30 Day Challenge – Day 17

* Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why *

I’d like to switch lives with Kristen Stewart.

Why? Oh, just because of Edward. :)

 

30 Day Challenge – Day 16

* Another picture of yourself *

Taken on 11/01/09 at the Manila Memorial Park.

30 Day Challenge – Day 15

* Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play *

1. Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind (Part II Broken Down)
2. Paramore - Brick By Boring Brick
3. Death Cab for Cutie - Meet Me On The Equinox
4. Owl City – Fireflies
5. Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow
6. Kris Allen – Heartless
7. Huey ft. Akon - Stronger Pop, Lock & Drop It
8. Lady Gaga - Just Dance
9. Nickleback - This Is How You Remind Me
10. Jason Mraz - You And I Both

30 Day Challenge – Day 14

* A picture of you and your family *

This picture was taken last Christmas.

30 Day Challenge – Day 13

* A letter to someone who has hurt you recently *

I don’t think I’ve been hurt recently so there’s nothing to post for today.

30 Day Challenge – Day 12

* How you found out about Blogger and why you made one *

I really don’t remember how I found out about Blogger but I’ve had two more blogs here which I don’t remember anymore because I haven’t been updating them as frequently as this one. With many other sites offering free service, I must say that Blogger is the easiest to tinker with. I am yet to discover how Wordpress and Livejournal works but for now, I’m gonna stick with Blogger.

Pregnancy Loves and Hates

 

According to Babystrology on my sidebar, we only have 10 more weeks to go before little Johan Matthew makes his grand entrance. It has been a long, bumpy ride to get to where we are today and just the thought that this will only last a few weeks more started some bittersweet emotions flowing. So, I’d like to point out some highlights into this difficult but very much thankful for first pregnancy of mine.

Hate: My gastric acid hunts me every moment of the day. My doctors (OB and Pulmo) said that this is because the stomach is being pushed upwards to give more space for our growing baby.

Love: Even if my internal organs are in, let’s say, disarray, that also means that my baby is growing to his fullest to need that much space inside.

Hate: Leg cramps bother me very early in the morning.

Love: Having leg cramps gives me the upside of getting most of our pillows to put my legs up. Hubby is down to two pillows while I have three and his huge bolster. =)

Hate: I can’t drink coffee, coke and iced tea.

Love: I can get away with some foods if I say “I’m craving for it.”

Hate: I walk like a penguin.

Love: I get priority seats at the LRT.

Hate: I can’t remain standing for too long.

Love: I can sleep all day.

Hate: It’s hard to hug hubby every night as we sleep because of my huge tummy.

Love: Hubby ends up hugging me instead.

Hate: My pregnancy is almost over so the perks will soon be taken away.

Love: Finally, we’ll get to meet our baby, Johan Matthew.

 

Dreaming of a home

I know it’s not possible to purchase a house now or anytime soon given the many expenses (with prenatal care, meds and child birth on the way) and the fact that only one of us is earning. But still, I would not deprive myself of dreaming about it as this is one of those things that I was really looking forward to and was praying for hubby to agree with me on.

My reasons are simple and for me, reasonable enough. Forgive me if this ends up in listing all my rants. :)

• I want to learn to be independent. To be able to learn how to cook and care for my own family. My MIL is great for helping us out with the household chores now that I’m pregnant but I want to be able to do everything on my own.
• I want to move freely – to buy stuff without having someone telling me how expensive they are, without someone counting how many shoe boxes I have stacked in our room, to watch my fave TV shows and not have someone change channels on the TV that we bought which is btw running on the electricity that we are paying for every month.
• I want to raise my kid on my own rules. Sure, I want his grandparents to spoil him and buy him things that we wouldn’t buy for him but I would have to have the last say as to what he will be eating, what shows to watch, what books to read. I don’t believe much in superstitions so there’s no point in raising my kid under some old wives’ tale.
• I want to use my own silverware, my own china, my own cookware.
• My house won’t have pets inside especially dogs and cats whose fur sticks to everything from the sofa, to the throw pillows, to your clothes.
• I want to pay for the electricity that only my family consumed.
• I want to stock on food and not have them eaten by someone who is just so “tamad” and “irresponsible” to buy his own. 
• I want my own sheets, my own curtains, my self chosen wall paint.
• I want our own pictures on side tables and my books on shelves.
• Finally, I just want a place that my own family can live peacefully in, a place where we can build dreams and memories, a place we could come home to after a long day at work. Just that. I just want a home.

30 Day Challenge – Day 11

* Another picture of you and your friends *

 

My college buddies. This picture was taken in August 2009 when we met up for a reunion after 7 long years.

30 Day Challenge – Day 10

* Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad *

I love listening to music. A day won’t pass without me listening to my fave radio stations or mp3s. So to answer today’s challenge here are the songs I listen to when I’m:

 

“Happy” – Charice’s Pyramid

 

“Sad” – Vonda Shephard’s I Only Want to be with You

 

“Bored” – Owl City’s Fireflies

 

“Hyped” – Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance

“Mad” – Paramore’s Misery Business

 

 

 

A Surprise in the Mail

I just arrived home after paying our bills when somebody knocked on the gate calling my name. I went out to find someone holding a package for me. I wondered what it could be since I was not expecting anything and then I remembered the reading materials that I requested from Benz Rana of NewlywedsAtWork e-group. I didn’t think she would still send me copies because somebody already did the scanning and uploaded the files to the e-group.

I began reading immediately and the materials are really helpful for soon-to-be moms like me who are clueless on childbirth and raising kids.

Thanks again, Benz and I’m so glad to have found a support group at N@W.

30 Day Challenge – Day 09

* Something you’re proud of in the past few days *

On my previous post  for the Day 08 challenge, I said that part of my short term goals would be to do the laundry and ironing.  Yesterday, I started with our laundry right after I posted my short term goals and today I ironed all of hubby’s clothes that need ironing. I’m proud that I’ve accomplished at least two of those goals and that I’m back to being a domesticated wife to hubby. Proud but tired so I might hit the covers earlier tonight. At least hubby won’t say I’ve been neglecting him. :)

30 Day Challenge – Day 08

* Short term goals for this month and why *

• Do the laundry (at least the small items) and iron hubby’s clothes – I haven’t been doing the laundry and ironing for months now due to the pregnancy and hubby even had to wear wrinkled clothes to work sometimes. I’m just lucky to have a supportive MIL who does our laundry and ironing when she’s here in Manila.
• Walk as a form of exercise. Everybody needs to exercise especially me now that my feet are starting to swell. I was advised against this by my OB because of the mild contractions I’ve been having the past few days but I’m hoping she’ll give me the go signal when we come in on my next prenatal check up.
• Eat less rice and more fruits. This is so I won’t gain too much weight and won’t have a hard time come labor day.
• Minimize my online hours. I’m online for 2-3 hours every morning and then again every evening for 3-4 hours. I’d like to minimize this just to save on the electricity bill.
• Stop fretting about my stretch marks. Even before they appeared I was very vocal to hubby that I don’t want to see stretch marks on my thighs and tummy. I’ve been doing some preventive maintenance by rubbing Palmer’s lotion but then the marks still appeared. I make a face every time I see them in the mirror but this I have to stop ‘coz as they say, “Stretch marks are a mom’s badge of honor.”

30 Day Challenge – Day 07

* A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you *

I took this photo during a trip to Puerto Galera in 2005. I got up early the day we were headed back to Manila to take some photos of the place and these three boys kept on following me. I ignored them thinking they would be asking for money. I had to hide my embarrassment when one of them said, “Ate, kodakan mo kami”. All they really wanted was to have their picture taken and imagine their delight when they saw their faces on the screen of my digicam. These kids made me realize that not everyone is how we perceive them to be so it would be wise not to pass judgment so easily.

A Letter to Our Baby Johan

Our Dear Johan,

Today marks your 29^th week inside Mommy’s tummy. Just a few more weeks to go and we’ll be able to meet each other finally. Our journey together so far has never been easy. There were a few times when Mommy and Daddy thought we’re going to lose you and Mommy cried hard during those times because she cannot allow for that to happen. Mommy chose to leave work to better take care of you but don’t worry because Mommy does not regret that decision at the very least. Daddy and Mommy will do whatever is best for you and will put everything on hold just for you.

We want you to know that many are waiting for your arrival. Even on the very day that we found out you are coming, we received lots of well wishes from friends and family. You already have a lot of stuff given by your cousins, aunts, uncles and grandmoms. Do not forget to show how grateful you are by smiling at them when they come visit you on your arrival. You’ll get to meet them soon and you will find out how much you are loved already even before you are born.

Our dear Johan, Daddy and Mommy cannot wait to meet you. Mommy is very eager to carry you, to feed you, to read you stories and sing you songs. Daddy cannot wait for that first glance of you, do look back at him, Baby, as this will bring warmth to Daddy’s heart knowing that you remember him as the voice outside Mommy’s tummy. We are so excited to see how beautiful you will turn out, who you look like the most and what an amazing baby you will become.

Bear in mind that Mommy and Daddy loved you from the moment we first laid eyes on a much smaller you on that first ultrasound, on the day we first heard your heart beating and on the day we saw you already have hands and feet. Daddy and Mommy will love you more when you arrive and we’ll do our best to protect you, to nurture you and to support you in every way possible.

Hold on, Little One. We’ve made it this far, just a few more weeks won’t be that hard. When the right time comes, we’ll get to meet and we’ll greet each other with loving hugs and warm kisses. We love you, Dear Johan and we’ll see you soon.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

30 Day Challenge – Day 06

* Favorite super hero and why *

I was never a fan of superheroes but if I am to choose just one then I’ll go for the most popular Superman only because he’s shy when he’s Clark Kent, he’s always been in love with Lois Lane and as he is traditionally described - “faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound”.

“Basyang”

Electricity was cut off at around midnight on Wednesday. Being in a room on the topmost level of the house, I can hear and feel the strong winds that threaten to tear the roofs of our neighbors even ours. I barely slept that night because I had to look after the rain water that’s been seeping through our windows which I had to mop off every now and then or most of our stuff will be drenched. I am also worrying about hubby who was stuck at work unable to go home. From midnight to around 4am, I’ve been sitting down then standing up to mop the floor. Finally at around 5am, unable to fight the drowsiness, I gave in and slept. Just a few minutes after, hubby arrived tired but safe.

When I woke up at 8am, it’s a bit brighter outside than the day before but there are still clouds waiting to pour down rain. Still no electricity, but thanks to the clouds it’s not as humid as the days before. We ran out of gas (LPG) and we had a hard time having one delivered as the cellphone lines are also down. My mother-in-law had to go to the shop herself to have one delivered.

Evening came and still no electricity. It’s hard to move around in the darkness much more without TV or Internet or even a radio to get updated with the news. I slept with only a candle as a source of light but I put the flame out before my sleep deepens for fear that it might cause a fire. I wondered why I didn’t buy myself one of those battery-operated lamps that I gave out to my Titas two Christmases back. 

I’m not sure what time the electricity has been restored because when hubby called at around 1:30am to ask, the lights are already on as with the electric fan.

Thankfully “Basyang” is not as strong as “Ondoy”.

30 Day Challenge – Day 05

* A picture of somewhere you’ve been to *

 

These were taken at the Caleruega Transfiguration Chapel in Nasugbu, Batangas. Hubby and I went there during our honeymoon in May 2009. It has been a long travel just to get to this place but we never minded the long drive and the almost deserted, bumpy road leading to the church as it's all worth it. The place is very serene and very beautiful, the church resting on top of a hill overlooking some mountains and valleys with greeneries everywhere. It definitely is worth the long travel and I wish we could visit again hopefully with our little Johan Matthew in tow.

30 Day Challenge – Day 04

* A habit that you wish you didn’t have*

I wish I could stop myself from biting my nails. It usually happens when I’m thinking hard and then I realize that I’ve been biting my nails unconsciously.  It has stopped when I started putting nail polish on my nails but since getting pregnant and not being able to put some polish on I noticed that this annoying habit has returned.

30 Day Challenge – Day 03

A picture of me and my friends. I was trying to search for a graduation picture so I could post it here but I could not remember who posted the photos in Facebook so I’m putting this one instead.

This was taken (I think) in 2001 when our class went for a field trip in Subic.  We never lost communication over the years and still meet up from time to time for coffee. Me and two of my friends even go to the same OB-Gyne. From left to right: Precious, Maricar, Abigail, Lloyd, Cherrylou, Myra and myself.

 

30 Day Challenge – Day 02

Today is about the meaning behind my Blogger name. I started this blog on February of 2009 when Hubby and I finalized our plans to get married. I wanted to document everything as I plan to be a hands-on bride to be. I’ve considered a lot of Blogger names but then I thought since we were getting married that time my inspiration is mostly “us” – how committed we are to each other, what our relationship mean to us and what we’re looking forward to in the years to come. Hence the birth of: 

Jolly Jollibee

I saw this on facebook and I just had to share this video here. I was smiling all through out the video and I just love the energy that this Jollibee mascot has. If all mascots are like this then there’s no question that every kiddie party is going to be a blast! I wonder which branch of Jollibee he/she’s from. Parang gusto ko na magpabook for Johan’s 1st birthday. Hahaha!

 

30 Day Challenge - Day 01

Just so I won't be called a slacker, I'm starting the 30 Day Challenge today. Day 01 is about me posting a recent photo of myself and stating 15 interesting facts about moi.

So here goes:

This photo was taken during my friends’ wedding last May.

15 Interesting Facts about Myself: 

1. I’m scared of cats. I’m not sure where this came from but I am. There was even a time during college when one of my classmates put a kitten beside me and I was so scared I cried and did not talk to that classmate for days.
2. I’m such a clumsy person. I almost always had to put myself in an embarrassing situation by falling down the stairs of the LRT, my previous office’s stairs with the contents of my bag all over the place, slipping on a wet floor – getting up and slipping again. Yeah, I’m funny that kind of way.
3. I’m a sucker for corny Filipino romance-comedies. Like the Sarah Geronimo-John Lloyd Cruz movies kind. They’re funny in a cheesy kind of way and they do have some “kilig” moments. It’s embarrassing to admit but yes I watch them over and over again.
4. I used to be so against getting pregnant not because I don’t want kids but it’s the difficulty of carrying the baby for nine months and still had to endure the pain of labor and delivery. The nine months are tolerable to say the least but I’m still not sure about the labor and delivery. To say that I’m super scared is a HUGE understatement.
5. I multi-task a lot. Like right now as I’m writing this, I am also watching Legally Blondes while chatting with my husband and a college friend on Yahoo Messenger. Not to mention checking my pastries at Facebook’s Baking Life.
6. I rarely go to the salon to have my nails done for fear that the nail attendant will miss when removing an ingrown toenail and I end up with swollen toes. I just go to the salon prior to a special event but not on regular visits because I end up getting stressed out instead of getting relaxed.
7. I am a cry baby. I cry over the littlest of things that makes my husband exasperated at times. I used to cry while doing the laundry and when hubby asks me to cook which I lack the talent big time.
8. I’m compulsive in a lot of ways. Buying is one, even if an item is not needed but I ended up buying still – like a couple (or more) eye shadows that I just threw the other day because they reached their expiration dates without being used or that Guess leopard printed blouse still tucked at the back of my cabinet still waiting for that “special event”. It’s on sale, btw, hence the reason why I bought an animal printed blouse. (Yeah, yeah)
9. I like not-so-usual food combinations. I used to bring lunch when I was still working. It was usually sweet ham and rice but what’s unusual is that I add sliced cheese while the rice is still hot and then I put in coffee as “sabaw”. Weird, huh? Another combo is Skyflakes and coffee. I snap the Skyflakes into tiny pieces and put ‘em in my coffee ala cornflakes in milk. This one I got from my Lola.
10. I am a cheapskate or for a nicer description “a smart consumer”. I buy secondhand books from Booksale, I welcome hand-me-downs from my cousin with open arms and I’ve bought some of my shoes and dresses from my “suki” in Divisoria. I know this is conflicting with Number 8 where I said I am compulsive. Well, I guess you could call me a compulsive cheapskate.
11. I can spend hours and hours at the mall without buying anything but for sure I would be eating. I can visit every boutique and browse the shelves at Booksale without having to buy but I cannot resist the aroma of Turk’s Shawarma or Hen Lin Siopao or my fave Mango-Banana Fruitas shake or my most recent find a cold cup of Scramble.
12. I was never a junk food fan. I might dig my fingers on some if there’s one available but you will rarely see me put chips on my grocery cart. It might be due to my mom’s constant reminder while I was growing up and according to her “nakakabobo ang chichirya”. Of course, we don’t want to end up dim witted, do we?
13. An officemate used to bring a bottle of Efficacent Oil to work and massage some on her temples or tummy whichever is aching and I wrinkle my nose every time I get a whiff of the oil. Back home, whenever my back is aching my mom massages me using what else, the ever reliable Efficacent Oil and it doesn’t bother me as much. She even bought a bottle for me a few weeks back and I use it to massage my already swollen legs. Yes, I do like Efficacent Oil.
14. I love doing crafts, designing invites and multiply lay-outs. I saved loads of money by making most of our wedding paraphernalia myself, I earned a few bucks from my multiply lay-outs and invites and I have a drawer filled with boxes of different sizes and shapes that I did myself.
15. I lose track of time a lot of times. Especially in the company of friends, while reading a good book, watching a movie or if I become too engrossed with what I am doing. Like now. I think told hubby I’m going to bed 20 minutes ago and here I am still typing away.

Now, that one took longer than I thought. Day 01 accomplished.

30 Day Challenge

Everyday is a struggle in search for blog topics especially if you are, like me, just bummin' around at home unable to go out following doctor's orders. So, it's such a relief to find this 30 Day Challenge post by Chevy Mae of Candy May Be. I just hope I could follow through with this one as there are some days that I'm just too lazy to even get up from the bed. Here's the list:

Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02- The meaning behind your Blogger name
Day 03- A picture of you and your friends
Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have
Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06- Favorite super hero and why
Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad
Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12- How you found out about Blogger and why you made one
Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt you recently
Day 14- A picture of you and your family
Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16- Another picture of yourself
Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23- Something you crave for a lot
Day 24- A letter to your parents
Day 25- What I would find in your bag
Day 26- What you think about your friends
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge
Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30- Who are you?

Postponed Until Further Notice

I went back to my OB earlier today for my follow-up check up after the "leak scare" I had last weekend. She felt my tummy and told me that there are still mild contractions and advised me to continue taking Duvadilan to prevent preterm labor for another week. Another thing she advised against is traveling. So, even if I wanted to come home to my parents' house in Laguna that's not possible as of the moment.

Another thing on hold is my maternity shoot scheduled on Sunday, July 11. My sister is set to shoot my maternity photos at Nuvali, Sta. Rosa Laguna and then we are supposed to go to Tagaytay for a Sunday picnic. 

Maybe after a week or more my OB will give me the go signal to travel again and we can then re-schedule my photo shoot. Until then, I am on house arrest. Indefinitely.

Customized Pendant

I've been wanting to have something customized for me to wear that would remind me of our baby Johan. I have considered getting one of those name pendants (I have one with my name) but I've seen a lot of those already and I wanted something different.

Then, I came upon this site (which I forgot to bookmark, btw) and saw some unique pendants that I instantly liked. I already sent the pictures to ask for a quotation to a multiply seller but I haven't received a reply yet.

I'm thinking of putting his name “Johan Matthew” and his birth date which I may have to wait for a couple more months or so.