Busy Days

I’m sorry that I have been missing in blogging action for a lot of days L  The reason: I’m so busy at work.  I tried, and am still trying, to multi-task but I think I need to add a couple of hours a day to be able to do all my duties.

I need to be at Santiago, Isabela by Monday.  Initially I thought Santiago is just 4 – 5 hours away from Manila.  My bad, its 8 – 10 hours away pala.  I traveled to Santiago via Victory Liner Sunday night and arrived early at Isabela.  Had a meeting the whole Monday with our partners there – and went home Monday evening.  That was my first time to travel by land that long.  I thought I could make it without a sweat.  I am wrong.  Now, I am sick with coughs, colds, sore throat, and headache.  L

I posted this picture in my facebook and Baby Neo’s Mama’s page.  I was so kilig that the bus number shows 19-03, our anniversary J  When I went home, Leo told me: “Nakakatakot ka, love”.  Then I remembered Tado posting the same picture of his Florida Bus signage “Bontoc” before he died.  Kakaloka.

I am a very pleasant passenger.  I sleep kasi during travel.  But during this particular travel, I was not able to grab a good sleep.  Why?  The bus is so cold.  I have my jacket with me, I wore socks, and I even have a blanket with me – but it’s still freezing cold inside the bus.

But the drivers of Victory Liner are so cautious.  They are not kaskaseros.  I am so accustomed to buses here at Cavite that zooms like a rocket at Cavitex.  But Victory Liner drivers are very careful in driving.  I was home safely by Tuesday.  And got the sweetest kwentos of all: Ate Espie saw Neo in the crib saying:  Bless Mama, Bless Papa, Amen.  Waving his hands to praise the Lord.

I am one proud Mama 

Cuyab HotSpring Resort

Since my mom’s birthday was a Friday, my dad decided for us to go swimming at Laguna.  Laguna, especially Pansol, Calamba, is famous for its hot spring resorts.  We left Angkong’s house an hour before lunch, so we opted to go to a public resort.

I have known Cuyab for as long as I knew Laguna.  Cuyab is our go-to hot spring resort even when I was young.  This resort boasts 3 areas before:

Cuyab 1 – 1 pool of warm water

Cuyab 2 – 2 pools of hot water

Cuyab 3 – 3 pools of cold water

They made renovations since we last went there.  Cuyab 3 now has 4 pools, the 4^th being a toddler pool.  And a private resort: Cuyab 4 which you can reserve for private occasions.

Entrance Fee is at Php70 for day swimming and Php100 for night swimming. Cottage prices differ per size ranging from Php600 to Php1500.

Check out our pictures in the resort.

Neo and Papa at the Toddler Pool.  Neo can stand alone J

Mama and Neo

Neo and his fave tita of the day.  The whole time we were at the pool, Neo wouldn't let anyone hold him except Tita Bevs.  

Neo making lambing with Angkong

Our family picture 

We had so much fun the whole day.  This resort never fails to bring the child in me by sitting (I don’t swim) at the pool the whole day J

UPLB Feb Fair 2014

Both Leo and I are alumni of UP Los Banos.  Yes, our love story started in that campus J and for the longest time, we have been planning to go back and visit our alma mater but due to a lot of engagements, we weren’t able to.  It had been 8 years since I last visited that place – so when the chance came, we immediately went on a side trip to UP elbi.

We went last Valentine’s Day – just in time for Feb Fair.  For those who don’t know, Feb Fair is like a gathering of students in the grounds of UP where we just bond all day and all night long (though normally, this is all night until the crack of dawn J). 

Leo and I are members of different organizations, but since we arrived at elbi early, we weren’t able to catch up with old friends. L  Though we maximized our time by roaming around the freedom park.  Neo was on the loose again – he ran at his heart’s content. 

 Mama and Neo with the Carillion Tower and Fertility Tree at the background.  It’s called Fertility Tree because lovers daw do something underneath and ends up with a baby wahahaha :D

Papa and Neo enjoying the grounds. 

It was so fun to visit this memorable place for us.  I think we must make it a habit of dropping by elbi every now and then. J

I’d like to end this post by sharing a link I read from the Philippine Star online: Feb Fair – UPLB way.  

My Happy Valentines

I grew up in the notion that Valentine’s Day is not for lovers.  It is my mom’s birthday.  Last year, we decided to go to Binondo, this year as per my dad’s request – we went swimming at Laguna – which is famous for its hot spring resorts.  I will reserve another post for our swimming.

Since we already planned something for V-day, going on a date that day is no longer an option for Leo and me.  So Leo opted to just fetch me at work day before V-day and dine at MOA.  We roamed around MOA and finally decided to eat at Gumbo. 

The area is not crowded (well, it’s a weekday naman kasi).  We were seated in an area where there are “paintings” and some “antique” collections.

We were persuaded by the waiter to take their Valentine’s meal.  Here’s our food.  These are delicious, by the way.  I am not sure about the name – but these are all seafoods.  

We went home and slept with our stomach full of seafoods J 

The next day, I woke up with a bouquet from Leo and a single-stemmed rose from Neo.  What more can I ask for?

Toddler Milestone: Opo and Thank You

I am very proud to say that Neo is now using the word “OPO”.  The little boy has been using the word “OO” for the longest time.  We have been teaching him patiently to use the word “OPO”, but try as hard as he can, he can’t pronounce the P in OPO.  But last month, he said it.  The most respectful Tagalog word we know – OPO – and have been using it diligently.

Thank you is something he can’t pronounce accurately pa.  When you hear Neo say THANK YOU, it’s like: TEK U or TECH U. 

How did we help him learn?

·         PATIENCE – we have been diligently teaching Neo these words ever since he started mumbling.  He may not be able to pronounce it properly, but we know he meant to use it as how we teach it.  Be patient in teaching your kids these respectful words.  Start them young right?

·         BE AN EXAMPLE – practice what you preach.  You can’t teach your kids to use respectful words if they don’t see or hear you doing it.  

·         EXHAUST ALL MEANS – if he can learn by listening to you, he can learn by listening to others – gadgets like tablets and cellphones, TV, Yaya and other people around him.  Let him learn continuously.  No gaps in learning. 

How about you?  How do you help your kids learn?

My EEG Experience

Headaches visit me more than I can count in a month.  And that is no joke.  I have been to a lot of doctors (Optha, ENT, Internal Med, etc.) but still, the headache won’t go away.  Our company doctor referred me to another specialist  - this time a Neurologist. 

When I first heard it, I thought: Neurologists are doctors of people who have issues sa pag-iisip.  I was wrong. Neurologists are doctors who specialize in anything to do with nerves pala.  Anyway, my Neuro advised me to have an EEG.  He told me that headaches daw kasi block our nerves in our brain and thus preventing the blood flow properly.  He wanted to check my brain waves.

What is EEG?

Electroencephalography (EEG) is the recording of electrical activity along the scalp. EEG measures voltage fluctuations resulting from ionic current flows within the neurons of the brain. (From Wikipedia)

EEG is something new to me.  What I know is ECG.  I lined up in the Cardio Department of Manila Adventist for my EEG procedure.  When it was my turn, I was asked to lie down in a bed.  Then, they attached some 50 wirings in my scalp.  They attached it using some paste for channeling electricity ata.  One wire was attached to my left chest (for the heart).

  Photo from Google

The procedure lasted more than 1hour.  My longest lab procedure to date.  I was asked to close my eyes and open my eyes, inhale and exhale as deep as I could (na parang malulunod ako sa problema), and close and open my eyes with a flashing blinking light in front.  After that, I was asked to TRY to sleep.  Brainwaves daw kasi differ when you’re awake and when you’re asleep. After, 15minutes of trying to sleep in vain, we ended the procedure.

I hope the results will show that I have no problems.  Please cross your fingers with me J

Family Weekend Kwento #7

Last weekend was one weekend we didn't have any plans AT ALL.  As in no plans.  We actually have lots of activities that we can do but my wonderful husband must be so tired from work that when I asked him if what to do he would say: “magrest tayo”.

So when Saturday came, we decided to just drop by SM Dasmarinas to do our weekly grocery.  But before going to the supermarket, we went to Tom’s World.  Kikay Mommy Sha dubbed Timezone as their happy place.  Well we have our own version of happy place, and it’s Tom’s World.  For the past weekends, you will only locate the Familia Nunag in SM Dasmarinas’ Tom’s World.

Driving his own Ferrari.

When we were doing our grocery, there were teenage Korean boys and girls who were very fond of Neo.  They were trying to play with Neo and were all saying “ang cute” (they can speak tagalog by the way).  But Neo is so shy that he covered his face with his hand.  Nakakaloka.  My baby boy is now a binata na.

After going home, we decided to go to our village playground.  Another happy place of Neo.  Look how big and strong our little boy is na.  He can go up the slide ladder all by himself.

He grows up too fast – we couldn't catch up. 

Happy Monday to you!  How was your weekend?

Neo @ Manila Zoo

Ever since I heard the news that they are proposing to transfer Mali, the lone elephant at Manila Zoo, to Subic I’ve been dying to bring Neo na to meet him (or her ba).  But due to the Holiday rush last year and the measles outbreak, I don’t want to travel to Manila muna.

When Leo and I decided to spend the Chinese New Year at Binondo, I squeezed in a visit to Manila Zoo. 

Manila Zoo rates:

I’ll photoblog Neo’s interaction with the animals.

Mama and Neo with Mali at the background.

Papa and Neo with the crocodile as background.

Papa and Neo with the Zebra and sheep.

Neo with the Lioness looking at the picture.

Feeding the goats.

Manila Zoo is also the house of a Zorse or Hebra (I am not sure what it’s called.  Basta the offspring of Zebra and Horse).  We saw it but wasn’t able to take a decent picture since its inside its kwadra.  It’s like a brown Zebra.

Manila Zoo has a big playground – which honestly is the main attraction.  Kids and parents are just playing around and having some picnic.  Manila Zoo kasi don’t house too much animals L

They also have areas where you can do picture taking with animals like parrots, pythons, and crocodile.  Cost Php100 per shot.  The number of prints differ lang by the size.  Anyway, I am amenable taking photos together with the parrots and pythons eh, because parrots are not harmful and pythons don’t bite, they constrict – and I think people around will help you when the python try to constrict you.  But with the crocodile, that is something different.  What if maisipan nyang manakmal and kagatin ako?  Nakakaloka.

Manila Zoo is no longer the happy place I used to know when I was a child.  Before kasi, Manila Zoo was a very nice attraction.  Now that there are lots of zoos competing with it, I think, they could do better with more activities, more animals, and cleaner place.

Let me end this blog with a nice family photo.

Kung Hei Fat Choi 2014!

I moved to the normal working hours shift last year – and since then has enjoyed Philippine declared holidays so much J  One of these holidays is the Chinese New Year.  This 2014, it landed on a Friday, which means – loooong weekend for me!!! J

So where did the Familia Nunag go last Chinese New Year?  Where else, the oldest Chinatown in the world: BINONDO!

How did we get there?  Easy.  We used the car and park it in my office then use the ever reliable LRT.  Neo rode the LRT last year when we went to Ongpin too, but is not yet a fan of trains.  So now that he is, I was very excited to let him ride it.  He enjoyed the ride but keeps on hugging my legs – he’s scared of the train hahaha :D

Binondo is swarming with people.  There are some dragon and lion dancers.  But the dancers that are causing too much crowd and noise are the Filipinos dancing in ati-atihan costume and asking for donations!  Nakakaloka!  The Chineses must be revolted by this but they can’t do anything eh.  Free for all ang area na yun.

Lion and Dragon dancers.

Also, Binondo is full of lucky charms.  Look to the left, the right, in front, backwards, even 90 degrees slant, there are lucky charms being sold.  Take note, it’s not just crystals and beads, even fruits!

We also passed by the old Binondo Church.

According to people, food tripping is very nice in Binondo.  But don’t do food trips during Chinese New Year.  The line is unbearable.  We ate lunch at 3pm, somewhere in Pasay pa.

Also, stay away from the middle of Ongpin St. at 12PM.  That is the time they start their firecrackers.  We were going back and forth that area since we were looking for a place to eat.  We experience their firecrackers full-blown.  Suffocation to the highest level ang usok L

We had so much fun going back and forth Binondo last Chinese New Year.  Kung Hei Fat Choi from Mama and Neo (Papa acted as our photographer). 

Lung Leavin’ Day

Two days ago I received an email from Cameron Von St. James – one of the authors of http://www.mesothelioma.com/.  What is mesothelioma? 

Mesothelioma (or, more precisely, malignant mesothelioma) is a rare form of cancer that develops from cells of the mesothelium, the protective lining that covers many of the internal organs of the body. Mesothelioma is most commonly caused by exposure to asbestos. The most common anatomical site for mesothelioma is the pleura (the outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), but it can also arise in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the pericardium (the sac that surrounds the heart), or the tunica vaginalis (a sac that surrounds the testis).

(from Wikipedia)

It’s a cancer.  Every time we hear the word cancer, we cringed.  Because, correct me if I’m wrong, but cancer (whatever type it is) has no known cure yet.  You only get remission (the time cancer is no longer detectable in your body or is still detectable but is no longer growing in size).   

Cameron’s wife, Heather, was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, 8 years ago,  shortly after giving birth to their daughter Lily.  Here's part of the email that Cameron sent me, the story that changed their lives forever:

"In November 2005, just three months after giving birth to our daughter Lily Rose, Heather was diagnosed with malignant pleuralmesothelioma.  After several biopsies and other tests, Heather was a candidate for a surgery called an extrapleural pnemonectomy.  This massive surgery involves the removal of the affected lung.  We embarked on a journey to find the best mesothelioma treatment available which led us to Dr. David Sugarbaker, a renowned mesothelioma surgeon at the Boston based Brigham and Women’s hospital.

On February 2, 2006 Heather had her left lung removed.  Heather’s sister and I decided that we needed to make a celebration of this day.  Usually people don’t celebrate a surgery but this surgery changed our lives forever.  We decided to name it LungLeavin’ Day, the day Heather’s lung left her.  The following year, we came up with the idea of writing our biggest fears on a plate and smashing them into the bonfire in our backyard.  Since then, our celebration has grown to include over 75 friends and family who come to celebrate life with us.  We all have a fear to overcome, and what better way to take control of it by smashing it into a fire!

On February 2, 2014 we will celebrate Lung Leavin' Day and Heather being an eight-year mesothelioma cancer survivor! We have made it our mission to help other mesothelioma victims by spreading awareness, in hopes that someday no one else will have to."

They celebrate Lung Leavin’ Day yearly, every February 2nd.  Family and friends gather around their backyard and they write all their fears in a plate and smash them into the fire.

You too can join them in their Lung Leavin’ Day.  Just go to this interactive website:  www.mesothelioma.com/heather/lungleavinday.

Thank you, Cameron and Family, for sharing this information with us and for giving us hope through your story.

Please share this to everyone you know J