about christine

Almost Twenty-Two

marikit — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:48:04 +0000

Just like that our Amelie will turn twenty-two months in two weeks’ time. What they say is true that it is an amazing experience to see a child grow. Amelie has started to enjoy the outdoors more. Although she still gets rattled at the sight of strangers (or when in a crowd) but after a while she will settle down and play.

Her love for musical groups/shows has broadened to include the Wiggles. Since we got a free promotional DVD a week ago, we play it almost everyday. Amelie dances, twirls and raises her arms when she hears the danceable tunes.

She has been eating more table food, more fruits and less milk. She’s still on formula and used to drink three bottles of seven ounces a day. Lately, she finishes only two bottles in a day. We’re thankful that she’s healthy and can quickly recover from cold or slight fever.

Amelie still loves her socks and shoes VERY much. She and I will “argue” over taking them off because even during her bath time, she wants to wear them both! She’d cry from start to finish and at times I’d miss brushing her teeth in my hurry to finish bathing her.

She loves her books still and most of them are either worn out or without front covers now. She still knows her ABCs, numbers and colors. She started memorizing the names of some colors when I write them on paper! (Mental note: Capture it on video and post here.) When we go through the basic shapes, she pronounces “circle” perfectly and her versions of “triangle” and “rectangle” sound like “circle”, too! Cute!

Seeing all of Amelie’s developments is my reward as a stay at home mom. Of course, there are up and down days. Days when I wish I have an ear muff when she won’t stop screaming. Days when I’m worried sick because she is not feeling well. Days when she doesn’t want to eat a meal that took me hours to prepare. The list goes on.

Then there are days when Amelie will give me the sweetest smile, surprise me with a hug or she will come to me and lean her head on my shoulder, those are priceless. I love being a mom. For sure, I will miss all these when I join the workforce again.

[LP] Ayaw Ko (I Don’t Like)

marikit — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:28:43 +0000

Tuwing uuwi kami sa Pilipinas para magbakasyon, isang bagay lamang ang hindi namin hinahanap. Ang traffic. Nakakaubos ng oras, pasensya at kung ikaw ang nagmamaneho, nakakapagod.

Naalala ko nung panahong nagta-trabaho ako sa Makati, halos tatlong oras sa isang araw ang nauubos ko sa pagmamaneho lamang. Buti at hindi naging Jolas* ang mga binti ko noon dahil “stick shift” ang kotseng minamaneho ko noon.

*Jolas = Jojo Lastimosa, sikat na PBA cager noong araw. Naging sikat na biruan ang kanyang ma-muscle na mga binti.

Marami pang Litratong Pinoy dito, dito at dito!

[WS] Her Coy Smiles

marikit — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:30:10 +0000

It is very rare that I get to photograph my daughter smiling. But our photo “session” one afternoon was different. When I sat down and aimed my camera, she started giggling and gave me lots of smiles! These are just two of the many shots I took that day.

I hope to catch her again on a good mood while I practice taking portrait shots. Have a good week everyone!

For Chet

marikit — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:14:25 +0000

It was 1984 when we met. Instantly, you, Carm3la and I became friends, really close friends. It was not enough that we saw each other on school days; we spent our weekends together, too.

Our fondest memories of our times together will always be cherished. We joined school contests together, we sang in school presentations while Carm3la danced. The three of us were our teachers’ favorites because we were always on the honor roll. Do you still remember how much you hated it when I teased you for being a big fan of Menudo while I loved Duran Duran?

Oh, Chet, I am so sorry for not keeping in touch. The last time I touched based with your family was through your Dad. It was a brief long distance call. It was just last Thursday. I called to let Tito and Tita know that you will be missed.

Tito shared that you were blessed with a loving husband and three beautiful kids. You would have been a Fellow next year after a successful Internship. But you left so soon. And only God knows why. Rest in peace, Charl3ne.

XOXO,
Christine

[LP] Mithi (Wish)

marikit — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:04:18 +0000

Marami akong mithi sa buhay. Pero para sa akin ito ang pinaka-mahalaga: Na mabuhay ayon sa hangarin na itinakda ng Diyos para sa akin.

Wala ng tatamis pa na makamtan ang mga hiling natin sa buhay na kasama ang Diyos. Magawa man natin makuha gamit ang sariling talino at lakas ngunit kadalasan hindi rin tayo kuntento at hindi nagtatagal ang kaligayahan.

~oOo~

Nais ko ring ibahagi ang reflection ko para sa araw na ito. Ang ganda kasi:

“Whatever potential I have, God, I trust You to bring it to fullness. I’ll work hard at whatever job You give me. But as of today, I give up striving for perfection in my own strength.” [source: http://www.intouch.org]

Marami pang litratong pinoy dito!

[WS] The Little Girl’s New Do

marikit — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:19:23 +0000

I wanted Amelie to grow her hair long so that I could ‘braid’ it eventually. However, at her stage, the least thing she wants to do is to stay put to have her hair fixed so I decided to cut it short last Saturday. This is the “before” shot.

And of course, the ‘after’ pose. I had her watch The Wiggles on Youtube and she was dancing and jumping up and down while I was cutting her hair. I was so nervous! I even prayed before working on the scissors for fear of making a big disaster. Thankfully, it turned out ok, minus the (not so obvious) uneven strands at the back. Hooray!

[LP] Liwaliw sa Central Park

marikit — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:18:08 +0000

Mabibilang lamang ang mga nagtataasang gusali sa siyudad ng Perth. Sa katunayan, itong Central Park nila ay malalakad mo ang kabuuan ng wala pang kalahating oras. Hindi tulad ng sukat ng Central Park sa New York.

Bagaman maliit ang siyudad nila, napahanga ako sa yaman ng kanilang lugar. Maraming pang-publikong bus na umiikot tuwing 20ng minuto na libre. Napadalas ang punta namin mag-ina noon sa siyudad mula sa aming hotel dahil sa mga libre nilang bus.

At bagaman maaraw sa aking mga kuha, napakalamig ng araw na iyon. Tag-lamig pa rin dito sa Australia at nalalapit na ang Spring. Totoong tahimik ang lugar ng Perth. Ang biruan nga namin ay masarap siguro ang mag-retiro doon balang araw.

~oOo~

Ako po ay naimbitahan maging panauhing litratista sa Litratong Pinoy. Sana ay makapasyal kayo. ::smile::

[WS] One Colorful Shrub

marikit — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:55:57 +0000

Ashby’s Banksia

This is just one among the many species of shrubs found at Kings Park in Western Australia. I like the sharpness of its orange color and it’s shape reminds me so much of an ice lolly. ::wink:: The park is so huge that an afternoon was not enough to cover its entirety and for us to be able to absorb all its beauty.

The upcoming photo series on this blog will be filled with our snaps from Perth. Have a good week!

More from the other weekend snapshot participants!

Ooops! Wrong Room.

marikit — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:48:15 +0000

I was busy packing for our trip back to Sydney tomorrow when I heard knocks on our hotel room’s door. There were two gentlemen, one holding a bucket with wine and the other, with plates of fruits and sweets. They both said (almost at the same time), “Compliments from the hotel, ma’am!”, so I quickly replied “Thanks” and let them out the door as soon as they put everything on the table.

When I turned to do my packing again, my little girl started reaching for the fruits on the plate. I tell you, she calls apple as apple but treats it like a ball. ::smile:: Anyway, that’s when I had an idea to take a photo before I let Amelie play with the fruits.

Not long after, I heard a few gentle knocks this time and one of the room service guys smiled while saying, “Sorry ma’am, we delivered the wine and sweets to the wrong room.” He swiftly picked up the items and left the plate of fruits.

[LP] Ako (O Ang Parte Ko)

marikit — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 07:03:15 +0000

Ang aking lahok ay litrato ng aking anak na kuha ko sa Kings Park dito sa Perth noong nakaraang Linggo. Totoo ang sabi nila na kapag naging isa kang ina, malaking parte ng buhay mo ay maiiba. Mayroon ka ng taong mas mamahalin mo kaysa sa iyong sarili. Mas pagbubuhusan mo ng atensyon at oras at uunahin ang pangangailangan kaysa kanino man.

Kaya kung dadating muli ang panahon na papipiliin ako kung ambisyon ba o ang aking anak, walang pagsisisi ko pa ring pipiliin ang huli. Sapagkat una sa lahat, AKO ay isang ina.