Suicide

I have been deeply bothered by the news I've seen last night. 2 new reported incidents of suicide committed by students who failed to pass their class. I am saddened that they had to resort to suicide as a last option to their problems. Most parents didn't even see this coming or are in denial of what is about to happen.

I've known a few people (friends and family) who had episodes of depression that sometimes lead to trying to commit suicide. I for one, had had an episode and thought about ending my life's battle at one point. My sister even tried cutting her wrist with a broken mirror. A neighbor of ours hanged herself some 25 years ago. And the list goes on.

In one of my sister's depression episode, the moment when she realized she failed her board exam, she didn't eat for a few days, kept herself locked in her room and doesn't want to talk to anyone not even to our mom. I brought her to our house and somehow forced her to talk to me. We cried, hugged, and showed her that we all love her and that the board exam is not the end of the world for her and that we understand where she's coming from. In a week's time, she's back to her normal self. She regained her confidence and even passed the following board exam.

In my opinion, everyone can and will experience depression at least once in their lifetime. But not everyone will think of committing suicide because we have different ways of handling our issues. At some point, a depressed person can think that there's nobody there for them, that they are and feel alone. This is where family and friends can help. We all should be able to identify the signs of depression and be there for the ones we love in case this happens.

Stroke

When I went back to the hospital Tuesday morning days after mama was rushed to the hospital, her doctor confirmed through CT Scan that it was indeed stroke. We initially thought it was a mild stroke due to her symptoms but her doctor said there was a blockage on one of her artery that caused the stroke. In mama's case, it was an Ischaemic Stroke. 

After more than a week in the hospital she was finally allowed to go home with continued medication and rehabilitation. She just needs to maintain a consistent low blood sugar count and blood pressure and daily exercise so she could move her left arm, foot and leg. 

With the help of my sister, who is a nurse, we're all hoping she would get better in no time. Please continue to pray for her recovery. 

mama and papa

Summary of My 2012 (First Half) In Pictures

2012.... The year I discovered I'm a different person than 10 years ago. It was a whirlwind of emotions, a struggle and lifestyle change. It's the year I discovered a lot about myself. It's the year that changed me.

January 4, 2012 marks the start of our house's first amortization. We managed to complete our first year of down payment. It was tough but we're so glad we made it. Apart of feeling excited, we were also feeling a bit of doubt if we can make it. Working 2-3 jobs a day was tough for me, I hardly sleep but it was well worth it. We also had the chance to see the house construction first hand.

January 8, 2012 was Jeff's 30th birthday bash. We celebrated it with his family in Vikings MOA. I especially liked this photo of us strolling in MOA grounds after the hefty buffet. It constantly serves as a reminder that it's the two of us in our own life story and that whatever life brings us, we will be facing each trial together.

January 9, 2012 when I became the official manager of Connected Acoustic Band. I now serve the band as the photographer, marketing manager and customer service for the bands' booking inquiries.

February 4, 2012 when Papi gave me his best pasalubong ever. Technically it's his Christmas gift to me but I have to pay him half of the DSLR's price. Thanks Papi!

February 7, 2012 was our third year anniversary as a married couple. Since our budget's pretty tight we decided to just spend it in Hotel H20 in Manila. Instead of the usual out of town trip, we we're already satisfied with the short vacation.

February 25, 2012, mom, sis and I went up to Baguio for an adventure. It was a first for us to travel during the Panagbenga Festival, it was tiring, a bit stressful in finding a hotel but the experience was well worth it.

March 8, 2012 when we had the worst Yakimix experience. As you have already noticed, dining out has been my husband and I's stress reliever and dining in different buffets had been my temporary heaven. But out of all the branches Jeff and I tried, our experience in Yakimix Trinoma had been the worst.

April 4, 2012 was Jeff's brother, Jonathan's 29th birthday. We celebrated it with his whole family at the Galilee Resort in Bustos, Bulacan.

April 20, 2012 was my 3+ birthday. I celebrated it with Jeff, mom, sis and bro. We brought them to Manila Ocean Park and Star City.

May 2012, house was completed and installed with the electric post. Such a beautiful house.

May, 2012, we celebrated Mama Seth's birthday in SM MOA and dined in fab resto, Ibon.

June 2012 when we finally got the permit to occupy for the house we've been paying for the past couple of years. Jeff and I were both excited about the idea of finally moving in.

June 2012, mom had a simple celebration at home for her 18th (kidding) birthday.

Mama's Sick

Imagine your life when you were just a kid, when your mom and dad would chase you around while you're playing in the park? Those years when they were still healthy, not an ounce of clue that they would someday get sick and be frail. I miss those days when we would just stroll the mall and mom wouldn't be too tired with walking for hours and hours. Dad even used to teach me a thing or two about karate and play with me before we sleep. Yes they were that healthy.

Those were the years I terribly miss.

Just three years ago, days before my wedding, we learned that Papa would have to be operated immediately due to gallstones. He had it rescheduled a day after the wedding because he doesn't want to miss the very special event of my life. I knew he was in pain then but still stayed till the program finished. Papa's a photography enthusiast since I was young and had taken great pictures but during the wedding, when we looked at his DSLR photos, they were all blurry, reminding me that during the time he's taking the photos, he's already in pain. Papa's operation was successful but still, he's no longer able to do the activities he used to enjoy.

Just two days ago, while working from home, my sister was constantly sending me text messages that our mom isn't feeling well and is feeling numb on her left part of the body from shoulder to foot. I was already worried but I had no choice as I was working and I'm at least two hours away from them. Around 3AM when my sister said they need to rush mom to the hospital because she could no longer bear the numbness. I was so worried that right after my shift at 6AM I went straight to the hospital.

Mom is still in the hospital to go through different tests and we're still awaiting for the results. Oh, how I wish I can bring back the time when they both are healthy and out of danger. It's just sad that we have to go through this pain sooner or later. I'm afraid to even think about bringing them to the hospital.

Please join me in praying for my mom.

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.

I'd Give Anything for more Time!

I need more time. Have you ever wondered how other people manage their time doing multiple things at once? I've been having time management issues since I started working from home. I wanted to accomplish many things in a day but can't seem to handle it. My main issue is juggling between business, family, friends, online work, health concerns and time for myself. I a friend who has two kids, working online, has a business and still manages her household. I wish I could do the same.


So to start with the my attempt to manage my time, here's a breakdown of what I do:

1. I wake up at 5:30AM to jump start my laptop and the internet connection. I spend about 5-10 minutes in the bathroom preparing for the day's work. I spend another 10 minutes checking my email and my two facebook accounts.

2. I start with my online work at 6AM, I'm mostly writing stuff for my boss' SEO site.

3. Around 7AM, my husband will come home from work and I will have to either buy breakfast for him or prepare something he can munch for breakfast.

4. While working I have to prepare lunch before 12noon. This includes going to the market (still, while working) to buy some meat or vegetables needed.

5. Around 2PM just after I finish my shift, I will have to work on my business and post my items and to market them in facebook.

6. Around 4-5 PM I need to prepare for hubby's "baon" for work.

7. 5-6PM when I wake him up so he could prepare for work, hubby will leave afterward.

8. After my husband left for work, I'd have to clean the house while marketing my items again and walk my dog before we sleep.

9. I'd have get ready for sleep by 10PM so I could wake up again at 5:30AM. If I sleep beyond 10PM, I'd have a sleepless night.

This goes on and on for days for the whole week. If I have to pickup the groceries or accompany my mom somewhere I'd be busier. I don't even know where to put the "pampering myself" day.

Aarrggghhh!! I'm tired!

Lola and Esteban St.

I brought my lola to the nearest hospital so we could have her back checked. She has this huge right shoulder blade (it doesn't look like super huge but more of swollen as compared to the left). She's been complaining about back pains and cramps in the right arm and back.

Though I have so many things to do, my lola's health is more important than anything else. We first tried the hospital in Karuhatan to no avail. They said they can only accommodate up to max of 30 patients in a day (imagine that for a local city hospital). So instead of rescheduling my lola's check up I just brought her to Polo Hospital (where I was born 31 years and few months ago).

On our way, we passed by a very familiar place (specifically Esteban and Col E Lazaro St). I used to visit these streets years ago. I used to go there occasionally to meet an old friend or when I'm invited to their family gatherings. I never would have thought that we'll part ways because that person seemed to be my soul mate. The travel just brought a smile on my face, not minding some undesirable memories that we also shared.

All in all, I'm happy to end this day with my lola being okay and with the short reminiscing on the side. I just wish we could bring the old friendship back, if not, life goes on.

I am Bored!

I need inspiration! I have been patiently waiting for the construction of our own home. Unfortunately, as I confirmed months ago, the construction will only commence as soon as we have completed the deposit. In our case, we will complete it on December of this year. So we need to give way to the holidays and by January, the house will be slowly (hopefully faster than I expected, which is 3-4 months) constructed.

But I'm at the point where I am bored and I badly need inspiration. I need something or even someone to inspire me. I don't get as much from my husband nor my family so I'm still clueless at this point.

I spend the whole day doing all the household chores while working from 6-2. Just before the clock hits 12 noon I should be nearly done with the preparation of our meal. Before Jeff goes to work I ensure that I have everything ready for him including his sandwich. It's a 5-day a week routine and the same thing happens during weekends except for his sandwich preparation.

Still... With so many things to do, I am bored! It's beginning to be a struggle. I just wish time will go pretty fast so we could move in to our new home. By then I'm sure I'll be inspired to work further and enrich my mind with so many activities.

Our dream home's pictures from our first visit in 2008. I never thought we will end up getting the same home. Ours will be a little bigger but will have the same built as this model house. Aarrgghh can't wait!

September Again

To end this eventful yet less fortunate month, here's Green Day's Wake Me Up When September Ends. Good night from me and my baby Kiko who's asleep.

By the way, the search option embedded in blogger is great (obviously, this is my first time to try it after years of not posting a video, lol).

Pedring - September 27, 2011

It's our second month here in Valenzuela City and it's been two months since we moved out of Marilao, Bulacan. Last September 26, 2011, exactly two years after we were hit with Ondoy, we were silently praying that the same incident won't happen again.

Unfortunately, a day after the 26th, a new typhoon came and ravaged the northern part of Luzon. Metro Manila was just under signal number 2 but was completely drenched and most part of it was under water until today. Luckily, our house is elevated unlike the other houses in the whole street. We just lost power and communication lines were down for a day but everything was back to normal after the typhoon.

I had to deliver some items to my customers on the 28th so I had to go out. When I came to Dalandanan, water seems to be everywhere. No jeeps nor regular cars that can pass through the main road. Only buses and huge trucks was able to go through the deep water. I had to literally walk and ride a bus. I was able to arrive in SM Karuhatan in one piece but I noticed that their windows were completely damaged too, they said it's because of the strong winds.

After I delivered the items I immediately went home and had to go through the same ordeal with the flood. I managed to take a few pictures though I nearly dropped my cellphone in the process.

 mom's signage

 neighbor's signage

 my sister and I goofing around

 neighbor's houses - flooded

 neighbor's houses - flooded

 neighbor's houses - flooded

 neighbor's houses - flooded

 neighbor's houses - flooded

 Dalandanan - flooded

 Dalandanan - flooded

 Dalandanan - flooded

Dalandanan - flooded

One Final Blow

I've officially filed an incident report to our Baranggay. I always managed to control my anger especially in front of an elderly. However, this one particular neighbor managed to bring out the worst in me. Like super worst.

Each week, he'll turn up the volume of his speakers and play his collection of songs. I'd probably sing a long if they were music from Rihanna, J-Lo or whoever. But no, this guy plays the silliest covers that you'll only hear in the bangketas.

The only time he'll turn down the volume is if someone brave enough to ask him to turn it down a little. And for four weeks that we have been here, it has always been me.

Around noon, he started again his weekly routine. He kept turning up the volume for a good 2 hours till I can't take it anymore. I went to his rented room and asked me turn it down a bit, my husband works in the call center and I can't let him not sleep just because of this idiot. After a good 15-30 minutes he turned if down a bit. Around 4 PM I brought my dog out for a wall and stayed at my mom's which is just next door. A couple of minutes after my grandpa said Kiko was in front of our house and drunk.

I immediately went home and there he was standing in front of our door. I asked him what's his business about. And he kept mumbling things only a drunk like him would understand. I asked him to just rest and come back when he's sober but he kept rattling like he's someone who owns the entire place. I asserted my rights as his neighbor and brought it to the attention of the Baranggay. I was fuming with anger and they scheduled for us to meet on Wednesday. I'll keep you guys updated.

Star City 2011

What a great way to start the year, a semi celebration for Jeff's birthday. It was supposed to be an Enchanted Kingdom day but unfortunately, the theme park was closed when we got there, imagine that, coming from Bulacan to Laguna. Sigh. So instead of going home, we immediately went to Star City. It was a bit of a fun filled adventure, but I'll remind myself not to buy the ride-all-you-can tix, it's no longer worth it for someone who's there a couple of times a year.