This happened on Maundy Thursday. Thank you, Tito Herbert, Tita Daren, Denver, and JM, for a super fun afternoon at the Wakepark and our swimming pool clubhouse! :)
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Summer is Here!
.. and what better way to welcome it than with swimming playdate with little dude's friends?
New Work
Towards the end of 2012, I mentioned that I was going to try something new. What is it, you ask? I moved to a new "second home". It's still in the line of HR, in the beauty industry (more high end!), but this time not in manufacturing but rather, in distribution.
It was very difficult for me to leave because I love the people I used to work with. They are a lot of fun and I have truly learned a lot from them. That's where I first had a taste of this profession which I truly have the passion for. It's with that company for women that I have experienced how to sincerely serve, to be fair, to manage events, to coach and train and motivate... there's just so much I learned! I must make a separate post on this one of these days.
If you're wondering why the move, well let's just say I let God fully take over my career and the opportunity's timing couldn't be better. It came when I was at the peak of some doubts. It took me a few sleepless nights to decide as I was already in my comfort zone (six years in my previous company wasn't a short period) and the work location does not agree with how I would've wanted it (it's in Manila, about 90km away from my little dude!) but I prayed hard for God to guide me and well, this is where He took me.
Although I'm still trying to get the hang of my new environment, there are a couple of things that I've been liking since I moved:
1. Access to events I've always wanted to go to but was constrained to do so because I was based far south and I did not have connections.
2. Convenience of city living made quick trips to the grocery, bookstores, salons, banks, etc. easy peasy. Everything is about a 5-minute walking distance to my office. There's a BPI just on the ground floor of our building, S&R is just a few blocks away, and High Street is within a stone's throw away. Heck, if I didn't have anything to wear for an event a day before I needed it, I could just cross the street to Mango or Cotton on and I'm good! Now, the tricky part is how to control shopping urges. Hihi.
3. Also because of number 2, impromptu meet-ups with old friends is more likely. Because almost all my friends live or work within the area, having lunch with them just needed a text and a quick check at my meeting calendar.
4. The pressure to be pretty. For the past decade, I've been ignoring my appearance and my old kikay self took a backseat. Having been exposed to the manufacturing environment where the no makeup look is a norm, I have forgotten how to blush my cheeks or put on a little color to my lips. Add to that, my fashion sense needed attention since my wardrobe was predominantly jeans, polo shirts, or shirt jackets. With my new job, however, everyone is really conscious of their get-up and coming into the office that seemed like a model's runway everyday, naturally, I have to cope! I am proud to say that I've been buying a lot of dresses, blouses, and high heels lately. I also have a one-on-one basic make-up application refresher course lined up. Hahaha!
5. The most important change that I am enjoying now is precious time with Jax. Because we now carpool, we have at least two hours each day (one hour each going to and from work) to talk about our schedules, aligning our plans for the future, how to discipline our little dude, growing our finances, etc. I love how we have created another communication venue for us that allows us to bond and (believe it or not) get to know each other even more. During the first weeks, I felt like I was a new girlfriend again being picked up from the office by my boyfriend!
Like I said, this is all taking a bit of getting used to, but aside from the challenge of having to force hubster to pick me up by 6pm so we can come home to Marcus in time for dinner, I think I'm pretty much fine.
It was very difficult for me to leave because I love the people I used to work with. They are a lot of fun and I have truly learned a lot from them. That's where I first had a taste of this profession which I truly have the passion for. It's with that company for women that I have experienced how to sincerely serve, to be fair, to manage events, to coach and train and motivate... there's just so much I learned! I must make a separate post on this one of these days.
If you're wondering why the move, well let's just say I let God fully take over my career and the opportunity's timing couldn't be better. It came when I was at the peak of some doubts. It took me a few sleepless nights to decide as I was already in my comfort zone (six years in my previous company wasn't a short period) and the work location does not agree with how I would've wanted it (it's in Manila, about 90km away from my little dude!) but I prayed hard for God to guide me and well, this is where He took me.
Although I'm still trying to get the hang of my new environment, there are a couple of things that I've been liking since I moved:
1. Access to events I've always wanted to go to but was constrained to do so because I was based far south and I did not have connections.
 |
| ManilaFAME! I used to only read this from blogs! |
 |
| Posh product launches |
2. Convenience of city living made quick trips to the grocery, bookstores, salons, banks, etc. easy peasy. Everything is about a 5-minute walking distance to my office. There's a BPI just on the ground floor of our building, S&R is just a few blocks away, and High Street is within a stone's throw away. Heck, if I didn't have anything to wear for an event a day before I needed it, I could just cross the street to Mango or Cotton on and I'm good! Now, the tricky part is how to control shopping urges. Hihi.
 |
| Got to experience the great S&R sale for the first time! |
3. Also because of number 2, impromptu meet-ups with old friends is more likely. Because almost all my friends live or work within the area, having lunch with them just needed a text and a quick check at my meeting calendar.
 |
| With college buddy, Omar, at Kitchen's Best |
 |
| IE friends, Lei and Pao, at Slice |
4. The pressure to be pretty. For the past decade, I've been ignoring my appearance and my old kikay self took a backseat. Having been exposed to the manufacturing environment where the no makeup look is a norm, I have forgotten how to blush my cheeks or put on a little color to my lips. Add to that, my fashion sense needed attention since my wardrobe was predominantly jeans, polo shirts, or shirt jackets. With my new job, however, everyone is really conscious of their get-up and coming into the office that seemed like a model's runway everyday, naturally, I have to cope! I am proud to say that I've been buying a lot of dresses, blouses, and high heels lately. I also have a one-on-one basic make-up application refresher course lined up. Hahaha!
 |
| Sample peg. HMU c/o my lovely officemates. |
5. The most important change that I am enjoying now is precious time with Jax. Because we now carpool, we have at least two hours each day (one hour each going to and from work) to talk about our schedules, aligning our plans for the future, how to discipline our little dude, growing our finances, etc. I love how we have created another communication venue for us that allows us to bond and (believe it or not) get to know each other even more. During the first weeks, I felt like I was a new girlfriend again being picked up from the office by my boyfriend!
Like I said, this is all taking a bit of getting used to, but aside from the challenge of having to force hubster to pick me up by 6pm so we can come home to Marcus in time for dinner, I think I'm pretty much fine.
Little Dude's Third
It's been three months since we celebrated little dude's 3rd birthday. Oh yes, this is another super late post! Grrrr! But never late than never, right?
This is what Marcus woke up to on the day of his birthday:
I would've wanted to fill our entire room with balloons; however, we didn't have time to order the ones with helium plus I wasn't sure we'd be able to hide it until the eve of his birthday. Marcus enjoyed it nevertheless. He kept on saying, "Ma, ba-yooon!" when he saw them. :)
For his birthday, we (all three of us plus yaya) just had lunch and went to Timezone at ATC.
As I've mentioned before, the little dude is so addicted to bowling. Can you guess then what the theme of his school party was? ;)
The Monday after his birthday (which fell on a Sunday), we had a simple celebration at his school. I intend to throw small parties for him every other year until he's seven (that means odd-numbered ages) when hopefully we could have a bigger "all-out" party for him. This is what we wore that day - matching shirts with the bowling design in front and each one's "role" printed at the back. I blogged a preview of our uniform here.
I made an effort to decorate the school's play area with round buntings and balloons.
Aside from little dude's classmates, Momsy, Papsy, Tita Ems, and Rafa were also there to celebrate with us. :)
At the end of the mini-party, I was so tired that hubby said next time we have a birthday celebration for Marcus, we should just go to McDo or Jollibee. However, I'd still much rather want a themed party like this because (1) I want it to be as personalized as possible, representing what little dude's current favorite is, and (2) I'm a budget-conscious party planner at heart.
On his fourth birthday, I hope my little dude reaches the height requirement of most attractions in Disneyland HK so we can celebrate there. Next party will be on his 5th! :)
This is what Marcus woke up to on the day of his birthday:
For his birthday, we (all three of us plus yaya) just had lunch and went to Timezone at ATC.
As I've mentioned before, the little dude is so addicted to bowling. Can you guess then what the theme of his school party was? ;)
The Monday after his birthday (which fell on a Sunday), we had a simple celebration at his school. I intend to throw small parties for him every other year until he's seven (that means odd-numbered ages) when hopefully we could have a bigger "all-out" party for him. This is what we wore that day - matching shirts with the bowling design in front and each one's "role" printed at the back. I blogged a preview of our uniform here.
I made an effort to decorate the school's play area with round buntings and balloons.
I know, execution could be improved. But hey, to my defense, everything was DIY so I did not have time to supervise yaya and hubster when they put this up. Haha! I was touched though that Marcus' teachers prepared a signage too:
Although we're having a simple celebration, I still got a themed cake. How else can we sing a birthday song and have candle blowing without it anyway?! I got this from Iko's for a very affordable price. I really wasn't expecting much from them but I was pretty happy with the output. I just dropped by their branch at Festival mall a week before the party and told them about the theme and voila! I also ordered cupcakes in different colored marshmallow icings, the taste of which I loved, by the way. If I'm not mistaken, I think I only spent about P800 for everything.
 |
| Toppers DIY-ed by me! |
I also made sort of a dessert buffet table with candies and popcorn from Chef Tony's. It makes an instant festive touch for small parties like this.
Shortly after we did the set-up, the little ones fell in line and went outside the classroom to the play area where we were having the celebration.
Like I said, everything was DIY - even hosting! I initially wanted to get a magician or character host but decided against it a few weeks before because I felt it wasn't practical since it's not a big party anyway. Therefore, I just researched for bowling-themed games and played game master myself!
One thing I learned from that experience is that it's so difficult to control kids! Naloka ako, promise!!! I prepared lots of games but ended up just doing two because I was already getting crazy by the end of the second game! The teachers helped out on picking out who were going to join but they couldn't do much with the execution since there wasn't enough time for me to brief them.
For the snacks, I had the caterer from Marcus' first birthday to deliver packed spaghetti, chicken lollipops, and juice. She did just that (deliciously, if I may add) and also brought treats for the kids. I love her! The kids and adults all enjoyed the food.
We also gave out prizes for the games and lootbags for the kiddos but I forgot to take pictures. I just made gift bags from yellow construction paper, filled it with candies and small toys, and sealed it with a sticker which I just photoshopped to fit the theme. Oooh here are some of the stuff I had printed:
Aside from little dude's classmates, Momsy, Papsy, Tita Ems, and Rafa were also there to celebrate with us. :)
At the end of the mini-party, I was so tired that hubby said next time we have a birthday celebration for Marcus, we should just go to McDo or Jollibee. However, I'd still much rather want a themed party like this because (1) I want it to be as personalized as possible, representing what little dude's current favorite is, and (2) I'm a budget-conscious party planner at heart.
On his fourth birthday, I hope my little dude reaches the height requirement of most attractions in Disneyland HK so we can celebrate there. Next party will be on his 5th! :)
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Version 2.0
A conversation one night while little dude was sleeping...
Jax (while watching his son sleep): Kamukha ko talaga anak ko, no?
Me (rolling eyes): Unfortunately! Sana wag sa ugali.
Jax: No. He's going to be a better version of me.
Don't get me wrong. My husband is not an evil person. He has a good heart, really, it's just that he is not very good at expressing it.
So anyway, I'm just glad he acknowledges the influence I make in raising our son. I'm sure Marcus will grow up to be a very fine man because he has a great mom (ehem) and a much greater God. :)
Jax (while watching his son sleep): Kamukha ko talaga anak ko, no?
Me (rolling eyes): Unfortunately! Sana wag sa ugali.
Jax: No. He's going to be a better version of me.
Don't get me wrong. My husband is not an evil person. He has a good heart, really, it's just that he is not very good at expressing it.
So anyway, I'm just glad he acknowledges the influence I make in raising our son. I'm sure Marcus will grow up to be a very fine man because he has a great mom (ehem) and a much greater God. :)
Monday, March 4, 2013
Question of Readiness (Just Blabbing)
Lately, I've been starting to fancy another mom blog, From Stilletos to Ballet Flats and it made me reflect on how ready I am (or will ever be) for another baby. I have another friend who I just learned is also pregnant and somehow the thought of little dude being bigger kuya dude is making me wonder.
No, I don't think I am ready now - physically because I am still enjoying my sexy body (Haha! I have only lost all my preggy weight now so pagbigyan nyo na ko!) and financially (I think this is hubby's major concern). But more importantly, I feel like I am not yet ready to "share" the love I have for Marcus with another baby. At least not now, that is.
I know when we have another one it doesn't mean that the love will have to be split between them but rather there will be so much more. However, I have this theory that no matter how parents say they love all their kids equally, there will still be that slight preference, kahit 0.00001%. And that's what's making me a little sad. Or maybe the more appropriate word is scared? That I won't be able to divide my affection & attention equally and then end up being a "bad" mom to the other kid(s)' eyes? Oooooh the fact that I am thinking about all these things just goes to show how not ready I am! And the last thing I want is for in the future (possibly) a growing baby in my tummy to feel unwanted.
So am I ever gonna have baby # 2? Well, it really depends on God's plan. If it were only up to me though, I wouldn't want to give birth anymore by the time I'm 35, which is only three years from now. Bahala na si Lord to plant love and readiness in my heart when the time comes if ever. For now, I am really just enjoying being with my little dude. :)
PS And who am I to even think of having another baby when I'm sure the hubby just shudders at the thought? Hahaha!
No, I don't think I am ready now - physically because I am still enjoying my sexy body (Haha! I have only lost all my preggy weight now so pagbigyan nyo na ko!) and financially (I think this is hubby's major concern). But more importantly, I feel like I am not yet ready to "share" the love I have for Marcus with another baby. At least not now, that is.
I know when we have another one it doesn't mean that the love will have to be split between them but rather there will be so much more. However, I have this theory that no matter how parents say they love all their kids equally, there will still be that slight preference, kahit 0.00001%. And that's what's making me a little sad. Or maybe the more appropriate word is scared? That I won't be able to divide my affection & attention equally and then end up being a "bad" mom to the other kid(s)' eyes? Oooooh the fact that I am thinking about all these things just goes to show how not ready I am! And the last thing I want is for in the future (possibly) a growing baby in my tummy to feel unwanted.
So am I ever gonna have baby # 2? Well, it really depends on God's plan. If it were only up to me though, I wouldn't want to give birth anymore by the time I'm 35, which is only three years from now. Bahala na si Lord to plant love and readiness in my heart when the time comes if ever. For now, I am really just enjoying being with my little dude. :)
PS And who am I to even think of having another baby when I'm sure the hubby just shudders at the thought? Hahaha!
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Grocery-ing with My Boy
One of the things I look forward to on weekends is grocery shopping. More than my obsession with aisles upon aisles of household items (I swear I could spend a half day just browsing through the food and toiletries section!), it has also become my favorite bonding activity with the little dude. I love how I am able to "control" (read: tantrum-free) him while he acts as my little gentleman. We would communicate with each other over what to buy or where to go first. He even pushes the cart for me and helps me unload the items from the cart to the cashier!
Baby, I hope you'd still want to spend Saturday mornings with me at the grocery even when you're much older.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)