People’s Park

We missed the morning worship service for several Sundays due to our trips to our hometown and for being sick. So tonight we drove downtown to attend the evening service. It was so nice to see Ate Leah, the preacher’s wife. She never fails to make me feel I am home. MIL was also there but only Ella got to bond with her. Eman still didn’t get it that she is his grandma because we seldom see her. There are only around 15 in attendance so after the service, I was able to talk to almost all of them while Eman explored the auditorium with Ella behind him.

It was already 9pm when we left the church but before heading home, we dropped by at People’s Park to let the kids do some walking. I was hesitant to go there but we promised Ella and we have to keep our word. Ella was so happy and kept on thanking us for bringing them there. Eman was so thrilled to be walking in a very brick path and didn’t let us carry him.

First stop was at this giant book.

Eman was happy to be there but he was not so happy to see the huge sculptors. Though he would point and stare at them like he’s waiting for them to say “hi” to him, he would never get close to them.

Ella saw this sunflower wall and thought she has to have her picture taken.

There was also this part of the park where they throw coins like wishing well. It has wall fountain with beautiful lights that makes the cascading water like real waterfall. Again Ella asked me to take a photo of her.

We have to keep an eye of the little guy for he might jump in there.

Notice his hair. I am afraid he will need testosterone cream for hair loss but none of his grandpa’s are bald.

We just walked the half of the park since it’s already getting late. Ella was in for picture taking so I grabbed this rare chance and took a couple of photos of her before heading home.

Next time we go back there, it must be earlier so Ella can play at the playground. She so wanted to play but we have to leave because she has to go to school tomorrow. Glad she didn’t insist. She is getting good.

Getting a degree

While driving to People’s Park, we passed by the University of Mindanao and Donald proudly announced to the Ella that it’s his school. All of a sudden Donald remembers our plan to going back to college to get a degree and he asked me what course will I finish. Before I could answer, he suggested I’d finish my Veterinary Medicine course. I think I would never like the idea. If I decide to go back to college, I’d rather get a degree in Business Administration or in Agriculture major in Plant Breeding and Genetics. I am also thinking about a degree in Fashion Design or even  just a vocational course in sewing. I have actually a lot of ideas. I think I could even go to a beauty school like Jacksonville Cosmetology School. That if we would be lucky to be able to enter the US of A. Why this school? Simply because they produce the most recognized and sought after graduates all over the United States. This fastest growing beauty school has expanded from two Minneapolis campuses in 2002 to almost 30 campuses across nine states.

Little TV guy

Since the little guy learned the use of remote control, we never had an uninterrupted TV time. He would change the channel, decrease or increase the volume or the worst turn it off. We had a solution to that: hide the remote control or remove the batteries. We had a nice time watching until a few minutes he turned it off again using the buttons below the TV screen. The only solution I have in mind is to put the TV in a taller TV stand like the one they have on sale at a store but I am torn between buying a new one or getting a wall mount. It can save a lot of space compared to tv stands. This is the stage when we should not leave the little guy alone even for a second because he already discovered that climbing is fun. Talk about having a hyperactive baby.

Daydreaming

It’s 3AM and my boys and Princess are already in lalaland while I try to get all the tasks done before the due date ends. Funny how I daydream about flying to the US and hoard fabric but it’s more absurd dreaming about above ground pools installed in the yard ’cause there isn’t much space even for a garden table and chairs and there’s no moolah. This is what happens when you are still up at 3AM, hungry and sleepy. LOL

Outdoor pillows

I love to have these pillows! Even just the fabric…will sew and stuff fiber to make lovely outdoor pillows that I will use indoor but I don’t think I can get that print here. I will be forever drooling over classy fabric and dream about having 9 digits in my bank account so I can fly there and hoard all the fabric that I want.

Buy and sell books

When we enrolled Ella, we were so happy that we didn’t pay any single cent. That was a huge savings for us! But of course I expected that we will be paying miscellaneous fees and be buying school books after the enrollment period. Ella’s books cost around $65. That is for 7 books. The authors and publishing companies could really make money because the students write on their book and the teacher checks and marks it. Each year the school asks the parents to buy new text books. I wish they would adapt the schools in the US. They sell books that they have previously used and buy used ones too. I even bought several used books and they are still in great condition and reasonably priced.

Rain…

It’s been raining for several days and although we could really use some rain over here (after the El Niño), I wish it will only pour during night time and not this much. Donald brings Ella to school (and fetches her) each day riding our ever reliable XRM and they get drenched most of the time. Ella wears a huge waterproof jacket since her raincoat went kaput. Since the rainy season has already started, we really have to get them both a protective clothing and rain boots. I already saw a pink Princess rain coat and its matching rain boots last May but Donald refused to buy it. He said Ella won’t need it. Now he is convinced and we are getting it for her.

Oh the lines!

So it’s irrepressible. I am turning 29 come December. I really need to be serious on taking care of my skin before it’s too late. I promised myself I will age gracefully and be a stunning grandma but I am lazy applying creams and such. Besides, the best anti-wrinkle cream like  prevera could hurt my pocket so why wait for the wrinkles to show? I think the best thing to do is to watch funny movies. That’ll surely help delay if not stop the lines from coming out.

The best beauty bar

If we don’t have a mirror inside the bathroom, I would not also see my face. My hair has not seen a hairbrush for days and if we didn’t go out last Tuesday and this afternoon, it would be a week that I have not brushed it. After bath I would just let it dry and comb it with my fingers, tie it up and I am set to start my day. Occasionally I prick the white heads on my nose and how I loathe seeing some signs of aging. I do not have patience in following beauty regimen but I tried Olay products to see if what they are claiming (i.e. effective age spot remover and skin whitener) is true. For 4 months, no evident changes and I must say the locally made papaya soap from General Santos City is the best. Even the very expensive Magic Soap doesn’t have anything to say with it. Guess I should ask my cousin Shila who is based in Gen. San. to buy Calderon bars for me before she’ll be moving back to our hometown.

Last will?

“Life is uncertain but death is certain.”

That is what the preacher has said during my cousin’s funeral service. True. And tonight we heard another message to comfort the bereaved. I have been always afraid of a loved one’s death when I was a child and still has so little faith. I thought when someone dies, it is a long process of acceptance. Now I consider myself old. At 28 I have come to realize that we should not be grieving forever because we shall see each other again - when we all get to heaven. Yes we will miss our dear loved one but aren’t we happy that their sorrow and suffering has ended?

Death is certain that is why Donald and I talk about where he wanted to be buried. He wanted to be beside my mother in our hometown. I also tell him what I wanted to wear and the color of my coffin. I even joked her that I wanted my coffin to be wider so I can make a pose inside. LOL I am also collecting nice portraits that they can put on top of it and to make slide shows to be shown each night after the service. There are still more instructions that I will write for my family to follow closely and if they don’t….they know what I could do to them. LOL