Home Sweet Home

I thought that after moving from one house to another six times would make me an expert of some sort in the art of moving. But I was wrong... I still fail and it was as always a very stressful move. Due to my procrastination, we weren't finish packing as scheduled. And my preggy situation made it even worst. I couldn't help that much though I tried to lift some heavy stuff but my sneezing and wheezing was such a torture. Hubby was so disappointed with me and the way I handled the move. I could only zip my mouth while he rant and nag about it in my face coz I know I am partly at fault.

We were supposed to move on the 28th...you know the Chinese belief with the number eight but found ourselves not-so-settled on the 29th instead with candles burning since our electricity isn't up yet. For two days and two nights, our life has been electricity-less because MECO was dilly-dallying the connection. The heat and mosquitoes were killing us. Sigh! The house is still in total mess with boxes, knick knacks and hoarded stuff scattered all over the floor. The challenging part which is sorting will have to happen in a few days. Good thing I get a little help from my mama who is in town for a visit. The vacant lot beside the house which is now covered with bushes will be her first project. I hope her green thumb will create some magic on the rocky soil. The kitchen, tiled floors and cabinets will have to wait until our finances become stable. Hubby and I decided to have it on a project basis starting off with working on the tiled floor.

Welcome to our new house... it is still a work in progress so please bear with the mess for now. With just a few touches here and there and a depleting bank savings, it's going to be a home sweet home soon.


Some random pictures below...

The Tedious Task At Hand (yet again...)

If there’s one thing I am NOT excited about moving, it’s the packing and unpacking of our things. It’s one thing that I am not so fond of considering my allergy rhinitis that strikes every time we move out to a new place and the stress that goes with moving. Now, hubby has been bugging me to start packing since our big move is less than 3 weeks from now. But he’s not helping at all and I couldn’t get the help I need. My sisters are busy with school stuff and our helper is serious about quitting by the end of the month. That’s another dilemma I am about to face. I already sought the help of my ever-supportive mama but she told me it’s really difficult to look for helpers nowadays.

For the last two weekends, I’ve only packed two boxes of our stuff mostly old clothes. I wanted to get rid of them but it’ll definitely take time sorting them. I have a huge box already reserved for bundles of joy come Christmas. I haven’t really come up with a list of what to pack first or next. Truth is I’m not really up for it. If only I could move our stuff from our current house to the new abode with just a snap of a finger the way magicians do, I would have done it.

But there’s this distraction that’s been eating my time right now including that of my officemates. The thing is, we've been hooked to Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series. Darn, I just couldn’t put a good book down. After more than a week of being hooked, I am now into the 3rd book and looking forward to the 4th and final series. Sometimes, I am so into the book that I set aside some really important stuff like sorting and packing and even leaving Alex to mess around the house. I’m such a terrible mom and wife!

Anyway, talking about distractions...here they are!!!

Photo Credits: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/

Finally, a Home of our Own

We’ve been renting for more than six years moving from one house and apartment to another five different times. Whenever we settled in a house or apartment, we made no effort in beautifying it or even acquiring furniture except for the bed and the dining table. It’s not always easy packing up your stuff and re-packing it again more so doing it five times the last six years.


Now that we finally decided getting our first house through Pag-ibig, hubby and I are so excited. We’re both excited conceptualizing the interiors and buying the pieces that go with it. We always wanted a minimalist home so it should be organized, no frills, no curves, less clutter, not a lot of stuff and no bold colors. I’m also thrilled on how to make use of the 40 square meters extra lot we have. Aside from using it as a parking space, I’m also thinking of making a pocket garden or a mini-Japanese garden out of it. There are so many ideas and designs to choose from especially that I’ve been browsing through home and gardening magazines and sites. We also get some ideas from home depot and displays in the mall.

This will be our first house. First because we always have what we call our dream house… our dream design and architecture which will be a lot bigger with all the comfort and luxury life can offer. Of course, that will happen when we’re financially stable and able. But for now, our first house in Genesis Subdivision, Mactan is good enough for our little yet growing family. And it is just proper that our subdivision is called Genesis…it will be like the beginning, the start of a dream fulfilled of having a home of our own.

At last, after months of waiting and several follow-ups, our Pag-ibig Housing loan was finally approved. We already paid the move-in fees last week and I’ve been postponing trips to the developer’s office to get our Permit to Occupy (PTO). Being pregnant and all, I tend to be really lazy. If our finances permit, we will start working on some minor construction… tiled floors, cabinets and the sink to be transferred outside. It was such a relief however I’m a bit scared coz the amortization starts next month.

Photo credits: http://www.clipartheaven.com/

Her First Visit to the Dentist

I must admit, I don't own a good set of teeth. And I don't care, though I get concious sometimes. Maybe because I always feared dentists. And I always dreaded those annual dental check-ups in school because dentists always mock me for having terrible teeth.

But I never wanted my daughter to have the same fear that I have. Ever since she grown her milk teeth, I always instill in her to take care of it. She would never miss brushing her teeth every night no matter how sleepy or tired she really is. Now that her milk teeth starts to really fall off, I decided to bring her to the dentist over the weekend. And I was amazed by her bravery... there was no trace of fear upon sitting on the dentist's chair. Even when the dentist was about to pull her tooth, she never cried nor cringed. I was even shocked when she told me that she changed her mind...she now wants to be a dentist instead of nurse.

Atta girl!

Feeling the Pinch

I used to enjoy doing the grocery but lately when all the prices of commodities are soaring high, the grocery is one place I dreaded the most. On my latest trip to the grocery, I only had few items in my grocery bag with a receipt of one thousand pesos plus plus. These are what I got in my bag: a kilo of purefoods hotdog, a small bottle cooking oil, 6 pieces burger patties, 6 pieces burger bun, a bottle of rubbing alcohol (biggest size), a pack of biscuits, a kilo of powdered orange juice, sandwich bags, bottle of 250ml shampoo and a tube of 250ml conditioner. Geezz, I didn’t even get to buy the basic commodity like meat, fish and rice.

My lola would often tell me stories about how things are simple and inexpensive back in her time. She has a lot of things in her possession that are really cheap. Imagine an original painting of a famous artist displayed at her dinning room which costs only 35 cents and her pair of bakya slippers which she still uses until now for only 1 cent. My lola would tell me that their life may be simple back then but they have the abundance of mother nature’s produce.

Gone are the days when almost all household would stack one sack of rice in a month. Gone are the days when a regular household can afford and cook special meals. It’s just horrifying to see almost all prices gone up. Though some can still afford to splurge from time to time, my family would start tightening the belts. In this time of crisis, we can’t afford to waste food, water, electricity, gas and money. With the house amortization to commence really soon, I’m starting to feel the financial pinch. Though I try not to stress about it too much coz there’s really nothing I can do to lower down these prices but I have listed down some strategies that might help in small and big ways.

* Cut on unnecessary purchases on material things like clothes, toys, gadgets etc.

* Instead of eating out at some fancy restos during weekends, prepare meals at home for the family to enjoy.

* This I started doing...instead of buying at the office canteen, pack up lunch and/or snacks to work. It’s good that we have a microwave oven at work.

* Limit use of appliances like television, dvd player, computer, electric iron, electric fan, lights and the fridge (which has to be defrosted every week).

* Yard sale (this will happen prior to the big move)...To clean up the closet and at least have some extra cash for some of my projects in the new house like landscape, new curtains etc.

* Ditch using car and start a trend of riding a bike in going to the office or elsewhere...Why not? We could save on gasoline, minimize pollution and good way to exercise.

I hope the government will also do something about this increase in commodities aside from giving away P500 bucks to less fortunate Filipinos which I think is just a temporary remedy. Why not come up with long term solutions to problems like implement compressed work schedule for some companies and government agencies. This will lessen fuel and electricity consumption.

Well, I'll think of some more creative ideas on how to deal with this pinch and update this list. Feel free to share some...

Big Move Postponed

So the big move will have to happen in August. I would have wanted to move as soon as we get our permit to occupy (PTO) from the developer but hubby insists working on with the house interiors first before we finally move. He doesn’t want to transfer with carpenters around working on the tiles, cabinets or the kitchen. He already asked his architect friend to look at the house and the plan will be complete by this month. We’re actually very excited.

I felt relieved, more of jumping with joy especially that Alex will have to spend two more months in her old school. At least that will solve my dilemma for a while and Alex will have the chance to say goodbye to her close friends in school. Today, we dropped by her school to finally sign her up. To our surprise, we saw the huge banner (more like a little billboard) of their school with her face in it together with two of her friends – Hera and Jazz (partly hidden). I was so proud to see my little girl in the banner… I mean, who wouldn’t? Of all the kids enrolled in their school, only three of them were chosen to be in that ad.

Anyway, I can’t help but let Alex pose in front of the banner/billboard.

That's ME in the center.

The little girl was also proud to see her face in that billboard. But I hope the fame doesn't gets into her head...feeling sikat na gyud ang bata. Haha!

Anyway, we’re now excited to go shopping for her school stuff. Essentially, it’s just her school shoes and some new socks since they will start wearing their uniform on the first day of school. The kids will also be provided with a uniform school bag which is part of the initial fees we paid. I guess there’s no need to buy a new bag for her. But we’ll see…maybe the little girl might ask for a new one when we get to the mall.

Nelly

Meet Nelly.

She is the newest addition to the family. Alex claims that she’s her baby sister.

She sleeps in our bed squeezing her tiny body beside her Ate Alex.

She stays at the backseat of the car on the way to the mall.

She sits at the dinning table during breakfast.

She even tags along during our pre-Mother’s Day night out.

She also gets some cuddles from my sisters.

But no matter how Alex pushes me to love and accept her, I really can’t.

Because to me, Nelly is just a pink rag doll.

She does not interact. She does not move. She just stays in one corner until Alex picks her up to play. She doesn’t say “mommy” and does not respond when you call her name.

Looking at Alex, she seems to be drawn closer to Nelly. Is it really possible to love a lifeless being such as Nelly?

I guess, what’s wonderful about being a child is that you have the capability to love something or someone unconditionally. I’m pretty sure that when the time comes that Alex will become a real big sister; she will be a loving and caring one. I wish that time will come real soon.

Motherhood

I am one of those women who were forced into motherhood unprepared. I was only 23 years old and was climbing my way up the corporate ladder enjoying the single and nonchalant life. Then all of a sudden…boom…the plus sign. The sight of a “positive sign” made me really really scared. Never did I imagine becoming a mother that early. I wasn’t geared up for the responsibility that goes with motherhood. I was chasing my dreams. I’ve got plans to pursue, roads to travel, journeys to embark and motherhood is far from what I really wish for at that time.

Despite the fact that I was already engaged to my then boyfriend, the social stigma that comes with pre-marital pregnancy is inevitable. Some of my older officemates mock me and I couldn’t forget one manager who despised me because of my predicament. She questioned my moral values especially so that I belong to the HR team who ought to be role models to our employees. I don’t even have the nerve to tell my parents that I am pregnant for I know they will hate me too. It was only after my wedding that they learned I was 4 months pregnant. There’s nothing they could do but embrace me and my new family.

However, despite the mockery and shame, I made a decision of being a mother. I went through an uncertain path to motherhood and married life all at the same time with so much faith in God. The good thing about it is that while I was going through that phase, Earl never left me. I know that he too was hesitant in taking the same path as I was but he never hold back. Looking back, I felt that I really made the right choice. If I were to repeat that chapter in my life all over again, I wouldn’t want it any other way. No amount of money or achievement could ever replace the joys of being a mother. Waking up every morning to the soft kisses and tight hugs from your daughter is priceless. Hearing “i love you” out of the blue from your little one is something I wouldn’t trade for the world. And it’s such a blessing to be given this chance to bear and nurture a child of your own coz not all women have the opportunity being a mother.

I cannot say that motherhood will be a painless journey to take. There will always be the sleepless nights, trips to the hospital or doctor, drama and dilemma over boys, some disappointments, little and big sacrifices to make for the sake of your child. But there’s one thing I am sure about…it’s the countless moments of bliss and so much love shared with your child.

So to all mothers, mommies, mamas, nanays, mamsis, mamitas, inays and ermats in the world…

Happy Mother’s Day!!!

Adulthood...Its Perks & Drawbacks

"Remember when you were a kid and your biggest worry was like, if you'd get a bike on your birthday or if you'd eat cookies for breakfast? Being an adult...totally overrated. I mean seriously, don't be fooled by all the hot shoes and great sex and the no parents anywhere telling you what to do. Adulthood is responsibility. Responsibility...it really does suck. Really, really sucks. Adults have to be places and do things and earn a living and pay the rent, and if you're training to be a surgeon, holding a human heart in your hands...Hello, talk about responsibility. Kinda' makes bikes and cookies look really really good, doesn't it? The scariest part about responsibility? When you screw up and let it slip right through your fingers."

~ Dr. Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy ~

Grey's Anatomy's keeping me company of what's left in my too little ME-time. The first time I saw the first few episodes, I got hooked and try to sneak in the disc despite my daughter's clamor for her Dora or Barney or Blues Clues dvd to be played. I'm still catching up on some episodes though but it's now my favorite series. Talk about adulthood....there's been totally a lot of stuff that's on my plate that's eating most of my time. I feel like there are too many things to do yet too little time. I envy my daughter. She has the entire day watching her favorite cartoon shows and movies, drawing and painting, singing and dancing, eating and sleeping and messing up the house without having to worry about stuff most adults fret about --- responsibilities, money, bills, mortgages, utilities, careers and life as an adult. But you see, as we grow older and wiser, we are always faced with bigger responsibilities that are sometimes bigger than us, bigger that what we could have imagined. I always long for the carefree life of a child with nothing on my mind except school, food and play. My daughter asked me this morning, "Mommy, why do you go to work?". It's the first time that she asked me that question so I was bit shock albeit amused. But I answered anyway, "Mommy has to go to work so I could buy your milk and toys, send you to school and that we could eat what we want to eat, go to Timezone every weekend, pay for our new house, decorate your room".

Yeah, I totally agree with Meredith, adulthood really sucks!

And did I ever mention that I envy this kid?

banging the cymbals like a pro

drum lessons with the shirtless instructor...of course, no less than the daddy

the future rock-chick with a messy hair

Move Up Day (Year 2)

Another school year is over for my little girl and next year she’ll be moving up to the next level which is PG – 5. Two more school years and she’ll be in big school already. I can’t wait to see her climb up the academic ladder but a part of me still wants her to be that tiny little tot who is still struggling to master the ABC. Today was her move up day. It was kinda’ late compared to most pre-schools which ended the school year before Holy Week. The move up was just a short ceremony compared to last year where they had a “playlet” if you call it. The PG-6 also had their graduation ceremony while the kids from the lower level received their respective awards. Alex received the “Young Commentator Award”. As described, the Young Commentator never runs out of things to say about people, events and situations. Voluntarily this child always expresses opinions openly.

I think the award given to Alex was well-deserved. Even at home, she has her take on things like the movie she’s watching or what the DJ is saying on the radio and so many “why’s” in the world which I find unusual or maybe it’s NOT unusual with the kind of kids nowadays. I find her growing up too fast. Aside from the physical growth, her mental skills have developed leaps and bounds. I am amazed with her ability to read short words with single vowel and she already knows how to tell the time – not through the digital clock but the regular clock with numbers. She can also do things on her own and can be trusted on some little household chores like sweeping the floor or organizing her toys and dvds or bringing you stuff from the fridge.

Okay, I could go on and on with her many achievements. In a nutshell, she has come a long way as a pre-schooler. Now going back to the move up earlier today, I had a hard time taking pictures as we were not allowed to go near the stage during the entire ceremony. I was a bit upset because Alex prefers to have her picture taken with her friends rather than me. Yeah, call me a jealous and overly-sensitive mom. I have to rush for work so I dropped them off (my sister, the yaya and Alex) to Ayala for a quick bite at McDonalds – a simple treat for the little girl.

Here are a few of the shots I took.

getting ready to receive the award

Young Commentator Awardeeshowing off their awards (Alex, Jazz and Kathleen)saying goodbye for now...Alex with a few of her school buddies

my sister anne with jazz and alex

My Little Indian Girl

Call me a stage mum but what the heck...I'm sure most mothers would agree with me that we can't help being one. Allow me to brag a little about my daughter's performance during their school's annual play last Saturday at STC auditorium. It was one of those short plays cooked up by their school entitled "The Sad King". She played one of the girls from India who performed a dance number to make the king happy. As the story goes, they failed to delight the king but the audience was surely wowed by their performance especially that of my daughter who danced with gusto to the beat of the Indian dance. She also looked pretty in her Indian costume...ahhemm, kudos to me for the hair and makeup. Despite the stir I encountered that afternoon which really scared the hell out of me, I have no choice but to be up and about for my daughter's sake. Hubby also had some other plans that afternoon but I'm glad he was able to make it just in time for our daughter's performance. Our little girl was truly amazing and boy did she received quite an attention or should I say "fans" especially from parents who wanted to take a picture of her with their sons. Oh no!

Below are some photos taken during the play...

Hera seems to have forgotten the steps...looking at Alex for cue

now that's better...together this time

Namaste! (from Hera, Alex and Jazz)

with the stage mum
with the dad who is equally proud

This House

Been eyeing this new subdivision in Consolacion, Cebu. I hope this time, if the budget permits and with a little help from hubby’s dad, we’ll be able to have what we call “our home”. We’ve been renting the last 5 years since we got married and it’s pretty exhausting moving from one house to another. Two years back, we started paying this house in Mactan but decided not to pursue for proximity and financial reasons. It was a hard decision especially that we’re almost halfway in completing the equity dues and the developer just refunded us almost half of what we initially paid for. Earlier today, hubby and I visited the site in Consolacion Valley. The houses look like candy bars from the top view of the valley with different colors and motif each house. The units are ready for occupancy but we just have to pay 30% of the total amount for us to move in. The first time I saw the house in the net, I fell in love with the design and the colors. Seeing and stepping inside the house/s feels like home.

I hope and pray this house is meant for us and that Consolacion Valley will be our little community where my children will grow and build friendships and run around the garden chasing our dog or cats. No more turning back. I mean, I’m ready to give up my whims just for this house. I am willing to eat nothing in the next five years or so just for this house...So help us God.

Our future home and neighborhood... (fingers crossed!)

Messy Study Table

My entry to PMN's December Fam Pics features a very messy study table.

This is my daughter's little nook in the house where she creates wonders --- plays, reads, draws and just mess around. The place has become a source of frustration for me sometimes coz I see a lot of litter (toys, stickers, papers, rubber bands what have you's).

But fact is, this place will always be part of her growing up. And so I just let her mess around and let her do what she ought to do in her study table. Time will come that she will outgrow this little area and I just hope she won't mess around elsewhere.

I hate rats...

Fact is, we adore Mickey Mouse, Jerry (the counterpart of Tom), Stuart Little and lately, Remy of Ratatouille. Yes, they're kinda' cute in their respective toon shows and flicks but in reality, they're not. My daughter would scream with glee every time she sees one of them and I think they fascinate her. But no, not me...they wouldn't even pass for a pet. They're simply disturbing and the sight of them freaks me out. I've seen a couple of them walking past the kitchen sink and cupboards leaving behind rat dung. I've been trying to figure out how to get rid of them. Aside from the risk of getting the dreaded Leptospirosis, I don't think they belong in my household in the first place. So I decided to buy those sticky mouse trap sheets and positioned them underneath the cupboards. At times, we're lucky to have one or two mice trapped in the sticky sheets. I would even put some leftover food as bait but then some of them are kinda' wise they wouldn't dare touch the bait. It's disgusting and I wanted to shoot them if only we have a pellet gun. And their behavior has become nastier too. They started invading our bedrooms and chewing some of our clothes.

Two nights ago, me and hubby chanced upon two mice trying to get out of our trash bins but couldn't. So together we tortured the poor creatures by pouring muriatic acid on them. To make the torture even worse, we set the bin on fire. I know it was so rude of us and we were not that kind to them. We thought, two down, and I don't know how many more to go.

Still relentless on my quest to get rid of these rats, I bought this local brand mouse poison "racumin" to see if it works. Again, these rats seem to be smart coz they're not eating them anymore. How would they know? But if it's effective, I'm sure there could be dead rats behind the nook and cranny of our house. I haven't seen much of them lately...I just wish they're gone forever.

So there...I just hate rats!

Second Home

If there's one place I considered my second home, that would be Pintuyan, Southern Leyte. It's a little fishing and copra town where my lola lives. When I was a kid and teenager, I would often spend my summer vacations there to the delight of my old and widowed lola. Pintuyan has been greatly part of my childhood and teenage life. I've had such fond memories of the place and its people. Apart from being the place where I blossomed into a lady (READ: first menstruation), I experienced a different kind of warmth from the humble people of Pintuyan. I've had quite a few friends there mostly my cousins and distant relatives. The town itself was a refuge to my peaceful heart. The fresh air and the sea breeze, the sound of the waves rushing to the shore, the sound of the crickets at night, the glow of the stars and fireflies, the laidback life I sorely miss. Pardon my nostalgia but I can't help but write a post about that place. A month from now, I'm off to that place again to visit my favorite lola (she's the only one left from both sides)and to celebrate the town's annual fiesta. I'll be traveling together with my sister and daughter (hubby isn't sure yet...depends on his sked). It's been ages since my last visit and my lola hasn't seen yet her great grand apo (my daughter). I'm already very excited that I filed a vacation leave this early.

Definitely, I'll be sharing pictures of my vacation. Promise!

Random Rants...

This is going to be a very long post…


We’ve finally settled in our new home --- though it’s still a total mess at this time. I don’t know but we kinda’ regret moving in the new neighborhood. It’s pretty scary --- we’re just a few meters from Taboan market and Pasil --- home of snatchers, hold-uppers, what-have-you’s. A lot of vehicles are passing by and honking noisily even past midnight without due consideration to people sound asleep. And yeah, I could still hear people talking outside and kids playing even when it’s already dark. We actually live in the “tabing ilog” and I could smell the stench from the river even with my runny nose. It really takes a lot of courage to be in this place. We’re giving it 3 months and off we go for the 6th move out plan.

But the house is more than okay. It’s a 2-storey apartment actually with 3 bedrooms. We have an enormous master’s bedroom with huge closet and a ready provision for aircon. We have a nice kitchen, laundry area, toilet and bathroom. We have a garage of our own. It’s a concrete house with tiled floors. It’s really pretty but I don’t wanna gamble our safety and security here. Besides, I don’t want my kid to grow up in this creepy neighborhood.

Another dilemma…

With all the dust and dirt brought about with our transfer not to mention the stormy weather last week, everybody in the house is down with fever, cough and colds. I, myself, am so allergic to dust and have been sneezing non-stop. Last Sunday, we brought Alex to Chong Hua’s emergency room because her fever’s soaring 38 – 39 degrees. I’m glad she wasn’t confined coz it would be another disruption from work for me and Earl. It’s already the 3rd day of her on-off fever and I have no choice but to bring her again to the hospital tomorrow for some round of laboratory tests. I’m exchanging shift with Herbelle just so I could be with Alex during the day. So, I’m on nightshift in the next two days until Sylvette returns from her leave…may God help me!

More challenges…

I’ve been terribly stressed out by my house helper’s attitude lately. I have always been nice to all my helpers from the day I started employing them but it seems that they weren’t appreciative or they’re simply dumb. And I guess I’m not just lucky with the helpers I’ve had.

The helper that I have right now is the “laziest” helper I’ve ever had. She doesn’t have any initiative and waits for me to keep on reminding/telling her “do this, do that” etc. The house is a mess and she doesn’t seem to care about the 1-inch dust by the window or the unpolished floor. She even has the nerve to just watch me clean the fridge. The kitchen has always been a clutter too and she seems to take her time before she cleans the dishes. I told her so many times to iron the clothes at least twice a week to save up on electricity but my words just landed on deaf ear. She would hurriedly iron our clothes before we could wear them to work. Today, while I was getting some little sleep to prepare for my shift, she was sleeping the entire afternoon while there’s a lot of fixing to do. I even cooked all our meals today. All these things just freaked me out and I couldn’t even yell at her. Why? Because I am afraid that she would do something to my daughter to get back at me. I wanted to scream at her. I wanted to fire her. But I know how difficult it is to find a helper these days and I know how hard it is not to have one. Work will be affected and I get to do the dirty job.

I already seek help from my mother of perpetual help to look for my helper’s replacement. I just wanted to get rid of this lazy employee under my roof.

On taking leave...

I hate this guilty feeling every time I went on a leave. It’s as if I owe my colleagues in Admin a huge favor. It’s really difficult to file for a leave of absence in my department. There’s just three of us to cover the 24-hour visibility and if one went off for a leave, the two will have to work 12 hours straight to cover for the 3 shifts. And as if working 12 hours straight will not stress the hell out of you…it will kill you slowly!

I still have almost 10 days of entitled leaves and I don’t know how and when I should use it considering we’re on the last quarter of the year. I don’t have the nerve to take a leave for one whole week --- I might get some nasty comments behind my back eh! But we deserve a break you know. It’s not always WORK, WORK, and WORK! We need to balance it off with respite and recreation.

I just took a 2-day vacation leave last week. It was more of a sick leave because I was totally stressed out with our transfer. I wasn’t even ready for Monday yet but then I have to because Sylvette also filed for a leave early this week.

I know I have to discuss this with out manager. We need to have a contingency on occasions such as this.Yeah...I hope we'll find a solution to this dilemma.

Well, that's it...I'm done with my rants and raves. I'm not always like this you know but sometimes it's not always boundaryless. There would come a point when you say "enough".

Moving Again

I thought that the house that we’re IN right now would be our home at least in the next 5 years. I was wrong! We’re moving again for the 5th time to be exact. Our landlady arrived from the US and she’s doing some renovations and overhaul of the house. The past week has been spent searching for our next abode which is quite a challenge. There are a lot of things to consider --- if it is fit for human habitation, neighborhood, parking space, number of rooms, rental to mention a few. And we haven’t been successful yet...not until yesterday where my husband finally found an apartment in Taboan --- quite exciting huh!Well, thanks to his granny who helped us out with the search.

We’ve also started packing up our things again. I just realized that we’ve been keeping junks for the last 4 years. There are a lot of thrash that I wanna get rid of. Our house also became the “bodega” of stuff from my mother-in-law, beachroots and other people. I’m thinking of doing a yard sale or maybe preparing bundles of joy this early before we finally take off.

It saddens me to leave this house which has become our home for about a year. Alex has grown to love the kids in the neighborhood. It makes me feel safe to live here because my husband’s grandfather and aunt just live across the street. But then again, the house isn’t ours so we just have to accept the fact that we will be constantly moving. I just hope and pray that the next house/apartment would be for long term before we finally could afford to get a house of our own.

Goodbye Future Home

It is said that buying or building a house is a once in a lifetime decision. There are a lot of things to consider. On top of everything is the capacity to pay the equity or amortization for housing loans or the depth of your bank accounts for those building a house on their own.

Well, Earl and I have started paying for the amortization of this house and lot unit in Lapu-lapu since last year. The first time we saw the model unit we fell in love with the design both interior and exterior. It was also a dream house so to speak because it’s near the beach. We immediately issued a check to pay for the reservation and started filling out forms. The following month, we started paying the equity. Perhaps, what we did was a hasty decision there. No proper planning and considerations took place. Why? Because my husband and I finally decided not to pursue the purchase of that house now. It was a very hard decision to make because we were so excited about it. It just so happen that we can no longer pay the equity of ten thousand pesos a month. We’re also not managing our expense well lately that’s why we decided to just give up the unit. We also need the money as we are expanding the pharma business. Oh I guess, the house was never meant for us and that there must be another home out there for this family someday --- maybe something we ever imagined and dreamed about our future abode with all the coziness and luxury this life can offer....i'm crossing my fingers!!!

Right now, we're just waiting for the refund of the initial equity we paid.

Home sweet home...unta!

Haaayyyy...sayang!