Puppy Love (not!)

A couple of weeks ago, Vince and Shannen were chased by a neighbor's dog. This was so traumatizing for my li'l girl. Until now she jumps out of her skin when she hears even the faintest bark. She wouldn't play in the backyard. She always locks the door when she's in the house. On Holloween, Henry and I exerted a lot of effort to make her go out for trick-or-treat (we ended up coming along ).

When I heard the news from Vince about what happened to them that morning on their way to te bus stop, I immediately rang the Council to make a report. The animal mgmt officer rang me the following day to inform me that he paid the neighbor a visit however no one was home. Apparently, they moved out on the day of the incident. Maybe they were so busy that the dog managed to sneak out (I dont normally see dogs on our street).

I explained to Shannen that she wont see the dog again but it wasn't enough to calm her agitated nerves. I've been trying to talk her out of her fear but a scaredy-cat myself, I know it's not easy.

Habagat

Some years ago, I learned that a friend built a beautiful modern house. What caught my attention was the 'special' accessory of the new abode - a boat! Binabaha kasi lagi yung area nila :)


I grew up in Bulacan where our experience of flood is minimal and sometimes enjoyable (masarap magtampisaw). When I moved to Malabon, it was a totally different experience. Well it’s not really bad where we stayed but when torrential rain and high tide join forces, it becomes messy. I endured that for almost 10yrs and had become a fact of life. You have to live it or leave it.

This week Manila is regularly shown on news programmes for the massive flooding that devastated the city. I’m glad our families back home esp. Mommy Chit and Daddy Eddie in Malabon are alright. Water has entered the house (about 4inches deep) but they are safe.
Today rain has ceased. Hopefully the mighty sun will not let rain reign again (at least for now). 


Habagat means southwest monsoon

Shannen's First Communion and Confirmation

On 8th June 2012, Shannen celebrated her First Communion and Confirmation at St. Joseph's Parish Takapuna. Ate Chris served as her sponsor.

Shannen, This is a big step in your faith journey. I always pray that God would always bless and guide you as you grow in faith.

hello winter

1st day of June, start of winter! Is it?

I had an Argentinian workmate who defies this. He insists that winter does't start until 21st June. NZ and Argentina are both located in the southern hemisphere so winter time should be the same. For Kiwis it begins on the first day of June but for them it coincides with the winter solstice (21st June, 21st December for the northern hemisphere regions). Apparently, both are correct. The former is based on meteorology while the latter is from astronomical point of view (paki google na lang for the meanings).

Anyway, at this point I'm not too keen about the ''start". I am more interested on when it's going to end. I miss my jandals!

Birthday ko!

I had a quiet celebration. Bought a small cake and used the 40th bday candle from last year. I think I'm going to use it for as long as it lasts :)

Happy Mother's Day Mrs. Hankins

I was 10 yrs old. I had a banduria recital later that day. Everything is ready, except for my gala uniform. Oh no, mom was working on it for days but did't get to finish it on time. It was supposed to be a one-piece garment instead of 2. No panic. I went to mom's ever reliable Singer sewing machine and finished the job (sort of). This is one of the things I learnt from my mom.

Mommy, thanks for the gift of life and for making us equiped for whatever lies ahead. You didn't decide things for us but you thought us how to make good decision.

Happy Mother's Day. mwaaahhhh..

Shannen's first experience of a real Phil. mango

For Vince, Phil. mango is the best fruit in the world. That's coming from someone who's got a memory of an elephant and eats like a horse :)  So even if it's been a long time since he's had a real one (sa Pilipinas pa), he reckons nothing beats it.

On Saturday in our local fruit shop, Shannen and I saw a box of fresh Phil. mangoes. Shannen asked me to get one (at $4 a piece, it's not cheap). When we got home, she quickly washed and peeled it. Nope, she didn't use a peeler nor a knife. She just used her hand, just like what Vince told her to do. Result, she loved it! She said it's so sweet and smells so good. Couldn't agree more with kuya.

Vince: Breakers Basketball Camp MVP

Vince attended the Breakers Basketball Camp last week. On the last day, they had award giving. I was surprised when his name was call to get the MVP award. I know he's "the best" but that's a mom's opinion :)


Another thing that surprised me was when they called him VINNIE. Parang gusto kong matawa pero nagpigil ako. But Shannen and Rein could not contain themselves. They said Vinnie is short for vinegar :) 

First Memories

Last week, I was helping Vince out with his English homework - Earliest Memory. I was surprised that he has a good recollection of Shannen's birth. He remembers some details that I already forgot.

When I was already by myself, I tried to think of my first memories. I can actually recall two things when I was about 3 or 4yo, both in Agno where I spent a couple of years. The first one, a relative 'borrowed' me from my lolo/lolo to spend a couple of days with them. We went on a boat ('bangka') to cross the river to get to their place. I sat on the boat and touched the water as it ran through my fingers. At night time, I asked for milk which they didn't have so I cried a lot :)

The second one, I was in kindy near the plaza. Every time my Lolo Ponso walk past, I would stand on the table and call his name at the top of my voice. We would then wave at me. I'm not sure if the teacher told me off. Maybe she did and I chose to forget about it :)

Shore to Shore 2012

This year's Shore to Shore is a special one beacuse we did it as a family. In the previous years it was just Vince and I doing it. But this time Shannen is big enough to do the 5kms walk.The turn out is amazing. Little kids to grandparents went out to get active while enjoying the beautiful Takapuna and Milford beaches of the Shore.

Vince clocked it at 45minutes (nauna sya sa amin) while Henry, Shannen and I arrived at the finished line at 1:17:39. We'll beat that time next year :)

Neighbours Day Aetearoa 2012

Last weekend was Neighbours Day Aotearoa. We’re lucky to celebrate this event with the wonderful and supportive people of Meadowood/Unsworth. Aside from the opportunity to get-together with the people in the neighbourhood, the organizers also made sure that the day is full of great activities. There was a community treasure hunt a la Amazing Race. There were 16 stations that you go to where you need to do something. Our favourite was planting trees at Unsworth Reserve. Now everytime we drive pass the area, we'll be reminded that we are part of the community.

 

Round the Bays 2012

An exhausting but fun day. Round the Bays 2012.

This is the third year that I've participated in the iconic kiwi fun run. Thanks Peachy and Fuji-Xerox for all the freebies. See you again next year :)

How do you forget

Shannen did something silly @ church week. Nothing serious, let's just say it was being a curious kid. Anyway, I was standing behind her so the situation was quickly rectified. I talked to her about it. Hindi ako nagalit but I did a lot of explaining. She realized straight away that there is no way that should happen again.

That night, when I put her to bed. She asked me "Mom, how do you forget something?". I knew she was referring to the incident that morning. Poor child, burdened with guilt that whole time. I had to be careful with my reply as I dont want her to keep worrying. So I told her that what has been done is done. Focus on the lesson learned and do better next time. I hope I said did the right things. I'm sure the questions will be trickier as she grows. I hope I ready them.

Fruit picking 2012

One of the kids' favorite summer activities is fruit picking. We missed the strawberry season (it lasted til late Jan) so this year we only got apples. Last week, we went to Windmill Orchards in Coatesville with Ate Chris' and MaFe's families. There were also peaches and pears but we preferred apples. The pick-your-own apples cost $3.50/kg but if you buy it from their shop you pay $2.50. The extra $1 is for the experience :)

BTW, Auckland is indeed a small place. Imagine, we bumped into Lolet (Bulacan neighbor) in the wilderness of Coatesville.

back to blogging

I'm back to blogging! I started posting in 2005 but in late 2010 I went on 'sabbatical'. No, not really, I just like the sound of it :) . The truth is Facebook came and conquered me just like everyone else. But later on I realized that I don't really like to use FB for my journal. I want to quietly keep it in one area. I'll still be using FB to connect with friends/family but my li'l thoughts is going to here.

Shannen on braces

Shannen just graduated from her mini-braces. She had it on about 9 weeks to correct her crossbite teeth. At first I was concerned that it would be too uncomfortable for her. That turned out false. So that left me with just one worry – the cost. Kids under 18y/o get  free dental care in New Zealand (kahit papastahan pa lahat ng ngipin). But braces are not included. For Shannen’s sectional braces (two teeth only)  - $600 (tinawaran ko pa yon).  I hope she doesn’t need to wear one again in the future. The dentist said full set of braces could be from $5K to $7K. 

From Carabao To Sheep

AKLnzPINOYS'  handbook "From Carabao to Sheep" was chosen as the winner for the Print Journalism award in the first Migration Advocacy and Media awards of the Commission of Filipinos Overseas. galing! Congratulations to the moderators and members who contributed to this project.


Click here to read an online version of the handbook or click the book's front cover image on the left.