Once a Bookworm, Always a Bookworm: Finding My Way Back to Reading

They say you never forget your first love—and for me, that’s books. From sneaking Sweet Valley Twins into my school bag in Grade 3 to devouring Harry Potter and Twilight as a teen, reading has always been my safe place. But somewhere along the way, adulthood pulled me away. For years, I thought I had lost that part of myself… until one story brought me back.

My love for books began in Grade 3 with Sweet Valley Twins and Sweet Valley High. Soon after came Nancy Drew, who fueled my love for mystery and adventure. As I grew older, my shelves evolved with me—Harry Potter brought magic and a sense of belonging, while Twilight filled my teenage and young adult years with late-night binges and endless debates over Edward versus Jacob. Around that time, I also felt like I personally knew Becky Bloomwood from the Shopaholic series, her quirks, her charm, and her chaos made her feel like a friend I grew up with.

Then adulthood and well.. life happened. Work, responsibilities, and the weight of everyday life pushed reading aside. I also got married and had 3 kids. The girl who once stayed up until 3 a.m. with a book suddenly didn’t have the time and energy, to read at all. For a while, I thought maybe I had outgrown that part of me. 

some of my 2-year old book haul

But recently, I’ve found my way back. It all started when I was going through the heavy fog of postpartum blues. I felt like I had lost myself—that I was only “a mother” and no longer my own person. In that search to feel whole again, I looked back at the things that once made me truly happy. Reading was one of them. Picking up a book again felt like reconnecting with a forgotten part of myself, a reminder that beyond the roles I carry, I am still me—someone who finds joy, escape, and comfort in stories. I grabbed a copy of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo because I saw a news clip that it'll be made into a movie. I enjoyed it and started looking for the best selling books right away. Romantasy books like Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and 

Roses reignited my love for losing myself in new worlds. This time, though, I read with more maturity—savoring not just the story, but the emotions, growth, and imperfect love woven into the pages. I also discovered Ana Huang and Ali Hazelwood, whose witty and heartfelt romances (and spicy!) feel modern, empowering, and deeply relatable. 

I see now that being a bookworm was never just a childhood phase. It’s a part of me that simply waited for the right time to return—reminding me that books will always be my escape, my comfort, and my way of seeing the world a little more brightly.

Now that I’m a mother, I find myself hoping my kids will discover the same joy in books that I did. We started reading to them early, turning bedtime stories into a special ritual that feels like a gentle bridge between their world and mine. In an age ruled by screens, I know it’s important to set the example, that books can be more than just pages, they can be friends, adventures, and comfort. Seeing my middle child begin to enjoy reading on their own fills me with so much quiet pride; it feels like passing down a part of my heart. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about raising readers—it’s about showing our kids that stories are meant to be lived, shared, and cherished, and that the joy of reading can belong to all of us.

Slow Down, My Loves!

I saw my SIL’s new baby post a few hours ago and I remember how years ago, I was at that stage before. When my three kids were wearing onesies and just lying on the bed giving us their oh so cute stares. I suddenly felt a wave of emotion I wasn’t expecting. At a blink of an eyes, my babies turned into kids and all of them are in school now. 

As you all know, I have three children. The other day, I was telling my husband how they each have their own quirks and attitudes. Each of them has different personalities and each one have their own spark. I look at them and I feel a bit sad that I don’t get to cradle them anymore but at the same time happy to see them becoming their own person. 

I miss being a mom with a baby but I definitely don’t want another kid! Three is already a lot to handle. I just miss holding them in my arms like the tiny precious things they were. I miss the way they’d reach for me with chubby little hands, how their eyes lit up when they see me entered the room. I miss the monthly pictorials and the milestones I swore I’d never forget (but sometimes forget specially my middle child). I sometimes miss waking up in the wee of the night just to breastfeed them and change their diapers. Those days were hard and exhausting but fulfilling too, all at once. 

kerenkeng.blogspot.com

At the same time, I’m also excited to see them grow more! My babies are growing into kids with wild imaginations, strong opinions, and hilarious jokes. I love hearing about their dreams, their made-up stories, their wishes for themselves and our family, and the friends they’re making. I love seeing how they develop their own interests too - whether it's dinosaurs, soccer, computer games, gymnastics, ballet, and baking. I see glimpses of who they’re becoming, and I am just amazed! 

Sometimes I find myself just staring at them and noticing how their faces are changing, how their legs are longer, how their questions are deeper. They're really not babies anymore. They're people - real little humans with real personalities. 

Bittersweet. That’s the word I was thinking how raising kids feel like. Bittersweet but also beautiful. Motherhood is full of paradoxes. You want time to slow down, but you're also excited to see what's next. You want to hold them close, but you also want to let them grow wings. 

I'm actually still learning not to cling to the past or rush the future. I know that I am not ready for all the growing up that’s happening, but I just want to be here for every moment. 

Have you had one of those emotional mommy moments lately too? I’d love to hear how you're feeling about your little ones growing up. Let’s remind each other—we’re not alone in this bittersweet, beautiful journey.

From Busy to Busier

I'm writing today and taking a short break from my busy mom life a.k.a. exhaustion, where I've been living for what feels like an eternity. You know, the usual – mom duties, household chores, work responsibilities, and a bit of procrastination. But you know what, no matter how busy I get, I always find a way to add more to my plate. I get annoyed at myself then I laugh realizing how stupid that sounds. 

My usual day consist of waking up really early to prepare the kids' baon, braving the morning rush to get them to school on time. Afterwards, I try to keep up with my toddler's demands for snacks and attention while simultaneously juggling a million other tasks like cleaning the house, sorting toys, making sure my kids' assignments and projects are ready for next day. And yet, I still managed to convince myself that I needed to start a new side hustle, finish the pile of my TBR book file, enroll my kids to sports/music classes, and learn how more things to craft. Did I mention that I'll be starting my driving lessons soon?

Yes, you read that right, crafting like stickers, keychain, leather, and crochet. I already have most of the materials ready. I mean, what's the point of having a spare moment when you can spend it trying to create something that will probably end up  up looking like a second graders' project? But hey, at least I'll be busy, right?

And don't even get me started on social media. This is my work, my niche. I should be pretty fed up scrolling everyday looking for influencers to collaborate with (sometimes I am actually) but I still can't get enough of checking my IG feed. I just can't resist looking for new toys, interior design, and of course the latest local and international chismis. Add the Tiktok, X feeds, plus Lazada and Shopee, and I'm done. Nothing accomplished! The following day will be a busy day for sure no thanks to me. Hahaha!

image not mine

But seriously, what's going on with us busy moms? Why do we feel the need to keep adding more and more to our plates? Is it some kind of masochistic desire to see how much we can handle before we collapse? Or are we just trying to prove something to ourselves (or others)? 

For me, it's a little bit of both. I mean, sure, there's a part of me that's just trying to keep up with everything. But there's also a part of me that's genuinely excited about trying new things and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone.

I know I'm not alone in this crazy journey. So if you're out there, fellow busy moms (and even titas), let's comfort each other and laugh about our shared struggles. Maybe even share what other activities we should try next time? I'm thinking of doing pottery soon.. Oops! Maybe I'll add that to my ever growing list for the next year's activities. 

From Page to Screen

I wanted to share what happened to me for the last years but I can't help but rant on the recent series I've watched. That I guess that will be on my next post instead.

As an avid reader, I always get thrilled whenever I hear that a book I love is being adapted into a movie. I don't expect a scene-for-scene remake but I'd be happy if they stick to the core of the storyline and character arc. I understand that changes need to be made in order to make it interesting and to have an element of surprise. What irks me the most is changing the storyline for the sake of appealing to the society.

I recently read an article about George RR Martin saying "No matter how major a writer its is, no matter how great the book, there always seem to be someone on hand who thinks he can do better, eager to take the story and 'improve' on it." Can't blame him, A Song of Ice and Fire is a good book, albeit hard to read, and the ending of the TV series was a sad sad one. It seems like they were in a hurry and didn't take the time to develop the idea properly. 

Recently, I watched the third season of Bridgerton on Netflix. I actually started reading the books because I loved the first TV series. I became a fan! The book is better than the TV series but I still liked the first two seasons. I was disappointed when the show's writers chose to sacrifice a good storytelling for the sake of trendy, woke ideologies. I feel that it compromised the show's overall quality and I'm no longer excited for the next season. I mean I just really want to watch a good story without someone forcing an agenda. While I'm thrilled to see more representation on the show, I think it's important not to overdo it.

CCTO (photo not mine)

CCTO (photo not mine)

Anyway, one of my favorite book to movie adaptation is Harry Potter. I used to rush to National Bookstore and Powerbooks to see if I can get a copy whenever a new book is released. I love the book but I cannot imagine what a Quidditch game was, how a Golden Snitch looks, and the other out of this world terms. This is one of the reasons why I also love this movie adaptation as much as the book series. I get to see the words in these books in motion. Book or movie wise, it sets a good balance of being loyal to the plot and at the same time giving the movie audience something new to experience.

Any bookworms like me who feel the same about books to tv/movie adaptation? Let me know!

Me after Seven Years

Hello Blog! It's been seven years!! LIFE HAPPENED. Adulthood and Motherhood is hard, I have no time for hobbies these days but I'm going back to doing the things I loved when my life was simple. Social Media is tiring a lot of times but I need to be here since my work is Social Media (the irony). I wanted to delete this blog but I can't since I love all the memories stored here - bad grammar, photos, mundane thoughts, and everything. 

I promise to create more entries this month. As much as I like doing IG Reels, blogging will always have a scepial place in my heart. Gusto ko i update tong itsura ng blog na to and magsulat ng mga walang kwenta ulit. It will always be my favorite outlet. Wait ka lang blogger ha, I'll be back very soon!

Essential Oils

I've been hearing and seeing about Essential Oils from my mommy friends and celebrities I follow on social media. Young Living is the brand that has been mentioned numerous times. But when I learned of the price, I immediately lost interest. That's too much for me. Hehehe!

One time, I saw my ate's FB and IG post. It was Young Living essential oils and she posted how much she liked them and helped her family well-being. She got the Premium Started Kit. You know how people would talk non stop when they're into a thing? That's her about YL EOs. Because of her constant posting, it got me curious again. 

When my ate visited my baby, one of our conversation went to essential oils. I know she's not into Sales but her testimonials made me think twice of giving these a try. 

I checked for an oil that would help my hyper kid. And that was when I saw articles and recipes for ADHD. To make a long story short, I asked my ate to buy the Vetiver essential oil so I can try if it would work for my firstborn. I cannot order the Premium Starter Kit yet because it is way out of my budget and I don't think my husband would agree to spending a big amount for such. 

pic not mine

While waiting for the delivery, I was given some Lavender and Peace and Calming samples. I gave some to son but I don't think it worked. However, I use it while we were inside the car and of course my baby smell it. The effect? Well he was asleep for a long time. I was amazed because I didn't intend on using it on him. He's a light sleeper so his sleep is always interrupted. It got me excited! I might have some hope my son soon!

After a week of waiting, I got my Vetiver and Lavender bottles.

I tried it on my firstborn yesterday and it somehow made him less active. No running for about 2-3 hours and became more attentive. And it was just a drop of Vetiver and Lavendar oil! As for my baby, he got an uninterrupted sleep again last night. I just woke up to feed and he was sleeping the rest of the night. I got a good night too! Before going to school today, I rub the Vetiver and Lavender oil again. I was so anxious! When he got home, I was surprised that he wasn't running on his way inside. I ask him to do a lot of things things too and he did about 80% of it. Without me having to repeat them. 

This is really promising! I want to test it's consistency on him first but I'm close to buying my own kit too so I can start my Essential Oil Journey. I have a lot of recipes I want to try for my family and I'm hoping it will improve our well-being too.

My Breastfeeding Journey

I always wanted to breastfeed my child. When I gave birth to my first son, I blogged about my frustrations because I wasn't able to do it. I was able to pump but it wasn't enough so it was formula all the way. Before I give birth, I already told my husband and family my plan to breastfeed my next child and I was happy that they supported me on this. I don't remember having their support with our first child so I was easily discourage to pursue it.

It was a good thing that my newborn was able to latch at the beginning of his life because it somehow made it easier for us to establish breastfeeding. Also, it was a big help that my OB Gyne, Dra. Heidi Dauigoy, is a breastfeeding advocate. She wanted me to embrace breastfeeding for this child because of the benefits. She doesn't have to tell me twice because it has always been my dream to exclusive breastfeed my child. 

It was true that breastfeeding is hard, specially in the first week. I doubted if I was able to produce enough milk. I actually give formula to Noah on his third day because I felt that he wasn't able to get anything from me. When he didn't latch in the evening, I got upset at myself so I read and read and read. I tried to make him latch from me again after I dropped formula on my nipples. 

Thankfully he accepted and I vowed that I won't give him formula milk again. Malunggay capsule, soup, chocolate malt drinks, oatmeal, Malunggay tea, lots of water, and unlimited latch. I ate, drink, and did everything in order to produce enough milk. When milk started dripping from my nipples uncontrollably, I knew I'll make it far. But then, sore and cracked nipples, interrupted sleep at night, and tiredness became my biggest enemies. I have to endure everything again for the sake of giving the best to my child. So here I am, more than one month already and yes, my baby is healthy. This is the start of my breastfeeding journey. 

About Last Month

I know I stated that I wanted to be active on my blog again but what happened was... I gave birth last month to my second baby boy! That was September 2, 2017, 3:45 AM to be exact. 

So here's the story... Since my last checkup on August 28, 2017, I was already 4 cm dilated, and I know I could give birth soon (but I was really hoping for Mama Mary's birthday, September 8). I've been monitoring my contractions through an app (very helpful) and I was determine to bear the pain as much as I can. It was because I didn't want to spend a long labor at the hospital without any food or drinks, which was what I experienced with my firstborn. I couldn't stand the pain of labor and stomachache which lead me to asked for an epidural. I would have preferred a natural birth the last time if not for the additional pain due to an empty stomach. 

I stayed at home walking and exercising (and eating and drinking) until the late night of September 1 when the contractions were getting intense already. We arrived at the Premier Medical Center at about midnight. When the doctor checked me, I was already at 7 cm. Wow! So I was taken to the labor room where I was given something that made me fall asleep while my husband was filling up forms, making a deposit, and looking for a room. I wasn't sure how long I slept but I woke up in pain. The contractions were very very very intense. So they brought me to the delivery room where I met my doctor and told me that my waterbag already broke and that I was about to give birth already. The contractions that time were unbearable and I couldn't handle taking a big breath. My impulse were to push and I did but I still tried breathing in and out like what the doctors and nurses told me. I remember that I kept on asking for water because my mouth and throat were so dry but they only give my ice chips and I hated that it could not satisfy me. 

Finally, I heard them say that my husband is already with us. I was still drowsy but I heard them give instruction to my husband that he cannot take video, only pictures. Then, my OB told me to start pushing. I pushed four times and the baby was out! It was a boy! I can't believe that I endured giving birth without any anesthesia. But then again I must just be crazy and brave. Hehehe! I honestly don't know what happened next because I fell asleep again. My husband told me that they did the "Unang Yakap" just like what I wanted and that they made my baby breastfeed on me. Good thing he had pictures of that moment so I was very happy.

I woke up in the recovery room with the nurse trying to teach me how to breastfeed and how to make my newborn latch properly. That moment was so amazing for me! I desperately wanted to breastfeed my firstborn before but because Unang Yakap wasn't done I wasn't able to establish breastfeeding with him. I just loved that breastfeeding was required for this birth and my family supported me with this. Since he was roomed in with me, I was able to nurse him within the first 24 hours of his life. 

Our family already visited us that afternoon to see the latest member. My firstborn was very much excited to see his little brother, Noah Alonzo, and I could be happier!

Work At Home Mom

For a long time, I wanted to spend more time with my son. Not just the quality but the quantity. Working for a BPO company, no matter how great he benefits are, just won't me the satisfaction I was looking for eversince I become a mom. I've contemplated long and hard; weighted the Pros and Cons; consulted people. In the end, I decided to resign from the company that provided for me and my family for 11 years. 

So what's the next option for me? A home-based job. I had second thoughts about this at first. I was worried that it won't be enough to help with the bills. Luckily for me, I was able to find a good home-based job a month after I resigned. All I needed was a good internet connection, a backup wifi, a laptop, and the skills I learned from working in a BPO company. It was a struggle at first because I have no one to physically assist me, I have to rely on good old google to find the information I need. After two months, I was breezing through it. Not only did it gave me the time to spend with my son, it also paid well, just like when I was working for a BPO company. My son was just happy that he can now sleep and wake up with me by his side and not with his grandparents. It was a priceless moment indeed.

image by Google

Not all home-based jobs are good, mind you. I heard of several pinoys who were scammed by their clients. Some jobs also have weird requirements like dressing sexily while on cam with her boss. Another job I found online was a chat support for dating sites so one must be witty enough to answer the "customers" when they ask you "personal" questions. Goodness, I'm not that desperate noh! 

For those moms who are also considering this path, don't be afraid. Despite the risks, it is so rewarding, I tell you. It may be a struggle at first just like any new beginnings, but once you get the hang of it, it's really fulfilling. More than everything, the guilt I would feel every time I leave my son to my parents or in laws' care is no longer there.

Second Pregnancy

After six years, I'm 36 weeks pregnant now and waiting patiently for my second baby to come out. We wanted to give our son a sibling for a few years now but for some reason, we just couldn't conceive. We decided to try until May of this year only as I'm scared of any complications that may arise due to my age (late 30s). We're very thankful that He finally blessed us with a new baby. Our firstborn, Quino, was just too excited to become a kuya, he immediately embraced this new responsibility.

Eventhough we're very excited with this pregnancy, I can't help but feel worried and scared. I don't know if I'll be able to love this baby as much as I love my firstborn. I mean am I capable to love two kids at the same time? I'm also scared that I'll prefer one child over the other and I just don't want any sibling rivalry among them. I'm also worried about time management. Since Quino is a special child, he'll need more time and attention from me but at the same time, a newborn will also eat most of my time. Specially since I'm very determined to breastfeed this baby this time around. My husband said I'm putting too much pressure on myself; and I'm thinking about unnecessary things that may not happen; and that it's preventing me from enjoying this pregnancy.  Maybe he's right, but I just can't help it. Being a mother is so much different from being a father. 

We also don't know the gender of our baby. Just like the first, we decided not to know it. I used to want another boy because I think they are just the sweetest to their moms, but now I really really want a baby girl. My gut says it'll be a girl but at the back of my mind, the ultrasound picture looks a lot like a boy. I know I'd feel guilty if I feel a disappointment once I give birth. If we'll have a girl, then that's the end of that problem. But what if it's a boy, can we afford a third child? And can I still cope with pregnancy at my age? Even if we can, there's no guarantee that we'll have a girl. Waaahh! This pregnancy hormones plus a lot of idle time are killing me!

image by google

More Than One Year After....

Hello! I'm still alive! =) Too many thing happened in my life within this period. I started working from home since I stopped blogging (hence my looong absence); my baby boy is now a first grader; and I'm now 31 weeks pregnant with my second baby. 

My biggest challenge is how to manage my time working at home and taking care of my son and husband while managing our household (yes, I don't have a maid). I have so many stories to tell (work-at-home jobs, my son's communication disorder and his monthly therapy, struggling to get pregnant, to finally getting pregnant, etc) and I'm hoping to blog about all these things before I give birth to my second born. 

To Be Continued.... ;)

My Reward Bag: Balenciaga Mini City

After 11 years of working for my previous company, I got myself a new bag. This is my reward bag for all those years of dealing with irate customers. Well technically, it's not really new because it's preloved by a reputable seller. The previous owner sells designer bags and she said she's selling this bag because she just changes bag whenever she feels like it (lucky her!) I'm glad that I was able to get this bag since I've been drooling about this bag for several months now. It's not on my previous list of bags I posted before but I like this one because I wanted something small and light - a contrast to my Pashli bag. At first, I was hesitant with Balenciaga bags because I've read they have soft leather (lambskin). I don't want to a bag that can easily be damaged by scratches. I wanted goatskin or calf skin since they're more durable and strong. But after reading and watching lots of online reviews, I was convinced that Balenciagas are not that delicate like what I've imagined as long as you're taking good care of your bag. 

So without further ado, here's my new baby! Its official name is Balenciaga Agneau Giant Mini City Gris Tarmac. 

Balenciaga Agneau Giant Mini City Gris Tarmac

I never thought I'm going to say it, but I love the beautifully crafted distressed agneau lambskin! It's very soft and very lightweight too! I don't fill this bag with too much stuff, just the essentials, and it's still very lightweight. With regards to its color, I think gray is a perfect color for me. I can wear it with most of my outfits which consist of jeans and long dresses. 

Like any other designer bag, I think Balenciaga bags do need to be taken care of. This would be a challenge for me because I have the tendency to just toss my bag inside my closet. Also, liquid should be kept away from this bag to prevent the color from fading but what should I do if I have sweaty hands? Isn't sweat a form of liquid too? That's the only dilemma that I have have. Thankfully, it has a strap so I don't have to carry it in my arm at all, I can just carry it around my shoulder. Overall, I do love this bag because it's so easy to carry and very stylish. I know I made the right choice, just look at the other celebrities who have the same bag like me. 

Kylie Jenner and Shakira

Kourtney Kardashian, Adriana Lima, and Lindsey Lohan

Friendship Goals

New acquaintances would think I'm a snob because I don't smile a lot and I'm quiet at first. Some would also feel "scared" to come up to me because I have a strong face and intimidating look. But once they get to know me better, almost all of them would be surprised that I'm a nice and funny person daw.

I'm not really bothered by it all because I do have many close friends. As a matter of fact, I recently celebrated my 25th anniversary with my closest friends, my gradeschool barkada. Since silver anniversary is a milestone for every relationship, we decided to have an out of town trip to Cebu. We were originally 13 in grade school but 4 transferred to a different school and the remaining 9 became closer than ever. Since 3 of them are now based overseas and 1 couldn't make it, only 5 of us went to  Cebu to have a weekend all by ourselves - free from our husbands and kids.

Before checking at the hotel, we decided to have a half day tour of Mactan city. The obvious choices were Magellan's Cross, Taoist temple, and local delicacy shopping at Taboan Market.

Magellan's Cross

danggit, pusit, and other dried fishes

We wanted to explore more but because we choose to do the pasalubong shopping first, we smell like danggit at noon so we decided to check in at our hotel.

We stayed at Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu from February 26 to 28. The only description I can think of is BEAUTIFUL. It is! My photo op friends were in heaven because every angle are Instagram worthy posts.

pool

Ibiza Bar

beach front

My photos may not give justice but believe me it is one of the most scenic destination I've been to. On our second day, we were planning on going to Larsian barbeque but decided to experience Ibiza Bar at the same hotel. We're on a limited budget so Php1000 entrance is a lot. But since we're already in Mövenpick, what we heck, we just went for it! Anyway, we've been to Larsian in our previous Cebu trip with ur respective families, it wasn't our time to Cebu for most of us.

Ibiza Bar at night

I wasn't able to take a picture of Ibiza bar at night but you may refer to the picture above on how it looks like during daylight. After a bottle of wine and a glass of cocktails, we were ready to call it a night at 10 PM because our flight was at 6:50 the following morning.

More the experience itself, I had so much fun because I was able to bond again with my friends. At this fast paced digital world, it is nice to know that there will always be those people who accepts, understands, and cherish you for who you are. Cheers to our 25th girls! Looking forward to celebrate another friendship milestones with you all!

How To Really Love A Child

Every now and the, my mother-in-law would give me newspaper or magazine clippings about parenting. Sometimes, she also lend me books (which are just piled up together with old magazines and children's books at home) on how to raise kids and be a good parent or spouse. I haven't read any of the books (sorry, mommy) but I always save the clippings for reference.

Today on Valentine's Day, I want to share one of those clippings, my MIL gave me and my husband. It is timing because it's about love - how to really love a child.

picture taken from http://www.spreukenenwijsheden.nl

"Be there. say yes as often as you can.

Let them bang on pots and pans.

If they're crabby put them in water.

Read books out loud with joy.

Go find elephants and kiss them.

Encourage silly. Giggle a lot.

Remember how really small they are.

Search out the positive.

Keep the gleam in your eye. Go see

a movie in your pajamas. Teach feelings.

Realize how important it is to be a child.

Plan to build a rocketship.

Stop yelling. Invent pleasures together.

Surprise the. Express your love. a lot.

Children are miraculous."

- By Sark

I Need To Be Fit!

This will be my battle cry for this month. I know that I'm not physically in shape but I didn't know it was that bad...

this picture isn't mine ;)

I wanted to lessen my son's exposure to TV and gadgets so yesterday, I hid all the tablets at home and told him we'll go outside and play. I was thinking of introducing him to some of my childhood games like tumbang preso, piko, taguan tao. We tried them all and he liked it! We also planted seeds and watered our plants. My boy was so happy that he didn't want to go back inside the house. In a way, I was satisfied because I've achieved my goal -- he totally forgot about using his iPad and watching TV -- and he wants to go out more!

After his nap, he went to school and I was left at home alone. I was researching online about ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and thought that I should have him do more physical activities instead of using electronic devices as his "babysitter." As I was planning our activities for tomorrow, I started feeling muscle cramps in my leg. My feet also hurts and have a certain kind of numbness to it. My body aching and was badly craving for a soothing massage.

I then realized how badly out of shape I am. To think all we did were to jump and run for a couple of hours. I cannot even cope up with my 4-year old. So today, bodyache and all, I ask my son to do light exercises with me: jumping jacks, neck rotation, bending, etc. I'm feeling more tired now to be honest. I just want to rest and sleep. 

But I need to change ASAP. So I ate the last bite of graham cake we did last weekend. I'll start eating more healthy from now on and I'm hoping by the end of this week, we'll be able to do brisk walking or jogging in the park near our home (I can't even jog for 10 minutes without resting). I don't necessary want to be as sexy as I was before (because I know it won't happen anymore) but I just want to be fit. I also plan on getting pregnant so this is a good way to start our TTC (Trying To Conceive) journey. If anyone wants to share their fitness regimen (yung simple lang ha?) that a beginner like me can do, please let me know. God knows I badly need one.

Forty Winks and a Good Night's Sleep

As a newly stay-at-home mom, spending your day taking care of your child and managing your household can be a challenge. It seems so easy but I realized that it' not. You cannot reason with a 4-year old boy like you do with a colleague; you will never win. You cannot ignore the toys on the floor like you do with the pieces of office supplies on your office floor; no one will clean it but you. You also cannot count the remainder of your 8-hour work day like you do at work since your work is 24 hours. It's only been more than a week since I've resigned and I'm already missing my routine as a regular employee. Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty much loving every moment I get to spend with my son (including his tantrums) but my body I still not used to "taking it easy." I've worked for more than 13 consecutive years so forgive me if I still haven't get rid of my work routine yet.

The only positive side to this new career is I get to sleep a lot of hours now. I love sleeping for more than 8 hours a day! When I became a working mom, this is the only thing I was deprived of. On a good day, 5 hours of sleep was already a luxury. Make it 4 interrupted hours on a regular basis and you can just imagine how cranky I could get. I long for the days that I will sleep for more than 8 hours like when I was single and without responsibilities. I'm so happy that I get to do it now! One time, I get to sleep for 9 hours at night with a 3-hour siesta in the afternoon! I was soo happy and recharged the next day! Pure bliss!

I went to the office the other day to have my exit interview and do my clearance. As I was preparing myself, I noticed that I don't need a concealer anymore to hide my dark under eyes. It's not that noticeable anymore. Yes! One beauty problem solved! Just search online the different benefits of sleeping and you'll now what I mean. I'm so happy that I get to catch up on my z's after 4 years of being a mom, if you know what I mean.

I'm also taking advantage of this opportunity because I know that when we finally have the business we're planning as well as possible online jobs I'm eyeing, I may not be able to enjoy this again for a long time. So for now, I try to find ways to rest and sleep. I also checked online and found this article a nice read for sleep deprived mom that used to be me. It's not about the physical benefit, a lot have to do about the mental health and general well-being of us moms who are working for more than 16 hours a day.

2015 Year-End Review

2015 had been a great year for me and family. For starters, we became debt-free and got a life insurance/investment. But then again, we got a new car that we're paying monthly for it, so there goes being debt-free. Nevertheless, I'm proud to say that we became wiser (read: thriftier) with our finances. The main reason is we want to send our son to a better school. As we know, better school may SOMETIMES mean more expensive. We had to give up some of our simple luho like out of town trips and weekly spending at the malls. I guess it helps that my husband and I now have different schedules and restdays. A simple out of town trip would take months of planning and adjusting. Frankly, the stress just wont justify the 3 or 4 days of relaxation, so scratch that. We had just one out of town trip this year and that was to Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan with my parents. That was good enough for me.

This year, my husband resigned from his job due to various reasons. I was glad because I know the stress was killing him. He wasn't happy like he was before. Good thing he found another job that is much closer from home. The work is still stressful but atleast it doesn't take a 2-hour travel time from our house to the office.

The little boy super loves his new school. He gets upset every time classes are suspended or during vacations. He enjoys school and is excited everytime I wake him up to change to his uniform. Too much excitement that his teachers recommend that we have him assessed for Attention Deficit and Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). They said Quino couldn't finish his activities, always full of energy to the point of being rough and hurting his classmates/teachers a long the way. As I mentioned in my previous post, part of my reason for resigning from work, is to spend time for my little boy.

We also celebrated our son's 4th birthday party at Don Henrico's Pizza with our family and close friends. It was a dinosaur themed party and I loved it so much because I know my son was so happy. I specially loved the part when he was opening his presents at home - that boy was so excited and overwhelmed, he didn't know which toy to pick and play with first!

As for me, I got myself my first designer bag! It may sound as shallow for some but I've been fantasizing about it for a long time now so getting one is like a dream come true for a regular mom who has modest earnings. Not to sound repetitive, I decided to resign from my 11-year work in a call center industry. I'm still technically employed but rendering my terminal leave now. I love the simple things of waking up and sleeping with my son by my side.

This new year, I hope I'll have a rewarding career as a work-at-home mom. I wish my husband finds a better fulfilling job and for my son to outgrow ADHD and have a better social skills. I also hope we'll be able to set up a small franchise business this year. Oh and it would also be much better if we'll have an addition to our family too.

A New Beginning

I'm To be honest, I've been absent from this blog for several months that I almost gave up on blogging. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't want to share my boring life but because I just can't find time for it anymore. I thought I could handle my job, motherhood, and blogging at the same time, but I couldn't. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't. When everyone was taking pictures so they can post on Instagram or Facebook, I think of posting on my blog and sharing  the story behind that picture. I ALWAYS think of blogging because it has been my outlet over the years - my not-so-private diary if I may say. But things had to change. The hour or two I spend in blogging was a LOT of time for a working mom of a pre-schooler. Blogging just had to take a backseat.

I may not often like Change but it happens and one must simply adapt to it. Recent changes in my line of work required me to think about my plans. Add to it the challenges my son is going through at school, I felt it was a sign for me to prioritize my family and pursue a different career. I guess this was a perfect time for me to end my BPO career and start focusing as a mother.

I was excited as I was handling my resignation letter to my boss. I'll get to spend a lot of time with my family soon! And I'll be able to blog more often! Reality began to sink in after a day. I am now terrified and anxious. Financially, it will be a challenge for my family until I find a part time work at home job. I also think about my son's behavior. Of course my husband was involved with this decision. It has been a constant talk between us and weighing in the pros and the cons. At the end of the day, our son's welfare is still the most important factor. Like any uncharted territory, it could be scary but it could also be rewarding. I just have to stay positive and believe that we can get through this as a family.

School Bound

I will soon have a student. I enrolled my almost 4-year old at a Montessori school and he'll be in advanced junior casa this school year.

my son (in green) during his trial class

While the tuition fee is not something I enjoyed paying, I'm looking forward to attend my first parent orientation and parent-teacher association meeting. Hahaha! I'm a parent na talaga! Welcome to the lives of the grown ups.

By the way, I'm loving the Montessori system. I know my son is not compatible with the traditional way. He's just too active and curious to stay seated for hours and listen to teachers. On the other hand, I think my son might have too much freedom if we'll enroll him in a progressive school. My husband and I want him to discover himself and learn things but with discipline. I think Montessori schools, the "real" ones anyway, will provide these things for our child.

A First-time Bagaholic

A couple of months ago, I wrote about my desire to get my first designer bag. I wanted to get the Givenchy Nightingale or Prada Tessuto Naufre but my budget will not allow it. We have a lot of expenses coming: our son's enrollment, our travel to Palawan, my son's fourth birthday party. I'm surprised I was even able to afford getting a designer bag! Thanks party to my ever supportive husband! 

But I did. I said before that I was saving a lot so I can afford one. I intended to get one as a birthday gift to myself. A 35th birthday gift. So here it is... a Phillip Lim pashli in medium. I got it brandnew from a reputable online seller.

I love it! I love the smell of leather and you can say that the bag is really of very very good quality.  Now I know why there are a lot of bagaholic. I think I just turned one myself. I want to have more!  See the pictures below? Yep, those are some on my list. I'm don't know if I can afford them but I will definitely going to save more for my next designer bag.