I was working but couldn't resist peeking outside when I heard kids happily playing by the pool area.
I miss my son. Hay.
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1.12.2013
1.11.2013
A Business Trip in Cambodia
It was for business, but since I haven't been there yet so I consider this my most exciting office trip in 2012.
The meetings were held at the Phnom Penh office and at the hotel conference room where we were also billeted. Here are pictures of the Cardamom Hotel. We got the rooms at only $40 per night I think. I got the big corner room, with a view of the street below. Then something went wrong with the aircon when I was about to sleep so I got upgraded to a bigger room on the top-most floor (they only have 8 floors)
These is the room before I transferred.
After 2 days of hectic meetings, we went to visit their National Museum and had to take in everything in there in under an hour.
Most of the artifacts weren't protected by glass, but sadly picture-taking isn't allowed.
There was a quadrangle bathed by soft sunshine in the middle of the buildings. It was a wonderful place to take photos!
This stands guard by the door.
I took several shots of the architecture.
The warm glow of the afternoon sun complemented by sunshiny outfit! I changed to more comfotable clothes right after the meeting.
There were monks resting.
This is the market closest to our hotel. I became too busy haggling and sorting through clothes to take photos but I was able to buy Zara, F21 and other branded clothes for unbelievably low prices. Too bad we only had an hour before we were to meet up again with the rest of the group. There were only 3 of us girls among the group so I'm guessing that the 1 hour shopping allowance was already way too much time for the guys.
My sandals matched the hotel tile! Orange is my happy color.
Me in a tuk-tuk. One night just as we were going back to the hotel riding one, hoodlums riding in tandem tried to snatch my bag. And my passport was inside! We all got a big scare. Thank heavens they did not pull hard, or maybe the weight of my bag surprised them? I lug along really heavy bags full of unnecessary stuff.
So that was Cambodia, and that was at least 3 months ago. =)
1.08.2013
The Fruit of my Labor
This costume I painstakingly made for hours for my dear son won him a medal for Best in Costume!
Kids were asked to come as characters from their favorite book, and here is the Cat in the Hat.
Grandma placed whiskers on him, too
With some of his classmates
And shared his hat with grandma
Kids were asked to come as characters from their favorite book, and here is the Cat in the Hat.
Grandma placed whiskers on him, too
With some of his classmates
And shared his hat with grandma
1.04.2013
The Good, the Bad of Y2012
It seemed only fitting that before I begin hopefully documenting all of our life's most important events this 2013, I review how 2012 has been for us as a family. This year-end activity I do alone for now, but hopefully, Jared will be old enough this year to help me and encourage the dad to join in this wonderful recollection.
THE GOOD
My, there were a lot of good stuff this year and my wish is I'll be able to remember them all here.
Celebrating Friendships
My good friend Marisse and her family is now Canada-based and everytime they go home, it's always a reason for mini reunions!
At 4, his wish is to have a pet: a dog, a cat (ewww!) or a bird. Sab, who stays at my in-laws, is the closest thing he has to a pet.
New Learnings
I learned how to sew!
Not the professional quality I dreamed of, but good enough to create two award winning costumes!
I learned that if I really put my mind in it, and move my butt and hands, I can actuallly make something nice enough =)
Swimming Lessons
He did not technically learn how to swim (yet), but at least he can dunk his head under the water now. Bath time is now more pleasant and less stressful and for that, I would have gladly paid double the swimming lesson fee. Haha.
Nursery Graduation
Awarded "Most Promising", pang Star Awards
Big School Ready
This was the day he took entrance exams for the big school-- I was so busy then this was probably one of the last testing days they offered. We can't think of the logistics side yet; how, who will bring and pick him up from school so in the end, we decided to let him finish Kinder at his pre school and transfer him to the big school for 1st Grade. He aced this exam! Perfect scores.
Baking Experiments
We made cupcakes and cookies and gelatim but the most memorable is this rainbow cupcake. We'll do another one this January with brighter colors!
Rode the LRT again
Painted
Made Yummy Pizza
Upcycled and Organized Stuff
Touched a dolphin!
Trips, Trips, Trips!
Because I was away on business trips much more last year than in previous years, I wanted to also get away from it all sometimes and create wonderful memories with family in new places.
Hong Kong for Jared's 4th birthday, April
Canyon Cove for the dad's birthday, November
Cambodia for me for a business trip, September (or was this October)
Will blog about this soon
Guam and Saipan with dear friends
These are really business trips, but it helps when you have friends to keep you company at night.
Work wise,
2012 has been the most professionally fulfilling year for me. It wasn't without its own challenges. I cried buckets and probably aged 10 years in a year alone, if that is even possible. Something did not take off, and it took my spirits with it for a few weeks.
The dad was also given a wonderful opportunity at work--something we pray will be made permanent soon.
Financially,
While mostly, what we earned is not in our hands, we do hope what we're doing now will prepare us enough for the future. We're halfway done paying for most of our insurances. I started paying for a new insurance policy (dreaded disease), got ourselves a space at the columbarium (I like to be prepared that way), and is preparing to take the plunge with MFs.
THE BAD
I come from a really big family, and it surprised and scared us when a Tito (uncle) got sick last, last year. While we are waiting for his full recovery, our tita, the most jolly one, got sick as well. It was a sad and anxious time for the family.
Then, amidst the preps for the holidays and work, I found out I was pregnant last November 26. Those 2 lines made us jump for joy as we felt we were ready to be parents again--most of all--it made my heart full to see our boy excited by a forthcoming addition to the family.
But maybe, it's not the time yet. On December 2, I started spotting and and on December 11 was taken to the ER. We lost the baby that day.
It made us sad, but the Christmas spirit and our son helped us move on. We are willing to try again this year, and I am claiming that this is the year we finally bring another healthy baby in this world.
Summing it up:
The good far outweighs the bad, and even I can see some good in the bad. The recent illness of our loved ones made me look close and hard at our lifestyle and made me stronger in our resolve to be healthier.
The miscarriage showed us we need not worry about the thing I read and worried about: secondary infertility. Now, we should start to look into what is causing the miscarriage, so tests will be underway.
This serves as my exercise for humility, for self awareness and for gratitude because there is no better way to start the new year than with a grateful, happy and content heart.
Happy New Year to all!
THE GOOD
My, there were a lot of good stuff this year and my wish is I'll be able to remember them all here.
Celebrating Friendships
My good friend Marisse and her family is now Canada-based and everytime they go home, it's always a reason for mini reunions!
At 4, his wish is to have a pet: a dog, a cat (ewww!) or a bird. Sab, who stays at my in-laws, is the closest thing he has to a pet.
New Learnings
I learned how to sew!
Not the professional quality I dreamed of, but good enough to create two award winning costumes!
I learned that if I really put my mind in it, and move my butt and hands, I can actuallly make something nice enough =)
Swimming Lessons
He did not technically learn how to swim (yet), but at least he can dunk his head under the water now. Bath time is now more pleasant and less stressful and for that, I would have gladly paid double the swimming lesson fee. Haha.
Finally, finally! Make up lesson/session for me
And the good part is, since I learned, I have been applying make up everyday I go to work. Yey!
New Experiences
Nursery Graduation
Awarded "Most Promising", pang Star Awards
Big School Ready
This was the day he took entrance exams for the big school-- I was so busy then this was probably one of the last testing days they offered. We can't think of the logistics side yet; how, who will bring and pick him up from school so in the end, we decided to let him finish Kinder at his pre school and transfer him to the big school for 1st Grade. He aced this exam! Perfect scores.
Baking Experiments
We made cupcakes and cookies and gelatim but the most memorable is this rainbow cupcake. We'll do another one this January with brighter colors!
Rode the LRT again
Painted
Made Yummy Pizza
Upcycled and Organized Stuff
Trips, Trips, Trips!
Because I was away on business trips much more last year than in previous years, I wanted to also get away from it all sometimes and create wonderful memories with family in new places.
Hong Kong for Jared's 4th birthday, April
Canyon Cove for the dad's birthday, November
Will blog about this soon
Guam and Saipan with dear friends
These are really business trips, but it helps when you have friends to keep you company at night.
Work wise,
2012 has been the most professionally fulfilling year for me. It wasn't without its own challenges. I cried buckets and probably aged 10 years in a year alone, if that is even possible. Something did not take off, and it took my spirits with it for a few weeks.
The dad was also given a wonderful opportunity at work--something we pray will be made permanent soon.
Financially,
While mostly, what we earned is not in our hands, we do hope what we're doing now will prepare us enough for the future. We're halfway done paying for most of our insurances. I started paying for a new insurance policy (dreaded disease), got ourselves a space at the columbarium (I like to be prepared that way), and is preparing to take the plunge with MFs.
THE BAD
I come from a really big family, and it surprised and scared us when a Tito (uncle) got sick last, last year. While we are waiting for his full recovery, our tita, the most jolly one, got sick as well. It was a sad and anxious time for the family.
Then, amidst the preps for the holidays and work, I found out I was pregnant last November 26. Those 2 lines made us jump for joy as we felt we were ready to be parents again--most of all--it made my heart full to see our boy excited by a forthcoming addition to the family.
But maybe, it's not the time yet. On December 2, I started spotting and and on December 11 was taken to the ER. We lost the baby that day.
It made us sad, but the Christmas spirit and our son helped us move on. We are willing to try again this year, and I am claiming that this is the year we finally bring another healthy baby in this world.
Summing it up:
The good far outweighs the bad, and even I can see some good in the bad. The recent illness of our loved ones made me look close and hard at our lifestyle and made me stronger in our resolve to be healthier.
The miscarriage showed us we need not worry about the thing I read and worried about: secondary infertility. Now, we should start to look into what is causing the miscarriage, so tests will be underway.
This serves as my exercise for humility, for self awareness and for gratitude because there is no better way to start the new year than with a grateful, happy and content heart.
Happy New Year to all!
12.31.2012
Our Holidays in Photos
Just some snapshots of how our life has been the past month. Right now I'm enjoying some me time, a little quiet amidst the noise outside. I'm excited and hopeful that 2013 will be kind to me and all the people I love.
Happy New Year!!!
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