occupation: SAHM

 My son is not the type who pesters me to buy him stuff, but he couldn’t resist this one.

Continue reading ‘For Boys Only’ »

I love it when my children ask for more of the dish I cooked. When they mutter “Mmm…” or exclaim “Delicious!,” expect me to fly past cloud 9.

I love hearing my son tell me what happened in school. I love hearing about his latest antics with his classmates, his teachers’ new lectures, and his favorite Mr. Potato Head in his computer class.

I love watching my daughter dance. She does no fancy moves, she just sways her hips and flail her arms. But for me, that is the best dance move ever.

I love it when my husband washes the dishes, when he picks up the kids’ clutter, when he does things around the house. He will insist on doing those things himself even when I tell him I’m fine and he can leave it all to me. I am grateful he insists because I don’t really mean it. I love sitting on the sofa and watching him work.

I love it when my husband and I realize we have been thinking about the same thing, and that happens often. Like this morning, I wanted him to buy puto which is being sold only during mornings. But I forgot to tell him about my craving when he left to bring my son to school. I couldn’t call him because he also forgot to bring his mobile phone. And then he got home, and showed a bag of puto for me.

I love simple memes like these, because it makes me pause and think about my life. I realize that my life is so simple but full of love and happiness, and I thank the heavens for my good fortune.

**A meme from Greenbucks.

This is my entry for Learning, the theme for PMN Fampics this March.

I got the book I was reading from National Bookstore, which was about using astrology in making business and financial decisions.

Continue reading ‘Trying Another Road to Prosperity’ »

Here is my version of PMN Fam Pics: Anything in a POT.

The most delicious tea I have ever tasted is the imaginary brew from my daughter’s Princess teapot, which she lovingly shares with me and her dolls. Tea party anyone?

See more pictures!

1. Julie’s flowers
2. Cookie’s different kind of pot
3. KK’s indoor and outdoor pots
4. Rach’s Flowers and a Smile
5. Lynn’s Pot Shots
6. Lady Cess’ The Best Tea
7. Feng’s Tagaytay Pics
8. Analyse’s Life isn’t easy being a nomad
9. Purple Girl’s Coffee Alamid
10. Mitch’s very edible photos
11. Noemi’s Ceramic Fondue Pot
12. Vicky’s Potted Fruits and Vegetables
13. Dine’s anything potted in Bhutan and Capalonga

(A tag about childhood memories from Aileen). 

Looking back, it wasn’t funny. But now it is.

When I was in preschool, my mom would help me do my homework and review my lessons after school. To make sure I understood the lessons, she would create mock test papers. For each subject.

I must answer each test paper, and I must have a perfect score. One mistake, and I would have to take another of her tests all over again.

It was rigorous during examination periods. I already had a perfect score, and I would still have to take another test. Just to be sure I really, really got it.

Since I was very young, an hour or two of tests felt like forever. But my mom wouldn’t accept no less than a perfect score. Nevertheless, I was pretty confident with my mom’s tests, even if I had to do several retakes.

But Math was another story. I wasn’t so good at Math. I couldn’t count the times I had to do one retake after another.

And so, I was in Grade 1. It was the night before the exam period. The Math lesson was addition by the hundreds.

It was 8pm, and boy, was I so sleepy. I just knew I was ready to give up. But my mom wouldn’t quit on me. She kept giving me test papers because I kept failing.

As I took the nth test paper from her, and I was getting sick at the sight of those papers, I already knew in my heart I wouldn’t be able to give her a perfect score. I had to do something or *gasp* she wouldn’t let me go to bed.

(Well, not really. She most probably would have. But nobody wouldn’t have made my 7-year old self believe that.) 

 And then, I had a light bulb moment. 

But the idea scared me. It was against what my parents taught me. It was wrong. No, I couldn’t do it.

I answered the equations I already mastered, and the equations too tough for me, I memorized.

As soon she went out the door to continue doing her laundry, I knew it was either now or I would never be able to sleep again. I made a mad dash at her dresser and got out the calculator. My mom didn’t know that I already knew how to use it.

I punched the numbers like hell, memorized the answers, ran to the dining room, and with heart beating fast, wrote the figures.

“Ma! Tapos na ko! (I’m finished), “ I hollered.

She went back, checked my paper, glad that I finally gave 100% correct answers. And at last, I was allowed to go to bed. But before I drifted off to sleep, I whispered an apology to God, and a promise I would not do it in class.

“Kay Mama lang po (To Mama only).”

I admitted this to my mom some years ago. Thankfully, she thought I was funny. But she said, “O tingnan mo naman, sino ba ang nakinabang? (Who benefited from it?).”

Well, yes, she’s right. I never had a failing grade, even in Math. I was confident when I took college entrance exams. I don’t bite my nails when an employer asks for my transcript. The study habits she taught are deeply ingrained in me, I would find myself having the same discipline in the work place. I believe I was a favorite of former bosses.  

All these I owe to my mom’s penchant for test papers.

And now I do the same thing to my son. I make test papers when he has to review for an exam. And no, I don’t do the laundry at the same time. I don’t even dare blink.

Tell us your funniest childhood memory,  Era, Jho, Dangkin, Wendy, Julie, Kongkong, Chi and Feng.

These questions were given by Noemi.

1. You are good at remembering history or past events. Do you remember what you wore when you first met your husband? What was he wearing?

That’s easy. Let’s see.. I was wearing a maroon striped V-neck shirt from Penshoppe, jeans and sandals. Ipan - a yellow striped collared shirt, jeans and sneakers.

We met at a party. He arrived at 830 pm, I was there 45 minutes earlier. I left the party at 9pm. Oh sorry, you didn’t ask for that. 

2.  You said that a mother’s instinct is like having a super power. How do you nurture that mother instinct? Do you think it is a gift or something natural in mothers?

I think it’s a gift that needs nurturing. 

Something akin to a seed. And I think everyone has it.

But just like any other seed, we should do something to make it grow. A mother nurtures that seed by getting to know her child. By responding to the child’s needs. By working on communicating with the child.

There is some trial and error at first. But soon, a mother’s response will become more intuitive because she has invested time and effort in knowing and connecting with her child.

(Whew! I had to get some help from The Discipline Book by William Sears MD and Martha Sears RN to help me explain this. )

3. If you were not a homemaker, where would you be employed today?

The jobs I had before I got married required me to work in shifts and on weekends and holidays. It was fun. But now, I honestly don’t see myself in a job with such a schedule.

I’m afraid even a regular 8-5 job is no longer appealing too.

I gave this question much thought. But I really cannot see myself anywhere else but here. 

But I would like to pursue my dream to get published. And right now, I’m weighing the pros and cons of a particular business I’d like to get into.

In any case, it will not deter me from being a SAHM. I believe this is my lot in life. This is really where I’m supposed to be.

You said “today.” You didn’t say 5-10 years from now.

4. What song best describes the person you are?

I hope this is not too embarassing, because I would have to get a song from Barney. Yeah, the purple dinosaur.

It’s a great day, a beautiful day.
The kind of day that makes me want to say.
I’m glad that I’m alive, I’m happy to be me.
And that’s the way to be.

5. When I was a SAHM about the same age as you are now, I looked like a slob. How do you manage to take care of yourself? Any beauty regimen? or self-care tips?

No different from everyone else’s. I use moisturizers and body lotions. I (try to) eat healthy. I (try to) get 8 hours of sleep.

I admit though, that some years ago, I was slovenly. Like I didn’t feel squeamish wearing frayed jammies I slept in for the rest of the day. I never gave a thought about dressing nicely at home. What for?, I thought.

And then I came across Flylady. One of the principles Flylady teaches is to look good even when a SAHM is not going anywhere.

Some of the benefits include:

1. Being a good example to her children that staying at home should not mean she can look drab.

2. Being a good example to the rest of the world that being a housewife doesn’t mean looking drab.

3. Being able to manage her home better because she feels good.

4. Being a happier mother and wife because she feels good.

I also saw an episode of a popular gag show featuring practical jokes on unsuspecting people. The show’s staff collaborated with a water delivery service.

Homeowners will usually open their gates to these delivery boys so the latter can bring in the containers of drinking water. Now the joke was, the delivery boy was dressed in rags and covered with grime, yet he spoke perfect English.

The victims were all housewives. But I didn’t notice the look of shock on their faces upon seeing a man in rags greeting them a cheery  ”Good day! ”

What I couldn’t forget to this day was how they looked.  

Most of them wore ratty oversized shirts and shorts. Their hair seemed uncombed, and those with long tresses had haphazardly-done ponytails. One of them, I suspect, was not even wearing a bra.   

I live near the show’s HQ, and I couldn’t help thinking I could’ve been one of them. I wouldn’t mind being their victim, but to be caught on camera looking like.. that?

And it wasn’t impossible. I had the same clothes on while I watched those women.

But we couldn’t blame them. They were at home. They never suspected someone would be taking a video of them. Had they known they would be seen on national tv I’m sure they would’ve at least combed their hair. 

I decided right then and there that everyday, even if I have no plans to go out, I would exert effort to make myself look ready to face anyone at anytime. 

Even Michael V, should he want to ask if I use Joy dishwashing liquid.

So I guess the core of my beauty regimen is an overhauled belief about looking good. I should make myself look nice not only for visitors or my fellow mall rats, but most importantly, for my family whom I see 24 hours a day.

 ***

If you want your own hot seat, read the rules:

Interview rules:
1. Leave me a comment saying “Interview me.”
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

 (I was tagged by Auee.)

1. I remember plate numbers.

Ipan and I would see a white Toyota Corolla with the plate number U __-___ in the middle of EDSA or a maroon FX with plate number T __-___ in a parking lot and I would say that the car owners hail from where we live.

How do I know, he would ask. Well, I always see the cars when I bring Ipan Jr to school.

Why do I even bother taking note of the plate numbers? I swear I have no idea.

2. I don’t squish a cockroach.

I go through the effort of looking for the insecticide. In case I’ve run out, I use a broom and sweep it outside the door.

3. A friend is telling me how mad he/she is about someone, and I feel the urge to laugh. 

I see the humor in the things he/she may find irritating. Thankfully, I’m not weird enough to stifle a laugh when it seems my friend would not appreciate it.

Though sometimes I can’t help letting out a guffaw. Or two.

4. I don’t like it when people do what I do.

My sisters know this all too well, and they sometimes do it on purpose just to tease me. One time I saw a nice woven hat from Baguio. They bought one just like it even when I told them not to. I didn’t wear my hat afterwards.

Imitation is supposed to be a compliment, but I feel uncomfortable with it. Same reason why I rarely follow fads. If I do, I choose the least popular  among the selections in a fad.

5. I put Vicks Vaporub on my nose all the time.

I have a big jar of Vicks in my bag so I can bring it wherever, and a small jar that can fit in a purse I use for weddings. You know we’ve been friends a long time if I’m no longer embarassed to put Vicks on my nose in front of you. 

Don’t worry I just put some on the tip of my nose. I don’t reach for my brains.

6. When I’m in deep thought, my mouth moves.

Imagine how I look like when I’m in deep thought along the sidewalk.

You want the world to know you’re weird too? Then I tag you.

Real moms give up the last bite of food when the kids ask for it. Even if it’s, sigh, Lindt chocolate.

Real moms can talk about all varieties of bodily discharges without squirming. Sometimes even while eating. Years of washing dirty bottoms while having breakfast can desensitize you.

Real moms are stage moms. Some are just better at hiding it. Or some may be in denial. But essentially, all of them are. It may be a simple school program, but expect the mom to have carefully planned the kid’s costume weeks before. When a child goes onstage and you see a woman who goes right in front of the stage with a video camera and/or a digital camera, that’s the mom. Or the one with the most vigorous claps. Or the one who cannot clap because she is wiping away tears, ay! 100 %! Si mother yan.

Real moms know, without looking, that their kids’ “Ah!” means frustration, an “Aah!” means delight, an “Aaah!!” means there’s a boo-boo, and an “Aaaahhh!!!” means it’s an emergency, at which point they run faster than a speeding bullet to rescue.

Real moms can do multi-tasking, and in ways you never thought possible. Like, they can breastfeed while blogging and talking on the phone. Or they can breastfeed while helping kuya with the homework and texting. Or they can breastfeed while feeding kuya and making lists. Or they can breastfeed while… you get the drift huh?

Real moms are beautiful. Just look at your mom. If she has joined our Creator then look at a picture of her. She’s more beautiful than all the beauty queens around the world diba? Ipan Jr says his mom is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Again, anak, repeat after me, mommy .. is .. very pretty!

*In response to Ghee’s tag.

As requested by Annamanila, here are my top 7 fave songs that tug and hug. Songs that make me stop, go in a trance, and most likely, dab some tears. Where’s my tissue?

1. Beautiful Boy by John Lennon - I first heard the song from my husband’s CD, a soundtrack of a 90’s movie, Mr. Holland’s Opus. I loved listening to this when I was my pregnant with my son.

Close your eyes,
Have no fear,
The monsters gone,
He’s on the run and your daddy’s here,

Beautiful,
Beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy

2. Ikaw - as in Ikaw ang bigay ng Maykapal. My husband sang this song as I walked down the aisle. Our guests were so kilig because they all knew he was going to do that, except me. Looking back, his surprise stint was so romantic, but you know right after the wedding, I pounced on him for ruining my make-up.

3. Still by 98 Degrees. This was the song for our wedding dance.

If the sun should refuse to rise
And the moon doesn’t hang in the night
The tides won’t change
Seasons rearrange
When the world is through
I will still love you

4. Be My Baby by The Ronettes - It’s supposed to be a happy song, but I can’t help shedding a few tears. I guess I’m just touched.

The night we met I knew I needed you so
and if I had the chance I’d never let you go.
So won’t you say you love me,
I’ll make you so proud of me.
We’ll make ‘em turn their heads every place we go.

5. We Belong Together by Richie Valenz - I only heard this oldie just recently. I would’ve wanted this for my wedding dance. It’s short yet uber sentimental. Sunshine! You might want to consider this as one of the songs for your wedding.

You’re mine and we belong together
Yes, we belong together,for eternity

You’re mine, your lips belong to me
Yes, they belong to only me,for eternity

You’re mine, my baby and you’ll always be
I swear by everything I own
You’ll always,always be mine

You’re mine and,we belong together
Yes, we belong together, for eternity

6. Maghihintay sa Yo by Dingdong Avanzado. Not Lea Salonga’s version, masyadong magaling. It’s been my favorite song for as long as I can remember. I so know the lyrics even without Google’s helping hand.

Mahal, mahal na mahal kita
Hindi ako magbabago asahan mo ito.
Mahal, mahal na mahal kita
Ang puso ko’y iyong-iyo
Asahan mong maghihintay sa iyo.

7. Pangako by Ogie and Manilyn. Not Regine’s version, again, masyadong magaling..

I would’ve wanted the songs 6 & 7 to be played on my wedding, but alas, I was married at a time when downloading songs from the internet was unheard of, so we had to contend with what was available and Dingdong and Ogie and Manilyn weren’t exactly popular choices. But say we opt to have another walk down the aisle on our golden anniversary, I would insist on these songs.

Now I’m tagging Aileen - the Google employee
Ann - the friendly mama with a homey blog
Watson- the food blogger who’s currently into photography
Jho - the workaholic mama
Sasha - the bookworm with the flawless skin
Rhoski - the cute navy (or is it marine) girl
and Gracita - who owns a passport full of stamps.

Valentine’s day is fast approaching. So I’m sharing my love profile, or rather, the result of a quiz I took from blogthings.com.

Your Five Variable Love Profile

Propensity for Monogamy: Your propensity for monogamy is high. You find it easy to be devoted and loyal to one person. And in return, you expect the same from who you love. Any sign of straying, and you’ll end things. Experience Level: Your experience level is high. You’ve loved, lost, and loved again. You have had a wide range of love experiences. And when the real thing comes along, you know it! Dominance: Your dominance is low. This doesn’t mean you’re a doormat, just balanced. You know a relationship is not about getting your way. And you love to give your sweetie a lot of freedom. Cynicism: Your cynicism is low. You are an eternal optimist when it comes to love and romance. No matter how many times you’ve been hurt - you’re never bitter. You believe in one true love, your perfect soulmate. And if you haven’t found true love yet, you know you will soon. Independence: Your independence is low. This doesn’t mean you’re dependent in relationships.. It does mean that you don’t have any problem sharing your life. In your opinion, the best part of being in love is being together.

How about you?

Advanced Happy Valentines everyone!