Healing the grief...

After Elle Marie, I told myself that if ever I will be blessed with a son I would name him Euan Eli. Euan Eli after my brother John Eli who died when he was just 10 years old (I was 15) because of a car accident in Iloilo. One evil jeepney driver came back to bump his head to make sure that he is dead. Yes, there exist a human being who is capable of killing another human being because it is cheaper to have a dead victim instead of rushing him to the hospital-he is now in jail.

I missed my period for three months. After our Singapore trip, Noy and I decided to buy a pregnancy kit to check whether I am pregnant and the first one showed that I am. Still not that convinced, we bought another kit and checked. I am really pregnant.

Two positive results mean I have to see Dra Gigi, so we went to see her. She told me that my uterus is still small maybe it was an early detection and encouraged me to undergo an HCG test. It was supposed to be a blood test that will accurately show whether I am pregnant or not. But before I could even have the result, I had bleeding. I texted Dra Gigi that I might be having my period hence, I am not really pregnant.

BUT, it was not my period. It was my son. I lost him and I don't know why... I can't explain how I felt when I read my HCG result. I completely froze. I did not have any feelings for a split second. I wanted to cry but I could not bring myself to cry. I wanted to be strong but I know I am weak. I wanted to blame someone but I know that I only have myself to blame for loosing my son. I wanted to ask God why He allowed it to happen to me but I don't have the guts to hear what He has to say.

For now, I help myself appreciate what God has given me so far - Good family and friends, good husband, beautiful and healthy Elle Marie...

Thank you God.

Field Trip: Manila Ocean Park

Little Lamb class went to Manila Ocean Park today. The Manila Ocean Park is the country’s first state-of-the-art Oceanarium, open water marine habitat, boutique mall, restaurant row and function facilities all located in one complex at the back of the Quirino Grandstand.The class were asked to wear something white so that it will be easier to spot them among the crown. It was a bit crowded in the park that day. I saw a lot of students ranging from kinder to high school from different schools who were also having their field trip. Elle also missed her friends Lili and Max. Both did not go because they have been there before.
Elle especially liked the area where they keep the clown fish. She screamed "Nemo" the whole time and would not leave him!!! (see photo below) I was sooo happy to see Elle recognizes Nemo among the fishes in the Park. She should... she loves watching Finding Nemo:-)

Elle Marie in Singapore Zoo Part II: Nothing like the Animal Shows in the Zoo!

There are three animal shows in Singapore Zoo. Elle Marie and I made sure that we don't miss any of them.

First Stop: Splash Safari in the Splash Amphitheater.This show stars the jackass penguins, Californian sea lion, Caribbean Manatees and the pelicans. At first, Elle and I positioned ourselves in the front row (the nearest to the aguarium/stage). Good thing the host announced that unless we want to get wet, we need to transfer to another row. Hahaha! So we ended up in the right side of the stage. Still in the front row but this time with the glass cover!

As expected, anything that has to do with water excites Elle Marie. During the whole show, she was up and perky! Clapping her hands and closing her eyes to every exhibition that the sea creatures make! Yes, she did not get wet!


Second Stop: Elephants at Work and Play in the Elephants of Asia Before we went to see the elephants, Elle Marie and I decided to have lunch first at Ah Meng Restaurant just opposite the Splash Amphitheater. We want to make sure that we are ready for the succeeding shows!

This is not the first for Elle Marie to see elephants but she was ecstatic when she saw the elephants as if it was her first time! She way jumping up and down! clapping her hands (again!) and screaming "el pants"! Hahahaha! Needless to say, seeing my daughter very happy this way just takes out all the fatigue that I am feeling at that very moment...


Third Stop: Rainforest Fights Back at the Shaw Foundation Auditorium

The Shaw Foundation auditorium was just overwhelming. I read from their leaflet that it has 1600-seat capacity! We wanted to get near the stage hence, we had no option but to leave the stroller at the stroller park.

The show is about a treasure hunter who tried to make money out of destroying the rainforest. The animals in the rainforest fought back and the hunter learned his lesson the hard way. A very simple story but it will definitely stay in Elle Marie's mind because of the stars of the show that made the rainforest come alive! chimpanzees balancing on the rope, birds flying everywhere! ducks walking... it was one close encounter by Elle Marie.

What's nicer about this show? We got to have a photo op with the cast! Yes! that's Elle Marie and me after the show! and the one taking the photo is Filipino! He spoke to me in Pilipino when we went up the stage for the photo op! O, it was nice meeting fellow Filipinos working abroad:-)
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Show Times

At the Singapore Zoo, we believe in maintaining our animals' natural instincts and behaviours through activities. Such activities help to deepen our understanding towards them and even participate in the wonders of their ways!

Look out for the following animal presentations:

Rainforest Fights Back
Venue: Shaw Foundation Amphitheatre
Daily: 10.30am and 1.30pm

Splash Safari
Venue: Splash Amphitheatre
Daily: 11:00am, 2:30pm and 5:00pm

Elephants At Work & Play
Venue: Elephants of Asia
Daily: 11.30am & 3.30pm

Elle Marie in Singapore Zoo Part I: It's "Kidz World" after all in Singapore!!!

One of our stops in Singapore is the newly opened Rainforest Kidz World inside the Singapore Zoo! Elle Marie went wet and crazy in the water play area where massive bucket tips over and droplets of water gushing out from the many water spouts! It was like one big swimming pool with sprinkles for Elle!!!While playing in the giant fountain, Elle Marie met this Japanese boy who played with her! They laughed, ran, and splashed water to each other. Just like Elle Marie, the boy was with his mom. Unfortunately, the mom knows little english so I did not get to talk long with her. We just exchanged smiles once in awhile and uttered a number of nice words about our kids. The whole time we were in Kidz World, Elle Marie was giggling and laughing! She is just too in love with water that she did not mind the other big kids running and swimming beside her! Funny though, I overheard a couple of Korean boys (about 5-6 years old) talking about Elle Marie. Maybe they didn't notice notice me at their back or they just didn't know that I was with Elle Marie. One said "She is so hot!" and pointed to Elle Marie's two piece bikini. I was shocked. It took me awhile to process my thoughts. I wondered about the word "hot" and eventually just smiled.

Hot Elle Marie!

Tagaytay Highlands playdate with Lili and Max

I thought this playdate was not possible. When Mama was planning this with Tita Jina and Tita Sharon last year, they had difficulty finding a date because everybody was busy. Lili's grandparents were coming, Mama had last minute parties with friends, Tito Danny's wedding, and preparations for Christmas eats up everybody's time. So they decided to schedule it in January 2009.Days before January 10, the weather was gloomy. There was a news saying that a typhoon was coming. Worse, I got diarrhea! I was even rushed to Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City because Mama don't know what to do with me!
But, God is good. I recovered. The typhoon did not come. Everybody was on time at Shell gas station in Slex. Max and Lili woke up early and were in the good mood just like me. It was one sunny and windy morning in Tagaytay Highlands...We got to see the animals in the animal farm. I loved the birds! They stayed on papa's arms long so that I can see and play with them long. The tiger was lousy. All it ever did was sleep! Hahaha... Most of all, I loved the playground in Tagaytay Highlands especially the sand area! Me, Max, Lili and Sean (Max's older brother) had a great time playing and writing on the sand!I will never forget this playdate. I had a great time with my friends Max , Lili and Sean (Max's older brother). Mama and Papa had a great time with the Sabo and Lo family and extended family.


Thank you God!

Elle Marie