Yolanda

Yolanda - next to Janet Napoles - must be the most hated name in the Philippines today.

I spoke with Muder yesterday para makibalita because there was no power here in Baguio the whole day. I was complaining about the power interruption. She told me I wouldn't be complaining about the power interruption if I was seeing the news on TV about the damage in Visayas caused by Yolanda. The damage was incomparable to a simple power interruption. As I type this, I'm watching Rated K Special on typhoon Yolanda. My muder was right. My whole day suffering yesterday because of the power loss was nothing.

It breaks my heart to see on TV dead bodies just lying on the ground covered with newspaper or anything there is. Somewhere, there's a family member surely sick worried about them, waiting to hear from them, never knowing that they're already dead.

I could not imagine that same thing happening to my family here in Baguio or to my family in Nueva Ecija. I wouldn't know what to do. I know it's impossible for that not to happen anywhere in the Philippines.

On a brighter note, it feels great to see people who are very much willing to donate cash or goods, volunteer services and help in their little ways. Nakakasarap ng feeling maging Pinoy. Nakakaengganyo to join. Tara, donate tayo?!

When I woke up this morning, I knew today was gonna be a better day than yesterday. I was just so thankful that, relatively, there was no damage at all here in Baguio and in Nueva Ecija. It sure was one fine day today. The sun was out the whole day. I knew it would already be today. That's why I initially planned for my family to eat out today. But then I remembered, nagtitipid pala kami. Also, it didn't feel right - us celebrating one fine day after a day of not-so heavy rain - while many are suffering, grieving.

So we stayed here in the house, watched Miss Universe 2013 where Ms. Philippines Ariella Arida won as 3rd Runner-up, after tiring ourselves watching the news on Yolanda's aftermath.

We got bored in the afternoon, took a walk in the neighborhood.

See how the weather was here in Baguio today? See how my kids were? I really cannot complain. In fact, I'm thankful. 

My prayers to our kababayans in Visayas. May God be with you always. Take care!

Ciao! ♥

Taste Buds At Work: Emong Malunggay Pandesal

First night of my long(er) weekend in Guimba, my sister was scheduled on night hospital duty. Before she left for work --

Me: 'bili mo 'ko ng Amazing Aloha pag-uwi mo bukas sister.

Vian: Okay.

The next morning, sa awa ng Diyos, walang Amazing Aloha. But she got me these --

I wanted to be disappointed pero na-excite na lang ako. I had been hearing a lot about Emong Malunggay Pandesal from our househelp, Ate Emily. Masarap daw. Super. At blockbuster palagi ang pila. 

Diz iz it!

That's 15 pieces of freshly baked malunggay pandesal, P2.00 a piece. Ambango lang! (If nag-compute ka, yes, P30.00 lahat 'yan. Galing mo sa Math kid!) ^_^

Although, Emong Malunggay Pandesals are a bit smaller than Baguio's Danes Pandesal that I'm used to buying, I think they're much tastier. They're quite crispy on the outside - parang matigas at first look, pero parang lang - and soft and chewy inside. 

However, I wondered why "malunggay"? There was no hint of malunggay taste in them. I don't know, maybe it was just me. When I looked closer --

Ah okay. Meron naman palang mga tiny flakes of, I suppose, malunggay. 

Also, I find these pandesal sweeter than most pandesals that I've tasted. Vian said they're better when hot. I have to say they really were, pero masarap pa din, at malambot, even nung afternoon na hindi na sila mainit. 

Anyhow, I liked Emong Malunggay Pandesal. At first, I thought it was an original product of Guimba, hindi pala. May kilala kasi akong Mang Emong sa Guimba. 'Kala ko business niya. Haha! I Googled and learned that this bakery is all over the Philippines, originally from Bulacan. Wala pa kasi yata sa Baguio nito, o baka lang hindi pa nakarating sa akin ang balita. 

Those who have tasted Emong Malunggay Pandesal, 'no say niyo?

Emong Malunggay Pandesal

Poblacion, Next to 7-11 

Guimba, Nueva Ecija

Note: There may be a lot of other blogs out there that offer an extensive and more detailed review on the same topic as the above. Things I put here are just my two cents. I don't even consider this a review. Just a kwento on the experience per se. Enjoy! ^_^ 7-11

Ciao! ♥

My Fave Spot In The House + Some Food Tripping

How are you friends?

I'm enjoying my vacay so much that I don't want it to end. I'm going back to Baguio tomorrow, going back to work tomorrow night. Aaaw. 

Mami-miss ko 'to. Dito, rest kung rest talaga. Kain-kain, nood-nood ng tv, tulog-tulog. Nakakapagpahinga na, nakakatipid pa 'ko. Haha! It would have been more fun sana if Vian didn't have hospital duty during my entire stay here. Madami kaming "magagawa". ^_^

She didn't have pasok yesterday. So in the afternoon, when the sun had almost set, 'di na masyado mainit, tambay-tambay lang sa labas.

This is our favorite spot. 'Lakas maka-bata.

Muder even noticed, "Kahilig mo ding mag-swing 'no?"

Barangay Elections 2013

Howdy?

Did you vote today? I didn't even care about this year's barangay elections. However, my father was very much involved in it. Oh no, he didn't run for any post or anything. Mega support lang siya sa kumpare niya who ran for barangay chairman post. He stayed in the voting precinct the whole day. Plus, he forced Vian and me to come and vote, and vote for his kumpare. Sort of.

'Yan ang mukhang natatae.

Who would have thought na registered pa din ako kasi I haven't voted in the past two elections. 'Kala ko 'pag ganun, kelangan nang magpa-register ulit. Although it was never in my plan to vote, dahil sa kagustuhan kong lumabas, gow kami ni Vian.

The lady who was handing out voter's slips was so sungit. I fell in line. I waited for my turn to be handed with a voter's slip. When it was my turn --

Long Weekend

Hello, hello there!

I'm having a hard time keeping my promise of updating this blog often. Super busy ako these past two months - sa work, sa bahay, sa lahat. Andaming changes sa work dahil ang account namin ay nasa dreaded "red zone". The good news is, after two months of working on it, it's almost out of the red zone. Happy lang kasi holidays are near, mahirap namang holidays e stressful ang work. 

Enough talking about work. It's long weekend for most of us because of the 2013 Barangay Elections on the 28th. Are you guys gonna vote? Vote wisely, okay? Most of us think, barangay elections "lang" 'yan. Wrong. Wala akong proof, pero I know, madaming kurakot sa barangay. Agree?

Enough talking about the upcoming election. While most of my friends are enjoying the first past of their long weekend in San Juan La Union's Surf Break 2013, I'm having a longer weekend. I'm on leave until the 30th. Woot woot! This is my first ever vacation since I came back to work from my maternity leave. I needed this vacation so much. I was so excited about this kasi guess where I am now? Uhuh, uhuh. I'm here in the province! Nueva Ecija baby! Ahlavet here. There are so my hands here to help me take care of Trace. Makakapag-rest ako ng bongga. Plus, wala dito sila Nikki and Calli. They chose to spend their one week vacation with their Mama Shirley in Pangasinan. Si Elmer naman kamo? Ayun, andun sa Baguio kasi may work. Haha! Pamilya ko na ang watak-watak. Keri lang, one week lang naman. ^_^

I'm so proud of my Trace. He again braved the entire trip, 4 hours? We arrived here earlier ng mga 3PM. I think the weather here now is more tolerable for Trace, not that init just like before when we were here in July. When we arrived kanina, meryo mahangin sa labas. Even ngayon, mahangin sa labas. Kaya naman si Trace, keri na sa electric fan. He's already asleep in the room as I type this, no need for the aircon.

Looking amazed with Tita V

I don't think I have ever seen Trace in sleeveless shirt and short pants before. Palagi kasi siya naka-frog suit sa Baguio. Yay, I can now see his arms and legs. 

Enjoy the long weekend friends! Be safe.

Ciao! ♥

Hard Work Paid Off

First quarter of school term had passed. Tapos na ang bayaran ng tuition fee, iba’t ibang tuition fee, iba’t ibang membership fees, etc. at ang quarter exams. I felt so relieved after  the exams week. The week before was so stressful for me. Dati, si Nikki lang ang nire-review ko. Ngayon, pati si Calli. Oh em gee!

I’m so happy naman that all my kids’ and my hardwork paid off. Thank you Lord! Look naman oh –

Saan pa magmamana ‘yang mga yan?! #alamna!

Nikki’s always been like that – parang mahirap um-absorb ng information, parang slow-slow-han minsan – kaya naman naha-highblood ako e. Hindi kasi nagre-react minsan ‘pag nagre-review kami that’s why I couldn’t tell if getchung niya or not. But she never fails to surprise me. Consistent honor student ‘yan sa six schools na pinasukan niya since Nursery.

I was more worried with Calli. This is her first time in school. She didn’t know anything but the colors. She knew how tho sing the ABC song but couldn’t identify the letters. She knew only circle and heart among all shapes. She spoke in and understood only the Filipino language. Konting English words, konting Ilocano words. That’s it.

Hindi kasi ako nag-effort na turuan siya the summer before she started school this year. Tamad-tamaran ako kasi nga buntis pa ako nun (I know, I know, lame excuse). Tsaka sai nga buntis pa ako nun (I know, I know, lame excuse). Tsaka sabi naman ni Elmer to not force her to learn things k kasi three years old lang naman siya. Bakit kami daw ba nung three years old kami nasa school na kami? Hindi daw, busyng busy pa lang daw kami sa paglalaro nun (both Elmer and I started going to school at the age of six). May point naman siya. E look at us naman, smart-smartan naman kami. Naks! Walang kokontra! Haha!

Going back to Calli, some of her classmates attended Nursery, that’s why medyo may alam na sila. Si Calli, I’d say, next to zero knowledge siya talaga. That’s why I was surprised with all her test results.

On the report card-giving day, each parent had one-on-one session with the teacher.

Teacher Chloe’s comments on Nikki:

-Hindi masyadong sociable.

-Hindi pala-recite.

-Pero sa written activities “bumibira”.

-Opposite ng kapatid niya (Calli) na aggressive.

 

Natawa naman ako na kilala si Calli ni Teacher Chloe a as one “aggressive” student.

Teacher Pen’s comments on Calli:

-Very charming at friendly.

-Medyo kinailangan ng guide nung una, pero nakakasunod na ngayon.

-Kapag may ginawa ang classmate infront of the class (like recite, sing), gusto niya, siya din.

-Pagkatapos ng play time or book activity, lalapit siya kay teacher para tumulong mag-ayos ng toys or books.

I wonder kung anong mga “ideas” ang shine-share niya. Hmmm…

Nakakaaliw at nakakabaliw talaga ang mga anak ko. I’m one proud momma! I wonder how Trace is going to be ‘pag nag-i-school na siya.

Hosha. 

Ciao! ♥

Yayaless

Friends!

It’s September 1 today! Yes, August 31 kahapon, September 2 bukas. Haha! Ber month na naman. Days go by so fast ‘no? Hindi naman sa masyado akong excited but I can already feel a hint of Christmas sa hangin dito sa Baguio. Hanging amihan ba. Hanlamig lang. Ansarap humiga-higa lang, cuddle-cuddle, ganun. Hmp! Sagabal ang work. Siyempre, ‘yun ay isang malaking joke lang Lord ha.

Speaking of work, today was the second day of my work week. Hay, three more days to go. While at  work today, I received bad news from my Muder. My nanny’s father died. *sob* Well you know what that means to me. Mawawalan ako ng yaya, for maybe a week or two lang naman…sana. Sana. *more sobbing*

After knowing that, I couldn’t focus on work na. I’m really sorry if mas concern ko ang pagkawala ng yaya kesa sa pagkawala ng Fuder ng yaya.

My friend at work said –

Joy: Namatay ang Fuder niya. At ‘yun talaga ang concern mo – wala kang yaya.

It may sound sarcastic, pero joke ‘yan. May katotohanan nga lang. Haha! Para kayang namatayan ang pakiramdam ko ‘pag biglaang walang yaya tapos pareho nagwo-work ang Mommy at Daddy.

Another thing, I was the bearer of the bad news. Wala kasi siyang cellphone so there’s no other way for her family to get in touch with her but through me. I don’t think there’s any way to tell her bad news na hindi siya mabibigla at malulungkot at will make her feel better after. There’s just no way. At dahil ayaw kong sa akin manggaling an gang balitang tegi na ang Fuder niya, pagkarating ko ditto sa bahay, May I call ako sa husband niya at pass the phone to her. Solved!

Naawa ako sa kanya nung mega crayola siya while on the phone with her husband.

Just a brief intro on my yaya – this one is new kasi. Elmer, my kids and I call her Nanay Nelly. She’s already, wait for it, 60 years old. But I’m telling you, malakas pa ang loley niyo. At akalain niyo ‘yan, may Fuder pa siya…kahapon. Her father was 78 years old.

At ngayon, #alamna! Yayaless ako for I don’t know how long. I’m guessing, for about two weeks? May pa-siyam pa ‘yan e ‘no? I need someone to rescue me from this misery. Puhleeez! *more na more sobbing*

Paano na ang work kamo? E di emergency leave akish hwhile my Muder is looking for a reliever. I already mentioned this to the Manager-on-duty at work kanina, but I still have to call in later. Ulit-ulit? I know right. But I understand, walahis to the Manager-on-duty at work kanina, but I still have to call in later. Ulit-ulit? I know right. But I understand, wala kasing mga big bossing kanina na mag-aapprove. But then again I thought, even my emergency leave doesn’t get approved, hindi din lang naman ako makakapasing mga big bossing kanina na mag-aapprove. But then again I thought, even my emergency leave doesn’t get approved, hindi din lang naman ako makakapasok saok sa work. At saan ko naman daw iiwanan ang mga bagets ko?

Hosha, laters babies! Mag-call in pa ako.

Ciao! ♥

Age Is Just A Number

Hello friends! Isn't today a great day or what? Hongganda lang ng weather! What a perfect day to do the laundry.

Elmer and I finally saw the last full show of The Conjuring two days ago. Gabi na kasi kami nakalabas kasi he and I slept almost the whole afternoon. Kami na ang puyat. May gulat factor ang movie! 'Yung first scene dun na nakakagulat, napasigaw ako talaga kaya nagulat din si Elmer. Ayun, nagalit siya sa akin. Nakaka-praning kasi 6 lang yata kami sa buong sinehan nun. Kaya walang masyadong sigawan galore.'Yun pa naman ang exciting.

Image Source

'Yung lang. Ganun lang lumipas ang 11th anniversary namin. Saya 'no? ^_^

Yesterday, it was my day-off, I went to Benguet Lab to have my Annual Physical Exam. 'Kala ko naman ay nakaligtas na ako sa APE na 'yan. Anyways, tapos na.

Imbey lang because I was there so early dahil gusto kong matapos agad. I finished the blood extraction, urine sample collection, vision test, x-ray test in just 15 minutes. Ang mga doctors lang ang palaging late dumating. At nang dumating na si Doc, 15 minutes din lang e tapos na ang physical exam na wala namang physical exam na naganap, which was favorable to me. Wa ko bet the hubad-hubad, kapa-kapa at tuwad-tuwad thingy. Question and answer portion na lang ang naganap.

The doctor made my day. Sa APE form ko kasi, there was an erasure sa age ko. Gawa ng nurse 'yun.

Eleven

I am feeling so good today. Thank God it's Wednesday. My Wednesday is like your Friday, you know, last shift for the week. Ulan na naman nang ulan mga friends, kasi may bagyo na naman. Kalurks! Ang ginaw ginaw ginaw ginaw na naman tuloy dito sa Baguio. Ang sarap tuloy matulog. Sa day-off, #alamna.

Also, today, August 28, 2013, Elmer and I celebrate our 11th year of togetherness. Naks! Being together for that long is such an achievement, I tell you. Lalo na ngayong mga panahong 'to, madalang na talaga. It's hard work. I feel so proud! 

Image Source

There've been times when I stopped and thought what kept Elmer and I together for this long. After eleven years and three kids, it always boiled down to this - I have a firm belief in the saying "It takes two to tango". Whenever we hit a rough patch, I don't put all the blame on him (sa umpisa, oo. Hehe!). We are a team, so I am partly to be blamed. Kaya 'pag may drama kaming dalawa, eto ginagawa ko.

My Thinspiration

Hello guys! How are you?

Malapit na ang payday. Excited na ba kayo? Kasi ako super excited na eh. Kung three months na tengga ang payroll account mo, 'di ka mae-excite? 

Uy, check-check tayo ng payslip ha. May bago daw kasing deduction. Look oh --

Haha! That photo isn't mine. 'Di ko alam kung kanino ko iccredit. My friend sent it to my email. 

Tengeneng Janet Napoles 'yan IF true ang bali-balita ha.

Anyways, high ways. I was browsing old photos and found these. Excuse the face. 

 

Look at those arms. 

 

And I miss those pants!

Ang payat ko lang talaga noon. My thinspiration is my old self.

Elmer, few days after I've given birth, which I think wasn't the best time to play a joke on me but I took it really, really well, told me that he could see me spending a lot of money on new clothes and pants because my old ones wouldn't fit me anymore. We ended up having a pustahan. Itatak niya kako sa bato, three months after I started working again, kasya na sa akin those same pants I was wearing sa photo diyan sa taas. I'm on my 3rd week. So far, hindi pa din kasya.

I initially planned on posting "Now" photos, I changed my mind. Pero hindi naman ako sobrang tumaba ngayon ha.Konti lang. Ang hirap lang paliitin ng midsection. Any suggestion how? Tumigil na ako sa extra rice. Because I delivered through LTCS dito sa last, I'm not sure kung anong mga exercises ang pwede na sa akin. (My first two deliveries were through NSD.) Pwede na ba mag-jogging? I'll ask na nga talaga my OB. I forgot to ask her last time I saw her eh.

I keep looking at these photos and I feel so much inspired. I still have 2+ months to win that pustahan. 

So help me God. 

Ciao! ♥

Mark 4:41

Lookie who's started going to school already. Calli! She's now in Kinder 1.

Isn't she cute in her school uniform?

She goes to the school just right next to our apartment compound. But she has to walk around pa to get to the main gate of the school. Kung meron nga lang butas sa pader ng compound namin e puwede na lang siya lumusot doon para wala nang lakad-lakad. Pero sabi nga nila, walking is a form of exercise, so keri na.

And because it was Ate Nikki's "dream" for Calli and her to go to the same school, she transferred to Calli's school na din. Talk about convenience for us.

Ate Nikki naman is in Grade 4. And this school is now her 6th school to go to since Nursery. Kami na ang NPA. ^_^

Ignored But Never Forgotten

Hey guys! How are you?!

I miss everything about this blog. So. Freakin'. Much!

There are so many stories to tell. I don't even know where to start. 

There are so many things that had happened since my last entry here. And oh my, that was way back in November 2012. That's a little less than a year ago. Every time there was something cool, sad, controversial, celebratory or interesting that happened or affected me in its littlest way, I'd always remember this blog. I'd say, "Iba-blog ko 'to." But unfortunately, it would never happen. :(

But say no more! I'm sooo baaack!

I hope I can catch up with all the stories.

So let me start with this - I have given birth on May 17 to my third baby, Elmer C. Carrillo III. Uhuh, that's right. The third. 

But he is Trace for you and me. 

One day old Trace

Two and a half months old Trace

Why Trace kamo? Because he's a trace of the Elmer Carrillos here in the Philippines, from Cmdre. Elmer C. Carrillo to Engr. Elmer D. Carrillo Jr. to him, Elmer C. Carrillo III. (Okay fine. Sa 'yo na ang korona Trace.^_^)

That's it for now. There's more to come! 

Ciao! ♥