What's with us lately?

3 months has passed since my last post and now it's time to update it. I'm doing this not because it's a part of my task but I'd also like to share the happenings that have occurred over the past 3 months because there sure have been quite a lot.

We've all heard of the death of the Philippines' first woman president, Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. The moment I've heard the news on TV, it was early Saturday morning, shocked as I am, but I cried. It felt like I've lost the reason why I am living freely today. Cory's repose is a huge loss to the Filipino people. Many were saddened, among them most is her family. I hope that somewhere out there, Cory is happy in the arms of her husband, Ninoy Aquino. May they both rest in peace.

Then came the typhoons such as Ondoy which have recently caused a massive destruction to many houses, businesses and hundreds of lives. Luckily our island never had to suffer from such a catastrophic event. Thank God, there are those people who have extended their help and support in order to provide the needs of the victims. This way, Filipinos have once again shown to the world how helpful and supportive we are to our fellowmen. Filipinos surely are survivors and kind by nature.

As for me and my family, there's nothing much happened really, of course except for the fast development and growth of my daughter, Lauriana Akeesha. She's 10-months old and does many tricks that have us adore and love her even more. Growing up a child is challenging but the rewards that come along with it, is definitely priceless. It's one of the things in this world, money can never buy.

Time flies by so quickly that we never notice how much we've grown, how many things we've missed and more. As the cliche goes, "Life is short." - thus we should make the most out of it, instead of wasting it into other useless and meaningless deeds. Give each and every opportunity your best shot as it may be your last. Let's treasure the things we have as nothing lasts forever.

Until next time... Make every moment count.

You Changed My Life - Overhauled

Akeesha is not only my daughter. She's become an essential part of existence. My life on earth would be worth nothing if not for her.

With her and GJ, many things have changed in me (thanks to Jeremy and Eric for constantly reminding of what I was before). Many of the people I knew from college and high school noticed of what a big change I've made of myself. From the way I move, the way I think and the way I dress up, yeah especially the way I dress up! We're talking about from punk to chic here, that big deal!

See the difference?

So what happened to me in between those punk days and today? Well, the answer is simple, I was overhauled.

I've been through a lot, and that "a lot" has made me learn, sacrifice, and realize things. Things that I've grown to accept with, love with and above all, love with.

Baby Car Seats for Akeesha

We've been used to riding on a taxi cab when I was still pregnant, but when Akeesha was born, that was changed. Whenever she's with us, it's been a priority for us to make sure that she's feeling protected and comfortable. Even I, also have to consider that traveling hassle-free as I don't want to feel stressed after the whole nine months plus labor plus the delivery.

Thus, we decided to look for a comfortable car seat for our daughter. We stumbled upon ShopWiki.com which gave us very good advice on choosing the right car seat for our daughter. After all the helpful tips we learned, it lead us to stores which offers the safest, nicest-looking baby car seats at an affordable price. So we settled on buying a pink convertible car seat for our little daughter with matching pink baby stroller that we can use when we're malling or taking a stroll in the park. Thanks ShopWiki.com for making my being a first time mommy such a care-free and wonderful experience.

♥ Akeesha's Christening ♥

Last Sunday, May 17, 2009, Akeesha was finally welcomed into the Christian world. She's finally free from the original sin and an official child of God.

The celebration was shared with our families and closest of friends.

Here are some of the pics taken from the celebration. (Thanks to Ninong Raphael serving as the event's photographer...)






To view more pictures click here.

Thanks to all the people who came to celebrate with us. Your presence is very much appreciated. Your presents were just a bonus. LOL

For those who weren't able to celebrate with us, please be so kind to make it up for Akeesha and mark your calendars as early as now, for her 1 year birthday on December 1. We'll inform you for more info prior to the date/

See yah!

♥ Family Life ♥

Here's a fun thingy I created from wordle.net.

I entered words tha describes my family life and
this is what wordle cam up with.

Pretty cool huh!

♥ Tuli na siya! Tuli na si Akeesha ♥

Just this month, April 8th to be exact, we finally decided to have Akeesha's ears pierced. It was one of the things, we were dreading before but now that it's over, I'm just so glad it's done and she's free from infections, so far.

See her pics with her earrings on.

♥ Wonderful Wife, Proud to be Mom Award ♥

Thanks Mommy Bojoy for tagging me this Proud to be Mom Award! Weee!




♥ RULES: ♥

1. Link with the person who tagged you.
2. Copy above images.
3. Post this on any or all of your Blog/s.
4. Answer the two-part questionnaire following these Rules. (Feel free to elaborate your answers. For questions 8 - 14, post only the one (1) which you believe best describes your choice.)
5. Share this with at least seven (7) friends on your Blog Roll.
6. Come back to Living A’ La Mode (DO NOT CHANGE THIS LINK PLEASE.) and leave the URL of your Post in order for you/your Blog to be added to the Master List.Master List:
7. Have Fun!

♥ Parenting Style ♥

1. Do you exercise full or minimal control over your child’s / children’s behavior?
♥ As much as I possible, I practice full control over my child. I want her to grow up then regretting the things I wish I could've done on straightening her up.

2. Do you expect your child / children to obey 100% or let her / him / them do what pleases her / him / them?
♥ I say 95%, s/he should obey us, it's the 4th commandment, but one thing's for sure, I still want what's best for my child and wishes only for her happiness.

3. Do you welcome discussion or you simply set rules?
♥ Same with Mommy Bojoy, I say "both."

4. Do you reprimand?
♥ I will, if necessary.

5. Do you use spanking for punishment?
♥ I'm not sure I can, I really can't tell it this early since my baby is still months old. I promised myself before that I won't hurt any child especially my child, physically. I'm not so sure now, I won't allow other people either to do the disciplining themselves, only GJ and I can.

6. Do you use some kind of a reward System for motivation?
♥ Sure, I will.

7. Do you enjoy being a Parent?
♥ Of course, but I'm not a hypocrite to deny that at times it gives
me stress.

8. Are you a hands-on Parent or do you have a full-time Nanny?
♥ 98% hands on, 2% nanny.

9. At what age would you let your child make simple decisions for himself / herself?
♥ That really depends but I think that's as soon as my child has that sense of responsibility.

10.Do you and your Husband have the same Parenting Style?
♥ So far, yes.

♥ Wife Style ♥

11. How long have you been married?
♥ Still planning.

12. How do you feel about being a Wife?
♥ So far, it ain't easy but every now and then, it feels good you know, just thinking that I have a family of my own to turn on to.

13. What has been your typical sleeping attire since you got married?
♥ It's still the same old tees & shorts, sometimes pj's.

14. How do you show how appreciative you are of your Husband?
♥ I say "thank you" and "i love you". Often times, I give him
pacute smiles and looks just to let him know that I'm still SO MUCH
into him.

15. What do you do when your Husband annoys you?
♥ Silent treatment.

16. You are buying or planning to buy your first house as Husband and Wife.
♥ Hopefully soon enough.

17. How does your house look like at the end of the day when Hubby gets home?
♥ n/a

18. How do you feel about running a household?
♥ It's ok, just don't get on my way.

19. What is the sweetest gift you have given your Husband so far?
♥ Our daughter. He's not a materialistic kind of guy.

Got no one to tag it on to, so for those moms out there, you're welcome to
grab this tag. Thanks

A day without my baby

Hello, to all mommies out there especially to those working mommies like me. Can you still remember what it feels like on your first day of job after your maternity leave? Uneasy and worried, right?

You just want to rush back home and cuddle your sweet little angel and wish to spend the whole day playing, making sure she's fed when hungry, cleansed after poop, cuddled when she needs one, sleeps when tired and comfortable and happy as much as possible. Quality time is the best term for it.

As for me, as much as I wanted, I want to be there to witness all of Akeesha's first wonders. Her smile, giggle, word, roll, crawl, sit, stand, walk, run, everything!

A day without her is not a day at all. However, there are other responsibilities that I have to do apart from taking care of my precious baby.

Nah! Emo as you may call it, I don't care, I just want her to know that I love her so much even if I'm not with her the entire day. Everytime I go home, I end up finding her already sound asleep. We don't have anymore time for bonding. In turn, it makes me question my responsibilities for her.

Am I being a good mom? What do you think guys?

Buying The Right Pair of Running Shoes

Any typical runner picks a running shoes according to their personality and needs. They wish to have the perfect shoes, but the question is, how do they choose the right pair of running shoes? So I did a search on Google about guides of buying running shoes and I stumbled upon shopwiki.com. On their Running Shoes Buying Guide, I learned that there are considerations that must be observed before rushing to the store. Also that price and brand comes latter.

Primary consideration is to know the runner's foot type; neutral-arched foot, low-arched foot or high-arched foot. Next is finding the shoe type that suits to the foot type. Choices are stability, cushioned or motion control shoes. Learning the right type can lead to choosing the perfect brand and model that is suitable to the runner needs.

Now surely, purchasing the right shoes won't be disappointing anymore because with a good pair of running shoes on, a runner can go everywhere.

♥ Moving in ♥

We recently moved in to my in-laws' house by request. Having to undergo adjustments and leaving the things and people I used to be with, was never a situation which I can just easily do and move on. But the fact that I'm in the said situation, there's no use crying over it and go back, though how painful and at the same time tempting it can be.

The things I used to despise are now haunting me and surprisingly, I miss them. My mother's big mouth, stubbornness, and constant visit to our room just to check on Akeesha which at times really annoys me a lot and Bridgette's nuisance, disturbance and funny but sometimes annoying ways are the most things I miss.

Ain't really sure if I should be happy or not but what I'm so sure about is that I miss them but it's time to move on and try on different kind of environment and company.

♥ Fear of Friday the 13th ♥

13

Fear of the Friday the 13th is called "paraskavedekatriaphobia". Find it hard to pronounce, then just say I have a "Fear of the Friday the 13th". LOL

I don't have this disorder but I guess I have a bit fear of the number 13, so I am triskaidekaphobic. Not really sure when or how it started, I just don't like it at all, period.

A few facts about Friday-the-13th:

1. Tall buildings doesn't have 13 floors, they always skip from 12 to 14. Hmmm
2. Hospitals has no Room 13
3. Airline Terminals have no Gate 13
4. President Franklin Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month and would never host 13 guests at a meal.
5. The number 13 suffers from its position after 12, according to numerologists who consider the latter to be a complete number - 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles of Jesus, 12 days of Christmas and 12 eggs in a dozen.

Today is March 13, 2009, are you afraid of it?

♥ Akeesha's First Time on the Pool ♥

Last March 8, 2009 at Felis Resort was Akeesha's first time to swim on the pool. Yes, my dear friends, you read it right. We got all eyes watching on us once we dipped her to the water made by her loud cries.
There were moments that she enjoyed it but most of the time, she was crying. At least, not bad for a first timer. I love you Akeesha.

Hoping this experience changes her mood everytime we run a bath on her.

♥ Square Root Day 3/3/09 ♥

Math-fanatics are now celebrating the Square Root Day. Ever wonder why?

Today is March 3, 2009 or 3/3/09.
The square root of 9 is 3.
3 x 3 = 9.

The last such day was five years ago, Feb. 2, 2004 or 2/2/04.
The next is seven years away, on April 4, 2016 0r 4/4/16.

Happy Square Root Day everyone!

♥ Confessions of a Newbie Mommy ♥

When I was still pregnant, I always thought that I am ready to be a mom; I was wrong. From the moment that I was on labor up to now, I still can't believe how I've made it through. The whole experience was never easy at all.

The nine months of carrying a big ball in my tummy, unexplainable mood swings, weird food cravings, stabbing headache and the forever-taking and oh-so-tiring labor. All these sufferings I endured prior to Akeesha's birth. But it doesn't end there.

On Akeesha's first 2 months, GJ and I are lucky if we can get a 4-hour sleep. Apart from that are the backaches and wristaches we get from carrying her because she resents to be put to bed. The endless and loud cries we hear whenever she's hungry, pooped, peed, have tummy-aches and even while BATHING. Yes, you read that right. There's never a day that passed that she never cried over bathing.

It never ever dawned me that these things can happen. Sure, I had an experience babysitting my nephews but never did I expect this. It's worst than I thought.

Inspite of the tiresome days we had from babysitting my baby, at the end of each day, then we learned are things that can only be taken from first-hand experience of being a mom, a parent. That no matter how messy, demanding, noisy and annoying baby she can be, she'll always be my baby, my angel, my inspiration, my life, my love, my VERY OWN.

Nothing in this world can ever change that.

♥ Ang pinaka first... ♥

Hey guys, I'm commencing this tag about completing the phrase about your firsts about your love life:

Ang pinakafirst ...

1. thing na hinahanap ko sa isang partner ay: mabait pero medyo bastos.

2. ka-EB (eyeball) ko na naging bf/gf ko ay si: wala.

3. date ko ay si:

4. date ko ay sa: G-mall

5. date ko ay naging: awkward

6. gift na nareceive ko from a guy(for girls) ay: Powerpuff pillow
gift na binigay ko to girl that I like(for boys) ay:
7. guy na nagbigay sa'kin ng chocolate/s (for girls) ay si: GJ
girl na binigyan ko ng chocolate/s (for boys) ay si:

8. guy na nagbigay sa'kin ng flower/s (for girls) ay si:GJ
girl na binigyan ko ng flower/s (for boys) ay si:

9. song na dinedicate ko sa partner ay: Pretty Boy by M2M

10. dance ko ay si: di ko maaalala ang name, basta yung sa partner ko sa prom.

11. na ka-holding hands ko ay si:

12. kiss ko ay si:

13. crush ko ay si:

14. love ko ay si: GJ xempre...love you..hehehe

And now I'm tagging the ff.:

AlmaAmielynAubreyFrancisGeraldGraceHazel LouHenryJeanJoannaJoy
Lili ValeMary DaneMolit
RaquelRonaldRosavi

♥ Joanna Pacitti, disqualified? ♥

Joanna Pacitti, the 24 year old American Idol finalist was chosen to be a part of the Top 36, and was expecting to go to the next round inspite screwing up the lyrics during the Hollywood rounds.

On the February 11 broadcast of the show, Fox TV announced that Joanna Pacitti was an "ineligible to continue" without reasons disclosed. Could it be that her past accomplishments had anything to do with this? Star magazine have speculated that the reasons behind the sudden act was because of Pacitti's "very close connections" to two executives that work in American Idol's 19 Entertainment Los Angeles office, namely, Michelle Young and Roger Widynowski.

Aside from her "connections", her past accomplishments might have added to the stir, where Pacitti at the age of 12 have already starred on "Annie". She also recorded songs on the soundtrack from the movies, "Legally Blonde" and Bratz". Her song "Out from Under" was covered on Britney Spears' 2008 album, Circus.

As of the moment Pacitti has not yet given her comment about the issue.

She was replaced by the 26-year old married mom, Felicia Barton.

♥ Akeesha's Recent Pictures ♥

♥ 10 Things You Don't Know About Me ♥

I've been tagged by Jean, thanks, and so these are the things people don't know about me:

1. I'm an elementary dropout.
2. During my 2nd year in HS, I used to wear boys' tees size L and size 29 jeans.
3. Sometime during my college days, I was punk goth chic.
4. At 10 years old, I was hooked to the Bingo game. Gamble involved.
5. I attempted committing suicide.
6. I have 4 diaries all about my love life.
7. I cheated on our final exam in Math when I was in 4th yr HS.
8. I was brought to hospital for low sugar due to consequent drinking session.
9. I was once crowned as Mutya ng Flores de Mayo. LOL
10. There's one bestfriend I had before whom I totally despise.

Now tagging the following:

Jeremy
Mary Dane
Hazel
Joanna
Joy
Raquel

♥ Akeesha's 1st Month ♥

♥ Fushigi Yuugi Fever ♥

While I was on leave, found myself bored and getting fatter each day. With GJ on work, there's nothing I can do but stay at home, sleep, eat, bathe, watch tv and listen to music. Every once in a while though I was doing some mild exercises. I've always made it an afternoon ritual, once the clock hits 4:30 pm, I'd turn the TV on, change the channel to ABC-2 and the marathon begins. From Jimmy Neutron, Spongebob Squarepants, Avatar - change channel - then by 7:30 starts my favorite anime, Fushigi Yuugi. Weee! I was a huge fanatic of this anime back when I was in 2nd year HS. Back then, the anime was being aired on GMA-5 on the same time. It was airing nicely and my friends and I never fail to miss a night w/o watching Fushigi Yuugi, not until they suddenly halted from showing the anime for no reason at all. That really pissed us off! The level of piss didn't get me to the point of crying over it, unlike the Ghost Fighter. I totally cried over that anime when it ended. I'm such a sissy.

Years later (9 years to be exact), finally one network aired it again, thanks to ABC-2. Then on, it became my ritual every weeknights to watch Fushigi Yuugi not until my leave was almost up. I said to myself, I'm not going to let myself disappointed again for missing the show.

Cool thing, my bebeh bought it on DVD. All hail to DVD's!!! I'm sorry MTRCB, I have no choice, I have to buy a pirated one. So much for that, with 52 episodes overall, I watched it on a marathon. 7 hours the 1st day and 4 hours the next then it's done. Am I not acting that obvious that I'm SO into it? haha I ain't denying though.

Fushigi Yuugi, Mysterious Play in English is about a girl named, Miyaka Yuki, a HS student, who was mysteriously taken to a different world with her bestfriend Yui by a book, The Universe of the Four Gods. Both of them, turned out to become as priestesses for two different empire. Miyaka as the Priestess of Suzaku and Yui as Priestess of Seiryu.
With Yui's hatred for Miyaka due to the misfortunes she have encountered while on the magical world and learning that Miyaka only came back for her love, Tamahome and not for her, she turned herself to the Kutou Empire and accepted to be their priestess to revenge against Miyaka.

The rivalry between the Konan and Kutou Empire have made Miyaka and Yui's relationship hanging in a thread. They found themselves racing against each other to be the first one to summon their Gods in exchange of three wishes.

In the end, both priestess were able to summon the Gods and get three wishes. Miyaka and Yui, became friends again and Tamahome reincarnated to Miyaka's world, both ended up happily.

I really love the story of Fushigi Yugi. It's not the typical anime show you see everyday since it contains adult scenes so I don't really recommend this to children.