Annoying Gatecrashers and Other Stories

Every muscle in my body is aching! It's 6:20 am here, I only have 40 minutes until work starts (my work starts at 7am and ends at 3pm), and I'm still here in bed with Yuri. At least I can still work with me in bed. #perksofaWAHM

The reason why I'm so tired (as well as everybody in the household - actually, almost everybody active in this village) is that we came from the beach yesterday. We had fun, yes, but sadly, because of some reason, our day also quickly turned sour. Let me rant a little and share with you what happened.

Annoying Gatecrashers

The activity at the beach yesterday was planned as an R&R slash team building activity for everyone who worked hard to make last week's fiesta (our village's first fiesta slash foundation day ever). It was planned among the village officers as a treat to themselves and the youth who laboured really hard for days and even went home at dawn just to finish everything that needed to be finished. 

Obviously, the event should be just for the officers and the youth who call themselves "Cecilia Boys." We cooked our own food and paid for our own entrance fees etcetera. The boys used their prize money from the basketball game they played in during the fiesta. And we had fun.

Including this kiddo

Until the gatecrashers came in.

I'm a Christian and I Let My Child Go Trick-or-Treat

Yes, I let my toddler join our neighborhood trick-or-treat.

I remember that Halloween of last year, I was so excited to join the event, but we weren't able to attend because of the downpour. I was already Christian back then but I have been used to practicing secular things during that time, allowing me to forget some of the minor aspects of my belief.

You see, more than 4 years ago, when I decided to follow Christ, I let go not only of my vices (smoking and drinking) but also my guilty pleasure, which is all things "horror." That means I also stopped "celebrating" Halloween. (And we all know its pagan roots, right?)

Again, last year was a different case because I conveniently forgot this aspect of my faith. Now, this year, when I made the decision to strengthen my faith again (late last year actually), I have had mixed convictions regarding Halloween and, by extension, Trick-or-Treat.

But we went anyway. Here are my reasons:

1. First, my mother is a major officer in the village, and since the Trick-or-Treat is a village activity that they sponsored, we needed to show support.
2. Second, we've been cooped inside the house for quite a while now because of my work and the weather and we're itching to play with other kids and interact.
3. Third, there was never a time when I didn't like dressing up. I love costumes, and this was a good opportunity to dress Yuri in one (not me haha).

And I have to tell you that we had fun. Yuri got to see some of his friends again and I'm glad that 90% of them are in cute, completely wholesome costumes. (Yesterday, I posted photos of his friends in their cute Halloween costumes.)

Yuri's mood changed when some older kids whom we didn't know started arriving. They were dressed in gory, bloody costumes that bothered even me, an adult.

However, we tried to make the best out of the evening by eating, having fun, and getting as much candy as we can from generous neighbors.

But after coming home and eating some of our loot (and brushing our teeth with feelings), I laid awake because I was still confused. Have I done the right thing by joining Trick-or-Treat?

False-Alarm Kidnapping, Firing Yaya, and Other Stories

The past weekend was Kadayawan weekend and we originally planned it to be a weekend of mindless mall-hopping and (window) shopping. But more things happened that made a supposed uneventful weekend, well, eventful!

I'll start with the regular, steady stuff before I tell you about the juicy stories, ah-key?

1. My Only Kadayawan Find

There must be something wrong with me because I am no longer excited by sales. Mas excited pa ako for book sales and garage sales hehe. So despite the many sales all over the city, unsurprisingly, this was the only thing I bought:

Montessori Letter Work

I first discovered this book in my internerd-blackhole, bookdepository.com (you're welcome), and it's unique because it uses the Montessori concepts of textured letters (Google sandpaper letters) and teaching children not letter names but letter sounds. I subscribe to these philosophies so I knew I had to get it.

In the website, it costs $11, free shipping, or around P473. It's quite pricey for a board book, and while I'm willing to invest in it, I just had to shop around. That led me to local bookstore chain, Fully Booked, that sells it for only P398! Almost P100 less! Yay!

So yesterday, first thing we did was go to Fully Booked in Abreeza and when I finally found it, I never let go. Haha!

But the best thing was that when I was paying for it, the cashier told me it was on sale, so it was now just P318! Perfect! Based on the original $11 price, I saved... do the math!

2. The "Stores" I've Been Waiting for are Finally Here!

Bad Influence

"Tanga ka! Tanga ka!"

The words pierced my consciousness while I was in my momentum, working, yesterday afternoon. I know Yuri and his yaya were out on our yard with some kids from the neighborhood. Just like any other day. The only difference was that the peaceful playing and laughter was interrupted by a persistent --

"Tanga ka! Tanga ka! Tanga ka kasi"

The words were yelled by a 7-year old boy to a 4-year old girl, whom he previously hit. The girl cried when he hit her accidentally, and the boy, for some reason, thought the girl was just being stupid. And the words weren't yelled in a childish manner. The words sounded angry.

I waited for them (actually, for Yuri's yaya, since she was the grownup) to settle it, but the yelling still continued so I went outside.

Careful not to sound too angry, I chastised the boy. No I didn't ask him to apologize. I believe I'm not the one who should do that. What I wanted was for him to stop bullying the girl.

And then I saw my sweet 2-year old Yuri in between them, seemingly unaware of the fight he's in the middle of. But I know he's an impressionable child. All toddlers are. I prayed that he wouldn't copy the behavior he saw that afternoon.

Not during the fight

I've seen bad influence work in many lives including mine. But I wasn't prepared to see it happen so early in my toddler's life. More than that, I was really shocked to hear such hurtful words from such a young boy.

Is it true then? That today's society is raising meaner kids?

Overheard from the Daycare Center that was our House

Okay, our house is no daycare center, but it surely looks like one these summer days!

The days are longer during summer, and since the sun's so incredibly powerful these days (ganito ba last year??), we stay inside the house until at least 5pm. There are days when it still feels like high noon at 5:30!
But when the sun finally calms down, that's when a few kids from the neighborhood begin coming over, one by one.

This doesn't include the group of the older kids.

I love it because as a child, I lived farthest from where my friends lived. Ergo, play dates almost never happened in our house. Aside from the location, they were also afraid of my father who used to have a large, booming voice. I swear, I used to know where my father was just by listening to how loud or weak his voice was.

Anyway, I'm getting off track. Our current house, because of its location on the main road, became the meeting place of kids. It's also because all lots surrounding our house are empty, and we know kids love empty lots! So in the afternoon, our house becomes like a mini-daycare center with several kids and a handful of yayas. As much as I would like to join the fun, I'm still working during that time!

As for me, I like having many kids in the house not only because the house becomes livelier but also because Yuri gets to practice his socialization skills. Despite being the youngest (all the other kids are about 3 and older), he knows almost each kid by name.

So far, there's not been an issue with sharing, too. Way to go, kids!

Another thing that I like about having many people around are the conversations I get to eavesdrop to unintentionally hear. Here are a few I remember:

Honey, Yuri's yaya to a 6-year old boy, MJ

Honey: MJ, diba kayo yung may prosti?
(My eyes widened when I heard this.)
MJ: Ano yan?
Honey: Prosti gud. Diba may prosti kayo sa bahay nyo?
MJ: Anong prosti?
Honey: Yung benta nyo gud?
MJ: Ah, ice candy

Photo: http://www.dmc.com.ph/ 

Honey: Oo yun. Prosti man tawag dun.

Of Playdates and French Toasts

My camera has finally died after two years of service. Yes, it died out too quickly! This must be the result of taking hundreds of photos every day... Anyway, yesterday, I took out the memory card and saw that I was able to take blog-worthy photos in the last minute. Yay!

Last Tuesday, Yuri woke up a bit late at around 8am. Actually, I had to wake him up so we could go down for breakfast (and I was, like, holding my pee since forever). He finally woke up and I got to prepare our breakfast downstairs (everybody else was already finished eating). In less than five minutes since we went down, our neighbor arrived bringing with her her half-American son.

Everybody, meet Gabe:

He's our friendly 6-year old neighbor who gave Yuri this Tigger stuffed toy last Christmas:

He brought with him a toy car (also an army tank) along with a Pokemon toy and a Mario figure. It's Mario's son daw. Yuri was very curious to see what his kuya Gabe was doing. What's up with boys and tanks?

Well, they did not play together, but they did play side by side.

Funny anecdote (I was preparing Yuri's breakfast):

Me: Gabe, do you want cereal, too?
Gabe: No, I don't want cereal.
Me: What would you like to have?
Gabe: I would like to have pahn-duh-sahl.

If you didn't get it, pandesal daw! Tutyal!

The next day, we were in the mood to make some French Toast. Actually, we have been planning to make some for a few days now, but there's always aberya. For example, one day, we were ready to make French Toast, and when we opened the fridge, wala palang itlog. That day, despite remembering that we were already out of cinnamon, we still decided to push through to satisfy our craving. Also, nakakailang loaf bread na kami. Haha!

Again, we didn't have cinnamon, so we made the most basic of French toasts. Here are the ingredients:

We used only two eggs para hindi masyadong ma-cholesterol. First, combine the milk and the eggs in a bowl and whisk them together. Then, add a capful of vanilla and a pinch of salt to taste.

DIY Wrought Iron Chairs - Ideas, Anyone?

Just after lunch today, these arrived:

Outdoor wrought iron chairs and table - in gold? Really?

A closer look at their sorry state :P

But there's so much potential, right?

Our Filipina neighbor just went back to Japan to live there for good. Of course, she cannot bring her things and furniture with her. Some of her things she gave to her father and relatives. Some of her things she decided to sell - through us. She requested us to sell the furniture and just wire the money to her in Japan. To return the favor, our neighbor asked my mom what she would like to have.

She asked for the chairs, which our neighbor gladly approved. Yay!

I was so ecstatic when I saw the chairs. I smell my first ever DIY project! Never mind that I'm a total noob when it comes to arts-and-crafts. Never mind that I was never the creative type. I smell DIY-success in this sorry state of wrought iron chairs!! Mwahahaha!

Of course, my ever risk-averse mom vetoed the project. Who can blame her? Hahaha. But she doesn't know the ideas I have in my head - yet. Wait until she sees my pegs:

Lime green chair with white table from www.readmakedo.com

Cute multi-colored chairs from www.bobvila.com

Such a lovely red and green combination from kootation.com

Gah! The ultimate Davao Mommy color scheme! From www.glutenfreepoodlehome.com

I'm not actually after the chairs here, but I'm totally digging the wooden floorboards. ❤
Photo from www.diynetwork.com

Now I'm just confused. Which one is best? Ideas, anyone?

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Noisy, Pesky Neighbors!

I rarely rant on this blog, but forgive me for doing so now kasi hindi ko na keri! As in! I'm not exaggerating!

A few days ago, I posted some photos of our neighborhood. Some commented that our neighborhood looks so quiet and peaceful. Well, it is, most of the time. There are times when a few neighbors get loud, but that's it. However, we live right next to another village, and near another house from that village.

Sometimes I wonder where these people come from. Where did they come from? Okay, literal hahaha. But seriously! They have rows and rows of chickens on the vacant lot right next to our house. Chickens! And they're sooo noisy, especially when all of these chickens crow at the same time. Kaloka!!!

But that's not the issue today. Hindi ko alam kung fiesta ngayon or birthday pero ang ingay-ingay!!! Last night, they slaughtered a pig. A pig! Okay, so that's forgivable. Eh sa maglelechon sila eh. But this morning, we woke up to the sound of another pig being slaughtered. Ilang baboy ba kailangan mamatay para sa kalokohan nila?!

But wait! There's more! While we were eating lunch earlier, OMG, pinaandar na ang videoke machine!!! Super ingay!!! As bad as it sounds, nagsisigawan pa talaga ang mga bata sa microphone! Merry-making talaga at its finest!

As of this moment, I heard eight renditions of Pusong Bato already!!!

Sorry naman sa quality. That's the best my phone can do. Super zoom in talaga to capture the partey.

I'm going crazy because Y has not taken a nap this morning, so he really needs to sleep now. What I did is close all our windows and doors to minimize the sound. Ang init, buti sana kung centralized aircon kami!  Worse, tagos pa rin ang Pusong Bato!

Kaloka our neighbors. Where did these people come from?!

I'm not trying to be high-and-mighty here. I do enjoy a good round of videoke - only in the appropriate places, like karaoke bars. I just hate insensitive people, and I - honest to goodness - hate noise pollution.

Unfortunately, I cannot complain because the polluters are not from our subdivision. *sigh*

PS: Pardon the napakadaming exclamation points in this post. Expression lang ng nararamdaman.

PPS: Suddenly, umulan! YES!!! Rain on their parade, bleh!!!

PPPS: OMG! Hindi nadala sa ulan! This time, Amazing Grace ang kinakanta (take note: pasigaw ha). Jusko!

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