Inspirations: Why does it feel like i can do anything here

I think it started with getting my restricted drivers license. I had to take 4 tries to finally nail it. Six months later, I now hold a full NZ drivers license. I passed the test in one go! My confidence shoot up and now i think I can manage the motorway or any other NZ road well enough.

I have picked up some really good frameworks to help address bottlenecks at work. And it blew my mind to confirm that I can try these out at work. And that it's ok to experiment.

I also found myself being in a writing workshop that was sponsored by the local council. I got my work published and the book was launched two months just after the workshop. Then I found myself at the NZ book festival last Saturday and it was amazing! I got to see lots of interesting works from local authors and also got to talk with them, some publishers, an illustrator and other interesting people in this industry. It was an amazing morning for me and my kids enjoyed their time as well.

Maybe it's because the place wasn't crowded that there was enough time for you to have a chat?

Maybe it's because people are open and welcome to share their craft?

I have been invited to give an inspirational talk to fellow Pinoys this Saturday. I have also been invited for dinner by our local MP who represents ethnic groups. I see these as opportunities to market our reading and book selling event at the Mount Albert library on the 27 November.

There is something in the air. There are loads of possibilities. Opportunities are everywhere.

I'm excited!

Kiddie Parties

I like parties and i especially enjoy organising one for my kiddos. This year, they turned 7 and 5. I thought it's well worth celebrating as they're big milestones.

Having trolled through the internet, I have chosen a YMCA birthday party for Max's 7th. It was perfect for his set of friends. They all had a blast at the gym and wanted to come back. The boys also had a go at the flying fox. The party food was consumed in about 20 minutes. I think 2 hours is perfect for them. The only downside is that we only had 15 minutes to setup the place because of a previous booking.

Rosalin's 5th birthday was different. I booked Sandringham Community Centre because it has a playground at the back. The Play Room can only fit 15 adults which was perfect since we were less than that. The Play Room opens up to a covered deck and out into a playground. We booked it for three hours. We put up some decor and gave the kids a couple of things to keep them busy: a book of princess masks for colouring, glow sticks and bubble wands. The kids just did what they felt like doing and everyone had fun. The adults were happily chatting away the whole time, enjoying the food, and doing seconds. My daughter said she had a great time during her playhouse party.

It pays to plan ahead so you get the right venue on your preferred date. Adding an extra hour if budget permits will help take away the stress of setting up. But if you've invited friends, then they're always happy to give you a hand especially when you only 5 minutes left before your booking ends!

Check out the community centres that are for hire here: http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/parksfacilities/communitycentreshallsandhouses/Pages/findacommunityvenue.aspx

Missing my Barkada

Can't help but think about the lovely women who's grown up with me, and has been there to support me throughout these years. It's my AB Barkada. There's something about sharing life at UST, the growing pains, completing or at least going through our bachelor's degrees, the surprises that we had to deal with along the way. There are the boyfriends, work, family obligations, pregnancy, being a wife etc. We've grown so much together and have experienced our adulthood in various facets. I won't be where I am without my AB Barkada.

Now I am here going through my own struggles and not a barkada in sight. Thank God for social media as we are able to keep abreast of the going ons with our lives. I can't help but think on how things can be like when I am able to have a catch up with the girls, and then have that free exchange of thoughts, conversations about parenting or just life as a whole. Remember how I've always been the profound one. How I've always been the one who's so naive.

But that's life. Some people go through levels of realisations in varying degrees. Some just don't grow at all. Or maybe, things just gets stalled and before you know it, years have gone by already.

Oh how fast these things just happen. If we do not cherish the moments that we have together, then it's so easy to miss thsoe milestones, or key experiences that are worth sharing with the barkada.

I give thanks to having this really cool set of friends who I know will always be there for me, no matter where I am or what I have become.

Right now, we are all here to support our barkada, Lovella Pesquira Cailipan. Cancer may have crept up to you unknowingly but I know that with the support that this barkada is giving you, and the many friends along the way, you will be able to go through the treatment and recovery successfully. We'll continue to cheer you on. We are your friends, your long lost sisters and we'll do everything that we can to help you win this battle.

Lotsa love to you Lababz! Giving you a big hug from middle earth!

I Love My Little Helpers

I want to peel the carrots, said Rose.

So I showed her how to peel and let her finish one half of the carrot.

Then Rose went “Look Papa, I helped Mommy peel a carrot!”

Let me do it Mommy!

My son loves to vacuum. He takes pride in it. And my daughter too, simply because his brother is able to do it.

Let’s sweep the leaves Mommy, said Max.

Because the garage is empty, all three of us were able to clear out the leaves that has been blown into the garage. I pulled the green bin inside so it’s easier for the kids to put the leaves in.

I want to fold my clothes.

Let me do these socks. Oh no I can’t. It’s too big.

Why don’t you try these smaller socks instead Rose?

Mommy, you know, this morning Papa let me wash the dishes. I washed the bowls, the cups, the spoons and forks.

So Max now looks forward to doing the dishes!

With children, I suppose if you engage them early with everyday things, like house chores

then it boosts confidence, fostering independence and a sense of achievement with the responsibility entrusted on them.

It’s interesting how it was so different from how I grew up.  Chores are chores and ideally, is something that the household help will be doing. It probably took me at least two years since we’ve moved here to accept it and get used to it.

Getting Comfortable

Back at home, life was either school or work. There was no in-between for me except for the long commutes, where life is being wasted away in traffic. The longest that I was unemployed was only for about a month. During my entire work life, I have been quite diligent and have rendered long hours simply because I felt compelled to. It's like I owe it to my employer. It felt hard when I had kids. I always felt guilty for coming home late everyday, not having enough time to play with my little ones.

Here in Auckland, it's different. Personal life is very much at the core of things. We work because it pays the bills, and that's a given. But sometimes, we do it because we want to or simply because we want to support a colleague. It doesn't feel like we are forced to. I think if you have a supportive environment wherein people understand the demands of a growing family, then it's ok. My colleagues deserve my 100% during work hours. It will be a bonus if I do more.

Having a permanent role helps me manage all those school obligations, and in figuring out what to do during school holidays. I can say that as soon as I step out of the office, I have already switched into a Mom mode. And on weekends, it's all time with the family, and friends. Perhaps it's the weekend sports that the kids are enrolled in. Or the occasional catch up with the girls. And definitely the weekend visit to the parks and playgrounds here in Auckland. Mall visits are rare, and is mostly confined to when we really need things.

It can get a bit scary to change the routine. Will I have a park on the new workplace? Will I be able to get to the kids in time should there be an emergency? Can I make it home in time to make dinner?

It's manageable right now and I have a sense of control. I can hold my time and I never thought it was ever possible. I suppose I am quite comfortable.

The next big obstacle is in securing a house. I'm still not sure if we can do that in our lifetime given that exorbitant house prices. I'm sure there's always something that we can figure out. But other than that, life in Auckland for me is comfortable.

Comfortable because I can go wherever I want. I now hold a Restricted License! i just need to have enough guts to explore the roads. I feel secure whenever we're outside. I do not worry about getting held  up by a knife or a gun along the streets. I do not even worry about snatchers or pickpockets. And while driving, I feel confident in getting to my destination so long as I follow the rules. My car is insured anyway.

We do not have much in our savings but we do have something set aside. We are still paying up for our second car but the balance is manageable. We have so many places and events to go to that doesn't force you to spend money. We can always bring a picnic which the kids love. We have so much space that I have now started to feel a bit nervous when I'm faced with a crowd during rush hour at the CBD. And CBD crowd is not even half of Manila during off-peak.

I suppose it's good for me to be able to write again. That I am able to experiment on recipes whenever I feel like it. And that I actually have time to spend not just for me, but for my family. We are renting a small space in central Auckland but despite that, we are able to make a life here. We are far better off than when we were in Manila. Hence, I can say that things are indeed comfortable.

Winter Solstice and a Wet Winter

Yesterday was the shortest day of the year. It sounded interesting but then the day just quickly passed.  However, mild temperature did welcome the winter solstice. When we stepped out for lunch, it was windy and that wind is cold! Good thing that i brought my grey coat anyway. The sun never came out though, and next thing I know, I was turning the headlights on as I left work at 5pm.

Starting today, the forecast is rain, then showers. Looking at the next 10 days, it'll be the same wet weather forecast.

There is something about not seeing the sun for at least 2 days that's casting a gloomy spell over us. I do feel lazy, forcing myself to go to work when the truth is that I just want to stay at home and maybe watch TV. Not that there is anything good, nor are there any new videos in our collection. But it would be nice to just stay in bed all day.

There something about the impact of climate change. June may be the official start of winter but it only feels like it's Autumn. We had long warm days this year.

Yesterday morning, I literally saw my son disappear into the fog as he walked to school. I would've walked with him but then I couldn't at that time. He's used to this kind of independence but I'm also used to seeing him all the way until he makes a turn to the school front court. And this is me standing from our driveway.

Good thing that I've got a few things that I am looking forward to this Winter, which are mainly celebrations and personal growth. For the first time since we moved here, I am actually able to do something for myself, and that is going back into writing. Winter is probably a good time to ignite this passion.

Fallen Leaves

I feel a sense of excitement as I waited for the lights to turn green
I walked down the steps towards the grandstand
Passed a group of men making their way back to work
The road ahead lies empty, the green field lay bare
No one was playing, perhaps the weather's put them off
The sun playing tag with the clouds
Lots of fallen leaves in amber, red and brown

Why I Love to Write

Stories are everywhere.

A young adult is seeking advise on when to submit his resignation as he waits for his student visa to be issued. He lives in Singapore and is looking at studying in New Zealand. Why he wants to venture to a new country for his studies is beyond me. But it is always interesting on the many possibilities, the what ifs and why he has put himself in such a situation. There must be a lot going on in his mind right now.

A certain Mr. White wants to apply for a job vacancy in Auckland. He's still in the Philippines and has his residency visa being processed.I can't help but wonder what the hiring manager would think if he finds out about his situation. Hiring someone new to the country is risky but I suppose, depending on their skill set, it'll be up to the manager to decide on whether he is worth the risk.

An hour from now, I am about to meet a young man who will offer me coaching services. He's probably at least 10 years younger than me yet he spoke quite maturely. Either that or he's well versed in their Genratec approach. How he came to doing life coaching and be a team leader of a development team is probably a story in itself. Who knows where this will lead to.

Can I tell you a story about being a new driver? It's a story about breaking some fears, finding independence and building confidence on the road. It's part of my story.

Then there are these women writers. Most of them are too busy to write but they make an effort to find snippets of time to do what they love, writing. They write stories about their childhood, their lives as migrants, their sacrifices and other aspects of life. I can write a novel just based on this.

So I suppose there's never an excuse not to write. For how else can the world remember if not for these writers. They make up what we know of ourselves, our history and our heritage.

A Birthday Party

They say, what the children will remember the most are the activities that they did during the party. My son's 7th birthday was simple but fun. The kids spent an hour at the YMCA stadium where there's a range of circuit, sport and and gym activities already laid out. The kids loved it and wanted to stay longer. Afterwards, they all went to the party room for the food. The fruit kebabs, sausages and fairy bread were a hit. They didn't like the cheese twisties nor the brownies. The lollies disappeared too quick for me to notice. After blowing the birthday cake, there kids were eager to go outside. Some played with light sabers and eventually, they all went to the flying fox. As it was getting cold and I had only 15 minutes left before pick up/ closing, I ferried them all back to the room. They asked for games but I didn't have one ready. So I gave them the loot bag since it's got a balloon and a toy inside. It kept them occupied until the parents arrived. It was a bit of a mad rush as we had to clear up the room right away as well. So that was just 2 hours. It felt longer but looking back, it was just right. I'm glad the kids came and that everyone had a blast.

Green Smoke and Whispers

When my daughter woke up that morning, she talked about green smoke coming out from her ears. That means she's hearing whispers. She was telling me about this while whispering to my ear.

Too many movies for her. Interesting imagination.

Play Dates and Picnics

Weekends tend to be short especially if you squeeze in play time and picnic at the park on both days.

The weather is surprisingly warm as we headed to Onepoto Domain at Northcote. They have a great cycling route ideal for small bikes and scooters. The playground caters for both small and big kids and they've got a flying fox!

It was a play date with Julia's kids. We brought the kids' scooters and packed a picnic (pasta twist in tomato sauce, baked potato wedges, potato crisps, sliced apples). I've been busy in the kitchen since 7am that Saturday. Did the laundry early so i had clothes waiting to be folded by the time we headed back home. We got home mid afternoon which was plenty of time to vacuum and wash my car. Grocery was sorted, and I had dinner going shortly: ginisang ampalaya with giniling na baboy.

I was exhausted and got in bed early, which was before 9pm. The next day, we went to church and the kids wanted to go for a picnic lunch. I still had leftover pasta and i made some brownies that morning so it was easy to prepare for this. Sunday is cloudy but that didn't stop father and son to take photos. We went to Cornwall park and decided to take some family photos there, with the sheep! My son enjoyed taking photos with our old camera. it was getting chilly so we headed back.

Dynah and family came for a visit and they got 6 month old Juanito with them. We haven't seen them for close to a year and it's great to finally meet the newest member of the family.

Both families are looking forward to the next play date, hoping that the next weekends can still be enjoyed outdoors.

Finally, i passed the test!

I'm in my late 30s and have only started driving about 7 months ago.

Yup, i took the exam and got my Learner's license. Took 10 hours of paid driving lesson with AA (ouch!) before i finally had the courage to drive my car. Had a few months of hubby picking me up from work and him letting me drive the car home. It was on my 4th try when I finally passed my practical test at AA Penrose, which i hear has a very low pass rate. It's such a big relief. I'm glad that the hard part is over. Some time next year, i will then take another practical test to get my full license. I need to be on Restricted license for at least 5 months before i can take the next practical test. Crossing my fingers knowing that the hard part is over.

Ash Wednesday

It's the beginning of Lent. I heard mass at 9am and saw the familiar faces of old people in our neighbourhood. There were a few of us (not so old) around, some are parents from Marist. When you walk your kids to school/ daycare, you can actually see the faces within the community. I think it's a good thing as you get to be a familiar face as well. It also gives me a sense of familiarity.

A Pinay friend told me how the local catholic community is very pleased with the Pinoys because we fill up their churches. I was surprised when she told me that there wasn't much pakeha attending mass in the CBD, even in St. Benedict's which is city fringe. It's the complete opposite for us in St. Mary's Parish. I think it only shows the demographics of the residents in the area.

So I haven't been strict with fasting and abstinence since I got here. I had all sorts of excuses, which is really just my kids. But there shouldn't be any excuses for me now as we're almost past the toddler years. I managed to avoid meat last Wednesday and will try to every Friday during Lent. I'll also be cutting back on junkfood, specifically those bag of crisps. Yes, I have at least 3 of those hidden at the bottom of the kitchen shelf. I know my inventory. Another thing is that I'm trying to cook fresh veggies instead of frozen. Actually making use of fresh herbs as much as i can. I find it time consuming sometimes to chop carrots, potatoes, parsley, cabbage, capsicum, etc. But those are good stuff. I try not to think about lying down in bed whenever I get home as I simply won't have the energy to prepare a complete meal for family dinner. 

I have been reading Our Daily Bread 2016 diary. I don't read 1 page a day instead, I read a few pages. It's a good read, a nice refresher and it makes me feel light and positive afterwards. So lately, whenever I feel bad about anything, I really just try to focus on what I can do to make things better. It's small things like playing board games with my kids, encouraging a dress up day for the women at work, playing football during lunch with my colleagues even if I don't know the game, or simply taking a walk during lunch just to clear my head. 

Something about Lent that puts me in a reflective mood.

Auckland Anniversary Weekend 2016

You know that it's a long weekend and you know that most Aucklanders are probably leaving town. Because we're probably not up for a long drive and we do like sleeping in, we've decided to revisit the harbour and check out the SeePort event. I remember how the kids enjoyed those free rides last year. From then on, it was a "let's see how it goes" weekend. As with any weekend, we do check the forecast before we leave the house and hubby makes sure that he's able to take enough photos as he experiments with his camera equipment. Somehow, we always realise that we to forget an item or two as soon as we're on the road.

SeePort
What's different this year is that they have food stalls, lots of it! My kids successfully climbed the wall and rang the bell (Rose did it twice!). Both were eager to try all the rides, inflatables, the mini golf, face painting and the navy display. It was a sunny day and I did get a bit dizzy while waiting in line for the tug boat tour. It was hot! Lots of ice cream and cold drinks consumed that day.

There were more in store the next two two days and what i think we should check out next time is the Symphony orchestra playing during sunset ending with a fireworks display later in the evening.

Music in Parks
Hubby usually does the weekend shopping for us but this time around, I wanted to join him so I can choose the bread and see other items in the store that we'll be consuming for the week. I wanted to try some new recipes.

I prepared sandwiches for our picnic lunch at the Domain. I now know that my kids don't like the bread (Quinoa and Flaxseed) that I got for them unless you've got a good spread on it to mask the flavour. We bought sushi and sausages from the nearby stores as well for our picnic. We found a spot that's across the road from the band stand. Live Jazz music played. I've covered a few pages from Bo Sanchez's My Conspiracy Theory. It was cloudy and the kids enjoyed their space as they clashed their light sabers around. Later on, hubby took out the RC for the kids to play with until it ran out of battery. Then it felt like rain was about to fall so we headed back to the car. (False alarm!). We were parked near the Wintergarden so we brought the kids inside as it's been a while since they last visited the place.

Summer Picnics
It felt like a Sunday morning (Monday holiday). The kids were hooked up on morning tv shows. I was trying out the Chickpea, carrot and feta fritters recipe. I thought i'd make corn muffin too but realised that i don't have corn in the pantry. There were some morning showers so it felt right to have prepared nilaga for lunch.

We headed to Cornwall Park in the afternoon, setup our picnic in one of the shaded areas near Pohutukawa Drive, close to a fenced area where a flock of sheep was resting under a shade. As soon as we've unpacked, Rose declared that she's hungry and started opening a container full of WanWan rice snacks with his Papa. Max took out his cricket set and asked me to play with him. Max is actually getting better with hitting the ball. Rose played frisbee with hubby, then with Max. The football wasn't played much but those trees surrounding us sure had lots of fun as the kids played hide and seek among them.

We had a stroll across the field, up to the cottage when Max said he needed to go to the toilet. On our way was the Creamery and Rose said she wanted ice cream. On our way back, I told her that we'll have ice cream at home as we still have some in the freezer.

So three days went past. There were enough lull moments for me, and even enjoyed two afternoon naps. Can't help but think of the luxury that we have here in Auckland. We've got time to be with our kids. We have lots of open spaces and many free family-friendly events that are meant for us to enjoy. I told my husband how it's noticeable to see parents or a parent walking their kids or a pram along a footpath. And this is almost everywhere we go, even in commercial areas. Hubby said that it's a good sign.

Air New Zealand's 75th Anniversary Exhibit and Fun at the Parks

Next to the War Memorial Museum at the Auckland Domain sits the cockpit part of an Air New Zealand plane. There's a staircase leading up on both sides of the plane's doors. The first time we were there, the gates just closed which made my kids very upset as we were already there. We managed to come early the next time and had to fall in line. It was windy that day and a bit cloudy. I was pretty pleased with how they accommodated the guests. They did not rush you while you're inside and they actually wanted you to try all the gadgets and switches that are found on board. My kids said they were flying to the Philippines. The captain sits on the left side with the co-pilot on the right. It's a commercial plane but my kids preferred using it like a battleship. We were there for about 10 minutes I think, or maybe less as we had to give the others a chance to experience the plane as well. 

This summer's memories centers around park visits. Instead of taking long drives, we've been taking the kids to our favourite parks and beaches, and explored new playgrounds like those with water play (Waterview) and skate park (Mount Roskill). This  usually ends with an ice cream treat, be it from Mr. Whippy, the local dairy or from our TipTop tub at home. It's great to be a kid in Auckland.