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I did not have time to update my blog these past few months.  I guess I was just too lazy to update it.  Lately I have been thinking of writing again to chronicle my pregnancy.  Yes, I'm pregnant!  If my phone app is correct, I'm 7 weeks pregnant today.  I would be more accurate this Saturday when I will have my first ultrasound.  Excited? You bet. I actually thought I would not want to get pregnant again.  My twins are already five years old.  I'm having fun in my dance and yoga classes.  I've been quite busy with other things as well.  I've started traveling once again.  And I remember how difficult my first pregnancy was.  So getting pregnant was at the back of my mind.  My husband, however, wanted to have one.  I also actually wanted a baby girl but I had a lot of hesitations.  And so we tried.  I stopped taking pills and started taking folic acid.      I did not have my perio...

I've always been a beach person ever since I was young. My chlildhood was filled with memories of weekend beach trips, crabs, fishes, star fishes, and sunburns (sunblock was not "uso" back then).  I've been to many beaches in the Philippines. Samal is of course on top of that list since it's mere minutes away from Davao. I've been to Bohol, Zamboanga, Dakak, Batangas, Puerto Princesa and Cebu. I love all the beaches I went to. We honestly have lots of nice beaches. But I fell in love with Boracay last March when we went there. I fell in love with the sun and the sand. Literally! It's one of the nicest beaches I have been to. The sand was so powdery. The sunrise and sunset was so breathtakingly beautiful.  Just take a look at this sunset, isn't it marvelous? I even had this photo framed at my office. It relaxes me whenever I feel so stressed. One day, someday, I'd go back and enjoy Boracay once again.  Till next time Bora!

One weekend, a sorority sis of mine, who was once my "anak" asked me if I could be one of their "Ninang." I hesitated. I felt lile I was too young to be one. I'm barely 34! A dozen thoughts suddenly floated inside my mind. Should I accept it? I'm too young to be one. Would I be able to counsel them? Would I be a good godparent?  It took me more than 24 hours to reply. I didn't feel slighted that she asked me. What I was more worried about was whether or not I would be able to fulfill my role as a godparent. I even had to ask my husband. In the end, YES won. It was not  because they say it's "malas." It was also not because I felt duty bound being a sorority sister.  So what made me say YES? I felt it an honor that they have chose me. Maybe, just maybe, our marriage is something they look up to. It may not be a perfect one. It certainly had its ups and downs. However, it's something that I have made a commitment to.  So to Rommel and May...

I am writing this in response to a good friends' frantic text message last week.  I admire mothers who are able to breastfeed their babies.   Saludo   ako sa inyo.  I really wanted to breastfeed the twins but was not able to do so after a month.  So whenever I see my friends and acquaintances breastfeeding, I always smile knowing that what they're doing is right.  And whenever I have friends who ask me about breastfeeding, I always encourage them to do.  I also incorporate breastfeeding in my Philosophy classes in the undergraduate level.  I honestly don't remember when I incorporate it and under what topic but I encourage my students to breastfeed once they have children.  This is how important breastfeeding is for me.  I may not have been able to breastfeed my twins after the 1 month mark, but I nevertheless want to advocate for it in my own little way. However, I am also of the firm believer that it is not a mother's fault that sh...

They meet each other only a few times in a year.  We're based here at Davao, and they're based in Iloilo. This is their 1st meeting for the year.  They were compelled (hahaha) to come home for my mother's surprise birthday party.  They would be meeting again next month when we go and swim at  Boracay.  And even if we meet only a few times in year, I think they understand that they're family and that " Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind." Drawing.  They love to draw and this is one of the things I am thankful for. Let's play ball! Sand and soil, time to get dirty!

The school's Family Day was supposed to held last December 2013.  However, due to some unfortunate events, the school had to postpone it last January. I was actually worried as to whether or not we could attend the Family Day.  The youngest had a minor accident a few days before the event, and both were on medication for cough (which later on progressed to antibiotics).  Thankfully, they were feeling better that day so we attended the Family Day.  We were, however, late.  We arrived at 9:00 in the morning, which meant we were so late for mass. This was our first Family Day so the kids were a bit excited.  They had games and we had potluck lunch afterwards (we skipped this though as the kids were cranky already).  Maybe next year, we won't be that sick anymore so that we can totally enjoy Family Day. The kids after the mass.  Honestly, it's so difficult for 4-5 year old kids to behave during mass. With their jacket, which went on sale...

I have always been a fan of the Jar of  of Hope.  We've been using this product ever since the twins were still infants.  It's our booboo balm for everything.  We use on insect bites, rashes, and wounds.  It's one very effective product.  I use to buy it online but then I discovered that it's locally available at Oak and Acorn , located at Plaza del Carmen, Obrero. What about you, what's your booboo balm?

Every year, during Christmas, my family comes Davao for our annual Christmas get together.  They travel here a few days before Christmas, coming from Zamboanga, Manila and Singapore.  Our annual get together is something I always look forward to ever since I was young. This year, my Be-i  +Grace Ruste , planned the whole itinerary for the almost two weeks get together.  Although the itinerary was not followed literally as we had to make some slight change of plans everyday.  This has been correctly predicted by my husband.  Hahaha. As with the previous years, we always spend an overnight stay somewhere just so that we can bond.  For Christmas 2013, we had it at D'Leonor.  Don't ask me to speak about D'Leonor because well, over the years, it has deteriorated.  I mean it's supposed to be well-kept but it's not. Apart from the overnight stay at D'Leonor, we also ate at Outback Grill, swam at Paradise Island (fave resort!), shopped at SM Lana...

Every year, we troop to Cebu for annual vacation.  We do it during our wedding anniversary.  Last year, trying to be different, and wanting to spend it all alone, I booked a piso fare via Cebu Pacific, only for my husband and I.  At the very last minute, however, my mother insisted that we bring along the twins.  So I had to hurriedly book a flight.  I could not even book it online since they do not fall under unaccompanied minors.  I had to call the hotline.  Good thing, the hotline cooperated.  I was able immediately talk to a customer representative and book a flight for the twins.  I wanted to cringe at the ticket costs.  I only paid Php1k plus for the piso  fare tickets while I had to pay Php8k plus for the twins' tickets.  I learned a hard lesson that day.  Hehehe.  Just book tickets for the four of us.  That way, if they don't come with us, the losses are not that high and if they do come with us, at lea...

Kung hei fat choi! It's been more than a month since I last blogged.  I was having issues with my former domain so I had no choice but to transfer.  But hey, I like this domain more.  I'm not a techie  person, ask any person and they'd agree.  Hehehe.  So this new domain is a labor of love.  I bought a domain and had to painstakingly connect my blog to this domain.  I admit, I am so in love with how google answered my question right now :) And since I already have this new domain up and running, expect a deluge of posts since I honestly have tons of backlog. I hope you miss reading my blog in as much as I miss writing. Happy reading!