Preparing for June Hector’s 3rd Birthday Party

Today was a very busy day! Let’s start from this …

I slept past 3 in the morning, and

Mother Dear: B-Girl Wake-up! You’re driving Hannah to school, it’s the first day of school and it is already 7:00am.

Jun Hannah: Mommy wake-up!

-Awake-

Jun Hannah: Mommy call Daddy.

-Dialed number and give phone to Hannah-

Father and Daughter conversing on the phone.

-Stood up, opened the door.-

Jun Hannah: Mommy, Daddy will talk to you.

Me: Hi, I just woke up and I need to change. Mom is already angry. I am driving Hannah to school.

Hannah’s Dad: Ok.

-Phone down, changed, drive- YES WALANG LIGO … eeeww

7:30 am to 1:00 pm = DRIVER, Yaya, Assistant, Delivery, etc

Upon arriving home, I started working on making props and costumes for June Hector’s 3rd Bday.

• Aang’s glider. Finished by 6 pm
• Toph’s headband. Finished by 8 pm
• June Hector’s 3rd cake design: Printed pictures to show to the cake-maker. Finished by 10 pm

It was already late so my kids was already asleep and I need to bring them in our room, but first I took a bath.

• Jun Hannah sleeping on sala floor. Picked her up, with all the strength left in me (38 kilos). Started climbing the stairs … 1, 2, 3 (PANTING) – Hannah woke up. “Oh, good baby could you climb the stair and go to our room?” Hannah started walking, went to the bed and continue to sleep.
• June Hector sleeping in the guest room. Picked him up and went upstairs into our room and put him in bed.
• Put diapers on both kids and let them drink their milk even while they were sleeping.

Now, 11 pm and I need to sleep for tomorrow will be another long day.

For the First Time I Felt I am a Good Mother

Hours ago, I noticed myself doing selfless acts for my kids and it made me feel special. I know for the fact that having two kids; a boy and a girl, that I am a well blessed but because of some negative aspects that surrounds it, I sometimes forget the good side of things. Anyways, since I am living my life now trying to see the best side of everything, I’ll try my best to have the heart and mind to accept and understand the flow of life.

I am the “official driver” of my family and I am the one bringing and fetching my daughter to her summer classes. Yesterday, after her class I decided to go to a mall to buy her a toy to play with this summer. On our way out after we have bought everything we planned on buying, my daughter saw a pizza and asked me to buy her a slice because she wants to eat. However, before she asked me I was already planning on buying a water to quench my thirst. If you would read just this part, you would probably say there’s no problem “go and buy both.” Now, here is the problem: The money is enough to buy only one of our demands. So it is either my thirst or my daughters satisfaction. As a mother, I think a little sacrifice won’t hurt, so I bought a pizza. Then we got into the car, I noticed she didn’t eat the pizza and I asked her why. She said, she’ll just eat it at home but I noticed she took a bite and I guess she didn’t like the taste of it. Home we went and the pizza was forgotten by my daughter. Here I am, Mommy dearest who sacrificed being thirsty for hours can’t forget about that pizza that was forgotten. (SMILES)

I am still awake at this time (3:33 AM) because I am observing my son. He is having heavy eye discharge while sleeping and I am worried that he would be hurt opening his eyes in the morning due to that. Earlier, I searched for ways to avoid that hurt and found one; I need a warm water and a cotton balls. Cotton balls are easy to get because it is just in the room a few steps away, but the warm water, I need to go down the stairs (checked the time – 2:50 am … Paranormal Activity). I build up my courage and got some warm water and cotton balls to be use on my son’s eyes in the morning.

The selfish me became selfless for my daughter and the coward me faced my fears for my son. I guess a person becomes SUPER when they become a parent or just having some to love – cared for.

Avatar Inspired Haircut

This morning I gave my son a haircut, but I wasn’t satisfied. So, this afternoon, after he woke up I again gave him a new haircut, this time I got a design in mind. Because almost everyone on plurk and facebook seems to be talking about the “Avatar” movie, I thought it would be cool if my son would have that arrow on his head. I thought of Rocky from PBB who got a haircut of an arrow but it is on the back of his head, so if they could do that, surely I could make it on my sons hair.

If you are a parent, you would know that haircut on kids would be hard, most of the time they move and even worst they would sometimes cry. So it is going to be a tough job. Since the morning he had his haircut, he had no complaints. Thankfully enough he was cooperating whenever I ask him not to move.

Here’s the haircut of my son – done by ME!

My nephew saw it and he liked it, so he let me do his hair as well.

Here’s more pics:

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Ballet and Birthday Pictures

Saturday was a ballet presentation of my daughter at SM City here in Iloilo, then yesterday was the birthday of my nephew. I took pictures of both events, most importantly the only remembrance of my nephews birthday are those pics. So, I uploaded it on my computer and deleted it after. Due to my multitasking, I received an error in doing so, but I didn’t even read the error message, I just clicked to close the window. Hours after, I was putting watermark on my pictures, when I noticed that there are things missing; I could not see the birthday pictures! Then, I remembered the error message. It was those images, but I already deleted and formatted my SD card.

I prayed that I could find solution to my problem, because it is the only remembrance of my nephew of his 3rd birthday. So I searched for programs that could retrieve those images. I have seen a lot of free programs for windows, but I can’t find any free ones for Mac (currently using MacBook). Here goes the advantages of having different OS available – after I got tired of searching for free retrieval software for Mac, I just opened my Windows notebook. On my MacBook, I already eyed a free program for windows, so that I won’t have a hard time searching. I just typed the URL of the program and installed it on my Windows notebook. The program is SoftPerfect File Recovery, which I got from the referral of GeckoandFly. It was SO PERFECT for me, because it worked flawlessly and recovered the batch of pictures that I deleted hours ago.

WARNING: After accidentally formatting or deleting pictures, DO NOT take pictures with the same memory card because it will lessen your chances to recover your pics. Luckily, I have not taken any pictures after I have reformatted it. Amazing how those pictures are still recovered after I deleted it on my MacBook and then Formatted it on the Cam.

So, here are the ballet pics:

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Things that runs into my mind at about 3 in the morning

Even before I watch Paranormal Activity, I’ve already been imagining thing, but now it is worst.

As mentioned, I am aware that my family is not alone in our house, there are unseen entities and luckily we have the good ones. However, it is inevitable that the idea of those unseen entities is quite scary.

• My cousin had experienced seeing a shadow figure in my room, and at the moment she was having a hard time moving and she can’t even shout. When she finally did, she ran as fast as she could to the next room where me and my Mom were watching the launching of PBB first season (if I recall it right).
• A few of my friends would inform me they feel something strange in the house, at least those ones that are sensitive to these kind of things.
• My Mom told me she had experience with those entities.

They don’t bother anyone. I think we are more of a bother to them, than they to us, because most of the time, my house is just too noisy. I guess those new to the house, specially new helpers would experience hearing footsteps coming from the masters bedroom when no-one is in the room or upstairs for that matter. These happens when my family would have our usual family day and we will all go out leaving one helper in the house.

I’ve learned a lot from the stories of old folks. One of which is that when your name is called by those unseen entities, “DO NOT ANSWER.” They say that if you do, that is the start of them, bringing you into their world. Also, if ever you visit their world, “DO NOT EAT.” If you do, then you will be with them forever or you will have a hard time returning to this world.

OKAY, so what runs into my mind at 3 AM?

• Often, when I feel like urinating and I see it is about those time, I would have a hard time building courage to go out of my room and go to the CR.
• I feel that when I put my feet on the floor, something under the bed will drag me.
• The stairs is just next to my door, so when going in after urinating, I would see the stairs and would imagine things.

They say our mind is a powerful thing, and I am scared that even if things are not there my imagination would let me see something there because I have already build an image on my mind about it. SO HELP ME GOD, PLEASE DON’T!

Paranormal Activity (2009) Movie Review

My friend Lizanie encourages me to watch the movie Paranormal Activity. I used to be a brave young child but then I grew up to be a scaredy cat. I was curious and so I watched it. I have read from Wikipedia that the movie have 3 different endings. The one I watched ended up with Katie going back to the room with blood on her shirt and then later Police came and Katie was shot by the police.

I was really scared, but it didn’t stop me from watching the movie beginning to end.

Things I find unrealistic:

• They have certainly proved that there is something weird going on and caught it on camera. However, the boyfriend still doesn’t seem to believe it, to the point that he doesn’t want Katie to call a paranormal expert to help them and he still thinks he is in control. How stupid could that be?
• They are super brave that everytime they sleep the lights are off. If that happened to me, I wouldn’t care about the electricity bill, lights will be on.
• The paranormal expert that they called backed out because he sensed that the spirit was angry and it doesn’t want him to be there. I thought these kind of people are supposed to be brave and would fight to death?
• They are having a hard time looking for people that would help them. I think at 2006 there are a lot of TV series that is about paranormal and for me there are just a lot of people that could help, specially they have videos to prove their concerns.
• I have heard that usually spirits like this live in a house that is quiet but in the movie, the psychic said that it feeds from negative vibes like problems. That is just opposite from what I know. Usually, when something is weird happening in the house, my Mom would go shouting to drove it away and it does. I guess my house is just too noisy for those kind of spirits to live. I am not denying the fact that my house have those unseen entities too, but it is a good one, the one that gives out good luck. Usually, only guests or people new in the house would see, hear or feel them and my Mom has seen them when she was young.

Let’s respect everyone, including those we could not see.

Different Ways of Dealing With Things

My Mom and I have a very different attitude. She’s been with me for the 27 years of my life and we haven’t been apart for more than a week, but still we see things differently. Maybe that is because she let me live a life that she hasn’t and this is the same thing I am doing with my children, with a thing in mind: That they grow up to be a better person than I am or the best person that they could be.

So, from a meeting with Iloilo Bloggers at Kopi Roti, I went home and found out that my necklace and my Mom’s watch were missing on where I usually put it. I was cleaning my face when my Mom entered the room. I asked her if she had kept it, and she said no. She then panicked and go shouting and checking it everywhere in a chaotic way. I was scared that it might be gone forever or someone took it, but still I was relaxed. I just told her don’t worry about it, I will be checking every corner of the house to look for it tomorrow.

I hope I would find it.

Dad Gave Me His Phone

So, I was complaining because I have no phone. I wanted to have Nokia N86. However, my dad upon hearing I have no phone, he delivered his to me.

Since the phone is from US, it can only have signal once there is an internet signal; 3G, HSDPA or UMTS signal. So basically, there is none of that here at home using GLOBE, but SMART does. So, I bought a new SIM today.

For my friends, just message me on Facebook if you want to get my new number. Send me your number, I’ll text you as soon as I get your message.

Manila Trip

Fast track on what has happened to me since my last post. I am now actually office free!

It was good while it lasted. Goodbye office folks. Adios la oficina.

I was in Manila for WordCamp Philippines 2009 as a WordPress fanatic. I had a great time with my cousin while I was there. Though, I was only there for 3 days, it was a full 3 days! I remembered, it was my second time traveling to Manila alone.

First day, I arrived in our apartment by 1pm but my home buddies are not yet home. Our neighbors did welcome me, but I am not close to them so I decided to go out and kill time by having a manicure and pedicure. After my nails done, one of my home buddy is already home. He cooked the food I brought for dinner and we ate. My other home buddy arrived at 9pm and we watched a horror movie which I haven’t finished. She laughed at me because she wasn’t scared at all. She thought it was a comedy. DAMN that “Drag Me To Hell.” Why does everyone else thinks it is funny and I thought it was really scary!

Second day, me and my cousin Bevelyn went to the WordCamp Philippines 2009.

After the event, we ate at Teriyaki Boy.

I couldn’t find that here in Iloilo. So, here’s our craziness:

The food was fulfilling.

This was at Greenbelt.

Third day, we went to SM Mall of Asia (MOA) to buy “pasalubong.”

Our favorite, FLOSS at Bread Talk.

After roaming around the mall, we ate at the French Baker.

While waiting for the FLOSS we ordered, we had a Banana Split from Haagen Dazs.

So, after we got our Floss from Bread Talk. My cousin dropped me off at the Airport.

I am now back in Iloilo. A day after my arrival, I had a meeting with Iloilo Bloggers. I always have a good time with those people with great minds.

So busy!

Yesterday, during the IBM V demo, I was able to meet a few bloggers and to mention our Provincial Advisor Mr. Manuel Mejorada, who is updated when it comes to tech than I am.

Today, I will be joining Claire in a meeting with SM.

On the 28th and 29th special IT events.

If you are in Iloilo and wants to know more about SEO, you should attend the Digital Filipino SEO Workshop on September 28, 2009 at Netopia SM City Iloilo, 6 pm to 9 pm.

So, I wonder, if I am still in the office … I don’t know how to manage things in my life. I am so busy and expect more to pile up. I haven’t mentioned some of the events on my schedule, but if you want to be updated on IT events here in Iloilo or events that you could blog, add me on Plurk, Twitter or Facebook, if not then better check for an updated post on Iloilo Bloggers Blog.

Sibling Rivalry

I have a cousin whom my parents adopted, not legally, but they are the ones who took care of him since he was two months old. Also, I have a cousin whom I treated like my sister, but I never had a 100% sibling. With that said, I had no idea what sibling rivalry is. Yes, my cousins and I would have our fights, but everyone fights right?

I would like to share what happened yesterday and today.

Yesterday, as I arrived home from work, my son welcomed me with a hug (as usual) but then our helper approached me and said, “Hannah and Hector had a fight.” She then pointed to me the mark of their fight.

My poor little one. Then, I saw my daughter. She have some marks on her as well.

I know both of them fight, but this was the first time they have injuries because of it. I keep on telling Hannah (age 4) not to fight with her brother Hector (age 2) because she is the older one, I expect she follows my order. Hannah, had a hard time following instructions, in fact she does what she is told not to do.

I had my long sleep this morning, and when I woke up the afternoon, I was shocked to see the face of my son. New wound!

I immediately asked the helper what happened and she told me while she was preparing for the milk, Hannah got a hold of Hector and had an accident.

I do not know what to do with this. Either I believe it was an accident, or she intentionally got back on her brother because she had 2 scars on their previous fight and Hector only had 1.

However, I should tell you Hannah is always on her brothers side. Whenever my Mom would discipline Hector, Hannah would be in front of her and saying, “You’re bad Lola Mommy, why are you shouting at Hector,” and Hector does the same thing, or he would just cry when Hannah is being disciplined and crying. They love each other, want proof? Here are the pics I shot today, after seeing those fresh wound on Hector’s face.

Don’t you just love it when kids act like this?