Nope, it’s not her birthday yet but I decided to get her something special when I noticed she started playing “cooking” with Michelle. Yesterday afternoon, I ordered her Step2 kitchen for $99 at ToysRUs! I was hesitant at first but I haven’t bought her anything in months so instead of shopping for myself or buying small items for her to play with and toss away, I went ahead and got her the “real” thing. This compact, upscale Lifestyle Custom kitchen by Step2 looks like the real thing. Stainless Steel oven, microwave, and refrigerator. Decorative plate rack, storage shelf, and granite-look counter tops. Multiple storage drawers and cabinets. Sink with faucet. Stove top makes realistic electronic sounds. Includes a generous 17-piece accessory. Realistic kick plate and framed window. I know she will love it!!! I am so excited to get it by next week!

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Here are some photos of Alyssa on our almost perfect vacation. I said ALMOST because on the middle of the fun, she chipped her tooth. Yes, again! Seriously, the more I take care of her the more she gets into trouble. On this gallery, she still have her nice full set of teeth. Most photos taken some few hours before the incident.

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Last night was Alyssa’s first time on the slides without Rolly giving her a hands. It was a long time coming… she just needed that extra push for her to do things her own. I tried not to react and just let her be because I noticed that she is very conscious on what I have to say. I think that is one reason why she just depends on someone because I don’t let her. I am just scared she might end up with a bruise or something… But I guess it is all part of growing up. It was 8pm and I didn’t bring the camera so I was not able to snap some pictures. But hopefully we can do it again tonight… I will make sure to take some photos.

I am posting a video today. This is Alyssa’s way to escape the California summer: Tub Soaking! Just a little water and bubbles to keep her busy… and cool! She loves it so much! I bought the bubblegum bubble bath liquid soap and she loves it so much! Here is a video on her taken at about 10 in the evening, July 2, 2009. We just got home from walking (yup, late night walking) and she was all sweaty. She begged to stay on the tub for a little bit before wash time…

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Boy, it was so hot yesterday! I think the temperature went up to 103F. But that didn’t stop us from enjoying the last day of the weekend. In the morning before 10, we headed out the door to the other end of the neighborhood towards the freeway. We have a bigger park there and a prettier one too. Probably about 20 minutes walk depending on how fast you are. When we got there, we sat for a little bit… then Alyssa and her Dad went to the swing, to the monkey bar and finally on the slides. She sure was having fun! Only that the sand on her shoes really bothered her that she keeps on coming to where I was sitting.

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And the video will be coming shortly. In the afternoon, we went to the Galleria at Tyler. It is hugge mall… like those ones in OC. We went shopping at Macy’s. We got some summer dresses for Alyssa and Rolly also bought some jeans for his motorcycle riding. I was to get me a pair of shoes but I can’t even look at their prices! The cheapest I saw was for a sandal. It was $60! No, thank you. I’d go to Show Pavilion or DSW instead. I will get two pairs for that price. Besides, I am not that desperate.

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Today, we decided to take Alyssa at the movie house after stopping by the post office to drop some mails. It was so hot and we didn’t really want to go home early. Besides, Rolly and I were really looking forward to seeing the Transformers but no one will look after Alyssa. But because some other kid’s movie was being shown at the Edward’s, we thought to just try and see if she likes it (The Transformers). If not, I can just take her to that Disney Movie UP. It was more like an experimentation to test if she is ready for the big screen. And she was!

We were so impressed! She sat there quite all that time! She was just eating her first cotton candy. She was so amused by the darkness. She kept telling me how she can’t see anything. It seems that it was just yesterday… now, she growing up really fast. Here is a look on her first photo-video I made of her first snapshots at Anaheim Memorial Hospital.

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I was on the phone with Mom last night… she is a little sick because of being exposed to pneumonia without knowing it. I am so upset with Benguet General Hospital. They are negligent and their service is really getting worst! Imagine them not telling my family that my Aunt is being admitted to the hospital because of PNEUMONIA! Seriously, how can you miss that information! Mom even decided for get the private room… even with that, they didn’t even care to sit with them and tell them what’s going on. Where is the quality of the healthcare service here?

I am glad I didn’t have to spend some of my internship on that hospital. It is way too scary and would not recommend it at all! I heard horror stories about them… and patients would often run to Baguio General Hospital even if they live in the Benguet Area. The sad thing is that they have one of the most beautiful hospitals probably in the Philippines because the equipments and the building itself was provided by the Japanese Government. When you go enter the building, it is almost like being on another country. I think that was the reason why they want to privatize it one time… to IMPROVE the quality of service. Right now the Doctors and Nurses and other employees don’t seem to care because they are being paid by the government. But when you go to private hopsitals like Pine’s Doctors Hospital or Saint Louis Hospital, yeah you have to pay more but rest assured that you will receive the highest standard of service.

I am really upset! If it happened here in the US, it will be a big lawsuit!

Anyways, back to me speaking with my Mom last night. Alyssa had a little time with her too. She was so happy to say hello to her… and that she wants her and Chloe to come. She also understands her lola is kind of sick so she said “Take your medicine Lola” in preschool talk. So cute!

By the way, her Dad will try on the bus today so he won’t be home ’til about 5 or 6 in the evening. I am planning to take Alyssa up the hill for a walk this afternoon when it’s not that hot anymore. ‘Will definitely take some new pictures this time for my Daily Photo Blog.

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It is 10:00 am and we just woke up! Now, I feel so much rested! And I am again drinking coffee! Alyssa is eating her breakfast and I am back blogging. Before coming downstairs to escape from the heat, I asked her what time it is. She kept on thinking and thinking of what to say then she said: “Mommy, it is time to eat!” I was laughing so hard she started giggling. It is amazing how kids learn fast. And they really say the darnest thing!

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When Alyssa grows up, I want her to know how important it is to look back and stay connected to her Filipino roots. I have seen kids who were either born or who grew up here in the US that are totally westernized and I think to myself, how lucky am I to have grown to know my own culture and tradition. That makes me unique as a person. So when people ask me why I teach my daughter Ilocano (aside from Tagalog), I throw them back a big “WHY” question. Why would I not teach her? Why would I not share with her the opportunity to learn about who she really is and where she really came from? If there is something I can give her as a young child to learn from, it is NOT only the knowledge to speak two languages and extra dialects BUT also the chance to experience a wonderful culture not all American kids have.

So this I want her to know… she may sound funny now for using different languages/dialects in a sentence, but for her to know what they mean and convey what she wants to say is something I am very proud of. It will pay back in the future one way or another…

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Yup… SLEEP! That’s what I want to do today. Last night, I woke up at two and can’t get any sleep anymore! I think it was because I had a big cup of coffee around 12 midnight. It is one of those things I just cannot say NO to. Plus, we got some Knott’s Berry farm cookies yesterday. They are good with coffee or tea. Speaking of tea, my Mom keeps telling me to opt for tea instead. ‘Tried it. Didn’t work at all! I think she is more worried about me acquiring diabetes specially that it runs in my family. Hopefully Alyssa will be better when it comes to drinking coffee. Right now, she doesn’t really drink soda. Only when she sees either one of us drinking. She loves water and juice… and I am very proud to say, she is not a “chocoholic”. Neither is she fond of candies. In fact she hates sweet stuff. That’s good for those pearly white teeth!

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Now on this picture, you can really tell she too is an island girl. I remember when I was working, some of co-workers call me Island Girl. Most think I am from Hawaii. Yes, I am tanned and I so love it! Alyssa is kind of tanned too but a little on the lighter side. In the Philippines, FAIR SKIN is beautiful. When I migrated to the US, that was when I really learned to be so comfortable on my own skin. People spend way so much money just to get the perfect tan… and I do not have the problem blending in!

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