TIME UP

My trip going back home to the Philippines feels like it was just a dream. We were there for 20 days and It was such a short time. I didn't even get to eat most of the food I have been craving and missing. Didn't get to really see the sights and visit downtown, go window shopping. I only bought myself a couple of shirts and two pants while there. And let me tell you paying for your stuff suck specially if the wait is long. It's specially bad if the store you go to doesn't have an up to date barcode scanner that hurry the flow of your transaction. When I got back here I was so thankful for the express lane where you get to key in your own purchase and have scanners that really works. Still, I miss everything in Cebu. The smell, the noise the hustle and bustle of people and the chaos. Next time we will make sure to stay a little bit longer so we can really enjoy and experience Cebu again.

KISS

Kaitlyn giving her grandpa (my step dad) a big kiss. The first time that Kaitlyn met John he was in his Goku state with hair standing up and whole body painted with henna. He was just in a show that required him to have henna tattoo. That scared Kaitlyn and she would not even go near him for a couple of days. But eventually she realized that her Lolo (grandpa) was not going to hurt her, warmed up to him slowly. John kept his video camera on hand all the time hoping to catch a photo of Kaitlyn snuggling up to him, playing with him. He has a whole bunch of pictures of her and video as well. The week before we left Kaitlyn got really close to him, she would wait for him to come home. She would greet him " Lolo your home and gives him a big warm hug and a kiss". In this photo she was playing with her make-up and tried it on her Lolo. He would gamely endure and let her kiss him and in the process left small kiss marks on his face..

PERKS OF HOME

Summer please don't be over!! It felt like it was just yesterday that the warm Summer season started. We haven't even been able to go to the beach. Our youngest is turning 3 this October and has yet to see a beach and play in the sand. I almost screamed with envy when our neighbor across the street came over just last week asking me to keep an eye on their house. They were going on a week long vacation and guess where they were going? To Outer Banks North Carolina to spend some much needed family time with her kids. I told Sue (neighbor) that I have heard so much about Outer Banks, she gushed over how beautiful and great place it is for families going on vacation. Its specially nice if we go with another family and check out the Outer Banks vacation rentals. Having 2 kids under the age of 8 we need a place to crash and something that feels like home. And believe me when I say that when I saw the Carolina Designs of the vacation rental houses my jaw just about dropped open. A house that is big enough for two families and other amenities to enjoy like the pool,hot tub, pool table, Internet and a place for my husband to grill. That is what you call a great vacation house, a place where we have our own privacy while enjoying the perks of feeling like we are just home.

I FOR IMPULSIVE

Have you noticed that kids of the new generation are more into gadgets, computer, computer cames, hand held games and so much more? My oldest got her first Nintendo DS game at 5 years old and my youngest got her first DS game at 2 1/2 yrs old. Well, we didn't buy Kaitlyn but instead it was given to us by the dad of the kids I babysit. He had an old game lying around so he gave it to us knowing we were going to embark on a long flight hoping it would entertain her. But have I mentioned that on the day Ralph came to pick us up at the Airport Kayla accidentally broke her DS game. I was upset but when Ralph told me it wasn't her we couldn't do anything about it. I however told Ralph not to get her one right away, she has to earn it again. But the next day he went out and got it for her. I wish he had just waited a little bit since it was going to be her birthday soon and we could have gotten her an upgrade. We could have shopped online at Best Buy and picked out a new Nintendo DSi for her. My husband is an impulsive buyer, when he sees something he wants he will get it if he has the money. Even though he got her the Nintendo DS I am still going to do a little online browsing for a Netbook, this time it's going to be for my sister. I just have to save up a little bit before I could get it but I am very optimistic that by the end of this year I will have bought my sister her very own netbook.

BONDED WITH LOVE

Grandma or Mima as Kaitlyn would fondly call her. How did my MIL eventually end up being called that? Kaitlyn has always been a talkative child, that even at an early age she knew the difference between me and grandma. She didnt know how to pronounce Grandma so she made up her own language that is far easier for her to speak. Well as much as I would like to say my child is not the only one to do that, most kids will develop their own language as they grow up.

It cannot be denied that the sun and moon rise and fall on Kaitlyn when it comes to her Mima. I never thought my MIL would get so attached and bonded to her but she has. She is very close to her, it's also because she was always there from the time of conception until I had Kaitlyn. She was in the room when she came out of me and she cried, we all cried when she was born. Kaitlyn is very spoiled when it comes to her MIMA, I swear if my MIL was rich she would have a toy everyday. It is apparent when they are together how much Kaitlyn loves my MIL, how I wish she was this close to my mom. She does know her maternal grandmother but she is so far away, that is why I have made it a point to try and let them talk online so she will recognize my mom. Our trip to the Philippines last month was a blessing, they got to see her and my family got to meet my first born. I don't know if its true but they said a grandparents love is different from a parents love. Sure you were a parent before but they said there is just something magical about being able to hold, see and play with your grandchild. I just hope that my MIL and my Mama will see Kaitlyn grow up to be a young lady, someone they will be proud of....

SHIFTY

Having a Police Officer as a husband is not easy. I constantly worry about my husband when he is at work, I worry for his safety and his health. A cop's schedule is not really ideal, they usually work on a shifting schedule. That kind of schedule is brutal on their bodies. When he comes home from his graveyard shift I see the tiredness in his eyes. I try to help him undress and by golly, you would be surprise how heavy police belts are. With the guns, handcuffs,radio , keys, and the latest is the Taser gun they just got issued. I always get nervous when he tries to check on it, I wonder if s the Taser works the same as stun guns? I am just at peace now that we got a safe for his gun. That is the first thin he usually does when he is upstairs changing. Its a relief to know that is in a safe place that my kids cannot open and cannot play with. I feel bad for my husband that he has to work so much but I know he loves his job and that is the reason why he persevered in his line of work, for his passion.

HIS ALL OF THE ABOVE

Meet our very own personal lifeguard, pet, baby boy, kids pillow and so on. Labrador Retrievers are supposedly water dogs, well our dog must be different because he does not like to go swimming. He did fell in the pool about half a dozen times when he slips from doing his round around the pool deck. Yup, he patrols the surrounding area the deck that surround the pool. Once his satisfied that everything is up to par he lays down near me and just watches the kids splash in the water. He gets his share of getting splash but he does not mine, not with the weather being so hot. Sunny is the perfect house dog and we could not ask for anything more. The only thing that we need to work on is his chewing. He does not chew our couch or chairs but he chewed my sandal, my flip-flop and anything he can find that either belongs to me or the kids. He does this when we leave him alone in the house for a long period of time. It's like his showing how upset he is for getting left behind. And when he does something wrong he knows it to. As soon as we walk in the door and I see him with his head bowed and just has this remorseful look I know right away he did something. He can be a pain in the behind sometimes but we would not trade him for another dog.

LUCKY KIDS

On my recent vacation, I realized how lucky and fortunate my kids are compared to most kids in the place where I grew up. My kids have almost everything, their daddy makes sure that he gives them toys and stuff they can enjoy and play with. Take for example the newest swing set we just bought for the girls this Summer. Most kids back home have never seen a swing set let alone play in one. Most of those kids are happy just to play with sticks, twigs, tires, cans and other stuff most American kids take for granted. I try to make my kids understand that what they have is from their father's hard work. Kaitlyn for the most part didn't demand for any toys when we get the chance to visit malls or department stores. Her eyes did grow big when we passed by the aisle of battery powered ride on toys. She remembered her Barbie Jeep back home. That reminds me, we should actually look into Peg perego as specialize in battery power operated ride on toys. Kayla has gotten to big for her Barbie Jeep and as a rule Kaitlyn gets her jeep. Ralph is thinking about getting a ride on toy that looks like an ATV,I however don't think that is a good idea. We still have to discuss what kind to get Kayla, it has to be something that she can grow into and is durable for at least 2 kids on it. Maybe next year's tax money we will get Kayla her new ride on wheels.

SILVER BAUBLES

I must admit that the first few days I was in Cebu I got surprised by how expensive commodities have become. The foods that I used to love eating that were cheap and affordable were no longer so. I often wonder how the poor get through the day feeding their family. There were still some things that were cheap. I was surprised by how cheap silver jewelries were. Not sterling silver but the 925 silver jewelry. Got me wondering in the process if wholesale diamonds were sold in the Philippines and would it be cheap. If that was the case I'm sure that women who loves diamonds would be in high heaven. They said diamonds were girls best friend, not for me. Food is my best friend and boy did I eat a lot of my best friend when I was on my vacation. And oh, I did get a few silver baubles for myself after my mom got me a silver necklace with a cross pendant and gave me her beautiful silver earring. I just had to buy a bracelet and a few silver rings to match my new earrings and necklace.

LIME'S LIL BRO

This beautiful round green fruit is called Lemonsito. It's like lime but smaller and more delicious without the bitter after taste of Lime and Lemon. I was so happy to see this plant beside my mom's house. It was surrounded by beautiful butterflies. Kaitlyn enjoyed looking at the butterflies and chasing after them. We didn't get to pick from the plant since it was not ripe yet. I don't know about you but food just taste different when the Lemonsito is added to it. Take for example the breaded pork chop.. There is just a certain taste to it that leaves you wanting and eating more. Even MIL admits that the these small lemonsito beats Lime any day. And good news to my pinoy friends, I got to bring a few seeds with me. I have yet to plant it but I am optimistic that I will be able to grow it. I just hope I have a place to put it when winter comes.

NOT TO BAD

What a relief it was to be able to lay down in a bed and stretch after long hours of sitting in a cramped space inside an airplane. When we got home our house was not in total disaster but just in disarray. Ralph did try his best keep the house in order but he can only do so much. He has also been working overtime while we were away. He may had to do radar detector in his police car, do check points for DUI or do some race escort for the city. The whole time we have been away he only had 3 days of time all to himself. I am so proud of my husband for being such a good provider and being a good man.The very least I could do for my husband is to take care of him, our kids and just be there for him when he needs me. Hopefully in 3 years time he won't have to work as much.

ONE MORE

July has been a very memorable month for my MIL, Kaitlyn and I. We journeyed thousand of miles in order for us to go back home and see my family once again. But I will write about that experience another time. While in Cebu, Philippines I realized that my youngest daughter is no longer a baby. I look at her and see how much she has developed and improve daily. I had to hold on to my tears when I was folding the baby clothes I had bought for my godchildren. I realized that she could no longer fit on those clothes and wished she was a baby once more. It made me long for another child once more. Husband and I had discussed that we would be trying for another baby when I get back from my vacation. It's high time we try to add to our brood of 2 and maybe have another girl. Well, MIL and hubby would like a boy but I prefer a girl only because I have girls and I feel like I wouldn't know how to raise a boy,lol. But no matter the sex of the new baby I would love it with all my heart. I'm just hoping that we will be blessed soon.

MY STINKY LIL' FISH FRIENDS

That is my stinky fishy friends. One of the many many things I had the pleasure of looking, smelling and eating while I was on my vacation in the Philippines. At first I hesitated about frying this smelly wonder out of respect for my MIL. But I could no longer contain the wanting in my mouth. My sister fried a couple and my mouth really watered and the house was blasted with the awful stinking smell of the fish. I told my MIL not to leave our room so she will not be greeted by the smell. To avoid the smell getting into the room that is fully air-conditioned we had to put a towel under the door. After our mission was accomplished we sat ourselves around the table to get nourishment from these small stinky fishes. Let me tell you it was pure heaven eating it with my bare hands and know that I'm in Cebu and that I am in good company. I wasn't the only one feasting on these meal, my young daughter had her fill as well. She loves the taste of it but wants nothing to do with the smell, lol. You would be a Filipino, know one, be a friend to one or marry one to be able to understand what I am talking about. Buwad you are the bane of my existence,lol

REUNION

Lack of quality sleep is catching up to me. I just can't take sleeping in while I am here in Cebu. I want to wake up early , start my day early and sleep late. As a result I have dark and huge circles under my eyes. I will be looking for wrinkle creams when I go out today so I can look my best for our reunion tomorrow night. It's not going to work that fast but I hope it will give my eye that little boost and look refresh. I am so excited to attend our high school reunion tomorrow night. We are all hoping that it will go off without a hitch and everybody will have a good time. I'm still not sure what I'll be wearing with my stomach looking like I'm 4 months pregnant. Too much eating really is showing on my body and I can't hide it,lol. Like my mother always said, this is your vacation, enjoy it and stop worrying about what you look like or you will never enjoy. The first thing I will do when we go back to the U.S is to go on a strict diet and exercise as much as I can. It's not going to be easy but If I don't do something I will end up gaining so much weight.

BEHIND THE GIFT LIES THE THOUGHT

It finally arrived! My balikbayan box finally arrived after so many calls to Manila..I am just happy that it arrived and nothing was damaged or broken. Seeing my mom so happy made my day. Just in time for our trip going to Ormoc I still got to bring my small presents to my grandparent and see the joy in their eyes. I brought a lot of gifts for my female relatives but very few for my male relatives. I should have thought of getting a few urban clothes for my cousins. Lucky for me I only have 3 male cousins on my maternal side and I got them all a shirt. Next time I will have to plan what to bring ahead of time and really list it down and tag who it belongs to. It matters not the value of the material thing you gave but the thought behind it.I wish I could give them more but they also understand that I am just a simple housewife with very little income. Every smile and thank you wiped away the stress I felt when thinking about what to get them. I am so glad I came home with something for them. It may not have been much but it came from the heart, the thought was there.