Top 10 in 2010

Pastor Mark made VCF Metroeast's Top 10 in 2010 last Sunday, naisip ko good idea sha to look back and thank God for the year that was. Kaso parang kulang ang 10 eh. Hehe. Pero sige, I'll pick the top 10 lang talaga, the highlights of the year and what I'm most thankful for.

10. Working at Avon. I've been here for a year and a half, and it already feels like home to me. Blessing sa kin tong work na to, because I learned a lot, I gained new friends, and met all kinds of bosses. Nakakaaliw lang. Although I've already decided to resign once I reach my 8th month, I know I'm gonna miss Avon peeps big time. Hay.

9. Travel. Every year for the past 4 years I've made it a point to go to new places that I've never been to before. This year I got to travel to Bondoc Peninsula, Bacolod, CDO, Camiguin, Iligan, Bukidnon for the first time. But the highlight was definitely CDO where we went white-water rafting. At first I thought di ko kayang gawin yon because of my fear of drowning, pero like surfing, I immediately took to it at gusto kong ulit-ulitin pa sana. Kakaibang rush! :)

8.  I quit my 'happiness'.  Hihi. Hirap gawin nito, pero it just happened. As in. When I was struggling to quit it, hirap na hirap ako. But when I totally forgot that I wanted to stop na, that's when it happened. I guess my body knew I was preparing for something 'big' kaya sha na ang kusang umayaw :)

7.  Volunteer work at VCF. Kahit ilang beses ko lang nagawa, happy pa rin ako I was given the chance to serve. Hopefully, mas marami pang opportunities na darating. It's always a joy to give back and to be of help, maliit man o malaking gawain, when done for God  never fails to give a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.

6. Renewed and strengthened friendships. This is something I always am grateful for, that every year I get to know who my real friends are, I get to reveal my true self to them, and still they stick with me. Sweet :) Kaya thank you, thank you, Angels, multiply friends, my childhood and Marikina friends, even friends I only met online but feel like so much a part of my life na. Without you all, hindi makulay ang buhay. Para kayong sinabawang gulay. :p

5. Living with Sal and family was another highlight of my year. Thanks to them, I experienced many home-cooked meals care of Mader, the joy of having a bebe at home - si Gabgab, at maraming veranda moments. Hehe. I will never forget those moments sa veranda where we cried, laughed, at nag-moment nang todo todo! Hahaha! Amishuuuu Sal and family! I will forever be grateful to all of you sa pag-ampon niyo sa akin :)

4. A new home. It's only been a few months pero it already feels like home to me, where we are right now. I am enjoying this new life, learning to cook, fend for ourselves, keep the house clean, doing the laundry, etc. I may be alone at home most of the time I'm there, but I guess that's what keeps me going too. I need those alone times when I can recharge, be quiet and just meditate on the latest events of my life. Shempre I enjoy it better when Monmon's home, at least may relyebo sa pagluluto haha! :D

3. My Family. Kahit kulang-kulang na kami, I never feel a lack of love in my family. Though we're not the expressive kind, I just know that we're gonna stick with each other through whatever. They've always been an encouragement to me kahit wala silang gawin, and I love my pamangkins to death. I just know they'll love the youngest member when he's here na :)

2. Close tie for number 2:

Monmon. Hanggang ngayon nagtatanungan pa rin kami nito ng mga paano, bakit, kailan... hahaha. Medyo mabilis ang mga pangyayari I know, pero still I know everthing was according to plan and I am grateful for him. Blessing talaga sha, I couldn't ask for a better man. Better half ko talaga sha :) (yiheeee, kilig yan! :D :D )

and Moymoy. My baby Yohann, kahit na di ko pa sha nakikita face to face at nahahawakan, is already a bundle of blessing and joy :) Just his kicks are enough to make me smile especially on days when I'm too tired or feeling the pains of pregnancy. Parang alam niya when I need cheering up, he would move and move and respond to my voice. Nakakatuwa. I can't wait to hold him though and feel how it's like to have my own bebe right in my arms :)

1.God's faithfulness and love. Every year, He never fails even when I have been unfaithful at times... hands-down, Siya ang best highlight ng 2010 ko. :)

Happy 2011 everyone! Let's celebrate the year with a big offering of thanksgiving and praise, alright? Alright!!!

wanna be blessed?

I was on the way to work this morning, aboard the shuttle, watching the tangled mess of vehicles that's causing the early morning traffic. Imagine at 6:15 am the roads were already congested and cars and vans and jeeps and other motorists were fighting over road space like madmen.

It's a rare occurrence that you'll see a vehicle stop and give way to another overtaking (or sumisingit) vehicle. The rules of the road are, to them, if you see an opening keep going, never stop till you get ahead of them all.

It was while I was looking at that scene of vehicular madness that this small voice whispered to me: when you are presented with the chance to give, you are also given the opportunity to be blessed. 

It may be easy for us to give when times are great, when funds are aplenty, and when things are all going fine and dandy.

But how about when times are hard, the going gets tough, and the funds are dwindling? 

Pano pag traffic na at nagkakaipitan na lahat? Magpaparaya ka pa rin ba?

Pano pag nagmamadali ka na at may sumisingit na sa harap mo? Magpapauna ka pa rin ba?

Pano pag gipit ka na tapos may lumapit na mas gipit pa sayo? Tutulong ka pa rin ba?

That is the acid test.

I believe it is during those moments when it's hardest to give or give way that greater rewards await us. 

Sometimes the rewards are what we expect - financial blessing, material things, etc. But oftentimes they are more than that - not just what we want, but more importantly what we need - healing for when we are sick, encouragement for when we are weak, peace in the midst of conflict, protection from harm and danger, wisdom in difficult situations, a hug when we feel down, surprise gifts and many, many more. Matalino naman kasi si Lord, He knows just what we need at the right time and under the right circumstances. And the best part is, even if we give without expecting for anything in return, it will still be given back to us, in greater measure and greater intensity. Ganun ka-amazing ang ways ni Lord :)

misis diaries 2

I don't really have much kwento, but I think I need to write something so that my multiply won't fade into oblivion :p

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Just like ateng judy, all's quiet in the homestead, medyo walang happenings ang buhay lately but that doesn't mean it's not exciting. Everyday still excites me, especially when I feel the little kicks in my tummy, exciting na sakin yon. Lol. 

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Bebe's been getting more and more active by the day...for the first time last Sunday Mon felt the sidekicks :p. We were in church and listening to the preaching when I pulled his arm and placed his hand on my tummy. Sumisirko ang Momay. Naririnig niya ata ang sounds sa church at nagre-react sha. Natuwa naman ang daddy at nakaramdam na din sha ng sipa, convinced na sha na tao nga ang laman ng chan ko at hindi katakawan ko lang.

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Sa shuttle, natatawa ako whenever I get curious looks from my seatmates. Kasi naman siksikan lagi ang upo namin, at di maiwasan na madikit nila ang mga braso nila sa malaki kong chan. Sometimes when bebe gets uncomfortable during a ride, she squirms around and kicks a lot. Imagine the look on my seatmates' faces kapag nakatanggap sila ng sipa galing sa chan ko. :p

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Sa bahay naman, I've gotten into this routine of getting off from work at 5 pm to catch the first shuttle at Paseo Center, then drop by the NGI market and head home to cook dinner. Routine na yon. I just drop my bag on the table at derecho saing na ko. Kinda hard lang to think of what to cook for dinner, kaya mga 4:30 or pag wala na mashadong ginagawa sa office I seach for easy to prepare dishes hehehe. Some days I really feel sooo tired I don't have the energy to cook. Good thing naman Mon gladly takes over and whips up his magic sa kusina :p Sometimes I think he cooks better than me, pero shempre di ko aaminin sa kanya yon. Hahaha.

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My legs and hands are getting so manas I sometimes find it hard to walk or hold things for a long time. Lalo na pag nasisiksik sa shuttle, namamanhid ang legs ko and all I want to do is lile down and rest. Hay. Oftentimes tinatamad na akong pumasok because of this, like yesterday, I almost freaked out when I couldn't feel my right hand even after shaking it for maybe 5 minutes. We had to massage it para bumalik ang circulation. Pero even then, madali pa rin shang mangalay at mamanhid.

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>Since I didn't go to work na rin, we had our dapat monthly check-up yesterday. Two months akong di nakadalaw sa OB, bakit nga ba? Ah, nung October busy sa wedding, last month naman alanganin sa sched and busy sa paglilipat. So when the OB's assistant weighed me prior to the check-up, natawa sha at from 115 lbs eh 126 lbs na ko. Wah! Ang takaw kasi ni Momay! Hehe. Pero in fairness I think ok pa naman ang weight gain ko, hindi pa naman sobrang lumalaki ang mga limbs ko at chan ko talaga ang pinupuntahan ng excess weight. Anyway. I complained to the OB about my pamamanas, and she gave me some vitamins. I was told din to undergo the routine tests - CBC, RH testing and urinalysis to make sure all is well with my body. Medyo ninenerbiyos na naman ako sa CBC at RH na yan, hay! Last time na ni-prick ang daliri ko muntik ko nang mabuntal ang nurse eh. Sana konti lang kukunin at hindi isang vial =(

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The OB told me to have my pelvic ultrasound na rin! Weeee! Finally we get to know if bebe's a Momay or Moymoy na. Maybe on Thursday we'll go to the lab na and have the ultrasound. Excited na ko malaman. Sana girl, Lord. Pero kung boy naman, love ko pa rin si bebe. Gagawa na lang ulit kami ng girl. Hahahaha.

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I really need to shop for clothes na. I have a hard time every morning choosing what to wear. Isang pair of pants na lang kasya sa kin. Some of my loose tops then ay fitting na sa chan ko. Uncomfortable naman akong magsuot ng blouses na korteng-korte ang chan ko. I want them loose-fitting tops that will just skim over my tummy. Hay. When naman kaya ako makakabili? I need to do this soon.

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Our only Christmas decor at home is the 10-piece capiz balls I bought from a former officemate who's now in Avon San Fernando. Nung Wednesday ko lang sha naiuwi, at hanggang ngayon nakalatag pa rin sila sa sala :p Mon's been trying to figure out how to hang them from the ceiliing, kasi naman semento ang kisame :p Akala ko din nung binili ko yon eh hiwa-hiwalay sha para pwedeng isang ball i-hang ko sa corner ng kwarto to make it look like a hanging lamp, then fix a set of three sa corner ng living room para cute, kaso ayon nga, dikit-dikit sila at mukang chandelier pag nilagay lahat sa sala. Wahaha.

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I still haven't found a work-from-home job. I made an account sa Odesk pero wala pa kong ina-apply-an. I really should be working on this na, lalo na't madalas na kong tamarin at mahirapan mag-commute to and from Makati. Baka naman may alam kayo, heads up naman jan :)

these mommy moments

Yesterday was a quiet day for me.. it was my day off from work, and I had planned to do some chores  and experiment on cooking again. Kaso, I had been suffering from colds since Tuesday and I didn’t feel too well. Monmon arrived from work around 7 am and found me still sleeping. He slept and I felt too tired to get up, so I decided to sleep some more. I woke up around 11 na, went down to grab something to eat (inuudyok na ko ng bebi sa chan ko na kumain). Normally, I eat rice for breakfast, especially when it’s my rest day and there’s food ready to eat or cook. Yesterday though, I only ate a piece of bread and drank mango juice. I felt so bad I didn’t want to eat much. I turned on the tv and laptop and sat on the rug, contemplating on what to do first – do the laundry or go to market. Since I didn’t have the energy for any of them, I just decided I’ll read some stuff on the net. I went to my devotional site and read some articles. When I started my daily talk with God, I held my tummy and talked to the little one and said our prayers. I first said sorry I didn’t have the energy to eat. I proceeded with my usual thanksgiving and then I felt the tears starting to come. They weren’t tears of joy or sorrow, they were tears of awe. I felt so overwhelmed that I was carrying life inside of me; and remembered how all my life I’ve wanted a baby of my own and finally, in a few months that wish would become a reality. Nakaka-overwhelm lang. 

And so I just sat there, silently weeping and thanking God for the blessing of a baby. I wept and held my tummy and wished the little one could feel me. I sat like that for maybe two hours, and that’s when Mon came down. He noticed the tiny puddles on the floor and I just said sipon ko yon :p Hahaha. 

My moment with the little one didn’t end there. Since Mon had work at 10 pm, I was left alone again that night. But not before we’ve cooked our first real meal – ginisang munggo and pritong isda – that we’ve been craving for since that morning. Mon went to the market while I slept some more in the afternoon, as I felt too tired to stay up. After cooking and eating dinner, I watched some more and surfed the net some more. When bedtime came, I settled down with a prayer, all the time holding my tummy again, in an effort to include the little one in my communion with God. Imagine my surprise when, all of a sudden I thought I felt something move against my hands. It was a tiny movement, but i felt it all right. I wanted to be sure, so I coaxed the little one to move some more. Sure enough, the movements came in tiny bits – a little push here, a little kick there. Ang cute! I felt so kilig I started to laugh. I messaged Mon on the phone right away. Alam kong maiinggit sha hihi. I lay there for maybe 30 minutes just savoring the moment, feeling the tiny movements in my tummy. I kept talking to the little one and the movements would let me know I was heard.

I had to ask bebe to stop playing and settle down for the night since mommy had work pa early in the morning. We slept a little past midnight, me with a smile on my face and my hands still on my tummy. 

misis diaries

Okay, so I'm at home and scheduled to do some chores:

- do the laundry (which I've been doing bit by bit to avoid stress)

- try cooking something edible (unless sister arrives and does it for me :p)

- clean the house

- dispose of the garbage

So far, I have succeeded in doing the following:

- made babad the clothes for washing

- cooked my breakfast

Yun pa lang ang nagagawa ko at pagod na agad ako. Hehe. So now I'm killing time watching Showtime and surfing on FB and multiply. 

I'm quite content to just stay home and do a little cleaning here and there, and I'm very happy at least that I got the bathroom tiles sparkling white again. Salamat sa tinuro ni Mader I didn't have to tire myself out brushing the grime away. Konting spray lang, malinis na sila :D

The laundry is what I love to do. Everyday I find myself washing something. Kahit na konti lang, I hand-wash them para lang mawala na ang sumpa ng ga-bundok na labada ko. But of course I take care not to do too much or else bebe might react violently at bawal na naman ako kumilos.

Bottomline is, I enjoy being a stay-at-home wife. But I know I still need the income I get from my job, so I'll be patient and wait for the baby to come, and then I'll quit working. For the meantime I'm looking at opportunities to work from home na, and hopefully Odesk will  be the answer to my prayers.

Dear diary, this is all for today. I'll go back to you when I'm having problems with budgeting, okay?

Love,

Mrs. Lagula

Si Kulit

I finally had my trans-V ultrasound this morning, and here's bebe's pic :)

Ang bebeng yan ay mukang kulititis din. When the doc was showing the image to us, bigla shang gumalaw at medyo nag-jump shot. Hihihi. Camwhore din, alam niyang kinukunan sha eh :p Kinilig ako when I saw the baby move, and realized na ang laki ng smile ko medyo nakakapunit na ng pisngi. Haha.

The baby's at 10 weeks na daw, and 40.62 mm na sha. Heartbeat's normal naman. Estimated date of arrival is April 6 (plus or minus 2 weeks).

I'm kinda hoping na sana April 13 sha dumating, coz that's our late Fader's birthday. That way we'll have double the reason to celebrate on that day every year :)

The only thing that bothered me about this check-up was that the doc said I have placenta previa, medyo malapit sa cervix yung attachment ng placenta. Medyo delikado na magkaroon ng bleeding if i'm not careful. So sabi ni doc bawal na muna daw ako mag-gym, mag-weight-lifting, at kung ano-ano pang nakakatagtag na activities. Uhm, sige. Will do. 

Ayun lang, shinare ko lang ang latest development ke bebi. Sayang di namin na-video ang jump-shot niya :)

baby blues

For the first time last Aug. 27, I finally had my prenatal check up. I had to push myself to do it, first because of my fear of hospitals and second because I didn't want a doctor poking me with some instrument. But when I learned the Ob-Gyn I was going to see had a clinic, and that I was not going to be poked with anything alien but will just be asked some questions and given a few instructions, I was finally convinced to go see the doctor. 

It helped that Mon came with me. I wanted him there kasi I wanted him to hear what the doc would say para pag may nalimutan ako, he could remind me. At first it felt really strange to be sitting there in that clinic with the doc asking me questions pertaining to pregnancy. Para kong nag-out-of-body experience for a while. Ako ba to? Gising ba ko? hehe. For the first time in many years, I felt like a little girl again - excited and scared and giddy. We left that clinic with a prenatal booklet that I can't help reading from time to time. 

This early, hindi pa mau-ultrasound ang baby to see a clear image, so we were asked to go back 24th of this month. But I was told to have a trans-V ultrasound, which I still haven't pep-talked myself into, para masigurado kung ilang weeks na ba talaga ako (doc said 8 based on my menstrual cycle, i said no, maybe 5 lang. hehe)

I've heard a lot of stories from friends who have battled morning sickness and all that comes with being pregnant, but nothing prepared me for the actual thing. Everyday I wake up feeling sick. I push myself to go to work, but every night after coming home lagi kong prayer na kung pwede lang Lord, bigyan mo ko ng work that I could do at home coz now I really feel exhausted. Just waiting for public transport for 15 minutes tires me out. Walking, which I used to love, can now kill me I swear. I have a hard time quelling my nausea attacks, specially with my ultra-sensitive sense of smell. Food that people are eating sa kabilang department sa office makes my stomach do somersaults. Monmon's cologne gives me a slight headache (haha, sorry :p). The smell of coffee, would you believe it, makes me want to gag. Pero pag naaamoy ko lang sa iba, not when I'm the one making it. And my emotional intelligence is starting to be affected, too. I'm weepy and whiny and worried too easily, nakakainis. While I tell myself that the physical symptoms I have no control over, I don't want to give in to my emotional woes because I know they can be tamed. Kaso, ang hirap lang. 

I'm trying to trick myself into believing na lang na kunyari hindi ako preggy at wala akong nararamdaman, so i could fool my body into acting normally. But everything around me seems to be conspiring to constantly remind me of my state. Everytime I go to and from work, I see at least 5 pregnant women, in different stages of pregnancy. The latest brochure from Avon boasts of a new line of products that would be coming out soon - the Avon Baby line. At work, my officemates are obsessed with watching videos of babies. And women giving birth. Last night they decided to watch a video of a woman giving birth at home, complete with shrieks and blood and water bag. I almost fainted at hindi ko talaga naiwasan ang maduwal. Though I didn't look at the screen, sobrang laki ng monitors sa area namin that when you're working at your desk your peripheral view is sure to catch a glimpse of what's on the monitor next to you. Plus of course the sounds. I could never escape the sounds. The woman giving birth sounded like gusto na niyang mawalan ng ulirat habang nanganganak sha. Huhuhu. Natakot ako pramis.

Hay. It's a blessing that Monmon can be so patient with me especially when I'm craving for specific food I want to eat, or when I feel so sick that I have no time to talk to him cause I just want to sleep. But anytime now, I think maluluka na rin itong isang ito sa mga kalukahan ko. hehe. I'm just hoping this is just a phase that comes with the first three months, and after that back to some semblance of normalcy na ulit ako. Sana. :)