Un-birthday traditions, heart eggs, preparing for PTC ala Kenneth Cobonpue and Ferran Adria's El Bulli movie

How to make heart eggs

I grew up not celebrating birthdays. I understand my parent's reasons and I don't resent it, we are 12 in the family - not including the extended members. To not celebrate is the safest and most economical way to go for a farmer village family sending children to school.

With my own family now, we celebrate our birthdays very simply. Cake and a huge serving of spaghetti, though I prefer pansit. I cook great pansit! There would be times when we would invite some family and/or friends to share a meal with us at a place we haven't visited to commemorate the special occasion.



El Bulli
If you're a foodie, I'm sure you've heard of the greatest restaurant in the world. Closed six months of every year to prepare for the next season, reservation list is endless. The Spanish chef, Ferran Adria calls his cooking avant-garde, elevating it as an art. Isn't it amusing that he's no French?

You may want to catch this movie about him and his restaurant, which means The Bull. The guy is passionate and a perfectionist, which goes along, I think.

I once ate a chocolate bar infused with bacon bits. The maker studied and has been greatly influenced by Ferran Adria. I didn't like it, though it was fine. I didn't totally catch it.

PTC armaments
I haven't totally got passed the last PTC sessions, they kept a scar mark in my soul that will only be healed if I see my kids doing better. I thought, for the next PTCs I would be ready with my notes. I will observe my kids for their strongest and worst point to tackle with the teachers. The next parent-teacher conferences (PTCs) will be about both parties engaging over the kids' performance and how they may be better individuals.

Since then, I have been encouraging my kindergartener to read a book out loud daily, practice writing and choose iPad games that are educational. I have been stricter with our schedule, I admit. With or without a freelance project I see to it that the kids do activities that will build on skills they need to be better - not just at school but also in life in general.

I give punishments more often too, unlike before that I let things pass because I have other more important things to do.

Yes, the last PTC engaged me so much about parenting that tomorrow we'll be starting Wushu lessons even if it costs more than my monthly gym membership, which husband and I forego due to tight schedules, thank you very much.

Doing world-renowned furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue's three questions: who am I, why am I on earth for and what am I good at - I am definitely, positively engaged in parenting.

Yeah!

Kid funny moments
Husband and little boy are in search for a barber shop. They've been sporting long hair-dos and want to have it trimmed. Pointing out the iconic spiral of blue and red to our preschooler, husband said "Look at that moving colors. Whenever you see that, it means it's a barber shop."

Our little boy replied, "Ah, like the 'loading' symbol?"

Evoliving at Nuvali, Taxi Boat and Picnic

Coi feeding at Nuvali. Or are these carps?

Lois is five years old now. We wanted her to experience something new now that she's a year older. We asked her if it would be riding a horse, bike or boat. She chose to ride a boat.

Nuvali was a family-friendly neighborhood which offers a taxi boat around its man-made lake from 8am-5pm. It's also popular for its fish feeding where guests may buy Nuvali fish food for P15/pack. So one Sunday, we trooped there and invited some family to make the celebration more meaningful.

Getting there was easy. There were enough directional signages along the road from Sta. Rosa exit. Or it really helped that husband and sister-in-law are South-side residents. They are Laguna natives. :)

We also have a printout of the locational map from Nuvali's official website. There's a new u-turn area to get to Solenad, the commercial area of Nuvali, they say. Though I think not taking it would still work. 

Solenad Lunch

We had our lunch at Yellow Cab. There are lots of places to eat at there – poshy restaurants to affordable meals. Then it was taxi boat ride time. It costs P30/person. Ma Dahls treated every one. :) 

The boat ride took them under a tunnel/bridge then around the fountains. The ride was fast and water splashes are guaranteed, sending the kids screaming with glee. 

 

After lunch, we checked the tiangge area near the parking. There was a live band playing when we arrived. Not sure if that's there all the time. They're good, playing acoustic songs. I heard them sing a Christ Tomlin followed by a Glee TV show original. The performers encourage the crowd to step up and sing with them via an available microphone. They project lyrics of the songs so it's easy. I wonder if the volunteers know that the performance is broadcasted at the other side of the restaurant row?

The tiangge offers clothes, toys, fashion accessories, food and some house furniture. There was a signage which states that Nuvali doesn't support piracy, but I noticed that some toys are China-made, which is somehow confusing.

We were thinking of renting some bicycles at P60/hour. You have to have a valid ID to do this. We decided against it, not because we don't have Ids but because there are no kid bikes.

Picnic for Lois

For a short picnic, we trooped near 7-11 at the Convergys Building. Or I think that Evo Tech Bldg. Anyways, they have a spacious lawn in front and we already saw some lying on the grass. Carlos had a grand time running around the greens. He never mind that it was 3pm and the sun was scorching hot. Lois was nibbling with her friends, showing me the hand-painted banig bag she did at the Nuvali Open House. Baby Skid was fast asleep, perhaps tired and lulled by the winds.

Nuvali Residence?

Are we going back? Not really. It's a nice experience, a good treat for the people of Sta. Rosa and of Nuvali. Though I wouldn't desire to live there. Houses and lots go for P2.5M+. A 500sqm lot only is around P5m I guess. My ideal place definition is different. Plus the toll rates going to Manila are costly. It's not for me, we'll it's way above what we can afford. :D

Picnic without mats?! What kind of organizing is that? Hehehhe!

But the kids enjoyed it, the same way they did QC Memorial Circle. My kids are really growing up different. Just the way I want it.

March 2009 In Photos

Foreman Bong at our soon to be finished condo unit

Lola Inang with camera-shy guests

Senior Citizen all

Birthday girl ML - Mam Lorna :)



Playing with macaronis

February 2009 in Photos

Daddy Paul with his old-time HS buddies

Birthday girl Lois with friends and guests

Mamsy-holic

At age 30 months and 9 months respectively, Lois and 2 are addicted to me. Lois adores my sagging tummy, she sleeps better touching it. Stretch marks and all! Baby 2 shrieks for me when he sees me come in the room, holds out his arms urging me to carry him. What's the deal with you kids? Have you noticed that mommy has been spending more and more time in front of the computer?

Lois, you want me holding you while you use the toilet. Baby 2, you want me always within your sight. Yes, these are so sweet. It feels so good being LOVED back by the people I LOVE most. I have one request though. Lois, please let me dress you up. Tank tops aka padede are cool and comfortable, but you need to wear shirts and skirts when we go out. Baby 2, please don't cry so loudly when you want me. I hear you. I know when it's feeding time already. Mommy is just here, out of your sight but still with you. I need to work in front of the computer for you both. Haven't you noticed that mommy is more confident now that I've learned web designing? Haven't I become more patient and funny?


Planning for 2
60 days to go before Baby 2 turns 1 and I'm really not prepared. I plan to have a Filipiniana theme, but there is not yet a place that might fit. We'll be having it in Makati again. Hmm, ideas needed!

Happy Birthday, Lola Inang!

She was obviously happy, and therefore we are happy too. :D Though a foiled surprise party, it was all worth the hassle, pleasing our dearest mother who turned 71 last March 11.

I admire that she has bore 10 individuals, half based abroad living comfortable lives and generously helping the rest of us here live better. Most are married, with different parenting styles, I guess inspired and influenced by how we were brought up. Inang has lived a very hard life, with her mom dying while she and her other siblings were still young. She didn't finish school that was why she was keen to see all of us finish ours. Together with our tatay, they labored hard to send us to school. I can still remember the various trades they entered in order to make ends meet for our family. Aside from the staple farming, they also entered trading eggs, rice and other produce to Cubao Market, took on sub-contracting deals with cloth importers. I remember tatay also used to drive a jeep. Ours was really the simple life. We had the basics, and that's commendable. I learned how to value money, to the point that my husband kid me that I'm such a kuripot. We'll, I'm fine with that! I wish Lois would also grow up knowing that money can be spent, saved or given to those who need it more.

She and my dad were active in the baranggay, teaching nutrition, livelihood, dabbling in politics. I learned integrity, honesty and tact seeing them applied everyday.

My greatest desire now is for my mother to experience the same life ruled by faith that my own family lives on now. May God bless her with more fruitful years.