Samantha's First Year

We finally decided to celebrate Samantha's birthday at the club. Hehe. You know, when you wanna give your best to your kids, you tend to forget the practicality side of it. Because, like what I said, we were on a minimal budget, we decided to cut down our guest list, keeping those close family friends and immediate family.

It was simple and nice. I don't have any pics with me now coz SIL took the photos for us (my camera was spoiled by no other than my young photographer :().




Will write more about her birthday when I get the photos from my sister-in-law... or from ven. He promised to send it as soon as he could.

Weekend Snapshot 1

to join the fun click here (WS)

This is my little girl in the pool. She just loves the water so much. Last weekend, the family went to the club to swim in the pool. It was our first time going there after August this year. It was real fun. Also, it's Samantha's second time in the pool.
This is Schenker... Now he can be a little bit independent in the kiddie pool. But of course, we still need to supervise him.

My Husband

This tag is from Mitch. This is so timely as we're celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary today, November 22, 2007.


My husband

1. First Name:

Peter Shankar (Shankar is his real first name, but when he was 12 years old, he started adding Peter to his first name. Sine then, he became known as Peter Shankar.

2. When and How Did We Meet:

I was working in Phuket, Thailand. I had to do visa run which required me to go out of the country. Malaysia was the nearest country, so I did my visa runs here. One of the visa trips I had, I met him. That was in June 2001. He took us (I was with a friend then) out for a dinner but no sparks then. We became friends, sent emails back and forth and found each other chatting online til the wee hours of the night... until we discovered we had the same birthday. It somehow triggered an interest in both of us, interest in knowing each other better, interest in sharing common things. Only then love blossomed. The rest is history. ;)

3. His Characteristics:

• He's a man of character, has a gentle spirit.
• A perfect gentleman.
• Very consistent, especially in giving me a bouquet of flowers once a month.
• Very romantic.
• Humble.
• A great father to our kids.
• A loyal friend.
• Generous... wanna buy me new clothes and make up.
• Has a very low pain tolerance.
• Very friendly.
• Very accommodating.
• my best friend.
• He loves me for who I am and tries to do everything for me. Before I got married, I was very independent. Now that I have a husband, I cannot even go to a nearest convenient shop without him.
• A real blessing to others... Basta, he's got everything a woman could ask for.

4. Your plan in 20 to 30 years from now?

Celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary with kids (and grandkids?)!

And because today is our 4th wedding anniversary, I'm dedicating this entry to him.

I made a poem for him when I was preparing to go to the Philippines for a 1.5 month visit, just to let him know he's loved and appreciated.

To my shanks, Happy 4th Wedding Anniversary.

Love you,

photo: white gerbera, our wedding flower

4 Years

I'm having fun with hubby now as we thought of a new name for my blog. He thinks my blog name (My New Abode) sounds awful. Hehehe. So I asked for his suggestions and we came up with whatever-we-can-think-of names. I'm still giggling as I write this. And we finally agreed to this: Expressions From The Heart - coz he thinks I write from my heart. ;)

Also, he's saying something like I'm becoming like him already. hehehe. Well, almost 4 years of being together, what does he expect?

Speaking of almost 4 years... well... yeah... this is just to say that we're celebrating our 4 years of marriage on the 22nd of November. That means, in 24 hours time already! Gosh!
Can't believe it. Time flies so fast. It's as if we just said our wedding vows yesterday. Now we have two "fruits", our two bundles of joy... and 4 years of marriage.

Daddy, Are You God?

Our boy is indeed growing up. We now have a 3-year old with us. It's quite fast actually... and to think we have another one who is going to be one year old this coming 27!

Our boy can really talk... and maybe think? Yesterday, daddy was reading to him his Toddler Bible... about Baby Moses who was in the basket. God took care of him, the essence of the story. Then came the question:

Daddy: What about you Schenker, who's taking care of you?

Schenker: Hmmm... mommy and daddy?

Daddy: Yes! Excellent... and also, God is taking care of you.

Schenker: Okay.

Silence. Then,

Schenker: Daddy, are you God?

Hehehe.

Another conversation. This time, with Mommy.

Schenker: Mommy, it's so dark outside.

Mommy: Yes, coz it's night time already.

Schenker: Mommy, who got (took) the daytime?

Mommy (scratching the head coz didn't know how to explain about the earth's rotation that can cause us to have day and night): God took away the daytime.

Schenker: Who make the daytime?

Mommy: God made the daytime, Schenker

Schenker: Oh... why God took away the daytime?

???

Aiyah. My son is only 3 years old and I'm running out of answers already.

Is there any book that has answers to all toddlers questions? Books that have simple and yet educational answers? I'm running out of answers already.

Or is it okay to explain the scientific side of it?

I feel like I'm a real bobo mommy. I used to love Science subjects when I was young... had lots of questions yet nobody could answer me. This time, it's my son's turn. I wonder if I just let his questions hang and wait until he grows up then only I will explain to him?

Hmmm... help, anyone?

Blogging History

I got tag from Mitch. She wanna know my blogging history. It's kinda long coz I started at 2002 when I was still working in Phuket, Thailand. I set up a blog to update my friends in the Philippines about what's happening in my life. But then, I never really got into it, I even forgot my username and password!

After getting married in 2003, I set up another blog for me in Lycos to update my friends about my married life in Malaysia. But like what happened with my first, I only wrote two entries and I forgot all about it.

In 2005, a friend sent me her blog address and I read her entries about her baby. Since I had a baby already that time, I was encouraged to write about my baby and started another blog. I used it for quite sometime, until I discovered I could blog in yahoo 360 degrees. Later on, I discovered Friendster. I also blogged there.

Then here came a friend of mine who blogged in blogspot (she still does). She's my son's god-mother and she wrote something about her visit with her god-son. So she asked me to read. From then on, I became her regular reader. I love her writing style. She writes about her everyday life. I have a few Malaysian friends who blog and not so conscious with their grammars and sentence structures... but not her ( I am conscious too but I still make mistakes). As I've told you, she writes very well. Also, I am very sure she writes from her heart. That makes her blog worth reading.

So I was encouraged to blog more. But then again, in yahoo, you could only upload one photo at a time. So I wasn't very impressed. I tried blogspot and I could post as many photos as I could. Since then, i liked blogging in blogspot. But I made a mistake in giving my blog address to this person. It annoyed me so much I wanted to set up another blog just so this person cannot see me anymore. Worpress came in. I was so impressed because I could import all my blog entries in WP from blogspot.

I used WP for awhile. I loved using WP but I couldn't do much with it. I wasn't a real pro in using it. So my blog was a bit plain, as you can see in My Abode.

Then one day, I thought maybe I go back to blogspot so I can do more things. So I decided to move to blogspot. And obviously, I am now in blogspot.

I hope I'll stay her for the rest of my life. Hehehe. Moving a lot is a bit hassle.

Hmmm wait. Maybe, if I could afford to buy my own domain, that would be my last. hahaha!

Okay. This is my blogging history. Will tag some friends but not now. Maybe tomorrow.

Good night.

Ramesh and Dewi Are Engaged!

Finally, after years of waiting for Ramesh to find his "love of his life", he finally found her. It was a few months back when a friend introduced both of them thru a blind date. They met and had meal at Secret Recipe (my favorite shop for cakes). Sparks flew. Chemistry was there. They talked and talked for hours. The rest is history. I'm not gonna tell you the juicy details... not sure whether they want me to share it here (respect privacy, that is).


And so, to make the long story short, they got engaged. At the same time and place where they first met each other. Ramesh managed to get Dewi to wear the same clothes she was wearing the first time they met and also they were at the exact table where they ate the first time. Dewi somehow felt there was some kind of weird thing going on but she never thought it was the day Ramesh would propose to her. Oh so romantic. Reminded me on how romantic my engagement was with Peter 5 years ago. Ramesh bought her a nice diamond ring which cost like $$$!!! My eyes were like popping out in disbelief at how much the ring was.

I was going to the Philippines when he was about to propose so he told us of his plans. As a wife of the eldest brother of three, I gave Dewi a saree just to welcome her to the family. I bought it when I was preparing for my wedding and I kept it, thinking that someday, I would give it to the right person.

By the way, Peter has two brothers. Peter is the oldest. The youngest brother, Madhu, married first.... to a Chinese Malaysian. Then 1.5 years later, Peter and I (Filipina) got married. You know the funny part? Ramesh' fiancee, Dewi, is half Filipino- half Chinese Malaysian. What a coincidence! Until now, we still can't believe that everyone is like having a connection with everyone, racially, that is.

The engagement party was last November 7, 2007. I wasn't able to join them coz Samantha was sick. I really missed the party. I thought... it was sad coz I wasn't there to see her wear the saree I gave. But to my surprise, after the party, Ramesh and Dewi came to the house... just to show me how she looked in the saree. Wasn't that sweet? And yes, she looked elegant and beautiful indeed!


Glad everything went well. Heard from my MIL that she and Ita (SIL) had late nights preparing the decos for the hall. I saw the photos and loved the orchids. I loved Mummy's flower arrangements. It made the hall bright and beautiful.

Anyway.. to Ramesh and Dewi... now that you're engaged... wish you all the best, especially in preparation for your wedding. Will definitely prepare Schenker to be your ring bearer. Samantha is too young to be your flower girl though...

To-Do List

I just had my first shower of the day. At 9:30 in the evening. This is what happens when you're SAHM, and no help. A friend who is a SAHM reminded me that God will not give us responsibility if we're not able to handle it. Good reminder. Maybe, I can handle it... it's just that I'm complaining too much. (Forgive me Lord).


Anyway... I was reminded of my to-do list which I was thinking/planning to do when I was in the Philippines. Here's my list:

1. start making a video presentation for Samantha's 1st bday party


2. plan a birthday party for her. it's quite challenging. we did Schenker's 1st bday at our club. so we thought why not celebrate hers there too. but with a minimal budget, i don't think we can afford to do that now. so we're thinking of having it at home. more meaningful. more things we can do. more time to spare. practical - that's the best of all.


3. plan how to decorate the house. planning on buying the princess birthday cake... so i wanna decorate the house like a castle. is it possible? probably in my dreams. sigh.
   
4. make the kids' room (which used to be maid's room but since we don't have maid anymore, i wanna convert it into my kids' room. been searching internet for kiddie's showrooms. so far, i haven't gotten any yet.


5. set up the Christmas tree.
   

There's only 5 in my list! And when I was thinking about it, I thought it's gonna be a very long one. It really helps when you pen down your thoughts.

Still searching for ideas from the internet, especially #3 & #4.

This, Too, Shall Pass

Peter left this morning going to Pattaya, Thailand for a 2-day conference. He'll go straight to Phuket after the conference for 3 days.

That means I'll be alone with kids for 5 days.

Hmmm... I hate it when he travels without us. Both kids cling to me. As in I have no time to do everything. Samantha just recovered and Schenker is sick.

The good thing is that I'm not really alone. Grace and Nora has come back from visiting Singapore this morning. Grace hasn't rested yet. She's helping me take care of Samantha.

Thank God for friends.

But still, I hate him leaving me alone with kids. But work calls for it. There's nothing much I could do... Nor could he.

Sometimes I brag about what SAHM could do. But in reality... sometimes it's a struggle... especially in this stage where both are still very dependent.

Very tiring. Sometimes it's very frustrating, especially when you know there's no way out. But I have to face the responsibility. God has given each of us responsibilities. Sometimes I think I'm not capable in handling mine.

What am I talking about. I just came back from a long vacation. Maybe I was spoilt there. Many people around to help...

Sigh. This is life. I just have to remind myself: "This, too, shall pass."

Photo: Road going to Swiss Garden Resort, Damai Laut, Malaysia

Diclofenac Sodium

Samantha's fever is totally gone. Thank you Lord! I am just so glad. I was worried sick about it coz it's her first time to get sick that bad. Now, she's back to her normal self... playing around and walking at a longer distance now.

However, the virus haven't left the abode just yet. And it's attacking Schenker. Sigh. His fever suddenly went up to 39 deg. We went to see his pediatrician to have him checked. It's just a mild inflammation in his throat, hasn't spread yet. Thank God we took him to the Dr at the earliest. Doc gave him diclofenac sodiom suppository for his fever, and a couple more medicine for cough and flu. Thank God for suppositories. It's a hassle-free medication. Just insert it at the right place and no worries about spit ups and loud screams.

I inserted the DS suppository before checking the internet. I was horrified at what I found at first when I checked it out!

Here's what I read:

Diclofenac Sodium

What is it used for?

A form of arthritis (ankylosing spondylitis)
Acute gout
Inflammatory disease of the joints
Lower back pain
Musculoskeletal disorders such as tendon inflammation (tendinitis), sprains, strains, dislocations and fractures
Osteoarthritis
Pain and inflammation in dental, orthopaedic and other minor surgery
Severe childhood inflammatory disease of the joints (juvenile chronic arthritis) in children aged 1-12 (12.5mg and 25mg suppositories only)


I was shocked. Was it given by mistake? Instead of taking paracetamol, had the nurse taken the wrong one? I showed DH the search result... he got scared too. Who wouldn't? Good thing he has a doctor friend whom he could call anytime. So he called him and asked about it. His friend said it could be a fever medicine at it's mildest form, stronger than paracetamol though and it's ok to give to a 3-year old.

Phew! I thought we gave a wrong medicine to my son. I was thinking the worst already after reading the result. Anyways... glad we gave him the right one.

Didn't we?

Hmmm... where are the natural remedies I was bragging about? Mitch has also given me some tips to lower the fever down the natural way... (Thanks, Mitch).

This, I say. As a mother, I would do whatever I can to be sure my kids are doing well. If these medicine won't work or if fever persists even until the 3rd day, I would definitely use the alternatives. Natural remedies: essential oils, cold compress, steam bath, etc.

Natural Remedy for My Sick Baby

I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Samantha didn't have fever since this morning. She has recovered I suppose. It was a long 6 days of having a sick baby. It worried me so much! Within the six days... I have gone to see doctor twice.

First when she suddenly got a high fever at midnight last Saturday. We ran straight to the 24-hour clinic. The doc gave us medicine. But after 4 days, the fever was still there... on and off. So we decided to go to the hospital where Samantha was delivered. Her pediatrician was on leave (due to Deepavali holiday). So we used the general physician. They ran a blood test for her, checking for dengue and some other... The result was normal. They just gave us fever medicine.

We came home... feeling relieved coz there's nothing unusual going on with her... in her system. But to my disappoinment, the fever remained.

My brother-in-law gave us cellfood for her. But she's not taking it well. We're supposed to put one drop of cellfood to water or juice and let her drink it. But she wasn't drinking anything except the breastmilk. :( So even though how effective the cellfood could be, it still didn't work for her.

Then I realize I had all the essential oils I bought for my home spa. I have read once that some essentail oils can act as a remedy to some illnesses. I have lavender and eucalyptus essentail oils... enough to cure cough and fever. Lavender is for relaxing while eucalyptus to soften the phlegm.

What I did was, used olive oil as a carrier oil (3 tablespoons), and mixed with a few drops of eucalyptus essentail oil. I mixed the oils well, rubbed on the chest and back. After I did this, she started coughing with a loose phlegm and vomitted it. I was relieved.

Then, I put her in her tub with warm water and added a few drops of eucalyptus.

She felt better after that, I guess. And to give her a sound sleep, I burned the lavender essential oil on a burner.

Now she's fast asleep. No fever this morning, nor this evening. I'm hoping that her fever will finally bid her a real good bye.

Does Your Makeup Match You?

Does Your Makeup Match You?

My Result: Classic

From Grace Kelly to Penelope Cruz, classic beauties seem to have a knack for knowing what products to use and what features to enhance when it comes to makeup. And you are no exception.

You may try all the newest, most expensive products on the market, or maybe you are committed to tried-and-true staples that you've used for years. Either way, you know how to bring out your best with the materials you have. Your clean, polished look says that you are sophisticated, worldly, and always well prepared for life's curveballs, even if that includes cleaning a clumpy mascara brush or wiping lipstick from your teeth. Elegance, style, and grace, after all, are never out of fashion.

Take this test >

Malaysia and Deepavali

Malaysia. The land of multi-cultural society. There are 3 major ethnicities found here: Malays, Chinese, and Indians. There are also groups of minorities such as Eurasian (mix of European and Asian) and Orang Asli (tribal people). Each race is distinct, each race is diversed... in culture, tradition, beliefs and food.

Malay is the largest ethnic group in Malaysia, accounting for more than half of the total population today. Main religion is Islam.

Chinese group form about 35% of the total population. Many still retain ties with their ancestral homeland, China, but ask any one of them, and they will tell you that they are Malaysians first. Main religion is Buddhism.

Indian group is the smallest of the three main ethnic groups, accounting for about 10% of the country’s population. Tamils, Malayalees (My hubby's ethnicity) and Telegu-speaking people make up over 85% of the people of Indian origin in the country. Indians who came to Malaysia brought with them the Hindu culture – its unique temples, delicious cuisine and colourful garments. Hindu tradition remains strong until today in the Indian community of Malaysia. Main religion is Hinduism.

There are two main festivals of Indian Hindus: Deepavali and Taipusam.

Today, Indians are celebrating Deepavali. Commonly known as the Festival of Lights, the celebration of Deepavali (or Diwali) marks the triumph of good over evil, the victory of light over dark.

Peter's immediate family has been converted into Christianity so we don't celebrate Deepavali. However, the rest who remained Hindus celebbrate it every year. We get to be invited each time but for some reasons, I haven't been able to join them in their festivity.

As I'm writing this, I can hear some firecrackers/fireworks going on outside. It must be exciting for our Indian brothers/sisters as they celebrate this festive season.

To all my friends who are currently in festive mood, Have a Happy Deepavali Day!

Samantha is still sick

Samantha is still sick. It has been like this since Saturday. Her fever has been on and off. Temperature ranges from 38-39.4deg. We went to the 24-hour clinic on Saturday night... midnight to be exact. The doctor prescribed fever medicine, antibiotic, cough and colds medicine. 3 nights had passed by since we saw a doctor and yet there's no changes... she still runs a fever.

I tried a steam bath last night, ran the hot water to it's maximum heat and stayed inside the bathroom with Samantha. I also burned eucalyptus essential oil to go with the steam. She felt better after that. The whole night, she didn't have fever and she slept better.

But her fever came back this morning. In the afternoon, we went to Subang Jaya Medical Center (SJMC), to have her checked up again. We also did the blood test to be sure nothing unusual is happening with her. To our delight, the result was normal... It's just a normal viral fever. I got scared coz when I told my sister (who lives in Manila now), said she might have contracted dengue fever coz it's been going on in Manila. Glad to note she doesn't have it.

We missed hubby's brother's (Axcell) engagement party tonight. I missed the (Indian)food. Heard they catered food from one famous caterer. Hopefully hubby takes back some food.

Will be writing about Axcell's love story later. Have to rest early tonight.

Samantha is asleep. I better sleep now. Good night!

Glad to be back!

I am at home now, and I am glad I am. I came back with my two good friends, Grace and Nora. Grace has been my friend since day 1 of college and Nora since day 1 of work. Both of them engineers and when I left work, they were transferred to the same place. Grace, from DPWH Regional Office in Cagayan de Oro and Nora, from DPWH Regional Office in Butuan City. They work together now in a district office in Dinagat Island but in different offices. Grace is now the assistant chief of Materials Section and Nora is the chief of Planning and Design Section. That left me wondering, if I didn’t resign from my work 8 years ago, where would I be today? Well, wherever I was, I would still choose to resign and go out of the country to work. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have met my husband.

Anyways… like what I said, it’s nice to be back. Hubby was waiting for us at the airport, wearing his polo barong. That was really cool. We reached Kuala Lumpur at 1:00am… I was touched by my hubby’s effort to organize a welcome party for me. We had western food as he knew I’d be missing this.

The next day, there’s a kiddie party for Schenker’s friend, for her 3rd birthday. Victoria celebrated her birthday at Grand Millenium Hotel. I was so impressed with the party. It was actually not new to me coz when I was in the Philippines, I saw how Dawn Zulueta celebrated her son’s (?) 2nd birthday party. It was exactly the same as how Victoria’s Mom did it. There were few activities you could do. There’s an art activity, fishing, bubble blowing, and the inflated house and slides! These activities were not structured. You can choose which ones you like to do. Samantha enjoyed the inflated house and bubbles. Schenker was sleeping when we reached the place but when he woke up, I took him to the fishing pond. He was sooo excited. He actually caught two little fish. I caught 8! And whatever we caught, we could take them home with us. Schenker was so happy he got some fish to add to his small pond in front of our house. The loot bag has again impressed me. It’s according to teh gender and age. Samantha got a nice rattle (little tikes), an educational book with dvd, and some candies. Schenker got an art (sand-like) activity, a small racing car and some Korean chips (Victoria’s Mom is Korean, her dad is Malaysian Chinese). I should say Victoria’s party was a one grand party. Not that my son’s birthday was not good. I loved the fact that everybody joined the games (including the mommies) for his birthday at McDo.

As I have said, life is back to normal. And the kids are acting like they haven’t left home!
Hubby keeps saying he can’t believe we’re already back. He sooo missed us! We did miss him too. It’s just that we were having so much fun at home we didn’t wanna come back to Malaysia. Hahaha! Kidding, dear. As I have told you, I’m glad to be back, back in your arms, in your love and in our home.

Schenker is 3!

Schenker has finally reached his 3rd year of life. Hurray!

We celebrated his birthday in the Philippines, together with cousins, uncles, aunties, lolo and lola. Had McDonald’s for the Kiddie Party. We had 2 hours of fun games and snacks. Kid McDo showed up and danced for the Birthday boy.

I was amazed he wasn’t scared of the mascot. He used to be when he was younger. He really enjoyed the party but towards the end, he was already very sleepy… and too grumpy to blow the candles on the cake. So I had to blow the candles for him.
After McDo, we went back to the house and the party continued. Lolo and Tito Joeven did the lechon baboy. It was really really good. I think it was the best lechon I have eaten so far. This time we had uncles and aunties for dinner, minus the drinking session. I was so glad my Dad didn’t even ask for it. So it was pure fun even without the hard drinks. It was their apo’s birthday celebration after all.



I wonder what's ahead of us as our boy is getting older. I just thank God that we had passed the terrible two stage (not with flying colors though). Terrible two stage requires wisdom, patience, understanding and above all, unconditional love. I have reached a stage (his dad too) where I ran out of patience. All I did was to remind myself that he's in this stage and it's not his fault to be like that. My mom told me he'd outgrown it and I all i needed to do was to continue to be consistent in my teaching (and be firm) when he's wrong and appreciate him when he's right.

I really appreciate our going home... I got a bit of wisdom from my parents in raising kids. It's like having it fresh from the pot. You know, the kind of advise where there's no hint of judgement whatsoever. Sometimes, when I hear from other people, I get a bit of hint that it was my fault he's like that... that he screams too much... or he cries too much.. or even I don't feed him the proper way that's why he's so picky and so thin, blah blah.... I am just so glad that my mom told me it's normal and I'm not alone. It was really a great encouragement to be at home.

There's nothing like home, really. And for Schenker boy's 3rd birthday, I have resolved to myself that I'm gonna make my home a real home for him and Samantha... that wherever God would take them, they would still come to me and make our home their "home" too.

To you beloved, my son, my Schenker, I will always be here for you. Happy 3rd birthday... my son! :)