Friday, May 29, 2009

Happy Birthday Tita Nene!!!


Last night we gave Tita Nene an advance birthday celebration because she is leaving for Iloilo tomorrow and will not be able to be with us on her real birthday, May 31. It was a simple celebration and was organized on the last minute. It just so happened that Tita Bebe is coming over and I planned to cook spaghetti for her. So I thought, why not celebrate Tita Nene's birthday and invited Lola in Roxas and Tito Anton.Lola in Roxas bought spaghetti sauce all the way from Quezon City, Tito Jun jun cooked sinigang na tilapya, I cooked spaghetti pasta and bought stawberry ice cream from Taj. After dinner, we gathered around Tita Nene's room and watched "Strangers" and "Twilight" (again?!!!). We talked about Hayden Kho, Katrina, and Tita Nene's friend from London who is coming this June. It was a long night... full of chikahan and bonding moments... I am happy that Tita Nene had a great time! Elle Marie loves Tita Nene. Every night she would go inside Tita Nene's room and watch Barney with her. I once told Tita Nene that should something happen to me, I want her to take good care of Elle Marie like her own daughter. I am just so lucky to have a sister like Nene... especially that we are leaving on the same roof. I feel safe and comforted every time I am down just to know that she's there for me... Happy birthday Tita Nene! Stay sexy!

Preparing for Junior Nursery Part 1: Elle Marie is officially back with TU

It is official, Elle Marie is back with Toddlers Unlimited, Inc. It's not as if she left TU but there was a time that Noy and I considered enrolling her in another school near our place. The travel time going to TU was just too taxing for Nonoy who is the only person who knows how to drive in our family. So we thought if we enroll Elle Marie in a nearer school, we don't have to take too much time of Noy from work.

We went to several pre-schools in San Antonio Village. We went to this Pre-school 01, the nearest school in our place. It is within walking distance as a matter of fact. A couple of smart parenting websites mentioned that this school is the most affordable school in the area considering that it is in Makati City. Indeed, it is affordable but don't accept toddlers below 3 years of age.

We went to Pre-school 02, just one tricycle ride from our place. Smart parenting websites and OUR pedia recommended this school because it was able to prepare their kids to big schools. Of course I wanted something like that for Elle as well but when we visited, I was disappointed. The place was so gloomy! The teachers looked depressed, the kids looked bored. They didn't have separate rooms per age group so the kids aging 2-5 (i think) were all together in one big place. I just don't know how they are able to hear and focus on what they are doing with all the noise and action around them.

We went to Pre-school 03, a home-based school recommended by one mom in one smart parenting website that I patronize. It's one tricycle ride from our place. It advocates "vertical education", where toddlers of all ages (2-5) are in just one class. I don't believe in "vertical education". I don't think it suits my daughter especially with her age and how much time she takes to warm up in a group. They scheduled us for a trial class but we never went.

We went to Pre-school 04, a school specializing in reading skills. We thought they could help Elle Marie with her speech. However, they seem not interested in us. We came and went without being entertained (there was a utility woman who received and explained what they are doing to us). So, we thought... we are also not interested in enrolling Elle Marie in their school.

We even did a 3-day trial class with Pre-school 05. This school is just a tricycle ride away from our place and one block away from Tita Nene's office. At first we were impressed with this school because of how their place look like. But, when the Finance Officer/acting OIC started talking as if she's a guidance counselor or an expert in toddler development... we were turned off. We gave up when I saw them starting their classes with the kids watching dvds!!! Yes, their tuition fee is VERY affordable compared to TU but we don't want to pay for a school to make Elle watch DVD when she can watch her dvd collection for one whole day at home! This school claims that they have the most affordable and convenient tuition set-up because you enroll every month for only P3000. If you decide not to enroll for a specific month, you may do so and re-enroll again anytime you wish.

Whew! In the end Elle Marie is back with TU, back with Teacher Liza in Little Joey class, back with Cyro, Lucas, Finn and Max (Lili might come in August after Max left) AND back in the yellow room... I can either learn how to drive or get a driver exclusive for Elle... but for now, Papa Noy is back in Jupiter St-Buendia Ave.-Tordesillas St-Legaspi St. route.

And... in preparation to June 15, Elle Marie and I went shopping this morning with Ate Pat! We bought these two lovely shoes from Landmark! They are having a mallwide sale and we got these two shoes for a REAL bargain!!! The Black High School Musical Shoes's original price was P1299 and we got it only for P300!!! The White, Lacy Minnie Mouse Shoes's original price was P899 and we got it only for P100!!! Yes! P100!!! God knows how happy Noy was when I told him about our treasure hunting we did in Landmark! He was worrying about how fast Elle grows that it looks like every month she has to change shoes but if it's just P100... she can change her shoes every week! (in exaggeration of course! i am not serious)

Thursday, May 28, 2009

See you soon Ate Pat pat!!!

This Saturday, we will bring Elle Marie's Ate Patpat back home to Laguit, Bugallon, Pangasinan. Pat pat and her older sister, Harlene have been with us since May 12 which is almost two weeks. Since then, our house was never quiet. You would always hear her voice everywhere! She would ask me infinite questions that makes me feel glad Elle is not as talkative (in a good way)as her, or else my BP will shoot up answering her questions. She would smile, smile and smile... (no wonder Elle adores her so much) and make funny, innocent and many comments. On the other hand, Harlene has been good with housekeeping. I am amused by how she makes up our room every morning and how bravely she traveled on bus, with Pat from Pila, Laguna to Makati!

Noy got Patpat and Harlene from Pangasinan after he learned that our last helper left. He got them to stay with us until the school opening (which is next week). Harlene helps me with the household chores while Patpat plays with Elle. Noy wanted Harlene to stay with us permanently and even offered to take care of Patpat's schooling here in Makati. But, Harlene has job waiting in a diaper factory in Bulacan. If only we can get someone from Laguit to work for us, we are still willing to take care of Patpat's schooling here in Makati. We just need someone she knows who will bring and get her from school.

I like Patpat not only because Elle adores her but because she is nice and innocent. She is the 6th in her family of seven kids (soon to be eight). She is seven years old. Her mom works as a house helper in Fairview while her dad is a wood carver. Her mom is a sister of Nong Endring who takes care of the farm in Pangasinan. Nong Endring's family is already Noy's family. I don't know how our house will be like when Patpat is no longer with us. Of course, the new helper from Bacolod is coming next week. I will have somebody to help me with the house chores again. But a playmate for Elle is different. I know, I haven't been as fun as I should be every time I play with Elle. I know I am treating her like a 12 year old or even worse like a colleague at times. What can I do? God knows I am really trying my 100% to be a good mom, great playmate, and excellent teacher to Elle...

I guess, life is really like that... what matters most is that Elle still has us, her parents who loves her soooo much. Of course, she can still see Ate Patpat when we go to Pangasinan... it's just a 3 hour ride from Makati anyways.

Monday, May 18, 2009

It's my birthday Part 2: A Filipino lunch date to remember

It's my birthday today and I am having a Filipino lunch date with my friends Jina and Sharon at Masas, Greenbelt 2. My friend Jina is Thai while Sharon is Singaporean. They already introduced me to authentic Thai and Singaporean dishes and it is now my turn to showcase our very own Filipino dishes!!!


I love KFC Zinger but I would not classify myself as a spicy food lover. That is why hanging out with Jina and Sharon was a great challenge in the start. They are used to spicy food back in their home countries. Jina once brought us to Azu Thai restaurant along Pasay Road for an authentic Thai lunch. She even introduced us to the Thai chef which is the best in town. Sharon, on the other hand once cooked Laksa for lunch. It's like Singaporean version of Batchoy but really spicy. We once went to Circle, Shangri la Hotel for their lunch buffet. Both went for their own spicy dishes while I devour the pastries and Filipino dishes!

When Sharon asked me where I want to have an "all-mom" lunch date for my birthday, I said "in Masas". Masas has always been my favorite restaurant in Greenbelt 2. I don't know why but, I kept on bringing my friends there every time I am asked to choose a restaurant. I love their crispy pata, sinigang and pinakbet!!! I love their interior, I love their ambiance, I love their staff...

I ordered grilled pork and squid, pinakbet, sinabawang pla pla. Both Jina and I had jasmine rice while Sharon had garlic rice. I ordered green mango shake, sharon ordered Avocado shake, and Jina ordered mocha shake. At first I was nervous that they might not like what I ordered but after two hours of chikahan! we were all surprised with our clean plates!!! We ate everything!

I was more surprised when both got hold of the receipt and paid for our lunch! I was deeply touched by their gesture I really felt special. At first, I didn't know how to react. I am used to treating my friends out for dinner or lunch on my birthday and they give me gifts or just plain smile or greetings. Jina must have felt my discomfort and cracked a joke "Don't dare ask for a gift Ella! That's already our gift! Hahaha

God is so great! He showered me with soooo many friends. A few forgot to greet me today but it's ok I'm not also good in remembering birthday. What is important is that even if I don't get to see them always, I know I have a friend in them.

I am so grateful to God for giving me Jina and Sharon. Yes, they are my constant buddies lately because of Lili and Max but, they play an important role in my life as a full-time mom. They saved my sanity! Being a full-time mom is not an easy job but with them to share experiences, chikahan to the max while waiting for our kids in Toddlers... life was easier.
I don’t know if I was able to survive the past few months of my life without them.

I love Sharon and Jina!!!

It's my birthday Part 1: Hi Five "fever" in Greenbelt 3

One, two, three, four... HI FIVE!!! It's my birthday today and to stress the point that i am a cool mom to Elle Marie...... I spent my afternoon chaperoning her to a "Hi Five" concert in Greenbelt 3! Yes, Elle Marie's all time favorite teen group is in town!

We were on our way to Gymboree when I saw the promotional banner of Hi Five along Ayala Avenue. I told Noy that we better go back and get more information about it. Good thing, Sharon texted me that she is in Rustan's supermarket so I requested her to get more information about the concert. The Hi Five will be in Ayala Malls for three days May 16-17 (in Glorietta, 18 (Greenbelt 3). They have 2pm, 4pm and 6pm concerts. We decided to go on the 18th because it's a Monday (we thought it will not be that crowded compared to watching it on a weekend), 4pm just after the kid's nap time.
Good thing I passed by the concert venue before proceeding to my lunch date with Jina and Sharon. I learned that in order for us to get a VIP pass (front row seat and a photo op with the Hi Five) we need to present P500 worth of receipt from any Ayala Mall store per kid... I am estimating that our lunch would cost around P1500 and since Masas is in Greenbelt 2, we can get 3 passes. The problem is... the passes are good until supply lasts with the long line for the pass there is no assurance. So!I rushed to the nearest PCX store in Greenbelt 3 to buy my "birthday gifts" to myself! A face powder and a lipstick which gave me two passes:-) So, I only need to worry about two more passes!
At exactly 3:30p.m., we finished our lunch. Jina and Sharon immediately went home to fetch Lili and Max while I get Elle Marie from Noy in Greenbelt 1, exchange our receipt for passes (3 more passes!!!) and reserve seats for our group. While waiting for Lili and Max, I saw Trixie, Lucas' mom!!! It turned out that Lucas and Tyler also adores Hi Five!!! So... there's Elle Marie, Lili, Max and Lucas!!!

Too bad, 4:00p.m. is Elle Marie's nap time that is why she was a little sleepy at first. But, as soon as she heard the very familiar... One, Two, Three, Four... Hi Five!!! She was up and dancing (a bit)! The whole time she was looking at the big screen on the left side of the stage. I think she is trying to discern how come this Hi Five looks different! (turns out we are watching the Hi Five that they use for promotion) She was trying to look for Kathleen, Charlie, Tim, Nathan and Kelly.
After the concert we waited for the photo op. Funny! Elle Marie fell asleep just when it was our turn for the photo op!!! Still, we went with it. I requested Tim to carry her and they all pretended that they are also sleeping!!! (first photo).

Whew!!! what a great way to celebrate my birthday!!! with my daughter... with Hi Five!!! hahaha

Saturday, May 16, 2009

It was A Fun, Fun Sunny Day at Fun Ranch!!!

It was another fun, fun, sunny day! The gang, Elle Marie, Max, Shawn and Lili went to Fun Ranch in Libis, Pasig. It is the only compound in Metro Manila that was created just for kids to play, eat, shop, relax, have party and be healthy. They have carousel, ferris wheel, bump cars, plane rides, activity centers, spa for kids, Bayo for Kids!, Big and Small, inflated balloons, and boat ride. Name it, as long as kids love it, they have it! Kids rule in Fun Ranch!Although it was a weekend, the place was not crowded (we were there as early as 10am!). The kids freely roamed around and had only one thing in mind but to enjoy! Elle especially liked the carousel! (I was not surprised, I think all the kids love the carousel) Good thing that we got her an "unlimited badge" so she was able to ride the carousel as many times as she wished! Funny, she almost fell asleep riding the horses (she kept on changing horses in the middle of the ride)!!! Hahahaha She also stayed long inside the Power Station where she won a pink ballpen after playing the rubber ducky machine. It was her first time to try out a game machine. We would always go to either Power Station or Time Zone and she usually just ride the carousel or animal rides but never tried playing with the game machines.
It was another fun, fun sunny day to spend with family and friends...

Monday, May 11, 2009

Yaya ranting: A certified Mom with 5 yaya experiences...

It was just this morning that i was sending ym to a friend telling her that i can now go back to work because my new yaya seems okey for elle. I ym'ed too soon! Around 6:00p.m. my new yaya for one week left me.

It was around 4:00p.m. my yaya approached me and asked permission to go to Payatas and stay there overnight. I was surprised because it was late to ask permission for a day off. Added to that, I need somebody with Elle tonight because I have to finalize my presentation for the workshop that I will facilitate next week and Noy is out of town. I asked her why the urgency and she shared with me that her boyfriend has a headache and has been insisting that she go to payatas to nurse him! Tumaas kilay ko! She continued that her boyfriend instructed her to look for another work if I don't allow her to go. Dito, tumaas blood pressure ko!

I calmly told my yaya to go back to her room and think about what she is saying. I don't think there is any urgency with a headache unless he had an accident or in a hospital, i will allow her to go. But the fact that he can still text, he can still go out and drink paracetamol. If I allow her to go tonight, he will ask her again to take a day off anytime he wishes. And, I don't like that idea! She can start looking for a new employer if she wishes.

After a few minutes, my yaya came back to me saying that she wants to stay with me, she just needs to see her boyfriend tonight. I told her go, i will not stop her. She cried and went packing...

This yaya is already my fifth yaya since I gave birth to Elle. She has the shortest stay with us-one week.

Yaya 01

My first yaya was Noy's distant, distant, distant relative. She is older than me by six years but smaller. She joined us three weeks after i gave birth to elle. She was okey during her first few months but started to deteriorate when her friend gave her a phonepal. She started using her cellphone 24/7! There was one time that she forgot to turn off our electric stove and nearly burned our apartment!!! Good thing my sister was left home and saw the fire!

One fine day, I asked her to dress Elle with her pink jeans over white shirt. She dressed Elle with a black leggings and blue tops. When I saw what Elle was wearing, I asked her if she knows the color pink and what jeans mean... I think she got offended and started to answer me back in a very loud voice. We ended shouting at each other inside the car on our way to Quezon City until Noy told her to stop!

When we got to my aunt's house in Quezon City, she told me that she wants to leave us and I said you better but after christmas (it was December 21) because we are having a christmas party at home and she is part of it plus she won't be able to get a ticket that soon back to Bacolod. She said (and I will never forget this line) "Ate, walang makakapigil sa akin sa pag alis, kahit kaladkarin mo pa ako!" The guts! So I told her to leave at that very moment! I told my husband to bring her back home to pack and I don't want to see her when I get back from our shopping!

She did left but it never ended there. She stayed with my sister-in-law's house in bacolod and took P20,000 cash. After one month, I also realized that she took away my old nokia phone. She called my neighbor's helper and told her that I am "bruha". That helper told my then new yaya which she also shared with me. So I told my neighbor about what her helper has been doing. She ended up crying and banned from talking to my then new yaya.

Yaya 02

My second yaya was from La Paz, Iloilo City. It was my father who recommended her to me. She is educated (reached 2nd year college) but had to work because they are having financial problems. She is nice, jolly and playful. I love the way she dresses Elle and the way she arranges Elle's hair. The only problem is that she has hearing problem and keeps on doing things different from my instructions! I had to give her up because we learned that she has a big cyst at the back of her waist which makes it impossible for her to carry heavy loads. I need someone to help carry heavy loads for me because of my hypertension that time. We still see each other in Iloilo and once in awhile text text text.

Yaya 03

Among my five yayas, this one is the worst! I never liked her the first time I saw her but was forced to get her. That is one greatest mistake I had to pay dearly. When she first came to our house in iloilo for an interview she brought her 3 month old baby and mother. The whole interview her mother kept on talking and talking... She even told me that "sana di ako magselos sa anak nya kasi yong dati nyang amo nagselos sa kanya"... This turned me off! In fairness, her daughter is not that physically pretty for my standards! I don't think Noy will ever make a second look on her (I know Noy's taste!) And for goodness sake, why would i be jealous of her?!! I am confident that Noy has eyes only for me!

So, I brought her with me to Manila. All day long she would talk and talk and talk and talk. If not talking, she would backbite my Yaya 02, which is supposed to be her bestfriend! I can tolerate her talking and talking but one thing I cannot tolerate is using my personal things.

It was Elle's birthday celebration in Pangasinan. We are having a party and I sent her off ahead of us because we would not fit inside our pick up. When I finally arrived, I saw her wearing my black, havaianas imitation slippers! I bought that slippers for P49.99 from Market! Market! (I also have a white slipper just like that one.) Price doesn't matter, what matters for me is that those are MY SLIPPERS! My sisters would not dare use it because I would not dare use their slippers! I really got mad! Funny, I still did not asked her to leave! BUT just a fews days after that my loving husband did.

It was her birthday. She did not ask for a day off so I told her to go with my aunt to divisoria so that she can shop for her baby. She did but called around 6:00p.m. saying that she is with her cousin in Sta Cruz and could not come back home because she is not feeling well. The good Ella in me told her to take a cab and I will pay for her fare. I could also fetch her from where she is if she is really not feeling well as long as she comes home because I don't want her to sleep anywhere I am not familiar with. She said yes. Then 10p.m. came... 12:00 midnight... no call, no text, no nothing. I was worried that she fainted on her way home. The next day, 12:00 noon came, 3:00p.m. then 7:00p.m. she arrived.

I promised Noy I will leave the talking to him when she comes home but failed because I was alone when she arrived. I told her to pack her things and go to wherever she wishes to go. She cried but that's one major no, no that she did to us. She was with us for only one month.

Yaya 04

This yaya came and go as swiftly as her weight. She was recommended by our neighbor when she saw me doing the laundry. This yaya cooks VERY bad! She cleans VERY bad! Worst, you cannot leave Elle with her. Noy's hypothesis: Elle is afraid of her because she looks like an alien. (We are exactly not the best looking people in this world but that's just our realistic hypothesis) She has big bulging eyes that could almost fall out from her face, really thin body(malnourished looking), and long thick curly hair. I can tolerate the bad tasting food because it makes me loose weight, the cluttered house because I am used with it BUT the fact that Elle doesn't want to look worse hold her is different. Good thing she asked permission to go home to Bohol so that she can take good care of her mom. Our hypothesis: she heard us talk about changing her because I am very frustrated that she could not help me with Elle. We let her go with a smile:-) and Elle was very happy. She stayed with us for one month (take note, during her first two weeks, it was not evident that Elle doesn't want to go with her because Hargy was with us. He is Noy's inaanak from Pangasinan. We asked him to jon us so that Elle can have a playmate)

This is my life... These are the yayas that I have to go through just to stress the point that yes! i am a certified mother because I have yaya blues! Since our project completed in August, I accepted a few part-time jobs but have been taking good care of Elle. Yes, I am faithful that God will eventually bless me with a good yaya. Someone trustworthy to take good care of my dear Elle Marie...

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Summer Collection 2009

What have I been doing in Iloilo City aside from marathon watching NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Services)?... I was making summer dresses for my dear Elle Marie!!!


Yes! I have always been fascinated with the art of making dresses. It started when I was little, I would watch my Nanay make dresses for us. My Nanay would pour her heart out in every dress that she makes for us and the finish product would always be us in the center of attention because of our lovely dresses. That time, I did not have any concept of fashion. As long as it was made by our Nanay, we would wear them with a smile!I formally learned how to use the sewing machine when I was in high school during our Home Economics classes. I remember making my own pink sleeveless, blouse but that's it. I never got to explore my fascination for making dresses because for one we do not have a sewing machine in Quezon City and I got busy studying Economics instead.During our more than one month stay in Iloilo, I thought of something productive to do since I don't need to worry about taking good care of Elle Marie because Mama was there; no need to think about what food to cook and how to wash our clothes because Mama has helpers to do that; and no need to worry whether Noy will be available to drive us to the mall or anywhere we wish because we have a driver. So, when I saw Nanay's sewing machine in our veranda, I told myself "this is it!" I went to Gaisano and bought clothes and accessories and started making dresses for Elle.It was fun making dresses for Elle Marie. Good thing I made it a habit to collect photos of dresses I wanted Elle Marie to wear so I tried to copy the designs with little innovations to fit Elle Marie's signature look. What made this activity more enjoyable for me is how Elle Marie would shout "Wow!" every time I make her wear my finish products and how she would pose for me to document my accomplishments. It makes me feel like she really appreciates all my efforts. It makes me want to make more... more... more dresses for her!
If only Nanay could see me now... I know she is proud of me with what I am doing for Elle Marie. Sabi nga ni Mama once when Papa said that he didn't know that I can make dresses, "Siya lang ang nakapagmana niyan kay Nanay". Yes, I am happy I got this talent from Nanay.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Flores de Mayo sa Iloilo...

Flores de Mayo is a month long flower festival in honor of Virgin Mary. Everyday kids would go to church to hear bible lessons and offer flowers to Virgin Mary for the whole month of May. After the offering, they would line up for a simple snacks and play in the plaza before going home. I remember when we were younger, me and my siblings would go around our compound in search for flowers. We would brave the hot sun just to have flowers to offer to virgin mary. Those were the days ...Today, Lola Moyette helped Elle Marie pick up flowers from the garden. They did not have a basket so Lola Moyette decided to make a bouquet instead. Elle was so happy, it was her first time to go to Flores de Mayo. However when Elle Marie and Lola Moyette arrived in the church, Elle was overwhelmed by the number of kids doing the flores de mayo. She hesitated to fall in line for the flower offering. But after a long talk with mama, she offered the flowers to virgin mary (she was the last one to offer). Since she was a very good girl, Lola Moyette brought Elle Marie to Gaisano for a Jollibee treat courtesy of Lolo Tito Joemel's gift certificates!

This is one great bonding moment for Elle Marie and Mama Moyette... Elle looks forward to next summer again to spend time with Lola and go to Flores de Mayo!