Mind of a fickle

Almost 2 months have passed... Busy is an overused word but I was. Went overseas for conference, went Down Under for our first entry and left our dear Pre, and 3 out of 4 birthdays have passed... Whew... To top that, most of my weekends are spent upgrading servers and firefighting with another team for things that have been missed out. Whew... The good thing is... It's almost over and I have my VERY BIG BUCKET ready for blessings... The upgrades will be over soon and there will be some semblance to normalcy at work. And we're believing for that huge blessing soon. The problem was we are hoping yet we're not believing that it will happen. The Lord has spoken. It's time to believe. I am excited!

Lately, I've been in a black mood. You can even read about it from my previous posts. Since April came in, it seemed like I am strugging to keep it together, at home, at work and even at "play". It could be because of my long list of TO DOs... Which instead of getting shorter, it just seemed getting longer and longer. The "kiasu" in me wants to have to the list trimmed down so that I can breathe. And, it's not happening. Anyway... I finally acknowledged to myself that I cannot do it --- ALONE. I uttered a simple prayer while I was in bus travelling to work. "Lord, turn my life around, even a tiny bit". After that, I called Ate A and asked her to prepare. We're going to OZ embassy to get her visa. I was thinking that I haven't prayed enough, haven't asked the Lord enough for one wish to be granted. *insert smile here hehehe* While at work, I printed all the necessary documents and asked for time-off. Rushed to OZ embassy, there were a fe...

I am feeling more and more anxious as the day comes near. It's a month and a day till our initial entry. And, it's 7 days after when we leave Pre behind. It's definitely a big change! And we rest our cares with the Big Bro! It's just that Pre will miss a lot of happenings : 1. Bebi A's 6th birthday 2. His birthday 3. My birthday 4. Dawter T's 9th birthday 5. Dawter T's first communion 6. Bebi A's graduation and a lot more. Sabi nga niya, "tiis tiis muna". I know it'll be harder for him, he's all alone there with just our friends for company. Friends with kids who will remind him of the girls. There are times when I ask why we need to go through with this. But, the answer is always IT'S HIS PLAN. And, that's just what I should remember. We almost gave up on this yet He still gave us an affirmative answer with a very explicit sign. What more should I ask? Why question? We'll cross the bridge when we get there. (In our case, we...

We went to our usualy "Bisita Iglesia" (church visits). I am bit nostalgic that this could be the last year that we're visiting these churches here in Singapore. Moving on, we ended up at our parish --- St. Mary's. It's nice that I could get Dawter T to read the prayers though she's like an old lady who constantly needs to sit down hahaha As expected, it rained in the afternoon. I needed to write today. I planned to scrapbook but couldn't find the right papers yet. And, I am in a fix. I don't feel good at the moment. Hopefully, this will go away. Life has been giving me a lot to think about --- about being a better wife, a good mother, loving daughter and sister, dependable friend, a responsible employee and all the other roles I play in my life. One of those roles has been bugging me so much lately and I feel that I am getting tired. How I wish I can just start over and was different from the get-go. Things will probably be different. I g...

There is this feeling that you can't explain as you prepare for change. It all feels surreal sometimes. But, in my mind, I am counting the days... Then, listing down things to do, things to buy, things to --- I keep thinking this is all a dream. But, it's happening soon. I remember a reflection from Didache "Has God given you a dream but fear has paralyzed you from pursuing it? Today is the first day to walk on water." - Jon Escoto Who wouldn't want to walk on water?

I am juggling so many balls at work these past few months and been neglecting this blog. There were so many funny moments with the girls and some of them, to my despair, I have forgotten already. I hope that normal delivery will prove worthwhile later on as I try to remember those. I just have so many things on my mind so hopefully, it was just placed at the back of my mind. Bebi A asked me for a Nerf gun for her birthday. Mind you, her birthday is still a few months away. I was reminded of the time when I asked for Voltes V action figure from daddy which we bought at Cash & Carry. Yes, I can even remember the store very clearly... So, I won't withold this Bebi A. After all, she is too kikay... And, she probably got the gun thing from her lolo hahaha... Her new favorite song is Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars and she has been playing it again and again. She really loves to sing. Sana indi na sya bulol! Hehehe... Dawter T has bagged the Most Courteous award again and been ask...

I am totally mixing it up with the song and it'll probably stay on my mind the whole day. But, I wanted a catchy title so bear with me... It's mid month and a lot of things needs to be ready by early July (*hint hint*) I already bought some of the goodies... But, wait... Why is it that June becomes a preparation for July and August? June should be special in itself, right? We had two best weekends yet. June 13th with Ninang C... We spent it at Sentosa (Universal Studios and Siloso beach) after a hearty lunch at Sakae Sushi. The girlsssssssssss loved sushi. And, I was amazed and wanted to cry with sheer joy. (That's a mom of picky eaters!) Maybe it's because of this cartoon they watched all the time --- Sushi Pack! We took pictures outside US hehehe coz the tickets were sold out for the day. We ate popcorn, of course --- cheese and caramel, yum! We heard that there's a $2 entrance ticket at 7pm so I inquired and yep, there was! But, had to wait until i...

Day 2 was reserved for Disneyland. While Ate A wanders around the city, my troops and I went to Disneyland. Yes, it is a dream come true. I am uber sentimental so when I saw the entrace, my eyes became watery. I think no matter how many times you go to Disneyland or wherever it may be, Disneyland will always hold a magical place in one's heart. Dawter T wore her birthday badge and as soon as the staffs saw her, they greeted her a warm happy birthday. They also gave her stickers. (Fast forward, we now have stickers that would last the girls til secondary school... Of course, I am exag!) We took photos near the entrace, the train station as background. Then, we hurried inside because I reminded Pre that characters might be coming out in the city hall area. True enough, Mickey and Minnie were already at the center of the "plaza". Pre lined up while I quickly went to the gift shop to buy the autograph book. Being a scrapbooker, I tend to be a hoarder of all things paper hahah...

We booked our tickets with Jetstar. I tried to make everything fit our budget. The girls were so excited and so were we. We were not able to eat breakfast... As usual, we were running late. So, Pre said we'll just buy something when we're on board the plane. When checked in with Jetstar, the lady at the counter said. "Maam, you're holding Philippine passport, make sure that you have $700USD." "Huh, why?" "It's the policy" "I've been there before and they have never asked me for show money." At that I was fuming so Pre drew cash and we exchanged it to Hongkong dollars. Still. I was fuming. Kainis. Di man ako makabayan, ayoko talaga naapi tayo. So, off we went to the gate. Picture-picture. Then, at last we boarded the plane. The girls were asking questions about the plane, commenting about it. Pre and I smiled to ourselves. They were cute. It's not their first time but they were too young to remember their first plane ride. ...

I know that I have to prepare for the trip tomorrow but couldn't help but go to Her World's Project Makeover. I was enticed by the "goodies bag" ~~~ yes, that's what was stated in the email. Project Makeover was sponsored by Her World and Clinique and being a Clinique user, I was hoping to get freebies, lots of 'em! Anyway... I met with my sister's friend L and talked to her about Singapore Citizenship and what she said made me consider it all the more. I think that's for another post. When I came home, the girls' bag were already packed. Only left was my bag and Pre's. So we prepared it and tried to make sure everything's there. We didn't give milk that night to Bebi A because we're bringing the bottles in Hong Kong. I slept at around 1AM. The girls slept after I told them that if they don't wake up, we will leave them behind.

for the girls and wished that we're there... For the second time as a family, we're taking a vacation that's not in Philippines. This was my dream last year... And, it's finally coming true... Thank you, Lord!

We were supposed to go to the Zoo on my birthday but Pre doesn't want to shortchange my birthday so he insisted on going the day before. All of us went and to our surprise, all of us had fun! Living near the Zoo, we dilly dallied. We alighted at CCK while I argued that there's a free service at Kranji. I was wrong so we had to take from Kranji to the Zoo. Upon reaching, we went straight to KFC to eat. Of course, my dear Bebi A had a blast. KFC fried chicken is one of her favorite foods. Dawter T had popcorn chicken and she didn't finish it. She was too enthralled with the surroundings to keep still. We were stuffed with chicken that we felt sleepy. Being the lazy warts that we are, it took forever for us to get started. Thank you to Pre's office, the adults' entrace were free. We only had to pay for the girls. When we went inside, we tried the Sea Lion show but it was already starting so we decided to trek on the way to the elephant show. There were lot...

Last Thursday was an ordeal that I don't want to go through again. The growing numbers of H1N1 cases has made us very wary. Moreso for Ate A who just came back from the Philippines. She was really nervous that she might have contracted the virus while she was there. To add to the "games" playing on her mind, she had a cold. Wednesday night, Pre asked me to pass her the thermometer. He wants her to be at peace. She was really scared after watching TV Patrol that when I asked her if she wants to go for a check up, she said yes. The next day, Thursday, I asked permission to work from home so that she can have her peace of mind with a checkup. Her temperature before she left the house was 36 something. So for me, it was just routine, I just want to give in to her wish. Well, also to make sure that the girls were safe. I got a call from her that the doc wants to send her to the hospital. Huh?! Why? She said that when the doc took her temp, she had 37.6. Still, I argued with th...

So, we got the two girls another pet. Dawter T has been asking me everyday about it and to stop her, I gave in. We are now proud parents of Sunshine the Hamster. It is such an emotional investment to have a pet. I was never an owner because I'm lazy and I don't want to get attached. But, seeing the two girls last Sunday squealing with delight was worth it. I call the hamster, San Tsai to tease Dawter T. Bebi A calls it Sun since she's still "bulol".

Yes, we're leaving our home of 3 years and starting a "new life" somewhere in the West of Singapore (where the air is cooler and we're a few meters away from the mall and the library and... ok enough... hahaha) I was feeling sentimental the last few nights when I got home from work, no matter how it always feels like we're in the oven when it's sunny. We've had a lot of good memories there. Relatives and friends came to visit us and we had a wonderful time. I saw Bebi A grew up from that tiny, skinny baby to a wonderful, chubby toddler. Dawter T had her 3 years Pre-School in a nearby Catholic Pre-School. Pre had the time of his life going back and forth to his 2 buses away office in Bradell. Oh, we'll surely miss the place, the friends and good neighbors we've had. (Goodbye to Auntie M who is like a grandma to my two girls, she's a wonderful neighbor! Imagine, she gave us new boxes for this move! And, made fish curry for my mama!) Huhuhu, I ...

I am glad that I have finished my March life-changing To Do's (until the wee hours this morning). And, a brand new month has started. I am walking like a zombie today due to lack of sleep but a friend whom I talked to this morning made me feel better. Whatever happens, it's part of God's plan. I always believe that. It is just that sometimes, when you get disappointed, you cannot help but sulked a little. But, a few weeks or months after, you will see the whole picture. God let "not so good" things happen so that another great thing will happen. We just need to learn to trust God with our all, all the time.

Mader L mentioned to us during our meet up last Saturday that there's a new "Mickey" restaurant at Anchorpoint. I was quite interested because I know the girls would love to go there. So, on Sunday, we went there. The two girls loved it as they were welcomed by Disney decors, Finding Nemo video and two computers used to display PlayHouse Disney website (one of their faves!) We had Mickey Mouse ear shaped pizza which was quite good, spaghetti and mac n cheeze. I find it a bit pricey though hehehe

We waited for two hours only to be plagued with "Change your Battery Pack"!!! Pre would have murdered me if the camera didn't cooperate. I turned it off most of the show, much much much to my dismay. But, seeing for myself how happy the two girls were was all worth it. Okay, so I am rationalizing hahaha We capped the day with dinner at 7107 with Sister C.

Even when Ate A is around, we usually go out by ourselves during Sunday. But, this is one of those Sundays when they let me do things that they won't normally have patience for hehehe thus it became my day off! (?!?!) They even let me nap for awhile when we got home from the mall. And, when I woke, the rice cooker was already on meaning Pre has already cooked rice, woohoo! Downside of the day was Bebi A throwing a fit when it was time to wash her. She wants to bring her toys to play with. She already has cough and I don't want her playing water unnecessarily. Ayun, tagal bago napatahan but I stood firm. Hehe.

When agents tells you that your budget is for a 2+1 flat, but then you won't be allowed to live in a 2+1 because your head count exceeds 4. When the washing machine is enthroned in the masters bedroom's bathroom. When agents are asking you to pay 50 or 60 bucks just to view the place. The owner calls with a better offer than the last. Truly, God's hand at its best.