PREGNANT!!!!! I am now 6 weeks on the way to motherhood. Woohooo!

Remember my post last January 7? It was the day I found out a friend (who got married a month after me) was pregnant. It was I guess the fourth announcement I got of the same type for the year, and it made me really depressed… and envious. I spent the whole weekend whining and moping over it. Why is it so hard for me to have the same blessing as they have? But as I whine, I prayed hard as well.

And God, as usual, was very quick to answer my prayers. As Riki used to say, “In God’s good time baby…in God’s good time".

In God’s good time indeed! The following week, Monday to be exact, I was supposed to get my monthly period. And it didn’t came. And I WAS NEVER LATE. I was so regular I know exactly the day when the next visit will come. That night, I bought my very first PREGNANCY TEST KIT.

Tuesday, Jan 11.
Early that morning, Riki woke me up bugging me to take the test already (they say it is advisable to take such test early in the morning over any other time of the day for best results). I told him it was my first day of missed period so maybe we should wait one or two more days just to be sure. And besides, I have an early and important telecon meeting at 8 am. I might not be able to concentrate on it depending on the results. But my dear husband was so persistent. So still-sleepy me took the test, and whoa! The results were TWO PURPLE LINES. Yes, you read it right. PURPLE lines. Nope, I didn’t choose the specific kit brand, I just bought it OTC at Mercury Drug and they gave me that brand. Call that destiny.

When I saw the lines, I read the instructions in the box again:

STANDARD OF INTERPRETATION:
1. If only the purple band is visible in the upper part of the control region and no clear band on the test region, the result is negative (not pregnant).
2. If two distinct purple bands appear on the control and test region, the result is positive (pregnant).
3. If no visible lines appear, the test should be repeated using a fresh new device.

There it is. TWO PURPLE BANDS = POSITIVE (PREGNANT).
Thank you Lord for answering our prayers!!!!!!!!!

Riki and I were so happy and excited we called our mothers and Riki’s Dad right then and there. Yes, early that very morning. They all advised us to go see a doctor for confirmation.

So, after going about our normal work requirements that morning, we can’t wait any longer so we both took the afternoon off work and went to Medical City for consultation (let me just say that hospital is so beautiful compared to the others I have been to before! There is even a Starbucks at the ground floor!). At this point, we don’t have our own OB-GYNE yet so just did a walk-in to anyone who is available that moment. I just have one requirement to the hospital staff arranging our appointment, I want a LADY doctor.

The lady doctor we consulted asked me the standard questions at first (i.e when was my last visit, medical history, allergies, etc.) and then performed an IE (Internal Examination) on me. I have never in my life consulted an OB before so I thought an IE was just like the normal physical examination. But I was so wrong! Shocked I may be at what this procedure required, I obediently followed the doctor’s instructions and submitted myself to her examination. Afterwards, she declared my ovary’s position ok. Whew. I was so weak after that procedure.

Wrapping up our consultation, she said it was too early still (I was declared only four weeks pregnant that time) to do an ultrasound to check if the baby has a heartbeat. So she instructed us to come back on the second week of February. What!??!!? I have to wait that long to confirm if my pregnancy is indeed viable or not? So I asked her directly if I can safely assume that I am already and indeed pregnant, and she said, results of pregnancy tests are normally considered 99% accurate (and since I bought my kit for a price higher than a hundred bucks), yes I can safely assume I am pregnant already.

We left the hospital BITIN. We went there hoping for a confirmation on our initial findings and all we got is an instruction to return four weeks later to get that confirmation. We didn’t even get a pep talk on what to do or expect during pregnancy! Well, she just advised me to start taking folic acid already for the “neural tube development something” of my baby.

So we decided to get a second opinion and went straight to Clinica Manila. The lady doctor who attended to us was more accommodating and friendlier than the first. However, she told us the same things (that the ultrasound to determine the heartbeat and viability of the pregnancy can only be done when I’m six weeks or later already). Nevertheless, she was able to answer all our queries and gave us preliminary tips on how to make sure this pregnancy will be safe and viable.

We still went home bitin, but at least pacified and better informed about this great development in our family life.

Wednesday, Jan 12.
Remember the friend who I learned was pregnant last Friday? It turned out it was a false alarm. I immediately contacted her via email (she is out-of-the-country) and asked what happened. She told me the same things I just detailed above. Positive pregnancy test, initial tests and advise by the doctor to come back two weeks after for the ultrasound, and assurance that pregnancy test results are almost accurate. She had spotting and heavy bleeding afterwards the day after they went to the doctor. It turned out to be her monthly period.

Now I am totally paranoid. Aside from the pregnancy results, I have no other evidence that I am indeed pregnant! Well, based on my research, I have all the symptoms of a pregnant woman. Tenderness/soreness of a certain body part, gagging, bloating (yes, I know this can be occurring even to non-pregnant women!), headaches and fevers, and most important of all, missed period.

But until I see the baby inside my womb via an ultrasound, I cannot be one hundred percent sure! This is torture.

So, Riki and I decided that we should just limit this good news to our family and close friends for the meantime, until we get the final confirmation.

Saturday, Jan 15.
While waiting for my ultrasound schedule, I have already started looking for my prospective OB-GYNE. I’ve asked my mother friends for referrals and advise.

One of them referred a resident doctor in Makati Med, which is near my office. So we went to check her out that Saturday morning. But before even reaching her room, we went through a lot of stress already – full parking, maze of dark halls with no clear signs on what sections are being housed there, slow elevators servicing selected floors. Everyone and everything seems to be in chaos. The ambiance is indeed very hospital-like, a place for sick people. Unlike in the new Medical City where you won’t feel you are inside a hospital.

But since we are there already, we still tried to find the doctor. When we finally reached her room, there was a very long queue of patients waiting outside. She must be really good. But we were advised by the assistant that we might not be able to make it inside till the end of consultation time due to the long queue.

So we left without even seeing the doctor. Oh well, everything happens for a reason. Maybe we are destined to find our OB-GYNE in Medical City after all.

Tuesday, Jan 25.
I am attending a workshop in Singapore for the week. After our session on this day, I went back to my hotel room to rest for a while before I meet a friend for dinner. It was then that I discovered I was bleeding. It was not that heavy but still I got scared. First of all, I was in a foreign land, it was already nighttime so most clinics might be closed already, and most importantly, Riki was not there with me. I don’t know what to do next. Good thing my friend Lisa was there so I called her up and she persuaded me to go see a doctor. She was able to find a 24-hour Women’s Clinic in one of the local hospitals and brought me there.

All these times, I haven’t called Riki yet to tell him what happened. I was so scared he will get mad at me. He was having second thoughts about me traveling in the first place given my present condition.

The specialist in the clinic was a pleasant young lady doctor, thank God. (On the way to the hospital, Lisa was telling me her experience with a male OB-GYNE there.) She initially asked me about my pregnancy history and the bleeding incident. Afterwards, she said I need to undergo the ultrasound so that she can check if the baby is ok and what caused the bleeding.

Riki had been very excited and is eagerly waiting for this ultrasound schedule. He said last week that I should not do it without him by my side. He wanted that we see our baby for the first time together. So when the doctor told me that we have to do it now, I felt sad and guilty. I wanted Riki to be there during the first ultrasound as we planned, but this is a critical moment. If I don’t do it now, I might be in bigger trouble.

So the doctor proceeded with the ultrasound procedure. You might be thinking this very moment that the ultrasound I am talking about is the normal one where the physician places the device on top of the woman’s belly. You’re wrong. For the first trimester of pregnancy, the ultrasound being performed is transvaginal. I don’t need to explain further.

And there it was. Right in front of me, in the screen, is the image of my baby with a heartbeat! I AM INDEED PREGNANT!!! And most importantly, the baby is ok. I cried alone silently, out of great joy of seeing her/him for the first time, that she/he is indeed growing inside me. I cried alone silently, out of sadness, that I can’t share this moment with Riki as we planned.

I didn’t get the printed copy of the ultrasound. When I fly back to Manila, Riki and I will do this procedure again, and we will see our baby with a heartbeat already, moving inside my womb, together. Then we will get the printed copy.

The doctor said the spotting was normal for some pregnant women. There was nothing wrong with me nor the baby. She just gave me medicine to help stop the bleeding and help the baby grow healthier. The spotting stopped the next day.

I called Riki and told him everything that happened when we were already out of the hospital. He was worried of course, and sad that he wasn’t there beside me, but I think the joy of finally confirming that we will be parents soon overshadowed the former. He can’t wait for me and our baby to be back home.

This incident was indeed scary, but I guess my baby just wanted to expedite her/his first appearance to Mom, to cast away all my doubts and to assure me that she/he is indeed growing inside, so that I can take care of her/him better now.

What a bright kid! Love you baby.

Global Coordination

2005-01-11T11:16:00.001+08:00

When you work directly with people in your organization from around the globe, you are bound to encounter interesting differences, adjustments and challenges.

First and foremost, TIMEZONE differences. Setting up schedules of meeting via telecon which will be “convenient” for everyone will be a big challenge indeed. Case in point. Monthly meetings lasting two hours, after careful deliberation and trial runs, were fixed at 10 PM Manila time (which is 6 AM US and Canada, 2 PM London, 4 PM South Africa and 12 PM Brazil, etc.) Oh, didn’t I mention I work the normal day shift? GREAT.

And then, there is the ACCENT factor. Unlike watching your English/Irish/foreign movie in DVD, talking real time with your global team members does not have the luxury of (English) subtitles. Well, Windows MeetingPlace has the capability of recording the meeting, but unless you are incharge of the minutes, why would you like to re-live the two hour discussion over again? And that is if you can afford to spare some precious working time to do so. Thus, to fully appreciate your discussions and make sure you won’t missed pertinent information, open your ears wide!

LIFESTYLE, I didn’t expect, was another thing. During a light moment in one of my late-night telecon just this year, a participant was just telling everyone his recent car accident. So the other people went like….”So what happened to your JAG?!?!” And then they all started talking about their more or less similar car models. Uh-oh. Am i suppose to share as well?!!?.... Good thing they didn’t ask how was mine (or even WHAT was mine/ours – a battered Corolla). Whew! Hahaha! And yes, if I spend my pre-holiday vacation in Boracay, they did theirs in Maui or even the Paradise Island. Oh well.

But nevertheless, doing global coordination has its perks of course. These people seems to be interesting and intelligent over the phone and in their email correspondence. I can’t wait to see all of them face-to-face!

And yes, to my advantage, face to face meeting/s will not be in Manila, since bringing them all here is way costly than bringing me to where they live – on the other side of the globe.

Woohoo! Isn’t this job great?

When you Expect to be Expecting

2005-01-07T17:22:00.001+08:00

Nowadays, everywhere I go, I see… pregnant people. In the office, at my condo building, at the mall, in church, at birthday parties and weddings, my God even in Boracay! I have never had a week for the past three months that I didn’t see one pregnant (covered) belly.

Moreover, I have listened to many announcements of pregnancy, unwelcomed or much-awaited. From family members, friends, officemates, even strangers. Everyone seems to be expecting, literally.

I, on the other hand, remain to be expecting, figuratively.

I wonder, why is it harder to expect when you are ready and willing to expect, than when you don’t expect it at all?

I await the day I will be part of that special statistics.

Sawa na ko na mukha lang buntis! Gusto ko sana totohanan na! Hehe.

No Day But Today

2005-01-01T23:05:00.001+08:00

First day of the year. This is always the time when most of us want to have a fresh start, to promise oneself a better life, to turn a new leaf. Everyone want (and resolve) to be a better person comes the new year. Or rather, everyone who can (still) afford to make that resolution.

The year 2004 had left us all rather low, with all the lives lost, reclaimed by Mother Nature throughout the year, most especially during the last month. Many nations, rather than welcome the new year with a bang, are deep in grief and mourning.

Personally, 2004 was a GREAT YEAR for me. It was 365 blissful days with my husband and I couldn't be more grateful to God. We lived comfortably, we are both of good health and we at times have more than what we need, enabling us to share our blessings.

Sadly, not everyone is that fortunate. Not everyone has still their loved ones to share life's highs and lows with . Not everyone can still afford to make new resolutions for the new year. They have more pressing matters to think about today.

Today, i got to reflect on the importance of LIFE. It doesn't matter if it is the start of the new year, or the end of the third month, as long as I still have TODAY (and the prospect of a TOMORROW) to live my life with my loved ones, that is a huge blessing which I will cherish and utilize to start afresh everytime, to correct my wrongdoings of the past day/s. As long as i have my family and friends intact, i can withstand all trials and challenges.

I will not wait till mother's day to tell and show my mother i love her, i will not miss eating dinner at the dining table with Riki anymore just for my favorite television series, i will not dwell on the regrets and illwills of life's drama, rather just count (and savor) my blessings in life.

I will live for today and be thankful for it.

As the genius Jonathan Larson so aptly puts it,

"There's only us, there's only this
Forget regret, or life is yours to miss
No other road, no other way
No day but today."

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! :D

THIRTY!

2004-12-17T14:54:00.002+08:00

(pic c/o www.lakbaypilipinas.com)

...now back to my sunbathing.

HAPPY TOGETHER

2004-12-16T08:47:00.001+08:00

We always were
We always will
We always are
We always intertwine

Me & You finally....
(C. Alexander)

RIKI's day

2004-12-15T10:20:00.001+08:00

Me &You
whispering
of ripplewind and faerie wing

Me & You
undaunted by
our joyful scarring

Me & You
of twisting fates
in corridors of time

Love you baby.
Happy birthday!

The Sore Loser That Was Me

2004-12-12T23:35:00.001+08:00

Unlike Manny Pacquiao, I was not as lucky (joyful and triumphant) during our Christmas party last night. I did not win anything from the raffle at all. Sob. I pathetically watch as all those (my) dream items (i.e. Magic Sings, iPods, Digital Cameras, Home Entertainment Systems) were awarded to the lucky ones…but never me. Sob again. Well, I should have learned not to expect a long time ago. I have not won any raffle item in all the Christmas parties I have gone to during my ENTIRE corporate lifetime. Hikbi.

And to think I have gone to great lengths letting my hair down (literally) that night, ready to sing “Walang Sabit…ang buhok ko!” using my NEW Magic Sing to Riki when I get home from the party! Talk about great (or rather false) hopes. Emi has a big sign on her forehead last night --> LOOOSSSEEERRR!

Actually, everyone from my department did not win anything from the raffle. Hmmm…is that bar code reader rigged?!?

And thus, because of this unfair turn of events and my current state of soreness and sour-graping, let me just continue some more with my rants about that sucker party.

1. XMAS PRESENTATIONS: We all know that Christmas parties here in Pinas would not be complete without the employees bringing the house down with their team performances. It is the time of the year when everyone can justify showing their wild and creative sides and feel competitive over costumes and audience impact. Watching all the other four group’s (department’s) presentations that night though was like watching a noontime show in the local channel. Did I just miss it, or the main criteria (50%) for the presentations is that there should be…. DANCING!?!?! All groups (except ours) just danced the whole ten minutes in their alien/martian costumes (our theme this year is FUTURISTIC). And now that I am trying to hark it back to my memory, their dance steps seems to be all the same. Did they all hire the same choreographer? Boo-hoo! So conventional. So cliché. Can’t they be more creative than that? Do they even know the concept of thinking out of the box sometimes?! Well, there is also the talent factor that we have to consider, so ok fine, let them just dance.

I am so glad (and proud!) my team did not do any of those typical numbers. We did a re-enactment of this, and rocked the house down with a banger song! Yeah!!! And yes, that landed us on the last place. Pffft.

This is the team that won first place. Well, I have to give them due credit. Their costumes are truly “out-of-this-world”. Full marks for that criterion. And mind you, they did not just do a dance number, they also had an inter-galactic pageant portion. Oh well.

2. PARTY HOSTS: There were four of them. I love the first three. Great emcee skills and very respectable. The last person though, was a bad choice. She scraped the glamour from the event and made our head ache with her unwitty and more often, undignified remarks. I only have one word. BA-LE. Go figure.

3. SPECIAL NUMBERS: Can you eat while someone is screaming..."This is the moment...that perfect moment....?" And yes, there's more. After the main program, what do you expect? Enter…. the SHOWBAND! Before we hurt our ears when they started singing the national anthems…”I said Hey..Heyyy..I love you till the morning comes” and “I’m horny..horny…horny!” we were out of the ballroom, roadrunner style (beep! Beep!).

I am yet to experience a cool party where Rivermaya and Bamboo will sing Xmas songs to us till we drop from exhaustion and loss of voice.

But losers we may be, the camera whore in us prevailed, so we managed to give our best smile for this last pose before we split.

To alleviate our sadness, we (me and my other LOSER friends) just let Cuervo Gold cool our nerves before we finally went home and call it an unlucky night.

And also, Manny worked hard for his win. He earned it. Me on the hand, just bet on my good luck. Which sad to say, i don't have. Hmph! 'Nuff said.

PartyLikeWeJustDon’tCare

2004-12-10T11:48:00.001+08:00

December had always been a month of celebration and important dates for me. Aside from the regular office Christmas parties, family reunions, friends/batchmates/former officemates/barkada get-togethers, this is also the birth month of many of my dear friends and loved ones, and most importantly….our three-day mega celebration – Riki’s bday-our wedding anniversary-my birthday.

And of course, it is the Holidays…so there is the simbang gabi and the Christmas shopping. And what do you know, we have four friends getting married this month too!

So evidently, my December is indeed jampacked with activities (I even have to create a separate chart from my office Outlook calendar for all my personal appointments so as not to overlap nor miss any of them.)

And the parties started as early as last Saturday.

THE HOLE
I will be out of town on the week of my birthday so I decided to treat my kikay friends in advance. But to deviate from the normal dinner get-together at Greenbelt or some other fancy resto (and upon insistent demands! naks!) I decided to invite them to my home and serve lunch. Sort of house warming na rin since we never really had formally done this last year. Riki, being the better person in the kitchen, was supposed to do the cooking. And yes, all my friends strictly demanded this! So my role was simply supposed to be just the FABULOUS hostess. But waahhh, Riki, by some devious trick of faith, had to go to work that day (damn that expat!) so left with no choice, I ended up doing the cooking (ok fine, frying!). That was the first time I cooked lunch for seven people and my God, it was HAAARDD! I was up and about as early as eight in the morning, preparing my ingredients (Riki oriented me on the steps the night before and early that morning), setting the table, making sure the house is clean and the champagne chilled. Three and a half hours later, I was able to complete three dishes, but no vegetable variant yet! Thank God for delivery and Three Sisters! Whew!

When my friends arrived and learned that I did the cooking, they were initially fearful and dubious. To comfort them, I said “Don’t worry, i have ample supply of Imodium”. Hehehe! But what do you know, after an hour or so, my dishes were instant bestsellers to my friends. They came back for more servings!!! Everything was swiped clean from the plates. Kevin, the boyfriend of my friend Grace, gave me the best compliment of the day. He asked how did I cooked the fried chicken so that Grace can exactly prepare the same thing for him as well! :D

At the end of the party, I felt so tired, but so fulfilled. Nothing beats finally satisfying the palates of my friends. Now they believe Riki more when he goes about commending my culinary improvement. *proud face*

THE VIBE
I also attended the bridal shower of my friend Lisa at Emerald Avenue that night. I was originally planning to give her one of those kinky undies (with a slit in the middle) as a gift. I always gave my friends these items during their bridal shower. It’s naughty and yes, it’s practical. Hehe! And it had been my legacy ever. But…this time, I broke my own tradition.

Early during that afternoon, I got a call from my friend Dona (the shower organizer). She said she is in a pleasure place and is looking at different variants of vibrators. She wanted to get my (valuable) inputs on what is the best one to buy for Lisa. Nyaaaaa!? Wrong person!!! (buzzer screaming “Eeehhh”!). I don’t own one nor have I seen an ACTUAL one in my lifetime. (YES! and I am proud of it! Hehehe!). So there we were, giggling like coquet girls on the phone while she describes the different types and features available in the store. In the end, I was only able to give her one important reminder: "don’t get something too big! We might offend the groom" (hahaha!). She settled for the First Timer’s Vibe. A good choice (and a safe one!). We decided to share on that gift. I learned those toys (or tools) don’t come in cheap. My, the high price of self-satisfaction.

So during the party, we giggled more when Lisa opened it for everyone to see. It even comes with an extra cover (with spikes and bumps on it). You know for what.

THE BIGGIES

Tonight, another party at my boss' house in North Forbes. Tomorrow, company party at the Mandarin. I hope i win the MAGIC SING!!!

I've Got The Blues

2004-12-01T19:37:00.001+08:00

Today, I start on my new assignment. To celebrate (!?), let us all sing the...

SARBANES-OXLEY BLUES

My audit costs are rising
My D&O is due
My bottom line's falling more behind
I got the Sarbanes-Oxley blues

Board of directors resigning
My auditor's front page news
My CFO's calling in from Rio
I got the Sarbanes-Oxley blues

I used to know lots of CEOs talking sweet on CNBC
But your numbers miss and your stock price slips
Mr. Spitzer you're bound to see

Perp walk in lower Manhattan
They took the laces out of my shoes
Where on earth is Leavenworth?
I got the Sarbanes-Oxley blues

I really miss the good ol' days
When I told my board what to do
Now my audit committee is slapping me silly
I got the Sarbanes-Oxley blues

20 years rise above my peers sacrificing everything
Now the handcuff's bite keeps me up at night
Close as I'll get to the brass ring

My audit costs are rising
My D&O is due
My bottom line's falling more behind
I got the Sarbanes-Oxley blues

Click here to listen. At your own risk. Hehe!

Heroes

2004-11-30T23:56:00.001+08:00

(Warning: This is a rather sentimental entry)

Today is National Heroes Day.
Today, many Filipinos lost their homes, some unfortunately, their loved ones as well.

Today is Disaster Recovery Day for the country.
Many good-hearted and brave citizens/ rescue volunteers are still out there as of this writing, continually risking their own lives to save other’s lives. They are the deserving heroes this day should be dedicated to.

If it wasn’t for the evening news, I will not be aware of how much devastation yesterday’s typhoon had inflicted on so many helpless people in the South. To me, a clueless city girl, it was just the usual heavy rains. Continuous heavy rains throughout the day, during (fortunately) a non-working holiday. Hell I even went shopping till late last night.

Now I feel so ashamed and guilty.

While I watch all the news reports and video coverage showing what those poor people in Infanta and Real in Quezon went through last night, I felt so blessed. While I was peacefully tucked in my comfortable bed, protected by my building’s strong structure from all the fortuitous events happening outside, a hapless little girl was hit by a falling structure and is being carried away by the strong flood current from her house in Quezon while a loving father determinedly clung to a slim rope attached to a bridge, desperate not to lose in his arms his three small kids to the strong current of the overflowing Marikina river.

It was the first time that I cried while watching the evening news.

Way back during my high school days in the province, our small wooden house almost collapsed after a super typhoon. We have to give it up and live again with my grandparents. Thus, I have experienced first-hand the fear (as a child) of sitting in your bed in the middle of the night unable to sleep, fearful that your roof will be flown away by the heavy winds. And to think that there were no floods threats then. Imagine the fear and hopelessness those wretched people felt last night.

We may not be able to extend concrete and immediate help to those unfortunate ones… but we can surely include them in our daily prayers.

I hope us fortunate ones TRULY appreciate, and put to good use, all our blessings.

Back from Hogsmeade

2004-11-26T11:38:00.002+08:00

I came with my purple shades. I left with a fluffy purple (wizard) bedroom slippers i bought using wizard money from our generous Headmaster.

Now i'm back in Gryffindor House.

Magical Workplace

2004-11-24T16:00:00.001+08:00

Tomorrow is still an official working day. Typically, I am expected to be in my workstation by nine thirty in the morning, dressed in my drab office getup, enduring the cold temperature in the office area, all eyes on my computer monitor, addressing customer demands and issues the whole day and basically, earning every single cent of my compensation.

But noooooo… tomorrow, is not a typical working day.

Tomorrow, I will be sitting in a colorful bench in Enchanted Kingdom, under the glorious sun, wearing my cool shades, dressed in my most comfortable jeans and sneakers, peacefully and contentedly eating hotdogs while watching my colleagues scream their lungs out as they plunge down the spine-tingling (sometimes malfunctioning!) Space Shuttle, and still, earning every single cent of my daily compensation. Wooohoooo!

Tomorrow is our Team Bonding Day. So off we go to the South to have our well-deserved quality time with our teammates, blasting them with paint bombs, beating each other in the go-kart race track and getting all wild and wet at Rio Grande.

Ain’t life at the workplace grand? :D

We're Going to be Friends

2004-11-23T20:41:00.001+08:00

This week. is totally. a JACK WHITE week. for me.

A friend who just came back from London bought for me the first two releases of The White Stripes, which (as expected) were not available locally. Now my album collection is complete! Yeah!!!

I have all the four records now:
The White Stripes (2001)
De Stijl (2001)
White Blood Cells (2002)
Elephant (2003)

and thus I will go Wasting My Time letting Jack Jumble Jumble my entire week, yelling “Fell In Love With a Girl” (yeah! the one covered by Joss Stone) and feeling his powerful voice reverberating in my chest while Meg can comfort me In the Cold Cold Night.

Rock on!

BRIDGE

2004-11-22T17:19:00.001+08:00

I first heard their song KAHIT NA on NU Rock last year. I loved it at once since I was able to relate fully to the song’s message. I chanced upon one of their live performance during a Libis night-out. Whoa! Instantly, they became my favorite local indie band.

And when I am hooked with something, I unselfishly share it with my loved ones. So for several months after that first performance, I dragged Riki and his barkada, my kikay friends, and even my officemates to their gigs. And what do you know, they were impressed as well. So the next time i made yaya, i don't need to yank them anymore, they willingly agreed to go. Hehehe!

Johnoy and Erica (his girlfriend) became my friends eventually and thus now, I will promote their XMAS COVERS in my blog. Hahaha! Check out their website. Just click on the button on the lower right side of the page and choose the Christmas songs (there are three as of the moment).

Listen to Johnoy’s version of Silver Bells and Oh Holy Night. ASTIG!

And oh, while you're at it (visiting their website), check out the song KAHIT NA na rin! My favorite! :D

happybirthdayROCK!

2004-11-14T02:32:00.001+08:00

My beloved ROCK is one year old today....

(…my mother-in-law (who is more slim and fit than me!), is also a year older tomorrow…happy birthday Mama. Love you po!)

If Riki and I were not yet married to this date, today will be our 12th year anniversary as a dating couple. Thank heavens we have already tied the knot and refreshed our relationship counter! It is hard to count and celebrate monthsaries when you have crossed the 100th mark already, believe me.

Same date last year, our 11th year anniversary, he formally proposed and asked my hand for marriage. Yeah, if you are good with numbers, you will have immediately computed that it is only a month before our wedding date. Well, the rock, like the giver, likes to be fashionably late, a year late to be exact. But cliché as it may be, it is still INDEED better late than never.

We (or rather he) set the dream date during our 10th anniversary, together with the informal proposal (read: no kneeling with the dream rock). He wanted it to be on the 16th of December, the only day during any year that he is older than me (kung genius ka, you will have two important dates derived from this statement! Hehehe!). That is why our wedding theme is INTERTWINE (yes! that word is even inscribed on our wedding rings… and every single wedding-related stuff we have). Come to think of it, we went steady for 133 months before getting finally married on the 16th. 1+3+3=7. 1+6=7. Is that intertwined or what!? Hahaha!

I have always declared myself as a non-conformist. If everyone else (normally) has a round cut engagement ring, I want mine to be square. But lo! Riki was trying not to conform as well. Because he knows I am expecting the formal proposal (and my ring) back then, he did not do it. Talk about karma.

So there I was, merrily going about our wedding preparations, holding dearly to my Promise Ring. During those times, I really thought that it will be the farthest that I can aspire to getting a stone from him, that my promise ring will indeed be my wedding ring’s lifetime companion (and the fact that it is yellow gold, and I want my wedding ring to be white gold! Waaah!). Thus, I would like to refer to myself back then as someone “getting married” rather than “engaged”. But still I was happy beyond words. The person I love most in this planet had asked me to marry him, who can ask for more? It was indeed such an exciting period, I finally can start living up my long-time wedding plans and dreams. But yeah, skip the ring part.

However, some people (insensitive ones, hmph!) still ask me then where is my e-ring, to which I obediently replied…”wala eh… pero it’s ok, I got my dream man naman, so who needs a ring?” Good answer eh? But of course, deep inside… I feel sad every time, because once again I am reminded that I missed one thing/stage in my dream sequence, an important one. Alangan namang I buy one for myself, just to make it complete. It will not only defeat the purpose, it is entirely pathetic. So forgetaboutit. Just count your blessings, which I did.

Sidetrack: Don’t you just hate it when people ask you: (1) when you are single – "No boyfriends/girlfriends yet!?" (2) when you are seeing someone – "So, when is the Big Day!?" (3) when you are finally married! – "No babies yet!?". It’s like they have a blueprint of what your personal life should be and they expect you to follow and conform to it unfailingly. Talk about great expectations, minding other people’s business and yeah, rubbing it in. I wonder, when you have a baby already, what will they ask next (question # 4)? I have yet to find out when I reach that stage.

Now back to the ring story. So, like what I’ve said, as the BIG date draw closer, my hope of getting a rock slowly annihilates. There was a time I already gave up desiring for one. Then came our 11th (and last) anniversary as boyfriend-girlfriend.

He knows I have been so busy and stressed with our wedding preparation for the last few months so he promised to treat me on this special day. I equated the treat as the usual movie-and-dinner date at Greenbelt. But wow! He brought me instead to Manila Pen. Funny, but my first reaction was this…”Expensive dun! Sayang money natin! We can use it already to pay our wedding stickers or something!” Yes, I am really that stressed already. We decided to dine at SPICES. Of course I wanted to sit by the glass-enclosed pavilion (with the view of the pool and garden) like everyone else there, but he insisted on taking a table by the main formal dining area, which is empty. As of this time, I was still clueless. When comfortably seated, I decided on the food, he ordered champagne. Again, my initial reaction was “Oh my God, ang mahal kaya ng champagne dito! I bet a glass already cost the same or more as a bottle outside! I am fine with iced tea!” Hahaha! Still dumb and hopelessly clueless. So when we are enjoying our champagne (or rather me worrying about our bill later), he faced me with that cute and loving smile in his face, take out a box from his pocket and opened it in front of me. And inside….was my dream rock (square and gleaming)!!!! I think I just stared at it for a very long time. I know he said something like “I love you baby, will you marry me?” to which i replied of course "YES!!!" but everything was blurry (or rather sparkling and shiny! Haha!) The moment he slipped it into my ring finger…I felt (yes! relieved) complete. Now I both have my dream man and my dream rock. Now, I am ENGAGED. Patience, indeed, is a virtue.

I did not eat the rest of the course. I was so happy and was just looking at the rock on my hand from all angles. Riki was so amused and laughing at me. I was like Gollum, finally reunited with THE RING…which he aptly termed…MY PRECIIOOUUSSS.

That same night, I texted all my dear friends and family this: “Hey! Guess what! I’m engaged!”. The feeling was truly indescribable.

My rock is indeed precious, so important and cherished it deserves an entire entry in my blog.

My Kikay Friends

2004-11-08T22:52:00.001+08:00

Two weeks ago, I joined hubby and his two best friends when they watched the URCC tourney at the Casino Filipino, enduring the weakening effects of those brutal fights, hoping to catch a glimpse of Bamboo, but went home disappointed. I should have just gone to Greenbelt.

My kikay friends and I went out last Thursday night to (belatedly) celebrate my lovely maid-of-honor Jen’s birthday. On our way to and from our dinner venue, we bumped into Bamboo along the mall and Jen (being a non-rocker) did not even know that it was him already standing in front of her! Hayyy….(let me borrow one of my officemate’s classic expression here) PATAWARIN!

Anyways, lest you get mislead by my crafty introduction, this entry will not be about that charismatic-rocker-of-a-man-noypi. Like I have mentioned, I finally got the chance to re-bond with my kikay girlfriends after two months. These friends of mine used to be former officemates, who I am used to seeing every working day of my past career life. After our beloved comfort-zone company was veraciously devoured by a bigger player, we gradually moved on to separate paths…but we kept and nurture the friendship.

In my previous post, I have divulged (I hope not to my career’s future detriment) that I have merrily hopped from one company to another in the past eight years of my corporate slavery. During those hopping episodes (much like the bloghopping experience), i got to meet interesting people (sites), develop new friendships and bonds (blogrolls). But again, a blogroll tick doesn’t necessarily translate to a daily read moreso a permanent link. Among my many friend groups acquired from all the organization I have hopped to, my kikay friends are my most treasured - my cherished cache. These are the girls that had been with me through thick and thin, who have impacted my life greatly as I have theirs (read: I introduced some of them to bad boyfriends that once ruined their lives…hehehe!)

These are the people that deserve a page and a permanent link in my blog. So let’s get to know them somehow one by one.

MACRIS (my maid-of-honor B1): The woman awaiting the “perfect moment/s”. She has almost everything. Promising career, tons of legal tenders, true friends (ahem!) and a strong and loving family. She is yet to close an emotional deal. Being a good negotiator, I expect her to get the win-win covenant. She deserves someone who will treat her as she is - a good catch.

JEN (my maid-of-honor B2): This girl is a boylet-killer, especially in the workplace. A certified crush ng bayan. But still she refuses to pick one and settle. I (or rather my equal-half) introduced her to the EX. The ex who was not worthy. Since then, so few have come close to being worthy. We are still looking for the worthy. A (just) recent trip to the Taoist Temple in Cebu told her no one MAY BE worthy. I told her better ask God directly. It worked perfectly for me! And i know ditto for her.

GRACE (my bridesmaid): She recently got engaged to her long-time boyfriend. And her ROCK is huge! Bigger than mine. Well, evidently it is really proportionate to the size of your fiance’s sack, and in proportion as well to the roundness of your cheeks (haha! Peace grace!). Like me, she dreams too of early retirement, freedom from the corporate world and pursuing our life’s passion. Haaa…dreams! I am so excited with her upcoming wedding!

CECIL (my special guest…hehehe!): When she attended my wedding last December, she was pregnant with her first son (the reason she was not in my entourage). When we saw each other last Thursday, she is pregnant again (not to the same baby of course!). Whoa! This lady is truly the epitome of whirlwind romance and everything. Just two (or is it three) months after she started dating her first (?) boyfriend, she got engaged and then got married the same year! Less than a year after, she got pregnant to her first-born! And now…..whew! Girl, slow down will you! Let me make singit! One baby lang…hahaha! I remember we used to always play the kinky game “I’VE NEVER” and years ago, she never get to drink a shot. But now, she drinks a shot in every turn! Talk about breakneck metamorphosis.

Didn’t you noticed? My descriptions of them all pertain to the current state of their emotional relationships, the man (or lack of man) in their lives. I did not even touch on their physical or corporate profile. Maybe because that was our main topic of discussion during our get-together last Thursday. So it’s what’s still fresh from my memory. But still, that made me ponder. Have we reached a point in our lives that we are now defined not by what we’ve done with and for our career and physique, but more on our advancement towards legally changing our last names, acquiring moral permission to enjoy intimate and unlimited intercourse and bearing children? Well, here we all are last Thursday night, a few pound heavier (ok fine! just me!).

Almost a year after

We had dessert at Max Brenner. The Chocolate Banana Fritter was truly orgasmic! Yum!

Next get-together will be my birthday treat. They suggested i do it at my condo (since i never really had the chance to have a formal house-warming). I said "Sure! I will cook for you all!". True friends that they are, they immediately responded, "PLEASE let Riki do the cooking!"