I shall Return. -Steph

I know..I know. Super duper over mega hyper tamad ko mag-update ng blog since last year. I have lots of stories to tell:

1. How did my wedding go?
2. Saab’s 3rd birthday
3. Christmas and New Year
4. Updates pa more about how my life went

Diba? I really wanted to show you the pictures during my wedding as in! But as you all know I did not hire a professional wedding planner and that leaves all the work to me. Di ko naman kasi akalain na ganun pala ka-stressful magplano ng sariling wedding no! Hayaan nyo next time I know na what to do. But I can say that it was really fulfilling. 🙂 I’d also share with you my ratings for my suppliers. I have so many utang blog posts na huhu.

Pagbalik ko kasi ng January aba! Yung mga trainings namin e back to back to back to back! Dinaig pa yung pagsalubong ng kamag-anak sa bagong uwi na OFW e. Ganun ang pagsalubong namin sa New Year! As in ganun na nakaka-pressure. Medyo bagong client kasi namin to kaya Big Deal kung Big Deal talaga. 🙂

So yeah, I’ll try my best to compose myself para I won’t be ngarag and I’d be able to share with you our Big Day. As of the moment, let’s enjoy muna the weekend. 🙂 hihi

It was never really Love at First Sight

November 2010

They met as new colleagues at work. Her first impression for him? Too Obnoxious and Arrogant. His first impression for her? Quiet person, a woman with few words. Or, he thought so. She does not really liked him at all. The way he talks and acts seemed to be annoying for her. “He’s too loud. Too disturbing. Not my type of guy.” She said.

It was December of the same year, December 18, 2010 to be exact. It was the night when she suddenly realized that this person whom she calls Arrogant and Obnoxious would actually make her fall head over heels. He was wearing a white top that night and for some reason, she has a thing for guys who wear white. He looks so unblemished and good-looking. Very far from what she thought of the first time they met. For an unknown reason, they started talking, then sending each other messages through text andFacebook, then talking on the phone everyday, and then every night. Until they felt that there’s something magical that connects them.

2011

It was not a fairytale kind of story. They started the relationship with a bumpy road. There were crossroads, tears, stop signs, a Yellow Big Bus that’ll hit you so hard. They were both in a relationship when they realized they already fell for each other. But they were both afraid to try again and give love a second chance. They were in their comfort zones and they are so careful of their hearts being broken again. They were so afraid to get heartaches from each other.

But then again, the magic of their love conquered every obstacle. After a lot of cryings and wrong decision-makings, regrets and trying. They decided to take it to the next level.

October 3, 2011 – The day that both of them could not ever forget. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. From shouting to talking things over and deciding what to do next. And so they both agreed, all relationships will not be perfect. No matter how rich and good-looking you are there will always be problems. It’s not going to be easy. They will – whether they like it or not will hurt each other unintentionally. Besides, nobody’s perfect.

Fast forward to April of 2012

They were like any other couples, they fight, they laugh, they travel together, they talk on the phone all night, they go out, they had a lot of misunderstandings on where to eat and to eat or not. Until one day she found out that she’s pregnant. “It was scary at first”, she thought. A lot of questions were asked inside her mind. She was scared, really scared. And when she told him, he could not believe it. He was staring into space for a few minutes. What was he thinking? She does not have any idea. But he looks more scared than she is.

Eventually it synced into their hearts and soul that they will become parents anytime soon. But then again, fate is frolicksome. Her pregnancy was not easy, she underwent an Operation because of abnormalities in her ovaries. But the happiest thought she’s holding onto is that she has both of them now. Therefore she needs to stay strong and live for them.

August 31, 2012

They both decided to get married for the first time. A Civil Wedding was held on her 25th Birthday. And as she looks back and reflect on her life goals, everything is falling into place without her even knowing.

She’s working with one of the best Companies in the Philippines, she was able to exercise her passion in teaching, and she was really enjoying her work. And now at the right age – the age where she pictured herself getting married to the man of his dreams it seemed like the wind whispered it to fate. It happened.

After a few months, a darling baby girl was born.

December 18, 2012

Exactly 2 years after the night she saw the Guy in sparkling white top. They were blessed with a healthy baby girl. And they named her, Isabella Sophia. (Isabella – Hebrew; God’s promise/Sophia – Greek; Wisdom) She was the apple of everyone’s eye. A smart, and charming baby girl who completes their world. They both adjusted to the challenges of parenthood. They fight as married couples, they back-up each other, they were each other’s strength and weakness.

Fast forward to the Present Day;

As I was typing our love story, I could not help myself but wonder how magical our Love Story was. Maybe we were unaware but it was fate which led us to where we are heading now. Our Love Story is not perfect nor it was always merry. But the funny thing is that, whenever the other is ready to give-up, the other one is not ready to let go. And maybe, just maybe that is the reason why we are still here together. Holding each other’s hand, kissing each other’s cheeks, and going home to where we should be – in each other’s arms.

PS

You may visit our Wedding website where this story is originally posted.

Thanks for visiting!

Post Birthday Entry and some Good News from my Fave Mommy Blogger

Ayan na nga ba ang sinasabi ko, lumipas na ang birthday ko hindi man lang ako nakapag-update ng blog. (insert sad face here) Napaka dami ko pa namang kwento!

Anyway, better late than never. Can I say that I have the most A.W.E.S.O.M.E. Friends and Family?! 🙂

I’d like to thank everyone who greeted me through FB, twitter, my blog, text message and e-mails.

ISANG MALAKING THANK YOU PO! 🙂 I have received a lot of blessings in life na minsan e hindi ko na-aappreciate kasi I am so busy counting my problems instead of blessings.

I told my officemates, parang I won’t be able to have a Very Happy Birthday kasi hindi pumasok sa pay ko yung bonus ko pero I was wrong, totally wrong. Madami pa pala talagang mas makakapag-pasaya sa isang mababaw na tao like me.

1. Having the BEST MOM in the World who never fails to take care of me kahit na I have my own family na. Yung tipong isang text ko lang na, “Ma, pupunta sila Josica dyan mamaya, luto mo ko spag.”  – Walang ka-abog-abog na magluluto for me and for my friends. Thank you so much Mama! I am so lucky na ikaw yung naging Nanay ko. 🙂 And Mas na-appreciate kita lalo when i became a Mom myself. I owe my life to you. I love you to bits Mama! 🙂
2.  Like what the old saying says “Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are.
   

   Ayan po, sila yung mga friends ko. Ang gulo gulo diba?
   (L-R) Cyd,Bo, Josica, Cha and Me

   

   (L-R)
   Jeff, My Hubby – Martin, Marvin, and Cyd (again!)

   As I go along life’s journey and blog about everything about me, mas makikilala nyo pa sila. And you’ll be so surprised how amazing these people are. We had an early Birthday Celebration in Yakimix. It was my first time to eat there, sadly I was not able to enjoy everything that my eyes saw. 70% yata kasi ng food puro seafood, e allergic ako. Ayun, ihaw-ihaw na lang ako ng BBQ tsaka kmaen na lang ako ng madaming desserts ♥ I Thank God for giving these crazy people in my life. Tried and tested na kasi ang friendship namin, dumaan na kami sa madaming pagsubok and the best part? We learned from each other. Kaya naman ngayon, mas clingy pa sila lalo. 🙂 Hihi

3.  I have a demanding job. Not because I am working for a Private company pero dahil demanding talaga sya, period. Yung Stress Level ko minsan mas matangkad pa sa kin pero I am thankful that I have my Team with me. BTW, all-girls po kami. lol 🙂
   

   Maj-Pleasant-Me-Ralph

Ayan ang treat nila sa’kin last Wednesday, simpleng lunch lang but it turned out to be one of the BEST LUNCHES I’ve had. 🙂 Ang babait nila ano?

4. Matagal na talaga ako nag-bblog pero kasi I stopped dahil super busy ko ngang tao. Considering that I have my own family na din and I am working full-time. Pero, one of my hobbies is to read blogs until early this year I came across Mommy Fleur’s Blog. I was inspired to continue my passion in writing and expressing myself. I realized na hindi hadlang ang pagiging busy kung gusto mo talaga ang ginagawa mo and if it’s for yourself, for you to become  who you really are. So naging ritual ko na ang pagbabasa ng blog nya cause I find it therapeutic especially pag stressed ka sa mga bagay-bagay. I super admire her because she juggles work, family and her love for doing small things for herself nang naka-heels! That’s why I so love her talaga! Pramis! Tapos, she had a contest for her readers.. e syempre isa ako dun so I joined at wag ka! I won. 🙂 hahahaha

You can read the full details here. 🙂

Ang saya diba?

5. Lastly, my birthday won’t be complete without the love of my life. ♥ (Aside kay Martin syempre!)

My Darling Isabella 🙂 Ang wish ko for my birthday, basta healthy ka lang lagi and wag ka magkakasakit okay na ako dun. You are the greatest present I have received in my life and I won’t trade you for anything else. Iba na talaga pag nanay ka na ano? Dati kasi ang wish ko, new shoes, new bag, I want to travel.. but when I had Saab everything revolves around her na. Even the Happy Birthday song sounded very special if she was the one who’s singing it. 🙂

Above all, I thank God for giving me another year to celebrate with my loved ones. Another year to meet new friends, all across the globe (that’s you!) and learning new things together.

It was indeed, a Happy Birthday for me! ♥

18 going on 28

I’m just counting the days and I am eventually 2 years from getting 30 years old. They say 28 is too young. There will be a lot of realizations and lessons that I will come across as I grow older. And yes, they are apparently right. Actually, even if I don’t wait to be a 30-year old career woman I have learned and still learning a lot of things about life.

            FRIENDS

Last night I had the advance Birthday Celebration in Yakimix. It was my first time to try out their buffet, mejo mas feel ko ang Vikings pa din or Dad’s. Probably because most of the food available in Yakimix are seafood, e I am allergic to seafood so di ko ma-enjoy at baka maisugod ako sa Makati Med ng di oras.

Anyway, though I just made myself busy eating more of the desserts I just realized that I am lucky to have our friends around us. Sila yung tipo ng tao na every Friday mararamdaman mo ang pagka-clingy. Kahit 8 hours na kami magkakasama sa opisina they would always make kulit to spend time with them. Like simple dinner lang or merienda tapos madameng kwento. Happy na kami nun. At napapadalas, overnight sila sa bahay. The boys are downstairs playing xbox while us girls will stay upstairs making chismis and looking after Saab hanggang sa makatulog na lang kami lahat. 🙂

I have gained a lot of friends but not everyone is there to stay, not everyone is there to be with you during your darkest days. Siguro swerte lang talaga kami ni Martin because we have friends like them. 🙂

My partner in crime – FOREVER

We don’t have the perfect relationship. We are neither perfect. But we are perfect for each other ♥ Naks! haha

As I turn 28 on Monday, it will also be our third Wedding Anniversary. Ang bilis no? It has already been three years since we made our promise to each other to stay together for better or worse, in sickness and in health until death do we part. Nandyan yung tipong  mgkakasakit si Saab and we are left with no choice but to look after her kahit na puyat na puyat na kami. Andyan din yung papasok bigla yung mga tao from the past, at biglang wiwindangin ka. Meron din kami experience na we struggled financially and he needs to look for another job na minsan e di na kami nagkikita because of differences in our schedules. But I can say na we’re getting stronger as years pass us by. We are wiser and braver. We learned to prioritize things. We taught each other how to listen and understand. And most importantly, he taught me that the road to married life is always under construction – it’s always in progress. ♥

Lastly, my life will not be complete without Isabella. 🙂

She literally changed my entire life. From the way I handle things hanggang sa decision-making. She definitely made me a better person inside and out. Hindi man agad ibigay ni GOD yung wish ko na magkaroon ng second baby, I am still thankful that I have this bumble bee in my life. Dati ang dali ko umiyak pag pagod na ako sa work, but now that we have Saab bawal na yun. 🙂 I need to compose myself and learn the duties of Motherhood. I am not a perfect Mom, and I can bravely say that no one is a perfect Mom. We all have our shortcomings but the luckiest part of it is that no matter how imperfect we may look at ourselves,  in their innocent eyes we are always the perfect people.

Being 28 does not feel bad after all. 🙂 Knowing I have these treasures that money can’t buy.

I wish, I wish..

I’m sorry but I really need to blog my weird feelings.

So when I opened my FB account, I saw several pictures of ultrasounds on my News Feed. It made me sad. 😦

Sometimes I question myself why am I not getting pregnant? We don’t use any contraceptives for the past 3 years. You read it right, 3 long years. I don’t know if it’s because I only have one ovary left  (I had the dermoid cyst taken out of my right ovary when I was pregnant with Saab), or is it because I’m stressed out with work for the past three years. I don’t really have a clue.

Well, I was just thinking that maybe, just maybe it’s time for Saab to have a baby sister/brother. She’s growing up alone and sometimes it really breaks my heart leaving her with just her toys and not be able to have a chance to play with other kids. I only get to play with her during weekends, and there is no park near our area. So there it just makes me sad.

Why are some women so lucky to conceive a child? Like, they are not even trying but it is given to them. Oh, life is unfair. 😦 On the other hand, I tried to think of the consequences that we’ll have as parents if ever another child will come our way.

1. We’ll be back to those sleepless nights. Babies don’t have normal sleeping patterns for the first few months. We’re able to have a normal sleep on weekends since Saab is easier to put in bed now. Unless of course, she’ll have her tantrums and sleep at 3 in the morning.

2. We’ll not be able to go out with our friends again. Eversince Saab was born, we seldom go out with our friends since we need to stay at home and look after Saab. Plus the fact that I’ll have the urge to pump because I breastfeed. That’ll be such a hassle.

3. Savings. I can say that there are still a lot to save if ever we’ll have another baby. You can read my previous post about budgeting.

4. Househelp. We’re lucky because my MIL just lives across our house and Martin’s aunt is the one who’s looking after Saab. Because of my super busy and demanding schedule at work, Saab sleeps with my MIL every Mondays-Thursdays because we have to leave early the next day and comes home a bit late. Sometimes, she’s already asleep when we arrive home and nobody’s going to look after her if she’d stay in our house so we prefer to have her stayed with my MIL’s house.

5. Are we emotionally ready? Having babies is just one of the many tests in a relationship. I remember when Saab is just a few months old and I had the postpartum depression. It was really a challenge in our married life. Like, there are questions “Why the hell am I here on a Friday night?” “You’re not allowed to go out with your friends because I’m at home looking after the baby and it’s unfair.” You know,l stuff like that. I think that maybe, GOD has better plans why our second baby is not given to us yet. Probably, he is preparing us to be better parents for him/her.

So, I was thinking.. maybe we could just get a dog instead… for now. 🙂

Steph goes to Cagbalete, Quezon! ♥

I was so excited to share with you my experience in Cagbalete, Quezon last weekend. Me and my team went there for our post-summer outing which was delayed many times. It was the first time to visit the place, though I’ve been to Quezon few years back but not in Cagbalete Island itself.

Of course, prior to visiting the place I googled it and see where in the map can I locate it. And I was excited! I mean, it’s literally near the Pacific Ocean already! This is another beach moment for me! 🙂 Though I was kinda sad because hubby and Saab won’t be able to join me in this trip. We’ll probably go there again once Saab is around 4 or 5 years old.

We left Manila around 5AM and arrived at Mauban, Quezon at 10:30 AM. We were supposed to ride the Ferry that will bring us to the Island, unfortunately it left earlier than expected. So we had no choice but to rent a private boat. It costs Php 4,500 back and forth. So we took our chances. But first, we had to buy food at the nearest market. And since I don’t have any talent in doing shopping in public market, I had my other team members to do it! After lunch, we waited in 7-11 store. I think it took them 1 and a half hour to buy everything, some fish, meat, drinks, etc. (So I highly suggest you do the groceries early in the morning or else, there will be no liempo (pork belly) available) – this made me sad 😦

At around 1 PM, we rode the boat from Mauban port going to Villa Noe Resort. It was a 45 to 1 hour boat ride but you won’t get bored since you’ll get to feel the breeze on your skin. So prepare your headset and listen to some good, nice music while enjoying the boat ride! 🙂

When we arrived, it was low-tide so the beach is gone.

This is how the island will look like at around 12 nn to 5-ish PM. amazing isn’t it?

We had to walk like 500 meters from the boat (since they cannot get any closer to the shore) going to the shore. Imagine that, we’re like crossing the Red Sea with all our baggage haha! 😀 It was fun though, we managed to walk in the flood-like beach. (oops! be careful of Sea urchins, they might be hiding in the seaweeds)

Just enjoy the moment ♥ walking in low-tide beach is fun and one of a hell experience!

Finally! after a 15-20 minute trekking in the beach! We reached the shoreline! Hurray! ♥ 🙂

With Pleasant and Magic here!

We were really dead-tired but it was fun and such an experience! When we arrived, electricity is not available yet. (it runs from 6PM – 6AM) So we decided to get dirty and played volleyball instead. 🙂 just like what we do when we were kids and it’s brown-out 🙂

At around 4 PM, we already decided to cook for dinner. We had to use charcoal for cooking like we are camping. (minus the bonfire) *insert sad face here* My gosh! it took us like almost forever to cook everything since they lack the grill, so we were literally sharing the grills with the other guests.

While eating dinner, it rained! Not that hard but it lasted for 30 minutes. My gosh, imagine eating dinner in a Nipa hut, and it’s raining, and there’s the beach plus the cool breeze! -Priceless! It was presko and simple lang. 🙂 I wanted to push the Pause button.

After dinner, I felt like I REALLY NEED A SHOWER! Guess what?! Water Supply is not stable. They use water tank for their water so it needs to get filled with water first before you can take a bath. Talk about camping. But don’t worry I was able to take my shower. It requires a lot of patience though. *wink

I was not able to enjoy the beach that night since I felt tired already from the long trip so I decided to sleep early. (hey! put on some mosquito repellent before going to bed)

For those who likes and enjoys camping, you guys can bring your own tent with you! 🙂

In the morning, I was so sad that I was not able to jog. 😦 woke up around 7 AM and had our breakfast. Afterwhich we proceeded with our Team activities (it’s like our won version of amazing race) It was fun even if we lost, because we were able to do teamwork. So it’s okay lang!

After the team activities, we were able to enjoy the magical beach! 🙂 We didn’t have the time to do snorkeling 😦 and island hopping so I was really sad. We lack time. *sigh* But you can bring your own googles and underwater camera to see the beauty of nature underneath! 🙂

And you know what? Stars in Quezon can also be seen under the water, you just need to look down and enjoy the view! Talk about starfish ★

Cagbalete Island is MUST to visit. You will really enjoy the place especially if you are up for adventures. I will definitely go back, and hopefully I’ll be able to bring Saab and Martin with me 🙂