Falling in love with Barney...

I never liked dinosaurs. I love green for the very obvious reason that I am a green blooded LaSallite. I love pink-fuschia because I think it complements my complexion. But, I never liked the big claws, the big eyes, and the old and dry skin of dinosaurs… That is why while my friends’ children adore Barney, I try to delay introducing him to Elle.

I don’t know or understand what state of mind I was when I finally bought Elle’s one and only Barney CD (take note, CD while all Elle’s “Hi Five!” are in DVD!). But, it took a while before Elle noticed it. First it was “Bear in the Big Blue House”, then came “Big Bird of Sesame Street”, after that “Hi Five” and all of the sudden I just woke up and Elle likes Barney! She even sings Barney’s “I love you” song!!! She dances the “If you’re happy…” song and imitates with matching “bear” as props the “Me and my Teddy” song!!!

Since Elle is into “Barney”, I was forced to prepare a “Barney in the Toddlers Unlimited” birthday party for her. I bought Barney banner, Barney party hats, Barney stuff toy for giveaways. I plan to buy Barney paper plates and cups, fuschia or green spoon and fork, Barney balloons and Barney cake!!!

Of course, my shopping will never be complete if I did not buy Elle’s very own Barney stuff toy!!! that comes with BJ and Baby Bop! The bonus part, they are all singing the “I love you..” song with just one squeeze of their bellies!

I was so excited that I did not wait for Elle’s birthday and immediately gave her the new stuff toys as soon as I got home. (whatever happened to my EQ) I first gave her BJ and Baby Bop. She looked confused because both are singing the “I love you” song in Barney’s voice!!! After that I brought out Barney from the paper bag! For a moment, I thought the world stopped. I can still remember how Elle’s face radiated when she saw Barney! She screamed “Barney”, hugged him and repeatedly shouted Wow! Wow! Wow!

I was almost in tears. I thought I was in heaven looking at my daughter’s smile that I almost kissed Barney myself… Reflecting on my own love-life, I never thought that I will actually fall in love and eventually marry Noy. He is not the typical guy that could make me look twice. But, I did and now we have Elle. Maybe it’s not the physical appearance (although, I REALLY find my husband VERY handsome and sexy) but how one can make your heart melt.

Barney made my heart melt by making Elle very happy. I think I love Barney already…

Speding Grandparents Day with Lola Moyette and Lolo Leo

This year Elle Marie celebrated the Grandparents Day in Iloilo City with Lola Moyette and Lolo Leo. This was not the only reason why we went home to Iloilo. We went home primarily because it was Lola Moyette and Tita Bebe’s birthday! It was also perfect timing because we needed a new yaya for Elle so, we got Yaya Mylene.

My family is not the “expressive” type. It is seldom that my parents would complement me, hug me or kiss me for no reason at all. We never talked about emotions, we never discussed heart problems. One perfect example was when I had my first boyfriend. My parents never asked me why him. They never said anything about my boyfriend but you can sense that they don’t like him. It was only after we broke up that my parents told me that they have been praying that I break up with him for reasons I already know…

But, after having Elle things changed with my parents. My mother came all the way from Iloilo when I gave birth to Elle. She was there for me during my labor (but not inside the delivery room), she was there to see Elle when she was first brought out of the delivery room. She was there for me during the first month of my motherhood. She organized Elle’s grand sixth month birthday in Iloilo. She would kidnap Elle while I was asleep and bring her to the plaza. Lola Moyette is sooo proud of her apo.

But, my greatest surprise was my father who seldom speaks or smile. Up to this date, me and my sisters would always say that of all the girls he had in his life, (Nene, Mama, Bebe, Me and Elle) It was only Elle Marie who landed in his cellphone (his wallpaper is Elle Marie!!), who got a space in his wallet (He carries in his wallet Elle Marie’s picture!!!) and who got a spot in his office (He has a large picture frame with Elle Marie’s picture in his office)!

They say that our time with our parents was up (me and my sisters) and it is now Elle Marie’s time. I don’t care. I am very happy that my parents love Elle Marie very much.

Meet Professor Oplas

My project with CIDA was completed last August and while waiting for a new job, I will teach in the Economics Department of De La Salle University... Hahahaha!

I myself is still in the denial stage. I could not believe that I said yes to teaching in Economics Department! I was just visiting my Ninang Telly that time when my close friend, Marvin who is the vice chair of the department invited me to teach. At first he told me that he is just looking for a substitute to take on his load for one month so I said Yes! without hesitation. However, he added that maybe, just maybe... I would like to get a load for myself so that all preparation will not be wasted?!!! And everybody in the department encouraged me to say yes... How can I say no to my Ninang Telly? to my former professors both in undergrad and masters?!

Yesterday in the middle of my lecture demo, I was asking myself why would i want to present in front of students instead of my former bosses in PEARL2 and CIDA?!; why would i take time to prepare lesson plans for students instead of briefing notes for the anadian Ambassador?!; why would I rather have discussions with student rather than our SME beneficiaries?!

My heart replied,, being in La Salle is good for my heart especially that I want to get rid of my hypertension. La Salle has always been my comfort zone, i know almost everybody there (everybody smiles at me and I can even enter without leaving my ID with the South gate guard), most of my friends are still in La Salle, (as a matter of fact all my closest friends are in La Salle!), i feel young, and i just love being green! hehehe

The funniest part of this all?! I will teach Introduction to Microeconomics and Macroeconomics... Yes, MACROECONOMICS! Good thing I still have my Dr. Dakila notes with me:-)

So... let the adventure of Professor Ella Oplas begin!!!

I finally let go of Elle Marie's Ate D...

It is not everyday that I get to have somebody with a smile that could launch a hundred ships. That despite the numerous scolding, can still manage to smile and laugh as if nothing happens. I love Diane. Even though I lost it with her a couple of times already, I don’t know how come it is so easy to forgive her. Maybe I love her because she reminds me of my youngest sister Bebe. Maybe I love her because of the way she makes Elle sleep and smile; looks very pretty; and more importantly eat and drink her vitamins!!! Maybe I love her because I know she loves Elle so much.

I love Diane that is why I am letting her go. I don’t want the time to come that I will not be able to control myself and just die of heart attack. And just like what Noy told me, I don’t want to aggravate Diane’s nervous break down because of my scoldings. I know that with proper nurture from her family Diane will come a long way. She has the desire to learn, the perseverance and the childlike disposition to survive. I told Diane that when she gets home, she evaluates her life there. Honestly, I don’t know what is waiting for her in Iloilo considering their financial struggle now. But, if she thinks that she would be better off in Manila with me, I’ll take her back.

This morning, Diane left for Iloilo early in the morning. I was not able to wake up and send her to the airport because I was too exhausted the night before taking care of Elle. I thought I was dreaming when Diane went up our room and kissed me goodbye. Noy told me I was not.

She then texted me, ‘murning nang, hr na me sa departure… 8:20 and boarding time q… take care olwz and tke care of urself… luv u so much… thnx 4 everything”.

Who would not love Diane. I guess I’ll just see her in Iloilo…