Thank You Ate Minya

A couple of days before Christmas, Ippo’s yaya, Niña, told me she had to go home to Dumaguete to take care of her sick grandmother for a few weeks. She was to go back to Manila to be with Ippo when school starts, or at least that was the plan. She left on December 24. I was in the office, and wasn’t able to give her my unwrapped Christmas present. When I came home on Christmas day, mama handed over a gift that Niña had left for me. I was touched.

After Christmas, Niña sent me a text message to report that her grandma had passed away, and that she would not be able to return.

Niña, who Ippo fondly calls Ate Minya, is gone and we would probably never get to see her again. That’s sad, but I pray that she will have a happy life.

Ate Minya is Ippo’s third yaya. Before her, we were with Ate Maimai, whom we are still in touch with. Maimai is now employed in SM. I was happy when I heard about her new job and hope that Niña will be as fortunate.

I am rarely able to really handle Ippo on my own. I’ve been very dependent on other people when it comes to taking care of him. Work leaves me too tired for domestic chores, and mama has always taken care of Ippo in the absence of a yaya. From time to time, my Tita Dahl also helps with my only child. I feel guilty most of the time. I work to pay our bills, to send Ippo to school and to make sure he gets all his needs, but I am not the hands on mom that I think I ought to be.

Mama was a housewife when I was growing up, but I don’t have any memories of her giving me a bath or feeding me. Other people took care of me. My Ate Lerma and my Kuya BJ were my primary care givers and I will forever love and remember them.

Last Saturday, mama left me at home with Ippo. It was just for a few hours because she had to pick a birthday gift for one of my aunts. While she was gone, I realized how short tempered I could get with kids. Ippo was being his “makulit” self and I was almost in tears. I’d like to think patience is one of my virtues, and my relatives, friends and colleagues would agree with me on that, but I just don’t have any for children, or at least with my son.

Some time that day, I left Ippo in the room so I could answer the phone, and when I returned, our bed and his toys were snowed in his own mixture of baby powder and lotion. I turn away for a minute, and he’s cut up my magazine pages to pieces. He puts out all his toys and shoes, and insists on trying every shoe with my help. Urgh. In the middle of picking up his toys and trash, he would scream for milk, and for me to make him “eklog” (scrambled eggs). While preparing our meal, he would need me in the bathroom because nature calls (perfect timing). The bathroom scene is the most tormenting. He will not stay still while I wash off his poop. He has to touch his poopy, and I would, of course, shriek in horror. And when we get through the ordeal of getting him into fresh clothes, and I’m just about ready to breathe, I discover that I have some of his poopy in my bare legs. Great.

Oh yes, this is what I’ve been missing because I am a working mom. Now I have so much respect for his yayas and everyone who has taken care of him.

I’ve heard of “terrible two.” I was surprised when Sony told me of “terror three.” What comes next?

The Last 24 Hours

Sunday Morning

Made my own breakfast - scrambled eggs with grated cheese. Ippo's favorite. But I enjoyed it more because of Layla's sinangag and mommy's adobo.

Saw some old episodes of Gilmore Girls. Reminds me of my college days. I don't have the patience to wait for the weekly episodes anymore. Thank goodness for DVD.

I went to mass. Wow.

I thought we were so late but the cathedral was also late. Talk about blessing. I'm still amazed at myself for looking forward to hearing the sermon. Really, I don't mean to be a bad person but I usually don't pay attention in church. I would really love to keep this up.

Sunday Afternoon

Despite being sleep deprived, I saw my girlfriends Det and Georgie. Det even dropped by my humble apartment so we could cab together!

Sunday Evening

We had dinner at the Stock Market in Bonifacio High Street. Det, you are funny.

Georgie and I brought Christmas gifts. Det complained because we never talked about bringing gifts so she insisted on buying us coffee. So thank you Det for the last sticker on my second planner. Too bad they are out of stock.

Oh, and sticker swapping is not a crime.

Spotted. John Estrada with his kids. Never mind the kids. He is still a hottie.

On our way home, Det and I planned on taking Bikram yoga. Hmmm. Lets see if something good comes out of this.

At home, I opened my Christmas presents. Lyn, yours is my favorite.

Lyn gave me a framed photo of her, me and Diane. A picture taken on my birthday. I love it. Thank you.

Made it to work in one piece. I am always thankful when I commute and get to my destination without getting held up.

Monday Morning

Caught up with AJ. Thank you for listening AJ. Always nice hanging out with you, even without the cake. I think I'll hold off on that Atom.

And now I'm off to NBS to use the P300 GC I received from the XPS Kris Kringle.

Servant

I’m not a regular church-goer. That should explain why I don’t know any church songs other than “Our Father” and “Kordero ng Diyos.” My Sundays are spent at work. If I am free on a Sunday, I would be asleep, or switching between Showbiz Central and The Buzz, or out for groceries or coffee.

I am Catholic. My grandparents are devout Catholics. My parents, though big sinners, are Catholic nonetheless. I went to schools named after saints and the Holy Mary, but I’m the worst Catholic school girl, I can’t even lip sync to church hymns.

Yesterday, I missed out on the regular Sunday mass, but after some last minute Christmas shopping, I was able to attend the 6th of the Simbang Gabi. And to be perfectly honest, I would not have gone if nobody had asked me to hear mass.

During mass, the priest spoke of positivity, gratitude and generosity. I was amazed when he started speaking of those virtues. Amazed, because even though I am not the most virtuous human being, I am very much aware of my generally optimistic attitude.

I don’t know why, how and when it started. But ever since I can remember, I’ve always been the type to say that there are other people who suffer more than I do, and for that alone I should be very grateful. Yes, I have my share of problems, but they could not be worse than the struggle of so many others. And always, I know that there is something to be learned from every kind of pain I have to endure.

Last night I realized that I want to work on the third virtue - generosity. I’ve always used lack of time as an excuse to set societal vocation aside. No more excuses though. I am thirty and its so pitiful to even have excuses at this age.

I have no idea where to begin, but when I am old, I want to look back and say I was successful in serving my creator, even if I am not an excellent Catholic.

Random

The past couple of weeks have been crazy. But because I am me, I am still standing. I survived like nothing hit me. The best thing about it is that I can still put a smile on my face. And no one can take that away from me.

Nakikiuso

I’m one of the newest Twilight fanatics.

My conversion happened after seeing the film yesterday. I know its lame to have seen the movie before reading the series of books, but who cares?

Edward Cullen is a character to love. At my age, its silly drooling about a teenage vampire, but he is absolutely gorgeous. I simply couldn’t wait for the sequel so I marched to NBS as soon as the movie ended, hoping to grab the first Twilight book. As expected, it was sold out.

Last night I found myself googling Edward Cullen and Robert Pattinson. It feels so high school. I had mixed feelings finding out Robert was Cedric from Harry Potter. It kinda destroyed the vamp appeal. But that didn’t stop me from downloading Edward Cullen’s wallpaper, hehe.

At 2AM, I enjoyed my Twilight eBook, which I got after bothering Lyn at work. The Twilight series and my new magazines should keep me busy (in a good way) for awhile.

Royally Screwed

Today I was told that AJ will not be moving to XPS with me. He is staying in CBG Chat.

I was thinking of updating my resume but then I shouldn’t quit just because I don’t like the way things are happening. I shouldn’t quit especially now that I'm moving. Things may actually be calmer once I’ve settled in XPS.

But I’ve been royally screwed.

I will miss you AJ, my cake buddy.

Moving Again

So were moving back to XPS Voice. More like being thrown back into XPS Voice. Apparently this is based on stack ranking. It sucks because AJ and I actually had a good start in CBG Chat. But what the heck. I will embrace XPS if CBG doesn’t need us. Its just plain exhausting when every time there’s excess in CBG, AJ and I are always tagged to move. So let’s move then, and hope we never have to be bothered again. Kakasawa na mga threats to move. I think this is actually better. Haay.