It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

My first Christmas here in Australia was pretty much uneventful. It was memorable because it was the first Christmas Ned and I had together and as a married couple, but that’s it. We don’t have close family and friends here and we seriously, Christmas here is really boring. None of the “fiesta-like” celebration in the Philippines where it starts as early as September and ends in January.

But 2 weeks ago, the shopping centres here near our apartment has started decorating and selling Christmas decors. was actaully surprised to see the big Christmas tree near the mall. Maybe it’s just a marketing strategy to encourage people to spend earlier. Nevertheless, I liked it! I miss the Christmas spirit we Filipinos has gotten used to in the Philippines.

This year, our Christmas will be a quiet one at home, savoring the last one we’re going to be spending it all by ourselves, because next year hopefully we can spend it in the Philippines with our little Gab. It will be a quiet Chrismas for us but a more expensive one because we’re thinking of already buying baby things for the little one. We’re starting to focus on our child, not anymore on ourselves. Because really that’s what Christmas is all about - giving.

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On a slightly diffrent note, I saw this from my friend Pat’s blog:

I like! I hope everyone can feel and be like one (a hero) especially now that Christmas is coming.

Baby Chronicles: Tips on how to stimulate baby’s development while still in the womb

I’ve read somewhere that if you read to the baby while he/she’s still in the womb, it will help alleviate feeding problems. So I bought a book for the baby which I can read every night to him before I go to sleep. I’ve also heard about this thing called Baby Plus which they said is a prenatal education system. An h yeah, I’ve tried listening to classical music (but I find it too boring) or hum or sing to the baby whenever I can (like in the shower..hehe..). Any more tips?

Maritess vs the Superfriends

I first saw this when I was in college. Laughtrip talaga! Hehe.. Enjoy!

Below is a transcription of the Maritess vs. the Super Friends video

Hello, my name is Maritess. I don’t want to say my last name. I want to protect my employers. This is hard for me. Uhm…I’ve been working for the Super Friends… for 18 months now. I don’t want to talk bad but I had to tell the truth.

They treat me bad here sometimes. I come from Zamboanga to work for the Super Friends. I saw an Ad that I said sure I’ll work for you, you’re superheroes.

(more…)

Why the Australian experience is relevant to Filipinos

I got this from Peyups. It’s quite interesting how Aussies live and how it relates to them being a first world country and to the Philippines being a third world country. It is quite funny in a way but it makes you think huh?

I’m a Gleek

Love, love, love! Ika nga ni Kris. Hehe..

Baby Chronicles: Reality

I’m back to work now. I’m glad that I am, I’m getting bored at home. My boredom went to the extreme of even getting addicted to Facebook’s Restaurant City! Seriously, the last three days I’ve been so into it, I have to keep checking my restaurant every now and then. I’m glad I’m (almost) over it. Hehe.. Now I’m back to reality (managing a cyber restaurant is a lot harder than I thought!).

I am also in my 20th week (going on 21st this week) and the idea of having a baby and being a mother is becoming more real to me now. Baby Gab’s been very active (kicking and somersaulting). The other day, I though the baby’s even trying to kick my stomach (I had this weird feeling of my stomach twitching when I woke up and every few minutes the whole day. The doctor said it might be my intestines and stomach adjusting since my uterus is getting bigger. At first it felt weird, like my insides were turning inside out. So I’ve started talking to the baby (especially if when he wakes me up in the morning and when I’m about to fall asleep) and encouraged Ned to talk to him too. I read somewhere it would help the baby recognize our voice when he’s out of the oven. :p

Click here for the baby’s development.

Restaurant City Addiction

OMG! I am so into this App. Hehe..I’ll be back when I get over this addiction. Malapit na! Kelangan ko na lang ma-level up mga dishes ko. Wahaha.. And of course, when I get back to work next week, that will be the end of it. Sadness!

Baby Chronicles: It’s a Boy!

Kaya pala malakas na sumipa at mahiyain! Hehe.. We’re both very happy that Baby Gabriel’s healthy. :p

 4D Ultrasound of Baby Gab

Oh yeah, and I forgot to post this from 2 days ago. I finally got hold of my camera in time to take a photo of the hale storm that happened.

Hale at the driveway

It looks like this in close up:

 Fingertip sized hale

Ned even told me part of the roof in the hospital where he works collapsed because of this. Afraid no?!

Getting better

I don’t feel a 100% better yet, but I’m getting there. Hirap talaga magkasakit. And it’s harder when you’re pregnant because you can’t take just any over the counter medicines. Believe me, I’ve tried everything before I resorted to taking medicines. From lemon juice with honey, vicks sa paa (got this from Pat), lukewarm water with salt gargle, hot compress on the throat, everything! But this damn cough keeps on bugging me (especially in the middle of the night)!  

I remember the last time I was like this was before I had my medical examination as I enroll as a freshman at the University Philippines Manila. I remember it so well because I was so afraid that they wouldn’t let me enroll when they find out how sick I am. My father even scolded me that if I never get to enroll at UP because of me being sick, I’ll have to enroll at a local college instead! Seriously, I really thought UP would reject me just because of a cough!

Anyway, thanks to all who’ve wished me well. The baby’s alright (I hope).  I can feel it moving more frequently now and it’s a relief when I feel it.  Everything that the doctors prescribed to me was all safe for pregnancy (all are in Category A in the Australian categorisation of drugs). And I’m having another ultrasound next week to check the baby’s development (and hopefully the gender, yay!). Balitaan ko kayo. :p

P.S. Oh yeah, I’m gaining weight too even though I’ve been sick! Happiness! :p