Back to School Blues June 5, 2011

Weekend movie date (at home) with the hubs isn’t worth bloggin’ at all “Hall Pass” – strictly adult comedy. Period.
Also finished the latter part of “Rio” for we fell asleep when we watched it with the kiddos the day before.

Okay, so it’s the second to the last weekend before school starts on the 14th for Dyl and Zoe. Now that we have moved back to the R house since holy week, it will be the kids’ first time to ride the school bus/service. I hope they easily adjust to the new set-up. The bus operator yesterday presented and had me sign the contract, and a short de-brief on how things will go was also given.

I’ve also started listing things for our “Ate Yor-Y” (I might have to revise my excel sheet ) tasks. Also, no more late night stay-ups. Trying to “switch off” the kids’ bakasyon routine and get them back to “school mode”.

It’s cool to view the kids’ sections online. I remember when it was our time, we had to wait the week before school starts and check the portable blackboards to check our sections, and until before that day, you’ve been wonderin who your classmates are, will your crush be in the same class, people you hate? etc. It’s nice to reminisce those times.

I thought, as a mom, I have gotten over school-related first day/time blues, I was wrong. I still experience the same happy, nervous and excited feeling even if it isn’t their first day really.

I hope things go well. (Ok, now to revise that task list)

0 Balance June 3, 2011

It’s officially the weekend (Friday night). We hope to visit baby giant tomorrow, our friends Den and Aubrey’s baby.

I think, I still haven’t gotten over last Saturday’s financial drop err scare. (tuition fees, books and uniform purchase) and I’m pretty sure my husband would agree x10 even. So I’m trying to figure out how we can spend a simple to NO gastos weekend. Just pure family fun.

And again, I forgot to buy plastic cover for the kids’ books. It’s June once again and back to school in the PI. People tend to swamp malls and bookstores to raid school supplies just before school starts.

Anyway, I’m still left with ten more days and those books can wait. For now, I’ll just enjoy the wikund.

The Nativity Story January 5, 2010

As a part of my module requirements for Miriam, I had to see the movie “The Nativity Story” I never had the subject Theology from my previous course (from a non-Catholic School) so I had to enroll it this Sem.

I saw it last night and had to complete certain questions from the module. Here are my answers:

1. Which scenes are included in the gospel of Matthew?

– The Birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:18-25) The birth of Jesus, how it came about, how Mary lived prior to being the savior’s mother. She was forced to marry Joseph, a noble man as per her parent’s wishes. A man she barely know and man she doesn’t love. all for the sake of her family barely had enought to feed everyone. Joseph’s acceptance of Mary’s unborn child after dreaming of Mary being stoned to death due to her situation and the Angel Gabriel’s message to Joseph through his dream.

- The Visit of the Magi (Matthew 2: 1-12) – This Magi or the wise men’s visit to King Herod and asking the Magi for more information regarding the Prophecy, this is where Herod learns about the child that is to be born in Bethlehem,for all along he was looking for a Man.

-The Killing of the Innocents (Matthew 2:16) King Herod ordered all first born males from Bethlehem to be massacred.

-The Escape to Egypt- An Angel warned Joseph about King Herod’s plans. He was told to go to Egypt and stay there and wait for a message from the Lord.

2. Which ones are from Luke?

- The Birth of John the Baptist (Foretold) (Luke 1: 5-25) Zachariah was nformed byan angel that he and his wife will bear a child depite their old age. He finds this hard to believe and was punished, he lost then was unable to speak for doubting the Lord’s will.

- The Birth of Jesus (Foretold) (Luke 1:26-38) Angel Gabriel talks to Mary in Nazareth who is engaged to marry Joseph a descendant of David, Mary was told that she was chosen to carry the son of God and accepts her fate.

- Mary Visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-44) Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth and learned that what the Angel told her was indeed true, When Mary arrived and called Elizabeth, the Baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy.

- The Birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:57-80) Elizabeth gave birth to a son, She wanted to name him John but was questioned for no one in their family has that name, Zechriah wrote on a tabet to confirm the name the name but miraculously he was again able to speak confirm.

-The Birth Jesus (Luke 2:1-7) – TheShepherds and the Angels (Luke 2:8-20) Josephand Mary finally reahed the town of Bethlehem, gave birth ina manger adwas visited by the Shephrds and te Magis’ who gave their praises and oferings to the Lord.

3. Are the scenes, dialogues, or characters that you find disturbing or striking? List them down and comment briefly about each item, you may also ask questions if you want clarifications.

These are my obervations:

- It would have been very difficult to have lived in Jesus’s time. From the film women were considered not equal to men, I was astounded by how low they were treated, I was shocked and was reluctant especially from the scene when Mary got home and her parents just suddenly made her accept Joseph for her husband.

I don’t think fixed marriages are still adamant, maybe for some group minorities or religion but in our world today, it’s close to a cinch.

- As a mother, I find the killing of Innocents brutal, Herod was a horrible King to have ordered the killing of boys under the age of two. Babies are gifts from God.

*** I liked the fact that I read Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2. I usually hear the Genealogy of Jesus everytime my husband and I attend morning mass during the Holiday season. Now I’m in formed that it’s on those chapters and can now always go back and read it. We seem to get lost from all the names during the homily.

Alumni Homecoming December 12, 2009

Last Dec 5, My HS batch had our 10th year alumni homecoming. others Pics are posted in my FB account. Everyone had a great time reminiscing the old times.

Hopefully we can stage another one this coming summer.

11-17-09 November 17, 2009

I got home later than usual yesterday. Monday sickness, I was really happy with “Ate Mely” yesterday, I asked her to have my grades reprinted and accomplish my clearance and viola! She is almost done with it. She just needs to accomplish the signature of some staff from the Valenzuela branch. That actually sucks. I enrolled in their nearby branch and yet I have to accomplish something in their main branch. WTH. Anyways, it’s good that I have a trusted person to accomplish it for me. I might just give in and buy her the TV she’s asking for before she leaves for her bakasyon in May. Hay Salamat.

I got a message from a batch mate that our HS Reunion will push thru this Dec. it has been 10 years. It would be nice to see everyone again.

Heaven Must be Missin’ an Angel November 16, 2009

Looking back at the past moths, five months to be exact, I can’t imagine how I was able to get by that crazy schedule. My life then was composed of getting up at 4am going to work from 5am-2pm, then running to school from 3pm-7pm, (some days are a bit lighter wherein I come home at 430pm) Then I get to sleep at around 10-11pm. More or less I only have 5 hours rest / sleep daily.

My relatives, friends even I, We were all bothered for what may become of me, my health if I continue with this kind of sched. I also had a hard time going to school after work for there are times that I cannot immediately leave the office and then I’d be late. I then had to choose. My supervisor suggested I enroll myself instead in a blended learning program. Which is being offered at Miriam College.

I inquired online and had numerous email exchanges with a certain Ms. Paragas, Although I haven’t seen her then, I instantly liked her for she was very accomodating. She was also very considerate knowing that I am already a mother and has an eight-hour job. She saved me several trips to the school by asking me to snail mail everything to her, all the requirements such as my TOR, CV, Birth Cert. I immediately had a liking to this lady.

I finally had the chance to meet her last Saturday. I actually thought I was coordinating with a much younger woman. Little did I know that she was already on her last year at Miriam and would be retiring this coming March. I really appreciate all the help she gave. I was overwhelmed with such kindness that she even took time to assist me in looking for the professors around the campus and setting up meetings and interviews with the department chairs of the school. What an amazing woman. I even told her that, It’s fine If I go by myself and that I might be taking too much of her time, For I saw many paper works on her desk waiting to be faced. She simply said “It’s part of my Job!” then smiles.

During my walks with her around the halls of MC. I really had this elated feeling. Call me weird but, It’s like it’s a feeling of serenity, all worries and other things to mind and do that day seemed to have been erased from my mind. I was completely at peace. I had to go back the next Tuesday to check on the subjects I can take and enroll myself, But then the cashier’s office is only till 3pm. She even asked the cashiers to wait while I withdraw money, but then the atm’s are busted. I felt that I was so favored that day and it kinda embarrased me. It’s a good thing that I was told that I also had the option to just deposit my payment to their BPI account.

I sent Ms. Paragas an email of thanks, I would have wanted to give her something more. Maybe when I go visit the school soon. The Dean of Education and the Chair of Communications were also oozing with kindness. I also met my professors and all of them seemed nice and accomodating as well.
May God bless them for being such nice and accomodating people. I never did expect that I will be welcomed that much.

As of the moment, I still need to accomplish my exit documents from Fatima. I asked “Ate Mely” our trusted helper to accomplish it for me. Hehehe. I attached a letter to my reg card and asked her to process everything for me, she seems to like it though, going out instead of staying home whenever the kids are in school.

I hope to accomplish everything from Fatima and start a new with Miriam. I got well wishes and Goodluck from all of them. But the sweetest and most memorable one came from an Angel

School’s Fashion Week Pics from the Boys October 27, 2009

And Us after a long day….

Fashion Week October 19, 2009

I’m tasked as one of the event organizers for our Fashion week in School. I had some Photog friends who will be shooting for the event later. Come thursday, I’ll be in school to take the final exams. I hope that everything goes well.

I don’t have the pics yet taken by the “pro boys” so far all I have are the pics from my fone.

I saw her and I really can’t stand how she was made up. I had to re-do her. (Me as a good Samaritan acts again)

one long hulaboo October 19, 2009

Last week was not really a good week, but then who am I to rant and complain, I know more people are suffering or experiencing much worse.

The semester’s about to end and I’m having problems with a particular subject in school due to attendance. It’s a good thing that my professor was kind enough to give additional work to help me out another thing that I hated was work-related. First time in my five years have I gotten it and in my opinion it could have been prevented. I confronted my boss about it, also my husband when I got home. It’s sometimes good to let it out and have others’ opinion on the issue. It then makes you realize that there are just things that you cannot control and makes you realize that it’s not the end of the world after all.

It was also the last week for school lectures, the professors and the students were biding goodbye to each other. All were excited for the semestral break, I was half half. Happy that the sem is over and I can have more than five hour of sleep everyday but sad at the same time for I wouldn’t be back by November and will miss mingling with the unassuming crowd. Hehehe… Oh well. I look forward to meeting new friends when I start in the Professional’s Program. I will use the sem break to complete all the requirements and set-up a date with Trish for she’s accompanying me.

The weekends flew by, I wasn’t even able to notice that It came. Saturday – after my class at 430pm I met up with the kids and MIL at the mall from school’s make-up class, hubby followed. We bought Zoe a costume for Halloween. Zoe was contemplating on which character he’ll be, his choices were: Ben10, Buzz Light Year – matanda na he now chooses who he wants to be. (For the previous years he had been a werewolf and a pirate) Even Dyll- she wanted to be a princess this time. (For the previous years she had been a witch, a fairy with wings and Cinderella) I told her if Princess na naman, madami ka kapareho like last years’. There was also an instance last week that I was convincing Zoe on being Harry Potter instead but insists on being Jollibee hehehe. It’s a good thing that I’m done with this costume hunting issue – part of being a Nanay. Hehehe…So on the 23rd Dyllan and Zoe will dress up as “Fa Mulan” and “Speed Racer”

Sunday- Due to the tiring costume hunting the day before, We (Dar and I) overslept. Well not really, I woke up really early, for I’m already used to waking up at 4am due to work. So I woke up around 7am (I think) then slept again, then woke up at around 11am. We missed the AM mass, back to my Nanay duties (I do it as much as possible when I’m at home, Our Ate Mely does it if I’m at work) Gave the kids a bath, dressed them up, attended the 3pm mass, went to the mall and loitered waiting for 7pm – Dyll’s Center for Pop session. Loitered, had meryenda at good old Goldilocks, bought the kids pambaon for the week (a working Mom’s lifesaver) stopped by Watsons – got toiletries and vitamins for the kids, went to Center for Pop an hour earlier than scheduled, got bored waiting for 7pm, walked to the Parking lot to put our hauled items in the car, stayed there for a bit, waked back to the mall to wait for Dyll until 9pm, got bored again, played at Time Zone to while away time. FBed using my fone while the boys settled on playing NBA Live. We haven’t had dinner yet, but then Dyll’s still inside CFP, went to get tacos and buko juice. We snacked in the play area – pwede naman daw kumain. Dyll was done by 8:30pm. Texted Ate Mely, told her we haven’t had dinner yet. No reply, bought siomai as back up dish if in case. Got home, turned out madaming ulam and walang load si ate, had dinner, and cleaned the kids. Slept.

Group Research / Ondoy October 11, 2009

I was finally able to collate materials for our Psych Research. Original execution was Sept 28 unfortunately Ondoy struck QC so classes were suspended. It was really hard to come up with data for this info for some group mates were just not coming up with their datas, in short – not participating. Nakaka frustrate. So What we (I and another classmate) just collated ours and viola! lol Project including just our names. Bwahaha dapat lang noh. I had to be resourceful just to finish that up at brownout sa buong QC.

I was saddened by my Mom’s stories about my Aunt’s employees who were deeply affected by Ondoy’s wrath, What really moved me aside from they literally lost everything was the fact that their kids, babies wear adult shirts and nothing inside. These shirts were what was left in my aunt’s house in qc.

So I had me, hubby, kids and ever reliable “Ate Mely”- helped us in going through our clothes, I was able to pack three big duty free bags of clothes to give away, this includes baby clothes and smaller clothes of my children. The following day we went to our house in Rainbow and did the same thing, We had to go back the day after as well to finish off. Hubby and I were reminded of our old clothes and had a good laugh about how “smaller” in size we were then. From the Rainbow house I think I was able to pack just two SM grocery bags. Not much for we already gave two big bags to relatives the day before. It consists of old clean clothes and blankets. We also bought pillows, blankets and food for Dar’s uncle whose family got affected and some more groceries made up of canned food and noodles for marikina victims and gave these to the Church Volunteers from our community.

It was also nice to see our old pictures in the Rainbow house. I was able to find our HS Prom pic as well. I’ll try to upload it as soon as I have it scanned. My kids were also amazed at looking at their baby pictures. We had a sort- of a guessing game on who’s who. It was nice to reminisce those days when the four of us lived in that house. It was kinda reliving a chapter of a book.

Family from Canada and US texted and emailed asking how we are. It kinda bothered them for our safety. Na-touch naman ako. I told them that we live right next to two large malls and Ayala Land created large drainages inside the malls perimeters. So we are made safe. Thank God!

Grabe talaga ang peste ni Ondoy, I’m just thankful that we are safe and the only hassle we experienced then was the blackout for almost half a day. I’m sad for those who were really affected. My prayers go to them. I hope they can recover right away.