Yup. But I didn’t go anywhere or didn’t do anything new. It’s just that I got busy for the past few weeks that I never really had the chance to blog a little. Well, we did go to Vegas for a day the first of this month. After that, our other weekends were just family time. It was all good. Work is just fine too. The manager who hired me left for a better opportunity. The laboratory is still the same. Some co-workers who were on leave of absence came back. It was good to see them and to have to team almost complete. I hope they will hire Ana permanently because she too fits in very well. What I like about her is that when it comes to working, she does her fair share. No fooling around. No monkeying around. We work well with each other. I respect her, she respects me.

At home, Rolly’s been busy enclosing the den. Now, the family room looks way better. I’ve been preoccupied with some chores myself. Adding to that is trying to nourish Alyssa’s arts and craft passion. We started painting together and since they are doing bead projects at school, we got into that too. She loves it. I love it! Deanne, one of my co-workers and an excellent jeweler walked me into some techniques in beading and wire-wrapping. It is very addicting! Here are some jewelries Alyssa and I made together. Of course, I took the pictures myself. Nancy can’t believe it. She said a professional photographer took it. Lol! Seriously Nancy? I laughed. I love photography and I want to think I do take nice pictures (lol) so took her comment as a compliment.

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“At Alyssa’s preschool believe it or not, they are making bead “jewelries” as part of their arts and crafts subject. So to be part of the picture (and through my co-worker/jeweler Deanne’s coaching), I started doing wire-wrap jewelry with the little one. We do this everyday in the car on our way home after work. Here are some projects we made together… “

From Inspired by Alyssa, posted by Rosalyn Bugaoisan Alcantara on 8/29/2010 (26 items)

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I haven’t blogged for so long since we started moving so I just have so many things to talk about. Not like you care about my ramblings – but since you are reading my journal, you might be curious about how I am doing. So I will be doing some random writing about things that I remember since the last time I got the chance to really sit around and blog. So here it goes…
Family first. My Mom just celebrated her 65th birthday on the 18th of June. Father’s Day was just three days after and my mom said they will be having cake to honor how great my Dad is. I am just so lucky they are my parents… the two people who I know will always love me unconditionally, lift my spirits up when I am down and will always be there for me no matter what. They provided me with great foundation and as mentors, they continue to teach me things I ought to know in life. In contrast with whatever is said about me, I am a good person because of them. I aspire big in life because of them. I dream to be someone because of them. I am what I am now because of them. I will be what I PLAN to be because of them. And if I have to say I owe someone, it is just proper for them to get all the credit. Read the rest of this entry »

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Finally, weekend is here. My voice is still kinda husky and my throat is very itchy but I guess I am doing better than last week. I am completely drained after straight one week of 12-hour work schedule. I just feel so utterly worn out and needing some time off to replenish my energy. Next week should be a better one for me, and come Monday, the 31st, it will be one great three-day off. Rolly booked us a room at the new Arya Hotel in Las Vegas for the 29th, 30th and 31st but I am not really that enthusiastic knowing that the drive coming back to OC will be bad. But I know he means well. Besides, the three of us need some time away from the busy life. Read the rest of this entry »

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Today is Alyssa’s first day at Chez Grand’mere. Rolly and I were up already up by 4:30 in the morning and after fixing everything up I woke Alyssa at 5:15 and headed out the door. I was encouraging her to go back to sleep on the drive to OC, but she refused. I think she is a little excited and anxious because she knows we will be dropping her off to school. When we got to Chez, two kids were there and she started hanging out with them. I seriously can’t leave her. I keep talking to her giving her instructions on how to play, not run, not do this or do this instead. I am afraid she will hurt herself.

After 15 minutes of hanging out at her school, Rolly finally convinced me to leave. I was still feeling scared for her that I kept asking Rolly to give Terri (the School Director) a call. Finally, Rolly emailed me saying Alyssa is doing great and she made some friends already. I can’t wait to go see her at 3:00. I promised I will take her to the store to grab a toy or something… I am just glad that this week is a short one for her. And yeah, I also have my camera with me so I will take some pics too.

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We were hit hard today. Patients were coming in and out the door, some were even standing waiting to be called in. It was the busiest Monday so far since I started 6 weeks ago. I am just so glad the day is finally over. Tomorrow will be another day… I am ready for it. I just wish that days will go by faster.

Our weekend was a fun one. On Saturday, went to San Juan to pick up Rolly’s consulting check then drove around town. We also stopped by the park so Alyssa can play for a bit. I also tried to get some photos and here they are:

Sunday morning after meeting with Mike, we took Alyssa to our favorite buffet at the Choices in Pala. We had a really good brunch. I was missing that good Asian pork hocks they always cook though… so tender and so tasty!

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On the 24th, I had to work almost the whole shift. I honestly thought we will be leaving around 12, but we ended up staying until 1. But it was just fine. We stopped by the Target and Kohl’s to get some last minute gift and toys. As soon as we got home, I did the wrapping, took a shower and helped Ate Raquel for a little bit. Our Christmas party here in Corona was great. I was so happy to see Jojit and her family (including Rona and Ate Luz). Rolly’s family is a quite big… as I have said, after years of being married with him I still get overwhelmed sometimes – in a good way.

Christmas day, we were so tired so we decided to stay home. On the 26th, we went to watch the Avatar. It was a great movie! Sunday, we went to church then headed to OC to get some stuff at the Ranch Market. Then stopped by the mall to shop. We had a great time…

Tomorrow, we will be back to work. I am starting at 6:30 again. Hopefully, there will not be a lot of traffic because some companies did one week shotdown for the New Year. Judy will be seating with me at 1 tomorrow… I hope I will do good. I always try to make a good impression whenever I can. I feel better that I already started working because at least I am a bit familiar with how the system works.

By the way, here are some photos of Alyssa taken today. We took her to Famous Footwear and got a pair of Osh Kosh boots. She loves them…

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I am having my lunch, the usual sandwich-chips-water combination. This morning during my MediTech Class, I went to get my HepB shot. It is supposed to be a booster shot but I have to go back next month to get the next series if my immune system won’t go up. Tomorrow is half day. I might have to go back to my house floor if my Manager will let me do some work. And Thursday is another half day. Seriously, we haven’t bought presents yet. We’ve been way too busy so Rolly and I are planning on doing that Thursday after work. My, I am not sure how that will go though… it might be a very busy day.

Regarding work, I want to say I am doing good. We just have to wake up an hour early today because Alyssa was having fever and it woke me up. We forced her to take some Tylenol but she ended throwing up so I had to trick her into drinking milk with meds on it. I know it is not a good practice but the situation calls for it. I really feel bad for her because last night, she was telling me she’s sick. I thought she was just kidding, I was wrong. I should have known better though as she was not her usual chatter self and she actually volunteered on going to sleep early… so not her at all! But yeah, she is a little sick and I hope she is better when we get home this afternoon.

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Last Sunday, we spent almost the entire day (after church) in San Juan Capistrano. I took some photos of Alyssa and here they are!

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It really bothers me when Alyssa gets too feisty and quick on being offensive. If only I can set up specific rules on how to handle her tantrums, one of them will be to leave her alone when she starts acting up. Basic knowledge should suggest that the more you annoy tots, the nastier they fight. Pretty basic which a lot of us overlooks. Most of the time, silence is the appropriate tool.

Everyone should agree that parenting is really hard specially when there are so many involved. Speaking of parenting, Rolly and I had a long conversation about the boys. The issue about them was brought out when we were having breakfast. To comment on the matter, Rolly said that PARENTING is NOT a competition between brothers and sisters. The fact is that, no Mom and/or Dad is ever perfect and with that said, it is so unfair to imply that someone else did it better than you, or that you did it better than the other. Because who would ever want their kids go astray on the first place?

The same thing with me. I would never want to compare the way I deal with my daughter to how my brother (and his wife) handle his kids. It doesn’t mean that I care less but his business only worries me when I am invited to join in. I always remember that Family Matter is always a sensitive topic to discuss, and I am not the person that butts in just to say what I have in mind. The same way during conversations, I rarely say something if I don’t have to. I’d rather be quite than to say one hurtful word.

But I am just so proud of Rolly because he always maintain his composure when subjected to things he doesn’t like. Sanayan nga lang ba? That is the question. Just pretend that nothing is being said and yet deep inside hurt? Would it be better to mark your grounds before someone steps on your toe? That’s what I have been doing for the longest time… but patience run out and you reach the tip of the bottle and the slightest of sarcasm would blow you off to pieces? Have you been through that? I allowed myself to play the victim if situation, that is where everything just fell apart.

I hope in the future that Alyssa can make decisions for herself and her family when a situation calls for it. I wish that she would never feel obligated in any way or form. That she will be as far away if she wants, or be as close to home if she chooses to be. I pray for her the freedom to decide on things and at the same time to act accordingly. To be who she is and not just to conform to what is being asked of her…

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Alyssa just suddenly decided to change her name to Nikki. I don’t even know how she came up with the name but it started when I wen to my physical and she was playing with Rolly. When I came out, of the hospital she has picked the Nikki from out of the blue. So, we’re calling her that…

She is growing up fast. Gosh now that she talks, it is never ending. She says phrases and words I’ve never heard before. She would say: “I have to get a job because I’m going to get married!” At three, she amazes me. She has this wild and huge imagination. She sometimes think she’s Hannah Montana with her guitar. She dresses up and would say: “I am on a fashion show.” When we bought her a Happy Meal at McDonald’s, she chose the Astro Boy toy. She misplaced it some days ago so now she tells us: “Astro Boy broke my heart. He flew away”, the pretends to be crying. She’s a drama queen…

Of course, my units in Child Psychology tells about this phase in a toddler’s life. It is a part of discovering who they are as they grow older. They indeed say the darnest things! At the end, I always make sure that she knows it’s ok to have a big imagination but it is always great to know the real world little by little as early as three…

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