Things To Look Forward To

The last week of the term came with a lot of surprises and blessings. I was not prepared to receive them but I am just in awe on how our good Lord really works.

A week before the term ended I was actually looking forward to the school holidays. I had a chat with the boss and he said that my full-time contract expires on the last day of Term 2 as the Asst Principal will be coming back next term. I was already planning of what to do during the school break and was ready to embrace a more relaxing terms 3 and 4. But our good Lord had a different plan for me. 

In the middle of being stressed over "stage parent" with unbelievable expectations of their kid I was again called again to the Principal's office 4 days before the term ended. To make the long story short, I was asked to continue with my post not only for next term but up until the end of the year! I was overwhelmed! I didn't have any chance to think it over as they were expecting me to give my answer straight away. I knew I was in for a more challenging term since my in-laws are due to fly out mid of this month but I said yes anyway, not only for me but for the kids who are under my care. If I said no, it would only mean a new teacher will be coming in and it will already be their 3rd teacher for the year! I think I owe it to the kids.

I am just thankful that when I had the parent-teacher interviews, most of the comments I got from the parents were positive. They liked my strictness, they liked the way I am handling the class and the changes they see in their kids, their kids like me (well, I can actually sense that because I can see them responding to me and my challenges) and they like my class management. The feedback I got boosted my self-confidence and it made me accept the offer much easier. Not to mention that the set of kids I have now is such a group of beautiful kids (they are not perfect but they are sensible most of the time).

Now, aside from this huge task that awaits me, I have busied myself planning and preparing for our forthcoming trips! Yes! Even before the position was offered to me, the trips were already in place. We have one this winter break and one in Spring break. We'll go back to Snowy this winter and we're going to Perisher this time. We'll be bringing my parents and my in-laws with us. We hope it would be a more enjoyable trip this time. As for Spring break, I'm really looking forward to our New Zealand trip! Took a while before hubby and I finally decided where to go. He now wanted to go to Japan but I was not up for it especially after viewing the documentary about the government's news blackout on the real status of the radiation in the country (effect of the Tsunami). In addition to this, we will be spending more money when we go to Japan. During the time that we were deciding where to go, my contract was still not extended and with the settlement of our lot getting nearer, we needed to be more practical. I did try to convince hubby to try Cebu Pacific and fly to Manila for Christmas but hubby is not keen. He said the next time we will be going home to Manila is when one of our younger siblings finally decides to tie the knot!

I am nervous. Yes, I know that it will be more difficult and challenging for me and hubby running our household when both of us are working full-time but more than that I would like to focus more and put my energy on the other blessings we get to enjoy. I am happy that we get to travel again as a family and fly as a family. I am thankful and grateful. I am happy and excited!

Three, Two, One

This is about our family holiday in Singapore.

It's my third time there, Alvin's second and the kids' first.

It was a short holiday, tiring, but not as tiring as I expected it to be.

I'm sorry, but I will have to pass uploading most of our pictures there, as that will consume a lot of my time again. (I'm actually killing time, while I'm uploading the pictures for the photobook of my parents' anniversary).

First, we availed of the Singapore Stopover Holiday promo which allowed us to choose a hotel with discounted rates and have access to fourteen attractions for free. Not bad. I loved SQ the first time I flew with them, so I knew I was in for a good 8-hour trip. I wasn't disappointed :)

We stayed at Hotel Royal at Queens, not  really a five star hotel, but it was okay for us. After all our travels, we have learned that we need not an expensive hotel, since we just need a place to sleep in and freshen up. It was a good hotel in terms of it's location. It was very near the train station and since SG train system is very, very good, it was a major plus factor.

We got and finished checking in at around 4:30 and we headed off straight away to the Toys Museum and then to our Hippo River Cruise. It was a relaxing 45 minute cruise along the rivers of SG but the humidity was just too much for us to bear. We had our first food trip after the cruise and we tried the oyster omelet. We ended up taking the cab after we ate, which was a good decision, because as soon as we got inside the cab, it rained cats and dogs, not to mention the thunderstorm!


Second day was allotted for Sentosa and the Universal Studios which was not part of the SQ promo. The kids loved the place. We didn't push them to see everything (yes, sayang ang bayad)until they were very exhausted when we saw some signs, we asked them if they wanted to go back to the hotel, and they said yes, straight away! We had the chance to freshen up after our trip before heading out to Orchard Road to meet my SIL based in SG and a little night shopping.

Third day was allotted for Jurong Bird Park. I forgot to put on mossy spray for the kids and Liam had already a LOT of mosquito bites after only 10 minutes! The kids, especially Liam didn't enjoy the park :( because of the mossy bites he got early on. Good thing the bird shows were excellent so Liam's mood changed for the better :) Again, learning from our past experiences of the effects of pushing kids to their limit, we decided to goback to the hotel after having lunch at the Bird Park, freshen up, have the kids have their afternoon nap, and then went out again. We went to Singaopre Flyer before heading back to Vivo City to have dinner with my good friend's family. They are based in SG. We also had to chance to meet our respective inaanaks, we are ninangs to our respective second borns :)

Fourth Day, we had the chance to do some shopping (FINALLY!), check out Esplanade, other malls which were near the hotel and go back to the Merlion Park, when there were still no people or tourists around to take their pictures. Yes, we were early!

Overall, the humidity added to our exhaustion, but like what I said, Alvin and I already learned our lessons  from our previous trips. It's not about touring the whole of SG and pushing the kids to their limits. It's a trip that we wanted to enjoy not on our phase, but with the kids' phase. There were a lot of walking! If we sensed they were starting to act up, it was a signal for us, that they were already tired. So, even if we still wanted to try out a new place, we sacrificed that. We travel to have good memories with the kids. Happy kids = happy parents.

Even if we were not able to use and go to all 14 attractions which were part of the SQ promo (a reason to go back perhaps?), it was still a memorable trip. Especially the food trip! I started gaining weight at the plane with the yummy food SQ offered and it continued as we tried different dishes from the different cultures SG has to offer. What is Singapore if you don't try out different dishes from different cultures?

Now when we play airport-airport with the kids, I can see that they are using their memories from our past trip and encorporates them into our role playing. Nakakatuwa.

I don't know if there will be another chance to go back to SG, if ever there is, it won't be in the near future. Need to travel and check out other countries and continents out there! :) Till we meet again Mr. Merlion!

thank God for apps I get to combine some of our many pics in SG

 

another output from the app I use :)
 at SG Flyer, Jurong Bird Park, Orchard Road and Universal Studios

Surprise! Surprise!

We had our usual HH last Friday. Before we started, we had our usual fellowship. You know, sharing stories, kamustahan, update-an. Ivy suddenly shared their plans of going to the Gold Coast over the Easter Holidays. Her in-laws will be coming over again to have a short vacation.

Of course, I was excited. But, I told her it will all depend on my financier -- hubby. (Even if I know that I might contribute something since that will still be in April and I am back to work by Feb. But I didn't entertain ideas).

I was not really expecting that they were really dead serious with this trip. But the whole weekend, I was bombarded with a lot of calls and e-mails from Ivy, who was actually starting to research on the van to be rented and the accommodations. The thing was, after we left after our HH, they shared their plan to the rest, and my Uncle and Auntie told them that yes, they too are coming! Whoa! Ivy wanted to know if we are coming or not so she'll know what type of car she will be renting.

Two dilemmas: It is the Holy Week and even if my mom is not here, I can already hear her telling me not to go since she objects to any member of the family going out for holidays and having fun during the Holy Week, especially on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. She always told us na lapitin sa disgrasya kapag semana santa at nagbubulakbol ka. I also felt that it was wrong. Something felt wrong. Hey, I'm not KJ or anything, but Holy week is HOLY WEEK and it only happens once a year, right? That is dilemma 1.

Dilemma 2. Hubby. I don't know and I was kind of sure that Alvin would not be interested. We just got back from the Philippines, right? But what do you know, he is the one who does the follow-up on me everytime he has the chance! Even with his texts over lunch! Now that is one surprise! lol :)

Now what to do? I have until Tuesday night if we are joining or not.

Anyway, I also want to go. We actually have two options to resolve dilemma 1. One is, we just follow them on early Saturday, after attending church activities here. But we will be bringing our own car. It would be very tiring for Alvin and impractical since when we get there Saturday is almost over. And at the back of my mind, I feel that it would be better if we join them during the travel because Alvin and Mark (Ivy's hubby) can take turns in the 12 hour drive. Well, actually in the first 10 hour drive as we plan to stay for a night in Coffs Harbour (NSW) and continue with the remaining 4 hour drive to Gold Coast the following day.

So how? Well, thanks to the internet, I was able to research on the Catholic Churches within the area. There are plenty. Thank God! I have already e-mailed 2 Parishes, one in Coffs Harbour for the Holy Thursday services and one in Gold Coast for the Good Friday - Easter Sunday services. There! So no more excuses for us not to attend church services during the Holy Week feels good. Anyway, we plan to visit the theme parks on Saturday and Sunday (which is already ok with my Mom ;)), which means we can attend Good Friday services before checking out the beaches in Gold Coast Central.

What about dilemma 2? It was resolved on its own! Hehe Seriously now, Alvin just needs to check if their last day of production will be on a Wednesday. If that is the case, most probably than not, they will only report half-day on Thursday, and he can just file a leave for that day. If he files a leave for Thursday, they we can join the group in the entire trip!

Like what I have mentioned, the plan is to spend the weekend in the theme parks. We still have still to decide which ones we're going to. We're thnking of going to Sea World and Wet n Wild. We'll choose which is child-friendlier since we have Marcus (1 year old) and Sam with us (1 year and 5 months old). What do you think?

Good thing they alreay dropped the plan of spending another night in Port Macquarie on our way home. It will already be very tiring. I would want to reach Sydney before 9pm so we still have the energy to go back to work (and school) the following day (Tuesday).

I am excited because I know it will be fun. I know it would be fun! But of course, after going on holidays with a 2 kids in tow, in Manila and in Cebu, I know it will be one very tiring trip too! But I'm excited for my kids, especially Liam. I know he will enjoy it. (But he was wishing his cousins will join us for the trip!)

Anyways, now, I actually helping Ivy look for a not-so-expensive accommodation. Nothing fancy. Looking for something like the one we stayed at Port Macquarie last year. We expect to just go there to sleep since we expect that most of the time we will be out to visit and explore Gold Coast.

What about the expenses? Hay, Alvin and I were estimating, we will have to shell out minimum $1000 for this trip (share in the car rental, share in the fuel, accomodations, food and the theme park tickets).

Long drive + challenge of packing light (how do you do that when you have 2 small kids?!) + heat + expenses + tiring day at the theme parks = ? Uh-oh. Are we ready for this? lol

This was just a spur on the moment. Biglaan. Tunay nga, ang mga biglaang lakad ang mas madalas na natutuloy! We plan to go to the Gold Coast when the kids are much older and both of them can remember the trip and appreciate it. Not in my wildest dreams did I expect that we will get to go there sooner than we have expected! We will update you!

Another Feather On My Cap ;)

Surprise!

Yes, I too, am surprised that I get to write a blog on our supposedly holidays here in Manila.

Blame it on the rain...and the fact that we live sooooo far from everything LOL :)

Well, kidding aside, I think reality has set in. I still can't leave my two kids and do the things/errands I have planned to do. And yes, the weather really didn't cooperate as it has been pouring the past 3 days already!

But first, some stories first on our flight back here in Manila.

If you have been following my blog you already know by now that I took the challenge of flying to Manila with 2 kids. Well, to date, that is my biggest achievement! Yes, I did, all by myself! hehehe well, not really :)

When we got to the airport hubby saw the parents of an acquaintance (a common friend is one his Beta Ep brods in UP) passing by us so he told me that we might be on the same flight. And luckily we did. While waiting for our turn to check in, he introduced himself and us and informally entrusted us to them. But the thing was, they were seated so far from us. Anyways, from check-in up until boarding, everything was manageable. We got good seats as well. Well, that is aside from the fact that our flight was delayed by more than an hour.

I was expecting for the worst, but surprisingly I managed. I was able to prove that I can still keep my cool when things were not going my way -- like Liam pooing while on flight. Yes, I managed that and to go to the toilet with Sam with me. I guess expecting for the worst did a lot of help, not to mention a lot of prayers and mind conditioning.

But I guess the credit really goes out to my two adorable and well-behaved kids. Many people have already told me that my kids are "mabait" especially Liam. Well, this experience was the one that really convinced me that yes, they are truly good children.

I will not write it but there were people who really went out of their way to commend them (and me **blush**) for their behavior all throughout the trip. As one passenger said: "I just want to tell you that your son is amazing! I mean how can you manage with two kids and not have a hard time?" She commended Liam twice. First during the first half of the trip and the next when we were about to land: "I mean how can he endure an 8-hour flight without giving you a hard time. Amazing. Simply amazing." I was a proud mum. Yes, Liam just sat on his seat, buckled up and only standing up twice. One when he needed to wee and the other one when he needed to poo. That's it. Thank goodness they didn't go after their Papa who feels sea sick when traveling hehehe :)

Sam was behaved as well. But she did give me a little hard time during the last hour and a half of our trip. I tried everything to soothe her but she was just restless (not crying). I knew she was sleepy already because at that time it was already 9:30 PM Sydney time.

By this time my battery levels were going low but thankfully I managed. It was challenging when I was filling out the Disembarkation cards while carrying Sam attending to my hand-carry luggage (which was about 7 kg!) and keeping an eye on Liam. That was the hardest part of trip for me. But help came at the right time and the right place. When it was time to get my checked-in luggage and the pram from the luggage conveyor, Tito and Tita (couple we met at the airport) were with me so they were able to help me out :)

No problems whatsoever with Immigration and Customs. Thank God.

I felt tired and my paranoia was at its peak when we went out the airport with my Papa and brother picking us up. But after one week, I guess my paranoia has lessened already :)

I am proud of myself. I am more proud of my children.

P.S. After experiencing a night flight and a day flight, I was able to compare and realize that when you have kids with you when you travel, very young kids like my kids, it's better to take a night flight than a day flight.

More kwentos next time!