ESCAPING FOR A NIGHT

Being a SAHM usually takes you away from a lot of things that used to revolve around you. When you shop, you're always on the look out for the best thing to buy for your baby and your husband. When you surf, you're looking for things relating to your family and by-pass the information that used to intrigue you. When you eat out, you check out the places where it's child-friendly, there's a clean bathroom and there are high chairs. Oh and the food ought to be nutritious enough for your young child.

You seldom get out with friends or by yourself for an adult indulgence trip.

Enter an invitation for Blogger's Casino Royale Night at the newly hatching Resorts World. It doesn't get more adult and more fun than that, doesn't it? And providentially, hubby was on vacation leave so I had a dedicated baby sitter to leave Oona with for the June 10 orientation. The main event happens on the 26th of June but not to fall flat on the main "game night", other bloggers and I welcomed the orientation.

When we got there after meeting up in Makati (yes, in spite of the rally!), we found out that these events were their series of dry runs for the new staff that would populate the hotel due to open on August 8, 2009. The developers were also there to show us their plans for the "Live-Work-Play" concept they were working on for the entire property. The place we held the orientation night was the main building where training for all staff goes on: cooking, serving, housekeeping, card dealing, etc...I wouldn't be surprised if they held the security protocol training things at the back of the building and in the dead of night!

The entire concept is out of my experience so everything intrigued me. Plus being a fan of casino movies (Maverick, Ocean's Eleven, to name a few) didn't hurt! :D I was also intrigued with their plans for converting the entire space into what is virtually its own city. I liked that they expressed concern for the community around them through supporting the local economy via employment, using filipino-made products and elevating local service to world-class heights (butler-service for every guest!). I'm excited to see what happens in the next year when things are in full swing and the Philippine's first six-star experience makes its mark on the map of the hospitality and tourism world.

The mall plans were also incredible. What blew me away was the proposed weather-controlled environment of the mall "square". With green grass, trees and al fresco setting, nobody will have problems about being too hot or too wet because of the huge, clear glass-like ceiling that makes out like Hogwart's dining room, where there could be stars overhead or rain, but you never get exposed to whatever the elements are hurling down.

Note to self though: I was going through everything and I need to ask what their plans are for the environmental impact this complex would have. I am really interested in what they have done for waste management, conservation and renewable energy sources. Golf courses (which they have) take massive amounts of water and chemicals to maintain so I'm kind of concerned about that. Hey, I do rave about what I saw and what the plans are but I have got to think rationally about my kid's planet.

Anyhoo, the food they served us for dinner was also terrific as Faiye, Rizal and Ryan, my incredible tablemates would attest! Even Rizal managed to eat some of the main course, which was fish (which she normally doesn't touch). We absolutely loved the chinese hot and sour soup! We did end up askign the waiter what the chef used and on our tour afterwards, the chef gamely held up the bottle of chinese black vinegar he used. AMazing! All the way in the kitchen and he knew who asked what! I just felt that if it were the real deal, we'd find a bottle of the vinegar in our rooms, with compliments from the chef! And maybe a tray of foodies too! :D Well, our table were food people and we enjoyed everything they served. (I had my first bottle of Perrier too. I only liked the bottle.)

Moving on to the orientation for the card games, I can only say it was a riot being on the same Baccarat table with Rizal. We played with "play" chips, no money out, just to learn the game and for the dealers to practice their training on us "players". It was an exciting night as everyone got into the spirit of the games and had a tournament of sorts, narrowing the players to one last table of 7 people! After a neck and neck game, the emerging winner walked away with awestruck applause and special gifts from the hotel people!

Going home, everyone was hyped up for our next night: the REAL deal, where we would dress up to the nines like we were going to Vegas and hit the red carpet for one night where we could escape into a different world we only watched in the movies before this!!! :D (I'll keep everyone posted and next time, I'll post pics!)

Well, it was way past my baby's bedtime when I got back since I met up with two of my best friends afterwards. Although I enjoyed myself immensely, was happily out of whack from being up so late with all the excitement (getting old, not used to it anymore)...I was glad to know I've never been happier to be home. :)

So, until the next escape!

This Adorable Little Girl

'There's nothing I wouldn't do for her. Least of all, be there for her whenever and wherever. It's the smallest I can do for what she's done for me. Having her changed my life so very much, that I can hardly recognize myself. I know I'm not the best person ever nor the most perfect being on earth (and she does deserve the best and most perfect), but I'm working on it. To be the best I can be, to be as close to perfect , as snug a fit to the role of mom as I can be to this little person bursting with possibilities. To be good enough at least, for Her.

So don't feel sorry for me, staying home while the girls paint the town red or the boys take over the world. I'm not afflicted with something to be sad about nor 'saddled' with the responsibility. I didn't give up and neither will I regret getting out of the fast lane. I chose to bring this little girl into the world, the least I can do is slow down enough so we can see the world together.

I know I'm full of unrealized potentials and there are a million possibilities for me. I do miss the rush sometimes. But when I'm playing with her, singing silly songs and making funny faces because she likes them so much, am I really missing anything else of greater significance?

Oh I know some kids grow up to be ungrateful morons (god knows I had my moments) and she might end up hating me someday for some godforsaken reason I would never understand, but that's a risk I'm willing to take. I don't blame having her for the life I chose to lead, that would be unfair to both of us. I find it hateful hearing parents tell their kids that they gave up this and that for them. It burdens the kid with such misplaced guilt. Neither will I beat myself up too much should she and I drift apart. I would be devastated, but none of that guilt for either of us. (God help me.)

The way I figure it, the world won't tilt off its axis while I let others go fight the good fight and I stay home. Plenty of time later. But it's always too soon for her.

Ooooooh!!! Free Frog Pods!

Summer's really here and if it's any measure of how hot it is outside, Oona and I take baths as much as 3x a day now. If we could live in the bathroom, we actually would! That's a thought I've had for a long time now. If it came to bunking down for survival in one room in the house, I'd apocalypse-proof my bathroom.

Anyhoo, a different apocalypse is happening with Oona's daily bathing spree. Since we don't have a kiddie pool, she plays with the gripo, the tabo and the timba. On occasion though, there's the odd plastic toy: a baby minnie mouse floater, a toy car, a screaming pink plastic ball or an empty plastic bottle.

What I find most trying is whenever I have to clean up after. She's not a fussy but the bathroom can be a wet disaster area that I have trouble keeping organized, dry and clean. (Only to repeat the clean-up operations again and again). Everytime nga that we go to the department stores, I always stop by the bathroom section to check out new stuff that would be cute BUT functional. 

A friend of mine, knowing I'm crazy for a good bargain, 

told me about Boon's Summer Promo available at all Rustan's stores nationwide! Whee! I *lurve* promos!!!

So, for a minimum purchase of Php 3,500 worth of any Boon products, we get a helpful bath organizer called the Boon Frog Pod for FREE!  Scoop, Rinse, and Store all your stuff in one go! 

The Frog Pod has a built-in shelf for your baby's bath products. It attaches to virtually any bathroom wall, so set-up is easy. The Frog Pod also has a removable scoop that provides a quick and easy way to pick up bath toys. The holes on the scoop makes it easy to rinse, drain and dry the toys for the next bathing adventure. The Frog Pod's fingers and toes act as hooks for hanging other bath accessories.

Boon Inc. is an incredibly innovative company that combines function with cuteness. Seriously. Kids love their colors and designs and as an adult, I find myself wishing we had these things as kids! I'm just thankful there are things like these because it makes cleaning up fun and interesting for kids. I checked out their website and there's a ladybug version of the Frog Pod, but I have yet to make a beeline for Rustan's to check out what's available for my shopper's itch! I'm sure RF and I would have to restrain ourselves yet again for our cash outlay's sake.

  

Hopefully, there'll still be a froggie friend left for me and Oona this weekend! I'm sure the Frog Pod can even do duty near the pool and on vacation trips. You don't have to pack and repack everything you and your kids need all the time. Just un-attach the Froggie from the wall with all the toys and bathing things attached and pack it, then reattach at your destination! Be careful you don't leave it behind though!  

So, hurry all you mommies and get your own FREE Boon Frog Pod now! Promo is good until April 30, 2009 or until supplies last.  

A Tag and A Quick, Random Update

From Emz! Thanks sis! Now I have to tag ten other bloggers...I'll be updating this as soon as I can.

The Rules:

1. Each blogger must post this rules.
2. You need to choose ten people to be awarded and list their names.
3. Don't forget to leave them comment telling them they've been tagged and to read your blog (soon).

Meanwhile...

It's 1:23AM and I'm kinda bummed. Oona's asleep, the bottles are sterilized and prepared for tomorrow, house is quiet and I'm bored. This is what I get for napping with Oona earlier. I don't get sleepy enough to go to bed when she does. Friends are asleep and hubby is in Brazil right now, attending to his office duties so I got no one to bug. He called earlier and I can tell he really misses us. We really miss him. Oona takes to asking "Daddy?" every time the front gate chimes ring, when she hears a voice sounding like his or even when she smells cigarette smoke. She even checks the garage if he's just hiding. It breaks my heart to see my little girl missing him even when she doesn't know what she's feeling.

Sure she's still happy and rambunctious but she knows something's missing. Or rather, someone. It's almost a relief to know she's still too young to realize Dad's been gone for about a week now. I don't think I'll be able to take the heartbreak if she cries for him and he can't come to her. I refuse to think what could happen if he doesn't see her for a year. Some kids forget, I know. That makes me think about all the OFWs out there who have kids at home. I know the staying parents do all they can to keep the memory alive with pictures, phone calls and frequent webcam dates. You have to marvel at technology, how it has worked to keep the love alive. For the kids, it's important for them to know that love can reach across space. 

And for us adults, it's even more important to keep the faith that love can survive across the time that stretches between the physical instances of being together. It can get lonely. Like now. Maybe that's why I can't go to sleep. I miss him, I even miss getting cranky and pissed off at him for weird reasons. Maybe that'll teach me not to be so cross and picky with him, after all, he really is malambing and I'm really just a cross, old fart. Or maybe not? 

Hay.

It's just been a week and I probably shouldn't miss him so much. After all, what's our separation compared to people who raise families countries apart?  Sometimes I think I'm just not as strong as other women out there. Other moms hack it on their own, with OFW husbands or as single parents. I know they're able to cope because they have to for their children and their own sanity's sake. My admiration and respect for these women have only steadily increased since I gave birth to Oona. It's incredible how they have managed the intense physical, emotional and mental demands of parenthood by themselves. Along with this, my admiration for mothers (including my own, but don't tell her that or I'll never live it down! :D) has grown tremendously. Just comparing my own experiences to others...it's incredible how mothers make way for their kids and families. Even at the expense of their own plans. 

Well, trading one future for another isn't so bad when you think about what you're getting by way of velcro hugs ("'ag! 'ag!") and sticky kisses. Oh, and when she simultanously calls me and requests to go wherever it is I'm going ("Mamo!"), I could take her to the moon for all it would cost!

Anyway...I was missing RF early this post. Now, I think I'll go upstairs and cuddle up to my sleeping bundle of half his DNA. Maybe I'll only just partly miss him then.

ABC's of Mommyluscious

Thanks to Joanne for this meme! Sorry took so long! :D

A. Attached or single ? — Attached to RF for life!

B. Best friend? — Top two are Rei and Jonas

C. Cake or pie? — Cake on occasions, pie on ordinary comfort food days.

D. Day of choice? — Sunday. Such a lazy day!

E. Essential item? — can't live without my celfone! with a rambunctious child, emergencies happen! 

F. Favorite color? — wine red/burgundy!

G. Gummy bears or worms? — Green and the pale yellow gummy bears 

H. Hometown? — Quezon City

I. Favorite indulgence? — brigitte bardot night! perfume, lingerie and hot scented baths with pasta, wine and chocolate mousse

J. January or July? — January, most definitely!

K. Kids? — One kulit little cutie!

L. Life isn’t complete without? — My family, God's gift to me!

M. Marriage date ? — Sept. 17, 2005

N. Number of magazine subscriptions? — None

O. Orange or apple? — Depends...i like fresh orange juice and apple juice but i dislike peeling the oranges and biting into the apples.

P. Phobias? — i HATE needles.

Q. Quotes? — You only live once!

R. Reasons to smile? — Hubby, family, true friends: Gifts of the Goddess!

S. Season of choice? — Christmas and Summer!

T. Tag 5 people — Rei, Jonas...still thinking!!!

U. Unknown fact about me?— I wanted to be an astronaut.

V. Vegetable ? — Anything that can be put in a salad.

W. Worst habit? — picking at my cuticles til they bleed. it's stress-related.

X. X-ray or ultrasound? — Ultrasound...more interesting. Though X-ray is much less invasive!

Y. Your favorite food(s)? — Cook it, i'll eat it, then I'll decide if i like it! Basta pagkain, madali akong kausap! :D Pero ultra favorite food ko according to my husband is anything with rice! HAHAHAHA!

Z. Zodiac sign — Aquarius! Ang sign na kulang-kulang!