5 years and still going...Happy Anniversary!

It seems like it was just yesterday but we are celebrating our 5th year anniversary exactly today. M and I tied the knot on March 8, 2006 at the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church commonly known as the UST Chapel.

Time flies so fast yet everything that happened to us as a couple are still vivid in my mind. Not that I cannot believe it, Leon and Maia are the living proof of our fruitful and maturing relationship.

I never felt this happy. Having children is one source of chaotic happiness and having a spouse to share all my feelings is another thing. M is a good friend, my best friend that is aside from being my husband. I guess, that is one factor why despite some misunderstandings, we still end up at peace with each other.

Being married to each other for 5 years plus almost 3 years as a dating couple gave us enough time to know each other, although there are still more to learn in the years to come, I may say that we've already showed our true selves to one another. I know we will be able to face the challenges we are facing in the days and years to come because we've already laid the foundation of our relationship. Beyond love, we've learned to trust each other, to have faith in one another and to acknowledge that both of us have our weaknesses. We've learned to complement each other - one's weakness may be the strength of the other.

We may be a young couple compared to many out there but as promised during our wedding day and in front of God and our witnesses, we are bound to keep and fulfill our promises to each other given the many challenges in life.

I believe that there is no such thing as the perfect man or woman, I am not an exception to this, but I know there is the perfect partner - a perfect match - and M is my perfect match. Complementing each others imperfection creates a close to perfect relationship and that's what we are aiming at.

Leon and Maia's existence brings our relationship to a higher level. We are more responsible in almost all aspects in the relationship, emotional, psychological and spiritual. These, we try hard to inculcate to our children and with that it also harness us to become better persons.

As what I've posted in my Facebook wall...
"I am looking forward to more petty quarrels that will make our relationship stronger, to a more challenging life as a couple and parents to our children and to a more matured relationship filled with LOVE, HUGS and KISSES until my hair grows thin and gray and yours all gone :)"

I thank God for putting meaning in my life through the man who's destined to be my better half - M. Happy Anniversary dear! I Love you and will always will!

XOXO

Hearts Everywhere

I missed writing for Couple's Corner because of too much work in the office. Though still busy with work because we are having our strategic planning this week --- too much reporting and quite overwhelmed with the load of work up waiting to be done --- I'm here doing my share to the last topic for the love month...

Hearts Everywhere...From the time I met my husband M, my life was filled with beating hearts...though there are times the beating is faint, most often it's a thug.

I met M at Haribon. We were both new to the organization. He came just a month before I did. Although our work were unrelated, he was with the Marketing arm as the Membership Retention Officer while I came in the Secretary to the Research Group, fate brought us together. In one of the Membership Department's event, my counterpart for their group was unavailable on the said day. Maybe, taking his chances, he came up and asked me to cover for their secretary. I took on the task with the intention to learn more of the activity. lol!

Although I have to admit, I already noticed him on my first day of work when the HR assistant introduced the new employees to the whole organization's staff.

The event was a learning activity for me but it was likewise the first step for us to get to know each other better. From then on, M made the effort to be more friendly with me. As much as I tried not to give meaning to his actions, I found myself expecting for more.

Reporting to work wasn't hard for me as I was looking forward to going to work not just because I was new but because I found an inspiration.

Since then hearts were everywhere! In the workplace, on my mobile phone, on my emails...

Just to give you an idea of how the love story went...My first day of work was on June 2, the event was on June 17, our first date and kiss was June 25 and we went steady on June 28...whirlwind, you bet! But unlike other whirlwind romance that ends as fast as it started, ours became a promise to have and to hold, through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, til death do us part =)


Seems that this post is a compilation of this month's topics huh, lol!

Hope everyone had a happy heart's month!!!

Good Habits that will Never Change (Couples Corner #2)

If last week's topic was about Bad Habits that must go, this week's about Good Habit that must stay...

What good habits do we have? Hmmm, let me see ;)

About me:
I've managed my spending habits. The past few years married to my husband who's such a practical guys taught me to be more prudent in spending hard earned money. Thus for three years now, I've maintained an excel file of my monthly salary vs. my spending and so far I've been able to stick with it. Not too perfect though coz I still allow myself a little spending on special occasions. Teaching myself of this value also cascades to our children as they, especially Leon sees that we practice living simple and within our means.

Another of my good habit (I guess) is how I value quality time within the family. I make sure that we (both of us) spend enough time with our children. Both of us are working and are out of the house even more than the 8:00-5:00 work period. I make sure that I spend good quality time with each of our children. The simple gestures of feeding and/or bathing them, playing on the sides makes a lot of difference in their time without us around. That's why even on tiring days, when any of our child request for our attention, I give in. Anyway, the reason why we work is for their benefit, therefore, for me, it's not an excuse if my husband or I are tired from work. On the same note, I also try to make each weekend a special one for them to remember and to look forward to.

I am proud to say that I am a positive person and this is one habit that will definitely not change in me. No matter how bad the situation is, at the end of the day, I still look at the positive side of it. With this trait, I am able to surpass stress and challenges that comes our way. I know one way or the other, my husband is able to acquire it little by little, well, not that he's a negative person. lol!

About M:
M, as mentioned is such a practical person, therefore bad spending habits is not an issue with him. He's one person who'll think first of saving for the rainy days before spending his money. His philosophy is to save more so that he'll be able to provide better in the near future than just provide and provide until he reaches retirement age and then just settle with his pension money to provide for our needs.

The next good thing about M is not really a habit but a value. His patience and love for children, our children especially is more than I could ask for. His love for us, his family is his driving force to always put his right foot forward. He always make it a point to tell us he loves us and always makes it a point to kiss us all goodnight. He even told me one time, that even when he's already asleep, I make sure that I kiss him goodnight because he does the same thing to me every single night. He reminds me that even when sleeping, it is our subconscious mind that takes note of the good or bad gestures we receive and it affects us even when we are asleep.

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All I (we) Want for Christmas (CC 12-1-10)

December is officially here and it falls on a Wednesday, very appropriate for Couple's Corner topic for this week - Our Christmas Wishlist. And since it's December, my favorite time of the year, you bet it's because of the yuletide season - a great time for gift giving and receiving...and a valid reason for us women to shop around every stores on sale, bazaars and the infamous tiangge here in the Philippines.

To start of, every since we've been a couple and aside from giving gifts to each other, we made it a point to buy something out of our savings from the year's hard work (lol). For this year's we're planning to buy a digital camera. Funny, digicam wasn't a priority to us until now that we have kids...we content ourselves with photos taken by families and friends. This year, especially when our little daughter arrived, both of us wanted to document "kodak" moments of our kids with or without us in the picture. We already did some window shopping on some brands, we haven't sat down yet to decide on which one to purchase.

For my husband M: Just this evening, on our way home, while in the car, I've asked him what he wanted for a gift, his reply was a wallet. Although I already had it in mind, I wanted to know if there was something else he wanted. Truly, his current billfold must be replaced! Someday soon, I'll be walking around some stores to look for a wallet made out of quality leather that would last long.

For me: My list is quite long...but of course I only have to choose 1, keeping in mind our little ones who'll need more for Christmas and for the days to come. I would want to have my own iPod Shuffle, just the Shuffle, although M insists on the Nano. I don't know yet but I prefer the Shuffle because it's more handy especially when I do my run/jog (I usually borrow his Nano or use the radio on my Corby mobile phone). My husband though is still contemplating on my wishlissssst, trying to figure out which one is the best Christmas gift for me. Hmmm, sweet ;)!

For Leon: we're thinking of giving him a "big boy's" bicycle, although he's just three, his way to big for the usual toddler bike. M tried to ride him on the bigger bike and he was able to reach the pedal...next step will be to teach him how to make it move. Leon's special request though is to have Power Rangers designs on the bike. He's into Power Rangers and Ben10 this time, we may add some gifts for him to open on Christmas eve with these characters in consideration.

For Maia: I've gone on-line shopping and ordered her busha pants. At her age, she doesn't really need much of the material stuff aside from clothing and food...more time here to save for her future Christmases with us, especially when she's able to tell what we wants already.

But beyond the material things, what's constant in our wishlist is for us to be healthy and safe and to be always together as a family. That's it, my share to Couple's Corner, how about yours?at the Noel bazaar with my mom in the picture
taken from a photo booth located at the entrance.

When We Wish Upon A Star (CC: 11-17-10)

Just like any other couples out there, we too have our moments doing wishful thinking together.

Our most fervent wish this time is for us to have our own abode. Not the grand one, but hey, we're wishing here, why not make it grand! Kidding aside, a home that would be comfortable enough for the four us. The kids are growing up fast and we see the need for them to have their own spaces as well. Another wish would be for us to be able to provide well for our children. Give them good education, a comfortable life and a little of the good life.

Both of us loves to travel, this too is in the wishlist. Together with our little gems, for us to be able to visit beautiful places in the Philippines as well as interesting places around the world.

Beyond material pleasures, we wish for a sound mind, healthy beings and happy family going through life's greatness and challenges together.

A special wish though, is for us to stay long enough to be able to see our children live their lives to the fullest and for me and M to grow grey hairs together.

Me and my little Maia

Yesterday, our little deary Maia turned 7 months!

As fast as time flies, little Maia grows fast as well. As if it was just a few weeks ago that the nurse from the hospital handed her to me for the first time. Baby Maia was too tiny and still wrinkled from her 9 months stay in my tummy.


Now she's gone to be a big little baby girl who's started crawling and always want to be in a standing position. She's not too fond of smiling but you know when she's all lighted up because of the smile in her pretty pair of expressive eyes. She's now able to express herself such as flashing a sad eyes whenever I'm off to work or extending her arms reaching out to me or her Daddy when we come home from work. She's in the stage wherein she's enjoying being nuzzle-wuzzled.

As much as I want her to be forever a baby, I know she'll grow up sooner than later but I really am wishing that time flies slow so that we can enjoy the days of her as well as her older brother Leon's childhood days.

Hosted by Krystyn
(Nov. 8, 2010)

Manana Habit (I will do it tomorrow - Couple's Corner 10-27-10)

'I will do it tomorrow' is one heck of an annoying statement especially for spouses with OCD behavior.

My husband and I, on different occasions, utter this statement, especially when we were a newly wedded couple. As the days, weeks, months and years go by, saying the statement becomes annoying to each other. Thus, we try hard not to piss off each other by nagging each other to do something both isn't really ready to do. Again, we wait for the right time to request from each other assist us on thing we cannot do by ourselves.

For example, since both of us are on an 8-5 work, we don't really do serious household chores during week days. I, for one, is free both on Saturdays and Sundays, thus I'm able to do more things at home than my husband, who is only free on Sundays. What I do, I plan whatever it is to do for the weekends, I do stuff which I can manage during Saturdays. But in cases where in I think I'll need his help, I do tell him in advance so he too, can fit it in his calendar of activities.

I've learned not to insist on what I want to be done or to be finished. Instead, I've learned to make it a couple activity so that tasks won't appear as task but as something we can share in doing and also as a bonding moment for the two of us.

I have to admit though, between me and my husband, it's me who can't finish a task, thus 'I'll finish it tomorrow'. Not really an excuse but I'm quite OC on most household issues, thus instead of being able to finish something, there is a tendency to overdo stuff and leave it as it was before it was attended to. whew...

But then again, being a wife, a mother, a career woman, a homemaker, and all that is that we are, not to mention being a sister, a friend and an enemy, there are a lot of things expected from us, and we can do only so much. I guess, the same applies to our spouses.

At the end of the day, what is important is not so much of what we have accomplished for the day but how we've managed our relationship, not only with our better-half but with our children and other people around us as well.

NO Dear...(Couple's Corner 10/20/10)

First, I don't want to get a NO for an answer...not just from my husband but from other people as well...that shows how stubborn my personality is. Besides, for me, it's some kinda rejection, and I don't want it as well...I'm a bit a sensitive person, that's another reason.

Therefore, instead of getting a NO for an answer, I try hard to first analyze whatever the situation is then I act.

I believe M and I knows each other too well that we are able to talk to each other, further, request from each other what we want without expecting a NO for an answer. I guess, right timing is the key to not getting a NO from our spouses/partners.

Although, I must admit I still get some NO especially when we do the groceries...there are some items that I would want to pitch in the cart but just by his looks, I know it's a NO. But again, sometimes I still get what I want especially when what I want is what our son Leon also wants...hehehe, another secret weapon huh...

What I normally do is talk to him about what I want and ask for his opinion and eventually get his approval - he does the same thing with me. Besides, both of us already knows whatever it is that will merit each others disapproval, thus we won't insist on it anymore. Most of the time still, I don't get what I want in an instant. It's something both of us really have to work hard for -- a value we want to instill also to our children, thus we have to be good examples to them.

Who's The Boss!

Who's the Boss? Should the husband be more superior than the wife? Most of the time, I find myself trying to understand why being superior is an issue. Why can't human behavior accept superiority of others as a positive force in dealing with life's complexity. Or is it part of life's complexity. Regardless, I think in marriage, who's the boss shouldn't be an issue.

In our case, although I am a modern woman, I can still accept the fact that male species are predominantly superior than the female species. Be it scientifically or theologically based - which I can balance as the foundation of some of my principles in life and of this week's Couple's Corner topic.

Therefore, I really don't mind whether me or my husband M becomes superior or inferior in various situations, it's all about balance. I think he has the same view as mine. I openly accepted the fact that I will be the more inferior between the two of us. Most of the time though, M seeks my opinion in matters especially on family matters and those that may affect the condition of the family in the future. Most often than not, too, we share the same opinions, thus less conflict. Sometimes though, it's me who acts like the boss in terms of decision making concerning some passions of mine ;0 lol. And it is during these times that I get reminded by M of his presence...sorry my dear.

On decision making, we both seek each others opinion. But during emergency cases and whenever one is not available, we trust each other to make the necessary decision especially concerning our children and the family in general. Immediately after the situation or when the other spouse arrives, we tell each other the decisions we made and most of the time, we agree on it.

On some simple matters such as those concerning household chores, furnishings, it's mostly up to me while those concerning the cars, electrical connections, I leave it up to him. Most decision making such those concerning the kids, finances and for the family in general are shared between the two of us.

We did not sit down and talked about this, what we are holding on is our trust and respect to one another to make the right decisions and actions. What is always on top of our mind is the betterment of the family, the children and our relationship as a couple.

It's all about sharing and giving. Balance in all aspect of married and family life is, I guess, the key to a successful working relationship.

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My Daily Dose of I LOVE YOUs (Mellow Yellow Monday #11)

My daily dose of I Love You's from my son Leon is expressed through this 3 little yellow flowers which he picks every morning and hands to me with matching peck on my cheek!

Definitely a sweet gesture that brightens my day!

what we want from each other?

This week's Couple's Corner topic is on what we want for each other.

There's so many things to say but almost all especially those not material in nature boils down to one thing both of us wants from each other - TIME - time for each other.

Time for each other is essential in a growing relationship or in any relationship for that matter. This we had plenty when we were still on the dating stage and when we were a newly wedded couple. But then, when our eldest son came, time for each other became lesser. Especially from my part since I had to nurture a newborn child. Time became more scarce for each other when another baby arrived to the family.

As much as we miss each other so much despite being together every single day, we have to understand that our children needs our care and attention. Part of giving them care and attention is for us to work to be able to provide for the family. I think we are in the situation that our children comes first before ourselves and us being a couple. Our son is a 3-year old toddler who demands so much attention because he's in the "discovery" stage, he's too inquisitive of all that's happening in his environment. While our daughter, barely 5 months old, needs all the nurturing for her to grow up as healthy as her kuya.

There are times that the demand for time from each other becomes the source of misunderstanding. Despite how hard we try to understand the situation, but when emotion gets in the way, understanding the facts that lies in front of us becomes too difficult. Though at the end of the day, we still make amends and discuss between the two of us what to do to avoid such misunderstanding. A simple cuddling to express ourselves becomes too valuable to each other.
On the material side, my husband is not so much a material person, I am more of that kind, but because of our children and our desire to provide for them, there are times that I let go of what I want in favor of the needs and wants of our children. In cases like this, either of us is sensitive of the things we temporarily set aside to give way to more important expenditures, thus when good times arrive, both of us try to acquire for ourselves or as a gift to each other the things we've previously put on hold. There are some items though that is on M's wish list that I know...a digital SLR, a qwerty phone, a Nike rubber shoes to name a few...I hope I will be able to give at least one from his list or at least help him in raising enough funds for acquire whatever is in his priority list. As for me, so far, what I want from him which I already told him about are...an iPod (I'm borrowing his once in a while) and since Christmas is in the air...just reminding here ;)

Hardest Days of our Married Life (Couple's Corner)

M & I have been together as a dating couple in 2003 and has been married to each other for 4 years now, with 2 kids.

Even while we were still dating, we already have plans for our future. Little did we know that time that fulfilling our plans would also mean some difficult times, hardest of which involves our loved ones.

In the 4 years that we've been together, we've been through rough moments, and most experiences took its toll on our finances. The most difficult time, as I may have experienced (and maybe holds true, too with M) happened just recently.

As much as we don't want money to be the cause of our discussion, it really finds its way to be one. We are living in our parent's house together with my siblings. Common household expenses such as electric and water bills are the source of misunderstanding. No matter how hard we try to make the division of responsibilities fair between us siblings, others react because of some selfish reasons. This selfish reasons of others are the cause discussion between me and my husband. He sometimes can stand the fact that I'm still the one being depended upon by my maiden family for the household needs when in fact all of us are working and are very much capable of sharing.

As much as I would want to still be there for them, I have my own family and they are and should be my priority. I hope they can understand it. As for me and my husband, we've always made sure that misunderstanding between the two of us should always be settled immediately. Our son is smart and is already observing the things happening in the household, when I'm not okay, he already asks me why and that he relates it as "daddy's mad at mommy". I'm bothered about this and it's difficult to explain to his little mind the things happening around him. What comforts me for the moment is the tight hug I receive from my son in times like this.

We actually have a solution to this current problem of ours, but it will really take too much effort and a little more time to realize it...moving to our own abode.


During situations like this and even when money is not the reason, we always try very hard to find solutions to it and ask our Lord for guidance and strength. We know there will be more bumps in the road we're traveling as a couple and as a family, but as long as we find strength in each other and with the deeper meaning of love binding us, we know we're always gonna make it. ;)

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Helping Each Other (Couple's Corner)

When I first saw my M, I knew deep inside that he was a good person. Aside from being a friendly person, my gut-feel tells me that he's someone whom I can get along with easy. True to it, as an officemate, M was one of the first few people I became friends with which eventually lead to courtship and dating.

Even as a dating couple, we had been supporting each other. In all aspects of life -- physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and financial, in good and bad times, we were there for each other. We supported and criticized each other in terms of individual plans and programs, whether for personal consumption or for the two of us.

Both of us are not perfect persons and we are very much aware of that. Whatever the flaws we see in each other we try to convert it to become an asset, developing and improving each other's character to make us better persons and until now we still do the same to become good examples to our children.

As I mentioned in one of my previous blog (also here at Couple's Corner), our differences compliments each other. Whenever the need arises, we try to fill in to each others shortcomings. Amazingly, there are times that we need not say anything for the other one to feel the need for help. Despite being a young couple as compared to many out there, I am proud to say that we know each other so much. One example would be this, between the two of us, it is me who is more talkative, and when I keep annoyingly quite, he knows there is something that's bothering me. On the other hand, even on the manner of his kissing me upon arriving from work, I would already know that something went wrong or something isn't just right.

As I am writing this entry to this week's topic on Couple's Corner, we are going through a slightly difficult moment concerning extended family members which slightly affects our relationship and the family in general. Instead of sulking, we've discussed the matter and try to find ways to lift each other up and help each other in dealing with the concern. It helps us as also that in situations such as this, we remind each other that we are there for each other. We likewise constantly remind each other of the promises we made during our wedding.

Helping each other is not just during bad times, we also help each other in good times, acknowledging each others strength and being proud of each others accomplishment is a form of help, making us more eager to deliver well in what we do that would translate to better ways in providing for the family.

Sometimes though, we miss being just the two of us. Life is a bit more complicated than before with the presence of our two lovely children. But this complications is what we have been looking forward to before and now that it is here, we are more than willing to help each other more to give our family the good life that we all deserve.

Blogging about this just reminded me of the reason why I fell in love with M and looking forward to growing gray hairs with him. Hmmm...loving the moment :)

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Couple's Corner: When SORRY is not Enough

I hope my entry to this week's meme can still find it's way to Mr. Linky...

When saying sorry is not enough...Saying SORRY is difficult to us both...

Both me & my husband have our share of pride that's one reason why it's difficult to ask for an apology. Between the two of us, it is me who often admit my mistakes, but it still takes a while because I still defend myself till it's checkmate...my husband (between the two of us) has the more wisdom in analyzing what just had transpired, one reason why the discussion takes a lot of time, hours to be more profound while I'm more on the emotional side.

Sometimes, I even find myself apologizing for things that I really haven't committed, while he will likewise tell me not to because it's not my fault. There are matters in family life or relationship that one has to take the responsibility to admit the mistake not to put an end to the conversation but to take it to a higher level of discussion --- to find a solution to the problem and not to commit the same again.

My husband does not say the word often but his actions speaks for it. He cooks special meals for us or treat me out, or a simple peck on the cheek that one can feel the sincerity on it. I on the other hand put on extra effort not to commit the mistake again.

After a long discussion, more than feeling sorry for what just happened, both of us deepened our relationship as a couple and both matured as parents to our kids and as individuals. At the end of the day, what matters most is our family and our relationship. We often also look back at the promises we made on our wedding day.

Couple's Corner: When We Want Something

When we want something, we tell it straight to each other. There's really no spoken rules on it. Since both of us are financially independent, we both allow each other to purchase anything specially things that are for the household and for the car. We also allow (once in a while) each other to give in to some of our luxury, but this is more of me :)

Back when it was only the two of us, purchasing personal stuff was easy. Now that we have 2 kids, we became more responsible and practical. We normally think twice now before we buy anything. What we do now, whenever each one wants something and tells the other about it, we give it as a little gift for each other and usually it comes as a surprise.

Major purchases or expenditures are being planned and we normally talk about monetary sharing.

But for something that is not material in nature, action speaks louder than words ;)

my share to this week's topic on:

Couple's Corner: Likes and Dislikes

I'm late...well, here's my share to this week's topic:

Likes

• we love eating, pasta is our favorite, M sees to it that we prepare a pasta dish at least once every other week, though we also love Pinoy dishes; one of our adventures in life is to try different dishes from other countries and cultures. My all-time favorite is Mexican dishes - tacos, nachos, echiladas, his is Italian - really a pasta lover; we love fruits and veggies as well, though we are not vegetarian
  
• we love nature, we are advocates of the environment, our charity goes to Haribon Foundation by being a member of the organization and supporting regularly their adopt-a-seedling campaign which aims to restore the 1 million hectare of the Philippine forest by the year 2020; this is also were the two of us met :D; nature-tripping, birdwatching, snorkeling
  
• we like to travel, check out the beautiful places of our country, the Philippines, before venturing into places outside the country, though M has been to UK already.
  
• for Sunday mass, though we belong to a parish, we go around the city to hear mass in other churches, my fascination since I was still single, it became his when we started going out. Now he sometimes takes the initiative to look for a church for our Sunday Mass.
• Shoes - the difference only lies on: I am for quantity, he is for quality
• we are both trying our hands in photography
• I'm into handricrafts
• we both like to read, he's more into this though, can finish a book in one sitting, while I take sometime. His fave author is Dean Kootz, while mine is Dan Brown

Dislikes

• Both of us don't like smoking but we have friends who are smokers...no offense to those who smoke :)
• we also dislike loud people, arrogant and back stabbers

I'm happy that we share the same things in life...he's really God's match for me

wedding reception at the Manila Orchidarium, Luneta
March 8, 2006

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CC: Our Talents

This week's theme on Couple's Corner is about our different talents.

My husband loves cooking, and that I believe is one of his talents. Cooking may be a skill for others but with my husband, it's natural on him, he can come up with a wonderful dish from whatever it is available in the ref. He can cook well I can say. I do cook but not too good as he does. His specialty is pasta. I love is tuna spaghetti in olive oil. Even our son looks forward to his pasta dishes. He is also good with Pinoy dishes, you should try his pork sinigang and pinakbet, the veggies are just right, not soggy. He has patience and uses the right timing in whatever he cooks. Just like now, I can smell the aroma of the pork bar-be-que he is cooking....can't wait to eat it!

He's into cars, too! He knows each type, class, forms and every details about it.

My talent on the other hand is on needle works, my specialty is cross-stitching, though I can work on crochets, knits, embroidery and sewing. In cross-stitch, I can stay up all night to finish on a project. One of my dream is to own a sewing machine. It'll be one of the things I'll be working on when I become a WAHM - I'll be using my talent and convert it to cash! Though I've been doing it already but not as a career.

Another talent of mine is dancing, but I haven't been dancing since I don't know when :) one reason is that my husband isn't into it. Not that he don't want me to but he doesn't know how to. I've been into cheerdancing when I was still in college and I'm proud to say that our team won three times :)

That's it, our talents...check out other couple's entry to this week meme :)

During my maternity leave

I'm a working mom. One of the privileges of being employed is going on a maternity leave which I'm availing of since I gave birth to our daughter last April 8. But it'll soon end, as I am going back to work this coming Friday, June 25.

Looking back, what have a done during the almost 3 months leave?

Aside from recovering from a repeated C-Section (I had the same with our eldest son), which was fast and of course taking good care of our newborn - she's gaining weight fast, making her more cuddly, I was able to attend to most household chores hands-on! I missed tending the house, making sure that it's clean and sanitized not just for the newborn but for all of us. It's quite a challenge though because our house is an old one and you can just imagine the wear and tear.

It gave me time to plan on what to do with the house. The house is of my mom's and since we're leaving in it for free, though we do give our share for the utilities and basic commodities. We're thankful to my mom for allowing us to stay in her house, renting nowadays is quite expensive. Though it is still an option but we often come to realize the practical side of it - paying a monthly rent and yet the house will not be ours no matter what. What we're doing is to do our share of improvements in the house - there goes the money that's supposedly a rent equivalent. We've done the ceiling and replacement of electrical connections, what's next? There's a lot in tow - a repaint, renovation of toilet and bath, renovation of dining area, those are just a few.

Checking on the expenses versus the savings is another task I was able to do while on maternity leave. Given some considerations, we are still a young couple and are both striving for our future. Having already 2 kids as planned, we off to the next step. The next step which are saving and paying for their education, buying our own house and making it our home. Again, these are just the 2 major plans, there are still more in the list. Both of us are off to doing well in our respective fields to be able to provide well for our family and share some to our parents.

I had enough time to attend to my personal needs as well. I had the "me time" which I missed so much. I was able to pamper myself, had a regular nails and a hair care, I'm off to a facial care soon :) Finished 2 cross stitch designs and currently doing another one now. The first two are gifts to two couple friends who tied the knot. Cross-stitching might be a career for me once I've decided to stop going to work.

Attending to pertinent documents and organizing family pictures were also done. We were able to have our daughter baptized already. These are some matters I planned to accomplish before I go back to work.

Most important though is the time I'm spending with our children, both equally important. For Maia's growing needs, she's still too dependent on me for her sustenance. And for Leon who is missing my attention since I got pregnant (had a difficult one) and was busy with work as well. Now is my time to catch up with him. I'm thankful though that even at his young age understands the situation.

Motherhood is definitely a 24/7 job, a career that I love so much and is very much into it. No need for a dictionary to explain it well, just talk to a mom.

Father's Day celebration

How did we celebrate Father's day?

Since it's Sunday, as we normally do and together with my mom, we went to my in-laws to have our lunch there and since it's Father's day, I offered to buy some ice cream for all of us to celebrate the occasion and for my husband, my father-in-law and my brother-in-law.

We stayed for an hour or so. As usual, our son played with his cousins. But today, he played more with his Lolo Alan, which caught our attention. He was so fond of his Lolo than usual, sitting on his lap, pulling a chair to sit in front of him, playing with his toy cars with his Lolo.

The sight made me think of my father. Had he be still alive today, they might be super buddies with my son, I good reason is my son is the only grandson in my family's side.

We then went to drop off my parents-in-law in one of the malls in Quezon City for their date. We then proceed to hear the 4pm mass at the St. Paul the Apostle Parish, also in Quezon City. I was personally glad to have heard mass there today. The priest not only greeted the fathers who were there but also requested them to go to the altar to receive his blessings. So today, my husband is again blessed.

From there we went to buy our gift for my husband...a pair of sneakers of his choice (that's how we are, we buy presents not to surprise each other but rather we buy presents that we want to remember that it was given to us by each other). As other men, my husband loves shoes but what makes him uniquely different from other men is that despite loving shoes, he only has a few pairs. Why? because, since he likes the shoes so much that he wears it till it tears. This new pair will replace his current fave pair - which lasted for a year!

And instead of dining out, my husband opted to go home early than usual to give him ample time to cook his favorite dish, tuna spaghetti!

Today wasn't really the perfect day for the father in our family...he even woke up early to have the transformer of the ref replaced and was "on call" in case my brother decides to be brought to the hospital due to his excruciating gallbladder-related pain.

So how did we spend Father's day? We spent it with my husband's loved ones - not so much of the extravagance but more of the quality time together and with the day's glitches, it makes it one Father's day to remember.

Spice of Life

Early this year, Haribon Foundation, the organization I am with, conducted various orientations for the employees. One is the Wellness Orientation in which we invited speakers from PhilCare (formerly PhilamCare) and the Philippine National Red Cross.

Orientation with PhilCare is regular in such a way that they come to us annually to give us orientations on various topics, this year topic is on the most common infectious diseases. Which is good because the nature of work in Haribon entails working with communities and network. As the saying goes, Prevention is better than Cure.

While with the PNRC, this is our first time. We invited our members to join in the orientation, although only few came. After the orientation, we were all one in having a blood letting activity in Haribon, which will be open to employees and their family, Haribon members, networks and partners.

Learning about the activity, DENR-MIMAROPA which occupies the 3rd & 4th floor of the building we are in, decided to join forces with us for a bigger number of donors. Finally, we were set on March 11, 2010 for the blood letting activity, held at the conference room or DENR (which is bigger than ours).Even before we had the activity, I, personally was open to donating blood, it is quite unfortunate because every time I try donating, I get rejected because of low red blood cells composition (????). For this year, I can't again, because I am on the family way :(.

What I did was talk to my husband to donate blood - as per the PNRC, any family member who donates blood can request for blood for any family member who needs one. At first, maybe he was thinking I wasn't serious, said yes. From the period of orientation until the date was set, I kept on reminding him of the schedule, he just dismisses me all the time. Thinking again, he can get away with it.

Until finally, it was the week of the activity. The donation was on a Thursday. Monday of that week, I again reminded him, now, realizing that I'm serious, he was giving me alibis such as it's number coding day and that he will be weak going to work (I told him to come with me to the office so he can be the first one to donate, then he can go to work afterwards). Tuesday, his alibi was that he was scheduled for a work out on Thursday (which he normally does, to be able to bring the car before the number coding time schedule). On both days, I was the one dismissing his alibis. Wednesday, I again reminded him. I made it through a phone call to his office. I told him that donating blood is beneficial not just to him but to us, his family, his parents and my mom - when such time comes that we will be needing blood transfusion, having a record, he can request for us. I even got to the point of reminding him that I'm due to give birth soon and might need some blood if matters comes worse.

I guess, I was able to put some senses on him, that he decided to donate but still with some inhibitions. During the conversation, issues of needles and blood came out - that was the real reason why he wasn't really into donating blood. My husband, by the way becomes weak at the sight of blood and needles...notably common to the male species...sorry to say though.

An office mate of his, who was already a donor, overheard (I guess) our conversation, offered that she be enlisted in our activity. Making it more difficult for my husband to back out, as his office mate will be traveling all the way from their office to ours to donate while he wont.

Thursday came, my husband arrived after lunch for his turn to donate blood. I came along, not just to give him moral support but to see if he'll get weak at the sight of his blood and the needle. --- he didn't, but still managed to mention to me that he donated 450cc of blood and that it was too much for him :D.

Just recently, I had to go on some laboratory test in relation to my pregnancy, which entails extraction of blood. While in the hospital, waiting for my turn, my husband mentioned that for him, it wasn't really fun going to hospitals and working there for that matter. The conversation made me smile. I'm the opposite, as my dream back then was to be a doctor.

Funny though because we are exactly the opposite when in comes to situations like this but these are personal identities which makes us love each other more, makes us appreciate the importance of each one of us. Makes us realize that despite being married to each other and 2 people becomes 1, we still hold on to who we really are - giving spice to our life.