On learning to be a (good) mom everyday

So it's exam week for my firstborn and yet again, I am doubting myself as a mom. You see, I've always had good study habits ever since I could remember, I've always brought home good grades, so I get really puzzled when my 5 year old struggles with school -- well, not actually school as a whole, just 1 subject, READING. We were reviewing the whole of the weekend and sometimes, out of frustration and desperation, I find myself being the worst version of me, I make my daughter cry. I wanted to cry with her, but I chose to just step back and have someone else review her first.

This feeling of self doubt and frustration is a cycle which happens every exam time and I am now making a conscious effort to be better. I have come to accept that my child is different from who I was when I was young, therefore, I will be more patient, no more threats that this or that will happen if she doesn't do well in school (yes, I am guilty of that), instead, when frustration is near, I will think of the multitude of things my daughter is good at. She is sweet, kind, very energetic, good in math and Christian Living, she loves singing, she loves coloring rainbows and rainbow colored unicorns, among others, but most importantly, she is a gift, MY gift.

I read mommy blogs often and most of them blog about their children's high grades and extraordinary talent, so here I am blogging about my daughter, yes, her grades may not be as stellar (yet), but she is as wonderful as can be and she's a happy child. And I have high hopes that my and her dad's smart genes will kick-in when she's older. Haha. I guess the world around us has put so much pressure on getting good grades, me included, but now I know better. No more pressure, on me or on my daughter. I will still try my best to push her to do her best, at her own pace, without anger or impatience, but only with so much love and pride.

My child is great, good grades or not, she is kind and a beautiful little person and my dream as a mom is for her to grow up to have a good heart and be smart enough to know right from wrong, to know that learning is constant and that possibilities are endless if your heart is in it and you have hope and faith.

To my Zia, please forgive mommy for being hard on you, I promise I will be better. Thank you for teaching me how to be a mom and please know that in times that I lose my patience, I will always love you, in times that we are goofing around and just having fun, I will always love you.

To other moms just like me who doubt themselves from time to time, it will be fine, our kids are amazing and very forgiving. Say 'sorry', but say 'I love you' more often.

2016 in a nutshell

Many have been said about how 2016 was not a good year and in many ways it was really a challenging year for me and I'm sure a lot of people will agree with me too. But despite all the issues and challenges faced, as always, I choose to be grateful.

Image not mine - from etsy.com 

2016 also had its share of highs for me:

> Joined a new team and had the opportunity to train 2 wonderful young ladies
> Work brought me to different places - Vienna, Singapore and Osaka
> Got to style 3 baptisms (Dainty Girly, Monkey Prince, Stork Express), a birthday party (Unicorn Princess) and a Christmas Party (Red & Green Chic)
> Wrote my first children's book manuscript
> Explored Osaka on my own for 4 days
> Started plans for our home renovation
> Got the hang of being a mom of 2
> First long drive (4 hours) to Subic
> Had my hair cut to its shortest EVER
> Visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in USJ
> Did 2 bazaar runs with Babypalooza
> My family and friends

I'm sure there are lots more and for all those above and those in between, I will forever be thankful and grateful.

Here's praying that 2017 will be a great year for all of us. :)

Thank you 2016. 2017, we have high hopes!

I will always go back to this

Writing is actually one of my first loves - I remember having a poem notebook and writing a lot of them when I was in high school and college. And no matter how busy I get from juggling corporate life, home life and being wife and mommy to my 2 girls (now 5 and 2) - which makes my last post almost a year ago already - I will always always go back to writing. And I have so much to look forward to in the future, which I look forward to sharing with you in my blog real soon. 

Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/197454764884553929/

Yup, things are looking bright. Have a great December everyone. Will be back real soon! :)

[zei the MOM] My 2nd princess is ONE!

 

Just like that, our 2nd baby girl is now one. I couldn't be more thankful for the beautiful year that has past. To our dearest Rio, thank you for being such a wonderful source of sunshine - your smile (that's almost always on) keeps everyone of us going. The sparkle in your eye when you laugh give me comfort knowing that your disposition is as bright as the future we hope for you and your sister. We didn't really know how life would be with 2 little girls in the family, but today more than ever, I know that I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

 

I want to say thank you for being the good baby you are, though I'm starting to think that you'll make a really malikot toddler, but I look forward to it because I know it will be so much fun. I want you to know on your 1st birthday that you are such a great blessing in our lives and me, your dad and your Ate Zia are very lucky to have you.

 

I pray that you grow to be a kind-hearted, God-fearing, healthy and happy little girl. For the rest of your lovely life, we will always be by your side. We love you Rio! Happy happy 1st birthday!

[zei the MOM] Now you are 4

As you turn 4, I want you to know all these things...

My dearest Zia,

Let me start this letter by saying I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU forever. Thank you for being a joy and blessing to our lives, for being the great kid you are even when I sometimes lose my patience and forget that you are still too young. You're growing to be such a wonderful young lady and I can't wait to create more memories with you, your dad and your little sister. Continue to be the happy and bright little lady that you are, playful and always curious about anything and everything. I want you to know that these are things you like at 4:

- Horses and Unicorns (still)
- Playing pretend and saying 'it's just pretend
- Watching Spongebob and Rabbids (which I actually don't like for you to watch)
- Riding the carousel and train (still)
- Playing in the big slide
- Riding in the car
- Watching Frozen in mommy's and daddy's room with the aircon on
- Saying stuff like awesome, gorgeous, amazing
- Playing with Rio in her playpen
- Coloring
- Giving mommy pretend letters
- Easter eggs (a.k.a. Kinder Surprise)

Thank you for the everyday joy you bring for just being the little sprite that you are. You have a beautiful spirit my love and I pray everyday for you to grow into a kind, loving and God-fearing girl. We will always be here for you. Happy happy birthday sweetheart, keep on sparkling. :)

Love,
Mommy

[zei on Career & Passion] Once-in-a-blue-moon blogger

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaannd I'm back!

 

So it's 2015, actually, it's already the 2nd half of 2015 and here I am attempting again to blog as much as I can. As I've read from my favorite blogs, blogging should really be a commitment - it's quite a hard one to keep at that. But it makes me happy, so go lang kapag kaya diba?

 

Anyway, it's August and I love this month for many reasons.

1) It's Zia's birthday month

2) It's my and my husband's couple anniversary - 12 years this year (Ang bilis!)

3) It's the month before the -ber months - which means next month, department stores around the metro will start bringing out their Christmas merchandise!

4) I like the look of the number 8 - just like an infinity symbol

 

Really hope that I'll be able to blog more often now and moving forward. Also, aside from my blogging, I am also determined to pursue my passion for event styling (on the side), so for lovely inspirations for your home or for your special event, please follow @lifestylewithlove on Instagram. :)

 

On a side note, the past months have been quite busy and I realized that despite the amount of time you spend working on deliverables, taking care of your kids, running a household and many more, you should really find time to do the things that you are passionate about and also spend more time with the people you love. Because it will keep you sane and ultimately happy. So yes, that's actually why I'm blogging again.

 

Hopefully I won't be a once-in-a-blue-moon blogger anymore. :) So please come back regularly for posts about being a mommy, a working mom, family life, shopping and everything happy in between. :)

[zei the MOM] Rio's birth story

Things don't always go as planned and Everything happens for a reason -- these are the two sayings that could sum up our second daughter's birth story.

Let me take you back a month ago. I was looking forward to experiencing the convenience of a scheduled CS, going to the hospital without pain (just a bit of anxiety) and knowing what time I will be operated on, etc. So as planned, we checked in the hospital the night before my scheduled CS. It was October 9. We arrived at our room around past 9 in the evening and I remember wondering why we had to be in the hospital already. It was my OBs protocol I supposed. After an hour of lingering, also based on SOP, I was whisked away to the Labor and Delivery Room for some monitoring they needed to report to my OB. So I left the husband in our room and told him I'd be back after an hour or so. Or so I thought. So they strapped me with the baby monitor and they monitored away. The resident in charge said that they had to continue monitoring the baby and they had to give me oxygen since the baby's movement wasn't as active as they hoped given her gestational age. And because they observed some decelerations in baby's heart rate, they made a call to my OB. After some hushed discussions, the resident gave the cellphone to me with my OB on the other line. "I need to open you up today, you baby's heart rate is not as active as we hoped," she said. All I could say was "Okay po", I actually wanted to cry because anxiety got the best of me and I was fervently praying that nothing is wrong with the baby. So after that, a group of residents and nurses preped me for the emergency C-section. It was October 9, a few hours shy of the scheduled CS I prepared myself for. Yup, things don't really go as planned. I gave birth at 11:44 PM via CS to our baby girl and fortunately for us, our doctors were great and they made a good call, as our baby came out cord coiled, which explained her inactivity when they were monitoring me. Had we waited for my scheduled CS, she could have been cord coiled  even more and could have run out oxygen. So yes, everything happens for a reason -- we were asked to go to the hospital earlier to make sure our baby will come out okay. We were really blessed and the Lord was with our doctors when they made the call to operate on me earlier. So to the doctors, nurses and other people instrumental to the birth of our baby girl, thank you. And to the Lord, You really are the master planner of our lives, thank you.  

 

Today, a month after, our baby girl is healthy and strong and big for her age and I can't help but be grateful for the turn of events and how the Lord was faithful to us and He made sure that, though unplanned, things turned out for the best.
 

[zei the MOM] Random ramblings

It's 3AM and I am nowhere near being sleepy again, so here I am yet again, recording my thoughts on motherhood mostly, because in exactly 5 days, I will be a mom of 2 girls and I don't really know what it will be like, but I'm pretty sure it will be different from what I know of motherhood now.

 

I'm glad I get to take a leave from work before I give birth so I could spend as much time with Zia as I can before her little sister arrives, but I'm also sad that I can't play too much with her because of my 37/38 week belly. Anyway, spending time with Zia got me thinking of how life will be with 2 kids. I read an article shared by a friend that the second child really gets less than what was given to the first child - and they say it as if it's a fact. But I refuse to accept it as early as now. So now that I still have the time to devote equal time to my daughters, I shall write about both of them (in the utero), so at least I also have a digital record of it since I haven't even really worked on Zia's baby book, so I don't think Rio's will be any different this time around.

 

My memories of Zia in the utero...

- I called her sweet pea because I knew from the start that she would be a girl

- I prayed for her every day at work when I had some quiet time

- I had morning sickness for the 1st trimester only

- She was an active baby but in a gentler way

- I read Dr. Seuss' 'Oh the places you will go' to her mostly at night

- Smooth sailing pregnancy

- I was fuller

- I craved a lot of cheese

- I had a smaller baby bump

- Born via emergency CS

 

My memories of Rio in the utero...

- I call her baby girl

- I prayed the same prayer as with Zia every day at work when I had some quiet time

- My morning sickness lasted until my 5th month

- She's a very active baby, with bigger more forceful moves

- I played Ode to joy to her using a music box

- I was a bit more sickly the 2nd time around

- Didn't gain that much weight but my belly is really really huge and I am carrying low

- I crave for cheese and chocolate

- To be born via scheduled CS

 

These are just to name a few, but you see the significant differences. So I'm feeling that my husband and I are really in for a different ride this time around. But we're all looking forward to meeting our 2nd darling daughter. If she happens to be similar to how her ate was when she was a baby then that would be great, if not, then that would be great too. :) At the end of the day, my only hope is for my two girls to grow up loving each other the way only sisters can.

 

It's exactly 3:40 AM and the husband and daughter are fast asleep beside me. In the coming weeks, I'd probably still be awake at this hour, but not because I'm writing, but because I'll probably be busy with the newest addition to our family. Oh, I can't wait. :)

 

Have a blessed Sunday!

[zei the MOM] On faith and trusting the universe

Today, more than ever, I realized how much faithfulness and trusting the universe is needed in parenthood.

 

You see, it's Zia's first ever field trip today and before this day came, my mind was a pool of paranoia. All the possible what ifs crossed my mind and convinced me even more to maybe just let her skip the field trip and just have her stay home. But then I thought, if I don't learn to somehow let go, and let loose a little, I might rob my little girl of valuable and fun learning experiences.

 

So with much apprehension but still in true girl scout mommy form, I prepared her stuff. 3 shirts for changing, 1 pair of leggings, 5 muslin cloths for her back, her mosquito repellent bracelet, her favorite toy car, a small rosary, and more. I made lots of 'bilins' to ate and the husband - please don't keep your eyes off her, check her back, don't forget to put her anti-mosquito bracelet, etc.

 

After the long process, I had to leave for work. So all that I had left to do was to say a little prayer to the heavens to keep my little girl (and her dad and nanny and the whole field trip group) safe and happy. Every hour I asked for updates whether she's happy, if she's eaten or if she has changed into a fresh shirt. Yup, as annoying as it may seem, it's a true story.

 

To cut the long story short, I'm now writing this with my sleeping daughter beside me. I bet she's really exhausted from all the fun activities she did today. Looking at the photos and her smiles while doing different things like feeding the guinea pigs, fishing, horse back riding, etc, was enough for me to validate that the decision to let her join the field trip was definitely the right one.

 

Now that she's safely home with me, I've reconciled with the idea that I just have to trust the universe and I just have to have faith that the Lord will keep my little girl in his warm and safe embrace whenever and wherever she is. And if ever she meets little mishaps here and there, I should accept that it's part of normal life and it will make her stronger and it will build her character. And lastly, I am now at peace with the idea that my role as her mom is not to keep her to myself, but to encourage her to learn and discover new things and experience all the nice things life has in store for her.

 

 

[zei the Charmed One] Has it really been 4 years?

I'm writing this 2 days early since I'm maximizing all my awake hours from this pregnancy-related insomnia. Most of my posts are about being a mom, but first and foremost, I am a wife. And on the 25th, I will be for 4 years to be exact. So this post is dedicated to my main man, my husband of 4 years. :)

 

First, I want to say THANK YOU, for the wonderful 4 years. I know it hasn't been free of the hiccups here and there, but including all those, it's really been wonderful. I love our life, you, me, zia and our coming baby girl rio; and I have you to thank for that. Thank you for the patience, for adoring zia, for taking care of our family and for simply being you.

 

Second, I want to say SORRY. I'm sorry for the times I've been more mommy to zia than wife to you, I think it comes with having young children talaga. I promise I'll make it up to you when our two girls are above 5. Haha. Kidding. Will try my best to be conscious of it and make sure you'll still feel very much prioritized. I'm sorry for the times we argue, but do know in my heart of hearts that even when we argue, I will forever trust, love and respect you.

 

Lastly, I want to say I LOVE YOU. Yup, no explanation needed. Just I LOVE YOU.

 

 

Happy 4th anniversary love! 4 years has gone by so fast, we've built a beautiful home and we're soon gonna be a family of four. We are beyond blessed! Looking forward to next 50 or so years with you and our girls. <3 p="">

 

[zei the MOM] Thoughts on being a mom of 2 girls

 

35 weeks into my second pregnancy today and my mind is still all mush. Our bags are packed, documents almost complete, but the baby's crib and other stuff haven't been set up. But more than the logistics, I'm having mixed feelings about being a 'new' mom again. So allow me to indulge you with my thoughts.

 

I'm excited to meet our new baby and see how different she will be from her big sister, but then I'm afraid that I might make the mistake of comparing my experience with our second child to our firstborn. I'm happy that Zia will have a sister since she seems excited, but I'm also scared to have my time divided between 2 wonderful little girls. So yes, my mind is filled with contradictions now, but I'm praying that just like other super moms who have more than 1 kid, I'll be able to wing this.

 

I read an article stating a study that the happiest households are the ones with 2 children that are girls -- I sure hope that's true. I'm just so afraid I won't be able to give the same amount of love to both my daughters consistently. I'm rambling, I know. That's how unsure I am on how things will turn out. But as preparation, I've already asked the husband to promise to pay attention to our darling firstborn during the first few months of our 2nd daughter and make sure she won't feel in any way neglected.

 

To my dear Zia, my greatest blessing and our firstborn, I want you to know that my love for you is unconditional and each and everyday my heart is bursting with love for you. You'll be a big sister real soon and I want you to know that mommy will try her very best to be there for you, but there might be times I'll have to tend to your little sister first. But please know that it doesn't mean I love you less.

 

To my Rio, our second child, we can't wait to meet you and we hope and pray that you will feel very much loved and taken cared of the moment you arrive. I promise that you won't ever feel any less loved and favored ever.

 

So here's a prayer to the heavens that my husband and I will be given the grace to give equal love and care to both of our daughters all the days of their lives.

 

To the moms of two kids and more, you are my inspirations and judging from the smiles I see when I google family of 4 with 2 girls, I am comforted by the fact that I am blessed enough to have the same happiness having 2 daughters could bring.

[zei the MOM] To our Dearest first born

To our dear Zia,

Three years ago today we were given the best blessing - we were given you! Every second since the day you were born, my heart overflows with joy and gratitude for how much you have enriched our lives. On your third birthday I pray that the Lord will always keep you safe, happy, strong and filled with love for all who are and that is around you.

You are growing up to be such a sweet little character and mommy cannot wait to get to know you more. :) I hope you enjoy your birthday today sweetheart, because you really are a gem that deserves nothing less than a special celebration. Thank you for always making mommy and daddy happy and for constantly teaching us to be the best parents we could be. We love you baby girl. :) Happy happy 3rd birthday!

[zei the MOM] Round 2!

I think my need for blogging is heightened by pregnancy, that's why I'm back, albeit indefinitely. Anyway, baby #2 is 25 weeks so we'll be saying hello to the last trimester in a couple of weeks. My mind is actually all over so I need to blog to iron out my thoughts. For some reason, I felt more prepared in my first pregnancy in terms of all the 'welcoming a newborn preps' versus this one, so now that we're down to our last 10 weekends before our due date, I've decided to list down the things I have to accomplish. I guess having an almost 3-year old while expecting a newborn makes things more complicated, a happy kind of complexity, that is.  

July wk 3 - Finish construction of Zia's playroom (I need to finish this since I need to make sure Zia    and Ate have a nice a comfy place to hang out in while the baby stays in Zia's room)

July wk 4 - Have scheduled Congenital Anomaly Scan done and shop for newborn essentials (told myself to shop within July since the SM Baby Sale ends in July 31.)

August wk 1 - No plans for this weekend yet, so I guess it's a good day to get some rest :)

August wk 2 - Prepare for Zia's 3rd bday; finalize who new OB will be (my old OB isn't accredited by my HMO)

August wk 3 - Zia's bday weekend so focus will be on the DD

August wk 4 - Reorganize nursery to accommodate the baby and Ate Zia in case she wants to hang out with the baby

Sept. wk 1 - Fix all maternity leave documents for work

Sept. wk 2 - Renew license before my bday

Sept. wk 3 - Wash all clothes and linens; my bday weekend

Sept. wk 4 - Prepare all docs for hospital delivery; hubs' bday weekend

Hope I could stick to my schedule so I will have the 1st and 2nd week of October to rest before my scheduled CS and mentally and physically prepare for our coming 2nd sweet hope. :)

 

Looking forward to a new mommy adventure with my two darling daughters. :) 

[zei the MOM] An open letter to my daughter on her first day of pre-school

My Dearest Zia,

Today is a big day for you, it's your first day in Pre-school. :) I think Mommy's too excited as here I am, wide awake at half past 2 in the morning just to write to you. I know you're still a baby, and that we could have kept you in the house for another year or two given the new K-12 curriculum, but Dad and I think that you will learn so much more and meet new friends if we sent you to school this early.

Just like in your first ballet recital last week, I know, this will just be the start of the many times you will make your dad and I proud of you. You are such as smart and funny little girl, though we hope you won't be as 'malikot' so your teachers won't have a hard time. Haha. I pray that you make a lot of new little friends in your Pre-K class, and more than mastering all shapes, colors and numbers, I pray in my heart of hearts that you will learn more than those in school - like the value of being kind to others, making friends and discovering the joys of learning new things.

Mommy can't send you off on your first day because of work, but I want you to know (and I am documenting it), that I will make sure everything you'll need on your first day is prepared even before you wake up, also to give Ate and your dad an easier time. I will be there in your heart baby girl, praying that all will go well on your first day and the rest of the school year. I'll try to bring you to school one of these days when my schedule permits, my love. :) But here's a promise, that on your first day in BIG school (wherever or whenever that may be), mommy will definitely be there.

I know you'll look absolutely adorable in your school uniform and I can't wait to see your pics (which I carefully instructed your daddy to take). Smile for the camera please. :)

Before you become independent and all that, I want you to know that Mommy or Daddy really won't mind being needed by you anytime. You're just months shy from being three and you have made us so proud of you already for the wonderful little girl you already are and are shaping to become. Everyday I thank the Lord for blessing us with you.

To my first born, my little sweetheart, I love you and I can't wait for you to show the world and others how wonderful you are. Enjoy learning new things little girl and here's an assurance that mommy and daddy will always look forward to listening to the new things you will learn from here on.

Love always,
Mom

[zei the MOM] A birthday prayer for our Zia

Before this very special day ends, I'd like to share this prayer I made for our daughter Zia on her 2nd birthday. I tried searching the net for a prayer that suits our little girl, but everything seemed like it wasn't the right fit. So if you're reading it, please say a little prayer for our little girl too.

Dear Lord,

Today is another special day for Zia as she turns another year older. We thank you for giving us this day to celebrate her, our most special blessing and the source of our joy. When we look into her eyes and see her toothy smile, we are reminded of how much You have showered our lives with love and happiness. Please always watch over her and touch her with Your loving embrace each and everyday. We pray that she grows to be a good girl with a good heart who finds happiness in the littlest of things -- that she grows in faith and love. Oh Lord, we ask that You always guide her and keep her safe and healthy, away from any danger and harm. We ask that you bless her with a joyful heart that will find a reason to smile everyday. Again Dear Lord, we are grateful for Zia each and everyday and we promise to be our very best for her always and forever.

Amen

Zia may not have had a cake or candle to blow because of the circumstances of the past days, but I'm pretty confident, the little girl has a happy heart, not just for her birthday, but for always -- and we're gonna make sure she'll have exactly that all her days.

[zei the MOM] Our Zia is 2 today!

The weather has been gloomy for the past 3 days but nothing could ever rain on our parade today because today we celebrate 2 wonderful and lovely years of our baby girl Zia. Here's a video mommy made for you. :)

Create a birthday video at Animoto

And as the video says, albeit super quick and not readable. We love you forever to wherever and back. Happy 2nd birthday little sweetheart! We're so lucky and blessed to have you. :) Here are some pictures from our early morning surprise for the birthday princess. :)

Here's my DIY buntings just to liven up Zia's playroom. The Zia buntings were from Zia's baptismal reception, so its got quite a sentimental value

The little girl woke up early so we couldn't keep her from her surprises. The big box contains our gift bike to replace her old one which is quite rickety already

Had to dress her up for some decent bday pics. Here she is realizing that she has her own big little car.

The little princess riding her new cozy coupe from Little Tikes

[zei on home deco & design] Ikea wishlist

Because work has been suspended for 2 days now and I'm just here at home, I had time to scan other nice-to-haves for our home. Of course, I check the Ikea site first and Mandaue Foam after -- two of my faves. :) 

 

Since Zia already has quite a collection of books, I was thinking of getting a display shelf to put in our TV/playroom.



The Lerberg shelf in white would look perfect in our TV room -- Just need some knick knacks to pretty it up.
Photo from www.quqqiq.egloos.com

Photo from www.sears.com
 

 I also stumbled upon this lovely lovely table lamp -- the Stranne LED light table lamp. It looks so Christmas-y and I love it. Kinda pricey though, but too pretty for me not to have it at some point in my lifetime. Hope someone gives it to me as a gift. Haha. :)

Anyway, hope you're all safe and dry. Have a happy Tuesday despite the gloomy weather. :)

[zei on career & passion] The incidental traveler

A lovely ice creamery in Dumaguete. Loving the colorful tile mosaic.

I've been meaning to write, but it seems like June and July have been quite busy months. So here I am again, back to writing in my personal blog. Sorry for the erratic posts. Anyway, the past weekends have been busy because I've been going out of town for work and it actually got me thinking of the many places I've been to because of work. 

You see, I've never been one of those who've put traveling on top of their bucket list. When I travel, I'm happy, but that's that. My savings when I was single just went to shopping and my savings now that I have a family are mostly for the home and a bit of shopping still, none really saved up for traveling. But actually, I thought about it and if there are travel junkies, there are people like me who are incidental travelers. I travel because I have to, but I enjoy it nonetheless. Come to think of it, I've been to a lot of places, mostly within the Philippines. Allow me list the provinces and countries I've been to:

A - Albay
B - Bacolod, Bukidnon, Bicol, Baguio, Bohol, Batangas
C - Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Camarines sur, Cotabato, CHINA
D - Davao, Dumaguete, Dipolog, Dapitan
E -
F -
G - General Santos
H - HONG KONG
I - Iloilo, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Iligan, INDONESIA
J -
K - KOREA
L - Laoag, La Union, Legazpi, Laguna
M -
N - Naga
O -
P - Pampanga
Q -
R -
S - Samar, Subic, SINGAPORE
T - Tuguegarao, Tacloban, Tarlac, THAILAND
U -
V - Vigan
W -
X -
Y -
Z - Zamboanga

I'm not much of an adventure seeker either, but I've gone white water rafting in CDO, caving in Callao caves in Tuguegarao, visited the windmills of Bangui and climbed the bell tower somewhere near by, said hello to the Chocolate hills and Mayon, visited the Maria Cristina falls and the Rizal shrine and tasted the best of each of the places listed above and I am very thankful. So I may not have traveling on my to-do list and I may just be an incidental traveler, but I am grateful for every experience and for the chance to appreciate all the beauty that's actually all around. :) I'm flying to Bangkok tomorrow for work and I'm looking forward to another couple of days of new learning and life experiences. Have a happy Sunday!

Me taking a photo of the lovely interiors of one of Terminal 21's powder rooms in Bangkok

[Zei the MOM] Mother's Day 2013 roundup

Today is a special day for Filipinos, more than any other race, I think. It's Mother's Day and being the highly matriarchal society we are, today is also known as the day malls are filled to the brim and restaurant waiting lines will test your patience. And because it's a happy occasion and it's also my day, here's just a round up of  my 2013 Mother's Day weekend.

Like I said, I knew the malls would be crazy on the real day, I decided to celebrate Mother's Day with my mom a day earlier. I surprised her with a breakfast at this quaint and lovely restaurant in Marikina called Rustic Mornings. I think my surprise went well cause it made my mom cry very happy and grateful tears. Here are a few photos from our advanced Mother's Day breakfast.

Bouquet of white spider flowers with baby's breath and giant card for motherdear

My mom <3 td="">

Zia appreciating the homey ambiance of Rustic Mornings

With my parents

 My Mother's Day surprise for my mom was a big check. :)

Though for some, Mother's Day may not be a legit occasion, my family thinks otherwise. :) Just check out what I got for Mother's Day. I guess they think I'm doing something right as a mom to our sweetheart Zia judging from what I got. :) I got a tablet and the biggest bouquet of sunflowers I've ever seen. :) Totally love it. :)

Pretty sunflowers from the husband and Samsung Tab from the parents

 And because I feel in my heart of hearts that I deserve to reward myself today too, I shopped. :) Not the usual spree in Forever 21 or hoarding in Payless, but the happier type of shopping in my alternate world, home stores like Dimensione and Mandaue Foam. :)

White Hi-gloss bedside table from Mandaue Foam

Accent pillows also from Mandaue Foam

Shopping and gifts aside though, today is a very special day because of the best gift I've ever received in my life - and that's our daughter Zia. My first Mother's Day with her was in 2011 when she was just in the utero - little did I know then how wonderful (really) and rewarding motherhood is. Now, on my 3rd Mother's Day, I know life will just keep getting happier because of our daughter. And if there's only one role in my life I'd ever want to really succeed in, that would be being Zia's mom. :) Funny how I never liked having a kid when I was younger (thought I'd grow up an old maid) and now that I'm a mom to this darling daughter, I actually can't imagine my life without her. :)

Today, before I sleep, I thank the Lord for making me Zia's mom and of course, I also want to thank my husband whom I love very much, who gave me the greatest blessing in our life - our daughter.

To all moms, you are all wonderful and I feel so lucky to be one of you. Happy happy Mother's Day! 

[Zei the Charmed One] Do you know Mary of the Broom?

Happy  Saturday everyone! It's a been a while, hopefully I get more time to blog again, even if it's just for the weekend. 

Anyway, have you guys heard of Mary of the broom or Our Lady of the Broom? I first heard of her during one of my retreats with my organization back in college and I that's where I also got the nickname Little Broom from my Ictus friends.

Mary of the broom is of course, Mother Mary, but this image of her isn't about her being the queen of Heaven or her Immaculate conception - it's actually Mother Mary in her most human image possible - it's Mother Mary as the homemaker, the doting mother and the loving wife. Here's a novena to Our Lady of the broom I got from a mommy blog so you get to know her better.

Our Lady of the Broom
By J. G. Shaw

Photo from www.flickr.com

The large and lovely lessons
You taught with little breath
In the liturgy of the hour
In the house at Nazareth
Are such fantastic simple things
That mortals may presume
To call the Queen of Seraphim
Our Lady of the Broom.

For you who rule the angels
Built up our legacy
By living a life of little things
That we do every day.
You cooked, cleaned, washed and mended,
Scrubbed the kitchen floor,
Teaching a world the woman’s way
To worship and adore.

How beautifully you taught us
Where all perfection lies
By seeing all salvation in
The work before your eyes,
Immensity in little space
The world in the humble room
You swept and kept and cared for,
Our Lady of the Broom.

I think this image of Mother Mary fascinates me because I've always believed in the power of the little (good) things. It could be little good deeds everyday, little pretty details that turn things into beautiful ones. So what Mary of the broom wants to teach us is that there is GREAT value in the little things. Others might not see it, but I'm pretty sure the Lord sees it. 

So there, that's my Saturday post folks! Do a good deed or two today and make someone happy. :)