10

10 more days, and another year will pass.  i still remember the writing activity we've had when I was in grade school.  If "What I did Last Summer" was a cliche, then what do you call "What Will I be Ten Years from Now"?  Oh, the agony of predicting future at an early age.  I'm pretty sure, this doesn't happen just once.   I remember wondering how my classmates can whip a nicely done two-paged write-up, while I was struggling for just a paragraph.  How can they say what they really wanted?  How can they know what they are going to be, ten years hence.  Some would say they'll be a doctor by that time, but I would say to them, how can you be a doctor when after ten years you're just 19?  Unless you're Doogie Howser.

It's been 17 years after graduation, and Facebook has made several reunions possible.  Those who claimed to be business people after 10 years were already into business, some have completely different tracks, but most of the people who knew what they'll be 10 years after are more or less have improved lives.

I do not envy them because of what they have or because of who they are.  I envy them because they knew what they wanted to be, and they keep track of their personal growth.  I wish to be more like them, to know what I really want, to know where i am good at, to see things without being told.  I want to be the director of my own drama series.  I want to be in control, not of anybody's life, but of my own life.  So, 10 or more years from now, I can look back and retrace the roots of my own sweet victory.

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baking dreams

For the past days I find myself crazy over a childhood dream.  i couldn't recall when exactly i first dreamt about pandesal, spanish bread and pan de coco (PSP).  I remember afternoons in Sta. Ana meant having any of these three bread variety, along with Coke litro in a glass bottle.

But of course I wanted more.

I've caught several episodes of Ace of Cakes in Lifestyle Channel.  This program showcases Duff Goldman and his team's passion for cake baking.  Their cakes aren't simply cakes, they make delicious artwork.  I watched one episode where they made a humongous Hershey's Bar to celebrate the Hershey School's anniversary.  Their cakes are so specific down to the last detail you'd think it ran through a giant copying machine.

Anyways, the whole fondant thing is so enticing I wanted to try it on my own.  I've been scouting for baking school/classes online that I might join to give me a good head start with the craft.  Sofi's clay is going through a lot of kneading and rolling lately.  I wish fondant is somehow the same as clay.

When I learn the stuff, i'll put up a bakeshop.  The cake thing is just on the side, i'll still have the usual PSP to keep the business running.

Business partner anyone?

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

I was invited in Sofi's school to tell a story.  No certain theme to follow, just come to school with two stories.  Apparently the activity was something to introduce them to community helppers.  Of course I didn't want to use Alamat ng Pating again.  I feel I won't learn anything if I use the same material.

The thought bubble that popped out of my head is that it has to be in English.  Alamat ng Pating is best told in the vernacular, so hands down, it's not to be used.  Besides it might scare them away.  Brought home a few books to study: The Chocolate Covered Cookie Tantrum by Deborah Blumenthal, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.  It's funny because the tantrum book has a main character named Sofia who would not stop cry and screaming unless she gets her cookie.  It felt close to home, it was as if I made the story.  I just didn't like the ending as her mom gave her a cookie at the end of the story.  The True Story is funny but I'm not sure if kids Sofi's age will find it funny.  Imagine the wolf explaining his side, isn't that hilarious?

So I chose The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  It's basic but I figured if I use a caterpillar balloon then it would be something else.  I was ecstatic with the idea.  When it's time to make the caterpillar big, we'll just have to put some air to make it appear getting fatter.  I remember buying a few caterpillar balloons last July in National Bookstore.  I felt devastated though when a few days before the stint, I couldn't find the same balloon.  I settled for wiggly balloons.  The night before the activity, Jaims was able to find a similar balloon.  I was saved.

We made a slideshow of pictures but we were not able to use all.  But the story was such a blast, with or without the presentation.

caterpillar

IMAGE RETRIEVED FROM:

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/h0/h2340.jpg

doodle 101

yesterday was first day of MA class for the sem. it's supposed to end at 8, but i was thinking she'll send us home early because it's first day. i asked jaims to fetch me at 7, but she sent us home even earlier. I got to my usual tambayan at 6.30PM, but they're just about to leave home. with a lot of time to spare and missy's not with me, i started a new entry for my WP.  Doodle 101.

 

 

And I'm going to do this when i feel like blogging, and there are no words coming out of me.

Moving Out Sale! (via The Adarna House Blog)

Check out Adarna House's book sale which runs from November 8 to 25, 2010. Visit them now at their office/warehouse.

After 30 years, we finally have a building of our own. We'll be moving out of our current office by the end of the month. But before we do that, we're inviting you to help us clear up though our moving out sale! Start your Christmas shopping early and come by our current address: 2/F FSS Building, 20 Scout Tuason corner Scout Castor Streets, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City. (If you know the original Max's Restaurant along Scout Tuason Street, … Read More

via The Adarna House Blog

gickr.com animation

back in college, Paint Shop Pro allowed me to create animated gifs. though Photoshop existed before, it was through PSP that i learned the basics of layering and image manipulation. i know Photoshop can animate gifs also but i haven't had the time to explore. a few weeks back i had a professional conversation with a friend, and the idea of online gif animator came about. we knew it existed as photo editors are already accessible everywhere. it's only now that i had the time to look for one.

Gickr.Com sews images in one file to make it appear as moving.

Gickr.Com allows users to upload as much as 10 images to make the movement more accurate. The only downside about it is the watermark at the lower right side of the image.
Make your own animation

sembreak

can't wipe the smile off my face when i heard that sembreak this school year will be as long as a week. in the past two years xs has been observing a long weekend. a week, i told myself, will give me enough time to rest. ...but it's thursday already, and i'm feeling that sembreak is slipping off my fingers like sand.

sembreak, please don't leave me.  i'm going to miss you.

halloween

i don't know when filipinos started adopting the western practice of trick or treat.  Is it just now or have we always been fascinated with horror stuff, and with Magandang Gabi Bayan missing nowadays, halloween seemed empty?  It has always been a practice when we were young to watch MGB during the last Saturday of October.  i couldn't remember the last time I watched it.  Was it before Noli de Castro's vice-presidency days?

I mentioned in my last entry that Sofi had another "major, major" October activity.  The most recent of which is the costume party they had during their last day.  She wanted to come as a princess but Jaims and I said, one can never win if they come as princess or a fairy.  Teacher said they'll be awarding the most creative costume to those who'll come in their most creative get-up. When Jaims saw the laundry basket sold in the departments store, he insisted that Sofi comes in a Frog costume.  it's somewhere P150-P220.  I couldn't remember the exact amount.  But anything more than 250 is way out of the budget.  We made two paper mache webbed feet to match the outfit.  On one of our grocery trips, Jaims found a polka-dotted jogging pants to complete her look.

and to add to my happiness, Sofi went home with the "most creative costume" award. :)

joys of motherhood

lately, i find happiness in being Sofi's mom in so many ways.  i could have blogged about this a few weeks back but my laziness to blog got the better of me.

She had to two major activities last October but i was only able to attend one.  The United Nations celebration (which is part of every preschool BTW) was the first one.  Daddy came home sometime September excited to tell me that Sofia is going be Little Miss Vietnam.  When I asked him why Vietnam, he said he thought we're just going to make a flag.  He figured Vietnam is easier to make (nothing beats Japan) thus he chose it, alongside the fact that the toddlers were assigned Asian countries.  It was only after he chose that he realized he needs to dress up his little girl in Vietnam costume.  We trooped to Quiapo a few weeks after to find her a costume.  I first went to SM Carriedo but we couldn't find a Vietnamese costume.  i thought to myself this was going to be long and hard.  We entered the inside pasilios of the market but it was hard to find one.  When we were able to find one, the vendor was selling it for P400.00.  The only tawad we can haggle was less 50 bucks.  And she's selling the salakot for another P250.  We decided it's too much for a costume. We're going to make one instead.

When she had her Buwan ng Wika last August, Sofi didn't dance at all.  In fact she stood up in line with the other kids and gave me the see-i'm-standing-here-already-don't-make-me-dance-anymore face.  I was dead worried she might act the same way again.  I kept on asking her a few days before if she will dance because I don't have leave credits.  she keeps on saying she won't but of course, a mother will always be a mother.  No amount of NO can ever stop her from attending her daughter's activities...or maybe it's just me.  Anyways, i attended the event and i felt so happy seeing her join the group to dance.

 

What makes me even proud of her was that she walked on her own when it was their time to parade.  She was doing the funny poses she was practicing at home.  I thought she got it from the TV while watching America's Next Top Model.  We didn't know it was for their parade.   Teacher was still there guiding her but she still posed on her own.  It was funny to see her that way but i couldn't be happier.  In fact she was looking at my camera the whole time and not her daddy's (whose in front by the way).

today i pray

inspired by fr. jgsj, today i pray for those who went ahead of us.

papa jaime.
mama julieta.
nanay.
ante loring.
madel's dad.
auntie ana.
tita luisa.
tita minnie.
thons.

may you find happiness in His loving arms.

of birthdays and parties

yesterday was sofi's 3rd birthday. as usual we didn't have a big party. not that we're not big fans of kiddie parties, it's just that we think it's also to good to teach a child that parties are not every year.  it's not always that mommy and daddy will have money to host a children's party. though we don't really deprive her of a celebration.  last year and this year, we opted to just celebrate at home and celebrate it with her family.  last year ninang analyn happened to join us.  this year it's ninang madel and ninong lee's turn to join us  for her birthday.  the usual spag, cake, chicken lollipop and softdrinks are visible. mama added maja blanca.

people at the office were kidding me that i should have sent food last Friday in school so she can have a party with her classmates.  But Jaims said no.  Though we're short, we were able to prepare something yesterday.  I'm just feeling a little guilty now.  When I told her yesterdaythat the cook will make spag, she said no.  she said she'll eat it in school.  later in the afternoon she also said that she'll have a party in school.  I feel so sad.  I thought at this age it will still not matter to her but apparently it did.  And just to add pain, when i checked my FB, I saw the pictures of my officemate's daughter's 3rd bday party.  I'm so devastated.

Did i really let her down?

deloading administrators

i realized just now why there is a need to deload administrators; why most department coordinators in a basic ed setup do not have teaching assignments.

i was doing my lesson plan (LP) for a H2 class for the past few days now.  what takes me a day or two of LP creation when created from scratch is now eating up my entire week and hasn't molded yet into its perfect form.  I remember sending a copy of my LP draft to myself so i can work on it in school but I have only seen it a couple of times and edited it once.  I tried doing it yesterday but somehow something else is still lacking.  Creating the powerpoint is easy just as long as i have everything well laid.  the problem is I couldn't seem to fit the lesson in 60 minutes.  It has to spill next meeting but I'm not sure if the lesson will finish the entire 60 the following meeting.  I've revised the lesson, adding activities here and there but there's more to come.

Enter the dragon.  Since librarians have to teach library skills, the poor deparment chairperson has to check all their LPs before they use them in class.  In as much as i wanted to just leave the LPs and trust their abilities to create meaningful lessons, it just can't be.  It's my responsibility to help them assess the kind of activities they give to students.  In the end, it's not just them who gets blamed.  It's the entire department.  And I just can't risk its name.

shopping

shopping is addicting.  you go to a mall without anything in mind to buy, you go home with a bag or two.  in an instant, you'll realize you needed something from that place.  when i was a kid, i hated going to the mall.  i don't like that suffocating feeling of trying to find your way out. i also hated having to choose clothes. i remember my mom getting frustrated a lot of times because i don't want to choose my christmas clothes or i don't like to try on the black leather shoes they have in the stock.  I was the i-don't-care-if my-clothes-are-still-the-same-for-christmas type of person.

When I got older, and had my own money for buying my own stuff, the frustration came in when i couldn't find the size that would fit me.  Being in this body is quite difficult.  I'm always on the lookout for short but large size clothes but what hey have then was either short-small or long-large.  Soemtimes out of frustration I'd end up buying stuff i don't need or just eating for the sake of spending.  That's bad shopping.

At least nowadays, more shops are recognizing the mixture of short, large and trendy style.  But what's keeping me hook with shopping recently was all for my daughter's needs.  I'm stingy.  If it's for myself there's always the filtering factor of "do i need this?" or "is it important?".  And if there's even the slightest hint of aversion on my part, then it goes back to the rack.  But if it's Sofia's shirt, dress or bottoms then that's another story.  I still filter price but if functionality outweighs the price then why not.

Recently, I rushed to the mall because Sofi needed jogging pants to pair with her PE shirt.  Since it was a small department store, there was not much to see.  When I found a real jogging pants i bought it already.  Only to find out that there's another one in the Pooh collection which looks much better and costs much cheaper.  I took both without hesitation.

Awesome Moment #12

there's much to write about recently but i couldn't find time to blog about them. in days like this when you've had too much sleep in the afternoon, you find the perfect opportunity to blog only to realize you've forgot most of them.

Sofi wore her PE shirt and jogging pants today.  The sight of her in PE outfit is so cute. I saw her when they fetched me this afternoon and she haven't change to her home clothes.  Even if her shirt was smeared with chocolate and her face was all covered with brown stuff, she still looked like a baby pretending to be an adult.

But the most awesome thing for me today is realizing:

how much my daughter loves me

i was in crying in pain this afternoon.  I'm having my hyperacidity attack alongside a splitting, fast-beating headache.   Jaims left today but he reminded Sofi to take care of mommy.  Anyway I cued Mr. Bean in YouTube and for two hours Sofia did her best not to bother me.  I only remember her curling up to me after hearing a thunder roar.  When I started to talk she told me that Missy doesn't have battery anymore.  I plugged Missy and slept again.  When I woke up, I went to the washroom to vomit.  I was crying right after because the pain doesn't want to go away.  She went beside me and gave me a hug.  Afterwhich she asked me why i was asked crying.

That instant, I felt a hundred times better.

And then she opened her milkbox and found an old medicine, she said: "ay kaya, di mo kse nidri-drink yung medicine mo, uminom ka nga!"

awesome moment #11

ok, so i'm not being religious with my 365 AM's but i'm really trying. the past week had been very busy i hardly have time to even open Missy.  I'll just push through with my AMs when time permits.

Awesome Moment #11: watching a movie.

It's been years since I last entered a movie house.  In fact i don't even have an idea how much tickets cost now.  Two weeks ago, when I saw the trailer of Toy Story 3, I already asked Jaims to book June 19 for us.  It will mark 4 momentous events in our lives.

1. Sofi's first time to watch a movie
2. our first movie, after not having watch for three years
3. our first family movie date
4. early father's day celebration

Since Toy Story 3 opened this Thursday, the line was still long.  But SM Marikina opened 3 cinemas to show TS3 -- Cinema 1, Cinema 2 and Cinema 7.  One of the cinemas offer TS3 in 3D but we opted to have the regular show since I knew Sofi might not like the idea of wearing 3D glasses.  For a film that lasts for more than 60 minutes, Sofi didn't act up.  For the longest time, Jaims and I are not too keen on bringing her to the movies.  we are afraid that money might go to waste if  Sofi ended up getting scared or shocked or simply not in the mood.  When we got in there, Sofi was so happy she was actually watching the trailers.  And each time an opening credit shows up, Sofi keeps shouting, "ayan na, ayan na!" while trying to anticipate the beginning of TS3.

Just like any regular kid, she kept on asking silly questions, like:

• ba't madilim?
• ba't ka tatawa?
• ba't sila nagwa-watch?
• ba't mo nilagay yung water ko jan? (referring to the cinema seat cup holder)
• ano yan? (while looking at the light coming from thr projector)
• friend mo sya? (referring to the one seated near me)

Though on the latter part of the movie, I noticed her trying to get down from her seat, walking in the nearby seats and started to suck on her thumb.  I knew she's getting bored and sleepy.  But the thought of her lasting for an hour inside the movie house without having tantrums is something I can be proud of.  My little baby is getting bigger by the minute.  I need to treasure each and every minute of our days being together.

Awesome Moment #10

Parents' Orientation

Ever since I entered XS, I  have attended a number of Parents' Orientation and my lone participation to all of those was a mere subject.  You see, in a Parents' Orientation there are three types of people present.

1. The PRESENTOR - usually the school owner/director/highest school official.  He/She may be followed by the principal and those next in line.
2. The PARENTS - you can't have a parents' orientation without this important element.
3. The SUBJECT - Other than the school's VMG, the teachers and staff get a chance to experience limelight on this event.

This morning I have the chance of experiencing my first ever REAL Parents' Orientation as a PARENT.  We started of with a prayer, then we proceeded with the school's Vision-Mission-Goal, the usual stuff.  The disadvantage of working for a school and have attended a number of orientations is that you see the flaws of other schools.  I was telling Jaims I wanted to takeover and do some editing with their PPT, or maybe change the flow of the program.  But these are minor stuff that a non-OC might not see.

Sitting there as a parent and looking at the number of activities that Sofi and her classmates will do for this school year, there is a sinking feeling that I won't be a good mom.  I wanted to balance my career and my family time but given the many NEW things in my life I might end up being poor at one aspect.  But I'm being positive about this.  I know the Parents' Orientation is just the beginning of infinitely wonderful possibilities.

sick sick week

this has been a terrible week for my family as all of us are battling with common sickness -- colds, cough, fever, headaches, tummy ache and recently sore eyes.    Name it, and we got it.  For Jaims and I everything is tolerable but the sight of Sofi struggling, crying, ailing is one thing I can't bear.  She started with fever that lasted for several days, then on the latter part of her fever, colds manifested and a few days after, cough followed.  When she woke up this morning, she can't barely open her eyes.  Both her eyes were reddish but her left secretes a yellow substance. We were all supposed to attend the parents' orientation but given the situation and we don't want all the kids not to be able to attend their first day, Daddy's staying home with Sofi.

Sofi already lose a kilo since last weigh in.  This is not the typical Sofi. She's been sleeping the entire day and refusing milk intake.  I just hope she makes it in time for her first day.

Awesome Moment #9

I was asked to read one line from the Prayers of the Faithful part of our missioning mass this afternoon.  I thought that was cool, since not all has the chance to become a reader.  I think the last time I read a line for a mass was 5 years ago. But after the mass I receive an extremely Awesome News.

P5,000.00 SM gift checque for all those present during that mass.

Working for XS has really been a blessing since Day 1.  I know I'm pitted most of the time to hungry crocs but the way XS pays me back is incomparable.  Father Johnny has surprised us several times with extra something and giving something today is uber way out of what was expected. I love XS. I love Father Johnny.

Awesome Moment #7 and #8

no sense in splitting the articles. i'm too tired to create two separate articles today.  thursday seemed like two fridays put together, it's just so tiring.

AM #7 Krispy Kreme

who wouldn't like Krispy Kreme's original glazed -- the slight melting of each crumb inside your mouth is heaven in itself.  Pair it with hot coffee in a rainy afternoon is a bliss.  never mind if Sofi didn't even have a bite :( Krispy Kreme deserves a spot in my 365 Awesome Moments.

AM#8: Bulletin boards put up in an hour when you have the entire summer to do it.

Most of the time, anything finished in the nick of time turns better than what was actually planned.  I have put up several BBs in the past, most of which where done in haste during last minute preps, but needless to say, have turned heads.  i love how my first GS library bulletin board ended up today.  Who would have thought that book jackets will work as a nice BB backdrop.  I even placed more on my glassed panel.  We're still putting up 2 more tomorrow, and I just wish they'll end up perfect.

Awesome Moment #6

Since schools have started this week for some, traffic is horrible. My usual 30-45 minute travel is now converted to 60+ minutes. I sometimes go home hungry and that's okay but with the new travel time i have to grab something before going home, less i want my intestines to fight with each other. Today, it's exciting to find out

that the leftover food you feasted on a few days back is still inside the refrigerator and still has its same good ol' taste you enjoyed.

Jaims brought home chicken lasagna from the wedding he attended last Saturday. I got to taste it last Sunday and it was really good. Yesterday, I ate Spaghetti when I got home but i remember seeing the lasagna still inside the fridge. When I got home I made Sofi milk, and prayed hard that the leftover is still there. And it was there, as if waiting for me all along. I heated it using our microwave oven, sniffed it if it smells funny and gobbled it up. While I was thinking of my Awesome Moment and I was on my last spoonful (forkful?), I realized the leftover needs to be captured.

Awesome Moment #5

a rescheduled Parents' orientation/PTA/meeting

there's nothing more  heart wrecking than finding out that your daughter's scheduled parent activity falls on a weekday and you just can't afford to go on leave for work.  The original Parents' Orientation was scheduled last June 5, a Saturday but the school moved it to June 11 Friday.  Today I got a text message from teacher Che informing us that the orientation was rescheduled on June 12, Saturday. WOOT! Now I don't have to worry about going on leave on Friday :)

Awesome Moment #4

finding that another store has the stuff you wanted all along

last thursday, i went straight to Megamall after work (see June 3 post) while roaming I saw a nice bag. i've been looking for a handbag this past few days to kick off a new school year but i always end up not finding what i really like.  More than the style, it's the price that hinders me from buying something.  Last time, I saw a Secosana bag on a sale but i felt that the 600 php is too expensive for a bag.  I didn't buy it.  But when I got home I realized I like it.  The following week, just 3 days apart, I went back to get it but it was no longer there.  I was hoping it's still there but with a regular price but i failed to see it.  I told neri and MC about it and they were laughing at my stinginess.  They advised me that if i find something i like i should get it.  P600.00 isn't bad a price for a nice handbag.

So when I saw the bag last thursday, I went back to Jaims to ask for our leftover GC who was in Building A.  He kept it since he was the last one who purchased something from hypermart.  He said he left it at home. I thought what the heck I'll just come back for it.  When I got hold of my GC I waited for Saturday to come.  Tracking back to Saturday's post, we all know we didn't get the bag.  Since it wasn't there anymore.  I texted Neri and she was laughing at me big time.  she advised me to get another bag even if it's expensive already but when you have that feeling of not getting what you wanted, everything else does not appeal to your liking.  Good thing Awesome Moment#3 happened or I would have cried over a "lost" bag.

when Jaims and I were planning our Sunday, going to the mall was part of it.  He initially wanted to go to Market! MArket! but since I have GC and I have a plan of using it to buy my bag, I insisted on going to another SM -- SM Marikina.  When I got there I went straight to the bag section and found what I was looking for.  I told the saleslady to hold it for a while so I can go around (in search for a cheaper bag) and ended up buying that exact bag I wanted 3 days ago.  The brand is Jovanni (not too familiar as it's my first time to see the brand in SM also).  In a way, I told the saleslady my story and she said that they only hold 2 stocks for each style in each store.  I felt lucky that I still found one.  My plan was to look for another bag/style/brand.  To me finding that same bag is near impossible, but I did.

*NOTE: this entry was delayed in posting because I couldn't resist family time. I tried continuing the post when I woke up but I might get late for work so I stopped.  Thank God for lunch breaks :) picture to follow

new toy

When Ninang Shy came to Manila, the godchild received new toys – a Dora the Explorer Sleepy Dreams Doll and a replica of Dora’s backpack. Of course the kumares’ also got their share of pasalubong. I got a Digital Picture Viewer with keychain -- a small USB powered photo slider and has a 1.5” display that can hold up to a hundred digipics.

I tried it today while waiting for my turn to load the laundry and it’s quite easy to use. Just plug it in your computer using the provided cable and the software to download pics from your PC will launch. You don’t even have to worry about the size of the pic since the software is capable of cropping the pictures for you. Just set the crop area at a specific cut/angle and the pics are ready for downloading.

I loaded a few pics just to test the system and it’s working fine. I’m charging it now using that same cable.

[gallery columns="4"]

Smartparts Digital Picture Viewer with Keychain
www.smartpartsproducts.com
Stores up to 100 photos
Anti-scratch panel
Plug and Play – Works with windows ® 2000/XP/Vista ™
Compatiblewith Mac ® OS X
Includes USB cable for easy photo transfer and recharging
Smartparts Desktop software included

Awesome Moment #3

freebies when you least expect it

Sofi and I went to SM to buy the bag i saw two days ago but when we got there the bag i was eyeing was no longer in the display.   I searched for another bag but i couldn't find anything i like. anyway, i just treated Sofi to Krispy Kreme.  I've been craving for it last week and i felt now's a good time to give in since sofi will surely enjoy it.  i ordered 3 pcs glazed and a small smooth coffee.  While in line a guy handed Sofi a Krispy Kreme hat. We're so used to the hat and at one time Sofi even got a Krispy Kreme balloon.

Tonight Sofi and I decided to sit near the doughnut conveyor. I pointed to her that they are making doughnuts at the moment.  She stood up her chair and was giggling at the sight of the moving doughnuts.  the next thing we knew a crew approached her asking her name and handed her a special variety - a round, filled doughnut topped with one hershey's kisses. (i tried to look for a picture in their website but i couldn't find one, but i found the Krispy Kreme Limited Edition Valentine's Doughnut. picture taken from Brian Ong's blog)

Sofi took the kisses but didn't eat the doughnut.  She still prefer the original glazed.  So she ate two of the glaze while i ate her special doughnut.  I just love having an adorable daughter...and the perks i'm getting because of her.

blogroll

what happens when the members of your blogroll do not blog anymore? do you still call it blog roll when technically they don't roll anymore?

with a daytime job, i must admit i can't afford to blog everyday but to totally remove blogging from my system would be another issue.  i have friends who got inspired by my blogging and i also have some friends who discovered blogging on their own.  But it seems the people on my list are no longer updating their blogs.  Too bad because it's my way of knowing how are they feeling at a certain point of time.  They update me without that stalking feeling.  Blogs also introduce me to different writing styles.  Blogs define new things.  They are a source of new topics for my other entries -- whether it's a repost, inspired by another blog entry, or a reminder of some sort.  Most of all blogs make research easier (or harder because of the trash other people make).

I'm completely lost. I started this entry just wondering what happened to my blogmates but i ended up thinking of what to say to my class come 2nd week of June.  I was told I'll be teaching WP to my internet research class this school year.  This means I'll be blogging for the rest of the SY, to say the very least.

3 units or 6 units?

it's enrolment time again and i'm still not decided if i'll pursue my MA this year.  i'm still far from compre and i'm not sure how long it will take me to finish it. my school buddy told the big boss that he's stopping already.  I still want to continue but with all the responsibility i have right now plus the expenses we'll incur in the next months because of Sofi's tuition I'm not even sure if i can afford to pay my own tuition.

can i afford 6 units (2 classes) financially and physically?  I asked jaims just now if he can afford to send me to school next sem with 6 units:

mommy: daddy, kaya mo ba ako paaralin ng 6 units?
daddy: how much?
mommy: last sem, i paid 1500 per payday.
daddy: that's just 3 units, right?
mommy: yes
daddy: so that's P6,000 monthly
mommy: around that price
daddy: NO!

hmmmkei! so we can't afford it financially. i don't even have to ask myself if i can manage 6 units physically, i know the answer without even blinking my eye. i'll settle for 3 units, i guess.

Photo source: http://mappery.com/maps/Ateneo-de-Manila-University-Loyola-Heights-Campus-Map.mediumthumb.jpg

Awesome Moment #2

Before I  completely forget, have you ever experienced arriving in a meeting really late but still being able to answer a question as if you've been there the first second of the meeting? today i felt that way.  although there was no question literally thrown at me, everyone was surprised when i was able to tell them the name of the form they were talking about even if i have just arrived. i know it's very shallow but i felt triumphant at that instant.  even if people were looking at you because you came in late, that whole instant justifies your lateness.  that's my awesome moment #2 :

able to answer an instant question despite being late for that meeting

Awesome Moment #1

That instant feeling of having hope.

Despite not being able to finish what was on my to-do-list last week because of the several parent orientations i have attended and one newbie orientation i have conducted, top that with subordinates who love "to make your day",  Papa Jesus made me smile today.

Jaims made me go straight to Megamall afterwork because he needed to do something for his boss and Sofi was with him.  When I got to where they are, he pointed to me his friend way-way back 90s.  So i went across to say hi and so did Jaims.  The conversation led to houses and how lucky their brother was to have acquired a 3-floor-property somewhere Proj.4 for 2M only.  It's a good catch considering Proj.4 is somewhat commercial.  Then Mylene told us that she has an aunt who's selling her house in Antipolo.  The lot is big and the house is in placed already.  The old lady is selling her house because no one lives there anymore.

I had that instant feeling of happiness and giddiness when I heard of it.  We were thinking that maybe Kiko and Mylene are the answers to our prayers. And that God sent them our way today to bring us good news.  Of course nothing is final yet but that feeling was surely awesome.

365 Awesome Moments

Inspired by the blog 1000 Awesome Things as posted in Wordpress success story, I'm committed to finding God each day in my life.  Been having terrible downing experience lately and that post made me realize how many little things are left backstage.  I decided that however bad my day is there is at least one thing good that happen to me everyday -- thus, I am making an effort to create a daily entry called 365 Awesome Moments.

Launching this took a while since I'm not sure how committed I can be in creating a daily entry.  I originally intended to blog about this when the post came out but I'm kinda skeptic in my ability to blog each day of the year.  So I told myself, I'll blog about it starting June 1 but i failed again.  Now I'm  making sure this project get launched tonight.  Forgive me, if I happen to forget one entry, I'll try to make up for it the soonest I can -- that is if i can remember everything that happened to me.

oops, can i just launch tonight and declare tomorrow as day 1?

ME Time

everyone needs (if not deserves) a ME time.  it's a time when you get to do things all by yourself.  For most people ME time means finally getting the spa and massage you've always wanted, or the moment you get to shop all by yourself.  anything that has something to do with pampering one's self after  having worked so hard for the longest time.

But today I figured, ME time can also be the opposite of what i have described above.  Today I did the remaining of my laundry, washed bottles and scrubbed my shoes.  I also did a little work and planned a meeting that i need to do.  But I am happy despite of.  I am happy because I know both daddy and Sofi are happy.  Jaims left at 4 this morning to go Subic.  He's joining MTP's trackday. He's been looking forward to this since he missed the last one.   Sofi on the other hand went out with her grannies and cousin to Club Manila East.  I begged off since I wanted to just rest and finish the work I brought home.   They told me Sofi had a grand time.  We were not able to talk a lot because she fell asleep after I gave her a bath.   Jaims' hasn't gone home yet but I know he'll be talking non-stop about it.

Never mind if I had to celebrate ME time by washing the laundry, Knowing that both of them are enjoying I don't think I'll ever need a spa or a beauty treatment.

God made a visit

or at least HE sent an angel to let me know HE's there.

i have a draft waiting to be updated but it's been there in my "draft box" for weeks now and i haven't find time to do something with it.  Jaims have seen it and has been nagging me what it's all about but I told him, I just couldn't find the right words to make it sensible.  he knows how i feel for the past weeks and i think he has put two and two together so he stopped asking about it.

this weekend i emailed a friend regarding my sentiments and she sent me these wonderful Bible verses.  Of course I wouldn't put the entirety of our exchanges here but I wanted to share these Bible verses so you may be enlightened, too.

John 15: 1-2
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Psalm 147:3
3 He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.

Psalm 126:5
5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

Jeremiah 31:9
They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

Kings 6:17
17 And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. à in the natural, di ito kita; sa servant lang pinakita kasi natakot siya na mas marami yung army nung kabila kaya God showed him this as a special vision to make him brave.

James 1:5
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

Psalm 28:7
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

I'm so touched by these lines and i'm so thankful that I have a friend like her who gave me these words when I so needed it.

PT attempt number: i lost count

For the nth time i woke up early morning feeling excited. I got the plastic bag that contained the item I particularly asked Jaims to buy for me. I slowly pulled out the box, went inside the CR, opened it and peeled the plastic inside it. I followed the instructions (very clear in my head without reading it) carefully. But alas, it broke my heart. I can’t remember how many times i have done a pregnancy test. I have memorized the steps and the number of pink lines i should see depending on the result i wanted. But I never got two. The last two pink lines i’ve seen was almost four years ago. A lot of times I end up frustrated, feeling bad why we can’t make another baby. Despite the stress free days we had, the result was still negative. We just feel like Sofi needs a younger sibling now but too bad we’re not that successful.

When I got another negative result today I felt sad again. But it dawned on me that maybe God has other plans (as HE always do) for us. Maybe HE was saying, “you can’t afford to send a kid to preschool and have another baby — that means you’ll have to ask me another favor, to give you an increase in pay,,,ano ka sinuswerte?! “

Sofi's trial class

It’s a shame that i didn’t get to join Sofi in her trial class. I’ve been looking forward to this except that it was scheduled on a workday. Jaims said that it took a while before she warmed up and join the activity. For most of the part she was clingy and just wanted to get a toy even during the session. Her dad said she didn’t pray and she always has the urge to stand up I hope she gets used to the schedule and participate during class time. That we’ll have to see.

PT attempt number: i lost count

For the nth time i woke up early morning feeling excited.  I got the plastic bag that contained the item I particularly asked Jaims to buy for me.  I slowly pulled out the box, went inside the CR, opened it and peeled the plastic inside it. I followed the instructions (very clear in my head without reading it) carefully.  But alas, it broke my heart.  I  can't remember how many times i have done a pregnancy test.  I have memorized the steps and the number of pink lines i should see depending on the result i wanted.  But I never got two.  The last two pink lines i've seen was almost four years ago.  A lot of times I end up frustrated, feeling bad why we can't make another baby.  Despite the stress free days we had, the result was still negative.  We just feel like Sofi needs a younger sibling now but too bad we're not that successful.

When I got another negative result today I felt sad again.  But it dawned on me that maybe God has other plans (as HE always do) for us.  Maybe HE was saying, "you can't afford to send a kid to preschool and have another baby -- that means you'll have to ask me another favor, to give you an increase in pay,,,ano ka sinuswerte?! "

Sofi's trial class

It's a shame that i didn't get to join Sofi in her trial class.  I've been looking forward to this except that it was scheduled on a workday.  Jaims said that it took a while before she warmed up and join the activity.  For most of the part she was  clingy and just wanted to get a toy even during the session.  Her dad said she didn't pray and she always has the urge to stand up :(  I hope she gets used to the schedule and participate during class time.  That we'll have to see.

[slideshow]

Preschool ver 02

Angioletto Preschool

e-mail addy: clsferrer@yahoo.com; angioletto_preschool@yahoo.com

Addy: 9-B Rosemarie Lane, Bo. Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Phone: 671.8693

Tuition Range: 44k for toddler + 450.00 for uniform per set

Teaching Style: Progressive

Contact Person: Teacher Che Ferrer

DepEd Permit:

Comment:  view separate article here

Creative Learning School
Webby: http://www.creativelearningschool.com/index.html

e-mail addy: clsi_pasig@yahoo.com.ph
Addy: 52 Sta. Rosa St., Bo. Kapitolyo, Pasig City
Phone: 633-8412; 633-9566; 631-4401
Tuition Range: 60k
Teaching Style: Traditional and experiential
Contact Person: Barbara Vargas
DepEd Permit:

Comment: One of the feedbacks I gathered from this school is that they accept differently able kids as part of a regular class.  It means that special kids get to experience what normal children do and at the same time normal kids are able to identify with them at an early age.  Another thing that makes this a good school is its continuing education.  CLSI has a grade school department which is a good follow thru of what they learn in preschool.  The best way to instill values and learning of course is to make sure that there is consistency.

Here's their reply when I emailed them:

Your daughter would fall under our Jr. Nursery class with a class size of 10 to 12 students. We have 2 schedules - 8:00 to 10:30am and 10:45am to 1:15pm. Our tuition/misc. fees are in the area of P60,000.


We encourage you to bring your daughter to the school so she can have a "feel" of the school. Any other information you would like to know will be addressed when you talk to the level teacher.


Thank you for your inquiry and we hope to meet you and your daughter soon.


Sincerely,


Barbara Vargas
Administrator

To view the previous article on preschool listings. click here.

I heard that Sea and Learn already closed down this week, though I'm not sure if it's true.  I also heard that Mulberry costs P67,000 though they're not sure if everything else is included.

Angioletto Preschool

We were finally able to visit one preschool today. I remember finding a comment in my earlier post about a certain preschool in Kapitolyo. Mommy Leda said:

You might want to check on Angioletto Preschool in Kapitolyo, Pasig. School fees are 48k inclusive of learning materials, PE uniform and learning trips. They also provide going-home service at a minimal charge. Payments can be stretched from cash to monthly. They use English and all rooms are air-conditioned. Plus they offer free trial class until tomorrow, April 10.

I tried to search for its website or look for feedbacks in various fora but there isn’t any. All I found were ads in sulit and 88db. Anyway I emailed them to inquire about the appropriate program for Sofi, the schedule and of course the fee. Here is Teacher Che’s reply:

ANGIOLETTO PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM:
We use the progressive approach in teaching. Every day, we use songs, rhymes, mime and movement in doing our classroom activities. Creativity and self-expression are expressed through different art activities. Storytelling is always present. We believe that children learn best through experiential learning that is why we also expose them to different learning trips. We also teach the value of spiritual education thru Religion. Children develop physical fitness through Stretch-n-Grow, The World’s Fitness for Kids.


THE TODDLER PROGRAM (for children ages 2.5 to 3.5 years)
Play and work are one. "Work" is individually and developmentally appropriate and includes: Blocks and building materials; Music: instruments, dance, singing; Climbing and hiding; Dress-up and make-believe; Housekeeping (dishes, pretend food, babies, etc.); Puzzles; Reading books;Finger plays;Coloring and painting; and Sand and water play; Love for God is enjoyed through simple prayers, songs, rhymes and simple Bible stories.


CLASS SCHEDULE:
Toddlers Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9:30am to 11:30am


CLASS SIZE: Each class has a teacher and a teacher assistant. Toddlers class is limited to 6 students only.


SCHOOL FEES: Our school fees are inclusive of all the school materials, learning trips, books, and P.E. Uniform. We offer different modes of payment – Annual, Semi-Annual, Quarterly and Monthly.
TODDLER Level (2.5 to 3.5 years)
CASH P44,000
SEMI-ANNUAL Initial P23,000 Next Payment P22,000 (Oct 1)
QUARTERLY InitialP15,000 Next Payment P10,500 (Aug 1, Oct 1, Dec 1)
MONTHLY Initial P15,000 Next Payment P3,600 monthly
School uniform is excluded. Each set costs [P450.00].


Thanks,
Teacher Che

I wasn’t able to take a picture of their front gate but it looks quite homey. When we got inside we inquired about the trial class scheduled today but Teacher Che said a lot of parents called in to cancel since it’s a long weekend. So they reschedule the trial class next Friday, May 7. They were having a spring cleaning instead but they still accommodated us.

Sofi didn’t want to go in first and when I carried her inside she started crying. It took a while before she warmed up. Teacher Che asked me to fill up some data about Sofi and we talked for a while. When they realized that Sofi is a Dora fan, Mr. Ferrer gave her a Dora toy. And she started to go around and pick up toys. She was having the time of her life. The rest is history. I think we found a school already.

For the benefit of parents on the lookout for a preschool, Angioletto accepts monthly payment just in case your kid doesn’t want to go to school anymore. Say she’s so active from June to August but come September your kid suddenly lose interest in school, Angioletto will not require you to pay the remaining parts of the year, unlike other schools. You may also ask about their service just in case you can’t pick them up on a certain day. All teachers in Angioletto are former St. Paul teachers. Teacher Che, on the other hand, is a Paulinian all throughout and worked for St. Paul for 5 years until she finally decided to give in to her life long dream of having her own preschool.

Angioletto Preschool

CONTACT PERSON: Teacher Che Ferrer.

ADDRESS: 9-B Rosemarie Lane, Bo. Kapitolyo, Pasig City

E-ADDY: clsferrer@yahoo.com

PHONE: 671.8693 / 09228164426

vtr result

I knew we would get a call back after the VTR.  Based on the people's reactions and the lady who took Sofi's video, I knew that Sofi's chance is quite high.  Besides, Jaims knows that these agencies are really looking for the fair complexioned, chubby kids when there's an audition.

At around 8.30PM, I received a text message asking us to call the landline of Liahona Casting Agency for the result of the VTR.  When I didn't call them, because I didn't hear my text tune, I received another text.  I asked Jaims to call them but their line was busy.  At past nine, I got another text from them.  Anyway, Jaims called them and true to the feedbacks I've been reading in several blogs and online fora, my daughter had to undergo a 10 day workshop.  It will cost us P4,500.00 for the 10 day workshop and they will teach Sofi how to act in front of the camera and they will teach her how to do modeling and the works.  Jaims said that we'll discuss it first then he hung up.

We have nothing against the workshop.  Had it been free and has the right schedule we might exert effort in bringing her there.  Of course money matters a lot nowadays and P4,500.00 still 4,500.  In terms of schedule, Barney is not available on Thursdays and the workshop is Thursday and Saturday only.

They said that they will still keep Sofi's file on hand when the advertising people are on the lookout.  But then again, I know the agency will prioritize those who took the workshop.  Jaims said that we might be taking away her special opportunity to become a TV/print ad model.  To have a celebrity kid takes a lot of effort from the parent.  For her to become one requires that we bring her to several agencies, have a lot of VTR and be aware of all the available opportunities.  and that's a lot of responsibility for a mom who has a full time job.  How can I be an ultimate stage mom if I have work?  My take is if they like her, then they like her.  One or two or several VTRs are ok but again I don't like pushing her into something that both of us won't benefit in the end.  Let things come naturally.

vtr day

so we did pushed through with the vtr.  the scheduled time was 1:30PM today but Sofi was called in at almost 3PM.  Not that the people were inefficient but because there were a lot hopefuls who wanted their kids to become stars.  I didn't expect that there were a lot who will try out.  I was only expecting five or 10 but when we got there, it was jampacked. The lady in the second pic is Gemma. She was the one who approached us in SM Megamall last Friday.

The first thing we did was fill out a blue form.  We didn't have a ballpen so Jaims went back to the car to get one, only the pen wasn't working well so our form had a lot of scribbles, obviously trying to make it work.  When I was done, I submitted the form and they told me to send Sofi in the room.  There were a lot of kids and companions are not allowed to go inside.  Sofi was excited, maybe she was thinking it's a school.  She sat on the floor wiggling her toes while waiting for her turn.  Jaims and I stayed in the adjacent room where the stagemom-wannabees stayed.  For a small room, it's a bit crowded. I had fun watching the companions coaching their kids how to answer or how to act.  Some mom took the effort of dressing up their kids and some even put make-up on their two year olds.  what a pity!  I've heard some moms scolding their kids.  You can hear lines such as "di ba sabi ko wag kang iiyak. Ano gusto mo na umuwi, e di sinayang mo lang!" or "tigilan mong iyak-iyak mo, tingnan mo nabubura na yang make-up mo!".  It's really funny how these people react during their child's vtr session.

After a while I heard someone shouting Sofi's name followed by a loud wailing sound.  Apparently Sofi got bored and suddenly remembered that mimi and dudi weren't around, so she started crying really loud.  We pulled her out of the room and brought her to the adjacent room.  I asked her why she cried but all she could say was "ayaw ko dun!".  I asked her if she wants to go home already but she wouldn't answer.  When she was finally done crying, I gave her milk and biscuits.  Gemma said they'll just call us if it's Sofi's turn already.  So we just waited.  While waiting, Sofi found a friend to play with.  When it was her friend's turn already, Sofi tried to take a peek inside.  She was even asking me to go inside already.  But we just waited outside until we were finally called in.

There were no more kids inside and only one lady holding a videocam talked to her.  This time Jaims and I accompanied her already.  She was asked what's her name, how old is she and if she can sing and dance.  She was able to answer the lady correctly.  She even sang softly and dance slowly.  Her shyness must have returned, but that was fine with us.  As long as she answered correctly and she was able to do what they asked her to do.

By 2:45, we were done and there were still a few kids in line.  There was even a small boy dancing while his 5 companions play 2NE1.  Maybe I should ask the other kids for an autograph, you'll never know who among them will become BIG in the next few days.

Since she has been a good girl, we treated her to McDo afterwards.

vtr

yesterday while sofi and i were walking in megamall, a lady approached us and asked how old sofi is.  thinking that she just amazed with sofi's size, i answered at once.  then the next thing i knew she was introducing herself as a talent scout looking for kids.  she said there will be a casting on sunday, that's tomorrow, in their office somewhere boni.

of course the mother in me got excited but i tried my best not to show her.  I'm so used to people adoring sofi that this does not surprise me.  she must have felt the reluctance in me that's why she did not push me over.  instead she just gave me a paper, typewritten in it is the date, time and location.  Nothing fancy, just the details and some talents they have scouted before and where they were featured.

they texted me this morning asking if we will still proceed.  i had to wait for jaims' reply before i text them back.  when i told jaims last night he was excited but we forgot to conclude that's why i had to text him.  he said GO.  i'm kinda reluctant since 1:30 (the supposedly sched) is her sleeping time.  getting her to act during this time could be really hard.  i just hope she cooperates tomorrow.  i checked for feedbacks on the web and they seem legit, though most moms are complaining that after getting a yes their kid had to go through a workshop.  not sure how this will turn out.  but however she acts tomorrow will not be an issue on me.  she's just two, for God's sake.

for the details, you may check them out at:

Liahona Casting Agency

Website: http://liahonacastingagency.webs.com
Landlines: (02) 497-9146 / 703-7776 / 994-0930
Mobiles: 0916-7967439 / 0929-3276590
MAIN OFFICE ADDRESS: 3rd Floor ANNETTE II Building, No. 604 Boni Avenue, Plainview, City of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, 1550 Philippines

sewer declogging

sew·er (n.)
An artificial, usually underground conduit for carrying off sewage or rainwater.

sew·age (n.)
the waste matter carried off by sewers or drains

sew·er·age (n.)
1. removal of surface water and waste matter by sewers
2. a system of sewers
3. sewage

Source:  YourDictionary.Com

My mom complained about this a month ago and the problem continues to resurface.  When they had our all around handyman, Mang Lando to check on the sewers, they found plastics, sanitary napkins and worse, underwear.  Since we live in a townhouse, problems like these are very common.  We're not sure if it came from us or from the other houses.  In fact, it could even be from the previous tenants of these houses.  Mang Lando was only able to fish out a few stuff blocking the pipes and we were able to flush the toilet bowls again.

Early this week, my mom had another encounter with overflowing bowls and hard to flush objects.  This is troublesome since we don't have a helper today and they are the ones cleaning up the mess.  The smell gets worse if it doesn't get cleaned up.  Papa knows the ins and outs of these townhouses because he was the one who saw it through.  FYI, he's an engineer.  So he had the manhole opened up again and of course he knew that something must be done.  He was bugging mama for the water bill and he kept on asking if we have an outstanding balance.  Mama, the ultimate I-must-know-first-what you-will-do-with-it-before-I-give-it-to-you interviewer, asked Papa several questions before handing the bill.   He said that he will asked the Manila Water to seep the sewage and I think they need to see the bill.  Or maybe he just wants to get in touch with them.  the bills have the office's contact numbers, AFAIK.  When we were about to go back to our room, Sofi and I saw a big manhole being filled with water.  I even broke the strap of my laptop sack trying to look for Oly.  I manage to take a few shots while shooing Sofi away from the hole.

[slideshow]

I didn't know Manila Water can do it.  I thought only Malabanan does the dirty job.  I'm not sure though if they asked for extra fee to clean up.  i'll ask them later.  It just dawned on me that this is an early celebration of Earth Day 2010.  Come on, pamper your sewers. Contact Manila Water now.  Dial hotline number 1627.

Manila Water
MWSS Administration Building
489 Katipunan Road, Balara, Quezon City 1105 Philippines
Website: www.manilawater.com
Email: info@manilawater.com

P.S. I asked my mom if the seeping costs anything and she said that it cost P1000.00 per truck.  The truck came thrice so mama payed P3000.00.  The men who worked for us only gave receipt for the first P1000.00.  Obviously, they're keeping the P2,000...mean!  Papa said, it's a lot cheaper than the Malabanan excavation.

cup of coffee

our day is not complete without a cup of coffee.  every morning begins with a cup, whether the weather is cold or hot.  though we don't really splurge on expensive coffee aka starbucks and figaro, dinner is almost always topped up with another cup.

i couldn't remember when i first had my coffee.  maybe it was in high school when i had to review for a test, or was it college.  all i could remember is that it becomes a morning and evening habit after i got married to jaime.  now i think my little girl is also getting the habit.  it's fine with me but i hope not this early.

gupit

Have you ever experienced getting all wrapped up with hair when you wake up in the morning? Well, I do. So I had my haircut a few days ago. My hair gets its once a year cut every summer. I like it short every summer so that when I get back to work, people gets a little surprise. Maybe it’s the KSP in me rather than the adventure seeker which prods me to cut my hair from long to really, really short. Anyway, I know it will grow back the way it was after a year.

And since Jaims had his haircut before summer, I also wanted Sofi to have her haircut. We decided to trim her bangs and let her hair grow before because it’s so hard to clip her hair. If it’s long then we’ll just have to ponytail it. But Sofi’s hair is straight and smooth that when you tie it, the band falls off eventually. Besides, THE daddy is really poor in tying and maintaining the hair, so bye bye long hair.

Notice that her hair is not that perfectly trim. It’s because Jaims was the one who cut it. Since salon for kids are way too expensive and we don’t expect Sofi to behave well then we opted to resort to the home barber.

Oly's water test

Had my Olympus Mju Tough 8000 for 5now and  months now.  To be honest I wasn't brave enough to submerge it underwater.  Yeah, yeah I know... it's meant to be dipped, dropped and even covered with snow but 14,500 is still 14,500.  That's more than half of my monthly salary.  I couldn't just say bye bye to Oly in such a short time.

Last Holy Week, Oly got her first beach tan.  Here's the video taken by my nephew.

missy's new skin

Missy's almost a year old now.  And other than her memory deteriorating causing the boot up to slow down because of the files I have accumulated in her, she has not given me any major problems at all.  In fact, I'm so grateful I have her with me when we were in Singapore.  She helped me get connected with Jaims and Sofi because my phone did not cooperate well.

With that, I decided to get her something new.  Since the plastic film covering her top was already peeled, I got her a new skin from CD-R King.  Jaims bought the 15" skin so we can make use the excess for other gadgets.  It costs P150.00.  Character skins and plain skins are also available for 100 bucks but I prefer this green skin more.

pre-school

Been spending the last days researching about preschools. Sofia is now 2 years, 9 months and finding a school to keep her active mind working seemed to be the next step. I wanted her to attend the preschool here in our barangay but the ladies there told my mom that this coming June they will only accept enrollees who are at least 3.5 years old. Sofi will only turn 3 this July, that means she didn’t make the cut-off. My next resort is to find resources online. Of course there are lots of frantic moms online who are scouting for preschools, too. Their inputs are a big help to those who will send their kiddos to school for the first time but somehow a lot of infos are left unexposed. I would say I have read 3 major threads on parenting and schools but I couldn’t find what I’m looking for…or maybe there isn’t any.

I wanted to find something that says how much a first-time mommy or daddy should save to send her toddler to school. Some websites tell you upfront how much, others would require that you call and some others would want you to visit the school and let the kid try first before they tell you how much. Really, there is nothing wrong with trial schools. It’s the best way to get to know the “curriculum”. But as a mom, I hate it when I have to break my little girl’s heart. I mean, letting her try an environment and when she enjoys it, you tell her…sorry, sweetie we don’t have money for this school. And then she wails and you couldn’t do anything but drag her back home.

I tried calling the schools I have in mind but their responses were a bit disappointing. The two schools I particularly like, AHeadStart and Mulberry, have tuitions above 50k. I was hoping I could find a school whose tuition is around 35k. Red Apple and Sea and Learn’s seemed promising, with around 41k tuition. I kinda like the homey image of Red Apple but they only accept students who’ll turn 3 this June.  Plus, they have a cute uniform :)

I'm still not sure where to enroll Sofi.  I might pay a visit toAheadstart and Sea and Learn within the week to check them out.  For those interested, here are the schools' contact info.

Aheadstart Child Development Center
Webby: http://aheadstartpreschool.com/index.htm
e-mail addy: info@aheadstartcdc.com
Addy: 72 San Rafael st., Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City
Phone: 631-9548
Tuition Range: roughly 50k (according to the one I talked to)
Teaching Style: Developmental, Progressive, Interactive
Contact Person: Teacher Mica
DepEd Permit: P-168 2007

Comment:  The school is near our vicinity, the school looks homey to me.  When I called them yesterday, the one who answered was very accommodating -- not as if they just woke up.  Similar to Mulberry they also do not divulge too much info over the phone regarding tuition but she was the one who offered to give a range.  I might visit it this week.

The Red Apple Playschool
Webby: http://www.redappleplayschool.com/
e-mail addy: inquiry@redappleplayschool.com
Addy: 100 F. Manalo Street, Malinao, Pasig City
Phone: 748-1155
Tuition Range: visit site for the complete breakdown
Teaching Style: modified-progressive, research-oriented preschool; mixture of trad/non-trad
Contact Person: Clyde Villegas / Joyce Reyes / Jasmin Lao
DepEd Permit:

Comment: website has a lot to say about the school and the pictures look homey to me.  I think Sofi will enjoy the class here and will prepare her to a big school since their style of teaching is a mixture of tradition and progressive.  I'm also interested how they go about their research-oriented curriculum because being a librarian i knew how important these skills are,,,except that these are preschool kids and i'm not sure what approach will they do to achieve this.  It's a pity that it's not near our place and minimum age should be 3 years old.  The uniform looks cute for Sofi. :)

Sea and Learn Development Center
Webby: http://seaandlearn.webs.com/
e-mail addy: seaandlearn@yahoo.com
Addy: 2/F Fun Ranch, Frontera Verde Estates, E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave, Libis,Pasig City
Phone: 583-7765, 0922-8387765
Tuition Range: 50k (or you may read this blog entry from fedhz.com)
Teaching Style: Progressive
Contact Person:
DepEd Permit:
Comment: Their website has lots of information about the school, their programs and their tuition.  I like it that it's witin the vicinity and that they are very transparent.  I hate it that they are inside Fun Ranch.  Sofi has this tendency to drag you to amusement parks and I know for sure that if you enroll her here she will always ask you to bring her to the rides and stuff.  The school is quite small too unlike the others who used up their entire house to build a playschool.  But their tuition is among the lowest so far within my area.

Mulberry Kids Preschool
Webby: http://mulberrykids.multiply.com/
e-mail addy: mulberrykids_ph@yahoo.com
Addy: 25 Gen. Malvar St., Brgy. San Antonio, San Antonio Village, Pasig City
Phone: 6877024, 09173669338.
Tuition Range: 60+ (according to the person I talked to)
Teaching Style: focuses on the physical, intellectual, emotional, aesthetic, personal and social needs of the child
Contact Person: Meg Mariñas
DepEd Permit:
Comment: hard to look for feedbacks on the web, multiply site provides little info – PM them about tuition but they don’t want to share info. They instead offered a Trial class, if you’re interested, it’s on the 19th and 20th of this month, but you need to reserve a slot. They said they'll email me more info but I haven't receive any as of today.  I called them and the one who answered is not too accommodating, although I was able to squeezed out a few info on tuition range, 60+. I wanted to enroll Sofi here since it’s walking distance but I don’t think I can afford it.

PS.  I just got an email from them...same stuff and she called me Ms. Santos :(