Christmas '09

Christmas is already here... The day before christmas was spent at my father's farm. My siblings and families where all present and had lunch together. It was really nice that my sisters' eldest son and youngest daughter was also able to spend it with us and since their mom is in thailand working and still in the process of working out her visa. After our lunch at the farm, we went straight at my brothers' house and waited for midnight to arrive, but we all fell asleep and woke up only with the sun brightly shining and in time for us to go to church at 6am. After church we all had breakfast and is planning to go to my aunts house today at 11am.... will be bringing updates later....

Merry christmas everyone!!!

Leyna's Coming Birthday

Leyna's birthday is Dec. 22. At this early, I have already started buying some stuffs for her birthday to avoid the rush.

One time, we went to a store which sells party stuffs and I had Leyna choose a design for her party bag. After we bought the bag, she has been inviting her friends to come to the house on her birthday (hahahahaha). We have been joking her that we wont be having a party on her birthday and instead just hear mass since we dont have a budget for it. She wouldnt agree and insisted to have a big celebration on her day and has said that it will be her grandpa lucio and grandma lumen who will spend (hahaha). She knows who to go to when she wants something if her parents wouldnt want to spend on.

My husband and I have been lecturing her that she couldnt always get what she wants but problem is her grandparents always give what she desires cause she knows that she is loved by them soo much. Hope her cousins wont get jealous (hehe).

Anyways, there's still a lot of things to prepare and still have ample time to finish it. Hope she will be very happy on her special day.

Leyna's Ears Pierced

After Leyna's class this morning, we went straight to the hospital so she can have her ears pierced. While we were waiting for her doctor to arrive after her rounds from the ward, her close classmate also visited the hospital since she and her other 2 siblings were sick ("tonsilitis" due to eating candies and chocolates).

Her classmate asked her what she doing at the hospital? And noticed that their was a mark on her ears. So she said that she was going to have it pierced and was just waiting for the doctor to arrive. Since her classmate had her done years ago, she said and just assured Leyna that its not painful. Then came her doctor and it was time for her to go inside... while the doctor was positioning the piercing gun, Leyna was still in good mood and confident because of the assurance of her classmate. But by the time it was pierced, she was kinda shock, shouted and cried so hard. She wouldnt want to have her other ear pierced and shove away the doctors hand but we have to or else only one ear will be pierced (hehehe). She hadnt stopped crying until we arrived at home and had explained to her that she looked good with her new earings and looked "sosyal" (hahaha). And when she looked at the mirror and saw how she looked and realized that it really looked nice, that was the only time she stopped crying.

Oh well, their is always a first time for everything. Hehe...

How to make burger patty

My daughter and husband love to eat hotdog, spam and the like..... Since we have been eating this over and over and has become some kind of monotonous, I have to think of other alternative to make it more interesting and something for them to look forward to. I came across an easy to prepare homemade burger patty recipe and hope this could be some help for your kids.

Beef Burger Patties

1 kilo ground beef (I use chuck meat)
¼ kilo ground beef fat
2 tsp barbecue seasoning
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp onion powder
2 tsp garlic powder
3 tbsp grated red onions
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well, using your clean hands.
Continue mixing until the mixture becomes sticky, coming together to form a ball.
Weigh. Patties weigh anywhere between 150-200 g each.
Form into patties. I like mine thick. I use a round mold for consistency in size.
Chill and when hard enough to handle, wrap individually with cling wrap and freeze.
Thaw as needed.
Grill.

Enjoy......

Reunion with her cousins

Leyna's cousin, Andre, came home from Hongkong to spend his first birthday here in the Philippines. And since its also her other cousins semestral break from school, they are here with us now for their vacation. It has been several months now since she has seen and been with them. She missed her cousins and have been enjoying their bonding.

Hope they could do this again during christmas break....

UN Parade

Leyna's school celabrated United Nations day today and all the pupils of the school participatd the parade. It was the first time she attended the said parade wearing a costume. Since her aunt arrived from Hongkong last saturday. I called and asked her to buy a traditional chinese costume. I didnt expect that the teachers would include the parents/guardians to walk with the kids. Its good that i brought her "ate" (housemaid) to look after her (hehe).

Everybody in the family was excited of her activity wherein, her tita agnes fetched us very early here at the house and helped in putting make-up so she would really look like chinese. Though her lolo lucio, lola lumen, tita lea, andre, ate denise and kuya david were staying at the farm, they really took time to wake up early and came to school to witness.

Thank you thank you for the support...

Leyna missing her dad

It has been more than a month since leyna's dad has been on training and comes home only saturdays and goes back again to his dorm sunday afternoon. Whenever his dad is at home, she acts dif'rently. She always seeks attention to her dad. She rides on his dads back, kisses him always or sometimes do a little acting and let his dad carry her.I dont know, maybe because she misses him so much.

One time while we were about to sleep, she just said to me that we were "kawawa"/a pity. I asked why she has said that and answered "because her dad was away and not here with us". I had to explain to her that her dad has to be away to work and his absence was only temporary and will be back soon.

It has made me realize and felt for those family whom one of the parent has to be away to work especially those working abroad. Raising and disciplining the kids is really difficult and attending to their needs. The loneliness and eagerness of the family left behind. I praise those parent who have raised their children well even with the absence of the other.

Leyna's Reward from her Lolo and Lola

Leyna's teacher gave back their test paper result last thursday and I was happy that she had only two mistakes with a grade of 98% for both papers.

While on the way to the house, she has been telling me that she wants to show her paper to her lolo and lola since they were fetching us to go with them to the city. At the sound of the car horn at the gate, she ran outside with the envelop and proudly present it to them. Both her grandparents where telling her that she did a very good job.

During our lunch at the mall, her lola has asked her what she wants as a reward for the very good grade she got and said she wants a new shoes. So after eating lunch, we went straight to the department store to buy her reward. What I had in mind was to choose a shoes that wasn't so expensive but her lolo let her fit a shoes what I thought was a bit too expensive and was not practical. But since it was her lolo who paid for it and leyna also liked it, I didn't have a choice but to only agree (hehehe).

The funny thing about it was that while leyna was asleep, she has been raising her hand maybe dreaming about her new shoes. (hehehe).

How to Renew Car Registration in the Philippines - Esp. if all papers where lost

As I have written yesterday on my blog that I had my dad's car registered, and wasnt able to finish it within a day since I started at 1pm in processing it (I suggest that you start very early to finish it). If you dont know how to renew the registration (here in the Philippines), listed below are the steps:

1. Secure and Affidavit of Loss Form from the LTO Office and have it notarized.
2. Purchase an Insurance for the car.
3. Have your car tested for emission.
4. Stencil the engine and body number.
5. Submit the car papers to the LTO Records Section.
6. Submit the papers from Records Section to an LTO Officer for processing of the Lost Certificate of Registration.
7. Pay for the Certification.
8. Have the car inspected by the LTO Inspector
9. Have the car papers received to an LTO officer (Window C)
10. Wait till your name be called and give the papers to the window specified by the receiving officer for processing.
11. Wait at the cashier till your name is called and pay the registration fee of your car.
12. Have the receipt photocopied (with your name and address printed at the back of the photocopied paper)
13. Submit the receipt and photocopy to the window specified for issuance of car body and plate stickers.
14. Wait till your name is called and receive the stickers.

Hope this is a big help...

How I spent my Special Day!

My day started by bringing my daughter to school and had attended the mass which was hosted also by the school. While I was waiting at the parking lot for leyna to finish her class, my cousin raymund also stop by to greet but has stopped him on saying anything since I didnt tell my "classmates" (dads who were also waiting for their kids) hehe.... that it was my birthday. They were surprised and was telling me that I was hiding something since I was stopping my cousin to open his mouth. (hahaha)

I didnt plan anything special cause my husband was staying at the dorm for his training and he said that he was not sure if he can come home for a few hours. Since the car was also due for registration, I just went to the city and have the car registered and just had lunch with my parents, daughter and maid at the mall (thanks to my pa who paid lunch. hehe...). Though, I still have to go back tomorrow since I didnt finish registering the car (grrr).

Afternoon came and my husband called that he was at the house! Surprise!!! Surprise!!! So I hurried home to cook dinner. While we were eating early dinner, my uncle-priest also arrived and said that they have a surprise but had to postpone for another day since I was at the city the whole day today.

I thank the Lord for this day and would also like to thank my family for the surprise, surprise!! What I thought would be just any other ordinary day turned out to be extra ordinary. Thank you very very much. To my facebook friends who posted their greetings on my fb wall. Thank you. hehehe....

Leyna as Mature and Responsible Daughter

It has been a month since my husband was accepted for supervisor training to the company he’s working with now. The training (6months) cost him to be away from us and comes home only Saturdays afternoon and has to be back again to their dorm Sunday.

Because of these, it has been just me and my daughter. One night while we were preparing to bed, I joked Leyna and said to her “goodnight langga”. She responded goodnight but what I was amazed about was that she got up and just turned off the television and lights. I did not instruct her to do all those yet she did it and went back again to bed to sleep.

I had mixed emotions after what she has done. I was happy that she has become responsible and getting mature and yet was a little sad cause I know she is growing faster. And I know, one day she is going to have her own life and would not be dependent on us anymore.

I just have to prepare myself and accept when that time comes. Life...... hehe :)

Mommy and Leyna Art Work in School

Last friday, Leyna's class had an activity which involved the parents or guardians working with the kids. It was a mosaic making art work from a used milk box wrapped with just a bond paper. We had a harmonious working relationship in making it. I was tracing the glue for the design while she was putting the seeds to make a flower. Though I must admit that I'm not really good in art coz what was supposed to be a flower turned out to be a not so flower design (hehehe).

During the time when the requirements was posted for the said activity, I thought it was just an ordinary thing and it would be okay if I would not participate and just let the teacher assist her. But while we were working inside the classroom, Leyna's classmate sitting beside her had no family to help her out. So, what leyna and I did was assist her in someway and lend her some of the materials so she can also do her work. Leyna would have felt also left out if I was not there for her. And I am glad that I did. Anything for you little angel, anything for you......

Leyna's First Public Performance in School

Yesterday, Leyna's school celebrated the Linggo ng Wika. During the celebration, they wore filipiniana clothes and recited a tagalog poem. Parents, grandparents, visitors and yaya's were present to see what they have accomplished for the past few months they have been in school. I did not practice her on the poem they recited but was just amazed on her memory. It was only their teacher who taught them but she (together with her classmates) recited it perfectly with action. I was just on the side watching their performance and have over heard a comment about leyna since she was the smallest in her class and has the fairest skin among them. hehe:). I am satisfied and proud what schooling has done to my little angel.

2 weeks Hospital Experience

I had a very rough two weeks at the hospital last month. On the first week, July 6, I was admitted at the hospital for a scheduled "raspa" procedure since I had an abnormal thick blood lining that caused a continuous menstruation for about a month.

The procedure went well and was done July 8 since a lot of blood tests has to be made first for clearance thanks to my Ob-Gyne.

Before I was discharged (July 9), I already had my next appointment with my doctor 2weeks after. I was confident that I was "A" okay.

Sunday came (July 12) and the family and my mom went to the mall for some groceries and also to visit my in-laws. Everything went very well and was not feeling unsual. I was even watching an MJ special before sleeping. Monday came (July 13) when the alarm sounded for me to prepare breakfast but when I moved to get up, the lower right side of my stomach was very painful. I thought first that maybe it was just because of my sleeping position. I still went through with my usual routine of accompanying my daughter to school and back to the house. After eating lunch, the pain got even stronger that made me lay down to bed until the afternoon. It had came to a point that I told my husband to take me to the hospital since I could no longer endure the pain and was already having a fever.

It was a blessing in disguise that when we arrived at the hospital my OB-Gyne was also at the emergency room so we were attended right away and she advised that I be admitted right away. The following day, a series of test was again made. blood chem, ultra sound and others was done again to find out what was wrong again with me. Finally (July 14) my surgeon concluded that I had appendicitis and had to be operated ASAP. No time was wasted and by 2pm I was already inside the operating room and had my appendics removed.

True enough the surgeons' findings was really appendicitis and was very thankful that the procedure was done since he said that the appendics was about to rupture anytime.

Whew!!!! Am okay now and the wound is healing. Thanks for the prayers and thank you Lord for giving me a second chance in life.

Happy Father's Day Pa!!!

Its father's day and I would like to say happy father's day to my husband, father, brother and brother-in-laws.

We have been brought up the traditional Filipino way and that we dont express ourselves openly to our parents. Though I am very grateful to my father since we (siblings) have been raised and disciplined well and am proud to say that we all graduated with a degree.

I would like to thank you very much for all the support you have given us. I dont say and express these to you often, I AM PROUD and thank GOD has given you to be my father and still with us now at the age of 77. Happy Father's Day!

Leyna's First Experience With School

     Leyna will start formal nursery school next week. We have tried to apply for a scholarship though we still do not know the result of the exam and hope she makes it.

     While we were waiting for her name to be called to take the exam, she has observed that some of the kids have not finished the test, others peed on their pants, others were crying, others want to …..ooooopps!  . She has commented on what other kids have been doing but it did not affect her and have not seen her being afraid. I think she is so much like her dad who likes to mingle with other people, confident and very talkative. Maybe traveling has helped her gain confidence and independence.

     We have enrolled her as nursery visitor last school year since before school started she has told us her interest in going to school. When she told us these, we asked her if she can get up early everyday like her dad to go to school and she has answered us confidently “YES”. On the first day of class, she has not shown us any “first day tantrums”. She walked confidently with her classmates inside the room and played with them. We thought that her liking of going to school would only last for a month or two but surprisingly we have not heard her complain in getting up early every day and has finished the school year. Since last month, she has been telling me that she would sleep early so she can attend class early the next day. I have explained to her that classes will start June 8.

     I hope that she will like going to school until she gets her degree. Thank you Lord for giving me such a wonderful and loving daughter.

Leyna's first "Flower Girl"

My aunt has called and informed me that my daughter leyna will be one of the flower girls on my cousins wedding. When I told my daughter, she was saying "yehey" and clapping though she did not understand what she will do. When I explained to her that she will be wearing a lovely dress, new shoes and "make-up" (she loves to put make-up on and have her nails manicured at the age of 3! waahhh!!), her eyes opened wide and I knew that she was really really really excited.

A couple of hours before the wedding, leyna's excitement grew even more when she saw the dress that she was going to wear and "butterfly wings".

How time flies when I would still carry her in my arms, pointing on something she wants and now she is starting to be independent. Walking down the aisles has made me realize that my little baby is now a little girl.......

MOAP (Dolphin Watching) Experience

I've been to Misamis Occidental many times before but it was only this summer that I've heard about the Misamis Occidental Aqua Marine Park (MOAP) in Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental. Though it was more than 5 hrs ride for us in going there but I would say that it was worth the trip.

When we arrived at around lunch time, we ate at their restaurant and the food was fresh and delicious. After which, we didnt waste anytime and went straight to see and swim with the dolphins.

Though it was just an overnight stay, it was really really really worth the trip and experience. We had a wonderful time in going to the island to see the dolphins and the staff at the resort was hospitable. If given a chance, I would love to go back and visit the place again.

2008 Reflection

I started the 2008 year without a job since I resigned from managing the family business to pursue my first love and that is making computer programs or should I say being a computer programmer. On the second month (February 10 to be exact), my daughter and I went to Hong Kong and stayed at my sisters’ rented pad hoping to find a job and continue my passion. Sad to say after three months (May), nothing happened and my daughter and I came back to the Philippines. There have been responses and was hoping to hire my services but when they knew that I don’t have the appropriate papers to work legally, they rejected my application and said that they prefer residents.

The upside of our trip was that we were able to tour Hong Kong/Macau (very BIG thanks to my sister) without the press of time and was able to stay in Shenzhen, China for a month (thanks to my brother-in-law Noli). I can now be your tour guide (hehe) :) and go anywhere in Hong Kong without being afraid even though I know a little Cantonese, don’t know anybody, and in a foreign country.

Nothing has happened on my career but I still feel fulfilled because it has made my daughter and I closer. We were able to spend much more time together and had never experienced any dull moment.

Leyna's Accident at Home

What I thought as a simple accident turned out to be a serious one and have learned the lesson to not just take stride your child’s complain and ensure there safety.

Leyna’s accident happened last January 19, 2009 at 5pm when she slipped on the tiled floor and broke her left clavicle (left collar bone).

She and her grandpa were watching television inside the room while I was mopping the floor inside the house. I was confident that she would follow what I instructed her but when I reached the kitchen, I heard her crying and her grandpa was bringing her to our room to rest and was told that she slipt on the floor. I thought it was just a simple slipped so I continued what I was doing and had also instructed her to just lie down in bed. While still in the kitchen, she was still cyring and calling out my name, so I went to her and see what was wrong. When I saw her crying in bed and was pointing that her shoulder is hurt, I panicked and went to her immediately and comforted her. I called her dad on the phone and asked to come home ASAP. It was a blessing in disguise that my brothers’ friend and his wife came to the house (“to talk to me for some business proposal, hehe”) and has offered to bring Leyna to the hospital.

She was admitted and was x-rayed standing. The initial finding of the doctors were just a simple bruise on her shoulder. My husband and I were really in doubt since she was in pain even when just sitting or lying down. So we brought her to the city (since we are living in the suburb about 30-45 minutes ride to the city) for a second opinion and she was x-rayed again lying down and the doctors discovered that her left clavicle was broken. Thank God no operation was needed but instead a figure 8 bandage was applied on her shoulder.

It has been three weeks since the accident and I am happy that she is slowly adjusting to her situation with a bandage and returning to her old jolly/“makulit” self.