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.

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.

Red Ribbon Media Launch for December 2009

There are a lot of benefits of being a blogger. One of it is being invited to an event and be given a free item.

Last December 1, 2009; I was invited by Red Ribbon for the launching of their new products. Undeniably, I loved it even before the event started and much more when it happened. I was expecting so much, but they exceeded my expectations. I love Red Ribbon even more after that.

So, what happened?

Area Manager (SM City Iloilo), Borgz Galagar and Marketing Services Officer, Meyan Lim welcomed us with a smile on their faces. They introduced their mission, vision, values and the most exciting part their new products. Red Ribbon aims to be on the top by 2020 so they keep on adding products and improving their services.

First, we were given a sample of their Grilled Ensaimada with Farmer’s Ham.

Everything on that plate just tasted so good and really perfect for me, even just the simple scrambled eggs.

Next, Chocolate Walnut Fudge with Hershey’s Dark Chocolate and coffee.

We were informed that while other companies would use machines in making decors and cakes, Red Ribbon does it manually. So just imagine the rolls you could see at the side of the cake, is being rolled to perfection by a human hand.

A “tip” was given to us by Meyan, on how to drink coffee with cake: Don’t put a creamer or sugar on your coffee, drink it then scoop a cake and eat. While the cake is still in your mouth, take a sip of your coffee. Compare the taste of the coffee, before and after you had the cake. The coffee tasted better, with a mixture of the cake. Indeed a perfect combination!

With me on this launching is Kathy Villalon of The News Today, Roselyn Villamor of Yuhum News Magazine and a fellow blogger, Mawe of Mawe’s Adobo.

I mentioned above, that I love these events because of free things. So, aside from those free food we ate at the venue, we were given a box of Red Ribbon White Forest which my kids enjoyed. Just see how excited they were to eat the cake.

SM City Iloilo Food Bloggers Event

I love food, so when I was invited to this event I could just imagine how full I would be after it and my instincts never failed me.

Casa Ilongga prepared

Crispy Kangkong

Baby Crabs

Pancit Molo

Yukashii prepared

Sushi and Maki

Breakthrough prepared

Scallops

Bangus

Pork Sisig

Fish Sisig

Chicken N Ribs prepared

Chicken

Ribs

Ocean City prepared

Fried Rice

Sweet and Sour

Ox Tongue

Sabor Ilonggo prepared

Pitchi Pitchi, Bayi Bayi

Buko ni Fruitas prepared

Buko Juice and Fruits

Thirsty prepared

Fruit and Shakes

House of Panini prepared

Panini

Bacolod Lechon Haus prepared

Sisig

Lechon Baboy

Mons Takuyaki prepared

Balls

I really enjoyed the food tasting, and the above mentioned deserves a try if you haven’t yet. Who knows, it might be one of your favorite.

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.

Pete Solis Nery Book Launch

Yesterday, I was invited to attend a book launch. It was my first time to attend such event. Anyway, I was with my fellow bloggers, and here are some pics of me on the event.

Today is My Mom and Dad’s Anniversary

Yes, it is but we didn’t have a grand celebration. Actually, we just celebrate it just like a normal day, but with a planned menu for lunch and dinner.  Tomorrow is my Mom’s birthday and it’s a Holiday – how cool is that?

Okay, so let’s get back to today. What happened? As I have mentioned yesterday, we will go to Lolo Mauring’s grave. So, we did. But before we did, we first went to Central Market to buy flowers to bring to Lolo Mauring.

A big thing happened at Central Market. You know they call it “dirty market” right? So, after we bought the flowers, while going back to the car, I TRIPPED! I called for my Mom who’s just a step ahead of me and I lost grip on the flowers, that fell in the sewerage. Eeewww right? The worst thing is that I bought WHITE flowers. So, a few parts of it turned black. My mom bought mineral water to clean it.

Okay, so what happened to me? Well, first thing that came into my mind when I tasted blood – “OMG my beautiful face, my lips!” Funny isn’t it? I didn’t feel a thing, I was just worried of my face. NOW WHAT HAVE I BECOME? Well, I left my Mom to pick up the flowers while I stood up and hurriedly went to the car to check my face. Oh, good thing didn’t do any damage on the visible portion.

I look down and saw my slocks is dirty. Actually, I was impressed with my slocks because it wasn’t torned but when I checked my knee. Oh there – just let me show you a pic to see it.

I changed to shorts when I arrived home, because it really hurts when the slocks touch the wounded part. Here’s a close-up look:

There you go. Yeah, it hurts now, but I didn’t feel anything when I fell. I was just thinking of my face and how gross it is that I fell on “dirty market.”  Enough of that – me being superficial (whatever you call it).

After going to Lolo Mauring. We went to SM and bought toys for the kids. Upon arriving, my cousin helped assemble the toys for kids to enjoy.

I am going to sleep now. Have a great day!

EJ Baptismal and Friends Meet

My cousins love to make me Ninang (Godmother) of their children, and Edgar is not an exemption. It took them years to have a baby and they have been trying ever since they were married. I don’t know how long, but I guess about 3 years. So, when they finally had one, they choose me to be one of the Godparent. I think for them, me having 2 biological children is not enough, they wanted me to have more in the name of God.

I guess the main thing of choosing a Godparent, is that you should know the person very well to the point that you could trust them with your child’s life. This is what I believe, and therefore I can’t understand some people to let me be the Godparent of their child without even knowing me fully.

Anyway, here are some of the pics taken before and after the baptismal. More at Junelle’s Photos.

After the baptismal, we ate at my cousins house. It was good seeing the family all together again.

Then I met with my friends that afternoon. Had fun time. It’s different when you are with your friends.

As you could see, no guys It’s a girls day out. Two of those girls are married and the rest are single – no BF as what they tell me. You might ask where I am in that pic? At the back of the camera of course

Oh! By the way, last Saturday I was in Bacolod to attend a bloggers event. Check my DigitalFilipino Bloggers event in Bacolod post at Pinay SEO.

A Tortured Morning and Happy Afternoon

Yesterday morning, I went to NSO to process the birth certificate of my son. That was not a pleasing experience.

I got home in the afternoon, saw the table empty. I decided to invite my cousin to eat out and watch a movie. We ate at Joey’s Pepperoni Pizzaria (correct me if I’m wrong) because I love pasta!

I ordered:

a bottomless iced tea

4 cheeze pizza

and something that looks like a bake zitti I forgot the name

Then my cousin ordered a pasta alfredo

Though I was the one who ordered a lot, but it turned out it was my cousin who ate most of it HONESTLY! That girl has a miracle tummy, she ates more than I do, but gets away with it. 

We then had a window shop because we were too full to sit down and watch a movie. But eventually the fullness was gone and we watched Angels and Demons. Not really a fan of it, but it was okay.

Then a beautiful scenery outside the Mall of Asia.

Situation in Manila Apartment

We arrived here last May 8, 2009 because I have to attend the iBlog 5 event May 9, 2009. So we stayed here since then, and for more than a week I sacrificed thinking my kids are okay with our situation here.

We are used sleeping in a soft foam bed and when we arrived here in our Manila apartment, we were forced to sleep in the floor with just a “banig” to give us a bit of comfort.

This is where we sleep then

Two days ago my mother mentioned that my daughter has been complaining since our first night here, she was saying “I wanna go home, I don’t like the way we sleep here.” It made me worry. I know, like me her back must be aching everytime we get into our “banig” and sleep. Then last night, my son seems to be having problem sleeping as well. So my Mom and I decided to buy a foam, the cheapest we could find, as long as there would be something soft we could sleep in. 

Today, we went to MOA. It was my second time being there and my Mom and the kids for the first time. We excitedly buy the things we need; foam, pillows and a fan.

Upon arriving home, we immediately set things up. My kids were so happy and finally, we have no problems sleeping now.

My son is now sleeping comfortably in our newly bought foam.