Yo Mayans! It Ain't the End!

This is for everyone who believed the world will end today. Let's PARRTTTYY!!!

Childless...

Childless... That's what we are. We are a couple who has been together for more than 7 years, been TTC (trying to conceive) from the time we knew we're meant for each other. We're both open to the idea that having a child is just a bonus, not a requirement, not a pre-requisite to our relationship. The past 7 years had been tough for us and thankfully we have no kids to consider when making big decisions for our relationship. 

There were times that we consulted different doctors about our situation and lead to nowhere. I was also found to be positive with PCO (Polycystic ovary) which the doctors said can be one of the many possible causes of infertility. I have to undergo several check ups / medications, etc. 

I'm just so glad that my husband, Jeff has been patient and loving despite our lack of child. We're happy that we have a house we can call ours, we have MJ, MJ Jr, Ely and Kiko. This is our family. Yes we can be happier with our own child but we're already thankful for whatever plans He may have for us. 

And by any chance God grants us our prayer for a child, I'll be the happiest and our kid will be loved and cared for. 

Useless Smart SMS-VAS (Value Added Services)

I would to warn you guys with this post. This is gonna be a long one and it's a rant.

I've been a Smart Communications Inc. pre-paid subscriber for I believe 10 years now and have had some issues but never to the point of wanting to throw this sim card to their faces. I've been receiving texts subscriptions from their 8070 and 8947 Smart SMS-VAS (Value Added Services) which I never subscribed to. I started getting texts from 8947 since September 18, 2012 and 8070 since I don't know when, but I purchased my SII back in April and the earliest text from 8070 was in April 29, 2012.

I didn't mind them at first, thinking that it's just probably a notification until I completely read what it has to say. It says P2.50 / text. Then I tried turning it off by sending OFF to 8070 as per the instruction. It replied with this:

Clueless that I am, I thought sending OFF to 8070 would be enough, I didn't know I have to send another text with STOP ALL to what access code. I personally had no clue. After a few days, the same subscription text came in again. Until I reached my limit when I received another set of texts from both numbers last November 12 and 13. I didn't have much to do, so I decided to give them a call. I requested them to stop and block both numbers from sending Smart SMS-VAS (Value Added Services) texts to my number. The rep said it will take 24 hours for their "technical team" to grant my request.

I didn't receive anything on November 14 and 15 so I thought, yey!. And I thought it was the end of it but I got another text from 8070 on November 16. I called them again and again, asked that they turn off these notifications and subscriptions that I didn't really subscribed to. They confirmed that these texts I'm getting charges me with P2.50 each time, equivalent to 2 text messages. They said that it will take another 24-48 hours to complete the process. So, I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.

Just today, November 18, I got another text from 8947. I called again, and this time I ensured to get the reps name but I don't know if I got her last name correctly, Jayka Karbonera, and I heard the same lines from the previous reps I spoke to. I demanded for her supervisor and Dorothy Alamag gave me the same excuse; that is was being checked by the "technical team" and it should take another "24 hours". It's all crappy stuff but then again, she confirmed that indeed, Smart charged me with P 5.00 from the time I requested these Smart SMS-VAS (Value Added Services) to be turned off. Also, I asked what should do if after "24 hours" and it does the same thing, she said "Ma'am just call us again". What a crap!

These are just clips from the texts I get from them.

This is insulting because if I remember it right, I was born in April so I'm sure I'm not an Aquarian. Why would they even send me this. 

And if you don't have any load in your phone, they will surely remind you of that fact. 

Right now, I'm still waiting and hoping that I don't have to report this to NTC and praying that Smart Communications Inc. would do something about it. Though I'm just a prepaid user, I've spent hefty amount of money and lost so much P 2.50 per texts that I get for their useless Smart SMS-VAS (Value Added Services). I hope this gets addressed really soon and I'm only giving them 24 hours. 

Ely - Back to Normal

I'm sorry for the hiatus again, I've been very busy taking care of stuff and Ely. After Ely got sick, I've only been able to sleep for a good 3-4 hours a day because I needed to check him to ensure his needs are taken cared of. We had to rush him to the clinic again after 10 days from the day he got sick. I admit, it was my fault because I wasn't able to completely give him his meds as I didn't know how to. We tried everything we can to no avail. I also tried putting the meds inside a hotdog but he managed to taste the meds so he wouldn't swallow it. Good thing the second vet taught us how to properly give him his pills. Also, youtube videos helped a lot.

The vet also gave him meds to deworm him, after a week, the vet gave him a 5-in-1 shot and we have to wait for another 2 weeks for the next 5-in-1. Now, Ely's back on his feet and his usual self. Finally. Thanks to everyone who prayed for his recovery.

Ely - Got Sick

I have been a bit busy since my last post last week. Also, from what I remember, it was Friday when we had to leave the dogs (Ely and Kiko) at home so we could pick up groceries and pay our utilities. When got home, it was the usual scene. Ely as a puppy would always play with whatever he can when I leave him. Thus, leaving his food container to be wrecked for the nth time. Since this usually happens weekly I didn't bother and just cleaned the crime scene. A day after, his poop were still normal though I found small traces of red blood and some wood strips from some of his poops. I started worrying but I was still hopeful it's nothing serious.

Monday morning after my shift, I brought him out for a walk, which we always do on a daily basis. I slept for a couple of hours and when I woke up, I noticed that Ely was not that happy, not his usual self. I thought it was just because of the extreme heat that day so I just gave him water. He made his first poop around 10 AM, it was the usual poop but no traces of blood. Around 12, I was preparing their lunch when Ely didn't show any sign of interest (not his usual again). He was always the excited one when it comes to lunch but he didn't even bother smelling the food. After a few minutes I found him pooping, it wasn't his usual poop and it was extremely smelly. I immediately went to my neighbor since hubby's not home that day. Our neighbor said to give him a short bath and diatabs (as he probably has diarrhea). I did give him a short bath which probably eased out the extreme heat for a bit. He rested for a couple of hours while I'm checking him constantly.

Since I needed to sleep for my work schedule that night I cleaned the house a bit but noticed Ely not responding to me at all. Then I smelled that foul smell again and found him pooping while he's lying down under the table. I immediately went out and asked for help. I was in shock and didn't know what to do. They said I need to bring him to the hospital. Since I don't know how to drive, our neighbors were kind enough to get me a tricycle and kuya Leo with me to the vet.

I was so terrified losing my baby. And he's just 7-month old.

Thankfully, the vet was nice enough to accommodate us even it's a bit late. She gave Ely some meds and immediately put dextrose on him. I had a hard time working that night knowing that Ely is not  beside me and worse, sick. After my shift, I tried sleeping so I could get the energy to face whatever the vet has to tell me. Around 10AM I asked her about Ely's condition and she said that Ely's doing better and he hasn't pooped since the last time he did in the clinic which was around 7PM that night and that I could picked him up around 5PM that day.

When I saw him, he's still not that recovered but at least he is walking and can recognize me. I was so happy to bring him home. He was given several meds to ensure his recovery.

 He also needed the dextrose since he hasn't eaten for two days. When we brought him home, I prepared the sala for him to sleep on.

Now, Ely's doing a lot better. He got his appetite back, and his poop is back to normal. We also got the CBC results from last Tuesday's and upon talking to the vet, he advised a three week medication for Ely. It's a bit hard to give him his pills but I'd rather have problems with giving him pills that not having him at all.

Thanks to everyone who prayed for my Ely. Thank God. 

House Plate - Done

After a good 10 days wait, house plate finally arrived. Feels so good to finally have this on our fence. It's like a whole new gift from God reminding us to work harder so we could finally fully pay the house so we can call it ours.

It really made my day. Thank you Lord.

Videoke Madness

I maybe your typical working house wife but honestly I've always been a videoke addict. Yes people, when I'm alone, which happens only every Sundays, I always get my Mac on, my S2 and my ever reliable favorite site for video, youtube. I used to just record it in my phone but when I listen to it, it ended up very distorted. Until one day, I chanced up on a great site to record my song covers online. Meet Sound Cloud. Sound Cloud has helped me record good quality covers since I started this months ago. I probably have around 20 recordings already which I really enjoyed listening to when I'm alone. 

I'm the shy type so I don't allow every one to listen in but you may check out one of my covers. 

http://soundcloud.com/joan-dizon/cover-true-colors-1

Blogger doesn't have a utility yet to post it here so just click on the link and be hooked as well. 

House Progress

This post has been late for months but I would still like to show you guys how our house progressed for several months during construction. We ended our 1 year DP last December 2011 and so the construction began I believe in the latter part of the month. We tried to visit the house every two weeks to ensure that our presence are known to the developers and workers that we are overseeing how things progress and if they are indeed working on the details correctly. 

January, First week

January, Third week

February, Second week 

March, First week

Finished, March, Second week

Right now, there had been some minor changes in the house, we've added fence, gate and a few other things. Though our plan has not been completely done yet but we're getting there. I'll probably post additional pics on the succeeding weeks or months. We have already moved in last August 10, 2012 and we're really proud home owners. 

Bullying

Bullying... The most common form of negativity nowadays. Most people recognizes that bullying starts in school. But no, I don't believe that, I believe it starts from home, the basic unit of society. If the kids were brought up in a family where bullying is tolerated, kids will most likely bring it to school, their second home. 

I was a victim of bullying even in grade school. Though I was consistently in the cream section and was almost always at the top 10 of the class, I remembered being called names because of what I look like. I was a bit on the big boned side when I was younger and most kids see that as being fat. Some mean girls in class would call me pig, fatso, etc. I also have a very sensitive skin that even a single mosquito bite would turn up to be an open would thus causing me to have more tiny scars on my legs and arms. This triggers the mean girls in class to call me piggy bank etc. I was hurt, yes, but it didn't stop me from studying harder and I just didn't mind them until they stopped. 

In High School, I remembered being bullied by this one guy. He's really mean to girls like me, who doesn't have that many friends, and the not so good looking ones. I remember one time before our class started, he slapped my behind so hard that I cried out of humiliation. The last thing I remembered, he was kicked out of that school due to a fight with a teacher. I was also a COCC (Cadet Officer Candidacy Course) and I guess part of the training requires to be bullied by the CAT officers. I've experienced several bullying incidents as well, but it didn't stop me from my goal. After our COCC graduation, I promised myself that I will never turn out to be a bully CAT officer. I decided that if I want change then I have start it with myself. It needs to end there. 

I feel that these incidents didn't come from school perse, they either experienced them at home or see incidents at home that triggers violence or they're also being called names by a family member. 

Please let's all stop the hate. Let's start it with ourselves. Love and respect!

Carl and Ellie

I believe most of you have seen the movie UP. It's the most inspiring movie for me. Not because I find Russel (the little guy) too cute (well, yeah, he is) but because of Carl and Ellie (the couple). Though the movie is just set as a cartoon but it captured my heart completely. Carl and Ellie reminds me of what my husband and I have; a relationship based on friendship and love. Like them, we're childless, in fact, 7 years TTC. Unlike other couples our age who now have toddlers or preschoolers or even high school aged kids, we're just a couple who have dogs and a house. Though, like Carl and Ellie, we're also hoping and praying that someday we will have our own babies (human), but in any case God has other plans for us, we're good with that.

So, cheers to other couples out there who wished, have wished, will wish for kids or just plainly happy to be together with their best friend and true love. Let us be like Carl and Ellie who embraces their own adventure in life... together.

(Picture, not mine, googled)

Habagat 2012

August 7, 2012. Just a day before we move in to our own home in Sta. Maria, Bulacan, we were submerged in flood waters again (yeah, remember Ondoy and other typhoons). This time, this is just a Habagat. We were about to purchase a new bed for our new home but since it was raining non stop for hours, around 7AM, flood water started rising. The water was already outside our house when hubby and I went out to my mom's house. We had to be fast because flood water was rising up really fast too. 

We stayed inside MJ which was parked inside Valenzuela Memorial Park. Thank God for MJ once again who keeps saving us from calamities like this. When we checked a day after (yes it took 24 hours before the water subsided), the water reached waist level inside our house. It drained all our stuff, clothes, etc. We had power outage for 4 days too. We spent August 8 and 9 in mom's house but we had to move to our own house already so we decided to move in at August 10. I've never felt relieved. 

I do hope we don't go through the same thing. I hope that 3 years of flood experience is already enough and that we can move on with our lives. Anyway, here are some of the pictures of what happened that day. 

Meet Up with High School Friends

These guys made my high school memories really fun and exciting. Fortunately, after years of no communication, and thanks to Facebook, we were able to find ourselves meeting up. Anna and Cris have kids, Rocel is still single and me, married. I love you guys!

Depressed... Again...

My months of July, August and September had been pure downers. Reason being is that our long running tasks had stopped giving us work, thus, leaving our wallets empty. My 1 consistent task had been our primary source of income since July, which is a bummer because we're just on our first year of  ten year - amortization for our house. So, we're practically living from paycheck to paycheck. Good thing we were able to somehow fund for our house improvement. There's nothing more to improve really as we got ourselves a finished type house but we still need to have a fence constructed that time. It took us around 70-80K pesos to have the fence and gate constructed which really drained our savings.

Even after moving in, I didn't feel happy. Probably because a day before our supposed original date for move in, we were submerged in flood waters (which is another story). But I guess it was more of feeling worried about how moving in to our very own house would make us more responsible to complete the payment and worried that if we don't finish it we would end up living in the streets (too morbid to even think about it now). I'm worried that we don't get another task soon, and this current one decides to kick me out, I'd end up cramming for some mediocre jobs.

Then one day in August, my husband made a comment that made me super worried about everything. He said "I would be surprised and happy to see us pay for this entire house and we're still working in Odesk". That made think everyday. I had so many what if's. What if the company I'm working for decides to just close like what it did a year ago where I didn't sleep for days just to be able to apply for a job in Odesk. What if hubby doesn't find a job soon and we'll start selling some of our stuff or pawn my jewelry again, worst, pawn our wedding rings. I thought that working from home was and is still the best job there is, but in reality, it's not a stable job. You can get hired in an instant yet be fired faster than you getting the job.

That's also part of the reason why I said yes when the HR rep from Dell Malaysia asked me if I would like to continue with the process of me moving to Malaysia and work for them. I took it after 2 days of rethinking though, but I'm still thinking if working abroad is really my thing.

Up until now, I feel depressed, sad most of the time and gets easily angry at anything. I feel unhappy at work, unmotivated to go out and I feel that I lack the inspiration though part of my dream to have our own simple house. I don't have the means to be happy and I don't know until when I'm like this.

Please pray for me. 

Creepy

I had this eerie experience the other night and I was wanting not to share it but I really have to. This happened about two nights ago when I was working for the night shift. I was so engrossed with what I was working on when I had the urge to go out of the office to get something to drink. When I opened the door, the sala and dining area smells really stinky, more like a smell of a nearly rotting fish placed somewhere very near that I can smell it.

I have this habit of leaving the main door opened since we have a gated fence and two huge dogs so I have been totally lax about it until that night. After I drank water I went back to the room then realized that it isn't normal, I immediately went out of the office again and that stinky smell was still there, I immediately checked my husband then closed and locked all the doors. I didn't bother checking the service gate but I'm sure it is locked. Then the dogs and I went back to the office and boy was I surprised. In the office, I have this window being covered by a huge Winnie the Pooh calendar. It's supposedly covered with a curtain but I still didn't have the time to go Divisoria to buy a rod and a curtain so I had it partially (still with some gaps on the side) covered by this huge calendar. Now, that calendar was somehow moved, as if someone tried to grab something from the outside in. It was creepy, but I just thought it was just probably me, I might have moved it, I just didn't notice it.

We're only on our second month in this house and I'm not hoping for surprises like what I experienced. Thank God it hasn't happened again since. But it reminded me to never be too comfortable, even in your own home because you'll never kno what's really out there, especially at night. 

My Birthday Celebration - 2012

I decided to spend my 32nd year of existence with my family. We started it out with lunch in our favorite resto, Gerry's Grill then went Manila Ocean Park where we all enjoyed the wonderful sceneries  of the ocean world then went to Star City to enjoy the theme park's different attraction. It felt like my brother and sister were kids again. They were still very young when we last went there as a family and I'm glad Jeff was there to spend it with us.