Rain, Rain, When Will You Go Away?

Image Source: CnMuqi

Hello mga mem! I'm back again. Pinapanindigan ko talaga ang pagbabalik ko dito. 

It's been raining a lot these days 'no? Kung makaulan eh parang bawal nang umulan next month. Ibinubuhos na yata ni Mother Nature ang lahat ng ulan for the rest of this year. Classes here in Nueva Ecija have been cancelled for three days na. 

On Sunday night, news came out na suspended nga daw ang classes ng Monday. Of course my daughters celebrated. Parang tayo lang nung students pa tayo. Aminin niyo 'yan! :)

Then came Tuesday, walang announcement na walang pasok pero sobrang maulan that morning. Nikki woke up, took a shower, ate breakfast and left for school. While Calli, on the other hand, eh parang mantika sa pagtulog. Dineclare ko na na walang pasok ang elementary sa Guimba, Nueva Ecija. Hindi ko na ginising, kawawa naman. But the truth really, tinamad akong bumangon. Ansarap humiga kasi anlami-lamig! Yes, I didn't wake Calli up and let her not go to school kasi tinamad akong bumangon para i-prepare siya. Huwag akong tularan! But wait, there's more! That morning, it was announced that afternoon classes were suspended. Walang pasok that afternoon. Whew! Parang nakaramdam ako ng konting relief at medyo na-justify ko ang "kasalanan" ko. Eh sobrang maulan naman kasi talaga. Dapat umaga pa lang na-suspend na ang classes. 

And today, Wednesday, I made sure to wake up early, like 5AM early. I woke Calli up. Shower, breakfast, dress up. The usual. Ang aga niyang naka-prepare, as in! Feeling ko bawing-bawi ako from my yesterday's indiscretion. Kahit tunog nang tunog ang phone ko sa mga notifications,  messages and all, deadma lang. Nagpaka-mother muna 'ko. Then Calli left for school.

I felt so good, ready to do some house chores. I had a little time to check my phone na. First message that I read, from Teacher Maribel. Nyaaah! Wala daw pasoook! I panicked nang beri beri light. Medyo natututunan ko nang 'di mag-panic nang sobra. Pag alam kong papunta na ako sa panic mode, I pause for a few seconds and clear my mind. Then I enumerate my options in my mind. 

Just a back story. I don't bring Calli to school. Actually, no one brings Calli to school. In the morning and in the afternoon, Calli goes to school together with her Ate Nikki in a tricycle. I make sure na kilala ko ang tricycle na sasakyan nila. Yung mga nakapila dito sa kanto dito sa subdivision namin (na hindi naman talaga subdivision). Then sa uwian, 'yung "family driver" namin ang sumusundo sa kanya using his tricycle. Hindi sila pwedeng sabay ni Nikki kasi Nikki's dismissal is always later than Calli's. Kawawa naman siya if maghintay siya nang matagal for her Ate Nikki. Today, it was supposed to be Nikki's periodical tests in the afternoon kaya wala siyang pasok ng morning. That's why Calli left for school alone this morning. 

Going back. Naloka nga ako ng slight. I was readying to go to school na to take Calli back home. Mabuti na lang, at talagang mabuti na lang, ibinalik siya ng tricycle dito sa bahay when the driver found out from the school guard na walang pasok. Haay, thank you!

Naaawa ako kay Calli. Sana natulog na lang siya. Pero natawa ako kasi sabi niya, "Sayang, Mommy, naligo pa ako." Parang may sama siya ng loob kasi naligo siya nang maaga.

Ano ba yan? Nung may pasok, di siya pumasok. Nung walang pasok, tsaka siya pumasok, ang aga pa! Wala sa tiyempo. Haha!

So 'yan ang mga ganap sa buhay ko ngayon mga mem. Kayo? Keep calm na lang sa loob ng bahay. Huwag gala nang gala ngayon, maulan. Delikado. 

Thanks for reading. Stay safe, stay dry, stay awesome! :)

Filipino: Wika ng Pagkakaisa

Hello, hello! How’s everyone? There are rains everywhere, again. Dito sa Baguio, we had five nice, warm, beautiful days with Mr. Sun. Pero starting yesterday, ay, rain rain again not going away. Other than that, keri naman ang mga bagay-bagay.

Oh-em-gee! It’s August 18 na today. Tomorrow, August 19. And the day after tomorrow, August 20. And the day after the day after tomorrow, August 21. Holiday ‘yown! Long weekend ang mga kids! Well, maybe not all kids, pero my kids, sure na ‘yun. Nakalagay na sa school calendar nila. Masaya ‘yun…sana if long weekend din ako, ‘di ba? Oh, well, asa na lang ako.

And another thing, hambilis talaga ng panahon. Imagine, in less than two weeks, September na! Ber months na naman. I love the thought that it’s almost Christmas season again. I love the weather here in Baguio (and everywhere here in the Philippines) ’pag Ber months, medyo malamig. Yay, excited na ako!

But bago tayo mag-fast forward sa Pasko, I want to share with you ang mga happenings sa mga kids ko ngayon August. Op kors, Buwan ng Wika ngayon, so, ‘yun.

Two Saturdays ago (sorry, super late post), their school celebrated Buwan ng Wika. This year’s theme is Filipino: Wika ng Pagkakaisa.

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There were presentations from different grade levels – song presentation for pre-school and dance presentation for grade school. All of the kids were wearing Filipiniana costume, like baro’t saya, ganun.

Calli's Kinder 2 class sang Bayan Ko by Freddie Aguilar. I never thought Calli could memorize the lyrics of the song. She amazes me at times. She was right at the center and the front most row. Feeling ko siya ang bidang bida dun. #stagemom

Cray Cray Carrillos: The Launch

How are you mga 'teh?!

Ako, keri lang. I have a new schedule, am assigned with a new task to a new team. It's just my second week. I am now team mates with one of the few friends I have at work. So far, I'm enjoying. So far.

And on Wednesday last week, my team had a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the client vendor manager. I'm so pleased to hear praises from her for the team. I don't remember her exact words. The only words she said that I could recall are, "you're doing the right thing", "the best feedback I received from Nesting since the last time I was here", "you got the right mix of people this time" to my manager. 

My manager was so happy! After the discussion, feeling ampogi pogi niya dahil sa magandang feedback. Sa sobrang saya niya, lahat kami in-I love you niya. He said to my coach, and they're both male, "I love you, p're!", and to my friend, "I love you, Nikki!", and to me, "I love you, Mina!". What a good feeling to end my Wednesday shift. Hindi 'yung "I love you" niya ha, but the good feedback from the client vendor manager. 

Okay, I'll go back na to what this post is really about.

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I'm pretty sure you already know by now that there's Team Kramer, Doug Kramer and Cheska Garcia's tag name for their family. I also have one for my family, Camp Carrillo. Why "Camp" 'ka niyo? Aside from the obvious, Elmer kasi is from a family of soldiers. I think nabanggit ko na 'to dati? Elmer's dad is a Navy Commodore, his uncle is a retired Marine, and his half-brother is a Navy Lieutenant. He also has distant relatives here in the Philippines and in the US na mga sundalo kung saan-saang branches. Kaya the "Camp".

I am launching this series here in my blog. Once in a while, may mga nakakaaliw or nakakabaliw na pangyayari or conversation sa bahay between me and the kids, or me and Elmer, or Elmer and the kids, or among the kids. Gusto ko lang i-share sa inyo here. Just like the other blogs that I follow. I'm calling naman this series Cray Cray Carrillos.

Haha! I know what you're thinking. Oo, gaya-gaya lang! Aliw na aliw kasi ako sa mga stories nila about their families, how they are sa mga bahay nila, sa work, with their friends. ^_^

I hope you enjoy my stories, too!

Ciao! ♥

To English or Not To English

I work in a call center. I have been around for about 10 years now. Oh yeah! Whoever says no one that works in a call center speaks in the vernacular while at work either 1. Has not worked in a call center ever, or 2. Is lying.

Strict EOP? Uh-uh, not so strict at all. Even managers don't strictly follow kaya. I'm telling the truth. So, sue me. That's At Work. Nabanggit ko lang naman. Plus, I'm really that not good with intros. Haha!

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At Home. Elmer and I bring up our kids using Filipino language as their main language. I know, super cute pakinggan ang li'l Filipino toddlers na umi-English. I don't have anything against parents who prefer their kids to use the English language as their main language. And there's nothing wrong with that. Different strokes for different folks ika nga. For Elmer and me, hindi namin kayang panindigan, especially Elmer, na umi-straight English sa harap ng mga bata all the freakin' time. Also, we're 100% sure na hindi lahat ng tao na makaka-interact nila at bagay na mae-encounter nila as they grow up ay umi-English all the time, like jeepney drivers, yaya, sari-sari store owner, Pinoy teleseryes, Pinoy TV shows etc. Elmer and I love Pinoy movies kaya especially the old ones from the 90's. We're 80's babies, 90's kids kasi, that's why. Anlakas maka-nostalgia ng mga ganung movies.Mas grabe si Elmer kasi aliw na aliw din siya sa mga movies na almost black and white na at parang umuulan palagi sa screen. You know what I'm saying. Ako, 'di ko na bet 'yung mga ganun.

Going back. 

We just don't want any confusion sa words, grammar, diction and all. After all, my siblings and I, as well as Elmer and Ate Pla, grew up na Filipino naman ang gamit namin sa bahay but we learned English just totally fine. Practice and loads of American movies, TV series and TV shows make perfect, I guess.

At School. Nikki and Calli's school promotes the learning of communication through English language by speaking only English language every Wednesday. Everyone (and the school head means EVERYONE from the guard, canteen staff, nannies, parents, everyone) inside the school campus, has to use the English language when talking to anyone. When the memo got out,

Overwhelming Presents

Summer is here!!!

And so are Ate Pla and her family!!! Hooray!

Ate Pla is Elmer's elder and only sister, sort of (don't ask me to elaborate on that please). She left for the US in 2008 and this year is the first time she's coming back since. This time, she now has a husband and two cute kiddos, Haeven and Neveah. They, of course, are Nikki, Calli and Trace's cousins. And of course, it's their first time to meet each other. They're only staying for two weeks. Very short stay for being gone for five years, you might say. So they have to make the most out of it.

 

They have lots and lots and lots and lots of pasalubong for my family especially to Elmer and my kids - shoes and clothes and toys and chocolates and more shoes and more clothes and more toys and more chocolates. Ako ang na-overwhelm nang tunay!

 

These are just a few of her pasalubong for the kids. 

 

These pairs of shoes are just some of them. There's a whole lot more that I didn't take photos of. Like I said in my Facebook post, I will definitely need more shoe racks for these. As in more na more. 

Moving Up, Up, Up!

Hello, hello guys! How are you? Sooobrang iniiit! Andito na 'ko sa Baguio ha. I can imagine kung gaano kainit diyan sa Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Pampanga and the rest of the Philippines. Summer is here na talaga, yes?

But before we start with summer activities and all, of course, we have to end the school year muna. This is actually one of the few times in a year na very relaxing. I mean, parents like I am get to have a little more rest compared to when kids still had classes - physically and financially. Haha! I don't have to worry about getting them prepared for school everyday, what their baon for the day's gonna be, etc. You know exactly what I mean mothers, right?

On March 26 and 27, it was Calli and Nikki's Moving Up programs, respectively. Days after Nikki's final exams and before the program, her teacher texted me, asking if I wanted to come over and see how she came up with Nikki's final grades. I think she did that to all parents whose kids were vying for honors. (Yes, Nikki was a Grade 4 bronze medalist. #proudmomma)

 

I replied. I said it was okay and that I trusted her and that Elmer and I were not very particular about Nikki's class standing anyway. Not like we didn't care about her grades. Hindi ganown. Teacher didn't reply back. Whatever.

For The Nth Time

Helleeer!!!

May blog nga pala ako. Haha!

How are all of you?! I know, I know. I was gone (again) for so long. A lot of things happened here and there...and everywhere. ^_^ I missed a lot, I know.

I don't know now how and where to start (again). Let me try.

I have a couple of things in my Drafts. Like this one that's dated 11/17/2013 --

Half Year

Yay! Trace is 6 months old today!

 

Where have all those six months gone? They've gone so fast. Whenever I do some organizing of his clothes in the cabinet, I'd always find at least a piece that doesn't fit him anymore. Some of them, never niyang nasuot even once. No worries kasi most of his clothes, or shall I say all of his clothes, are hand-me-downs from Elmer's nephew Haeven and my cousins Rhys and Rahl. Some others were Nikki's and Calli's pa. I don't think may binili ako or si Elmer na damit for Trace. So hindi nakakasama ng loob na hindi niya nasuot 'yung mga iba.

Trace is turning 10 months on March 17. And he looks nothing different from the photos above. He just has more hair, is much taller, much stronger and is still gwapo. ^_^

 

I will post a photo of him on my next post. Pwamis!

 

I always ask this when I look at my kids, "Where have the times gone?" Ambilis kasi!

Do you guys watch the series The Walking Dead? I am an addict, and I am proud. ^_^

I asked because I also found a would-have-been post sitting in my Drafts dated 11/19/2013 about it --

The Walking Dead Season 4

When my notebook got broken late last year, I never bothered getting it fixed until I was about to give birth in May. I could use it while I was in maternity leave. I thought I would still have that much time to spend on the computer like when I was still pregnant. I thought wrong. May baby na nga pala. I have to say babies are the most demanding bosses. My ged!

 

Ang result, the notebook sat on one corner and gathered dust until last month. I thought of a good use for it. Because I didn't, and still don't, have internet connection at home, the best use for it is for watching movies or videos. I wanted to start watching a TV series again. As far as I can remember, there are only two TV series that I religiously watched from the their first seasons up to their last  - Prison Break and Desperate Housewives. I also watched Grey's Anatomy, got bored at Season 5. I also started with Modern Family, stopped at Season 3.

I heard about The Walking

Ayan, hanggang mahabang intro na lang ako. Hindi ko na natuloy at nai-post. Season 4 is three episodes away to its end. I will definitely miss this. I'll have to start a new series while waiting for Season 5. Any suggestions?

Then I have one more in my Drafts titled Trace's First Solid Food. It only has this photo collage Trace and his first solid food I prepared for him. Effort ako mga 'teh but I didn't get the chance to post it naman. :(

That's it. Nothing after 11/19/2013.

I have been very busy, promise. Since my team has been assigned with a new task, wala na. That's when the (again) hiatus started. But couple of days ago, I saw the light. So I followed it. Haha!

I'm hoping (again) to stick around for long(er) this time. ^_^

 

I want to end this post with this quote I got from Kim Chiu and Xian Lim's movie. I enjoyed the movie, btw.

Forever is giving the person you love unlimited chances to love you right everyday. - Lala, (Bride for Rent)

 

Oha!

 

Anong konek 'ka nyo? Forever. I want to be present na here sa blog ko from now on (again) 'til forever. Haha! #ipushyangforevernayan

Ciao! ♥

 

 

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! ♥

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. ^_^

I Just Realized, It's A Case Of Bullying

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Elmer and I noticed, Nikki was, although not intensely, being bullied in school by one girl classmate. This never happened last year when she was in Grade 2. That was her first year in that school and she was never with this girl in the same class.

This classmate's name always comes up during my conversation Nikki on how her day at school went. Sometimes, especially when school year was just starting, her stories were not as pleasant as I would like them to be. There was one time daw during lunch, 'yung mga ayaw na food ng classmate niya na 'to who likes to boss her around too, nilalagay sa baunan niya. That's while she was still eating her lunch. Foul 'yan sa akin. Pero sabi ko, sana sinabihan niya ang classmate niya na 'wag gawin 'yun. Oo daw. There was another time when this same classmate had colds and used tissue paper to clean her nose. When all her used tissue already piled up on her desk, inuutusan daw sila (her and her other classmates) to clean her desk up. Foul sa akin 'yan. I asked her if ginawa ba niya. Hindi naman daw. 

But Nikki admitted, sometimes, she would give in as a way para makisama with that classmate. Otherwise, that classmate would ask their other classmates to not talk to or play with her. Ang bad! Naawa ako kay Nikki nun. Sabi ko, if she doesn't stand up, susugurin ko ang classmate niya! Siyempre joke lang 'yun, at alam niya 'yun. I encouraged her to fight (not physically) or answer back if she knows tama siya.

Say What?!

How are you guys? I have been feeling sick since I came back from the trip. On Tuesday, I was having flu-like symptoms. Good thing that was my last shift for the week. Yesterday, I stayed in the house all day because I had to look after Calli. Pinky took a day off. It would have been best for me to stay in bed and rest but Calli seemed to be loving the perfect weather these days to stay outdoor. Walang humpay sa pagtakbo at pagba-bike sa labas. I would just watch her from our living room while I looked at our Palawan photos at the same time. They're so many I couldn't decide which ones to upload. So I chose the best ones and make collages na lang. That's what I had been busy with yesterday. It was warm outside but I was feeling so cold. Because I wasn't feeling well, I skipped taking a shower. Hihi!

Today, I had a couple of errands to run so I had to be better. I think the fact that it's payday today helped me feel so much better. Immediately after Nikki has left for school, I felt like I wanted to take a shower. Feeling ko ang dumi-dumi ko dahil hindi ako naligo kahapon. Ang dumi-dumi koooo! (Arte lang?) But something like that. To have some fun, I decided that Calli and I take a shower together. I was a little hesitant at first because she's not used to taking her shower that early. Maginaw pa at 7:30AM. She usually takes a shower past 10AM. Anyway. Nikki and I used to do this when she was younger. I thought, I'd do the same with Calli. It's a good chance for a bonding moment and teach (or more like a review) her more of the body parts. 

Before, she would just call her entire lower extremities as paa and her entire upper extremeties as kamay. It's time I showed her which her hita, binti and braso were. She already knew which her tuhod was. Then after --

We Missed Guimba

It's been months since the last time before we could visit Guimba again. I made sure we make it this time for Muder's birthday. I requested for this vacation leave months ago. We left Baguio on Saturday evening. We could have left earlier but Calli and I still had to wait for Nikki. Her school decided to have classes that Saturday. Wrong timing lang. Meanwhile, Elmer couldn't make it. He's such a loser at his new job. Very heavy workload with limited manpower. Hindi makapag-VL ampotah. At yan ang dahilan ng 'di namin pagkakaunawaan (Read: Ayoko siyang unawain) these past few days. I'll tell you more about that sooner or later. Nasa-sad lang talaga ako nang bongga.

Okay, going back.

Nikki, Calli and I missed a lot in Guimba. I missed particularly the house, Fuder's cooking, the walang wawang conversation with Vian and Muder, my endless pagalit-slash-pang-iinis kay Jayvee and so many more. At syempre more than any of these, mi familia.

Sunday was Muder's 50th birthday celebration. On Monday, we had a great lunch with Fuder's fish escabeche and ginataang hito on the table. Ansarap kumain talaga 'pag libre, err, kasama mo ang pamilya...lalo't antatakaw nila. ^_^ I wish I had taken photos of these priceless dishes, uhm, this moment. I just noticed that whenever I'm in Guimba with my family, I (most of the time and unintentionally) disconnect myself from the world wide web. I also forget about my cellphone, my laptop, my camera. I think that's good, para maiba naman.

I missed the breakfast. We always have two sets of breakfast in Guimba basta walang pasok. I don't know why. Nakasanayan na lang siguro. One light breakfast at around 6AM or basta pagkagising na lang, with bread and coffee/milk/tea. Then a heavy one at around 9AM, with ulam and rice. 

Milk Tea for Three

Back From A Short Hiatus

Ahaym sorry.

My last post was just something that was sitting in my Drafts for months, that I had to do a little editing for before publishing it online. I lost my "gana" to write for a bit there. You see, even My Project 365+1 needs updating. I assure you, the project's still on. I just couldn't find time to stitch the photos together. I promised myself that I'd finish that before Friday. That's why after a little while on hiatus,  I feel like I owe you some updating and my blog(s) an apology. 'Sensya na, may pinagdadaanan lang. Fret not because I'm so back!

Checking on it, it was just one week lang naman since my last post. But it felt like forever. Geez! For now, I would like to update you with what I had been doing for the past week.

Some random photos lang after the break, a'right? ^_^

Philippine Nutrition Month 2012

Oh my gulay! It is the last day of July today. At bago pa ma-out of season ang topic na 'to, I'm writing about it today.

Government and private health institutions and most especially schools, public and private alike, celebrate this July the Philippine Nutrition Month with the theme, "Pagkain ng gulay ugaliin, araw-araw itong ihain."

It was on Saturday when Baguio Higher Ground Christian School (BHGCS), where Nikki attends, held a program for the said campaign. The school had a common program for all students in the morning. As expected, there was singing, dancing and poem recital, of course, in accordance with the theme.

After the program on the school grounds, each class went back to their respective classrooms to do their own thing that the class adviser had prepared. There were parlor games ,and the main event in each classroom was the preparation of a dish using not only vegetables but also fruits. 

Posted on Nikki's classroom's chalk board were her class' colored drawings of fruits and vegetables.

I knew this was Nikki's because of the handwriting. I know, my family is not so much into the artistic side. But I'm proud of Nikki's handwriting. Nice!

Nikki: Mommy, ito ang drawing ko oh.

One Fine Day In Cudirao Hills

It was one fine day yesterday, my rest day. I let Nikki skip school because she was having fever due to her URTI. Because we're new to this part of Loakan, Calli and I decided that we have a little walk in the morning around Cudirao Hills. Nikki was feeling alright that time so she joined us. Girl power!

Plus, these two ticking bombs leaving the house would allow their daddy to have some quiet space to sleep even for a very short time. Kawawa naman kasi puyat-puyat the night before.

Her ready-for-a-walk pose

Mga naka-pambahay lang

One Helluva Busy Week: With Imangi Studios Temple Run + Star Papers Balikbayan Boxes + Nikki's First Day In Grade 3 + Unexpected Guests

My friend Apol asked, "Mina, bakit ang tahimik ng blog mo?" to which I responded, "Tinatamad kasi ako." Please forgive me, dearies. I know. Laziness hit me last week and then again this week...sort of. But I will not blame it all on my laziness. I was so busy. I thought I would need another me. Let me tell you what I had been busy with. 

Work and Temple Run

First and foremost, work. Then second, Temple Run. I was so hooked with it...again. I challenged myself that I would never write a new post until I collected 2,500 coins in Temple Run on my phone. (Ahuh! You guessed right. I made it!) I have already done that on Elmer's phone. It was easy doing that on his. But I wanted that record on mine and it was hard. The game keeps on lagging on my phone. Argh! When I thought that I already jumped or made a turn on time, I didn't pala. Eksaherada lang sa pag-lag! But I never gave up. Competetive ako e. Charot! 

My proof. Yihee! ^_^

Home Alone

Nikki is in Pangasinan. Calli is in Nueva Ecija. Buti pa ang mga bagets, naka-bakasyon. 

Elmer and I are home alone. 

My work starts very early in the morning. Elmer's starts very late in the afternoon. Super baliktad ang schedule namin.

Even my landlady noticed, "Anlungkot ng bahay mo, wala ang mga bata."

Elmer eats breakfast alone. We eat lunch together. No one eats dinner. And we're not eating decent meals anymore since Calli left. 

Natawa naman ako kay Elmer kani-kanina lang while we're having eggs and hotdogs for lunch.

Elmer: Walang saysay ang buhay kung wala ang mga anak ko dito sa bahay.

Me: Saysay talaga? Drama lang!

Elmer: Awan gamen agbang-bangad ditoy. Makapa-miss met. (Wala kasing nangungulit-ngulit dito. Nakaka-miss din.)

By the way, Elmer is an FBI, Full-Blooded Ilocano. Nagtangken nga unay! ^_^

I miss Nikki and Calli, and sure does Elmer too!

Ciao! ♥