Christmas at Manila

We arrived Manila last December 21, my daughter was so excited to see her cousins, grandma and especially daddy. Last day we are so enjoyed celebrating Christmas, giving and receiving gifts and a lots of fun and game. I miss my family in Davao, it is our first time to celebrate Christmas here in Manila.

My Daughter

This is my daughter Raphaelah Bianca. She loves to go on school activity like this one.

Apology

To all my friends and bloggers out there, I am so sorry for not visited my site and answering your comments and messages. I have been sicked for weeks now and I have to take some rest due to stress, my mind is very eager to do some things but my body cannot. For now I am recovering, my daughter and I will go to Manila today for a vacation and visited my in-laws. We spend there our Christmas and New year and we will be back here in Davao City on the 5th of January, 2009.

Christmas Presentation

Early this morning even if we are not feeling better my daughter still wants to participate in their Christmas Presentation. Their section presents an action song number entitled "All About Santa". It was a fantastic performance not only to their section but also to all Level three preschoolers who took part of the event. As a mother I am so proud as I watched her sang and acted gracefully and according to the tune of the music. Indeed, the event was a successful one and all the parents there including me are blissful as we see our young ones in the stage without hesitation giving their best to performed well. A big thanks to all the teachers who have done a lot of efforts and time in order to practice well the students.

Unwellness

Hello my fellow friends! I just came from a sickness that was so disgusting, for now I felt a little bit of fever. The weather here in Davao City is unstable due to some typhoon, even though we are not affected by any typhoon but, still the weather change most of the time. I was afraid for my daughter, she started to have coughed and fever and next week is her third periodical examination. I already gave her medicines, fruits and her grandma try to massage her. She's the kind of not a fast eater girl and very selective when it comes to food she ate. How I wish she will be alright because this coming Friday they will be having their Christmas presentation.

Family Day

I received a letter from my daughter's school stated that no class for Preschool today but we are all expected to join the "AGSCA Family Fun Day" tomorrow. Sad to say that our daddy is not around and he cannot be with us, he is in Manila right now visited her ill mother. My daughter is very excited for there are attractions and activities in the event but, she also wants to watch the Nutcracker Ballet, a children's Christmas ballet under the direction and choreography by Nicolas Pacana & Gregory Aaron of ATLANTA Festival Ballet, USA. I decided not to watch the ballet for the time is conflicting to the family day and besides family day is important for me, it is once a year activity and I will meet the teachers, fellow parents and my child's friends. I am pretty sure my child will enjoy because one of the activities is the lightning of Christmas symbol. We had attended family day before for two consecutive years but, I am not really delighted for the event held in the swimming pool for the whole day. Now it is a different family day for us and hoping that this is an enjoyable moment to both of us.

me and my husband

This was taken last year and unfortunately as of this day, we haven't put up this Christmas tree yet. I hope I'll have time this weekend.

Philippine Public Transport

One of the Philippine public transport is the so-called Jeeps, as I remember the old jeeps named San Francisco and Sarao. Nowadays there are a lots of brand names and types of jeeps as what we have seen today. It is my daily routine to ride a jeep so most of the time I experienced different situations inside the jeep like arguments between driver and passenger regarding the fare matrix. Last November the LTFRB are announcing the tentative changed in the fare for the first four kilometers from 8php to 7.50php to regular passengers. As I about to open the television this evening it is in the news that the new tentative fare matrix be implemented by 15th of December of this year to Jeeps, buses and taxicabs. Me as one of the daily commuters feel a little bit glad for that information but, if we try to analyze the fact that most of the drivers are only renting a unit of jeep it's better not to change the fare matrix since there are many Jeeps today in the roads so the probability of gaining more income is negative. Even though the continuous decreased in oil products it is not the basis for fare roll back, if we can see the financial status of some drivers, a lot of them complaining their daily income. Good for the operators for, they have a fixed income every day that is why I cannot blame the drivers if they want to seek more passengers even if no space enough to seat. As crisis still in our economy today, I hope that there are people who will find ways to help these community helpers. A friendly reminder to all public drivers, safety must come first before anything else.

Gumasa, Glan Sarangani Province

My family spent weekend at "Gumasa, Glan Sarangani Province" we travelled for five hours from Davao City to General Santos City to Glan by land. Normally it is a four hour travel but, for some circumstances we did that long. We went there for the engagement of my younger brother and at the same time to unwind ourselves from the busy scheduled we had that week. My husband, daughter and I are not supposed to attend but, my older brother urged me to come with them in order to meet the relatives of my sister-in-law to be. My daughter is very excited when it comes to beach, she told me what clothes to bring particularly her swimsuit. Although it is a long travel but, as we are about to see the beautiful beach all I can say that this place is worth it to reach. There are some beach resorts and we decided to stay at "Coco Beach Resort" for the place is newly built and develop, the owners are retired doctors and very accommodating to their clients. The place is calm, quite, peaceful and we are lucky enough for there are no big waves at that time, usually when there is a typhoon in some part of Mindanao, Sarangani Province is affected because they are facing the Pacific Ocean. If you are a nature lover you must visit Gumasa, my best friend Shengy once inform me that this place is truly a polluted free area.

Babusanta, Talicud Island

My family is very fun loving in going to beaches, last summer vacation starting the last weekend of March until May we are spending our spare time going to the beach. I prefer beach than going to swimming pool, according to my gynecologist advice swimming pools especially in resorts are prone to acquire infections particularly to women. This weekend we are planning to go again to Babusanta, but we have to re-route our plan to Glan, Sarangani Province for some important matters and we are excited, for this is our first time to visit that place. The reason we are going again and again to Babusanta is that the place is so natural, peaceful and quite. From Davao City Sta. Ana Pier, we ride a motor boat for an hour at 50php per person. Upon entering to the beach we pay 10php an entrance fee and the overnight cottage is only 400php without limit to the number of person and no corkage at all. Natural in a way that there is no electricity, the cottages are wide open, we can build a tent if we want to and the caretaker is very accommodating. He assists us if we need something and check us every time. It is so wondrous to sleep at an open cottage and looking at the moon and stars above. I feel that I am in the outer space like an astronaut (LOL), at least my dream came true even in my wild imagination.

Tingloy, Maricaban Island

Reminiscing our vacation last summer of 2007, I am glad for visiting my husband's ancestral house located at "Tingloy, Maricaban Island". It is the municipal town on "Maricaban Island", we reached the place through a motor boat from Anilao, Batangas and estimated one hour travel. We spent our Holy Week there, visited the relatives and my husband introduced me to them. I really appreciated as I saw the old houses, in fact their ancestral house is an old one but, there are already renovated houses as some people worked abroad. They practiced simple way of living and their transportation on the Island is tricycle and single motorcycle, the electric distribution there is not 24 hours it is only from 10am to 10pm. We sleep with an open window so that the wind flow through and through, other houses installed a generator for an overnight usage of the electricity. At first I was scared if there is a night creatures coming unto us but, my husband laughed at me and said: "you are so irrational believer" and all I did was prayed and prayed until I was asleep (LOL). Again, I want to visit that place because its so relaxing and away from so much pollution. For info "Maricaban Island" is near the famous Sombrero Island.

Manila Vacation

Our relatives in Manila wants us to be there this coming Christmas Season, every time we chat with my husband's brother he always reminds me that we will be having a reunion this December. We haven't met and to think that my husband and I are already married for almost seven years now, so it's really an obligation maybe to meet my brother-in-law personally because the rest of them have already met and before we can't confirm our schedules. So by this time there are no excuses and it is our first time to celebrate Christmas in my husband's place. Well, two weeks vacation is good enough to have bonding with each other. One thing, here in Davao City we are not allowed to sell or buy any kind of fire crackers and it is a city ordinance many years ago. My daughter did not experience such event during Christmas so if the plan will be grant she may experience some kind of fire crackers. Am I excited or not? I don't know (LOL). I can't imagine spending Christmas and New year without my mother, brothers and their families and my friends, but this time I have to set aside my feelings the important is my husband and my daughter are very excited to visit. Anyway Christmas presents is not only in a material thing but, the most significant is to give your loved ones a feeling of contentment and that is my gift to them visiting Manila once again.

Flower Horn

Four years ago my brother gave us a "Flower Horn" fish and an aquarium too. We named it "Looh" according to my daughter's favorite cartoon character Winnie the Pooh and the name "Looh" rhymes with the name Pooh. Last year our fish died maybe because of the food that we feed it, I have to cut down my monthly expenses and the fish food is quite an expensive one so I changed it to other kind of fish food. Without knowing that flower horns are very sensitive especially to foods they eat. Usually this kind of fish bit your finger when you touch them, but ours not. "Looh" is so cool and amusing fish and this fish know who are the members of the family in our house. The time "Looh" passed away I felt so guilty for why I have to give up the food rather I can omit my other monthly expenses without sacrificing it. Even though it is only a fish, but for us "Looh" is part of the family and this fish give us happiness in our lonely moments.

Early this year my brother gave us again his flower horn, but this time it is not the small one. We can't play it anymore with our bare hands, we are afraid maybe the fish bit us (LOL). Now we feed it with the right fish food and started to search through internet on how to take care a flower horn. We named it "Eloh" after my daughter's name "Elah". As you look at the picture you can see the Chinese character in "Eloh's" body.

The Real Person Award

Thanks to Shengy for the Award! i appreciated and honored that I’m the one you choose The Marie Antoinette Award, a real person…

Here are the Rules for the Award:

1. Please put the logo on your blog
2. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award
3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs
4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog
5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them.,

I nominate the following
Maus
Tey
Kuyanin
Ady
Dorothy
Dhemz
Unknown

enjoy the tag! YOU ARE REAL!

Bakugan Toy

I saw it how many times played by the students in school and along the side walk of the streets. My daughter asks me if she can have that toy, it is a toy for the boys and I strictly disagree to buy. After having her report card in school, I was amazed for the grades are mostly outstanding and only one very satisfactory so I decided to reward her the "Bakugan" toy or the so-called burst egg. First, I bought the smaller one then my sister-in-law told me that there is another size so I bought again, and for this time two pieces of "Bakugan" toy. A kid impression of course very happy. Nowadays I seldom buy toys for her unless it came from a happy meal of Mc Donalds and I don't granted my daughter a toy, if she had good grades instead I treat her for a dine. I encourage my daughter to save the money every time her godparents and our relatives give her a cash gift in order to practice the value of money.

Nice Thoughts

An office mate of mine gave me a wonderful thoughts seven years ago through email. I like it, so I wrote it in my notebook. Early this morning I look after the appliance manual folder then I found this one and started reading. I want to share this to all of you. Hope you'll like it. Enjoy reading!!!!!

"Sometimes people come into your life and know right away that they were meant to be there, they serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be; your roommate, neighbor, professor, long lost friend, a lover or even a complete stranger who, when you look eyes with them, you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you and at the time they may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, will power or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, if they be events, illnesses or relationships, life would be like a smoothy paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. Safe and comfortable but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life and the successes and downfalls you experience, they are the ones who create who you are. Even the bad experiences can be learned from..... those lessons are the hardest and probably the most important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to who you open your heart to.

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love and opening your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them.

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again.

Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen, let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to.

Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you either. You can make of your life anything you wish."

Signal number 1

Last November 14, 2008 Friday, according to some people Davao City was declared signal number 1 by a typhoon. My cousin told me that no boats allowed to crossed Samal Island, since I was in the selling activity for the whole day I didn't know what is all about. I thought that is an ordinary rain and everybody knows that Davao City is free from typhoon. My mother told me that once in every 30 years Davao City will be experiencing a typhoon but not that too much like in Luzon, Visayas and partly in Mindanao. I was amazed and partly glad for me I haven't experienced a typhoon ever since I was born (LOL). Now, I already experiencing it but good to hear for it is only signal number 1. Every time we had our vacation in Manila there is no typhoon because its summer season. My husband's opinion is not a typhoon at all, maybe it is a low pressure and windy. He said, Davao City is still the best city for the resources are abundant especially in terms of foods.

Chicken Manure

When you think of manure the first thing to put in mind is a bad smelly thing. Actually, years ago I knew that chicken manure is a good fertilizer in plants, vegetables and even in flowers. Nowadays chicken manure is a part of the business industry. Mostly the chicken farm owners are selling the manures at forty pesos per sack and the agent sells it to the buyer at seventy pesos per sack. The average of one truck load comes up to six hundred sacks. The buyer sells it ranging from ninety to one hundred ten pesos per sack to the consumers or the one who planted plants and vegetables, depending on the quality of the manure. In Lipa, Batangas a lot of chicken poultry raisers are practicing that, in order to lessen the expenses of the feeds. According to the agent who interviewed in the television, their net income is 90,000php to 110,000php per month. It depends on the manure sacks acquired. It's not an easy business but the fact is, they earn from it and have a better living.

Proudly Filipina

Miss Karla Paula Henry represented the Philippines in last night Miss Earth 2008 pageant, crowned as Miss Earth 2008. She also received a special award Miss Photogenic. A 20 year old from Cebu City excelled from eighty-five delegates from other countries. A big hand for Karla Henry who contributed her time and talent in order to win the pageantry. Congrats girl for being the first Filipina who won Miss Earth.

Life in the Island

It really caught my attention while watching television last night. The episode was gold in the sea, they are referring a color yellow fish when it is still fresh. I was late for that episode since I just finished my blog review. The main part which is really touches me is that the life there is very simple, mostly the source of their daily needs is from fishing. They don't even have the money to pay their debts. Every time a fisherman catches up with some fish he will pay the debt through the fish itself. There is a lesser money involve in that community, the barter system is presently practiced. As I go over to the episode I was really scared with regard to the safety of the fishermen for, they encountered the big waves. Since Batanes is facing the Pacific Ocean and it is an open sea normally they experienced big waves when fishing. The families of the fishermen are hardly prayed and worried of course of what will happen to their loved ones every time they go on fishing.

For me this story is an eye opener, don't use enough the resources that we have right now. Think twice before spending whether it is a need or a want. It reminds me of the blog of my friend stating the current economy nowadays. I should be aware of. Therefore, I must spend wisely.

Toothache or Odontalgia

Weeks ago my best friend complaining of her toothache, it was not tolerable at all and she had taken pain relievers but it still exists. Last day I accompanied her to the dentist, she is confused whether to go on extracting her tooth or not. I knew she is worried and a little bit nervous of what she heard with the other woman who had already done. I gave her my full support in order not to back out, in the first place she had her leave of absence in the work. At last my best friend came up with a decision to say yes and it's well-done. Now, no more toothache and hassle free to any activities especially in work. A big thanks to the dentist who attended my best friend, she is a smart one.

Allergies

It was two days that my husband is the one who accompanied my daughter to school. I am not feeling well due to my rhinitis. Every time my best friend visited me she noticed that I always sneezed and even burst out to the extent that the air from my ears will come out. She scared of what I am doing and I admitted that is not good for my health. I don't like to take medicines in every illness that I had, as long as I can manage it with water. I did some allergies especially into dusts and pollens from flowers, that's why I want to clean our room every day. But still there are dusts even if I cleaned, I don't know where they came from. They are like cotton fibers, when I inhale the smell it triggers my rhinitis. When cleaning I see to it to wear a surgical mask. It's good to clean everyday to minimize the causes of my allergies.

Nightlong Rain

Last all soul's day we spent an overnight at the cemetery to commemorate our loved ones who already resting in peace. We build up a tent before the day we had our overnight, but when we are there I was puzzled where is the tombstone of my father for the place was filled with so many tents. There was a family who used our tent that's why I am confused, at last I found it. We immediately assembled the camp tent for the rain begun to fall. I thought it ended soon but it was a nightlong rain and the water started to get in. We cannot sleep inside the camp tent so we decided to sleep outside, the open tent. We sleep like a sardines inside the can. I want to go home, but my husband told me that it was only 1 night to stay so be patient. My husband and I had a sleepless night, my daughter keeps on waking up and my mother started to wake up due to her stomachache. We lift early in the morning and the rain stops.

Huge Calabash Plant

Others call it "Himala Fruit" but after seeing in one of the magazines, my husband knew it as Huge Calabash. My mother started planted it 3 years ago, my auntie told her it was a herbal plant. The fruit and the dried leaves will make a juice. Numerous illnesses might be cured according to the testimony of the people who already drink it. One afternoon while waiting for my daughter in school, I went to the mall. I saw one store selling different kinds of plants and one of them is the huge calabash fruit. I asked the owner how to process the fruit in order to make a juice and the leaves to make a tea. After knowing it I started to make the tea and tastes like green tea. Last July of this year my husband went to Manila to visit his mother who is very ill at that time, he brings two huge calabash fruits. After taking it my mother-in-law feel better from her illness, now she can take a walk and no more using of wheelchair. Though it was only a supplementary but it's a big help in her health.

Overnight with the Souls

My family is planning to have an overnight tomorrow in the cemetery, it's all soul's day. Right now we are busy preparing what to bring especially the foods. I already borrowed a tent from my friend, boyfriend of my best buddy and he allows me to use his tent. Actually that tent stayed for me for almost a year from now, hehehehehe! My daughter is very excited she wants to bring her costume attire, but I said no no. Instead, I suggested to wear a mask. The other year she joined the costume party but, she was afraid of the other people who wore a shuddered attire. I told her that they are just a fancy dress up, but she suffers a fearful condition. That's why I will not allow her to join again, maybe next time when she can handle her fears. We will bring word factory toy game in order to enhance our English skills and have a bonding with each other.

Joining A Bazaar

Me and my sister-in-law are planning to join a Pre Christmas Fair in one of the exclusive village here in Davao City this coming November 14-16. We come-up to sell pillows, bedsheets, bags and mango fruits. We visited the location the other day and we agreed to register one slot worth Php 1,200.00 good for 3 days from 9am to 9pm. The given time to sell is more beneficial to us in order to sell and earn more, hoping so. I am so excited for it is my first time to join a Fair. As of now I have already some stocks of the products, my sister-in-law wants to bake some pastries but as we saw the registrants there are popular pastries makers who join so I told her not to make it. I don't know if we have a competitor there, all I want is to sell and have a felicitous fair.

Drink Water

After how many days of drizzle every lunchtime, I suffer now a headache and runny nose. I did not use my umbrella to protect myself from drizzle but the result is, I am not feeling well. My work for the day are pending due to my illness, I cannot perform well due to continuous sneezed. My lips are already dry and it started to chapped and even my throat is also dry. I don't take medicine immediately instead I only want to drink a lot of water. For now a little bit of runny nose I suffered. Before I only drink water when I'm so thirsty but now, I see to it I can drink water as many glasses as I could. It really helps me every time I have a headache and cold.

School Break

My daughter is busy playing her barbie dolls and watching dvd for its school break. But for me it's not break at all, 5 days only including Saturday and Sunday. I have a lots of chores to do like arranging our closets, segregating the toys and old papers, cleaning up the mess of my daughter, and washing the clothes. I want to finish all those chores but there are times that I have to go out for my small business of dakki pillows. I am a dealer of dakki products and jordana cosmetics as well. My husband told me that he will be the one to do the washing of clothes, it's a big help for me and I am so thankful for that assistance. I am confused, it is a break or an ordinary routine of my daily life? Well, each day is a challenging day for me. As soon as I finished an activity I take it as an achievement.

Bad Condition

My mother is planning to accompany my cousin to Mati City for my Aunt is inviting her to attend the birthday of his son. My Mom likes to travel into places, every time she had a fund she's always on the go. Now she's not coming for a bad health condition, hoping that she will be all right soon.

Paper Folding

One of my pastime while waiting for my daughter in school is the Origami. It is a Japanese art of folding paper into shapes representing objects like flowers, birds or vase. Many of my co parents and guardians are making Origami, at first I was observing how to do it. It's a good idea, instead of throwing the old magazines, brochures or leaflets I can recycle them into paper folding. As of now I have 1,000 pieces of paper folding and it's not enough to make a swan, I still do it every time I have a spear time. I collected old magazines from my friends and relatives, it's a mirthful felt.

A Busy Week

Starting Monday of October 13, 2008 until today, I was so busy with my so-called small business. I've got many orders of dakki pillows, blouses, t-shirts and bags. After sending my daughter to school, I have to double my time for it is three hours only to spend for my small business, getting the orders then deliver to my dealers. Afterwards, I will have to go back to my daughter's school to pick her up, then we went home. It is so tired, but I have to earn at least a little amount in order to compensate our daily fare expenses. For a mom like me, having an eight hour job is a difficult one for me because I have no helper to take care of my child. My husband and I agreed that when it comes to my daughter I will be the one to handle. In typical ways, it is normal that the mother will be the one in charge of the children and the father is the one to provide for the needs of the family. Nowadays some of the couples both in worked, but for me as much as I could I will be the one to nurture and take care of my child. I cannot blame the other parents for, they have a valid reason for being a working moms and dads.

Try to learn English

My best friend encouraged me for months now that I have to create a blog in order to improve my English skills and have some fun as well. I did not try, until I realized that having a blog is a matter of expressing my feelings and thoughts and at the same time my grammar will be improved. During my school days I hate English subject and I'm forced to study for the reason of not failing it, what a bad idea but that is the reality. I am not ashamed for telling this and to be known by everybody. As of now my daughter is in preschool and I have to study a lot about
English in order to teach my daughter the proper way of using the English word.