Getting an Eye Exam

I booked an eye exam with Specsavers and the experience has been great! My schedule was at 12:20pm at Newmarket and I left the store at 1:20pm, with my new prescription, and a purchase on 1 pair of clear and 1 pair of prescription sunglasses (buy one, take one). It would be my first time to do this here in NZ. In Manila, you can just go to any store, look through a machine to check your grade and you can purchase any eyewear that you like. Prescription sun glasses weren't popular then. Here I was handled by an Optometrist first before being turned over to an assistant who helped me go through the items and packages available in store. The process was seamless and not overwhelming and confusing which was my usual experience in getting new eye glasses. It helped that I did not have my kids in tow and that it was midweek. I always prefer walking in stores that are not busy as I often get the best service. Karen, the assistant who helped me, did not rush me into making decisions and has been most helpful in getting the best bargain. I can't wait to get my eye glasses in 5-10 working days. They will send me an email once it's available and will call me in case I did not respond.

Breakfast and Feeding the Kids

How do you survive your mornings while getting the kids ready for school?

Naalala ko dati, pandesal parati ang almusal ko.  1 to 2 pcs, with butter and sugar. Treat na kung may peanut butter. Elementary ako nun at past 5am ang sundo ng school bus. Tapos merong recess sa umaga, then lunch, then sundo na ng 3:30pm. Pag uwi, 4pm na, merienda ng spanish bread or kung anu man. Dinner is at 7pm, after the news.

Napaisip tuloy ako, madami ba ang pinapakain ko sa mga chikiting ko? For breakfast, usually:
- a bowl of oatmeal with banana and/or coco crunch
- ham, egg and cheese muffin (parang sa McDo)
- sausage (or ham), egg and rice with ketchup
- 1 slice of bread with peanut butter and slices of banana
- toasted sandwhich: egg and cheese
- quiche (made with eggs, potato, veggies and ham/bacon/sausage)


Gusto ko sana walang drama sa umaga kasi nakakapagod rin ang manuway at madaliin ang mga kids. I try to get them to bed early para maaga rin sila magising. But lately, past 7am na sila bumabangon, very late na for me kasi approximately 1 hour sila kung kumain. Kasama na dun ang pagiging tulala, kulitan at kung anu-ano pang distraction while eating. Si Rose kapag tinapay ang almusal, ang tagal bago maubos. She doesn't like eating yung gilid ng tasty so kailangan pa pilitin.

Ang payat ni Max! Parang kami ni Alan nung bata. But he has 2 snacks in the morning, and lunch at 1pm, then meron din siya merienda for after school. Around 5pm or past 5pm na kasi siya nasusundo. pag uwi sa bahay, merienda ulit. Then dinner at 6:45pm. Hindi ko siya pinagbabaon ng kanin. Usually something na meat with bread.

Si Rose, merong morning tea (9am), lunch and afternoon snack na crackers at daycare.

I may be running out of ideas. I just want our mornings hassle free/ fight-free. Hay!

Happiness in Being Idle

I never thought it's possible, but it is. Twiddling thumbs, studying, twiddling thumbs, planning, twiddling thumbs, coaching, twiddling thumbs, learning how to drive! Yes folks, it is happening. I booked for a driving lesson package and already completed my first lesson. I am now contemplating on the idea that soon, I will be free and independent. I am taking advantage of our current circumstance. So despite the lull in my career, at least there are other areas in my life that I can start improving on.

TVNZ Primetime Reality Shows

The only thing that I find interesting on TV are these reality shows: Border Patrol, Code 1, Women in Blue, Police Ten 7 and Serious Crash Unit. I learn a lot from these shows especially on how to carry oneself well when in an emergency or when being confronted by the authorities. In Border Patrol, I realise how sensitive both Austalia and New Zealand is when it comes to plant and food products. A dream catcher, once a popular ornament back home, is considered plant material and if not declared, would cost you a hefty fine. So when travelling to these countries, especially in New Zealand, best to tick yes in the food and plant items to declare them anyway to avoid fines. Be careful with shoes and outdoor equipment. Make sure that they're clean (with no soil or plant life stuck on it) as they are bio hazards. Food items should be commercially packaged, and not just vacuum sealed.

If the products are not allowed, it will just be confiscated and destroyed. At the minimum, you should be able to avoid getting fines by simply declaring these items as it's already too late when customs catch it. And don't risk taking a joint before your flight to NZ as you have the risk of being deported, as what happened with one Swiss visitor.

When you're driving and a police car passes by, move aside to the left and stop. Officers really get pissed off when you don't stop and that means you're breaking the law -- more fines! It's good to know which number to dial (111) for emergencies especially when witnessing or being in an accident. Help comes by quickly and it's good that there are still plenty of good samaritans here in New Zealand. The locals are usually first in the scene so it's good to be aware on what's happening around your neighbourhood as well.

Watching these shows gives you a good idea on how are people like, what the communities and the authorities are like as these shows are good in providing awareness and in reminding folks that simple mistakes could make a huge dent in people's lives.

Fending Off The Work Blues

I still believe that we are what we make of ourselves. I'm not really interested in climbing the corporate ladder. I just want to find fulfillment in my job. I want to be happy at work and I want the people around me to be happy too. In Manila, I've been blessed with really good managers, many of whom has influenced me and have been supportive of me throughout my career. Now things are different. It seems like people go to work for the sake of it. For them it's just work. I still struggle to accept that. We spend so much time in the office than we do with our families that I think downplaying work is like denying yourself with being happy in life. It would be great if you can actually feel a sense of accomplishment and a sense of moving forward with the business. Hopefully this isn't always the case. Hopefully things will get better for me.