Bully in all of us

People seems drawn to drama. Or a story of  good vs evil? Or heroes and villains? However we look at it we looove to crucify and make fun of the villain/s in the story. We've seen a lot of them in real life. This time it's about this girl who bully a lady guard. I'm sure you have watched it but if not, turned on your tv, it might be still on local news.

I totally agree she is rude. After all, the lady guard already said she's sorry. Sorry for doing her job of confronting the girl in entering a wrong way? Somebody is being overacting all right. But as much as I want to dwell on that and put hatred things on the girl, I think the third party (tayo yun mga kapatid) on this incident should kept mum about the issue. Let us not do the same mistake the girl did: Bullying someone! It's enough she had her 5 minutes fame in the news field. Wag na nating palakihin by making a Group that hate her, or making photo captions of her, just dont make a big deal out of this. 

I don't like bullying. But the moment I open my mouth and say derogatory words against someone, I am violating that rule. Worse, the comments were publicized. So what say you, who chose to post uncessary and hurtful comments to the girl? Seems like a clear case of double standard. Ok lng pg tayo manlait sa iba pero pg iba ang gumagawa nun, todo lait tayo? 

There's a bully in all of us. But don't let it rule your life. 

Halloween 2012

Last year, we celebrate Halloween with Jollibee and with the kids in our neighborhood. This year, we celebrate it again with them PLUS we have a special guests. All the way from New Zealand- my nephews Gian and Nyle and my one and only niece Nyanne!

At Jollibee Halloween Party

 

At our house, Gian & Nyle helped me in preparing our treats.

time vs money

My philosophy in parenting. And who needs expensive toys and top of the line gadgets when all this little man needs is a box and a little imagination? He is so easy to please when it comes to toys! 

Wall Paint Decor

I've been a follower of Saab Magallona's blog for quite a while now and I find this wall art cute and interesting:

Saab Magallona is cute and interesting too! :)

When the time comes that I will be able to build my dream house, I'll definitely consider some of these cool designs from Etsy. 

These are some of my favorites but you'll find a lot of designs there. :)

Teething and Pooping

My son is pooping watery stools and I feel bad for him. It's always like these when he is teething. Some times it is accompanied by fever. So I wonder, does teething really affect a child's bowel movement? Here's what I searched:

Teething And Diarrhea – How To Help Your Baby

Debate continues as to whether teething causes diarrhea or not. What’s clear is, many parents report loose stools while their baby’s teeth are erupting. This could be a) coincidental, due to the fact that the level of immunity they received from being in the mother’s womb drops off and the child’s immune system must take over, at around the same time as teething starts, and b) when teething begins, all manner of things are put into the mouth, germs and all. Whatever the reason, diarrhea is a pain in the butt.

Another theory about diarrhea during teething is that since baby is drooling so much, a lot more saliva is passing through the system, diluting nutrients and adding more acidic content to the mix. It is normal that stools contain enzymes that help digest food. During teething, stools pass through the intestines more quickly thanks to the copious saliva and take with them more acidic matter. The enzymes affect the soft skin of baby’s bottom, resulting in a rash that can be painful, or at the least irritating.

Source: babyslumber.com

Jollibee Day

Yesterday, Friday, was the day my son and I usually hang out and have our food trip. We went to the local market and window shopped. We also satisfy our taste buds. Sometimes I eat barbecue or isaw and my son would eat hotdog on a stick. Sometimes I eat tokneneng or proven (chicken's gizzard). Then we'll have buko juice or buko shake or samalamig. Filipino street food is L.O.V.E! Or we do it a little sosy way like eating at fast food chains. My son adores Jollibee soooo much. When he saw any Jollibee store, he shriek with glee! It's been a while since we have eaten there, so yes, Jollibee it is!

Jollibee is packed yesterday, so we decided to dine out.

now, why didn't I think of it sooner? he is now a member of Jollibee Kids Club. 

he can enjoy his foods with added perks and privileges.

it's all yours honey! :)

why he is down like this after eating his Jollibee, would be the subject of my next blog post.

Till then! Ciao!

Easy-to-do Halloween Costume

Halloween is just around the corner. I never thought I'd care so much about Halloween. But motherhood changed that and now I am hooked. It's amusing to see the "little Rey" in different costume. I am sure other mommies share the same excitement too. Although there are lots of available costume (like pirates, Dracula, prince, princesses) in the market, I prefer to make it from scratch. I am lucky to have a mother who knows how to sew! She made the soldier, devil and Peter Pan costume of my son in the past. That way I can be sure it fits him perfectly, its one-of-a-kind, and its cheaper! Halloween costumes need not be expensive, really! Just be creative and search the internet. I found the following photos via Etsy and I think these are pretty simple enough to make. And not your usual thing during Halloween.

The last photo is what I am making for my son. He is going to be a Jedi! Master Jedi Riley. And I already bought his lightsaber :) 

What about you? what costume are you planning for your little ones? If you don't have one, you can try one of these easy-to-do costumes. 

World's Teacher Day

The Hand Holders: A Tribute To Teachers

There is no job more important than yours, 

no job anywhere else in the land.

You are the keepers of the future;

you hold the smallest of hands. 

Into your care you are trusted

to nurture and care for the young,

and for all of your everyday heroics,

your talents and skills go unsung.

You wipe tears from the eyes of the injured.

You rock babies brand new in your arms. 

You encourage the shy and unsure child. 

You make sure they are safe from all harm. 

You foster the bonds of friendships,

letting no child go away mad.

You respect and you honour their emotions.

You give hugs to each child when they're sad.

You have more impact than does a professor,

a child's mind is moulded by four;

so whatever you lay on the table

is whatever the child will explore.

Give each child the tools for adventure,

let them be artists and writers and more;

let them fly on the wind and dance on the stars

and build castles of sand on the shore.

It is true that you don't make much money

and you don't get a whole lot of praise,

but when one small child says "I love you",

you're reminded of how this job pays.

-author unknown

R.A. 10175

Where do I begin?

First, let me tell you that I am not good with interpreting the law. That is the reason why I don't want to blog about this in the first place. I want to get all of the sides and all the stories before I even write about it. And right now, I think what Filipinos need is a deeper and more detailed explanation about the RA 10175 also known as "Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012."

We know a lot of offense such as hacking, cyber bullying, cyber sex, credit card swindling but what about commenting or liking or writing our opinions? What about freedom of expression in the cyber world? Is that punishable by this law too? Some say, that authorities can block access to web sites deemed offensive and Internet users can be sued for libel by simply liking or sharing content that displeases others. Libel means anything that is defamatory or that maliciously or damagingly misrepresents. So if I post on my Facebook "Walang hiya naman si _____ nakakasira ng araw!" will I sued and be in prison? 

Ah, laws! Such a powerful instrument that can either be good or bad. Are the people becoming too careless and insensitive with their words and actions that we need a law like this to put an end to it? I don't think so. I think the lawmakers (aka the senators who passed this) and our dear president need to reevaluate this. They need to redefined it/ They need to answer to people, to us. Honestly, Internet Libel scares me. Paano kung bigla lang may maisulat ako na offensive pala sa ibang tao o sa isang government official? We're is the democracy then? 

Now, I know whose side I am. And if you are on the side of freedom too, you can help by signing a petition to junk RA 10175 here. Make your voice be heard if you are against this law too!

Vision

Our Small Garden

My future dream house would have to have these three: a library, a nook, and a garden! The thought of harvesting vegetables or fruits from my own garden appeals to me. I will plant pechay, tomatoes, okra, eggplant, sili, and a lot more. That would really give me pleasure. For now, I just have to be content with our small garden at our small house.

 

 

Riley's Game Show Party

Recently, I threw a birthday party for my son. He is already two and my mother said why bother having a party? The fact that I have to save every penny I earn and parties always mean mon-ey! But this is my son we're talking to. I just have to make it SPECIAL. Special but practical. It's hard but it can be done. Every possible way that I could save on, I did. I even bought the toys at Divisoria. As the saying goes, if there's a will, there's definitely a way!

here's the birthday boy with his two outfits for the party

Since the party's theme is game shows, we had games like Pinoy Henyo, PNV (Pambato ng Videoke), and All for Riley, Riley for All segment. If you're a fan of game shows you know all these games are inspired from Eat Bulaga. We also have Kendeng-Kendeng dance contest and Putukan Na from Wil Time Bigtime. As I've mention, I bought most of the prizes from Divisoria. The Pinoy Henyo t-shirt I customized. I like to give gifts that kids would really love. There's the house (with no lot), cars, appliance like electric fan, there's cellphone which is sight sensitive (that's a joke of course!), PSP, and my son's giveaways are S.O.S. (flashlight and whistle) and a chocolate that's worth a million dollar! :)

A party is not complete without singing "Happy Birthday" and blowing of the candle. I made this tuxedo fondant cake and please don't make fun of it. It's my first time to make fondant out of marshmallow and the moment I started kneading, I know I was in deep trouble! Haha! I have high respect to all the bakers who have done this and truly you are a master of your own. Anyway, good thing our guest are mostly kids and they didn't care as long as they have their cakes! That's all that matter! :D

my son loves blowing the candle!

We also had fun posing at the photobooth:

Most importantly, in any celebration that I planned for my my son, I make sure he enjoys it. My son is most happy when he is with his friends so I limit the guest to whom he is comfortable with. After all, it's HIS birthday. Not mine! 

And that concludes his Game Show party. Having this kind of party is really fun. Who knows what might be the theme for his next birthday? I hope I can think of something when that time of the year arrived again. Say, he loves Ben 10 so much next year, then all I have to do is hire an alien from outer space! Mothers! 

Busy Bee

I've been absent from the blog world for a while because I am so busy with my son's 2nd birthday party preparation. And when I plan a party for him, I am just too occupied and my mind doesn't work properly. I can't think, I can't function, I can't focus except all about the little detail of the party. Hehe. After the party, then I am normal again. Speaking of the preparations, here are some of the things that I have already accomplished:

the invitation

the tarp

the money (do you expect a game show without cash prizes?)

the overlay for his photobooth (sorry the model is too busy to fix herself) 

That's all for tonight! I will now create a video so my son's friends will have something to watch after all the games and food that they will eat. Oh I hope they will enjoy the party. I am really crazy when it comes to detail. (I think obsess is the word) But hey, kids are easy to please right? More blogs about my son's birthday in just few days. Bye for now! Muah!!!

P.S.

Black and white is the motif for his birthday if you haven't notice yet ^_^

Here Comes the Sun

Finally, nakita ko din si Haring Araw ngayon! Oh SUN, I  miss you so much! After a week of rain, I don't mind the warmth you gave and bestow upon us. And I feel like singing this song all through the day :)

Bangon Pilipinas!

I think Maloleño is at their lowest point right now. So many calamities in less than one week. First, was the fire in Malolos Public Market. My family, especially my mother who is a meat vendor there, were all worried that her stall will be burned. We're lucky my mom's place wasn't caught in the fire, but those businesses that were burn to ashes, that was just sad.

Then, came HABAGAT! Tuesday morning, we were watching news how many families were affected by the great flood cause by Southwest monsoon rain. The Filipinos were reminded of Ondoy once again. How it takes away lives and left million of properties destroyed. At that time, we are all praying that the rain would stop for good. We didn't know that the worst is yet to come to my hometown Malolos. One by one, baranggays were submerged in flood and homes were invaded including ours. A first! My  family decided to evacuate to our former house that is on higher ground and it has second floor. PAG-ASA said that the weather would not improve until Thursday so we have to took precautions and left.

ankle deep water inside

but outside the water is above the knee

Our town was all over the news. The officials were baffled as to how these happened to Malolos. Many typhoons, storms, rain came but this is really a first. But whatever the reason is, I am happy that it is over and as I am writing this, floods have subsided and we return to our house this afternoon. And after cleaning our house, it is good as new. ☺

This experience has teach me many lessons. Calamity can struck in any minute in any form. But what inspire me is after all these trials, I know that everything would be alright. I salute those who make an effort to help out and reach their hand to all who needs help. To my fellow Filipinos who are still in the evacuation area or your house is still submerge in flood, hang in there! We are stronger than any calamities put together! The Filipino spirit is waterproof, nothing can beat that! 

Passport for Minors

Recently we went to the new DFA office to apply my son a passport. The new DFA is now located at  ASEANA Business Park, Bradco Avenue corner Macapagal Boulevard, Paranaque City. From LRT Gil Puyat station, we ride a white shuttle that would bring us in SM Mall of Asia. And from MOA, we ride a yellow shuttle that dropped us at DFA. I was really surprise and impress at the service they have provided us. Unlike before, that the moment you enter the gate, you will be lined and wait for who knows how many hours before they can accommodate you! Today, you have to schedule for your appointment first. You can do that in here. Just fill up the form and check if your desired appearance on DFA is not yet full. An email message will be sent to you and you have to click the provided link to confirm. Just print the pdf file in the link and bring an NSO authenticated birth certificate of the minor applicants. Either parent should be present and accompany the child when applying for a passport. Arrive 30 minutes ahead of your schedule. Once inside, the process are divided into four steps:

1. Presenting the documents

2. Payment: P1200 for express processing  (7 days) and P950 for regular (15 working days) 

3. Encoding and taking of passport picture. No need to bring passport pictures unlike before.

waiting for his turn to be interviewed. :)

4. Paying for delivery if you don't want to return and pick the passport yourself. Just pay P120 and it will be delivered right in your home.

I think the whole process took only less than 30 minutes. I wish all government service would be like that. Hassle free, friendly faces assistance, efficient and most importantly FAST! So that people can have more leisure and bonding time together! :)