bed time for the biglets (i.e., alex and karol) is always "interesting." they already have a pretty regular routine. am i being redundant? :D anyways after dinner, there's bath time, fairy tale time, story reading time, and praying time.
bath time can really be fun... or NOT!
daddy, gives them bath or shower, depending on what the biglets like, or what daddy is feeling up to. sometimes, there would even be a contest (read: fight) on who will go first. but usual order is andy, karol and alex. youngest to oldest. it's also a question whether they would want to watch the local fairy tales on tv called "vecernicek" before or after bath . it's a never ending negotiation really. it's all a matter of timing, but these biglets argue a lot, that sometimes they would even miss it in lieu of not listening.
watching the fairy tales are not enough. they would still ask daddy to read them a story or two. again, arguments follow whether one or two stories, who will choose the story, short or long story, etc., etc.... sigh! just thinking about it makes my head spin. but when at last daddy decides that they deserve to be read a story, they would still keep asking for more than agreed. it's funny and exhausting at the same time. you really have to pack a lot of patience with these two.
lastly, there's prayer time. alex had memorized the prayer. karol on the other hand usually says just the last words of each line. and sometimes, when we forget to make them pray, karol would get up from bed again, come to us to the living room and say, "i want you to help me to pray." it's kinda sweet, eventhough we know he's just using every excuse to get out of bed. anyways, at the end of the prayer we taught them to pray "bless ___" (each one of us) and at the end they say "bless all the whole world" (sic).
alex had long learned how to improvise. sometimes, when she's in the mood, she blesses a very long list of people. the usual favorites are their grand parents. however, karol was still too young, the last time we went home to philippines, to fully remember my parents. so one time, daddy told me this story when he was helping both biglets to pray together. on the part where they have to bless everyone, karol didn't mention my parents. alex, always helpful, told karol... "karol, if you bless inay, she will give you fried banana!"
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
august 2011
august album updated and completed. :) separate albums created for the high tatras trip, that's why there's not so many for this month. but this one includes a trip to cerveny kamen, issy's bday party and the FAB pool party. here are also last few pix of lola viela before she went back to ph.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
High Tatras Day - Popradske Pleso
Day 4: The tram station is just a stone throw away from our hotel. So, we took the tram from Strbske Pleso to Popradske Pleso, which is just one stop away. Then we hiked what seemed like forever to Popradske Pleso. the road was asphalted, but was winding and steep on most parts. We reached our destination just in time for lunch. It was very tiring but the view was really stunning. The kids had a little time to "rest" in the small playground. The hike down was much better and luckily caught the tram back to the hotel.
High Tatras - Skalnate Pleso
Day 3: Rode the cable car up to Skalnate Pleso. Sadly, we didn't get tickets for the cable car to Lomnicky Stit. Took a walk around the lake, which again, Karol didn't care much for. The kids, enjoyed the playground after lunch. The biglets, myself and Lola took the ski lifts to Lomnicke Sedlo. It was quite cold and windy at the top. And just as we were about to start hiking, the rain started. So we decided to go back down instead.
High Tatras - Mala Studena Dolina
Day 2: We took the funicular cable car from Stary Smokovec to Hrebienok. Then from there, we followed the trail to the small water falls. Kids walked by themselves, except for Andy of course. :D It's the second time that Alex walked this trail. Karol was here before on a back carrier 2 years ago. He didn't care much for walking this time. But we made it with just a bit of crying in the river. Walked back and had lunch in Hrebienok, and back to Stary Smokovec via cable car. Finished off the trip with a cake and coffee (chocolate for me) at the local cake shop.
High Tatras - Strbske Pleso
Day 1: Arrived mid-afternoon just in time to check-in to our hotel. Dropped our bags, unpacked and went straight to go boating in Strbske Pleso.
Monday, August 08, 2011
it's just the beginning...
to buy or not to buy a house/land?
kittsee or bratislava?
to renovate or build a new house?
to sell the apartment or get a mortgage?
these were just a few questions we've been trying to answer. after a long time of waiting and decision making, we finally found and bought a house in kittsee. the house is very old but the land is quite big. in less than two hours after viewing it, we decided to buy it. luckily our loan was approved, and after a couple of months or so we got the keys to our future home.
we've visited the site several times, but only to show it to family and friends. the house needs a lot of work. today was the first time we actually started working on it. we planned to clean it up a bit and have the experts have a look.
the idea is to first make it livable as a summer house with a little bit of re-painting here and there, and some... then slowly start the renovations in 5 or 10 years from now, depending on the budget. :D it's a long time to go, but we, and by that i mean i, could already picture our dream home.
in the morning we started cleaning. mostly, it involved throwing out the things the previous owner left behind plus a little bit of sweeping and dusting. it was at least a start and it felt good.
in the evening, we met with hubby's uncle who is actually a contractor. i was really excited with this meeting. we wanted him to have a look at the place and give us ideas as to what we can or cannot do with the place. being the expert that he is, he had lots of ideas and suggestions, but sadly, not the kind that we've expected. he told us that it's just his initial assessment and it's just brainstorming. in spite of this, i know that what he told is also realistic. so realistic in fact that i felt like my dream house suddenly collapsed. :(
sigh! what a tiring day! we will be meeting again in two days. i don't know if anything will change. but for now, we'll first focus on our short term goal and clean up the place, try to make it homey for the summer months, and let the kids enjoy the enormous lawn.
kittsee or bratislava?
to renovate or build a new house?
to sell the apartment or get a mortgage?
these were just a few questions we've been trying to answer. after a long time of waiting and decision making, we finally found and bought a house in kittsee. the house is very old but the land is quite big. in less than two hours after viewing it, we decided to buy it. luckily our loan was approved, and after a couple of months or so we got the keys to our future home.
we've visited the site several times, but only to show it to family and friends. the house needs a lot of work. today was the first time we actually started working on it. we planned to clean it up a bit and have the experts have a look.
the idea is to first make it livable as a summer house with a little bit of re-painting here and there, and some... then slowly start the renovations in 5 or 10 years from now, depending on the budget. :D it's a long time to go, but we, and by that i mean i, could already picture our dream home.
in the morning we started cleaning. mostly, it involved throwing out the things the previous owner left behind plus a little bit of sweeping and dusting. it was at least a start and it felt good.
in the evening, we met with hubby's uncle who is actually a contractor. i was really excited with this meeting. we wanted him to have a look at the place and give us ideas as to what we can or cannot do with the place. being the expert that he is, he had lots of ideas and suggestions, but sadly, not the kind that we've expected. he told us that it's just his initial assessment and it's just brainstorming. in spite of this, i know that what he told is also realistic. so realistic in fact that i felt like my dream house suddenly collapsed. :(
sigh! what a tiring day! we will be meeting again in two days. i don't know if anything will change. but for now, we'll first focus on our short term goal and clean up the place, try to make it homey for the summer months, and let the kids enjoy the enormous lawn.
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
bus 66
in the morning, i was driving the biglets to kindergarten. we were waiting for the traffic lights to turn green when i saw bus 66 pulling away from the stop ahead of us. seeing the back of the bus instantly brought back fond memories from 2004.
the hotel we used to stay in is just two bus stops away. it's the very same bus we used to ride to go to work. most often than not, we have to run just to catch the bus. otherwise, we'll all be late if we wait for the next one.
one time, just as we were turning from the corner, we saw our bus pulling away. then everyone (imagine ten, if not more, asians) started running and flailing their arms like crazy to call on to the driver. it must have been a sight for these slovaks who are not so used to seeing asians, much more a flock of them. anyways, surprisingly, the driver stopped to let us in.
everyone was scrambling to get in when i suddenly got a phone call. it was matej! turned out he was driving by on his way to work. he saw us and told me he could give me a ride. i was already halfway up the bus but he insisted i stay, so i did. i could still see the look of surprise on my friends' faces when the bus finally pulled away. yes, the open-mouthed kind of look! :))
the car arrived just a few moments before the bus. i didn't have time to explain to anyone but when everyone saw us HHWW to office, everyone understood. i couldn't see them behind me, but i felt like all eyes were on us and could feel the blood rushing to my face. we just started dating back then, and some of my colleagues didn't even know it until then.
i don't know why i suddenly got so nostalgic. could have been the corrs singing, or that hubby is away for a week. but one thing i'm sure about, that was one kilig moment i will not forget. :)
the hotel we used to stay in is just two bus stops away. it's the very same bus we used to ride to go to work. most often than not, we have to run just to catch the bus. otherwise, we'll all be late if we wait for the next one.
one time, just as we were turning from the corner, we saw our bus pulling away. then everyone (imagine ten, if not more, asians) started running and flailing their arms like crazy to call on to the driver. it must have been a sight for these slovaks who are not so used to seeing asians, much more a flock of them. anyways, surprisingly, the driver stopped to let us in.
everyone was scrambling to get in when i suddenly got a phone call. it was matej! turned out he was driving by on his way to work. he saw us and told me he could give me a ride. i was already halfway up the bus but he insisted i stay, so i did. i could still see the look of surprise on my friends' faces when the bus finally pulled away. yes, the open-mouthed kind of look! :))
the car arrived just a few moments before the bus. i didn't have time to explain to anyone but when everyone saw us HHWW to office, everyone understood. i couldn't see them behind me, but i felt like all eyes were on us and could feel the blood rushing to my face. we just started dating back then, and some of my colleagues didn't even know it until then.
i don't know why i suddenly got so nostalgic. could have been the corrs singing, or that hubby is away for a week. but one thing i'm sure about, that was one kilig moment i will not forget. :)
Saturday, July 23, 2011
of tummy's and sweets
you know something is wrong when your daughter (a.k.a. alex) tells you, while looking at your tummy, "mommy, you look like you're going to have another baby!" :O
then about a couple of weeks after that...
alex: mommy, do you already have an idea?
mommy: idea about what?
alex: a name! a name for your next baby!
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!! i had this problem for a long time when people mistake me of being pregnant, having a big tummy. but coming from my daughter!!!?! golly!
i just woke up and alex asked me what is my favorite sweet thing. i didn't even think about it, just thought it should be cakes... cheese cake of course! then i realized she already made a poll and is already about to give me the results as follows:
"yours and daddy's favorite sweet thing is cheese cake. lola's is chocolate cake. karol's is green lollipop, mine is pink candy and andy's is RICE."
we really found it so funny that daddy, told me at once to publish it.
i understand where alex is coming from. andy usually eats and finishes her meals ahead of everyone. so when it's time for everyone else to eat, she looks pitiful and left out and starts complaining/demanding. the only way to satisfy her is to give her the only thing she likes -- RICE!!! :)
then about a couple of weeks after that...
alex: mommy, do you already have an idea?
mommy: idea about what?
alex: a name! a name for your next baby!
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!! i had this problem for a long time when people mistake me of being pregnant, having a big tummy. but coming from my daughter!!!?! golly!
--o0o--
i just woke up and alex asked me what is my favorite sweet thing. i didn't even think about it, just thought it should be cakes... cheese cake of course! then i realized she already made a poll and is already about to give me the results as follows:
"yours and daddy's favorite sweet thing is cheese cake. lola's is chocolate cake. karol's is green lollipop, mine is pink candy and andy's is RICE."
we really found it so funny that daddy, told me at once to publish it.
i understand where alex is coming from. andy usually eats and finishes her meals ahead of everyone. so when it's time for everyone else to eat, she looks pitiful and left out and starts complaining/demanding. the only way to satisfy her is to give her the only thing she likes -- RICE!!! :)
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
how much of philippines have i seen (C-)
My Lakbayan grade is C-!
How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!
Created by Eugene Villar.Sunday, May 22, 2011
schonbrunn gardens and imperial zoo
revisiting schonbrunn. this time, we spent most of the time in the zoo. had to run from one end to another just to catch the feeding time of the pandas. luckily we caught them and met with the bernardos. they went home shortly after the meet and we continued on to see the rest of the animals. what a tiring day! but we made the most out of it.
Monday, April 11, 2011
on work, money, food and skeleton
today karol had to stay home again. while having snack with alex, he suddenly realized that daddy is not around.
karol: mommy, where is daddy?
mommy: in the office.
karol: why?
mommy: because he has to work.
karol: why?
alex: so that he can earn money.
karol: why?
alex: so that he can buy food for us. so we can eat. otherwise, if we don't eat, then we will become skeleton. and when we become skeleton, then we cannot move.
mommy, was just speechless... i know i tried to explain the concept of work and money to her but didn't realize she has this whole picture in her head. i really have to be careful with my words. :D
karol: mommy, where is daddy?
mommy: in the office.
karol: why?
mommy: because he has to work.
karol: why?
alex: so that he can earn money.
karol: why?
alex: so that he can buy food for us. so we can eat. otherwise, if we don't eat, then we will become skeleton. and when we become skeleton, then we cannot move.
mommy, was just speechless... i know i tried to explain the concept of work and money to her but didn't realize she has this whole picture in her head. i really have to be careful with my words. :D
Monday, March 14, 2011
why?
i heard another conversation between alex and karol. alex was telling karol some story as usual. probably, to check whether karol understood, alex started asking him...
alex: karol, do you know why?
karol: yes!
alex: so, tell me why!
karol: why!
alex: do you know why?
karol: yes!
alex: so, tell me why!
karol: why!
alex: tell me why!
karol: why!
alex: karol, do you know why?
karol: yes!
alex: so, tell me why!
karol: why!
alex: do you know why?
karol: yes!
alex: so, tell me why!
karol: why!
alex: tell me why!
karol: why!
Saturday, March 05, 2011
q & a
lately, karol and alex are always fighting and arguing. after we finished lunch, i was rocking andy to sleep when i heard alex and karol playing quietly in their bedroom. this was so refreshing that i got curious and watched them from afar.
alex was animating some story about dora, boots and isa (from dora the explorer) using her mega blocks figures. karol was intently listening to alex while watching the small figures. the story then turned into a question and answer game which went something like this...
alex: karol, do butterflies have slippers?
karol: yes!
alex: nooooooooo! do butterflies have flower antennas?
karol: yes!
alex: nooooooooo! do butterflies have wings?
karol was about to answer but then he hesitated. probably tired of getting busted all the time, he stopped and thought really hard. finally....
karol: no!
alex: yeeeeeeeeeeees!!!
this really brought tears to my eyes from laughing too hard. poor karol! i knew he had the correct answer but changed his mind at the last minute. :))
alex was animating some story about dora, boots and isa (from dora the explorer) using her mega blocks figures. karol was intently listening to alex while watching the small figures. the story then turned into a question and answer game which went something like this...
alex: karol, do butterflies have slippers?
karol: yes!
alex: nooooooooo! do butterflies have flower antennas?
karol: yes!
alex: nooooooooo! do butterflies have wings?
karol was about to answer but then he hesitated. probably tired of getting busted all the time, he stopped and thought really hard. finally....
karol: no!
alex: yeeeeeeeeeeees!!!
this really brought tears to my eyes from laughing too hard. poor karol! i knew he had the correct answer but changed his mind at the last minute. :))
Friday, March 04, 2011
cute broccoli
i was prepping ingredients for lunch when alex approached me. at that moment, i was dividing the broccoli into small flowerettes.
alex: what are you doing?
me: making the broccoli small.
alex: why are you doing that?
me: so that they will be nice.
alex: but they are also nice when they are big.
me: i know. but see aren't they cute?
alex: aha! so you want them to be cute, right?!
now, i felt really silly. all i could do was say uh-huh with an embarrassed smile. hihihi!
alex: what are you doing?
me: making the broccoli small.
alex: why are you doing that?
me: so that they will be nice.
alex: but they are also nice when they are big.
me: i know. but see aren't they cute?
alex: aha! so you want them to be cute, right?!
now, i felt really silly. all i could do was say uh-huh with an embarrassed smile. hihihi!
Monday, February 28, 2011
three little piglets (read: pooh bears)
alex @ almost 5 months; karol @ almost 6 months; andy @ 3 1/2 months
Saturday, September 04, 2010
the driver's journey
i've always wanted to drive, and of course own a car. it took me a long time to get to that but here i am now... :)
first step: getting a driver's license
took advantage of the last visit to philippines to do this. went to driving school and applied at the local lto office. got my license on the very last possible day before we left for slovakia. claimed the license in the morning and directly went to manila to get the certification from the central office. we needed this to get my license here in slovakia.
i never even got to use my ph license. we had to swap it out to get the license here in slovakia. it's kinda sad, but it was all for the best. it was easier that way than to get a license directly from here. stricter driving school and slovak driving written and practical exams?!? no way!!!
second step: actually learning how to drive
driving school was a breeze. i really didn't get nervous at all. no problems when the driving instructor tells you exactly what to do, all the time and step by step. not to mention their hands are always close by your steering wheel and hand breaks. :))
now, what happens when you're on your own? yaiks!!! ok, i did some test drives with my cousin in our old mitsubishi lancer on some side streets and empty subdivisions. it wasn't so bad, but not so great either. :D
now with the real deal. when we got back to slovakia, i got to practice with hubby in our family car. double yaiks!!! the car was longer and wider than most. plus, hubby being a very good driver and loving this car so much makes me so nervous. worst time was when i couldn't take off at some stop light. it was a little uphill. took several red lights until the tram came and i was directly on the tracks!!! hubby had to take over. whew! got me really scared.
step three: driving solo
eventually, i got used to driving, specially on familiar roads. i drove the whole family every chance i got, but always, with hubby beside me. the very first time i drove by myself was purely out of necessity. hubby had something urgent at work and alex had to be picked up from kindergarten. it was raining a bit, but i aced it! :D
and then, hubby was hospitalized and underwent appendectomy. :( no choice! got to drive by myself for 5 days. everything went smoothly from there. well, a little bit of kinks here and there. but overall, i feel more confident. we even went for long drives several times during the summer.
finally
so, i can drive. now what will i drive? :D presenting our new baby... and my very first car... well technically it's a family car. but i just can't help owning it, since hubby will be driving the other car mostly ;)
first step: getting a driver's license
took advantage of the last visit to philippines to do this. went to driving school and applied at the local lto office. got my license on the very last possible day before we left for slovakia. claimed the license in the morning and directly went to manila to get the certification from the central office. we needed this to get my license here in slovakia.
my hello and goodbye ph driver's license
i never even got to use my ph license. we had to swap it out to get the license here in slovakia. it's kinda sad, but it was all for the best. it was easier that way than to get a license directly from here. stricter driving school and slovak driving written and practical exams?!? no way!!!
my beloved slovak driver's license
second step: actually learning how to drive
driving school was a breeze. i really didn't get nervous at all. no problems when the driving instructor tells you exactly what to do, all the time and step by step. not to mention their hands are always close by your steering wheel and hand breaks. :))
now, what happens when you're on your own? yaiks!!! ok, i did some test drives with my cousin in our old mitsubishi lancer on some side streets and empty subdivisions. it wasn't so bad, but not so great either. :D
now with the real deal. when we got back to slovakia, i got to practice with hubby in our family car. double yaiks!!! the car was longer and wider than most. plus, hubby being a very good driver and loving this car so much makes me so nervous. worst time was when i couldn't take off at some stop light. it was a little uphill. took several red lights until the tram came and i was directly on the tracks!!! hubby had to take over. whew! got me really scared.
step three: driving solo
eventually, i got used to driving, specially on familiar roads. i drove the whole family every chance i got, but always, with hubby beside me. the very first time i drove by myself was purely out of necessity. hubby had something urgent at work and alex had to be picked up from kindergarten. it was raining a bit, but i aced it! :D
and then, hubby was hospitalized and underwent appendectomy. :( no choice! got to drive by myself for 5 days. everything went smoothly from there. well, a little bit of kinks here and there. but overall, i feel more confident. we even went for long drives several times during the summer.
finally
so, i can drive. now what will i drive? :D presenting our new baby... and my very first car... well technically it's a family car. but i just can't help owning it, since hubby will be driving the other car mostly ;)
kia venga! black and shiny!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
snowy white spring day
when we went home to PH for the christmas holidays, i was happy to avoid the harsher winters of SK. but nature has it's own mind...
when we came back in mid-february, everything was still white with a few fresh snow here and there. we were able to go bobsleding twice in nearby lake, until it started melting the following days. it was hopeful the next couple of weeks when temperatures started rising. spring is coming, weeeee!!! o yes, o yes, it's springtime!!!
whoops! not so fast! the whole week, while el niño is hitting PH, here temperature dropped below zero :( and today, there's a fresh coat of snow. it's been snowing probably during the night and is still.
sigh! chirping birds went into hiding again. but at least my daffodils are starting to show. hopefully the crocuses, tulips and hyacinths would soon follow.
when we came back in mid-february, everything was still white with a few fresh snow here and there. we were able to go bobsleding twice in nearby lake, until it started melting the following days. it was hopeful the next couple of weeks when temperatures started rising. spring is coming, weeeee!!! o yes, o yes, it's springtime!!!
whoops! not so fast! the whole week, while el niño is hitting PH, here temperature dropped below zero :( and today, there's a fresh coat of snow. it's been snowing probably during the night and is still.
sigh! chirping birds went into hiding again. but at least my daffodils are starting to show. hopefully the crocuses, tulips and hyacinths would soon follow.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
mommy aches
slovakia. thousand miles away from home. sigh! away from the things i grew up with. sigh! away from friends and family. sigh! but i never thought being a mommy would bring the biggest sigh of all...
being a mommy to two wonderful kids is both a blessing and a joy. they have brought me so much happiness even amidst all the tantrums. but, it's the things that i couldn't or wouldn't be able to do for them (or give to them) that makes me sad. not in such a strange country with a very difficult language.
* lost in translation pedia/doctor checkups
* no PTA's (and even if they have one i wouldn't be able to participate anyway)
* no graduations or recognition days
* first birthdays can pass in a blur
SIGH!
being a mommy to two wonderful kids is both a blessing and a joy. they have brought me so much happiness even amidst all the tantrums. but, it's the things that i couldn't or wouldn't be able to do for them (or give to them) that makes me sad. not in such a strange country with a very difficult language.
* lost in translation pedia/doctor checkups
* no PTA's (and even if they have one i wouldn't be able to participate anyway)
* no graduations or recognition days
* first birthdays can pass in a blur
SIGH!
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