Monday, December 28, 2009

Things to be thankful of

2009 was a good year for me and my family.

There's a lot to be thankful of in fact. First and foremost I'm thankful for all the blessings the good Lord gave us this year. I'm likewise thankful for the bad times that came our way, because of that we learned new lessons in life and we try not to commit the same mistakes again - it also thought us to be better individuals as well as made our (me and my husband) relationship stronger.

Good health - no one from my immediate family got sick, except though for common colds which doesn't last long. Though my Mamang was diagnosed to have thyroid cancer, she was able to get through the operation and now she's up and about. We're thankful likewise that we were able to get through with the financial aspect of the operation.

We're thankful also that despite the ravage of Ondoy, our family, our house, our car, my brother's car as well were all spared from it. Although my in-laws were victims of the typhoon - water level rose to the second floor of their house, good thing is that they are all safe

Financial stability - both me and my husband are grateful that we still have our jobs...I even got a salary hike during the middle of this year!...oh! and I remember, even my husband got his too!...I was able to fully pay the salary loan I had in 2008.

I'm on the family way...our second child will arrive either last week of April or 1st week of May 2010. Whether it's a boy or a girl, as long as the baby's healthy, it really doesn't matter. Though we already have a name if it'll be a girl...

Material stuff - our car is still working well...we're able to pamper ourselves once in a while...same with our son Leon, we do try giving him what he deserves...

Oh oh! worth mentioning is this new pc I'm using right now. This has been a major plan for 2009 for both me and my husband...having this unit will be of great help to us as blogger...especially for my husband who's much into blogging!

We're thankful also for family and friends who despite the odds, remained to be close to us. Through thick and thin, they were there for us.

There's so many minor and major things to be thankful of and we're praying that the coming year 2010 will be as good to us as it is this year!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

pregnancy experiences

it has been mentioned to me during my first pregnancy that experiences such as morning sickness, nausea, vomiting, etc varies in different pregnancies.

in my experience, now that I'm on the family way with our second baby and only on my first trimester, I'm experiencing the same thing! Nausea is there, vomiting is there, worst I can't eat! As soon as I get to smell any kind of food, it becomes difficult for me to eat it and if I force myself to eat the food, I'll end up throwing up! gooey!!!

I'm so craving for food...it's been a while since I ate a good meal...since the time I felt I was pregnant, my stomach often feels empty and there's this feeling of a balloon inside and it's just floating within my tummy.

I can't help but wait for my first trimester to end so I can eat whatever food I want...except of course junkies which is really a no no to pregnant women.

we're only talking about food here. My sense of smell is too active as well...can't stand perfumes, cologne, soap, food prep, you name it, I'll react to it.

As I mentioned to my husband yesterday, the embryo in me is still half an inch in size but the effect it has on me and on other moms who experience the same thing, is way too much! No wonder every mother truly loves her child...the experiences bearing one is something a woman can be very proud of!


Monday, August 31, 2009

...on the family way

Literally, I am on the family way...if my counting is right, our second child will arrive by May 2010.

Missed my period and my taste buds aren't normal...time to check with the handy home pregnancy test kit, which I did last Saturday. Alas! it confirmed my thoughts.

Whew! I guess, I'm going through the same first trimester experience I had with our first child. I just hope this would be a little less tough. For four days now, I haven't been eating normally, I've been too choosy and it's quite a hassle.

Oh well, whatever this may bring in the next 9 months, I just hope and pray that it'll be an easy delivery (just like before) and a healthy child!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

My Starbucks Tumbler

Every morning in the office, I go through my daily early morning chores of cleaning my personal stuff, one of which is my Starbucks tumbler.Today, I've noticed that my tumbler had some water marks, literally water marks. Looking at it closer, I come to realize that this tumbler has been with me for quite sometime already...10 years I guess.

...something to be proud of, I believe. It has gone through numerous bumps and falls and yet here it is, serving me both hot or cold drinks, whichever I prefer.

I had it a few months after I got hired on my first job, with the salary I had that time, Starbucks tumblers cost some fortune. Eventually, I got my sister and brothers one each of the starbucks tumblers but of different designs. My husband got his when we were still dating - the black classic design.

Looking back and realizing that it's still with me up to now, it was worth the price!

Now I know what to give my mom and mom-in-law this Christmas!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

kids cartoon shows

I have a 2 year old son, although not a tv addict but has his favorite cartoon shows...Thomas and Friends, Handy Manny, My Friends Tiger and Pooh and of course the love of all kids, Mickey Mouse clubhouse to name a few...oops, Bob the Builder - my kid is hooked with trucks lately.

Because he likes watching these shows, we, his parents are "forced" to watch the shows with him.

It's quite funny to realize that lately, me and my husband also knows the theme songs of the shows...to the point that mostly every morning on my way to the office and even while in the office, I experience the LSS (last song syndrome)! and I get to memorize the characters of these shows...like I know the names of all Pocoyo characters...ahaha!!!

...but it doesn't bother me at all, I even actually love the idea...because of my lss, I get to day dream about my kids antics and his habits and our daily experiences with him. Love to be a mom!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

On vacation mode

It's August 19 today. Quezon City and Quezon Province are on non-working holiday as it commemorates the birth of Pres. Manuel L. Quezon.

On Friday, August 21, also a non working holiday as it commemorates the death of Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr.

In the organization I work with, the management decided to work today and make Thursday our non-working day therefore making a longer weekend...Yipee!... I actually on vacation mode already. Most of the employees have filed their leaves already, some went home to their respective provinces while others decided to have a family outing...Officially, there's only 14 of us here, most of which are Admin staff, waiting for the rest to go so we can shut down the system for the long weekend...to save on overhead expense :)

As for me and my family, we really don't have any special plans for this weekend, though we're looking forward to this so we can spend more time with our son, who lately demands for more time and attention from us. I'll have more time to fix the clutters at home especially now that some parts of the house is being renovated. This maybe also a time for me to cull and dispose some unnecessary things at home. Further, this will be a time to REST!

Have a happy weekend to all!

Million Hectare Walk 2009 (year 3)

The organizing team, lead by the Director for Organizational Sustainability met yesterday to discuss the details for this years Million Hectare Walk.



The 3rd Million Hectare Walk will be held on November 22, 2009 a Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife in Quezon City. It is a walk-for-a-cause activity initially for Haribon members but because of positive response even from non-members, the activity was open to all...members, non-members, young, old, single, couple and family.

How do we go about the activity: The activity aims to raise funds to support the ROAD to 2020 project. Each walker shall pay the registration fee, walkers are also encouraged to solicit pledges from their network for the number of walks or rounds they can make. There are 2 designated routes, one short and one long route. The walker will choose which route to take. They can either solicit a fix pledge or a per lap pledge. Example - I am a walker, and I decide to take the long route, I can also say that I can make 10 laps for the long route. Whoever wants to support me, will pledge a donation, let's say, 1,000 bucks for the 10 laps I can make. Or, they can pledge a donation of 200 per lap I can make. The more supporters I get, the more I am able to contribute to Haribon's program.

On the 1st year of the activity, my husband Lemuel joined as walker...though I can't remember how much he raised. Last year, our son Leon, registered as walker. He took the short route and was able to finish 3 laps. He was able to raise P900. A good sum for a 1 year and a half kid. He also bagged the "youngest walker award", received gift packs from Haribon and our sponsors, Coca-Cola, Smart and Aquabest.

Registrants will receive a kit for the walk, a katcha sling/shoe bag and a t-shirt with the activity design on it. For the last two years, we had additional freebees. I can't still say if we'll have the same now because we are still in the process of looking for sponsors for the event. Last year also we had some awards given to the participants, awards such as the Youngest and Oldest walkers, First to register, First family to register, Walker with the most laps made and some more...we hope we can give out the same awards this year.

On its third year now, the Million Hectare Walk is in support of Haribon's ROAD to 2020 project which aims to restore 1M hectares of denuded Philippine primary forest by year 2020. Proceeds of this activity goes to the planting of native tree species in Haribon identified sites and/or Haribon community project sites. Presently we have the Caliraya Watershed in Laguna as planting site.

Million Hectare Walk is open to all, families especially, that's why we have scheduled it on a Sunday so families can spend their time together while doing something for a cause. There will also be some activities for non walkers and guests. Haribon will likewise set up an exhibit and our merchandise booth so whether you are a walker or not, you can still make some donations in other forms during the event.

Registration will soon be announced. We encourage early registration so you'll have more time to solicit pledges before the day of the walk, though Haribon will still set up a table for walk-in registrants during the event. We are also open for sponsorships - individuals, group and companies are welcome to do so.

For further details you may check on Haribon's website: www.haribon.org.ph

Hope to see you there and support the restoration of the Philippine forest.