Should I Be Excited?

In two weeks time, that anticipated big trip to my home country is coming. All our bags have been packed 5 weeks before our travel date. Excited? Obviously, yes! So many reasons to be excited about whenever I take a vacation to the country I grew up in.

I so look forward to eating all the seafood I can buy at the wet market, all the native delicacies and street food like chicken intestine bbq, gizard, chicken feet, grilled fresh fish, going to the beach, visiting my grandmother's place in the mountain over looking a green lush trees and a waterfall.

Another reason to be excited is that my cousin that I have not seen for over two decades finally decides to wait for my arrival before going to the other country to join her boyfriend. We have been talking back and forth whether to meet up this time or not, while she seems so excited going back to her boyfriend's arms, she is also depriving me of seeing her this time.

Yesterday she broke the news about her tourist visa approval and then she'd wait for me. While that can be great to hear, I am not sure whether to rely to her words this time or shall I expect for a change of plan in the next coming days? Several times in the past we talked about seeing each other in our place but non of that ever happened. I just hope this time, she'd make up her mind and decide to really seal the deal. Cross fingers!

God Has Brought So Much Joy to Me on Christmas!

Somehow God is real, God is alive and hears my woes. He knows exactly how I feel. He knows I have been so disappointed with regards of the lawsuit that until now is not over. He knows I am hurting and that He cheered me up just before His birthday.

He blessed us with something we didn't expect in a form of financial surprise. I had planned of visiting my home country in June next year but when we received that outstanding bill from our lawyers, I felt disappointed and was so down. I just thought maybe we can make it in 2016, by then we can have a budget for our trip. My days were so dark that I really felt bad inside.

Until Christmas eve came, an unexpected check from my husband's previous home and car insurance company sent us a refund with an amount enough to send me and my kids to the Philippines! How amazing God's love is? He had his way of cheering me up when I was so down! Thank You, Lord for hearing my woes and for loving me! I am one happy woman right now for I can now surely visit my family in the Philippines.

All I am waiting now is to contact our travel agent to help me find cheaper tickets for June. Yeeehawww!!

I Saw My Father Again

I had a beautiful dream two nights ago that it made me smile when I woke up the following morning. In my dream, my father visited me. He just had a bath and looked very fresh, he walked toward me and I greeted him, "good morning, iyo" and he smiled at me... and that's it. It was so nice of my father to visit me again. It feels good being able to see him even if it was just in my dream, it feels real.

After that dream, I also dreamed of me and my entire family having a good time in the Philippines including my husband. We stayed at a hotel where we got married 9 years ago but for some reason I was also looking for a pension house or an apartment that is cheaper for us to stay. The feeling of being in my homeland again just satisfies me and eases my homesickness a little bit.

Those were my two beautiful dreams that I remember so well two nights ago.

Can't Go to the Beach

One of the many things Jadyn and I anticipated while being here in the Philippines is going to the beach and have fun with my family. But due to an unexpected major expense, it looks like we cannot go to the beach anymore. We are currently processing of transferring a portion of our lot to my mother's name that cost us money big time. This results to the lack of budget of bringing my kids and family to the beach.

However, if the computation from the BIR isn't so big, I might still be able to do the beach in a few days. I am hoping it won't be too big, otherwise we'll be going back to Texas and not fulfilling the promise I made to my daughter some weeks ago. Kind of disappointing.

Couldn't Keep It a Secret Any Longer

More three months I managed to keep my vacation a secret to my mother and two other small siblings. But then due to North Korea's threat to its neighboring nations, I decided to just let my brother inform my mother that we are coming for in case something unfavorable comes up, they'll know where we are.

I am so excited, I tell yah. Tomorrow is the big day to get in the plane on our way to Seoul, South Korea. It is going to be painstakingly a long flight for three of us but I guess it is all worth the trouble. The pampering of my body, the joy and happiness of being with my family and all is the ultimate prize. Soon I can see you Cebu, yeah!

I'm Just Getting Worried

It has been over a week since our travel agent told me that she's going to forward the final itinerary for our travel in two months but still no email from her. I am getting worried for the prices might go up and she wasn't able to book us at the price we both agreed on.

What am I gonna do? I can't just sit here and waiting forever as to when she can confirm us the dates. Arrgggsss it sucks, it really sucks! I am hoping before this week ends there will be a positive news from her. Because if she does, I can now inform my family that our flight is booked and that we're really coming home this year. God hear my prayer!

I Hope Balik-Bayan Box Will Arrive Within this Week

With so many negative news about some freight forwarders these days, I can't help but be worried of my balik-bayan box that I sent to my family last September 30th. I sent it through a different company for the first time (which is not familiar to me) and there is no way I can track my package simply because, the staff or workers in this company are lazy and couldn't keep up to input the tracking number on their website so customers can track their boxes. Sucks while waiting patiently for the good news from my family in the Philippines.

I called last week in Manila and they say that I should call them again within 13 and 14 dates and ask for the whereabouts of my box. Hopefully before this week ends, my box will be safely landing at our doorstep in Cebu.

Papa Wherever You Are, I Missed You!

[caption id="attachment_477" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Elson and Jadyn on Jan.2009"][/caption]

I can't help but shed tears when I saw this picture on Facebook shared by my cousin in Seno's crib group. It's been seven months since his passing but the pain never go away. I still can't believe I no longer have a father whom I can comfortably talk just about anything else.

I have so many things in my mind that I so want to share to someone else, to my father but he is no longer around. He was the only one I could talk to when it comes to confidential things such as ahermm... Pa, I really missed you so much. Please come visit me in my dream tonight and talk to me? Not a single day passing by I am not thinking about you, the good days we shared together and the laughter always seen in your face despite of the pain you were suffering! I wished I have told you that deep in my heart I loved you and will always miss you for the rest of my life.

You left us without a father and grandchildren without a grandfather!

He Would Have Been 54

It was my father's birthday yesterday Philippine time. He would have been 54. Since it is still April 14 here in the United States, it is still his birthday today and I wanna say ( if ever his spirit is reading this)  HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA! I MISSED YOU DEARLY! I hope you are happy where you are and in peace with the Lord now but hey let me tell you this, not a single day that passes by I am not thinking about you. I regret for not telling you I LOVE YOU when you were still with us!

This is my father's first birthday without him and I guess his coming birthdays will only get bitter as we celebrate it for he is no longer with us and we can never see him anymore unless of course death will come for us! God forbid, hope not now or soon because I still have kids to care for and raise.

[caption id="attachment_451" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="mama and papa during my vacation in PI last 2009"][/caption]

Wants To Attend The Party

How amazing it is for a four-year old child's mind associating birthdays with PARTIES. I told her last night that it was her Auntie Alex's 12 birthday yesterday Philippine time and she said, I wanna go to Auntie Alex and attend the party!

Teewweeewww! I can't help but laugh out loud because of her statement. I didn't expect that all. How I wish we can be there with my sister so to make her 12th birthday a memorable one, I can only do simple things to make her happy on her big day but sadly, I am too far away from her.

I feel kind of guilty for I only greeted her on chikka that goes directly to her phone a happy birthday and one on Facebook. I wish I had the motivation to call the Philippines but the situation is so different now that my father is gone. I can't help but wish sometimes he was still alive and be the first one to answer the phone whenever I call my family.

My Last Posts and My Last Day

This could be my last posts in my blogs today. Once I am done with the two remaining opportunities I am not gonna post another entry unless I am well-rested in my home in Fort Worth. This is also our last day being here in Cebu. We are flying tonight to South Korea then to DFW Airport. It feels like I've had a long vacation so definitely ready to be in my own place with the husband and doggie again.

All bags are packed...so ready to fly but I am not looking forward for the long flight. It's gonna be a painstaking 22 hours trip and who likes that? One thing I am worried about is that Jadyn would want to be carried all the time. Imagine me pulling a carry-on luggage, a big purse and a three-year old in my arm waiting on the long line. I didn't bring a stroller because a friend of ours was with us but he went back to US ahead of us...this is all I am going to endure tonight and hopefully Jadyn will decide that walking is more fun than giving her mommy a hell of a lifetime lolz...

My Last Posts and My Last Day

This could be my last posts in my blogs today. Once I am done with the two remaining opportunities I am not gonna post another entry unless I am well-rested in my home in Fort Worth. This is also our last day being here in Cebu. We are flying tonight to South Korea then to DFW Airport. It feels like I've had a long vacation so definitely ready to be in my own place with the husband and doggie again.

All bags are packed...so ready to fly but I am not looking forward for the long flight. It's gonna be a painstaking 22 hours trip and who likes that? One thing I am worried about is that Jadyn would want to be carried all the time. Imagine me pulling a carry-on luggage, a big purse and a three-year old in my arm waiting on the long line. I didn't bring a stroller because a friend of ours was with us but he went back to US ahead of us...this is all I am going to endure tonight and hopefully Jadyn will decide that walking is more fun than giving her mommy a hell of a lifetime lolz...

Hospital Staycation

ILEUS is the reason why Jadyn got hospitalized.

Ileus - is a disruption of the normal propulsive ability of the gastrointestinal tract.

Ileus is commonly defined simply as bowel obstruction.[1][2] However, authoritative sources define it as decreased motor activity of the GI tract due to non-mechanical causes.[3][4] In such sense, this does not include motility disorders that result from structural abnormalities, and, therefore, some mechanical obstructions are misnomers, such as gallstone ileus and meconium ileus, and are not true examples of ileus.

We stayed in the hospital for 2 nights and 2 days hoping to find a relief or cure of her suffering but the cheap and poor service of Virgin of the Rule hospital didn't do anything to our concern so I decided to check out against doctor's advice. Today, I am going to see a pediatrician hoping that he can find a drug or do a miracle to my baby's belly so the suffering will end. 

Anyways, during those days and nights of our hospital staycation, my family stayed with me especially my mother, father and siblings and few cousins. There were three concerned friends too who showed their support to my baby namely Cindy, Ivy Ompad and Leizl Z. whose presence are greatly appreciated. I thank them for they are not only my friends but they showed true concern during tough times. I am lucky I still got few selected friends I can count on.

...... a shot of Jadyn's Godmothers- Cindy and Ivy..thanks ladies for showing your support to my baby...

......... her lolo must love her that much because he was there standing by and always ready to assist me with Jadyn. Big kudos also to my mother for her motherly care for my Jadyn..too bad I wasn't able to take a picture of her in the room...

.........and my face who wasn't happy seeing her baby being poked by needles several times over......

.......these two photos show how my father loves his first ever grandchild, Jadyn. He followed her in the lobby carrying her I.V......

......the little roommate who became her friend and the kid's father with my father also.....

Hospital Staycation

ILEUS is the reason why Jadyn got hospitalized.

Ileus - is a disruption of the normal propulsive ability of the gastrointestinal tract.

Ileus is commonly defined simply as bowel obstruction.[1][2] However, authoritative sources define it as decreased motor activity of the GI tract due to non-mechanical causes.[3][4] In such sense, this does not include motility disorders that result from structural abnormalities, and, therefore, some mechanical obstructions are misnomers, such as gallstone ileus and meconium ileus, and are not true examples of ileus.

We stayed in the hospital for 2 nights and 2 days hoping to find a relief or cure of her suffering but the cheap and poor service of Virgin of the Rule hospital didn't do anything to our concern so I decided to check out against doctor's advice. Today, I am going to see a pediatrician hoping that he can find a drug or do a miracle to my baby's belly so the suffering will end. 

Anyways, during those days and nights of our hospital staycation, my family stayed with me especially my mother, father and siblings and few cousins. There were three concerned friends too who showed their support to my baby namely Cindy, Ivy Ompad and Leizl Z. whose presence are greatly appreciated. I thank them for they are not only my friends but they showed true concern during tough times. I am lucky I still got few selected friends I can count on.

...... a shot of Jadyn's Godmothers- Cindy and Ivy..thanks ladies for showing your support to my baby...

......... her lolo must love her that much because he was there standing by and always ready to assist me with Jadyn. Big kudos also to my mother for her motherly care for my Jadyn..too bad I wasn't able to take a picture of her in the room...

.........and my face who wasn't happy seeing her baby being poked by needles several times over......

.......these two photos show how my father loves his first ever grandchild, Jadyn. He followed her in the lobby carrying her I.V......

......the little roommate who became her friend and the kid's father with my father also.....

Home In Cebu

We just got home in Cebu after spending 11 days in Davao. Nice to be back here where internet is unlimited, where I don't have to walk out the house just to get to the cafe carrying two little people and walking under the hot scorching sun. Of the entire time I was in Davao I have only used the internet twice it's because I spent most of my days in the outskirts Calinan. I had a lot of fun, we had so much joy to have been able to spend time with granny and aunties even just for a short period of time. I got tons of photos to share with my entire clan and guess it's going to take me hours to upload them here in my blogs and on Facebook.

Meanwhile, all I want to do is write some online tasks and rest. I feel kind of exhausted. We had an early day and a short plane ride from Davao to Cebu. I deserve to have a good night sleep eh, I think.

Home In Cebu

We just got home in Cebu after spending 11 days in Davao. Nice to be back here where internet is unlimited, where I don't have to walk out the house just to get to the cafe carrying two little people and walking under the hot scorching sun. Of the entire time I was in Davao I have only used the internet twice it's because I spent most of my days in the outskirts Calinan. I had a lot of fun, we had so much joy to have been able to spend time with granny and aunties even just for a short period of time. I got tons of photos to share with my entire clan and guess it's going to take me hours to upload them here in my blogs and on Facebook.

Meanwhile, all I want to do is write some online tasks and rest. I feel kind of exhausted. We had an early day and a short plane ride from Davao to Cebu. I deserve to have a good night sleep eh, I think.

Thank You Sheriff

I am blessed with tasks these days. Thank you Sheriff and to the Heaven's above for the opportunities I have been making the past couple of days. So it's true what they say, when you are on vacation your tasks increase? I am not sure about that but it shows here on my dashboard. I am so happy for it finances my expenses here. I just hope that when I withdraw some money from the atm machine I wouldn't forget my pin code otherwise I'll be left penniless for days. I already did it once and I wasn't able to get some cash for my card was blocked automatically after three failed attempts entering my code. Arggsss!

Looking forward to getting online once in a while in Davao to check my dashboard occasionally. It will be hard for me because I will be using a computer at the cafe, it's noisy, hot and crowded but I must endure it all if I want to maintain my good reputation on the paid blogging sites that have been so good to me.

Thank You Sheriff

I am blessed with tasks these days. Thank you Sheriff and to the Heaven's above for the opportunities I have been making the past couple of days. So it's true what they say, when you are on vacation your tasks increase? I am not sure about that but it shows here on my dashboard. I am so happy for it finances my expenses here. I just hope that when I withdraw some money from the atm machine I wouldn't forget my pin code otherwise I'll be left penniless for days. I already did it once and I wasn't able to get some cash for my card was blocked automatically after three failed attempts entering my code. Arggsss!

Looking forward to getting online once in a while in Davao to check my dashboard occasionally. It will be hard for me because I will be using a computer at the cafe, it's noisy, hot and crowded but I must endure it all if I want to maintain my good reputation on the paid blogging sites that have been so good to me.

Her First School Christmas Party

Jadyn and I attended my little sister's school Christmas party today. It was her first experience to go partying with so many kids in the classroom. As expected my girl behaved really good the entire time we were there that made it easier for both of us. Although she wasn't saying anything but I know she enjoyed it there a lot. It is a kind of party that she cannot experience in America where sounds gone loud, too much screaming and too crowded. There'll be parties coming her way when she starts schooling but I guess it will be a lot different than what she can have here in my own country.

..... baby girl in her red dress and shoes..she also joined the exchanging gifts...

.......... she got a big present which is number 16..

.....opening her gift surrounded by lots of kids

Her First School Christmas Party

Jadyn and I attended my little sister's school Christmas party today. It was her first experience to go partying with so many kids in the classroom. As expected my girl behaved really good the entire time we were there that made it easier for both of us. Although she wasn't saying anything but I know she enjoyed it there a lot. It is a kind of party that she cannot experience in America where sounds gone loud, too much screaming and too crowded. There'll be parties coming her way when she starts schooling but I guess it will be a lot different than what she can have here in my own country.

..... baby girl in her red dress and shoes..she also joined the exchanging gifts...

.......... she got a big present which is number 16..

.....opening her gift surrounded by lots of kids