We're pregnant!

Okay. So this is what's keeping me from completing my Web site. I've been so lazy! Why? I blame it to my pregnancy! :)

Yes, we're pregnant with our second child. We found out just last week. I decided to test when

1. I sent out the maid, late at night, to buy me half a gallon of Double Dutch ice cream.



2. I rejected the food laid out at the table, and had a new menu set.



3. I was always dizzy.



4. I hated strong smells.



5. And, the obvious reason: my period was delayed.

So there. Our baby's 6 weeks old this week. :) I'm expected to give birth via caesarian-section, in March.


:)

New Web site coming soon!

Finally. I have begun planning for the creation of my Web site. Yesterday, I visited godaddy.com to check out their rates on domain name registration and hosting services. After seeing that they do have practical rates (as they are reputed to have), I signed up for my domain name: www.micadelrosario.com. That's about $9 per year, which is not bad.

Of course, I still haven't availed of their hosting services, as I am not yet ready with my Web pages. ;p I plan to create pages through Dreamweaver (yan lang kaya ng powers ko for now; I don't know how to code on my own). Unfortunately, the program I got could not be installed in the Mac! :( I brought the Mac with me in the office to have my coworker help me with it, but still, it won't work. So am still figuring out what to do. But I'm vowing to at least start the pages before the week ends.

I'll alert everyone once my site is up! :)

Now accepting...

Am back to accepting freelance jobs!

No, I haven't resigned from my permanent job (nor have plans of resigning any time soon). I just have more time on my hands now. My baby is now a little girl (according to her three-year-old logic) and understands already when I need to work. :) Yes, she determines whether I get to work or not. And at her age, she now knows when I need to work or not.

So friends, family, co-workers (former or present, hahaha), former classmates, batch mates, acquaintances--I'm offering my writing/editing services again. Freelance, of course. :)

Thanks! :)

Busy momma

Just when I've vowed to update my blog regularly (i.e., at least once a week), I get busy with preps for Lia's third birthday party.

Yup! Been a busy momma for the past month. See my mommy blog: Mommy Matters.

A Golden deal

Here's the deal: I write for Gold's Gym, they give me membership.

Thanks to Toni for informing me of this "contest"! :) Now I can stay fit again (I hope, hahaha). I'm so looking forward to starting my physical activities (oops, now everyone knows I don't have any, except you-know-what hehehe).

Red

I know I said I wouldn't be spending because Neil and I had something big to spend on next year. But I just couldn't stand my Motorola V3X anymore! :( It really really had to go.

I endured eight months of interface issues with my Moto. I actually wanted to replace it already during its fifth month but I had other things to spend on. Last Sunday, I couldn't take it anymore. I searched the Net and found this Sony Ericsson mobile that fit my requirements: 3G, user-friendly, small and light, red (gigil! I've always wanted red), and, just a little amount of cash involved.

I ran to Makati Cinema Square to sell my Moto. I was a proud seller; the phone had no scratches (yep, not a single one!), my accessories were complete (with the box, too). Bidders started at P4,000, then climbed to P5,000, P5,500, P6,000. Someone offered P7,000. I said I still had to go around and canvass. But only two stores would give me P7,000 for my phone. That was it. That was the highest amount they could give me. So I went back to the first P7,000 bidder and sold him my phone.

Then I went to Glorietta to buy myself a brand new one. Yes! A red Sony Ericsson K610i was available. Some sold for P12,000, P11,500, P10,500...but I found one who sold it for P9,800. I took out my P7,000 from my Moto sale and added just P2,800 more. Not bad! I was happy with my new purchase.

So there. I'm with Red (hahaha I named it) now. :)

Winner

I finally wore the dress to my sister-in-law's wedding. It won more votes! ;) I just had the pink sash/belt removed to make it simpler.

Here's the thing though. As I had half-expected, no one really wore formal formal. They were in semi-formal formal. But, since I stood by my decision (and votes), I just wore the dress. Kineri ko na lang sya!

Thanks for everyone who voted (especially Cam-cam, who had to go online via YM to give her vote--according to her it was that big a deal, hahaha)!

To wear or not to wear?

dress_formal
Originally uploaded by micaela.

The halter top, the full skirt, the rich color. The right price. And most importantly, the right fit.

I liked it the moment I saw it. When I tried it on, I was surprised at how it fit me so well. It was magical--my bulging tyan at puson were lost in the fabric. As in they were gone. As if I never gave birth at all.

So, I bought the dress. I was happy with my purchase. It was perfect, and it was cheap.

I went home, happy that I finally had a dress to wear to my sister-in-law's wedding on the 28th. The invitation said "formal", plus I had called my SIL before purchasing the dress, confirming if the affair was indeed formal, and would she mind if I wore a dress with a full skirt. She said it was okay since I was family. (I'm not part of the entourage, by the way. And the motif is moss green so my dress obviously does not belong in the entourage.)

But, when Neil saw my dress, he said it was too formal. That's the first time Neil ever gave a comment on my outfits. And because it was, it bothered me.

So, I sent out a survey to my friends. To wear or not to wear? Seven of them said I should go ahead and wear it, and seven said I should not (some of them said I should have it altered). So, that's 7-7.

I'm going nuts over this dress. I still don't know what to do with it. But just 30 minutes ago, I had the pink sash/belt removed, to make the dress simpler. Maybe when the pink sash is gone, I can decide.

What do you think, dear reader?

Purita Kalaw evermae

I've probably used her name a thousand times already (most common in my Yahoo Messenger status), oftentimes when I've just purchased something big: which either made my wallet leaner, or erased my bank accounts. ;p

This time, however, it's evermae. Neil and I are saving up for something big. Saving every penny, scrimping on every item. I swear, if I could walk to and from the office, I will (I even brought up the thought of purchasing a bike for transpo!).

Sorry but I can't say yet why we're saving. :) You will know, soon.

But for now, I hope you guys--loyal friends, colleagues, family--understand if I can't go out to dinner or coffee. If we have to, have dinner at my home, I'll be happy to host! For now, it's just Lia we're allowed to spend on. :)

There's good news, but...

After a month of agony waiting for my mother's tests results and waiting for the second doctor's opinion, we were finally given an answer. The cells found in Mama's right breast are not malignant, after all. The second doctor had breast ultrasound, mammography, and scintimammography performed on my mother. And, as it turned out, they were benign.

My mother was to continue taking her P500/day (for four years) pill for cancer. That was better news for us, than the first option we were given (a surgery, again, and possibly chemotherapy).

However, during the series of tests performed, my mother underwent blood tests. We found out she had diabetes.

So: it's cancer and diabetes. I don't know how that sounds. BUT I'm still thankful the news we got was still better. The P500/day deal was better than months of chemotherapy sessions and hospitalizations.

Thank you for everyone who helped us pray.

Wake up, look down, hear my pray'r

O gods, o gods, are you there?

Thanks to the musical Once On This Island for these appropriate lyrics.

Exactly one week ago, I went with my mother to her oncologist. Based on her interpretation, my mother's cancer has spread and she will most likely undergo another surgery. And she will definitely undergo chemotherapy. And the doctor said it's most probably in stage 4 now.

Mother was shocked. I was, too, but of course, I couldn't show her. I went back to the office weak in the knees, and I immediately called Neil and cried to him. But my mother? When I went home later that day, she was lying down. Masama ang pakiramdam ko, she said. Alarmed, I texted her sisters and my cousin. The news affected her badly.

We're going to have another doctor look at her test results. A second opinion wouldn't hurt, wouldn't it? I'm praying it's good (or at least, better) news next week.

Birthday celeb

forest-house
Originally uploaded by micaela.

Here's the whole gang at Forest House in Baguio, where I "celebrated" my birthday.

Thanks to my husband Neil for giving in (hehehe) to my wishes!

28th

When Neil asked me what I wanted for my birthday this year, there was only one answer: a trip to Baguio. He asked me again, and I said Baguio. He asked me if I wanted shopping spree, I said Baguio. The release of the iPhone was announced last week, and he asked me if I wanted that, and I said Baguio.

The wanderlust in me is stirring again.

And so it was decided, Baguio it was. :) We planned to leave Manila January 14 and return January 17. Ginny kindly offered her family's time-sharing privileges in The Manor at Camp John Hay. John and Ryan also decided to go.

Since we were to leave January 14, I spent my birthday here in the city. Lia and I went to the grocery in the morning, to shop for stuff we'd need for our Baguio trip. Then we slept the whole afternoon (duh, what a way to spend my birthday hahaha). In the evening, Neil and I went to Greenbelt to hear mass, then have dinner.

Before I fell asleep that night, I realized I was getting older: no more birthday surprises, no more hard-core partying. Just a simple, uneventful day--which, surprisingly, was a happy one.

Holiday rush (A Late Post)

Sigh. This is so looong due. I really didn't have the time to blog during the holidays! Christmas rush got me--again.

Shopping

I thought I figured it all out. I started shopping in November. Since I started relatively early, I told myself I can do my shopping in batches. I mentally scheduled my shopping days, and it looked like I was going to end earlier than usual.

But no! Of course not. Took me a long while again to find the perfect gifts. Took us a while to decide on Lia's gift (should we give in to her whims and buy her that train set, or buy another toy that's much more feminine?). Took me forever to shop for my mom's gifts ( i.e., her gifts for other people). Took me until the mall's closing time to look around.

Get-togethers

We started on the 24th, with a trip to Neil's relatives in Cavite. We left in the afternoon to go to Laguna (my tita's place). Dropped by Neil's friend's house there and socialized a bit. Attended mass. Noche Buena (where Lia slept through).

The next day, we went to my relatives in Alabang, where we always spend Christmas lunch. I couldn't believe there were 8 kids already from the second generation!

After Christmas lunch, we proceeded to Cavite again, to Neil's father's relatives. We stayed until late at night, before finally going home.

Sick baby

Lia started to have fever just before the New Year. And then she started coughing. And then right after New Year, she showed signs of dehydration--and we almost took her to the ER.

The New Year

Before I knew it, 2006 passed. I went back to work on the 2nd day of the year.

Ooooh well. I hope this year's much much better than last year!

A happy new year to everyone. :)

New bargain finds!

Hmmm, I'm really such a bargain-hunter these days! Here are my new bargain finds, to add to my previous entry (of the same topic):

Avenida/Sta. Cruz for medical supplies. I've heard of this street before, but I never appreciated it until I went there with my mother, last week. I was looking for a nebulizer for Lia, a good brand but one that's cheaper than ones they sell at Mercury Drug. What do you know, I found a Devilbiss brand that was worth only P3, 400, which had a three-year warranty. This brand is used in hospitals, as they're heavy-duty. These sell for about P5,000 in drugstores (according to my tita whose sons had asthma).

Pedro Gil St., Paco, for furniture. Our sofa set has been utterly shabby and pathetic for a long time now. We bought the set right after our wedding, and the two-seater sofa (it was small because it fit our small condo unit at that time) cost us P5,000 (that was almost four years ago). After two years, the sofa started to give in, until it reached the sorry state it was in last week. So, I had to go undertime at work (hahaha, was that really necessary?) and went to Paco, Manila, for that famed street lined with furniture shops. The prices were outrageous, I tell you. They were like 50-70% less than mall prices! You have to ask the salesman/saleslady to take you to their bodega though, for more choices. I bought a leather three-seater sofa, with two single couches, for only P4, 200. That includes free delivery (with me riding beside the truck driver--in a tube top, mind you. I think that was the first time Neil was extremely happy with my purchase--it was cheap, it was a nice set, and it looked like I really scoured the street (which I really did, and which he always doubts I do). I also got a wooden rocking horse for Lia, which was also cheap--P350.

Next project: rugs and home accents. I'm still looking for a "depot" for this. If you know where I can get them for less, please please share! :)

Waldas

Got my 13th month pay exactly one week ago. The next day, Neil and I went to Greenhills. The day after that, I was in Divisoria with John. Two days ago, I bought a new sofa set. Oh, and not to mention a new nebulizer for Lia, and spending thousands on my beads for my new "sideline". I also indulged our maid with a large amount of market money (hence, kare-kare for lunch and tiger prawns for dinner).

Gotta stop!

Bugger

I got the bug. It started when we fetched my mother at the airport last October 8. Lia had fever-cough-cold, and sure enough, I was next. Add to that, one of my molars started to ache because of another (impacted) molar pushing it.

So through coughing fits, I had my molar extracted. After the tooth extraction came the pain (of course), so most of the time I had an ice pack on my cheek.

It was a sick October for me!

I hope I won't get any more of it until Christmas. (It's shopping season, I can't get sick! Hehehe.)

Waiting for dengue???

Oops, don't jump to conclusions yet. It's not me waiting for dengue, or my Lia, or any of my family members or friends.

Waiting for dengue - that's what the barangay officials told us when we requested for fumigation in our area.

Background: last week, my co-worker's two kids tested positive for dengue. And me, the ever-paranoid parent, wanted to have our area fumigated.

So: we asked the barangay officials. They answered: we can't fumigate until there's a report of a dengue case. We'll wait until someone contracts dengue.

What kind of an answer is that, huh?

!%$%^&($@$!@#$!!!!!!!!

New bargain finds!

Four years ago I discovered Divisoria--not Tutuban but the real Divisoria with the pasilios and the busy streets and sidewalks and the large pedicabs and the constant whiff of wet market+mud+rainwater+a little bit of garbage.

I shopped there for my wedding stuff--the textile, beads, candles, ribbons, accessories. I also shop there every last week of November/early December for Christmas gifts and wrappings. On some months of the year I go there to shop for cheaper stuff (i.e., stuff I could have bought at the department store but did not because of the fact that I can buy it cheaper in Divi). On some weekends I go to the Divisoria market to buy our seafood and vegetables (and ox tail and ox tripe for kare-kare, with ground peanuts so I don't have to use Mama Sita's!). For Lia's birthday stuff, I also went to Divisoria. At times, I drop by nearby Ongpin St. in Binondo to buy hopia. I also take some occasional stroll down the jewelers strip (I actually bought two pairs of earrings for Lia there).

Last week, though, I went with my mother to Quiapo. We bought Excellente ham, of course, and hopia. But what made my day was this shop in Villalobos St.--Wellmanson. They had a store in Divisoria but this one in Quiapo is just--heaven for beadmakers! They had walls and walls of stringed beads and stones and strings and accessories (and they were all so organized, my O-C self couldn't help but appreciate). I bought some P800 worth, and when I got home, I was able to string up about 11 necklaces of different designs (which Mama will bring to the US as gifts to her amigas). I just couldn't get enough of them, so I returned to Quiapo yesterday (in the guise of buying seafood and meat and vegetables in the market). I bought P1300 worth (and I feel so guilty having bought that much) and I still haven't finished with stringing everything.

I'm so the bargain-hunter these days! Is this what happens when you're a wife and a mom?

:)

Where do I go from here?

Okay. I admit: when I chose my course in college I did not exactly think about what I would end up to be. I did not even think about how much I will be earning. It was just--it was what I wanted.

When I got out of college I found a job where I got to apply what I learned: I wrote, I edited. I was happy that I did find such a job. But then of course I wanted to learn more, grow more with my career, so I tried out writing for the Web. I spent three years doing this, and so far, it was the best three learning years of my life.

After writing/editing for the Web, I tried a little of marketing communications. Which I did not learn much, and I did not enjoy much (well, maybe because the company closed down and I was not given enough opportunity).

And then I was hired as a Web editor. I was thrilled! However, my first two months were spent--just researching, researching, and writing down my ideas for the Web site I was going to manage. And then when relaunch time came, there was much work for the programmers; they weren't able to completely achieve the requirements for a long, long time. So, the Web was on hold for a while.

While I wasn't doing any Web work, I "moonlighted" with the Content Team...helping write content and reviewing theirs. I eventually got more involved with this team than the Web site. However, I was still bent on working on the Web and I expressed this to my boss, which was just fine with her.

And then...just recently, we had a sort of a re-org. I found out that I was being pulled out from Web, and that they were making me Content Supervisor. I also found out that I did not have any much choice because (a) the new Web editor position has new requirements which I cannot fulfill (background in local/international music scene), and (b) I was already doing supervisory work anyway. That means, I'm pretty stuck. It's fine in a way because there are opportunities where I can move up, but...honestly, I'm still happier with Web work. And I had sort of planned to work on Web for at least the next 5 years of my life (if I were not to fulfill my other dream--that's another story).

So...where do I go from here?

We'll see.