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.

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'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! 

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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! ♥

Expect The Unexpected

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 Yes, that's what some people say. But aren't unexpected things those that are mostly unpleasant?

To me, this blog serves as an outlet, sort of. But for almost two months, I disconnected myself from it. I never peeked into this blog nor checked anyemail notification for comments. (I found out today that there were still visits from people. Thank you!) Although, I didnt totally go offline. I wouldstill check Facebook and Twitter once in a while, blogwalk a bit only to check new photos but not to read stuff.

After our Palawan trip, I had a very depressing discovery. It was very depressing at that moment. Iyak ako nang iyak. Because I didn't want to think about it, tulog ako nang tulog every afternoon after my shift. I put all the blame on Elmer. I wasn't talking to him that much. My spirits were really, really, really low. As in.

Glutton At Large In Palawan

Virtually, everything that I experienced - the plane ride, the zip line, the rock climbing, the snorkeling, everything in and about Palawan - in our trip was a first for me. And all firsts surely stick in our memories, don't they? These things are gonna for sho. More so, some of the foods that I've tasted in Palawan for the first time would definitely make it to the list of "Most Memorable's" in my life.

Nikki did a great job in doing her homework. Oh, not my daughter Nikki. My friend-slash-officemate Nikki who planned our Palawan trip. She did great on the research especially the must-taste foods there. In-avail namin lahat 'yun. So among the many firsts I've experienced on this trip is the chance to try these foods for the first ime.

1. Tamilok or Shipworm. I think this deserves to be in the number one spot. I wasn't totally engrossed by this food. I just thought of it like the street food isaw sans the food color and the stick. I honestly couldn't figure what it tasted like. My friends were saying it tasted like oyster. Um-agree na lang ako. Isa lang masasabi ko, makunat siya. Nguya-nguyain mo pa ng 100 times then lunok.

Recommended Store Of Dried Everything For Pasalubong In Puerto Princesa

Nikki and Niño found this store that sold dried everything - fish, pusit, dilis - and other pasalubong items like cashew nuts, banana chips, barquiron. Its owner, Kuya Albert, had been so nice (and honest) to us.

By the way, the best-selling pasalubong was the lamayo daing. That's what was served to us for breakfast in the hotel. Ang sarap, in fair! Unfortunately, I didn't brought (Wrong grammar akish!) bring home just even one pack. Frozen kasi siya. Hindi ko betch magdala on the way back home ng something that would be dripping. Even Vian didn't. Sister ko talaga siya. Hindi din niya betch! Sayang, because Nikki said masarap daw talaga.
 

See? Parang dabarkads lang!

Their price compared to Baguio price, less inexpensive.