Earth Hour according to Marius

"It's time to turn off the light and save electricity!"

This is what my 4-year old son, Marius, has been bugging everyone in the house about. We're taking part in this year's Earth Hour and I'm glad that my son is aware about this. It's true what others say, start them young and they'll keep it with them 'till they're old. I hope Marius will :) 

Lights out now!

"O" Day In History

Today I woke up early to watch Barack Obama's inauguration on CNN. Though I'm not a big fan of the US, I must admit that the American people made the world proud by electing their first black president. Martin Luther King Jr. must be listless in his grave, hoping to join in today's historic celebration. Perfect timing too, because last Monday was a national holiday in memory of the civil rights leader. Who would have thought that after four decades, his "I Have A Dream" speech would become a reality...

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

He was Man of the Year by Time magazine in 1963 and a Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Wow.

Even his son, Martin Luther King III, was hopeful about the 44th US president. He said in an interview yesterday that all the suffering paid off and that for his daughter's generation (and generations to come), having a black president would be a norm, nothing out of the ordinary. I can't imagine how it was decades ago, when black people can't eat in the same restaurant as the whites, or pee in the same toilet. After all the unrest and countless deaths, things are finally looking up for the African American community. But that's not to say that Obama got into office because he's black -- from what I've read and heard, he's a smart guy with high morals. I mean, after Bush, what else could you ask for? We're done with Bushisms.

Reports say an estimated 2 million people gathered at the National Mall to watch the inauguration. They cheered, they clapped, they cried. It's a feeling that I've never felt for any president back home, which is sad. I wish one day I'd say "oh that's our president and I'm very proud of him/her." I was too young to appreciate neither Marcos, Aquino or Ramos; old enough to know that Erap was not cut out to be a leader; and mature enough to know that honesty and integrity is not part of Arroyo's vocabulary. One day, our time will come when we'll be ecstatic to see a leader who will take the Philippines out of the dumps. America showed us that it's possible. One day.

Today is O Day. Did you see the way the first couple walked and waved at the crowd? They did it like ordinary citizens, with Mrs. O even giving the thumbs-up sign. Not at all like the poised royalties who sit on their bottoms and wave like robots. And the best part is, Obama got into office because the people put him there, not by "royal" bloodline. 

Together with the whole world, I'll be watching and waiting for President Obama's next move, especially his first 100 days. Today signifies a new change and hopefully, for the better.

Anything is possible now.

Library Affair

A visit to the library is one I consider fun and stress-relieving. It might sound geeky but it's true, Ariel and I love to read and we're trying to share this with our son, Marius. Fortunately, the little tike proved to be bookish at an early age -- Dr. Seuss' classics, The Rainbow Fish, The Giving Tree, etc. -- he really loves books! Now he's fascinated at anything and everything about dinosaurs. 

As for me, one of my unspoken resolutions for 2009 is to read as much books as possible, thanks to the library of course. Here's my January read so far:

1. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (a gift from Ariel)

2. The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards (another gift from Ariel)

3. The Making of Mia by Ilana Fox

4. A Girl For All Seasons by Camilla Morton

The first book is meant to inspire readers to live life to the fullest, to seize the day. Love it. The author passed away last year, but his memory lives on with his book. 

Reading the second book is like watching a drama movie, but what a nice read! What would you do on a stormy winter night when your wife is about to give birth, you're the only doctor available, and then you help your wife deliver twins -- a healthy baby boy and a baby girl with down syndrome? 

The third book is a no-brainer, kinda lika Ugly Betty and The Devil Wears Prada. No harm done. 

Still reading the fourth book and enjoying it. It's all about history, arts, culture and fashion made more interesting. Can't wait to finish it so I can go back to the library :)

February read: Sepulchere

March read: Perfume : Story of a Murder

April: Some Like it Haute

Kiwi by choice?

Yesterday, Ariel and I checked out a house for sale in our neighborhood. It was an open house, and the real estate agent was very welcoming and chatty. He recognized right away that we're from the Philippines and then babbled about himself being in Manila a few times in the 80s. Our conversation turned into us migrating here and suddenly, he told us that in his view, we're more Kiwi than him. Why? Because we're here by choice, while he's here by chance.

Now what do I make of this? 

Yes, it was our choice to be here. The US was out of the question for us, Ariel and I just don't have that great big American dream, period. I like Germany and Austria (at least I had friends there) but the language barrier just might be too difficult for us. Okay, so we were fascinated by the amazing adventures and jaw-dropping sights that NZ has to offer, plus of course everything LOTR :) 

It's been 5 months (6 for Ariel) since we moved here and we're doing fine -- by this I mean that we are healthy and we are positive about the future. I'd be lying if I say that I've nothing to complain about but in general, life here is good. Efficient. Lately, we've been taking Marius to different playgrounds so he can play and practice his bike-riding skills. Once, we were on the pavement with Marius biking ahead of us, and I casually mentioned to Ariel that we could not do this back home (or I'd be scared to death that our son could be run over by a jeepney or tricycle or just about anything). Ariel replied, yes we could, if we live in a posh village in Alabang. I agree. Back home, you have to pay a high price just to enjoy simple things. I remember bringing Marius to Gymboree so he can play at their nice, colorful playcentre. But if you belong to the lower-middle class income bracket -- good luck na lang. That's what I enjoy here -- waking to the sound of birds singing, playing with Marius at the beach, taking walks and appreciating every good thing that I am experiencing.

I remember Fr. Luis Halasz, a Hungarian priest that I met in 2002 while I was still working at Probe. He was assigned in Mindoro as a missionary for about 40 years. He speaks Filipino like a local, and is loved by his parishioners very much. He applied for Filipino citizenship many times, and got rejected every time. Later on, he was recalled back to Hungary and at the time that I met him, he holds masses for the Filipino community. God knows why he wanted to be a Filipino, but it made me feel proud that this foreigner, who spent more time in the Philippines than I did, loves the country and its people so much. In the end, he told me that it didn't matter that he's not a Filipino citizen, it's just a piece of paper anyway. In his heart, he is a Filipino.

So are we Kiwi by choice? Let's just say that we are Filipinos enjoying the Kiwi lifestyle. We are immersing ourselves into a new culture, the "Kiwi" way of looking at things and all the opportunities that come with it. It's not hard to fall in love with NZ, that's for sure. For now I consider this place our "home away from home." No, we're obviously never going to be official Kiwis unless we apply for citizenship 5 years from now. Do I want to be one? I'll cross the bridge when I get there. But that's not the point. For me, it's not a question of citizenship. I don't have to be of any ethnic origin to "belong" to a country. I am Filipino by chance, like the real estate agent is Kiwi by chance. Maybe he's right, at least we chose to live here with an open heart and mind. I love being Filipino but I also appreciate this new, unfamiliar place that I am falling in love with. 

Someday I'd also like to live in Germany, Tibet, and the North Pole :)

An ode to my friends (Part 1)

Friendships, I believe, take a long time to develop. Sometimes, they just happen.  I consider myself lucky to have found friends whom I shared (and continue to share) the craziest and happiest times of my life. Some of them I have known since childhood. 

First off are my bestest friends Tina and Christian Ann. Tina was the new girl in our high school. One word to describe her: suplada =) That's why we get along. She's the type of person who will tell you what's on her mind. I love her because she was always there for me -- whether we're hounding one of the college boys, bullying other classmates, or just having fun. We've shared tears and laughter. We're part of a big group of seven -- Charmaigne, Lani, Badette, Jocelyn, Jennifer, Tina and I. One thing that we all have in common was that we never joined the religious organization in our school, which made us look like renegades. Outcasts kung minsan. But we enjoyed it a lot! And because Tina and I sat next to each other, I had an easy time with my Math subjects he he. Tina is a genius with numbers, she calculates without holding up her hands nor with the aid of calculators. Ang galing no? Now you know how I passed high school math =)

Now Christian Ann belonged to another group. Honestly, I can't remember how we ended up being friends. Like Tina, Christian is smart, very competitive and our school's running valedictorian. See? I really know how to choose my friends, puro matatalino hahaha =) We belonged to the same elective class, Electronics, since we were freshmen. I guess it was because there were only a handful of girls in the class that's why we didn't have much of a choice but to be friendly with each other. 

By senior year, we found ourselves spending more time together. Hearing each other's dreams, heartaches and bitching about life's troubles. When Tina broke up with a boyfriend, that guy became common enemy. How childish!

Really, they're the sisters that I never had. After high school, we went our separate ways. Tina got a scholarship at Meralco (brainy!!!), Xann went to UPLB and I went to Assumption College. We stayed in touch. It went on until we all finished college, got married and Tina and I had kids. But even when we don't get to talk to each other as often as we wanted to, in my heart they're always there and they will always be my bestest friends. We're even friends with each other's mothers. And with each other's husbands.

I still remember when Tina got married, we were surprised and didn't want her to go through with it. We sat at the back of the room, and wanted to say "stop! we object!" But of course we didn't. I guess we were a bit jealous because we didn't want to share our friend with anybody else. Plus, we didn't know Jojo then. Now, we know he's a good catch ha ha ha. Before I got married, I got a good deal of bashing from these two who thought that I was being stupid for not marrying Ariel early on. When Xann finally got married, we were just so happy that she found her one true love. 

Now, we're all settled and we're still friends. We're continents apart, but they're closely tucked in my heart. 

Conversations with Marius

These days, I keep tab of my conversations with Marius. We talk a lot, and the words and thoughts that come out of his mouth are just so hilarious! This is my journal of Marius' funny and amusing remarks about everything...

Nov. 16, 2008

Scenario: Mom, Dad and Marius went to hear mass. After mom receives communion and Marius got blessings from the priest...

Marius: What are you eating? Is that bubblegum?!

***

Marius: When I grow up I'm going to be a teenager and then I'm going to have a girlfriend!

Nov. 12, 2008

Marius: Do you know that helicopters belong to the airplane family?

***

Marius: My heartbeat is just a little bit sleepy.

- minutes after waking up =)

Oct. 30, 2008
Marius: Mom, I'm going to move away from you because I'm going to fart...so you won't die.

Mom: Thank you 

- this is how much my son loves me 

***

Marius: Dear Lord please make us healthy...help mama to remember what to buy tomorrow...get soft bread...

Mom: I promise to get new bread tomorrow.

Marius: Okay...don't let me down okay?

- Marius praying for a fresh loaf of bread. 


Oct. 26, 2008:

Marius: What's my next job?

Mom: Your next job is to keep the house clean.

Marius: Otherwise it will be dirty?

- the first time that I heard Marius use the work "otherwise." 

***
Marius: Do you know I have special powers?

Mom: Really? What is it?Marius: I can stop cars.

- Marius is amazed that cars stop whenever we cross the street. Akala niya siya ang may gawa nun =)

Oct. 8, 2008:

Marius: I'm wearing my Crocs...

Mom: Not that, wear your rubber shoes because after we drop the car off at the repair shop, we're going for a walk.

Marius: But I thought you want me to hibernate?

Mom: You're not an animal...

Marius: No, my shoes. You said it should hibernate.

Mom: Ah...alternate.

- a very important conversation about the alternate use of Marius shoes. I taught him not to use the same shoes everyday para hindi madaling masira.

Sept. 25, 2008: 

Marius: When I grow up, you call me a different name.

Mom: What name?

Marius: Iron Man!

-very early in the morning, ano naman ang isasagot ko diba?

Aug. 29, 2008:

Mom: Marius, hug me...I miss Nanay

Marius: It's okay...Mom: I miss Mandayuyong

Marius: It's okay...we'll come back.

May 29, 2008:

Marius: Do you want to ride that?

Mom: Yes, I've always wanted to ride on that. But only people in the army or in government can ride.

Marius: Okay, let's pretend that we're government...let's exercise!

Mom: Marius, a government is a body that runs our country.

- Mommy watching National Geographic Channel's feature on war ships and aircraft carriers.

May 26, 2008:

Annika: Let's play hide and seek...

Marius: Okay, I seek and you hide (sabay tago sa likod ng editing machine).

-Marius & Annika playing at Probe office

May 25, 2008: 

Mom: Marius, I forgot to tell you...Roxy died the other week...heart attack...

Marius: Did you know that Gorio is not dead because he is still alive?

-Mommy telling Marius that Roxy, one of our dogs in Cavite, passed away.

May 15, 2008:

Marius: I'm crashing everything because I'm a crasher and I'm used to crashing.

-habang naglalaro ng building blocks.

May 5, 2008:

Mom: Can I just leave you when I go out?

Marius: No...I will be sad...

Mom: But you said I'm not your best friend anymore...?

Marius: I'm just joking...

***

Marius: Mom, don't bother me again...

Mom: Mmm...

Marius: You don't bother the people...how would the people feel?

Mom: Ok...

Marius: Let's talk about it...(steps on the clothes that Mommy Ironed)

Mom: Hey!

Marius: Fine!...don't come to my castle! 

May 4, 2008:

"Are we going to the future?"

- after seeing a high-tech show at the Science Center (Singapore)

***

"Ninang Hera is a witch."

- I totally agree =) Marius suddenly remembers his Ninang while we were having sundae and coffee at McDonalds.

May 3, 2008:

"Can I sleep in the cave? Goodnight Mommy...say goodnight to my feet."

- habang pinapatulog ni Mommy si Marius.

***

"Please take care of almighty hamster in hamster heaven."- Marius praying for his dead hamster.

***

"Mommy...I'm sorry to make you angry...I just wanted to eat donuts."

- hindi ko rin maintindihan ang connection =)

May 2, 2008

"Mom, I'm going to pee. Take care of your self."

- on his way to the toilet while Mommy was ironing clothes.

***

"Don't hurt yourself or I will be guyat."

- warning Mommy to be careful of the sampayan poles that keeps on falling.

May 1, 2008

"Remember, don't talk to criminals. And don't say bad words."

- on Mommy's way out of the house to meet friends.

April 30, 2008

"It says ALYSSA is my girlfriend and she is a lawyer."

- when Mommy asked what were the drawings on his leg.

Undated Remarks:

"When I grow up I want to be a ninja and a diver."

- sagot niya sa "what do you want to be when you grow up?"

***

"First you ride the horse and don't be scared."

- Marius teaching Lola Aida how to ride a horse in Baguio (Feb. 08)

***

"Daddy, stop snoring!"- shouting at Daddy kaya lang hindi naman siya marinig.

***

Host/Singapore Zoo: What is your name?

Marius: Marius...

Host: And which country are you from?

Marius: Mandayuyong!

***

"It's my destiny!"- when Mommy asks him why he did something naughty.

***

"I have a baby brother, Gorio is my brother."

- Gorio is our askal dog in Cavite.

***

"Don't talk to me, don't talk to me criminal!"

- from Transformers.

***

"Remember, mouth your words so no one will know..."

- soundbyte from Uncle Ian, from Alvin & the Chipmunks.

***

"How are you my pet?"

- a few months later, he realized that Gorio is a pet dog.

***

"Is I'm still on time out?"

- he usually starts his sentences with IS

***

"I already have brothers...Drake, Uye, Miguel, Karlo..."

- when his Lola Patsy was showing him photos of his cousins in the US. He thinks of his friends and cousins as his brothers.

***

"Why Jesus died?"

- his favorite question in 2007.

***

"I need to pupu in my potty trainer."

- using his favorite red potty trainer in Mandaluyong.

***

"I need need to pupu in the toilet."

- in Singapore, Marius finally learned to do number 2 using a kiddie toilet seat. Hurray!

***

"Is it gonna be night time?" 

***

"Are you going to let me watch Horton?"

***

"I goed there..."

- his past tense of GO

***

"I haves..."

- his plural of HAVE                   

A Bloggy Welcome!

I miss writing. Been wanting to start blogging but never really had time to sit down and start one. Now I have all the time in the world. My blogging journal starts as my family begins a new life in Wellington, New Zealand. 

It was only last August that Marius and I followed Ariel here. We've had our visas since February, but delayed leaving Manila because I had standing commitments with Probe, Marius had school and Ariel was working in Singapore then. 2008 is proving to be a year of changes for my family -- we've left our nest and starting a new one in a different continent, in a very far away land.

Ariel now works in the energy sector, for a company called Advanced Metering Services. Marius goes to Lyall Bay Kindergarten. And me? I am finally staying home. FOR REAL. 

I remember quitting Probe in 2007 -- I left because Marius was always sick, he had recurring pneumonia then. As soon as school was out, I brought him to Davao and Pagudpud to breathe some fresh air. But a few months after that, I was back working (which I fondly call RAKET) part-time at Probe, PMFI, Jescom and even contributed articles to a business magazine called Masigasig. I was a part-time mother and a part-time career person. AGAIN. 

If we hadn't left Manila, I would have continued being a part-time mom. I love to work. But I love my family more. I guess I was not good at balancing family life and career. My job was a demanding one, but that doesn't excuse me for spending less time at home. Uprooting my family and starting over was the next best thing =)

I used to write stories -- now I'm writing my journal.

I used to shoot -- now I take pictures of my family's adventures.

I used to edit -- now I know how to budget (dagdag-bawas method!).

I miss everything that I used to do back in Manila, and yet I find fulfillment in the simplicity that life now offers. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to do the things that I wanted then, and even happier that I can look back without regrets.