Old Manila and its charms

I have a new hobby, well, it sort of been happening for awhile now but didn't realized it till today. I'm collecting articles, photos and trivia of Old Manila. I get it from Philippine Star's City Sense columnist Paulo Alcazaren, Carlos Celdran and Lakbay Pilipinas yahoo groups. I just want to keep it. I dunno why. Maybe something to share with Riley when he's older. Or for me when I'm old and wanted to reminisce about Manila: Ermita, Malate, Intramuros, Binondo, Pasay, Taft..all these places where I've stayed for years and years. My footprints littered its streets.

Recently, I've been to U.N. The old Burger King across Mcdo is now Shakey's. Wala lang, it's sad when new structures replaced the ones I have memories with. Sniff. Sniff.

motherhood

sabi ni Ben I should post some Mommy stuff, so here goes..hehe.

Being Mommy means:
-forgetting uninterrupted sleep
-buying milk and diapers instead of all my "luho"
-going home straight after work (no more "hmm, where do I go tonight?")
-waking up in the morning and being grateful for this little person beside me
-doing the baby babble - Oh Riley, Abatootoot Bananaks, coochi coochi coo
-managing my time well (now that IS tough)
-staring at my kiddo while he's fast asleep
-making dutdut kalikot his ears, nose, feet, hair (yucky cradle cap) for some thorough cleaning
-having a picture of my baby on my fon, in my MSN messenger, on my PC
-Burping is a breakthrough
-seeing a smile from my son makes me sane especially when I want to declare war with the world (wahh)
-i make effort to be kinder, gentler coz I don't want Riley to visit me in jail!
-I now understand my parents, especially why my Mom was strict with me
-being dazed with joy everyday knowing I have a son

My dream boy!

Can't get enuf

Riley - Irish term for "strong"
Matthew - "gift from God"

I think he's living up to his name! This kid wants to grow up and fast. I hope he's tall. I can't wait to know what his talents are. I want to hear his voice. I'm excited to hear his laugh.

My Batootoot Anakish

Here is my son, my precious son...

Oh Riley

Hey Arj, even I can’t believe I’m a Mom already. I had an emergency CS operation coz my pelvic bones are small, Rye’s heartbeat was going down and his umbilical cord was tied around his neck. It’s great that my OB and her husband anaesthesiologist helped me throughout the delivery. And I have pictures of Rye in the E.R. immediately after he came out. May 19, 4:31 pm. 5’5 lbs 4.2 cm. Those were his stats. His birthday coincides with the Star Wars world premiere. Hehe. Comedy nga birth story nya eh na may halong drama. I'll post his pix soon.

Belair History

Last year, I bid goodbye to a place I called home for 26 years. It's a national treasure, a rare work of art right in the heart of Manila. It's called Belair Apartments. Formerly known as Boulevard Alhambra Apartments and designed by National Artist Pablo Antonio. I knew of this trivia from Carlos Celdran and his blog - celdratours.blogspot.com. It was able to withstand WWII and earthquakes. I saw how this place evolved --from a domestic haven to a busy commercial hub. Gone were the days when I knew the faces of each tenant and the floor they occupy. I spent my childhood aware of every major rally and national event by glancing from the windows and balconies of Belair, overlooking Luneta Grandstand and Manila Bay. It was the best.

Even before all these condo units came around, there was Belair. And it still stands, mighty and proud.

a mom at last

i'm back at work completely changed. Well, for starters I'm a Momma to a beautiful curly-haired baby boy named Riley Matthew. It's been 2 months of roller-coaster emotions. All intense full-speed ahead ones..He's amazing. He now smiles at me and makes his first sounds. And he's so chubby! Best of all, he looks at me with adoring big brown eyes, pouts and puckers his full lips and pushes me with his strong hands. The best smell in the world for me now is his feet, baby smelly feet. This 4 kilo miracle is now the center of my existence second to God. He sleeps better now. He eats more and doesn't fuss around that much anymore. He doesn't cry, he whines and whimpers..too cute for words.

I'm still amazed everyday that I have this kid to have and to hold, unlimited hugs and kisses, that's why babies are called "bundles of joy". It's so true. I've never been lucky with men but this time around, i think i've got the MAN.

Brownie points

I thought I was stacking up on my brownie points, you know that infamous scene in "Notting Hill" where the most pathetic story gets the last browny. But then each day, I feel just so protected and blessed. So now I don't feel so gloomy. In fact, I realized how many real friends I have out there. And they always pick the right time to call or to text. And God always sends the appropriate friend to be there for me. And I think I might do the baby shower thing even on a budget. It feels good just to be surrounded with people who truly care for you, well, the two of us.

Collide Song

I was listening to 88.3 and this beautiful song just swept me away one morning. I loved the words, "even the best fall down sometimes" wala lang. it's a cool song, you should hear it.

Howie Day - Collide Lyrics

The dawn is breaking
A light shining through
You're barely waking
And I'm tangled up in you
Yeah
I'm open, you're closed
Where I follow, you'll go
I worry I won't see your face
Light up again
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills my mind
I somehow find
You and I collide
I'm quiet you know
You make a frist impression
I've found I'm scared to know I'm always on your mind
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the stars refuse to shine
Out of the back you fall in time
I somehow find
You and I collide
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to ryhme
Out of the doubt that fills your mind
You finally find
You and I collide
You finally find
You and I collide
You finally find
You and I collide

nuts about Ewan

last night i caught an interview with Ewan McGregor by Jules Asner. It was the first time I've listened to him in a long interview and he's just great. Very smart, it was a very interesting talk. He values his family and he has a passion for motorbikes. He's so galing in his films. And he's not afraid to star in small-budgeted films because he says success is not gauged only on box-office success. Loved him!

I also started a scrapbook for Riley (boy or girl, that's the name). Thanks to Papemelroti's new line of products. That's my project for now. Ultrasound pix, doctors' notes and stuff. Gotta have my picture taken too. Geez, my pix are still with JJ's digital cam in the States. Gotta stack up on the memories. Don't know if I'll ever be in the "interesting stage" again. Wahaha. Never say never, Polyester.

I'm testing my budgeting skills (if that's even the term) since I have to handle all the bills and the confusing cheque account for the house payment. Ohh, this week was truly stressful. Thank God for friends who know Banking and math.

I'm sad that my Lolo died. I wasn't able to see him last year. But I know he understood. And that the Pope is dying. The man just swept me away when he went here 10 years ago. But I hope the Church goes for major changes once the newly-elected Pope starts his term. Good changes, in tune with the modern times.

Memory Freak

i'm cramming to put as many memories as I can remember for a time capsule. para sa 18th bday nya hehe. That includes a letter I've made. And clippings and photos. Gotta hurry. Dami ko pang projects lined up eh. I just hope i could do everything before i get busy with the arrival. I'm like this because I didn't have many pictures when i was a baby. I don't want to miss out on this one. Dapat well-documented and geez, i really have to organize (soo hard)! Gotta stack rolls of film and boxes for the mementos. These are the only treasures I can share. I hope ma-appreciate when the time comes.

My own I Like List

Just saw a cute book/website called "The Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life" www.encyclopediaofanordinarylife.com and got inspired. Here's my own version of I Like. I'd like to indulge in this because it's Saturday and I'm at work and because I'm missing someone pretty bad.

I liked that he taught me how to use the sharp, pointy part in an ointment cap: to open the darn thing
I liked that he showed me I had a lipstick mirror in my handbag, which I never bothered to open
I liked that we sit next to each other instead of across the table
I liked it when he closes his eyes during an argument, as if it was THE expression of exasperation
I liked how he doesn't show his teeth when he poses for a picture
I liked it when he doesn't want me in the kitchen when he cooks: I pester him kasi
I liked it when he gets awakened by his own loud snoring and sees me laughing at him
I liked that he text when he's in a bookstore to ask if I already got a copy of a fave author's book
I liked that he finishes all my left-overs even if he's so stuffed already
I liked how he watches tv: with brows knitted together
I liked that he invents a language only he understands
I liked how he stands outside the door, in a model pose
I liked that he smells good all the time. Sans perfume.

The one thing I didn't like was not saying goodbye face to face or in his case, eye to eye.

Gilmore Girls & Gratitude

Gilmore Girls is back for a whole new season as well as Alias and One Tree Hill. Yihaa.. I can definitely relate with Lorelai now. I mean I think I'll be that kind of mom - weird, crazy, cool. Hopefully. It's so much fun watching their characters evolved and communicate well. Last Saturday, they were in the same exact situation but they couldn't find each other and both didn't know what was happening with the other. Sigh. Wished I were a little psychic and just know how people are doing especially when they're in so much pain. Instead I'm more psycho. Aww.

Highlight of my day - a printer installed in my work area. I don't know why I'm happy with this seemingly no biggie. Well, little things make me happy nowadays. It's something I need to do to make it thru everyday. I'm thinking of a gratitude blog starting today. I'm grateful for our kasambahay, that's the appropriate Tagalog word for househelp. All the veggies she's preparing and just the thought that there's someone who will help you when you need it is a huge lift. For my worry-free commute in the mornings thanks to Yen. For a wonderful doctor who can be mistaken for a shrink too. She's just soo pleasant. For moonlight every night in my window. I mean if you knew where I used to live, this is really A MIRACLE. And of course, the heartbeat of my baby when I woke up this morning. Nothing beats that. Thank You Lord.

hide and seek

it didn't want to reveal itself. it refused to budge. but was waving and moving. til next time.

checked out YM and old memories came surging back. i was like the crying emoticon.

the good part of me tells me to shut up. the bad side well..will remain hidden.

a relationship's postmortem

I just can't resist writing about this. And so it was a thousand days of myth and realism. I wouldn't have it any other way. I've always said my life's banner would be "No Regrets" which is more romantic as opposed to "Tried but Died". It was the kind of thing you only experienced once and then you go about it inside your head when you're old and feeling abandoned, trying to recapture every detail in an effort to be alive once more.

People no matter how much you care for them, end up leaving. You lose them to death, to career, to other people, to vice, to foreign lands and different life goals. So if they're still with you, hang on to their every word and action because they will be gone...soon.

It's a sad fact. But the good news is you get to store each person's memory in your head. Or in your heart. Or in any body part you wish for them to linger (Oopsy..). And you pray really hard that when the rains of life come, these people will continue to inspire you, urging you to fight and emerged victorious in the end.

touche

And so it has come to this...again. I really can't complain. This is a life-altering moment and do I know it? YEAH. This will test my grit, my stamina, heck everything. But contrary to public expectation, I will rise to the occasion. You'll see. Just you wait. This is the kind of stuff I was destined to fulfill. Bring it on.

I maybe scared, confused and dazed at this point but I'm human. Give me some time. After all, it was a thousand days of bliss. I'm just enduring 3 weeks of woe.

seduce the duke

Your Seduction Style: The Dandy

You're a non-traditionalist, not limited by gender roles or expectations.Your sexuality is more fluid than that - and you defy labels or categories.It's hard to pin you down, and that's what's fascinating about you.You have the psychology of both a male and a female, and you can relate to anyone.

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/seducerquiz/">What Is Your Seduction Style?

A Prophet Soul

You Are a Prophet Soul

You are a gentle soul, with good intentions toward everyone.Selfless and kind, you have great faith in people.Sometimes this faith can lead to disappoinment in the long run.No matter what, you deal with everything in a calm and balanced way. You are a good interpreter, very sensitive, intuitive, caring, and gentle.Concerned about the world, you are good at predicting people's feelings.A seeker of wisdom, you are a life long learner looking for purpose and meaning.You are a great thinker and communicator, but not necessarily a doer. Souls you are most compatible with: Bright Star Soul and Dreaming Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Ta Met!!!

Jocelle Anne calls me "'Ta Met!" Last night, we were singing our lungs out in the videoke. Then I had a wonderful conversation with JJ and Jom about speaking English here and knowing Tagalog and how kids are mean here. It was one of those moments where you just want to stretch forever. But we were all sleepy already and it was great to end the night like that. And I savor being with Ate and having breakfast, lunch and dinner with her and just laughing together. And Jocelle's big eyes staring at me in wonder as I sang "Part of your world". You see, she's Ariel and she prefers to be called "Mermaid" than just her Mom's "Pumpkin".

Oh boy, this month flew by so quickly I didn't even realized I cut my hair tomboy short. And some pretty huge changes too. Anyhow, I look forward to coming home and just bond with the Cendanas. Especially Jocelle. The maldita kid who just makes me feel good about life.