12 years ago . . .

hubby and I officially became a couple. I was on my fourth year in college while he was a new grad. We were friends already when we started to became close until we realized that we can be more than friends. After 12 years, we are now husband and wife and we'll be celebrating our 5th year anniversary next month. We are now blessed with 2 beautiful kids. I can say that as each year passes both of us matures and our love grows deeper and deeper. I'm looking forward of spending the rest of my life with him as both of us grow older and watch our kids grow and have their own kids as well.

Last Friday, we had an advance celebration. We ate out in Poquito Mas and had more bonding moments in Starbucks. Here are some of our pictures :

Hubby and I while waiting for my splatino crab . . .

Hubby preferred to have the buffet . . .

My splatino crab . . .

Waiting for our mocha frappe . . .

To daddy, happy anniversary and I want you to know that I love you more and more each day.

Bank hopping . . .

I was on scheduled leave last Monday. It was our day to process all the necessary documents for the different bank accounts of my parents. All their remaining accounts here were divided among us and we were added as account holders. Most of them were time deposits so no need for additional action from us. It will just be automatically rolled over. But as per hubby's advise we should also update it once in a while to ensure that the money is there and not used by anomalous bank employees. I''m taking his words for he himself is a banker so he knows very well how the people can do such things to their absentee clients.

We went to UCPB first where we did quite a lot of process. A portion of the time deposit was maintained and rolled over but I was added on the account. A portion was withdrawn and later on opened to a new account in BDO. The current savings account was closed and a new one was opened and I was added on the account again. My dad also filled up a form for the renewal of his pension account from SSS. It took us more than an hour to process all of these. Next stop was RCBC. I just filled up a form here since I was just added on the current savings account of my mom. The time deposit here was for my younger sister. This took us about 30 minutes only. Next stop was BDO. We opened a new time deposit here and opened a new savings account as well. It was quite tedious again and took about an hour to finish the whole process. Next stop was Union Bank. We only got the forms to be filled up since the maturity of the time deposit will be on the 27th. I filled up the forms when we got home already.

We were just in time for lunch when we finished everything and we still have to fix our things since we stayed in Canlubang over the weekend. Kaila was already getting ready for school. We just ate our lunch and from Canlubang we headed straight to Kaila's school since her classes sarts at 1:30pm. We left the yaya and we went home after. My parents stayed for a while but they left before Kaila returns from school because Kaila doesn't want to go home yet.

It was a busy weekend for us but we're just trying to maximize the last few days of my parents and youngest sister here. Most probably we'll be staying in Canlubang for the remaining two weekends.

A Visit in PHC . . .

Last Sunday, together with my mom, we visited my uncle who has confined in Philippine Heart Center. He was under observation by the doctors if he would really need a pacemaker. His heart rate is only 46 which is way below the normal rate of 60-100 per minute. Because of this, he lacks oxygen that causes poor eyesight, severe headache and joint paints to name a few. While we were there, he got a text message from his doctor and confirmed that he would really need a pacemaker already. Total expenses for the operation will be around P400k. Good thing that they have their savings and he can undergo the procedure immediately. As of this time, I have not confirmed with my mom if my uncle has already undergone the operation.

Heart problems seems to be the common illness of my mom's family. That's why my uncle was advising us to take it easy on our diets. He advises us to eat healthy as early as now because definitely the effect of our diets today will only be evident once we are old. Better to be healthy now than spend thousands or even millions of pesos just for medications.

And the countdown begins . . .

Last weekend, was just the last three weekends of my parents before they migrate to Canada. Since we were finished setting up the Christmas tree last Friday night, we decided to spend the weekend in their house. We initially planned to go to Divisoria that weekend but it didn't push through at the last minute. We were so lazy that Saturday morning. :)

My Dad called us up mid morning and asked if we have plans of going out that day. I said no and asked him the same question. He said he'll call me again if we'll go out. The kids were still asleep at that time while hubby and I were having our late breakfast. I confirmed with hubby if we'll be staying overnight in Canlubang and he said yes so I started to fix our things already. When the kids woke up we informed them that we'll be going to Lolo and Lola's house. They were happy and excited as usual. By lunch time, my sister called me up and asked where do we want to go. I just said Alabang area will do. So, we decided to go to ATC since it's a weekend sale according to my sister. We were already fixed when my sister called me up again and informed me that my mom has a high blood pressure that's why she's taking a rest first. I said ok and informed them that Lola is still sick so we might not go to ATC anymore. It was already 2pm when my Dad called me up again and asked if we're ready. So, it was almost 3pm when we left the house. We decided just to stroll around in Paseo de Sta. Rosa.

The kids just played in the play area. Then, we went store hopping from one store to another. By 4pm we went to Jollibee already for our afternoon snacks. Hubby and I finished our snacks earlier so that we can order our food for dinner. Hubby bought grilled blue marlin, sizzling squid and rellenong bangus in Blue Corner while I ordered pork sisig and spicy shrimp pasta in Poquito Mas.

We were in Canlubang just before 6pm. The kids had a blast playing with my nephew. It was always a riot when the three kids are complete. Luckily, the kids were off to bed earlier than their usual routine because they didn't sleep in the afternoon. We had fun that day even though our supposedly malling didn't push through. :)

Setting up the tree with Corduroy . . .

Who is Corduroy? Well' it's the friendly bear of Kaila who spent the weekend in our house. The Corduroy project was already discussed during the last PTC. Corduroy is a character from a book of Don Freeman. It's about a bear who lived in a department store together with a lot of other toys waiting for someone to take them home. Actually, we were expecting Corduroy 2 weeks ago but it was delayed. We really waited for Corduroy before we set up the tree so that it'll be the highlight of his stay in our house. Here are some pictures taken last Friday night :

I laid out the tree decors in the table . . .

Hubby unpacking the Christmas tree . . .

The tree was placed on it's usual location . . .

Kaila with Corduroy . . .

The tree with ornaments . . .

The final product . . .

Friendship Offering . . .

from Jody and Joanne. Thanks a lot!

And lovely are the blossoms

That are tended with great care,

By those who work unselfishly

To make the place more fair.

And, like the garden blossoms,

Friendship’s flower grows more sweet

When watched and tended carefully

By those we know and meet.

And, if the seed of friendship

Is planted deep and true

And watched with understanding,

Friendship’s flower will bloom for you.

here are the rules for this tag:

1. copy the badge and put it on your blog

2. link back who pass you this tag

3. spread this tag to at least 7 or more bloggers who you think you are friends with.

Passing this to : Erica, Irmee, Joanne, Marie, Monet, Tricia and Wheng.

It's our bonus ! ! !

Yipee! It's our Christmas bonus today. :) Now, I can do more Christmas shopping! Kaya lang grabe ang tax! Kakainis! I could have bought a second hand car for the accumulated tax for the year.

It was a busy weekend . . .

for all of us. I'll just do some bullets so that I won't forget the things I need to blog.

(1). Corduroy project of Kaila

(2). Setting up of the Christmas tree

(3). Supposedly malling but cancelled due to my mom's highblood pressure

(4). Weekend in my parents house

(5). Visit to my uncle in Heart Center

(6). Monday was banking day

Blogging from home . . .

Finally, we have our internet connection at home after almost two months since we bought our own PC. We got the bundle promo ( landline and internet ) of Digitel. We also considered SmartBro and Globe Broadband but we are not satisfied with the available speed that they offer so we considered PLST MYDSL but we don't have the PLDT lines available in our area. In short we don't have any other choice but Digitel. ha ha ha . . . So far, the connection is good and hopefully no downtimes!

SJWMS's Field Trip

The annual educational tour of Saint John's Wort Montessori will be on November 29. Places that will be visited are : (1) Manila Ocean Park (2) Dino Island in Star City (3) Snow World in Star City and (4) Mall of Asia. All of us will be coming so we are excited for the kids since it'll be a different experience for them to go out with a lot of kids. Hope we'll have fun that day.

Separation Anxiety ? ? ?

After what happened last Monday, I'm having a hard time leaving our home every time I have to go to the office. Right now, I just want to be with hubby and the kids all the time. I want to make sure that they're ok all the time. I hope I can go home early today. My new year's resolution should be : NO MORE OVERTIMES ! ! !

A Terrifying Monday . . .

I was on emergency leave yesterday. Hubby had a severe attack of chest pains early Monday morning so I rushed him to the hospital together with my mom and dad.

The night before, he was already complaining that it's too hot in our room to think that the aircon was already on. He said that he's not feeling well so we slept early that night. About 3am yesterday he was already awake. I asked him if he's feeling better already. He said no. He went downstairs to drink cold water. After a while he went back to our room. He was still not feeling better and the pain is getting worse. I asked him if he wants to be brought to the hospital already and he said no. He was tapping my head and caressing my forehead and tells me that he loves me as if he was saying good bye and I'm already nervous at this point. After a while, he went downstairs again and this time I followed him. He went straight outside the house to get some fresh air while he was punching his chest heavily. I was already calling my mom at this point and I was already crying while telling her what's happening. I told her we have to bring Philip to the hospital already.

When Philip felt better we went upstairs to dress up and prepare ourselves since we are bound to the hospital already. Feeling a little better after that severe attack he told me he doesn't want to go to the hospital anymore. He said he's ok but I insisted that we still go. Anyway, my mom and dad are already on their way to our house. When they arrived, we immediately headed to the hospital. We went straight to the ER of Calamba Medical Center.

We informed the nurse of what happened. He got hubby's BP and it was normal at 130/70. His temperature was normal as well. Then, the nurse performed an ECG to ensure the condition of hubby's heart. After a while, the resident doctor came and told us that his heart is ok. What happened was a case of GERD - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. In short, it's related to his diet again. Hubby is already observing a healthy diet since he's prone to have a high cholesterol level but his current diet might trigger another disease as GER. Anyway, the doctor prescribed a medicine to be taken once a day for the next two weeks. She also reminded Philip of the foods not to be taken. Whew, what's left for him to eat? I can't think of anything right now except water. He was eating fruits and pasta but this can trigger GER. Hay, need to do some more researching. Anyway, we were home as early as 6am but we decided to stay home for the day so that we could rest.

It was a stressful day but I'm so thankful that it was nothing serious and hubby is still with us. Daddy, Kaila, JM and I loves you so much! Hugs and kisses to you . . . mwahh . . . :)

Kaila's performance . . .

During the PTC, teacher Liza informed us that by 3rd quarter, the class will be divided into three groups. The first group are those who finishes the activities in advance, the second group finishes just in time and the third group are those who needs more time for the activities. According to her, the Montessori principle stresses the importance of adapting the child's learning environment to his or her own developmental level, and of the role of physical activity in absorbing abstract concepts and practical skills.

We are so happy that Kaila belongs to the first group. According to teacher Liza, they are about 5 in the class who belongs to this level. This means that Kaila belongs to the top 5 of her class. So, they will be given more activities so that they don't need to wait for the others before they can start a new activity. Since they will be given more activities / lessons teacher Liza told us not to put more pressure on Kaila when she's at home. We told her that we don't really do a daily review of Kaila's lessons. We only do the review during the quarterly exams. Hubby even told teacher Liza that Kaila is not hooked on her lessons but on computer games instead. Teacher Liza on the other hand, reminded us to take care of the kids' eyes. Admittedly, I have overlooked this aspect. The kid's are on TV the whole day then they would play computer games for about 2 hours in the evening.

I could remember my niece, Sam, who was already wearing thick eyeglasses when she was just about 6 years old. They didn't even know that she had eye problems that time. It was only during their medical exam for their immigration to Canada when they learned that Sam needs to wear eyeglasses already. I wonder if she's still wearing those thick eyeglasses. The next time they call I will tell my sister about this great eyeglasses for less. Zenni Optical offers stylish glasses online for only $8. Zenni Optical was on FOX news! I have checked their site and they have variable dimension frames from Zenni as well. I checked on the kids' glasses and there are many styles to choose from. Of course I would not want my kids to wear glasses but at least if they would need it in time I would already know where to get their glasses.

Kaila's 2nd Quarter Performance

Last Saturday, was the 2nd PTC (Parent-Teacher Conference) in Kaila's school. Of course, I was so excited and nervous at the same time. I'm excited to see the test results and nervous of what might be the outcome since Kaila performed well during the first grading. And when Teacher Liza showed to us the test results we were so happy and proud of her. We have proven that the first quarter results was not "tsamba". ha ha ha . . . And the results are . . .

Science - 100%

Math - 99%

Reading - 96%

Language - 87%

Civics - 87%

We wouldn't blame Kaila for quite a low score in Civics and Language because the tests was really difficult for their age. Imagine, they would identify the parts of the fish ( pectoral fin, caudal fin at kung anu-ano pang fins ) and frog. It's not just simply the eyes or legs but really scientific part names. In Language, Kaila was really confused on the usage of "in" and "on". I already knew it even when we were reviewing that this is where she'll have a hard time. Anyway, we are really thankful and proud that Kaila's performing well in school. At least sulit ang lahat ng gastos. ha ha ha . . .

My Mom's 58th Birthday Celebration . . .

Last Friday, October 31, my mom celebrated her 58th birthday. We usually celebrate her birthday by dining out or having a simple celebration at home with just her closest friends but it was different this time. It was a birthday cum despedida party. All of her friends were invited. It was nice to see them again together this time. Of course some were already gone. There were new faces as well. But one thing is for sure : my mom is well loved by her friends. Almost all of those I knew came. They were about 40 to 50 persons who came. This is plenty to think it was just a merienda get together. After the merienda, they started the videoke already. The last visitor who came went home around 8:30 pm already. Good thing is that they came in different batches. It would be difficult to fit all of them if they came in altogether. My youngest sister also had her visitors since it was her despedida for them already. I wasn't able to take plenty of pictures because I was in-charge for the video. Here's some of the pictures :

Fresh Lumpia . . .

Pancit Malabon . . .

Pancit Bihon . . .

Puto Biñan

Buco Salad . . .

Bico . . .

Pork barbecue . . .

JM with Lola . . .

My mom with her friends . . .

With her friends pa rin . . .