Wonderful Saturday Afternoon

It's only very seldom for us to have visitors in our house. For one, we live very far from the Filipino community. Well, second is because we don't get to socialize with other kabayans because husband works outside Dubai and weekends are usually reserved for family only. So, naturally when we get the opportunity to know that some great people are in town, we always try to invite them in our home. 

Like yesterday...

When Maie told us that Tita Luchie and Nanay Sana (!) will be visiting Dubai, I requested her to let us know and to reserve their one day with us. And Maie was really gracious to say yes. Thank you po.

It was always a pleasure to have good people around. Much more when conversations link us to our past. Those good old days. Oh so much fun and reminiscing. 

May we have another chance to get together, wherever and whenever. 

Changes changes changes

I'm now on my 5th month and 1 week. Halfway through, yes. But I felt like this is my first ever pregnancy. How age and birth gap can make huge differences on one's body. On my first 4 months, the only complain I had was an early backaches. Nothing more, except of course pekas and breakouts. 

But the moment I reached my 17th week, I began feeling sore, from way up to really down there. I can barely stand up after sitting for awhile, I feet like all my ligaments are tearing apart and are about to fall. This is new to me because I always had easy pregnancies in the past. But you know, as long as the baby is alright, then any discomfort will just have to be ignored. And so far, this mango size inside my tummy is kicking really hard. Next month is my GDT or Gestational Diabetes Test. This will be my 4th "test" since I began going to the OB here. The first was the Harmony Test, next was the Blood test to check any deficiency like iron, and last time was the baby test (sorry, I forgot the medical term) but it basically measured the baby (head, arms, legs, tummy,etc). Everything is still pretty normal except that I am gaining those pounds. Ouch.

Speaking of weight, here I am last week. I am getting huge, I know.

As I have told you, my face is now the perfect habitat of pekas and breakouts.

Blotches, open pores, under eye wrinkles and fat deposits pimple. All in perfect attendance. My tablet has filter pa, so just imagine the "invisibles" .

So, it's doubly hard for me to conceal them. I still try.

But it's really effort. And time consuming.

But anyway, this is just very temporary. And this is sheer vanity. I am more excited to finally see the little addition to our family. And we don't have a name yet. Haha.

More changes in the household...
My children are slowly having their own life, their own routine, their own identity. Like my once upon a time little girl. Here she is now.

She is turning 12 soon and will be in the Middle school this August. How time flies.

When they were still babies until they were Grade 1, they loved being massaged and tickled. But now, they are returning the favor to us. These three are the official masseurs of their father every weekend. The most expert is DJ, perhaps because hubby started training him young. His back rub is strong and his touches are really soothing to your tired muscles.

So while we are in Dubai and massage is a luxury, these three pairs of hands will do. However, they will have their breaks when we go back to the Philippines soon. Hurrah!

This is it for now. Happy Monday everyone!

SURPRISE PART 2

Oh yes, the surprise wasn't over yet, just when I thought it was.
Last Tuesday was the Farewell Assembly (Graduation) of my two Grade 5 as they will now step up to the Middle Year Program of GEMS World Academy this coming School Year as Grade 6. It was just a simple ceremony which opened with a String Performance (violin and cello) of all the Grade 5 students which for some reasons were kinda surreal because I couldn't believe my children could ever experience being in this kind of environment. It was so inspiring and I really felt my children were so lucky to have been given the chance to be where they are right now.

If there were mistakes or somebody was off key, it was hardly noticed. 

Everything sounded flawless.

Immediately after playing three concert pieces, the program proceeded to the Graduation rites. It was so simple and direct to the point. No speeches from VIPs, no guest of honors and performances or whatsoever. The highlights were the messages from section representatives, giving of certificates and acknowledgement of achievers. 

On the photo is Anjo on the podium. I convinced Anjo to do this because I wanted her to conquer her shyness and feeling of inferiority. You see, during her first week in GWA, her teacher told me she seemed to be so scared and embarassed of her accent and where she came from. This was quite understandable because she was new and she was surrounded with classmates who mostly talked with British twang. 

Here, Anjo is delivering her message on behalf of her section. 

She together with another classmate represented 5DB. Go Darmarie and Darian!

The school also gave out Longest Staying Award (could be more than 1), Perfect Attendance (I have noticed only one from each class received this award) and Achievement Award (one from each section).

The Head of School also gave out The Most Improved Student Award which went to a Korean national who happened to be a very close friend of Anjo and very much deserving. Her English, Anjo told me was much much better now because she worked really hard, and of course her Math ability was beyond question. She was humble, easy to get along with and would always say hello to me when she'd see me in school or during accidental meeting in the mall.
There was also an award for the Highest Achiever and my god, the girl's achievements while being enumerated by the Head of School (who by the way is a tall guy from Canada and is half Filipino, and I am so proud of it) seemed to be endless - a sports enthusiast (swimmer, track and field and football player), a musician (guitar), singer (she was the most applauded in the talent show finale) and also excelled in academics. Does this girl ever sleep? Oh well... 

But of course, my surprise came when our very own Abi was called to receive his Achiever Award. He was described as the true Mathematician by his teacher.

This made him so proud of himself and I am sure this will inspire him even more this coming school year. I told him to harness more his Math ability so he could join competitions next year. I am also pushing him to be involved in sports of his interest. My husband and I have realized that slowly the school is shaping our children to be well rounded in their developments. Congratulations Abi!

Yesterday also was the Talent Show Finale. Some of us parents thought it was a competition but it was not. It was just a showcase of talents of pupils form Grade 2 to Grade 5. It was entertaining and amazing esp. when I saw traditional musical instruments from Asian countries being played by the students. It was just so close to the heart.

So this is the bunch of talented students from Grade 2 to Grade 5. Sorry my shot was shabby and I didn't capture everyone.

 There were 16 performances.

and this is Abi and Idrees doing their pen tapping talent.

I just prayed they won't commit mistakes. They didn't , I guess. 

Or if they did, they had handled it quite well.

What a year that was! It was filled with uncertainties, adjustments, confusions then later on  everything went perfectly ok. Whenever I am asked by my co parents in GEMS if I am happy with how the school is doing, I just say as long as my kids look happy and well adjusted then I am fine. 

Here comes MYP! Another challenge for everyone of us. Looking forward with hope and optimism. 

Have a great weekend!

SURPRISE!

When Abi told us he was joining the Grade 5 talent show elimination we were kinda perplexed. We asked him if he was playing violin because he was doing good with his lessons but we knew that his violin skill was still very raw compared to other students who have been playing that instrument all their lives. He said he will do pen tapping. What was that again??? We didn't take him seriously. Maybe he just wanted to join the bandwagon and be in.

Last Thursday Anjo told us the good and the bad news. She didn't make it to the Grade 5 elimination (she danced with her classmate) but Abi qualified for the Finale together with his best buddy, Idrees. Oh yeah???!

Yesterday, Abi handed me his Proof.

Honestly, I didn't have any idea about what Pen Tapping was. My husband did his research on his own, but I never really paid attention. A good friend Marlo sent me a link yesterday and yes, its a talent. Even hubby's former classmate sent us a comment that it's a rare skill. 

Maybe Abi's violin teacher was right when she told us that Abi is musically gifted. In fact, she told me he might get the ABRSM VIOLIN (gb.abrsm.org) exam this year for his certificate. 

For parents, if you have the means, try putting your kids in music lessons of their interest. It helps the kids do well in their academics. Now I understand why Chinese and Koreans are forcing their children to learn how to play instruments. Somehow, it relaxes the mind and increases concentration level during study time. I could see it on my two boys.

One thing we learned from this experience? Never underestimate your kids. :)

Happy Monday everyone! Take care!

Farewell Party

So, my two Grade 5 under the Primary Year Program (PYP) of GWA had their graduation party yesterday. They were excited because that would be their first ever real party without us. They shopped and chose their attires which we just respected, whatever style they wanted to wear, let them be.

We dropped them off in their school.

excuse the fatness :)

Abi is quite tense here bec. he hasn't seen any classmate yet. So I had to force him to smile.

He felt worse because Anjo's classmates were all around the lobby. :) poor boy

with her friends. These girls are Pakistani, Indian, Omani/ American, Canadian/Chinese and Korean. So now, her accent is a combination of theirs. hahahaha...

Limo galore! But the heat i think was 45degrees C. We felt like we were being grilled.

Finally, with his friends

Abi has two closest friends. I think if I am not mistaken, 

one is Pakistani/Belgian and the other one is American.

 The party was in Atlantis. When I picked them up and went inside, I was surprised. It was really a party. Slightly dim, dancing all around, video games, pizza, sweets, drinks all overflowing. fun fun fun...

Not much photos. Anjo was busy having fun and forgot all about my instructions to take pictures.
Anyway, what was important was that they enjoyed.

So, this is it pipol! Such a busy weekend!

Cozy Friday

A long absence indeed from blogspot. We were busy with the documentation process of our angel and  and orienting her as well in the house. Now, I think she is starting to get the hang of it. We got her a 30 day visit visa (extended from her original visit visa) to check whether she could be our angel for the whole contract year. So far, so good.

But she is not my topic today. 

Last Friday, Mr. Kyu Byeng Hwang had organized a sumptuous lunch for us and other two families. It was held in a hotel which served really really delicious Filipino foods. That time I thought I was in the Philippines. Yes that good feeling! Definitely, that Manila Grill restaurant deserves a another visit. 

But more than the foods, its seeing familiar people again that made me look forward to that Friday lunch. Although, nowadays I am not excited to go out because I don't have clothes to wear anymore. Parang naka uniform ako every time aalis. I resist buying new clothes because it's like spending unnecessarily. Anyway, let's not deal with my problem.

So! Together with us are Maie and Elmer Tolero and their two cute growing kids, and Ria Baes and her Architect husband with their babies. I didn't have photos of our Manila Grill lunch, I guess I was too engrossed with the chikahan. And I thought everyone was heading to our house for the afternoon tea time, only to find out Ria and her family had to beg off due to their appointment with their pediatrician. Perhaps, next time we'll see. 

I prepared two kinds of tea, jasmine and apple tea flavor, but Lo and Behold! Mr. Hwang asked for coffee. I almost fainted because I doubted if I had my coffee mate. I have been using Anlene for sometime already as my creamer for health purposes. So I literally "dug"in my cabinet and looked for any evaporated canned milk. Thank goodness, there was one hiding behind the chips. I served my brownies (thank you Mareng Betty Crocker) and banana cake (courtesy of a neighbor)

I truly appreciate my guests for spending their precious weekend with us. You see, life in Dubai is so fast paced that every day off is considered gold. It should be a time rather spent for family and for self relaxation. But they chose us. So thank you.

beautiful family

this is the only "nice spot" for picture taking because the rest of the house is just space. :)

Mr. Hwang's idea. 

Hope to see you again soon!

Just sharing

Last Monday, Anjo told me she was one of those who volunteered to be a class representative in their coming graduation ceremony. She, if selected, will deliver a short speech on that day. She asked me if I could help her come up with a short message. I said yes of course but under one condition: she has to give me an outline of what she wanted to say. I told her the speech must be her own message and not mine. She said sure she'll do. And also, I reminded her that if she doesn't get to represent her class, she shouldn't feel bad. She just replied with a short, "I know".

I got the piece of paper the morning after on our working table and as I went through her outline, I was so delighted to see the parting lines.

"Don't be afraid to fail because you learn from your failures." 

Oh, I never thought this girl who just dreams of going to a fashion school in Paris has already something deeper swimming in her mind. So I patted her on the shoulder and told her "Yeah, this is how you end a speech."

As I was putting her thoughts together I tried to recall any incident when I happened to impart some wisdom about failures. Surely, she must have picked it from all the books she has been reading all this time. Or maybe at one point, she had experienced failing but had remained optimistic about it. 

Or perhaps, she must have remembered when we went bowling last year and I got a bad fall in front of everyone while doing my turn. Dar then asked me if I still wanted to play because he knew I was awfully embarrassed. I was tempted to say No and just settle on my seat, but I knew my kids were watching me and waiting for my reply. So I said, I would still play. I was thinking that if I would stop it might mean to my children that I backed out because of embarrassment.

A couple of months ago, Anjo told me she wanted to audition in a talent show in her school by dancing but she said she was not sure if she'd qualify. So I reminded her of my bowling incident. I told her, if you fail to make it, it doesn't mean you have to stop yourself from doing it. You just go on until you become better and better. She passed the first elimination. Next week she'll go through the Grade 5 audition. 

So maybe, just maybe, I was able to impart an important lesson to her. 

As parents, I guess, it's really necessary that you become your children's example. Yes they live by your words, but they also look at your actions and emulate what you do. Nowadays, I am cautious of my judgment, of my tone of voice, my words, my outbursts (!) etc etc. My children are fast growing up and I have noticed that they are sensitive and they tend to absorb everything around them. I don't think they have the time to process everything that they see. So their discernment of what is wrong and right will come later in life and it might be too late for me to correct them.

It's easy raising kids. Feed them, clothe them, give them gadgets...  But now I am starting to feel uncertain if I am doing everything right. It scares me to think that I won't be to able raise good citizens in the future. I fervently hope I could. All other parents hope too.