My Sweet Girl

My first post for 2015 J I had my 19 days sabbatical last month and I was happy to spend it with my family.  Hubby, baby girl and I got a chance to bond together by trying new restaurants, watching movies, swimming, going to our favorite beach and so on.  I was very glad that my daughter didn’t feel uncomfortable towards me since I had been away for 10 months.  She made me laugh while she danced “shake your body”.  She made me giggle when she told me her crushes.  She made my heart jumps every time she wrote me sweet letters.  Though, I admit she is much closer to her daddy but she would always tell me she loves me with no exceptions. 

Ever since she was born she always slept beside me.  We bought her own bed when she was four but she still slept between daddy and me.  She had her own room last year painted and decorated as she requested but still she slept in our room.  I always long for her scent every time I go to sleep.  And I wish she would never get tired sleeping beside dad and me.

How I love to be showered by her kisses and sweet hugs.  If I could just pay 100 pesos every “I love u mommy” my salary for a month here in Abu Dhabi won’t be enough.  These sweet things my little girl did make my heart melt.  I know in time her attention will be divided between us, her friends or even her boyfriend.  But I am raising a sweet girl.  I believe she will be always our sweet girl.  How old she may be, for us, she will forever be our princess.

 

THIS and THAT

I have to make something productive from my “4 days off – 1 day duty – 4 days off again” schedule.  I am thankful for having this off duties as a preparation for my sabbatical leave but I can’t go shopping everyday or else I won’t be having any pocket money.  I have spent my off duties thinking about things that have been happening recently.  

First, UAE just celebrated its 43^rd National Day.  I was in awe seeing how people in UAE pay tribute to their country.  I saw all stores putting up UAE flag, t-shirts, caps and others in their display.  Even the hospital I worked at, built a giant LED screen which flaunted moving images of UAE flag and fireworks.  I could see Ferrari sports cars painted with UAE flag.  Too bad, I wasn’t able to take pictures.  But I bought some souvenirs for my “inaanak” and a pink camel for Mikka. 

Secondly, I was in shocked to learn that an American teacher was brutally stabbed to death in the bathroom of one of the malls here in Abu Dhabi. When I first came to this place, I was also hesitant to go out alone because of the experienced I had while working in Saudi.  But UAE is very different.  I consider this place as one of the safest.  I can walk in the street at night and wear mini skirt, sleeve less clothes and short pants without worrying.  But this news gave me goose bumps because the suspect killed the American teacher without any clear reason.  I just think that this random incident can happen anywhere not just in UAE. Only God knows our fate.

Lastly, I am going home soon! And I am so excited! Though it is a short vacation, I am going to make everyday counts.  I already put the activities on my printed ESS schedule but unfortunately I lost it in NICU. However, my parcel didn’t arrive yet and it will be delayed because of the storm but I am hoping we will arrive together.  Most of my pasalubongs are there.  Anyway, I already packed my things but I still have a lot to stack. 

The Christmas tree and decors are courtesy of my artistic flatmates :)

 To my family and friends, stay safe.  The Christmas gift I am now praying to God is to spare our country from another calamity.  See you soon Pinas…

Let It Be...

With the latest changes in my work life, I realized life is not constant.  There will always be changes not just in work but in all aspect of life itself.  For the past 9 months, I have already been comfortable with my lifestyle here in Abu Dhabi but there will always be people and circumstances that will deviate it.  I really hope my husband will come soon, so I can also pursue my plans with God’s help.

Maybe getting older makes me prioritize God and my family.  My work life consists 10%, my social life 10% and my “alone time” also 10%.  Having completed half of my existence in this universe, I just want to enjoy the remaining half. 

So I want to be positive and embrace these changes. At least after 3pm, I still have time to go window shopping with friends. Or after 11pm, my colleagues and I have time to eat out at a 24-hour restaurant or have fun at “ladies nights” bar enjoying free drinks.  Or after 7am, I still have a lot of time to chat with my family and sleep until going back to work at 11pm.

Life is a cycle of opportunities, so I don’t have time to worry.  Let it be and have fun :)

WORKING AWAY FROM HOME

It has been 6 months since I started working in Abu Dhabi. I miss home, my family and everything about Bacolod.  Many Filipinos desire to work abroad to earn much money but with big earnings come homesickness and loneliness.  I have been spending my free time shopping, eating out, watching movies and lying in my bed.   Yes, I have a lot of free time than working as a housewife but it is useless spending it alone.

 I don’t buy much for myself, rather I enjoy buying something for my family even just the thought of buying for other people fill my homesickness.  I have bought a lot of clothes for my daughter because I miss her so much.  I don’t mind spending money on birthday and Christmas gifts thou I may send it to them later. I guess working away from home makes me a shopaholic during my day off.

 I got to eat good food but every time I’m eating I would like it better to share with my hubby and daughter.  I realize the taste of food is more delicious while having it with the one you love.  I remembered the time when my hubby and I spent our weekends eating siomai, shawarma, dalumbalay burger, ramyun and so on, those were delicious.  I have been eating a lot of steak, pizzas, burgers, pastas and so on but it all tastes the same, nothing special.  I still enjoyed eating ice cream with my daughter in 7-11 rather eating Ben and Jerry’s, Haagen Daz, London Diary, Cold Stone and other.  I guess working away from home makes my taste buds bland.

Despite my homesickness, I thank God for giving me this opportunity to work in Abu Dhabi.  I never thought I would be working here since I encountered problems processing my license.  In due time, I believe He will let my family be here.   I am very eager to share wonderful memories with my family.  I guess working away from home will be exciting and fulfilling.

Hello 2014

2014 is going to be a happy year.  I don't like making new year's resolution because i won't keep it anyway.  But this year I am determined to do something relevant to myself. I haven't written any blogs since March 2013 because I was so busy with my job and family life. So, this year, I want to write more.  I also want to do other activities that I enjoy such as reading a book, making my daughter's photo album and teaching her how to play the piano. Secondly, I want to get rid of my beer belly. So far, I am in the heaviest weight I have since I was pregnant. It made me uncomfortable most of the time so I want to lose gradually by exercising, getting rid of soft drinks and eating a balance diet. And lastly, I want to spend more quality time with hubby and daughter outside our home. I think it is a good way to bond and relieve my stress from work and home. I hope my 2014 will be a fruitful year *_* Crossing my fingers *_*

Seemed Like Yesterday

 It seemed like yesterday I gave birth to a 2.4kg baby girl and now she is about 20kg.

It seemed like yesterday I held her in my arms and now I can’t hold her too long.

It seemed like yesterday I taught her how to walk and now I run after her.

It seemed like yesterday I made her milk and cereal and now I cook her spaghetti.

It seemed like yesterday I sang her lullabies and now she sings “Girl on Fire and Skyscraper”.

It seemed like yesterday I taught her to say mommy and daddy and now I teach her how to read.

It seemed like yesterday she was never out of my sight and now I wait for her to finish school.

It seemed like yesterday she occupied 1/3 of the bed and now I sleep on that 1/3 and daddy is on the floor.

It seemed like yesterday she smelled like milk and now she smells like sour cream.

It seemed like yesterday I cut your fingernails carefully and now I put nail polish and nail art.

It seemed like yesterday I changed her diapers and now I have to bring her to the girl’s comfort room.

It seemed like yesterday she thought daddy was the most handsome guy and now she likes Kendall of Big Time Rush.

Time  flies so fast my dear baby girl and I can’t bear the thought of not doing the things that we are now enjoying  together.  Maybe, someday you won’t let me kiss your “kili-kili” because you think it is not appropriate.  Or you won’t let me tickle you because you think you are too old or you are embarrassed to sing and dance with me and daddy.  So I have to seize every moment with you because it is inevitable that someday things will be different. And when you’re old enough I wish you would still spend family time with me and daddy.

the most recent picture, taken yesterday during daddy's b-ball game

New Job

It has been a while since I wrote my last entry.  Perhaps being a full time mother is the busiest job in the world J I love taking care of my daughter but sometimes I miss the active work in the hospital.  I haven’t been working as a nurse in the hospital for nearly a year. And it made me realize that time passes fast.  But I am nursing my family everyday which is more rewarding than being away from them.  I usually wake up about 6 in the morning and prepare my daughter to school.  Then I have to give 40-minute class to one student online.  After which, my husband would drive us to school.  I patiently wait for my daughter for 4 hours.  I want her to see me after she finishes her class.  She would always shout “Mommy” every time she sees me standing at the door, as if she is very eager to see me.  She’s the only one in their class who shouts  upon seeing me and it makes me really happy.  My daughter and I love to ride the tricycle after school.  Riding a tricycle reconnects me to my childhood memory of school but those days I rode “trisikad” instead.  After lunch we usually take a nap for 2 hours.  Then, I have to work online again.  Working at home is a good opportunity for me to spend my free time with my daughter wherein we usually do her homework and practice writing and reading.  My daughter has improved in her writing abilities a lot and I feel proud that she can read simple children’s books.  At night, I would give her time to watch Nickolodeon but she would wait for me to finish my classes before going to bed.  Well, hubby is busy working in the office and he usually goes home late J But I would wait for him also and we would go to bed together J.