15 Things You Should Give Up to be Happy – by Purpose Fairy

A friend shared this link (http://www.purposefairy.com/3308/15-things-you-should-give-up-in-order-to-be-happy/ ) in Facebook.  It made me think a lot.  When I was reading it, number 15 struck me the most:

“Give up living your life to other people’s expectations. Way too many people are living a life that is not theirs to live. They live their lives according to what others think is best for them, they live their lives according to what their parents think is best for them, to what their friends, their enemies and their teachers, their government and the media think is best for them. They ignore their inner voice, that inner calling. They are so busy with pleasing everybody, with living up to other people’s expectations, that they lose control over their lives. They forget what makes them happy, what they want, what they need….and eventually they forget about themselves.  You have one life – this one right now – you must live it, own it, and especially don’t let other people’s opinions distract you from your path.” 15 Things You Should Give Up to be Happy (www.purposefairy.com)

Davao International Airport

We waited for about an hour at Davao International Airport before our flight back to Manila.  What I love about Davao is they have a nice airport.  Where it’s comfortable to wait if ever flights are delayed (except during that day, Good Friday, most establishments such as cafes are closed).  Good thing, they have this Breastfeeding Station and Toddlers’ Corner where Lucas was able to play while waiting for boarding time 🙂

Lucas’ First Davao Experience

Holy Week of 2012 (April 2 to 6), our family spent it in the Philippines’ Durian Republic — Davao.

It was my first airplane trip since I had Lucas (started when I became pregnant with him).  Not to mention, it was also our little boy’s first airplane ride.  

We flew via Cebu Pacific …so far so good we didn’t experience much of a hassle…just a little bit I think.

We had so much savings because my bro-in-law has a house there, so we got free accommodations and of course most of the our stay we got free yummy food! (My bro-in-law is a chef and his wife’s family own’s the largest bakeshop there).

Basically, we went there not just for a vacation but also to see my husband’s 8-year old niece and 2-month old nephew.  Lucas was just so happy to see them 🙂

Our second day was Samal Day! We went to Paradise Island Resort. It was Lucas’ first time to swim at the beach…and yes! He enjoyed playing with sand and water 🙂

Lucas also got the chance to swim in Jack’s Ridge’s pool. The place was actually closed since it was Maundy Thursday, but since the owner was my sis-in-law’s bestfriend, she opened the pool area for us.

Lucas might not remember all of these, but I’m so sure he enjoyed every moment from the plane ride, boat ride to Samal Island and the great food 🙂

Later, I’ll post our experience traveling with a baby 🙂 Now that’s a different story.

Breastfeeding Benefits for Mothers

Breastfeeding Benefits for Mothers

Another article published in smartparenting.com.ph

Breastmilk is not just beneficial for babies but also to the mothers.

Breastfeeding Beyonce

Breastfeeding Beyonce

Yey for Beyonce!

I feed my baby with breastmilk until now he is 13 months, though not exclusively at the moment.  But I’ve directly breastfed him for about 6 months and I never tried doing it in public.  I envy Beyonce for she was able to do it 🙂

Jeans..Jeans…

I’m not a fashionista but I try my best to look good all the time (that’s when I’m not too lazy to dress up).  

I don’t usually wear dresses, skirts, shorts but I love jeans.

Here are some of my favorite looks:

Simple but Happy

At this time, our world is so complicated, so busy and people’s lifestyle have changed so much.  We have a lot of “wants” and often forget what our real “needs” are.

Sometimes I wish I was born so rich that we live in a prestigious subdivision with a huge house, luxury cars and owning numerous businesses.  But now I’m an adult, I have my own family, my own job, I am happy that I grew up in a simple family.  A family wherein my parents were able to provide us with our needs (house, food, school) and sometimes our wants (car, travel, gadgets).

When I was born, my mom stopped working as a nurse and became a full time stay at home mother.  I’m sure it was such a difficult job being a wife and a mom 24/7.  Because of her decision to take care of us, my brother and I grew up knowing that our parents should be the first people we should run to.  Not to our yayas or anyone else.  Now that I’m also a mother, I promised myself that our son and future kids will grow up with me and my husband, not with the yayas.

I have nothing against yayas.  They’re such a big help that’s why I call them “angels.”  I do have one, but she’s just there to assist me or the lolas in taking care of my son.  She washes his bottles, clothes, etc. but we don’t leave our child with her.  I’m still a full time preschool teacher that is why it’s heartbreaking for me whenever it’s time for me to go to work.  I’m just so thankful that my mom is there to take care of my son.  When we go to my in laws, still the lola takes care of him.  As much as I want to give up my job, honestly, for now I really can’t.  Not only I love what I am doing, but also to help my husband provide our needs.

I’m writing about this because I just can’t believe some parents who are ridiculously rich and can stay with their kids as much time as they want still give the parenting job to their helpers.  I just thought that maybe if I was given the chance to have that kind of luxury of time  and wealth and no need for me to go to work the more I can be a hands on mom to my children.

Well, God doesn’t really give everything.  He always wants us to balance the things we have.  I’m just thankful that though we’re living a simple life, I would say we are happy.

Lucas’ First Birthday — January 15, 2012

Since I became a mother, I promised myself to be more practical and realistic on what I can and can not afford.  As educators, we admit, my husband and I don’t earn that much.  But of course, we wanted our first born’s first birthday to be memorable as possible for HIM ..meaning the party is really for him not for anybody else’s pleasure.

When we’re planning his first birthday, our dilemma has always been the guest list.  We wanted to invite all our friends whom we were not able to invite during his baptism (which we kept really intimate for the godparents and family) but apparently we would end up inviting so many people — not a lot of kids but a lot of adults.

We then decided to have a charity birthday for him.  Get in touch with an organization where we can have a party with the less fortunate children.  However, even the closest relatives are expecting for a party and it sort of drove me crazy.  We can’t decided of what to do on his birthday.  I wanted it to be fun for Lucas at the same time I don’t want to end up inviting more adults than kids.

My husband and I finally decided to give him a Jollibee Party — Jollibee is really an icon for Lucas.  He loves Jollibee.  How?  He got this limited edition stuffed toy my mom bought when I was still pregnant with him.  So know he plays with it and yes, he kisses it all the time.  So there, Jollibee it is.  I knew it’s going to be a typical Jollibee party just like the other parties I’ve attended before.  But the party is all for Lucas and we knew he will love it — and yes! He loved it 🙂

Guest list dilemma? Solved.  We decided to just invite our family and closest relatives and friends.  There were several kids who enjoyed the games and the adults too. 🙂

What about the charity plan?  It was just timely that there were many victims of the Typhoon Sendong that hit Cagayan De Oro and Iligan City, we pledge to donate by any means we could.

Not so happy about Lucas’ first birthday?  He came down with a fever the night before.  Good thing though he wasn’t cranky that day.

We’re just so thankful that Lucas was able to celebrate his 1st Birthday.  Thankful that he had it in Jollibee (which we knew he appreciated despite his age).  Thankful that he celebrated it with the people close to him.  But most especially, thankful to our friends and relatives who were so understanding why we were not able to invite them 🙂

It Helps to Share

Last year, a contributor from smarparenting.com.ph asked if there were brave mothers out there who would like to share their miscarriage story.  I have experienced this and it was really one of the saddest moments of my life.  But with God’s grace, I was able to recover emotionally and told myself that life goes on.  I thought maybe if I share my own story, it will not only help other women who experienced this to move on, but also myself.  So I did..and yeah I can say that it helped a lot.  Luckily, my story was chosen.  I know there were more “tragic” stories than mine, but I hope somehow readers with the similar experience were inspired.

Here’s the link to the article:

http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/getting-pregnant/miscarriage/surviving-miscarriage-testimonies-by-moms-who-lost-their-babies

 

Just My Thoughts

I live in this democratic country wherein people have the freedom to express themselves.  So whatever I’ll be blogging about are just based on my own opinions…my own thoughts.

Some may like or agree with me but of course others won’t.  For those who will like my posts, thanks for the time :)..but for those who belong or will belong on the latter, my apologies.  Again, these are just my thoughts that I would want to express.