Dana's teeth extraction

One of the milestones in any kid's life is when their teeth start moving and shaking and they get replaced with "adult" teeth.  Well, Dana hit the ground running, not with one tooth, but with two at the same time.  Her two bottom front teeth were rocking and rolling and it was time to remove them.  NOrmally, I wouldn't worry about them but her replacement teeth were already out.  So, we both visited her school's dentist and asked to have the baby teeth pulled out.  It's a good thing that Dana's used to injections and she's not afraid of them.  She got anesthesia for the teeth extraction.  Warning:  Pictures below may make you queasy! :)

Before

After

Stanley's Pampering Day

I'm sure car enthusiasts will agree with me when I say that when you have a car, she immediately becomes an integral part of the family, like a dog.  You need to save up for it, schedule maintenance/pampering days for it and continually nourish and nurture it with your love.. ok, ok.. that's too much but don't most girlfriends get jealous of the attention their partners lavish on their vehicles?? I rest my case.

Anyway, it's Stanley's turn for some pampering.  Granted that it coincided with his getting a check-up because of the way the power steering is feeling wonky, Patrick and I went straight to Fusion R along E. Rodriguez, Quezon City.  While we were there, Patrick was able to replace Stanley's Headlights and added a 3rd brake light because the parts were there.  He apparently hit a bargain this time, oh if only I was able to take a picture of him! LOL

We went back the next day too, this time to the aircon specialists.  Stanley needed more refrigerant and it was just in time before the kids went back to school.

 

Cousins' Day Out

Something is definitely up when, all of a sudden, you receive a slightly mysterious message from someone that you hardly hear from.  Well, that was the case when I heard from Jericho who messaged me about his concerns about Patrick's nephew, Rhys, who was apparently not being well cared for by his mom (this according to Jericho who was her partner for almost 6 years).  They have now split up but Dimples and Rhys were still living in Jericho's house.

Not to get into all the details because it'll just be too much drama for anyone, there was a family  meeting or you might even say an "intervention", including Stevie and his wife to discuss what's been happening to the boy. Fast forwarding the story, it has then been decided that Rhys will stay with us, the siblings will each contribute financially especially since school will be starting in June, and for starters, Rhys will be spending the night with us just to see how well he gets along with Dana and Dylan, hence the title of the blog post.

So, since we had already planned to watch Kung Fu Panda 2 with the kids, we just brought Rhys with us that same day and he'll be spending the night with us.  It's been a long time since we last saw him.  Frankly, we hardly see him because they don't attend any of the family gatherings, limited as they are.  Here they were on the way to Robinson's Manila.

Here they were, posing while waiting for their pretzels from Auntie Anne's :)

They had a great time at the movie.  After the movie, we went to Max's for dinner.  Rhys ate a lot!

Dana just wanted to show off her earrings :)

So far, it seemed like they were going to get along well together.  Let's wait and see.  We took him back the next day and he had plenty of stories to share with his mom.

Joy Ride in the 2011 Subaru Forester

May 22 and 24, 2011

When you have a Subaru Forester waiting in your garage, regardless if you have no plans, you will find any excuse fitting to drive around in it :)  So, we were thinking:  "If we had no money but we had gas in the car, where would we go?"  We couldn't go to the malls because we'd definitely spend money on food and on other impulse buys.





We decided that a visit to our nearest family merited a drive in the Subaru Forester.  We were also killing two birds with one stone.  We  wanted to try out the famous "Tapsilog ni Vivian" which happened to be a few corners away from Stevie's house so it was the perfect excuse :)

We weren't really disappointed with Tapsilog ni Vivian.  We arrived there a little bit after lunch so it wasn't that jampacked.  We had tapsilog and soda and of course, the staple soup.  :)

For P80, you get a lot of beef and a hefty serving of rice and the egg wasn't runny so I really liked it.




After that filling lunch, we headed to Stevie's house.  It was a chance for the cousins to meet and catch up and as you can see, everyone was having a good time.

It took a while for Hannah to warm up but she eventually did.  Lance was busy watching TV so they were all sitting in front of the TV.

It's nice to see them having fun and enjoying themselves.







 A day later, Patrick and I decided to give the Subaru Forester a chance to stretch its legs and test its engine so we took a quick drive to Clark.  We brought the kids with us of course as part of the experiment :) They loved sitting at the back because of the food compartments.  The cool air that you get from a brand new car was also a welcome relief from the oppressive heat.

 We had lunch at Zapata's which was surprisingly empty except for a few foreigners and their girlfriends hehehe This time I tried their tacos and I was in heaven.  I couldn't get enough of it.. I swear my waistline blew up after eating! LOL

Applying for our Passports at the DFA (Dept. of Foreign Affairs) Part 2: Actual Appointment Day

Like I mentioned in the previous post, we were scheduled to be at the Department of Foreign Affairs building in Aseana Business Park in Paranaque, yesterday, May 16th. Our scheduled time was 1130AM but we were there around 10:45 AM just to be safe since we needed to be there at 11AM as was mentioned in the "Important Reminders".

Step 1: Appointment Verification
We initially went to Gate 1, but we found out that it was reserved for those who made their appointments via the DFA Appointment Call Center.  Gate 2 was for those who made their appointments online and so we proceeded to enter.  The guard at the gate will ask to see your "Important Reminders" notice as well as those application forms which you were supposed to print out.  They don't allow chaperones to go inside, so take note, only applicants are allowed to go in.  Once inside, your first step will be at the Online Appointment Verification Tables.   You can't miss them because as soon as they check your bags, they're to your right.  You will then present your application forms for them to scan the barcodes.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take a picture of this area.

Step 2: Screening of Documents

While waiting in the "screening room"

After they have verified your appointments, you will then proceed to the Screening Room (I just call it that because this is where they'll screen your papers).  Mind you, the guards/employees guarding the gates can be quite harsh, cranky and intimidating so just be calm and keep your documents within easy reach.  This area is very much like the NSO Serbilis Center in Pasay.  Rows and rows of chairs on which people sit and move as soon as the counters are available.  Don't worry, it's airconditioned and even have TV screens to keep you occupied until it's your turn.

Justin Bieber entertaining you
 while waiting

There are also as many as 30+ counters so time will pass quickly.  It was around 11AM when we finally arrived at our counter.  My application as well as Den's was quickly approved for payment while they asked me to photocopy my original application form to be attached to Dana's and Dylan's since I'm applying on their behalf.  Warning:  Photocopying within the DFA costs P3 per page!!! So, to those whose parents will be applying on behalf of their children, just make extra copies of your own application forms to save you on photocopying costs ;)  The good thing about the system though is that you don't have to fall in line again.  You can tell the guards that you were asked to photocopy something and they will let you go to the first available counter.  Employees at this section were rather pleasant, must be because it's a pretty simple system.  Some of the documents I brought were returned to me, like the photocopies of the kids' birth certificates (they kept the originals of course) and some other supporting documents.  Once they're satisfied with the primary documents they don't need to ask for more.  But bring them still just in case.

Step 3:  Payment

Dylan obviously getting
bored with waiting 

The next step is payment of your passports.  The regular passport costs P950 each.  This isn't the expedited version which I think costs P1200.  The date stamped on our receipt was for claiming on June 21, so that's roughly a month's waiting time.  They have affixed notices around the building about how they're experiencing some technical difficulties etc so passports may experience a delay in releasing.  Anyway, once you exit this "Screening Room", you need to proceed to the 2nd level where the payment centers are located.  In our experience, there was a waiting section beside the escalators and guards will prevent you from going to the 2nd floor directly.   This was because there was an inordinate amount of people that day.

When we got up, there were more people!  There's a different room called "Passport Section Area 2" which I assumed to be the courtesy lane for senior citizens, infants and goverment employees.  In front of it is more rows of chairs like another waiting section.  At that time, I didn't know what they were waiting for.  Once you get past this area, you'll enter a different room.  Here, you'll find the payment area, the encoding and photo capture section and the courier handling service section.  You can hardly see the payment area.  There were 4 windows, but when we were paying, only 2 were open, must be because it was almost lunch time.

Step 4: Encoding/Enrollment
After payment, you'll proceed to the "Encoding/Enrollment" section where you're going to get your queue number and wait for your turn.  This is where your information will be encoded and your pictures taken for the new e-passport.  There are about 80+ tables there to handle the demand.  There are TV screens which show the current numbers being assisted.  Imagine our surprise when we got our number: 2311 and then we checked the screen for the latest number being processed: 1645.  It doesn't take a genius to see that there's roughly 700 people ahead of you waiting for their turn!! Oh My Gosh!!! That was like being sucker punched!! LOL  Now I understood what all the people are waiting for.  We actually tried waiting a while just to see how fast things are going.  It wasn't fast going at all most likely because it was lunch break already.

While we were waiting, there were employees going around asking people if they were going to opt for the home delivery option.  It was like multi-tasking since they know it takes a while before you get to the encoding part so it's like you're being proactive about waiting LOL  Home delivery costs P120 per passport.

By this time, we took our lunch at McDonald's across the street figuring we have at least 1 hour to get back in line.  So we left around 1230 and were back at the DFA by 130PM.  When we left, the queue was at the 1700 count and when we returned it was at the 1800 count.  So, it's like 100 people every hour were being processed.  See, we had so much time on our hands we actually deduced the math! LOL  This was the reason we brought our laptop along so the kids won't be bored.  Honestly, they need to include kids below 7 years old in the courtesy lane.  Kids this age get bored so easily it's a pain to their parents and guardians to make them sit still for hours!!

We were finally able to make it to the inner sanctum by 3:00.  Things were faster this time around, since the people manning the desks were done with lunch break and were seemingly more energized to work faster :)  When it was our turn for the encoding, it took about 15 minutes to take our pictures and encode our infos and to be reminded when we can pick up our passports!! hahaha so yeah, if there weren't so many people, you can get your processing done in about an hour's time LOL  Here's proof about all this adventure! LOL
 
 

Applying for our Passports at the DFA (Dept. of Foreign Affairs) Part 1: Preparation

16 May 2010

When I realized that my passport was expiring on June 2011, I immediately made plans to renew it.  I knew that all renewal and new passport applications have to be coursed through the new DFA passport scheduling system, either via online or through their call center.  When Patrick applied for his own passport last 2010, he was part of the last batch that was processed at the old DFA building along Roxas Boulevard so I knew that come the start of the year 2011, all passport applications will be processed at the new building in Aseana Business Park in Paranaque City.   Here's the map.

Now, of course, with the Internet at my disposal, I went to the DFA's website: www.dfa.gov.ph and was then forwarded to the DFA Passport Appointment System.  From here, you can find everything that you need to know about applying for a new passport or renewing one.  Then, I thought that since I was going to the DFA anyway, I might as well get Dana, Dylan and Den their own passports as well.  Kind of like, killing two birds with one stone.  I took down all the requirements needed for everyone and promptly made an online appointment that day, March 10, 2011.  The earliest date available via the DFA scheduling was May 16th.  

PASSPORT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

I had to renew my green passport so I only needed a few requirements, as taken from the Documentary Requirements of the DFA:

Green Passport or issued after 01 May 1995

• Present passport and photocopy of pages 1,2,3 (amendment) and last page.
• The pages showing latest Bureau of Immigration departure and arrival stamps.
• Photocopy of Birth Certificate for minor applicants.
• For illegitimate minor, personal appearance of mother is required.

Dana, Dylan and Den were first-time applicants and needed the following requirements, as taken from the Documentary Requirements of the DFA:  Of course, requirements may be more or less depending on the applicant's case so you can check the website I've given above to see which category you fall under. 

• NSO Birth Certificate
• Valid ID's (not required for minors)
• Personal Appearance of the mother (since Dana and Dylan are illegitimate (ooh, sounds nasty hahaha)  Den is no longer a minor so personal appearance of her mother isn't necessary.  Like I said, 

I also prepared the original and photocopies of their Baptismal certificates and their ID's from school just in case.  It's better to bring all the supporting documents you can think of rather than have to go back because you didn't bring them with you and they want them.

ONLINE APPLICATION SYSTEM

When I've checked and double-checked the requirements and have estimated the time it will take to accomplish them (I needed to get new copies of their birth certificates from the NSO) I was ready to make the appointment.  Here is where set your appointment if you're only applying for a single individual -  Online Passport Application System.  But, they also give you the option of applying as a family so you only have one date and you're scheduled together.  Here's where you do it - Family Application

From what I remember, you need to fill out the forms for each applicant that you're including in your family application.  Once you're done, you will need to print out these forms (in long bond paper) including the "Important Reminders" page.  Without this, you will not gain entry into the DFA.  Here is what it looks like:

Just to be on the safe side, you need to save this file so you have a back-up copy when you need to print it again (if you misplace it or something)

Now, all I had to do was get the documentary requirements ready, prepare the P950 per passport fee, prepare the P120 delivery per passport fee (this is optional) and wait for the scheduled date.

I want a summer getaway!

It’s summer time here and I’m itching to go away on a vacation with the family.  Just for fun, I’m looking at summer getaways in Mexico because I’ve never been there and a girl can dream, can’t she?  I know a few friends who have been to Mexico and I was really jealous of their trip.  I’ve heard them mention Cabo San Lucas and Cancun and I know that those are the really cool places to be. 

Anyway, just looking at the pictures from their trip made me want to know more about the places they’ve been to and here I am looking at different websites for these destinations.  It’s making me drool, these pictures.  Imagine living the life at really luxurious hotels with beautiful beachfronts with the breeze in your hair.  My kids will relish this J

There’s also something that I discovered.  You can actually book these Mexico luxury hotels through auctions and biddings! Can you believe it?  That will really bring the cost down and I can see myself opting to participate if I can save that much money and still stay in such a paradise of a hotel.  There's so many luxurious hotels and resorts to go through.. Hmm.. let’s get working here.. J

Dylan's Moving Up Day

We have reached another milestone in Dylan's life - his Moving Up Ceremony.  It's really such an achievement for him because he has to work really hard at it because of his speech impairment.  However, he has improved a lot - he's much more articulate now, he can keep up with the conversation and contribute to it, he can sing clearly and he can write some of his favorite letters and numbers.  I owe it all to his teachers in Little Sofie and to his teachers at Core Skills.  He still has a long way to go and we need all the help that we can get :)


His Moving Up Ceremony was held at the San Beda Conference Hall (the teachers at Little Sofie all come from San Beda so they have a special arrangement with them).   Everyone looked so cute with their long-sleeved shirts and well-brushed hair :)  and the girls in their "gowns" (yes, there were some students who actually wore ball gowns!) I was rather disappointed in some of the parents that didn't treat the ceremony with the formality that it deserved.  Some wore ultra-mini skirts that the moment they went up on stage to place the medals on their kids, everyone was "treated" to a sight that they didn't want to see...  uggh.. I think that parents also need to be behaved during ceremonies like this.  The kids were well-behaved but the parents were becoming unruly trying to get pictures of their kids.  It's understandable that they want to preserve the moment, but the fact is, they were becoming disruptive and the ceremony was turning into chaos because of them.. hmm..








I do commend Ms. Shiela, Teacher Dory, Teacher Karen, Teacher Kat and Teacher Del for all their hard work in their preparations.  They all looked very beautiful too! :)








Dylan got the Most Polite and Most Cheerful awards! hahaha After the event, we went to JT's Manukan Grille for some much needed lunch :)

Dylan's 5th Birthday

March is always a busy year.  Especially when you have to deal with graduations and moving up ceremonies.  It's doubly exciting for us since the kids both celebrate their birthdays in the same month.  Granted, it can also be cheaper since you only have to celebrate once, which at this point in their lives, they don't mind hahaha


So anyway, we didn't have a celebration planned for Dylan.  We figured, since he's going to his Moving Up ceremony on the 22nd anyway, we'd celebrate then and make it a double celebration (jeez, reading back, that's a lot of "celebration" words hehe).  Thanks to Ate Den and Kuya Erghie Dylan had his first gift of the day. :)  He got two workbooks :) What we wanted was to buy a bike for Dylan.  He finally figured out how to ride his small bike - before he used to pedal his feet on the ground instead of driving the pedals themselves. We thought about where to buy a good, quality bike.  We've learned our lesson with Dana's bike which we bought from a mall.  It broke down so fast, it stayed in the storage far longer than Dana was able to use it.

This time, we headed to the bike lane in Quiapo where we were able to buy Dylan's bike at a much cheaper price but it's a far better quality than that of Dana's.  We had to walk the length of the avenue to get a feel for what's available.  It was very hot but the corn and the green mangoes made it all worthwhile :) There were cheap bikes, there were expensive bikes.  Some bikes looked like old stock.  Some looked new.  Others looked rickety, others looked really sporty.

We found the best deal at King's Bicycle shop where the sales assistant was helpful without being too forceful. That quality to me is as important as the cost of the bike :D  It was slightly more expensive than in other stores but we thought that their quality was good considering the number of customers currently in the store and actually buying stuff from them.  Before we actually finalized the sale, we went over to the Globe Lumpia store in Raon!  It's such great tasting lumpia and cheap too!  We bought a lot for our lunch for when we get back home.  

We went back to King's Bicycle and bought Dylan's Spiderman bike.  We had to wait a while for the technician to assemble the bike too.  We kept ourselves occupied by admiring all the bike parts.  One caught Patrick's eye - it was a Cannondale bike frame that was so light you can pick it up with one hand.  But the price blew us away! It cost P60,000 (roughly $1400) enough for Dana's 2 years of education LOL We just took a cab to get home.

That same day, we also took Dana's bike to the shop near the house.  It turned out, the sprockets needed to be replaced and Patrick also bought bells which he affixed to the kids' bikes :)  Needless to say, we were all singing to Queen's "I want to ride my bicycle" throughout the day.  

As a treat, that Saturday, we all trooped to the Quezon Memorial Circle so that the kids will have the freedom to enjoy riding their bikes.  It's kind of hampering them having to just circle around the living room at home Den and Erghie also came with us.  We had to remove Dana's bike balancers to get her accustomed to riding, which at first made her really mad and frustrated :)  But all in all, it was a good day.  We rounded off everything with a trip to JT's Manukan Grille for lunch :)

Book Review: This is your Brain IN LOVE

March 16, 2010

Who wouldn’t want to know how their brain behaves when they’re in love?  I, for one, was caught by the title of this book (that comes complimentary from BookSneeze) and was instantly interested to find out what Dr. Henslin (the author) had to say about it.

Basically, this book is about “improving a troubled marriage, fueling the fires of passion and keeping a life-long love alive”.  The difference is that  Dr. Henslin uses brain imaging scans to bring therapy to a whole different level.  He discusses the five types of Lovers in detail:  the Scattered Lover, the Overfocused Lover, the Blue Mood Lover, the Agitated Lover and the Anxious Lover to provide insights you and your partner can evaluate on your own or as a couple and recommends solutions to facing such challenges. 

I really liked this book because it talks about the totality of marriage like a work in progress.  There’s the element of sex and intimacy between the couple (I found that list on Jewish tradition to be really fascinating that I had to share it with partner) and how it relates to the spirituality of their marriage.  Then, there’s the whole section on the Five Types of Lovers.  There are tables, checklists and brain scan images that are really fun to explore.  If you find that you’re not of that type, then you can skip it and focus on yours.  It’s very readable even though there may be scientific and medical terms to understand.  The anecdotes about the couples he had in therapy put a realistic stamp on his practice.  I also really loved the fact that he doesn’t rely on giving you pills immediately but offers a refinement of your diet and nutrition as part of the solution. 

This is a book that you can refer to again and again.  It is very useful for couples and even as individuals if you’re feeling lost in your marriage.  I found it fascinating, interesting and hard to put down.  Thumbs Up!