The Final Countdown – THIS IS IT! :P December 19, 2009

We now have THREE days until Sam will be born… that is, unless he finally decides to come out on his own. 🙂  As it is… I am already 4 days overdue.  😛

There are sooo many countdowns to get to where we are now… there’s the 1st ultrasound, then the 2nd, then all the other mini tests… etc. But THIS IS IT! This is the last countdown before we’ve got a new addition to the family! Can’t wait!!! 🙂 Over the last 2 weeks, we have been getting very impatient that my husband vows the baby will arrive March 2010 instead of the expected Dec 2009. he he Even our family & friends are getting impatient too… but at least now, we do have a final date. We really can expect that we’ll be holding our baby before Christmas comes. 🙂

I have been told about pregnant women going through a “nesting” phase but as far as I know, I seem to not have gone through that phase (yet). 😛 My husband begs to differ though. 🙂 But from stories I’ve heard, “nesting” phase translates to women moving heavy furnitures like fridge, washing machine all over the place, cleaning non stop, etc. Oh well, not going through this phase doesn’t mean I am not ever going to give birth… it just means I’m… different. he he

I am very thankful that I have had an uneventful pregnancy all throughout… there were a few glitches in between but they pale in comparison to what some other pregnant women go through. I am so BLESSED! 🙂

In the meantime, Max & I are treasuring our last remaining days together, when it is still just the two of us for the most part… before we have a new little life to take care of… God only knows how much our lives are about to change…

Mac or Windows? November 20, 2009

I’m really really contemplating on getting a new laptop. The BIG question is: Mac or Windows?

There is NO question in my mind that Mac is more stable than Windows. However, having been a Windows user all my computer-life, I do have a few concerns. Namely:

1. Transferring my outlook mails (*.pst) to Mac email software. I’ve been doing some search on the net on how to do this but it seems very complicated.

2. I love my HP pocket pc that runs on a windows platform and have quite a bit of software installed (that needs to be installed on laptop too to be able to sync data), I wonder how easy it would be to install them on a Mac.

3. I love my ebooks that are in Microsoft reader format…

4. I love computer games that runs on Windows.

I have read that you can use Boot Camp to be able to use Microsoft software on your Mac… but how easy or complicated would that be?

Also, correct me if I’m wrong but you can’t just get any free software for Mac’s like you can for Windows.

So… Mac or Windows?

Any inputs? 🙂

For the Lexophilliacs… November 16, 2009

My sister in law forwarded this to me… I find it too good not to share…

Lexophiles, lovers of words,

1. A bicycle can’t stand alone; it is two tired.

2. A will is a dead giveaway.

3. Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

4. A backward poet writes inverse.

5. In a democracy it’s your vote that counts; in feudalism, it’s your Count that votes.

6. A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.

7. If you don’t pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.

8. With her marriage she got a new name and a dress.

9. Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft and I’ll show you A-flat miner.

10. When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.

11. The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.

12. A grenade fell onto a kitchen floor in France resulted in Linoleum Blownapart.

13. You are stuck with your debt if you can’t budge it.

14. Local Area Network in Australia : The LAN down under.

15. He broke into song because he couldn’t find the key.

16. A calendar’s days are numbered.

17. A lot of money is tainted: ‘Taint yours, and ‘taint mine.

18. A boiled egg is hard to beat.

19. He had a photographic memory which was never developed.

20. A plateau is a high form of flattery.

21. The short fortuneteller who escaped from prison: a small medium at large.

22. Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.

23. When you’ve seen one shopping center you’ve seen a mall.

24. If you jump off a Paris bridge, you are in Seine .

25. When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she’d dye.

26. Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.

27. Santa’s helpers are subordinate clauses.

28. Acupuncture: a jab well done.

29. Marathon runners with bad shoes suffer the agony of de feet.

30. The roundest knight at king Arthur’s round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.

31. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian .

32. She was only a whisky maker, but he loved her still.

33. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class because it was a weapon of math disruption.

34. The butcher backed into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his work.

35. No matter how much you push the envelope, it’ll still be stationery.

36. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.

37. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

38. A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.

39. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

40. Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other, ‘You stay here, I’ll go on a head.’

41. I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.

42. A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab center said: ‘Keep off the Grass.’

43. A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a nurse said, ‘No change yet.’

44. The soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

45. When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.

46. Don’t join dangerous cults: Practice safe sects.

Baby stuff shopping… September 12, 2009

Max & I have been going out of town a lot recently… either heading into the bushes, or going down south, etc.  But since forecast was windy & rainy for this weekend… we went baby stuff shopping instead.  he he  we’re both pretty bad with shopping around… give us a few minutes inside the shopping centre and we both get completely drained.  😛

Anyhow, I think we did achieve something.  At least we’re getting closer to what we think are the few first essential stuff that we need to get.

1. stroller/pram – we want something that is light yet durable, and also for me, what is essential is that it folds easy.  There are prams/strollers that you need to detach the seat first before you can collapse it.  And then, it’s not even that small when you fold it up.  And man, talk about choices – there’s soo many of them to choose from you don’t even know where to start looking – and prices can be as high as AUD 2,000.  😛  Anyway, we saw a stroller that is relatively light, good for newborn to 17kg (which is about 4-5 yrs old) and also folds easy – not to mention cheap too!  Steelcraft Express Stroller – AUD 129.

2. breast pump – I’ve heard a lot of talk about breast pump, which makes it very confusing whether to get one asap or not.  But… most that I’ve heard is that having a breast pump is not a bad thing,

• it helps express more milk
• when you express milk into bottle/s, you can then train baby not to rely solely on you for feeding.  Your husband or other relatives can get the chance to feed the baby too, also gives you freedom to go shopping and maybe go to the spa or something… 😛

There’s also a lot of breast pumps out there… but based on research, top brands are Avent & Medela.  As for here locally, I think Avent is more popular as you can find more accessories at the shops.  So I think I wanna get the Avent isis iq uno electronic breast pump – which costs about AUD 250.  Baby food warmer and steriliser will have to follow later on.  😛

3. baby monitor – Max absolutely wants this – and not only does he want the sound monitor, he wants movement & sound monitor – meaning, it also monitors baby’s heartbeat – it sets off an alarm if baby’s heartbeat drops.  We thought it would be difficult to find but as it is, it’s very popular nowadays.  We’re looking at getting the Babysense II – AUD 300.

4. disposable nappies – we’re going to combine cloth & disposable nappies.  Thank goodness there’s a lot of nappy washing companies around here so I don’t have to worry about the washing.  🙂

5. capsule – Max thinks that we don’t need a car seat straightaway so we might hire a capsule in the beginning as they’re relatively cheap.  However, a friend is planning to sell their baby seat soon so I might just grab that.  Car seat should be a really good one for baby’s safety.

6. bassinet – Thanks to Glen & Julia who recently had their baby, they’re gonna pass on their bassinet to us.  Yippee!!!  🙂

7. baby bath – Thanks to Max’s ever perceptive eye, he found one that is still in very good condition.  Not only is it a baby bath, it’s got a change table too.  🙂

8. change table & cupboard – Thanks to a wonderful & very excited sis in law, we got a change table early on… I think I was only in my first trimester when Julia delivered it.  ha ha  BUT, I can’t complain, it’s a really good one!  🙂

Other stuff that we think are essential too are baby wipes, nappy liner & change mat.  And as we are having a December baby, I think we should go buy these stuff relatively soon so that we don’t get caught up with the Christmas shoppers like last year!  That would be a complete nightmare!  It was tough enough when I wasn’t pregnant!  😛

Mum is pretty excited too… kept asking when we’re gonna go baby stuff shopping… 🙂  I can tell little Sammy’s going to be pretty spoiled!  😛

And we’re also on the lookout for a bigger house… hope we find a good one soon!  🙂

Weekend @ New Norcia August 4, 2009

Spent a relaxing weekend at New Norcia – the only monastic town in Australia. We got there Saturday noon… had lunch at the hotel, then checked in – the hotel is pretty interesting – if you have an active imagination, you can easily transport yourself back in time.

You can actually stay at some of the other establishments there, like the old convent, guesthouse, etc. – we’ll save that for next time. 🙂

We then spent a couple of hours strolling around town… peering into rooms which are boarded shut, and simply enjoying the town itself.

Max, Julia & Brett then went for a ride while this getting “very” pregnant lady kicked back at the hotel and relaxed. 😛

The next day, Julia and I joined the 2hr guided walking tour – which I’m very happy we did. It was pretty interesting learning more about the history of the place… and also got to go inside all the chapels.

The boys on the other hand, went for a ride.. (but I think they were really going after the abbey ale… :P)

To view the photos, visit my facebook profile and take a look at the New Norcia photo album.

Really should be blogging more… July 31, 2009

I haven’t been blogging at all lately… spending all my internet time on facebook… not that I spend a lot of time these days on the net anyway.

Plenty of changes going on…

1. I am currently 20.4 weeks pregnant, and getting bigger by the week – oh, and it’s going to be a boy!!! whoopee!!! For photos, visit my facebook profile.

2. Then there’s the changing of workplace. I am officially finished with the Department of Corrective Services and will start with the Department of Health come Monday. Not gonna be taking long drives anymore… yey!!!

I’ve been thinking lately that I wanna get back to blogging more… this time around though… I think my blogs would lean toward my journey through being an expectant mother… to finally being one… and the after effects… he he which I hope will be all good!!! 🙂

25 random things about me… February 21, 2009

RULES: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged — people who know you or you want to know better. You have to tag the person who tagged you.

(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

1. I met my husband in Bali.

2. My favorite color is violet.

3. I don’t know how to ride a bicycle… yet. There’s hope for it still!  😛

4. I read books through my pocket pc.  Absolutely love it!!!  I’d always have 70++ books with me wherever I go, not because I read fast but because I’m always paranoid that I’ll run out of books to read… he he  And, it doesn’t weigh much at all.  🙂 

5. I am scared of flying cockroaches.

6. I represented Philippines once for a Tai Chi tournament in Fuzhou, China.

7. My all time favorite sport is volleyball.

8. I was thin as a stick when I was younger… I don’t know where all these meat came from.  😛

9. I LOVE food!!!  (now the truth comes out of the horses’ mouth!!! :P)  I used to be able to eat more than my brothers… I still eat a lot now but so much lesser than before… *sigh*… ageing… *sigh*

10. I always daydream of living life as a millionaire.

11. I hate doing selection criterias.  Absolutely hate it!!!  But I’m getting better at it.. 😛

12. I’ve just started to really learn how to swim.

13. I still bite my fingernails when I get all freaked out.

14. I have a navel ring – it was a spur of the moment thing years and years ago… I was with my 2 best buddies and we suddenly got the hankering to get it done, 2 of us got navel rings while the other one got a beautiful little butterfly tattoo on her left shoulder blade.

15. I’ve always thought that I’d be married by 25… I got married 4 years late… the wait was very much worth it though because I have the BEST man!  🙂

16. My favorite ice cream brand is Häagen-Dazs® (strawberry flavor).  I can finish off 1 whole pint just like that.  My next favorite is Ben & Jerry’s.

17. I used to collect stationeries and stickers when I was younger – and most of them are still intact.  🙂  You see, I can’t even bear to use them.  Now, they’re slowly getting used by my brothers.  😛

18. I don’t drink or smoke… because I just don’t like them… which is good!  😉

19. I’ve been in quite a few dancing contests when I was younger, several actually, but, even after all that, I still can’t dance spontaneously… I stand rooted to the spot.  tsk tsk tsk

20. I used to be able to bend back just like that, now… I won’t do it even if you paid me a thousand bucks… I’ll be in extreme pain.

21. I was once a fast runner, 100m in 13secs, that’s fast… I think…he he  well, compared to now.. I can’t even run 100m without hurting my knees. 

22. I get obsessed with counting money when on holidays (according to my husband)  😛

23. I have 3 chickens namely Martha, Bertha (age 19 months) & Maggie (age 21 weeks).

24. I’m blessed to have an underarm that doesn’t grow wild… in fact, doesn’t grow at all!

25. It’s taken me 2 weeks to complete this.  😛

Note: I tagged you but it doesn’t mean that you really have to do this… I don’t want to give you the same pressure it gave me… he he he  but, if you feel the inclination to do it too… then by all means!  *wink wink*

Facebook-ing…

Haven’t been blogging much… and I have facebook to blame… he he  looking for something, anything to blame… 😛  But truthfully… I’ve been enjoying facebook-ing too much.  I wrestled with myself for a long time not to sign up with facebook because I have several accounts like that to maintain already… I started with friendster, then came hi5, neatvibe, sms.ac, zedge, multiply… aaaahhhhhhh…. I then dropped everything and just maintained friendster… and even just one is time consuming enough.

I finally succumbed to facebook… even my mother in law is on facebook!!!  😉  Can you beat that?  😛

Anyhow… I found that facebook is really good… I can’t fully explain why but people seem to enjoy using it more and so more people are getting in touch and being updated with each other.

So… if you haven’t got one yet… I highly recommend you try it.  Gives you something to do on your spare time.  I probably should charge facebook for advertising.  he he   Alright… what am I doing here… time to facebook again.  😛

One of my best christmas ever… January 12, 2009

How was your Christmas guys?  Hope you had as much fun as I did.  🙂  One of the best Christmas I’ve ever had… to have my family here as well would have made it the best ever!  😛  We’re going to start the visa processing soon for my family… fingers crossed everything goes well so they can come here for 2 weeks about March-April.

We met with Max’s family Christmas eve as opposed to the traditional Christmas day gathering cause Julia had to go away to attend the wedding of a friend.  We met late afternoon and went to the park first to open a few play-toy presents.  Julia got Max a remote control car so we played with it for a while, hit some balls and had some drinks.

     

Afterwards, we went back to Julia’s place and cooked a variety of seafood dinner.

The Chin’s in action and the food feast.

  

There was a lot of gifts exchanged around… but one of the best things I got was a GPS navigator… I never have to get lost again!  ha ha ha  Maybe I’m that bad with remembering roads that they (mum & Julia) had to get me one.  😛  I’ve used it several times now and it’s a beauty!!! 

Max bought himself an expensive bike and it has motivated him to ride more… he’s always liked to ride but he’s doing it even more now – which is not a bad thing at all.  And have a look at our christmas tree – it’s a REAL live one.  🙂  How awesome is that?  🙂

     

Anyhow… after christmas, Max & I have been catching mussels down by the Swan Yacht Club, abalones down South and crabs right in the city.  Really awesome that we can do that here… this is one of the many reasons why I love Perth.

     

     

Hopefully we’ll get to do some prawning soon too.  😛  For a girl who doesn’t know how to swim, these are all a big accomplishment for me – all thanks to my bub, who takes care of me more than I take care of myself.  🙂

We’ve been cooking & eating the crabs plain, which is absolutely heavenly, makes me really feel blessed to be alive… I might try my hand at chili crabs tonight though… which is fairly easy to make I reckon.  🙂

Happy Christmas everyone!!! December 18, 2008

Mad christmas rush…. aahhhhhh………

I’ve been busy for the last few weeks in my new job.  After getting my WA driver’s license, I went straight into looking for work… not expecting that with the economy so bad, big private companies have gone freeze-hiring to cut down their costs.  So, looking for work turned out to be a bigger drama than it was supposed to be.  But, I’ve been blessed yet again.  My sister in law works in a prison as a nurse and as it turns out, they were looking for someone for administration work.

I’ve been working there for 3 weeks now and it’s been great!  Every single day is unique and I meet people from all walks of life.  It really is very interesting… as it is a prison, eventhough it’s minimum supervision, I can’t really write a lot about it as the Australian Government is very strict with these kind of thing.  I wouldn’t want to get into trouble and then be imprisoned there myself… that would be hilarious!  ha ha

I’ve been told that working for the Government is as good as it gets cause they do give a lot of benefits for their citizens… and I have the option later on to move around to other departments if I want to.  We’ll see… I can’t say yet what I’ll be doing for the long term especially with the plan of having a baby next year in mind.  Fingers crossed!  🙂

As I’ve been busy, I haven’t gotten the chance to do christmas shopping… we’ve left it too late and I can’t believe my eyes when I went to the shopping centre the other day and saw the place swarming with people.  It’s not funny!  One afternoon after work, my bub & I went to a shopping centre but couldn’t even park our car, can you imagine that?!?!  We had to go back home with empty hands.

I’ve been away from Manila for some time now and I had forgotten the mad christmas rush… whew!  I told my husband, next year, we better make sure we finish our christmas shopping by October!  🙂

Tomorrow, 19th December, we’re going to the WACA to watch the test cricket match of Australia vs South Africa.  Can’t wait… I will finally get to see my boyfriend Brett Lee.  ha ha ha

     

He’s gorgeous isn’t he?  🙂  Whenever we watch cricket on TV, Max would always make a comment when Brett Lee comes out either to bowl or to bat.  He’ll say, “Your boyfriend’s batting now…”, he always makes that comment because then, when Brett Lee gets bowled out with just a few overs, he can make fun of him.  ha ha ha

Anyhow… gotta go to the shop now and get some stuff to bring tomorrow to the WACA and we might be having visitors over the weekend so I gotta buy more food.

Happy Christmas to all!!!