To my dear husband for keeping up with my mood swings and food cravings,
- thanks for getting up at 2 in the morning to buy me porksilog to satisfy my hunger
- thanks for these five days that I'm on bed rest, for always bringing me pasalubong (cheeseburger, chicken sandwich or spaghetti) every time you went home from work
- thanks for always urging me to eat something even if my tummy cannot take anything (solid or liquid), "it's for you and the baby", you say
- thanks for reminding me to take my medications on time (for stopping what you're doing to cheer me on, "kaya mo yan", when I'm gagging on those tablets)
- thanks for giving in to my food cravings (Carbonara lately) and for getting up even if you're too sleepy to accompany me to Greenwich for the Carbonara (even finishing up the rest of the dish when I can't already)
- thanks for hugging me and kissing me when I can't stop myself from crying the day we found out I had threatened abortion
- thanks for always hugging me as we lay down at night... and for holding my hand while your other hand rests on my tummy as we drift off to sleep.
Being pregnant makes one super emotional and extra sensitive. Thanks for keeping up with every change that I'm experiencing. You are one great husband and I know you will turn out to be one great dad as well. I love you.
- I would take my four medications (or more) every meal even if it makes me gag every time I swallow each of those tablets if by doing so would mean you will hold on
- I would keep the vile taste in my mouth after throwing up due to morning sickness if by doing so would mean I could keep you
- I would try to eat as much as I can even if after every bite makes me want to run to the bathroom if by doing so would mean you will be healthy
- I would stop working if I have to if by doing so would mean I'll get to meet you
- I would stay in bed and not move an inch for the whole nine months if I have to if by doing so would mean you'll get to live
I haven't met you yet, but I love you already.
(I was advised to a complete bed rest for 1 week due to threatened abortion. It is such a scary time for me but I try not to get too emotional for the baby.)
They say when a pregnant woman craves for certain foods, it should not be disregarded. For 3 days, I've been wanting to eat "Kesong Puti" (white cheese made from carabao's milk). Unfortunately, it is pretty hard to find here in Manila. I've scoured the streets of Blumentritt every morning after I got off from shift but went home empty handed. I could not find a single vendor of "Kesong Puti". I didn't know how disappointing this is to a pregnant woman, but it really is.
Luckily, thanks to my supportive MIL, she was able to find someone selling "Kesong Puti" at another market. So, yesterday, I was so happy and I ate four pandesals with "Kesong Puti" for lunch. Yummy!!!
Today, Saturday, as hubby and I were hanging out at home, I had the craving to eat tofu. I asked hubby if he could go out and find me tofu so we can fry it. Well, he doesn't have any idea where he could find fresh tofu so he asked his mom to buy instead. When my MIL came back, she had with her a huge slab of very white tofu!
Hubby asked that MIL fry some slices of pork so he can have his tofu ala "Tokwa't baboy" while I ate mine as is, just plain fried tofu. We even had separate "sawsawan" because I do not want mine with onions, chili and garlic (which I used to enjoy). I just want mine to be a combination of soy sauce and vinegar.
Two very simple food cravings but immensely enjoyed by an ever-growing tummy!
After almost three weeks (I thought) of having my period delayed, I finally had the courage to take a home pregnancy test this morning. I didn't hope for anything this time because the last time that I took a test, only one line appeared. So, imagine the joy I felt when two, very clear, very pink lines appeared on my kit! I immediately called my cousin who is working at the Metropolitan Hospital and asked her to schedule me for a consultation with an OB-GYN. I went to the hospital, underwent pap-smear, answered lots of questions from the OB, had my blood taken for blood typing, CBC and HBS (Hepa B Surface) Antigen, had a TVS (Transvaginal Sonogram) scheduled for the afternoon. I went home to have lunch and just went back to the hospital to have my TVS done. It is confirmed! I am 5 weeks and 6 days pregnant! What a wonderful birthday gift to hubby and me! We both turned 30 on Jan 31 and Feb 6, consecutively. Today is Feb 8, exactly 9 mos after we got married. God does answer prayers!
*We'll keep on praying, because the TVS has to be repeated after a month, baby's heart rate is slow at 94BPM when it should be at least 110 BPM.**
**I just relayed the good news to my hubby who is at work, he called and asked me the results, I can't help but cry (I am such a crybaby!). I am just really happy.**
I just turned a year older. Hopefully, I would turn out to be a year wiser, a year happier and a year lovelier. =) Thanks to all those who took the time to greet me on my birthday - my CSG officemates for the birthday wishes even if I'm just new to the company, my friends for all the sms messages, Facebook pokes/wall notes and to my family and relatives who went to our home in Laguna to celebrate my "third decade" with me. Thank you for making me feel so loved.
I might have turned thirty, but deep within I will forever feel thirteen. =)
When I was a child I got admitted to a hospital and was diagnosed with Meningitis. It was a critical time because I was barely a toddler then and the possible complications of the disease include: Brain damage, Hearing loss or deafness, Hydrocephalus and Loss of vision. My mom, naturally, was bothered and searched for ways to make me well. Being the religious woman that she is, it is no surprise when she went to the Sto. Niño to ask for help. She then made a promise that every year, during the feast of the Sto. Niño in Tondo, she will visit and take me there if only the Niño will rid me of the disease. Her wish was granted and up to this day, we both make an effort to keep that promise to the Sto. Niño, never minding her long travel from Laguna and the huge number of devotees also wanting to get near the miraculous image.
This year, we went a day before the actual feast day. We went on January 16th, Saturday, so we can have all our Sto. Ninos at home blessed and we can go up the church tower to pray and say thanks to the Sto. Niño de Tondo sans the long hours standing in line with the other devotees.
I am always emotional whenever I am standing in front of the Niño, I could not explain how I feel but I guess it is just deep gratitude for saving me when I was sick as a kid. I realized that I am not just accompanying my mom on her "panata", I am doing a promise of my own to the Sto. Nino, every year on his feast, I will be there at the Tondo Church to give praise and thanks.
The Sto. Nino de Tondo
Another Niño waiting to be blessed
Our Sto. Niño at home
Law Enforcer Niño
All the Niños waiting to be blessed
An ati-atihan girl carrying our Sto. Niño
The latest addition to the Yboa Clan will be joining the Christian World! I offered to create the invitation lay-out and to print the invites as well. I hope my brother Pau and his wife Red will love what I made.
The trailer is out and it's just fab! I'm pretty sure that this sequel's fashion will outshine it's predecessor. I can't wait!!
I know, I know! I haven't been posting a blog for a while but it's been really tiring these past few weeks. I started my new work on January 4th and I think my body's not pretty much adjusted to working on the graveyard shift again after being on "hiatus" from the corporate world for four months. Every weekend since then were a bit packed with schedules - with friends coming in from the states, baby christenings, Sto. Nino festival in Tondo, night outs with college buddies. I haven't been sleeping much on those weekends, I even stayed up for 24 hours straight because some of those events required me to go straight to the venues right after I got off shift from work on a Saturday morning.
Bummer! But, I sure had fun!
It's great to connect with college friends again, to continue my Mom's "panata" to the Sto. Nino to visit every year during the feast, to enjoy a night out with hubby and our friends and talk about the good ol' times. I'll post different blogs for each event soon.
I'm still here, alive and kicking. But, just for today, a weekend, please, pretty please, let me go back to sleep. =)
I was asked by my bestfriend Mhy to create an electronic invite that they could send out to their friends thru mail. Her fiance Bong already created a design and they wanted it to be incorporated into an animated file. So, here's what I made for them. Congratulations to the two of you and how I wish I could be there to share your wedding day with you guys.
Click on photo to see the animation.
Last Saturday, Jan 9th, me and hubby went to the christening of Baby Jhayeda, the daughter of our college buddies, Jayefren and Hilda. I just got off shift then and I just went home to take a shower, change of clothes and off we went to the church. We didn't get there on time so by the time we arrived the Baptism Ceremony is already over. Hehe!
We then went to the reception held at Cabalen in Robinson's Place Ermita. We were treated to an eat-all-you-can buffet.
Afterwards, me and hubby together with some other college friends decided to hang around the mall and have coffee while we wait for Jayefren and Hilda to come back after they bring the gifts home so we can play bowling. The guys played an hour of billiards while waiting, me and the girls tried to play as well. No luck there for me! I just spent my time taking photos.
After billiards, we proceeded to the bowling alley and played two games. 3 vs 3, we'll we were tied at the end of the 2 games so nobody had to buy anyone anything. Hehe. We then went out and ate at Hap Chan. Mine and hubby's favorite Chinese restaurant. Super yummy food and great conversation with our old friends.
Sure, I was not able to sleep the whole day of Saturday, I stayed awake for more than 24 hours straight. It was so worth it. I'm now looking forward to our gimmick next Saturday. Punchline here we come!!
Yummy Lemon Chicken
Spicy Spareribs
Yang Chao Fried Rice
Chopsuey
Century Egg
Tasty Chicken Feet
I told my hubby "I swear if that ball hits me, I'll kill you!"
I just love the red against the green
JJ seriously playing.
Percy ala Efren Bata Reyes
I've been wanting to go to Boracay ages ago and I almost went there last year in September if only hubby allowed me to go with my AIG officemates. He thinks traveling is a waste of money. (I am yet to convince him otherwise).
Today, while browsing through Multiply for stuff I could buy, I saw a recent update from one of my contacts and it read, " Win a Free Boracay Vacation Package by WOW Philippines Travel Agency". Who doesn't want that? I then went to her site to read more.
So, do you also want to win? Here's how:
Win a Free Boracay Vacation Package by WOW Philippines Travel Agency
WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. is celebrating it's 5th year in business during July of 2010, and we would like you to have a chance to celebrate with us, so we have decided to give-away a FREE Boracay Package complete with 5 Star accommodations at the luxurious Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel on Boracay Island. The lucky winner will win the following Boracay vacation package.
Vacation Package Inclusions:
- 5 Days / 4 Nights Luxury 5 Star Accommodations at the Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel
- Flights to Boracay from Manila to Caticlan Airport on Philippine Airlines
- Island Transfers - Door-to-Door from Manila to the resort and back to Manila Domestic Airport
- Three (3) Meals each day, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Boracay Activities - Horseback Riding, Island Hopping, Glass Bottom Boat
- PLUS - 5,000 peso Spending Cash
Read More Information: http://www.boracay-packages.com
Isn't this great?! If I won, then hubby would have to go with me and since I got it for free he won't have any reason to say it'll be a waste of money. Yay!
I'm in a new team for work, it is amazing and pretty exciting to be in a team with most of your teammates being located in another part of the world. I've been on training for 3 days and let me say that "I never studied this hard since college!". Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying at work and I so welcome this challenge. Plus, getting to learn new things is always good. I've been really tired whenever I arrive home from work due to too much information that I think I've been taking my training even to sleep. The same reason why I haven't been posting as frequent as I wanted to.
Here's a picture of me and my Makati teammate Kitty with our Team Lead Carla. Our super great Program Manager Stacey took this picture when she treated us to Starbucks early this morning to unwind a little after hours of Live Meeting with our Washington teammates.
What is a dream board? A dream board is a powerful visualization tool that uses the Law of Attraction to help you attract what you want in life. I already cut and pasted magazine cut outs on my BDJ Power Planner Dream Board but I missed out on a few things because I could not find pictures in any of my magazines. So, here is a version of my Dream Board, I hope I can find the motivation to achieve these dreams. I hope you can, too. So, start your own dream boards and let's work our way towards the fulfillment of our dreams.
A walk-through my board:
1. A house of our own (with cozy living room, modern kitchen, warm bedroom and an all white bathroom)
2. Our own car
3. Trip to Santorini, Greece (it has been a lifelong dream to visit this place, just look at the picture and you'll know why - it is breathtaking)
4. Buy a new phone this year (I don't want the Iphone as it's too expensive and I think it is just for "yabang" factor, I want either the Nokia 5800 ExpressMusic or the Nokia E71)
5. Save up to 100,000 pesos in the bank at the end of 2010
6. A Dell red or pink mini laptop
7. Get pregnant.
It was mine and Hubby's first Christmas together after getting married. We celebrated the 24th at their home in Cavite with his parents and his sister's family. It was a little sad because they don't celebrate Christmas Eve the same way that me and the Yboa clan did. They just slept the night away whereas with my own family we stay awake until midnight so we can exchange gifts and share Noche Buena. On the 25th we went to the annual family Christmas Party of our family, the Tan side, where we celebrated it at our cousin's almost finished house in Las Piñas. There, my hubby witnessed our crazy and super fun celebration of Christmas. There were a lot of gifts, plenty of food, long lines to get our "aguinaldos" from aunts and uncles, "paagaw ng barya". Hubby told me later that we are one big happy family and he can't wait to share Christmas again with our family. Yey! At last, we won't have to argue as to where we should celebrate Christmas every year.
With just hours before it'll be officially 2010, allow me to post my goals for the coming year - here is the ever popular New Year's Resolution!
1. Make an effort to learn how to cook complicated dishes for my hubby. (So we won't have to live on the usual Adobo, pork steak and fried everything.)
2. Start a tradition for hubby and me.
3. Eat healthy and work out more.
4. Learn a sport.
5. Convince hubby to travel. (at least for our wedding anniversary)
6. Be less of a compulsive buyer.
7. Attend mass religiously.
8. Worry less.
9. Save, save, save for the rainy days.
10. Get pregnant. (We're fervently praying for this one)
I felt truly blessed in 2009 that despite the minor setback on the finances and health there are still a lot to be thankful for. I am praying for a better if not the same blessed year ahead and I am wishing you all a happy and safe 2010!!
2009 has brought equal servings of happy and not so happy memories. There were a few goodbyes - I waved goodbye to my friends at work when I resigned in early September and our family bid farewell to our dear Tito Boy who passed away in late September. Along with the goodbyes came a lot of new beginnings - I married my hubby on our 8th year anniversary, my best friend's engagement to hubby's longtime friend and the birth of my brother's son Vince.
2009 indeed is full of ups and downs, bumps along the road but still I find myself looking ahead to 2010 with a smile on my face and hope in my heart. So long 2009 and come right in 2010! Happy New Year Everyone!
