one + one = four

And that's it.  After several attempts and disappointments (see post here) and praying hard for it (see prayer intentions here) I finally got the most coveted two pink lines.

I don't know what we've done to deserve such great news.  Is it because I gave up on Coke and other carbonated drinks last November 2012?  Is it because Jaims finally decided to give up on his yosi last January 2013?  Or is it because I knew a number of people praying for us, too?  God really listens.

Paper Projects

Unorthodox day-offs are really helpful in the sense that you still give that same level of energy you give at work, in a project that should have been done a long time ago.  I got a blue Instax Mini 7s for Christmas from the husband.  Though I haven’t consume my first pack of Rainbow film, I got a number to of pseudo-polaroid pics waiting to be displayed from my sister.  I also have several photo booth souvenirs but I am not impressed on how they’re just randomly stuck on my wall.  Last Christmas, my sister turned them into Christmas ornaments.  This time I decided to have my very own Instax project.  I got the rope and clips ready early this year but had to put it off because my weeekends were reserved for J and little Sofia.  This Monday day-off is THE official project day.

I woke up early and helped Sofi get ready for school.  I started cooking up my plan when I got back.

What you need:

1. rope (thin, but not as thin as a thread)
2. adorable clips (got mine from National Bookstore, P_____ for 6 pieces)
3. Instax photos, photo booth souvenirs
4. 4 pieces nails (as much as you need)
5. hammer (couldn’t find one so I used a wrench)
6. soft material to function as cover or child-proofing device for nails.  ( In this case, I used a pencil topper.)

The rope I originally bought was too thick and heavy so I decided to replace it with J’s fishing line.  I hammered four nails, 3 ft x 1 ft in distance.  I tighten and knotted the rope to ensure that the line can carry the weight of the photos and clips.  Hung the pictures using the Ice Cream clips in random order.   Secure nails with pencil toppers or child-proofing device to make sure no one gets hurt by the nails accidentally.

Final output is a gallery of family pictures.  Memories that shouldn’t be kept in a box.

Memory Wall

back to regular programming

Been a walking zombie for the past 4 weeks. Forcing yourself to study all the lessons you’ve had in MA classes for the past 7 years is not easy as it seems. Though we have slides to review, trying to recall what the instructor’s point was with his bullets is still hard. I must admit taking the Compre is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I’m not even sure if I’ll pass those tests I’ve taken but I’m still hoping. I want to apologize to those people and things I have neglected in the 4 weeks that I have been reviewing. To Sofi who have to bear all my init ng ulo and lack of time. To Dudi, who have to do the motherly stuff like storytelling, washing the dishes, tending Sofi. To my staff, who have to do the decision making on their own. To my friends, who have to wait til I’m compre-free. To my body, who had to sleep a little. To my brain, who almost had an internal hemorrhage, who had an info-overload moment.

This sounds like a thank you message written inside a thesis paper.  I wish I’m on that stage, but I know I still have to wait and I’m willing to do it.  For now, I’m back to regular programming.

Thank you Unilever

Despite the weather being crazy for the past two weeks, some good news came to my inbox:

Hi! I just stumbled upon this old post. I am ___________ from Surf. Do email me your address. On behalf of Surf fabcon, we'd like to thank you for your support through a giftpack! :) Looking forward to your response. Thanks!

Exactly a week after, my daughter woke me up from my afternoon siesta for a special surprise. The Unilever messenger guy is at our gate with my gift pack.  Weee! I just signed some delivery documents - delivery receipt and trip ticket -- and the package was all mine :)

Four colorful bottles of Surf Fabric Conditioner made photo-op possible. And to add to the giddiness, a sudden burst of rainbow scent filled the air when I opened the pack.  Scents included are:

1. Aromatherapy Purifying

2. Aromatherapy Relaxing
3. Aromatherapy Energizing
4. 5 in 1 Freshness Spring Breeze

Can't wait to try them out on my next laundry day.  What do you think should I try first?

#childhoodmemories

TWITTER: I used to do this when I was a kid.

Champorado + powder milk = imagination.

Kunwari volcano :) #rainyweatherfood #childhoodmemories

I previously made a post on White King Champorado mix, and how Sofi enjoyed it.  Last Saturday, we passed by the champorado mix stall again, and Sofi said she wanted one.  The cold weather bug must have gotten into her.  This afternoon since classes were suspended (again!) we included in our itinerary cooking Champorado.  This time we added Bear Brand Powder milk.  Yep! suddenly the memory of my childhood days came back.  I remember waiting for mama's champorado on a rainy weather.  Sometimes it's evaporated milk but the powdered milk activates my creative imagination more.  I pretend it's a volcano.  I dig a hole in my bowl then dump two spoonfuls of powdered milk.  I hate it when the powder gets eaten by the chocolate porridge.  It means daydreaming should stop and eating time should begin.  So I eat it as fast as I can so I can ask for another bowl of Champorado and start making a new volcano.  Ahh! childhood memories.

At first Sofi didn't like seeing the powder milk.  She mixed the champorado as soon as she got her bowl.  At my second bowl,

Sofi : Mommy, can I taste your milk?

Mommy: why don't you try eating the powdered milk with Champorado.  -- She obliged, then she smiled. -- 

Mommy: Do you want to trade bowls? 

Sofi : YES!

Champorado

Is this my favorite?

Because Sofi is such a picky eater, anything new to her should answer YES to the above question. I remember giving her champorado when she was small but I don't remember her asking for more. She'd eat a few spoonfuls, and then that's it. Yesterday, we happen to chance upon a free taste champorado in SM Hypermarket. She insisted that we go and get one. At first I told her to wait while I get some stuff but she was really nagging me to get her. When I finally got one (it was hot!) she was asking me to go back and get the product already. I was surprised because she hasn't even tasted it yet she was already telling me to buy it. Wen she finished her champorado, I went back to the stand and got her request plus another cup of free taste. She was even telling me to cook it as soon as we get home. Of course I did not. She had it for merienda though. Product: White King Champ-O-Rado Content: 2 packs of 113g uncooked champorado Verdict: of course, it's not Nanay's champorado but if you want instant champorado without buying malagkit, then this will do.

hiling

Lord, kakasimula pa lang po ng panibagong school year, at sasabihin ko po sa inyo na marami akong hiling.  Kung tutuusin dapat nung bakasyon ko pa 'to sinabi sa inyo pero may mga bagay po akong mas piniling unahin.  Hindi ko na rin po nagawang banggitin sa inyo kahapon na unang araw ng pasukan kasi po hindi kinaya ng aking katawan ang init ng panahon at apat na meetings.

Lumipas na rin po ang ikalawang araw ko sa posisyon, salamat at buhay po ako matapos ang buong araw na meeting.  Ilang araw ko na rin pong sinisilip ang kalendaryo ng Mayo at Hunyo, wala pong bakanteng kahon, ibig sabihin hindi pa ito ang huling araw na may ganitong pagpupulong.  Bago ko pa man malimutan ang punto ng aking liham ay ipapaalala ko sa inyo ang mga hiling ko.

1. bukas po aalis na ang kapatid ko, sa Sabado naman po aalis na si Kuya at ang mga anak nya.  Maiiwan na naman po si Sofia na mag-isa sa bahay,  walang kalaro at aaasang pag-uwi ko may enerhiya pa akong natitira upang makipaglaro sa kanya.  Lord, alam kong alam mo na ang kasunod nito pero sasabihin ko na rin po.  Sana po magkaroon na ng kapatid si Sofia.  Alam ko pong mas marami pa pong ina na naghihintay na magkaroon ng kani-kanilang prinsipe at prinsesa.  Kung tutuusin marami rin po akong kaibigan na naghihintay ng sarili nilang mga anak.  Kaya po kasama ng panalangin ko, hinihiling ko rin po na magka-anak si Madel, Weng, Ann at Karen.  Si Ghe rin po humihiling din ng isa pa, pwede rin po bang isama nyo rin sya sa listahan nyo?
2. Lord, unang taon ko sa posisyon.  Nangangapa po ako, hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang maaari kong ma-i-contribute sa departamento at sa komunidad ko, pero susubukan ko po ang lahat ng makakaya ko.  Gabayan nyo po ako na magawa ko ang mga trabaho ko at maging kapakipakinabang na myembro ng komunidad.  Isinasama ko na rin po sa mga panalangin ko na maalala ako ng mga boss ko na gabayan ako sa misyon na ito.
3. sana po umayos na rin po ang pakiramdam ko.  marami po akong mga sakit-sakit na nararamdaman pero isinasantabi ko lang, sana mahanapan ko ng panahon na ikonsulta sa doktor.  Kung may gamot rin po sa katamaran sana po maibigay nyo rin po sa akin.
4. Lord, hinihiling ko rin po na sana matupad na ang pangarap ko na magkaroon ng sariling bahay.    Isang bahay kung saan ako, si Jaime at Sofia ang nakatira.  Ang magawa namin ang mga bagay na ginagawa ng mga normal na pamilya.
5. At sana po, mahanap ko na ang tunay na bagay na magpapaligaya sa akin.  Alam ko po na malabo po itong huling kahilingan ko, ngunit sa akin rin po ay malabo pa ang mga ito.  Siguro po unang hakbang pa lang na malaman ko kung ano ang gusto ko, pangalawa na ang magawa ko sila pagkatapos kong malaman kung anu-ano ito.

Pasensya na po sa abala.  Alam kong napakarami nito pero hindi naman po ako nagmamadali, kahit isa-isa po. O kung nais nyo po na isang bagsakan  lang, sino po ako para tumanggi.  basta po maghihintay ako. Lord, salamat po.

Swimming Lessons

For a family who loves to go to the beach, it's funny that none of us knew how to swim.  That's why I decided to enroll Sofi in Bert Lozada's Swim School.  I was planning to enroll her in Xavier but opted for the one in D' Ace Plaza in Kapitolyo.  Based on the description, she will fall under the Snapper 1 level, but her ID card says S2 (snapper 2?)

SNAPPER 1 (Age: 4 years old and above)
For children who are afraid of the water or little or no swimming experience.

SNAPPER 2 (Age: 4 to 6 years old)   
For children ready to work without the parent or caregiver and are developing 10m Survival Swim and 10m Dog Paddle.

It costs P5,000 (+ 250 for the ID, etc) for 10 sessions.  Now, we're on Day 3, I noticed that Sofi can "float" longer in the water while Teacher Tina assists her.  She still holds on to Teacher but she doesn't clasp as much as it was on Day 1. She cried during Day 1, didn't cry a bit in Day 2 then cried again today.   I just hope she becomes more confident in the next days.