Monday, October 30, 2006

Cool!

Isn't this cool? I'm actually logging in this entry at Mactan Airport while waiting for my flight back home to Davao. They have this wifi service from Globe. Only 15 mins but I've seen others taking much longer than that...

Ah, I have loooooooots of pictures I will be uploading here soon... Been to Bantayan Island for a side trip... hmm looks like my time is almost up. better wrap this up... ah, kends, in case ur reading this, i have ur masareal hehehe

Friday, October 20, 2006

Retro-Entry: On Books

October 19, 2006
10:00 P.M.

I'm actually happy today. We just came in from outside. I'm happy because we were able to buy some books for Baby earlier. We bought two -- A Bible Pop-Up Book on Noah and Bright and Early Books' "The Ear Book." (Baby already has his Dr. Seuss' The Foot Book) It's amazing really how the excitement I'm feeling at the moment is the same as I have always felt in the past whenever I was able to buy some really good books for myself.

I remember being over the moon when I finally managed to buy Coelho's "By the River Piedra..." I was crazy over Coelho long before the multitudes have discovered him so finding his books were quite a feat in those days. So finding one then definitely tops it for me. I could even picture myself smiling from ear to ear as I clutched the book close to me... Must have looked crazy to others at that time hehehe

I felt happy earlier as I read to Baby the Ear Book and see him nodding his head to the rythm I'm creating. Haaay I swear by "Bright and Early"... (Especially Dr. Seuss') The words are arranged in such a manner that they sound so good in one's ear... and most especially to Babies' also, judging from how Baby responds to the words he's hearing...

We actually went out to fix Bolo and Baby's plane ticket for Cebu. After that we grabbed some bite at Evergreen's Vege Kiosk (Baby is getting adept at eating Tofu hehehe) and decided to go home. When we passed by the Book Sale area, I knew I would have to do some browsing. This time, not for myself but for Baby. (Yeah, it's like that these days, not for myself.. almost always for Baby's).

I asked the attendant if they have any Dr. Seuss books and he told me down pat he doesn't know and that he had never seen one. Hmm... I could write another entry on how bookstore owners should hire attendants who love and breathe books. It's practically annoying to get answers like that you know...

Anyway, we already paid for the Pop-Up Book when I asked the cashier again if they have any Dr. Seuss and viola! She pointed me to the right direction. I knew we hardly had any spare money left but I went over to the section just the same and leafed through the book almost in reverence... The longing must have been written all over my face because when I started to walk away, Bee called me back and told me he had extra cash and could spare me the money I needed to buy the book. I could almost hug him right then and there. And so we bought the book. And I knew I must have grinned from ear to ear then and probably looked foolish but I couldn't care less. I was already looking forward to spending some reading moments with Baby. And we did have such moment earlier. I guess what really made me happy was knowing Bee appreciate the value of books also and share my desire to introduce my passion for it to our son...

I know it all really boils down to Baby's wanting to read or not when he's finally grown up. For sure, I wouldn't be forcing books down his throat if he doesn't want one. All I could do for the moment is to spend time with him and to share my passion for reading...

I love my son and I would love for him to grow up to have a passion for learning as much as I do. But, I could not force him to do things he might not have an interest for... I could only introduce to him the things I want to do... what my values are... and what I find worthwhile... It's up to him to pick up whatever suits him... But one thing's for sure though, I couldn't wait to get to know the person my son would turn out to be. I would love to know about the things he would value and what his preferences would be... But that could wait. For now, we could only hug him, spend time with him, cuddle him and show him how much we love him... Love you much Baby Bolo.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

2006 Night Hunt


Team AMOC before the race


With Ric


What's this? model for the watch or the drink? :p


Another model for the energy drink... nah, won't do hehehe


Renee...


With Ric who lend us his car for the race... :)


Jay: Black necktie, boxing gloves, Durina Republic T-shirt... Skipping rope, frisbee... meron ako nito lahat sa bahay...


Bolo: Pix sa! :)


Hmm... have to make sure the poor thing's got to have air. Wawa fish :(


Hehehe really cute. The game required us to present a Jollibee crew in complete uniform. So Jay borrowed a neighbor's uniform and we asked Don2x to wear it for us bwahahaha Talk about ingenuity. One team really brought a crew along hehehe and he sat there for like an hour looking like a lost puppy hehehe joke lang po :(


Me: Jigger, check; Live gold fish, check; Superman action figure, check...


Hmm.. is it obvious that Bolo is just doing it for a pose? :p


Jay: Unsa pa ba kulang?


Jay: anong items ang nasa yo Ren? Bolo: Pix sa ta B


Me: Do we have the PROZAC capsule, Ren?
Renee: Nope, I don't have it with me...


With Daryl and Jong2x. See the Porcelain doll I'm holding? it's one of the items for the hunt.


Bolo: Im wearing the PMA Ring needed for the race! hehehe

This poster is one of the items required for us to submit. Haaay. We took a picture of it but no can do. It had to be in poster form.


And the checking begins...
Chicklet: cuff links?
Bolo: B, cufflinks raw..
Me: hmm... it's here somewhere...


Me: Ano yun? He-man Action Figure? Meron na ako rito, Sto. Niño dress, pwedeng ito muna ang i-check?

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Retro-Entry: Holding Baby's Hand

I am very busy. I have tons of report to finish that I brought them even at home. But something happened yesterday with Baby that I wanted to write about…

Baby had a bad case of constipation yesterday. I know, constipation is hardly a “good” subject to write about but mothers who went through the same experience, I’m sure knows where I’m coming from. It’s one of the most horrifying things that could happen to a baby and to the parents too who are witnessing the whole thing.

I sat, stood, rocked back and forth, just to make sure that Baby is comfortable. He is crying so mournfully over my shoulder. I massaged his lower back, smoothen his hair, hug him, plant butterfly kisses all over his face just to make sure he’s feeling the connection. I wanted him to feel that while he may be going through some really unpleasant experience, he is definitely not on his own. Bolo and I agonized along with him. We both felt helpless. We did not know what to do. But we tried to help Baby as much as we could.

It must have pained him so – judging from his whimper and tears – but Baby did not stop pushing at all. All the time he leaned on to me, holding my hand as I held his. Bolo and I would have wanted to consult our Pedia as to what suppository to buy just to relieve Baby of the discomfort when suddenly Baby pushed successfully. It must have taken all of his might because he suddenly grew limp on me. My heart went out to him. My poor Baby. But pretty soon after that, he went back to his old self – happy and smiling.

I was made to think, someday, Baby will be facing hurdles of all sorts. In every stage of his life, there would be moments where he’ll be pained or undergoing some unpleasant experience. I shudder to think about it. I know if such a time would indeed come, it’ll be worse for Bolo and I too. Seeing Baby so pained had really been difficult for both of us. I know try as I might I could not fully protect Baby from pain… Come to think of it too, it’ll be unfair also if I’ll shield him from all of it. Pain is necessary for one’s growth. It is through it that one shapes his or her character… One thing is sure though, Bolo and I both realized Baby continued pushing even if it was too painful for him because he felt both our support… The experience taught us the lesson that though we may not be able to shield Baby from pain, we could still be there for him to lend a hand… and help him through the experience… Bolo and I are praying that we could be good parents to our son. We pray for wisdom and fortitude that we may be able to take good care of the life that God had entrusted in our care…

Friday, October 13, 2006

Baby's High Chair

I've been very busy lately that one time I've totally forgotten to eat. I came from a meeting for KATIG when I remembered I haven't had lunch yet. Huh! That was around 5 PM already, almost time for dinner. Bolo and Baby are at EDGE, visiting so I went there so we could have "dinner" together -- lunch in my case. We ate at Ahfat. Ordered some fried Tofu and Satemi. I would have wanted to have some crabs but Bolo's practicality prevailed. He told me we'd better buy some fresh ones from the market so we will have more for an equal sum of money. And so... what made the experience extra special was Baby's being able to sit in a high chair for the first time hehehe It really was fun.

Hmm... Baby's been everywhere from Marco Polo to our fave restos -- Gorio's and La Toscana but it's the first time he had ever been on an high chair. Those previous times, he had been too little to even sit by himself. We usually had his pram along or Bolo and I took turn eating and holding him. Ah, at one point too while we were in Ahfat, Baby got into a "drama" mode. When I would not hand to him the fork, he suddenly launched into a "tearless" wail. As in! It truly surprised me. I mean, at ten months! My Gad, at ten months he already knew how to get into a drama, tsk tsk. It was both fun and alarming an experience for me. Well, Baby looked real cute then that it really amused me. But it was alarming in the sense that I would prefer to have Baby voice out to me his concerns no matter how unpleasant it might be. I wouldn't want to have him resolve to any "drama" of sorts. Because.... I prefer that he and I be truthful to each other... Ah... but he and I will come to that. When he's a lot more older than he is now... I look forward to that day...


Bah! Looking Smug! hehehe


The twins ulit hehehe


Hmm... matigas ang ulo haaay


With the bib on, ready to eat...


Asus! The drama begins...


Bb: Tatay, I want my fork! huhuhu


Bb: Huhuhu I want the fork! Basta!


Bb: Haaay, no effect Nanay? Ok, i'll stop crying na

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Traveling Baby






Last month, I had been to Cagayan de Oro for some business concerns. As expected, Baby tagged along too. Hmm... I think Baby's starting to get used to travelling already. One acquaintance in that recent trip pointed out to me that Baby would most likely grow up loving to move around a lot too. Hmm... well, his Tatay and I both are "wanderers," so I guess I shouldn't be surprise if Baby would indeed turn out to be one also... Well, I pray we will get to enjoy trips together in the near future... Right now, he's too young to really appreciate the experience. I look forward to the day when I would have to consult him which bed he prefers to sleep in or which resto he prefers to have his meals... But most of all I look forward to having him help me pack or come up with the itinerary for our trip. I look forward to having him hand to me a favorite pair of slippers or pajamas for me to pack... hehehe Ah... matagal pa ata yun. But for now, I really enjoy having baby around, having him in my life... Who wouldn't? When every trip I take these days is made special by seeing his beaming face looking up to me? Baby is truly such a joy to be with. He's such a happy Baby and I couldn't stop thanking God for it...


Ah my two "handsome" travelling "twin" companions hehehe


With Tita Loren :)

Friday, October 06, 2006

Kindred Soul

Once in a while you come across a kindred soul - one who share the same values as you, someone who share the same passion you have for certain things... This week, I came across a kindred soul. And it is a sobering experience. It's been a long time since I truly admired someone. But it sure felt... good? to have had the chance...

Life indeed is a journey and with the recent developments in my life, I'm feeling as if I'm finally at the stage wherein each steps matter. Not only once this week have I felt that I've been prepared for this experience... Ah, words escapes me... But I think my life took a sudden turn when someone really respectable told me to take my chances. As she said, I only have one life... How astute she is.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Bits and Pieces... Falling Into Place...

Sigh! There is so much I want to write and think about. I've been to Gen. San and Sarangani some time last month. Had several insights there. I wanted to write about it as soon as I came back but work got in the way. I've been in Cagayan last week, Candy and Dane came to visit last weekend... Bee quit his job even though it was a very difficult sacrifice for him to take... But he took it for our son... And not only that, he slid back to his old routine without any word... without any hint of grudge... I'm thinking if it had been me, I would have blabbed on and on about the sacrifice I'm making but not Bolo.... Something happened to Baby last Sunday that gave me a peek at how important it is for parents to be there for their children... And I'm actually in transition at the moment... I'm quitting my job for another... for an offer that came out of nowhere... Arrrgh I want to write about all of these things... But I have tons to do at work... things to put in order...Everything is falling into place... And awhile back I wondered -- God, how can You love me so? How can You take charge of my life and arrange it so beautifully when I hardly deserve it? Khublei Mo. Thank you, Abba.