Family Day Out

February 15, 2012

Today is Dana's Field Demo.  They were supposed to perform in school.  Unfortunately, we didn't arrive on time because we still had to bring some potluck for the school's lunch-together.  However, we managed to take pictures of Dana after the program.  The shirt was yellow for their Grade Level and the skirt was supposed to be custom-made to be part of their costume.  I don't know why but it's a bit expensive.  I remember when I used to go to school, we only used our PE uniform for Field Demos to avoid costly costumes.  

After the program, we rode in the Chevrolet Orlando which Patrick was test driving for Top Gear Magazine and went to Glorietta.  Patrick had some errands to run and we were just along for the ride! :) sort of like a Family Day Out hehehe

After Glorietta, we also went to Bonifacio High Street.  We spent some time browsing through the goodies at ROX because Patrick had some GC's to spare.  We ended up buying a Jansport backpack because our old one was getting frayed :)  The kids had fun too!

With a burst of creativity and imagination, Dana combined her skirt with this "buff" which Patrick got from ROX.  :) "Spiderman sunflower" according to Dana.  Of course, Dylan was scared of it LOL

Dreaming of an International Vacation

When you have kids, you are always on the lookout for places that they would want to visit when you have the time and when you have the money.  In our case, we’ve mostly been able to visit local places in the Philippines, but it’s nice to dream about South Africa tours or going to Disneyland Hongkong which is nearby.

Thanks to the Internet, you can really find out a lot of educational information about travel places that can help you decide on where you want to go.  It’s also a good source of information for things that you can do and events that you can expect when you travel, from the moment you step on a plane and all the way until you get to your travel destination. 

One of the best ways that you can ease up on your stress is to connect with a good international travel agency that can create a customized package for your trip.  For our local trips, we have had the luck to establish a good rapport with local agencies that can be reached anytime via the Internet.  So far, we haven’t been disappointed and we’ve always managed to enjoy our trips.  For international destinations, it doesn’t have to be too tricky but you do need to ask around, read up on reviews of people who have tried a particular agency’s services and be specific about what you want. 

For sure, when we get a bit of a windfall, we may just use an international travel agency to book our trip.

Dylan's fever scare

February 08, 2012

Often when the kids get a fever, I don't panic and immediately go to the doctor.  I know that it takes 2 days for a fever to break so as much as possible, I just give the kids paracetamol to keep the fever down and observe.

It was initially that way with Dylan.  His fever started last Sunday and we attributed it to his mild cold.  It went on till Monday which made him miss his classes.  Tuesday, he was feeling a little better, the fever has broken, or so I thought.

Wednesday morning, his fever was back and that was the time I became concerned.  I remembered that when Den had dengue, her fever was on and off and she didn't show any of the usual signs of dengue, like the rashes.  When we took her to the hospital, it was only a suspicion of dengue but it turned out, she was lucky we brought her that day because her BP was already crashing.  She stayed in the ICU for about 5 days that time.

So you can imagine my fear when Dylan was showing the same signs.  Patrick missed work for this on the off-chance that Dylan had dengue, someone had to go home and arrange for his stuff to be brought to the hospital.    His doctor, Dra. Violeta Mendoza of the World City Medical Center, advised that he have blood tests and a dengue test done just to be sure.   It was a good thing that Dylan was covered under Patrick's health plan at work and we didn't have to pay for anything.

If you look at this picture of Dylan and his daddy, he doesn't look like he's sick. :)










Here's a scanned picture of the laboratory tests done on him.  It was for a complete blood count, Platelet count and NS 1 Antigen.  It only took one needle prick to get the results for all the tests.  I admit I was nervous when we went to the laboratory because I wasn't sure how Dylan will react when he sees the needle.  But he was a very good boy and he didn't even cry when the interns proceeded to find the vein in his arm.  They had to do it three times because they couldn't find the vein on either arm.  When they decided that they will use his right arm, they immediately went to work.  It was also good training on their part not to show the needle to Dylan until the last minute when they were actually going to prick him.  Imagine if other kids immediately saw the needle waiting there on the table, I bet they'd be thinking too many horror stories :)  Dylan flinched a little when he felt the prick but he didn't jerk and he didn't scream or cry either.  Good Boy!! :)  When it was done and they put cotton and tape on the prick, he moved like an old man, like his arm had the whole weight of his body hahaha

Since we had to wait for 3 hours for the results,  we first went to Cubao to pass the time. We ate at McDonald's.  It was funny to watch him eat because he refused to use his bandaged arm :)  Eating was a chore to him at that point :)  We just went around Ali Mall to see what's new, and there were a lot of new developments, like new shops that weren't there before.  It was good to see Cubao getting revived.  Patrick felt like he was running full circle because his dad used to bring him there when he was a kid and now, he's a dad and he's bringing his kid to Cubao :)  I felt the same way.  Cubao was the destination for families during Sundays after church when I was a kid too.  :)

Anyway, we got the good news after we got the results.  Dylan didn't have dengue.  His fever was mostly probably viral, according to his doctor, which apparently can last for 5 days.  His blood work didn't show any signs of infection so he wasn't prescribed antibiotics either.  He was just advised to rest and take it easy and stay away from other sick people LOL  So that was a huge relief!!

At home, Dylan and Patrick just stayed in bed reading Top Gear! :D

For more information on dengue, here's what Dr. Eric Tayag of the DOH, said about the symptoms of dengue:

• High Fever
• Rashes
• Vomiting
• Stomach pains
• Nose bleeding
• Low Platelet count
• Difficulty in breathing

Mom's 4th Death Anniversary

Today is my mom's 4th death anniversary.  I can't believe it's already been 4 years...I still miss her so bad and yes, the pain is still the same as it was when I found out she was dead.  But, I figured she wouldn't like it if we remembered her with sadness so I thought I'd post 4 things that my mom loved when she was alive.  :) 4 things because it's her 4th death anniversary.. silly, I know, but it's fun for me to think about these things :) So, bear with me :D

1.  Speed - yep, I remember when we watched that movie, she almost had a heart attack because she was holding on to her breath and being all tense!!  She would be gripping the armrests of the chair and just be so taken in with the movie.  After that, she was smiling like crazy and laughing like she was high on something.. :D  It doesn't matter if she sees it the 2nd time, it'll be the same all over again :)

2.  Cinnzeo cinnamons - I remember when I first brought home a box of Cinnzeo cinnamons for my mom.  I bought it at Greenbelt on my home from work.  I was so enamored of the flavor and I knew she would be too so I bought a box for her.  Imagine her surprise when she first took a bite out of the original flavored one.  She said it was to die for!! She didn't really like that it was so expensive but I told her, that's the reason why we work so we can enjoy good food like this :)  It was such a guilty pleasure for her that I would still buy her a box every time I could :D

3.  Tom Clancy books - Yep, this is no surprise but she loved Tom Clancy books.  She first started with Patriot Games and I guess she fell in love with Jack Ryan.  Whenever we'd go to Booksale she'll scour the shelves for the rest of his books until she was able to complete majority of the collection.  Her favorite one was "Without Remorse" because it was more personal and so aptly titled.

My brother and I got our love of books from our mom and we'd always share the books that we read.  Even when she was in the States she'd send books that she'd finished to me and my brother would complain that he hasn't read them yet hahahaha





4.   Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet - Oh my God! I just suddenly remembered how giggly like a teenager my mom was when Spandau Ballet first came out hahaha Granted we all loved their songs but it was Tony Hadley that really made my mom's heart race LOL  I remembered that I bought her a full-size poster of Tony for her birthday hahahaha It was right in the middle of her bedroom! hahahaha I'm really laughing here because it's such a good memory and I'm glad that I did this...

Brian and Donna's Wedding

I realized that at my age, there are three events that I will most likely be often invited to - weddings, baptisms and funerals.  Last year, I made a promise to myself that if I get more invitations for get-togethers and chances for meet-ups with friends, I will not pass up on them.  So, when I received a personal invitation from Brian regarding his wedding today, I immediately said yes.

It's nice being personally invited to a person's wedding because it means that this person really wants you to be a part of their celebration.  It didn't matter that I would have to spend for it considering it was a strictly formal affair but it's a chance to really dress up and look good ;)

It also was a chance to meet up with other college buddies, Nancy and Grace, who shared the same table with Patrick and I.  The wedding was held at the Manila Cathedral.  That was also a good enough reason for me to attend the wedding ceremony.  I have lived in Manila all my life and yet I haven't been inside the Manila Cathedral hahaha  It was an impressive church - no one Brian wanted to get married here.  After the wedding, we all trooped to One Esplanade near Mall of Asia in Pasay for cocktails and the reception.

There's one word that I can use to describe Brain's wedding -  Bongga!! It's roughly the Filipino version for Extravagantly Fantastic! :)  This was a dream wedding for most brides I think.  Getting married in a very beautiful church.  Having your family and friends surrounding you on this very special day (there were around 300 guests if you were to count the number of tables at the venue).  Just the right dose of entertainment during the reception with Chico and Delamar hosting the program.  Very tasty food at the buffet tables.  Fireworks to cap the evening. :)  It was truly a day and a night to remember for both the couple and their guests.

Here are pictures while at the Manila Cathedral:

Here are pictures while at the Sunken Garden at One Esplanade.  We tasted different types of cheese!

We had fun having our pictures taken at the two photo booths there.  The second picture was cut and attached to a guestbook for Brian and Donna.  The rest of the pictures (the 3 small ones) were turned into refrigerator magnets.  How cool is that?! :)

Here we are inside the venue, Coral B at One Esplanade.  Grace and Fred arrived a little later but were still able to partake of the special buffet.

All Attendees received the small box which was full of chocolates and candy, while female attendees received the bigger box.  Guess what was inside the bigger box?  A jewelry box! :) Dana claimed it for herself :)

To Brian and Donna - Congratulations and Thank You for Inviting Us! 

A day of pampering: Let's Face it & Laybare

 It's not often that I get days when I feel pampered.  For today, Dana and I went to SM San Lazaro, for pampering with a purpose :) My college buddy, Brian, is getting married this Saturday and it's a good time as any to just look good for it :)  So, I scheduled such a day specifically for a facial at Let's Face It and eyebrow threading and underarm waxing from LayBare Salon.


I have tried several facial treatments from different salons.  I've tried Dermclinic (in SM Sta. Mesa) but wasn't satisfied with their Medical Facial.  It wasn't very thorough and it felt like the one doing the process was a trainee.  I've also been to White Beauty Face and Body Center in Ortigas.   Patrick had access to several GC's offered by his office and I was able to take advantage of those.  The GC's were worth P1500 and I used them (on 2 separate occasions) for a Facial with Mask.   Their service seemed okay but I didn't think that the facial was worth P1500.

I was wary of Let's Face It because often times when I look into their area, there are almost always a whole bunch of women getting their faces cleaned and I didn't really like that at all.  I much preferred a more private atmosphere which was the reason I went for DermClinic and White Beauty in the first place.  But then, I was kinda short on cash at the moment so I timed my visit when the Mall opened so there will hardly be anyone in the salon which can give the illusion of being in a private setting.  I was right, when Dana and I got there, there were only 3 other clients in the service area, so that was okay, and we were far from each other too.  I only tried their basic facial which was worth P245 with laser and 2 free check-ups.  I didn't really have any expectations at all so it was with an open-mind that I proceeded with my facial.

I was directed to their wash area to clean my face twice with their cleansing soap with a follow-through of a moisturizing soap.  They helped me put on a hair net and a "bib" so you don't get water and soap on your clothes.  Then I was directed to one of their beds, got relaxed and just waited for the process to start.  After a relaxing facial massage and I assume, another cleaning to open the pores, steam was directed at my face for about 15 minutes.  The atmosphere was relaxing since the attendants weren't really noisy and there weren't that many customers too.  Then the "actual" cleaning began and I've never had so much pain in my life!! Honestly!  My only thought at that time was that prisoners and criminals should be treated to such a "benefit" so they will hesitate the next time they want to commit a crime.

The pressing and the removal of the dirt on my face was so painful I can possibly compare it to having labor, I think worse even! LOL  At one point, when I can predict the attendant's moves, I was mentally crying "Block!" "Block!" "Block!" when the attendant will press on my face and my skin.  I can't fault her for being thorough though because, ultimately, that's the point of a facial - to get your face cleaned of yuck and dirt that you normally can't clean with regular soap and cleansers.  I just wish it wasn't so painful!  After all that, I felt like my face was swollen and indeed there were marks on my skin when I left the salon.  Some people were looking at me funny while Dana and I got something to eat afterward.  I just didn't mind them hehehe

About 30 minutes after Let's Face It, the swellling on my face has subsided and we headed next to LayBare.  I've been to this branch three times.  The first time and 3rd time, I felt really pampered and I felt good.  I had both eyebrow threading and underarm waxing with MJ as my attendant.  Her hands were supple and light and the threading wasn't painful.  The underarm waxing was very relaxing, I loved it!  The 2nd time I went there, I wasn't so satisfied because I felt that the attendant was rather hurried.  The underarm waxing with her took about 5 minutes only.  I felt kinda cheated.  She must have been hurrying because she wanted to get on with her break because as soon as we left the salon, we saw her heading out.  I will avoid her the next time I go back :)


I will have to think twice about going back to Let's Face It though.  I don't think I can take that much pain the next time hehehe

Dana's Day Out

Today is Chinese New Year and it's a holiday! yahoo!

Funny enough when we asked the kids if they wanted to come with us to go out, it was only Dana who wanted to come.  Dylan wanted to remain at home to "use the computer" hahaha He doesn't get to use it once we're all home so since he knew that 3 of us will be gone, he has more time to use it hahahaha

Anyway, so this started a new tradition of sorts.  We will take one child on a Day Out so that all the attention will be focused on him/her.  In this case, Dana got first dibs :)  She had already asked me before, you know, for just the two of us to go out and have fun together.  Well, she's getting both parents this time so that's even better.  The original point of going out was for me to look for a pair of shoes for my friend's upcoming wedding.    We ended up having the first "Dana's Day Out" outing.

For starters, we went to Cubao where I knew there were a lot of shoe stores aside from the usual stuff they sell in the department stores.  So, we went to Farmer's Plaza, where I was fortunate to find a pair that was just right for me.  And it only cost P250!!  I also bought Dana her own pair :) Love shopping with her :)

After all that walking around and looking for the right pair of shoes, naturally, we got tired.  We ate some quesadilla, tacos, nachos and churros at Taco Bell.  Dana had fun refilling his Dad's cup of coke :)  Simple joys for a simple girl hahaha

Next, we went to Shopwise to buy some necessary groceries.  What we didn't know was that they had an ongoing promo in line with Chinese New Year!  People who are wearing red will automatically get a fortune cookie!  Imagine that! And Dana was wearing an all-red outfit courtesy of her Tita Shawie LOL

She got one fortune cookie as we entered the grocery.  But then we had to go out for a bathroom break.  When we came back, through a different entrance this time, she got another fortune cookie! hahahaha It was great because then she had one and Dylan will have one too !!

After depositing our grocery items in the car, we went to Gateway for dinner.  Dana wanted to eat at Teriyaki Boy because she loves Japanese food and she loves their Yogato dessert :)


So here they are, Daddy and Dana enjoying a cup of Yogato!

And here we are having a few moments together.. but the last picture looks a little creepy hehehe

Trip to UP Diliman and Rodic's

One facet of Patrick's job as a writer for Top Gear Philippines is having his weekends devoted to car events and photo shoots.  Well, during this weekend, the kids and I tagged along just to have the chance to breathe some fresh air among the trees and the gardens of UP Diliman.

The first order of the day was eating taho!













Then walking along the path and finding a creek and a log to sit on.  There were plenty of butterflies - yellow, white and black - that were flitting around.  Such a pretty sight.  Too bad I only had a camera phone - too slow to catch one.









After much running around, we found a log to sit on.  Dana had her thermos and they shared a cup or two to refresh themselves.

Dylan became very invigorated as you can see!

So while Patrick was busy working, we were busy playing and we weren't getting into each other's way.  We ended our trip with tapsilog at Rodic's Diner. Yummy!!  That was a good day out :)