WHICH MAGNUM DO YOU LIKE BEST?

For me, it has to be this!

Well, let me give you the background of why I came to that conclusion....

For the record, I had only eaten four Magnums in a span of six months...and none of them were bought using my personal money... meaning, they're "libre" <well, except for the first one> That's not a lot, right? I'm not really an ice cream person... <seriously, hehe>.

The first time I had a magnum was when I was having post partum cravings in April... That's just the time when I learned that a Magnum craze was going on <around the country, i guess>...and so I told my sister I wanted to taste one. She and my other sister had tasted it already, and so I was the only one <among us sibs> who was still clueless about magnum's promising taste..  Since I was stuck in the house with my little bulinggit day in and day out, I asked  my sister to buy me a magnum at all costs! <keber lang kahit bawal daw sa breastfeeding mom ang ice cream>. Being the obedient younger sister that she is... she obliged. It was not easy for her because she looked everywhere, and all magnums were sold out sa lahat ng seven-eleven branches near our place.  After several days, she was able to buy me one --- from Carmona!!!! O ha, sosyal ng first magnum experience ko, imported from Carmona pa...She bought me the almond flavor because that was the only one available...

What's my say? wala lang...it tastes like a regular vanilla ice cream, and a chocolate with almonds. I just like its solid packaging, and the fact that it does not easily melt, so you don't get messy when you eat it.

The second experience was when my husband and I were in a gas station near sta rosa heights, and I saw this Select outlet...the glass door reads "We Sell Magnum".  I pleaded to my husband to buy one for us <he's  not the type who buys stuff like that so I had to plead>... maybe he found me charming, my tactic worked! he agreed to buy after one or two "pilits"... Again, we bought the almond flavor because that was the only flavor available. We shared a single magnum-- that's just so poor of us, but sweet. hehe.

The third time was when two of my co teachers bought magnums, they bought five, and one was for me -- how kind of them! It was chocolate truffle naman.  Well, I liked its creaminess, chewyness, and chocolateyness....Had I not tasted the classic, this would be my bet.

And the fourth time was earlier... I was in the University store to buy tomatoes and kalamansi when a former student came... and opened the magnum freezer.  I was just right behind him because I was in line to pay for my items.  He saw me looking at him, and then he offered to give me one <nahiya, yata!> I actually declined at first but he insisted. So, I took it. And ate it right there! It was a classic -- by his random pick.

I felt a little bit guilty, though. My husband reminded me the other day that because I'm getting more plump again... I should start with a diet regimen, and stop eating between meals --especially sweets.  Well, I'm a submissive wife naman... but some things are just so difficult to resist... hehe.

And I like the classic best! I don't know... eversince I became an adult -- I shifted my preference to things which are plain and simple -- e.g. clothes, shoes, stuffs and arrangments in the house or office, lay out designs, etc.  That was even the way I wanted our wedding to be -- plain and simple...and I think we got it that way, too.

And so, surprisingly -- while I like almonds for nuts, and chocolates for desserts... for magnum, it has to be classic for me. Besides, you can never go wrong with anything classic -- it never goes out of style!

However, I still don't plan to spend money for that... because, like what my husband said -- it's not worth it...and as I told you, I'm not an ice cream person! Plain and simple like that!

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The post which could have been this blog's first

When I mentioned here <see previous post> that I got inspired reading mommy blogs that prompted me to want to make one, I wrote this. But since I was clueless about how to start with a blog, and too busy to learn how to make one, I just posted this on facebook. I am reposting this on this site to give it a more classy, and readable look.

MOTHER'S MUSINGS

Now that both my boys are asleep, it’s time to do what I have been putting off to do – WRITE (naks!) and get it published (on fb wall, at least J )

May is the month for mothers.  As Mother’s Day approaches, I begin to be some kind of melodramatic as I realize that this is actually the first time that the rest of the world can greet me a “happy Mother’s Day”! Just how cool is that.  I once gave up the possibility that this would ever happen to me.

So there. I’m a mother, but not the conservative, conventional type of a mother. You see, the conservative society has created a super self-sacrificing, and self-depriving picture of a mother – like you’re supposed to do EVERYTHING for your little one, nobody else should, and you have no right to complain because YOU’RE A MOTHER. Well, call me a bad mama if you like, but I defy society’s expectations.  It’s not like I haven’t sacrificed enough, but I believe that apart from taking the role as a mother, I am still me. 

So I also ‘share’ my responsibilities with my husband—request him to change nappies, ask him to lull the baby to sleep, and have him wake up in the wee hours especially when  I feel Iike sleeping a little bit more.  I give myself a time out when it becomes too exhausting, insanely boring, and when I feel like it’s beginning to sap the life out of me.  Being stuck in the room to breastfeed round the clock is no joke. So sometimes, I leave my son (to my hubby or my sister) and off to the mall I go – I shop (for the baby), I get my hair and nails done, I eat to my heart’s desire, and yeah – devote an hour or two (that’s the longest time I can manage to be away from my baby) to reward myself.  This seemingly selfish practice might sound disappointing to some, but with such a herculean responsibility, aren’t we supposed to do something to maintain our sanity? Yes, I’m a mother – not the conservative society’s picture of a mother, but I’m fine with it.

I’m a mother, but not the rule-conscious, OC type of a mother. With all the things I’ve been hearing from here and there – of what to’s and what not’s, I could hardly keep a list.  Besides, I find them really confusing, those different practices and theories that originated from different times and places – I get all mixed up and I tend to ask my self “ano ba talaga?!”  And so I keep no rules.  I use my instincts, after all, don’t they say “mother knows best”?

So yeah, I dress my son up in whatever way I feel like it, I bring him to places whenever I can (with the daddy in tow, of course).  At one month, he’s attended a district fellowship, gone to manila via public transportation – with all the people he’s been with, and the places he’s been exposed to, it’s amazing he didn’t get sick; I was down with flu for two days, and despite continuous breastfeeding, he didn’t get my virus (good boy!).  Sometimes, I allow him to munch on his fist because he looks so cute when he does that. There are times, I would respond immediately to his cries, and then there are times when I would allow him to let it all out (as long as it’s not end-of-the-world type of scream, and it’s ok with the neighbors) because he makes the funniest facial expression when he cries. It’s a good lung practice too!

I am a mother, the paranoid, doting type of a mother. I watch him when he sleeps to check if he’s still breathing (the SIDS thing is scary) I observe his every changes, and asks google if they’re normal or what.  I still am not a master of deciphering his cues, but it’s consoling to know that whatever those cues mean – I am everything that he needs – my touch, my warm embrace, and most especially my milk! Some folks say it’s not good to always carry the baby he might grow up clingy…but aren’t babies supposed to be carried and cuddled?  Whatever! Let me just carry him, and hug him, and cuddle him while he still loves it when I do that. I want to savor moments like these because I know they don’t last long. Yes, I’m a mother, the newbie, paranoid  type of a mother who doesn’t know the rules – but that’s just fine with me.

I’m a mother.  Sometimes I forget to brush my hair, or put some powder and lipstick on. Sometimes, I also miss taking a shower (Oh what a revelation!).  Most of the time, my shirt gets spoiled and stinky with pee, and poop, and milk, and “lungad”, but that’s fine with me.

I remember, one time my husband kissed me on the cheek and told me I already smell like a baby, and then I laughed. We both laughed. Because I know what he meant exactly when he said “smell like a baby.”  I must admit that sometimes I feel sorry that I can no longer wear some of my fashionable clothes even if they still fit me (yes, they still do, some of them, at least) because now, I should always wear breastfeeding-friendly clothes.  Yes, I may be less classy, and sassy because I have become a mother – but that’s just for now (you’ll see,hmp!) and it’s fine with me.

I’m a mother. And it’s been the most amazing, exhilarating (though exhausting), life-changing role I have ever taken, and I thank God for this wonderful blessing, that is motherhood.

Yes, I’m a mother. I’m not your perfect type of a mother. Not even close to being one. I don’t think I will ever be. But that’s just fine with me.

And with this look on my little boy’s face, I’m sure it’s fine with him, too!

ALTERED

And my life was altered JUST.LIKE.THAT!

Two years ago, I was very much single and unattached.  I had my whole life -- time, resources, energy, and everything within my control <oh well, and God's, of course>.  The thing is, I had everything planned according to how I like it -- I will finish school, I will travel to the ends of what my extra savings could reach <translated as promo fares>, I will have fun. Life was good. And honestly, I could stay like that forever.

Then a man, and later - a boy swept me off my feet -- and my life has gradually changed. First, the proposal. Then, the marriage, then the bump, now the baby.

No more shopping sprees. No more overtimes. No more starbucks, or yellow cab, or other late-night joyride and getaways. Now, I try to forget about spending too much, and start saving for the family.
My life now revolves around my two boys, who are actually my joys.

My dreams, aspirations, and priorities have changed, too.

This time around, my time, resources, energy, and everything will be --first and foremost to God, and to my family.  With God's grace, and strength, I will be my husband's helpmate, his partner in crime, his listener of his <paulit-ulit >stories, his right ear <because his' is no longer functioning>, his number one fan, and critic...I may not be highly domesticated -- but I will see to it that I will manage the home first,  before managing anything outside of the home.

As for our little bundle of joy -- I will play with him, laugh with him, sing to him, dance him, cuddle him, kiss him, feed him, teach him, and love, love, LOVE him!

I have made it a resolve that nothing shall come between me and the needs of my family...because of all the responsibilities placed on my hand, or the aspirations within my reach -- this is the one thing I'm certain that has an eternal value.


My life was altered, all right, but I love every bit of its changes... I don't want it any other way.

Missing UP

While on search for a relevant issue to share to my PST class, I found these --

-http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/205957/why-students-need-to-learn-about-the-arts and http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/97499/you-can%E2%80%99t-improve-what-you-can%E2%80%99t-measure

These articles are significant not only because I find them worth sharing to my students, but also because the author happens to be my professor in UP -- the only one I've had during my meaningful stint as a student in the country's one of the best, if not the best universities.

Yep, I took all my twelve units under her class (6 per semester), and if you're from UP College of Education, you would know that Dr Koo is toxic -- requirements wise....  four reaction papers (5 pages the least), 1 research paper, 1 oral and written report, 1 narrative are not easy tasks to juggle with -- that's more than fifty pages all in all! and since I was taking two classes under her -- that's just twice as hard! Whenever my classmates learn that i'm taking two classes with her, they would tell me -- "what?!", I will just respond with a smile...and tell them... yeah..

But it was fun. Really. Modesty aside, I think I aced all my classes... and I shall give due credits to her... clearly, the educational psychology expert has really stretched out the motivational fibers in me...Her classes were a mental feasts--in a light, smooth sailing way...it was like conversing and sharing with each other about technical terms on educational psychology, and before I knew it...classes were over...when I do a mental rundown on what transpired... I would realize there's so much I had learned..... Basically, I have learned to like reading journals, and critiquing, and analyzing researches... I was always on the lookout for free downloadable entries or articles from sage, eric, and ebsco.. I would download all of them like panic-buying before the duration expires, and thinking  that one or most of them might land on my future "RRL". The habit of reading research articles, and searching for what could be its "research gap" may sound geeky to some, but I enjoyed it like eating ice cream.  The way my professor handled all our classes totally invalidate all the scary, crazy stuffs I heard about UP before.  She was very professional, too! In the beginning of the semester, she gives you an idea of what to expect for the coming days -- the lessons, the dates when requirements are due, the "no-classes" day within the semester -- and they were followed strictly.  She returns papers right on time, complete with notations, commendations, and recommendations!

That's why, even if studying on my own expense, and on top of my work load was a bit difficult -- schedule and tasks wise, it was fine with me, I was having fun, and I know it was worth my every penny.

And so there are times when I tend to miss Thursdays -- when I will have to ride a bus going to Magallanes, have a quick grab of something to eat before riding the MRT going to Quezon Ave, ride a jeepney to UP, or when I'm already late, take a taxi which would cost me around seventy to 100 Php. Room 205, Benitez Hall -- that's where I'd be from two thirty pm to eight thirty pm...while I enjoy the mental feast, I was also hoping every time that the class would  end rather early.... by eight or eight thirty, I'd be hurrying down the stairs, ride the jeepney to Philcoa, ride a bus to Kamuning, and if i'm lucky I will be able to catch the nine pm bus just about to leave to balibago... but some nights, I'd be so unlucky, I will have to wait till the ten pm bus gathers enough passengers before it leaves. That means, I'd be in AUP by twelve midnight.

When I recall about it now, I cannot imagine how I endured, and survived everything.

Unfortunately <but not bitterly>... my pursuit for post graduate studies had to be postponed indefinitely...I am still hoping I will finish what I had started, I don't know when... but some dreams have to be put to the side lines to focus on more important things... things I cannot afford to give up...things I will not dare miss!

Could he be teething?

I have been waiting. Waiting patiently for the first tooth to come out!

I lost count already, but every time I happen to meet mothers, I would often ask them "Kelan nag ngipin anak mo?" Some would say, at four months, five months, or six.... I heard one mother said that when the child has started on solids, that's when the tooth eventually comes out.

Well, my baby just turned six months last Saturday (August 25), and had his first official solid food the next day.  I started with pureed apples, which he's been gladly taking for three days now. No tooth yet.  A few weeks ago, his pedia checked on his gums, and said "hindi pa naman namamaga..."

The newsletter I received today from whattoexpect.com is all about teething.  According to them, here are the five signs of teething:

• Drooling. Check. He let's out slimy drools from time to time that often falls on my shirt whenever I hold him up in superman stunt. What's more, he can make tiny bubbles out of them, too! cute!
• Gnawing. Check. I can feel those little toothless nips on my breasts, ouch! I would often tell him "Please don't do that".... He also loves munching on his teether now...when he was three months old, I tried to give him teether, and he didn't like it..he would cry knowing that there's no milk flowing out of that oddly shaped silicone.  I thought he would never like to use teethers... but I was wrong... he likes it now, and has actually become his best toy.
• Crying. No Check.  He cries all right... but that's because he's hungry, or bored, or wet, or sleepy... i'm quite certain it's not about gum pains, or something.
• Fasting. What?! Oh well, like his mother, fasting is a foreign word to my baby....even when he is sick, I never noticed him having significant change in his appetite.  When his nose was stuffy due to colds,  he had difficulty sucking, but he still finished his bottle, or empty my breasts, though at a much slower pace.
• Waking. Not certain. He still wakes up in the middle of the night... but most of the time, to feed. Not fussy, except when he's really sick... so, I don't know.

So that's two out of five.  And mommy has to keep waiting... Until then, I will savor the moments of his adorable toothless grins...

Yet AGAIN!

So, here's another attempt to get into blogging.

I tried one with multiply before... but when I started facebook, I got hooked into it, and forgot about updating my multiply account, as well as my other social network sites. When you're a busy person, and you just want a virtual expression of some sort, facebook is the place to be...

So, why start blogging again?

When I was on my maternity leave, and stuck with my breastfeeding kiddo 24/7 in two or three months, the mommyblogs I stumbled upon in my google searches became my best friends.  Somehow, I could say that they helped me cope with post partum blues just by "reading them."  No, I don't know these mommy bloggers personally, no plans of introducing myself to them either, but reading their blogs has been my favorite past time... not only do they provide me information about motherhood experiences, I find them entertaining, too. What's more, I got inspired to write about my own thoughts, and experiences as well.

However, this blog is not meant to popularize my virtual presence, or make money out of this. It's just my way of  rekindling my journaling habit, and upgrading it several notches higher -- going techie that is.  When I was in high school until my college days, I used to have little notebooks where I write random thoughts, inspirations, and other stuff. When I entered adulthood, I had outgrown them like the way I outgrew body-fit shirts, miniskirts, colorful gel pens, and other fancy stuffs.

But the past year has altered my life tremendously -- I had a sweetheart, got married, I became a wife, got pregnant, and now a mother! I wear more significant hats now -- which means, more responsibilities, more reasons to know and research about a lot of things, and more reasons to write and share.

So this, shall be my humble attempt (AGAIN) to share my thoughts, inspirations, researches, experiences as a friend, student, teacher, daughter, sister, counselor, wife, mother... yes, I'm ALL THAT!