Confessions of Ella, the shopaholic

Here's Ella's pictures in her shopping mode:

"Mom, let's go i'm ready!"

~ trendy Ella sitting in the shopping cart

"Vroom... vroom!"
~ Ella, trying to maneuver the cart.

"Hello, I'm busy. I need to do some shopping. Can you call again?"

~busy driving while on her phone and holding the cart on the side.

"i'm done shopping!" *whew*

~carrying a shopping bag.

To drive or not to drive? Definitely to DRIVE!

I have been for the 3rd time reviewing the Learner’s book (similar to Driver’s book). And hoping I get the exam, pass it and practice driving. I must admit, I procrastinated for years and now I am in a hurry to get my driver’s license ASAP so I could use it for my daughter and for work. And I get tired of taking a cab or bus. It feels comfortable to just sit in your own car, max up the AC and listen to my fave music in my XM radio.

How did this happen? I have been in Canada for almost 3 years and I do not drive my car yet.

Well, to start the story. I came here November 2006 and its winter time so obviously, I have to wait until Spring to Summer to practice driving. So came May 2007, I was already working at Brainhunter and my office is in the South East (I live in the North West), so you could just imagine If I will be driving, it would be more convenient for me as it takes 2 long rides (sometimes 3) to go back and forth to my work. But then again, as I was about to take the driver’s test by June 2007. I found out that I am pregnant! And I was so nauseated to even ride in the bus that time! I had to take a cab to and from work. Of course, if Noel is around. He drives me to/from work. And I red in a paper that it is not a good time to practice driving if you’re pregnant. Of course it is ok to drive when you’re pregnant if you are already a professional driver but in my case, I am just starting so it is very dangerous to try that. Ok, so I had to wait again for another year to practice driving. This time, I am more eager since I thought to myself, I have to do this since I will be mostly visible to medical clinics as I have to bring Ella for monthly check up, immunizations, etc.

So came May 2008. It’s Spring time! And I am still on maternity leave (here in Canada, we can take a year off for our maternity leave and its paid by the government). Just when I was ready to take the exam and practice driving, I never thought it would be this hard for me to manage my time. While Noel is at work (he works in the oil field and usually he’s not home for 2-3 weeks). I attended to Ella up until May 15th, after that I’ve decided to go back to work (as requested by my boss) and leave my daughter to the care of my Mother in law. I was hoping then to insert some time to my already busy schedule, dedicated only to driving. But it didn’t happen. My routine was wake up in the morning at around 7am, leave for work, home by 5pm, cook food for us, clean the house, clean Ella’s bottles, etc. By the time I’m done, it is almost sleep time for my daughter and on top of that, I am breastfeeding her. So what happen to weekends? Well, my mother in law is going home by Thursday and not here until Monday morning or Sunday night. Obviously, I can’t drive as no one will take care of Ella. Did I mention that I even bought a brand new SUV just for my daughter?! Well, I figured out that It would be uncomfortable for us to use my husband’s car (it’s a two door sports car) to travel with Ella. So I’ve decided to get myself a brand new MDX to serve as a family car as well as a mommy/office car if I drive it to work.

So this year is my last chance so to speak! I have to do this for myself as I am getting tired of commuting where in fact, there are 2 cars in our garage waiting for me to drive them. Well, only one as Noel’s car is manual so I am left with my mommy car. Again, I HAVE TO DO THIS FOR MYSELF! It’s now June 1st and summer is until September so I only have 3 months to go. Goodluck to me. But it’s now or NEVER! =)

Acura RSX and MDX

my baby is growing up sooo fast!

Am I getting old? Or is it Arabella growing up so fast? Hayyyyy... moms worries a lot and I'm no excemption. Seeing my daughter now is a milestone for me. Since she's my first, I can't help but compare her to a "project assignment" that I've been working hard in the office. From its planning, to preparation, to its actual execution of making sure that "my assignment" is well taken cared of and well attended to. I have a long way to go. And just like any ordinary projects that I was assigned to, I am making sure that this one is going to be successful to the best of my knowledge and ability. Of course, in parenthood's lingo, I will make sure she will be loved and guided so she'll grew up to be a good person.

Mother's Day at Bowness Park

I know it's quite late but I only have now to post some pictures of what happened last Mother's Day.

Mother's Day is always a Sunday, family day for some families and last time it turn out to be Noel's off from work. We initially do not have any plan that time. I was just thinking of just spending it at home with my hubby and daughter in front of the TV with a large size Boston Pizza in Tropical Chicken flavor! (yummmmm!). But 2 days before that, our good friend Will (our Argentinian compadre) gave hubby a call and was inviting us for a day at the park on Mother's day. Of course, as we do not have any plans yet, Noel immediately said yes. So came Sunday, we were preparing to go to Bowness Park. Will and his family is already waiting for us at the park. It was a good afternoon, although it was raining in the morning but during the afternoon, the sun is in its peak and we all enjoyed Will's burger and hotdog. I brought some cupcakes to go with it as well. The park was crowded as usual, everywhere you will find families spending time together, playing in the park or with their kids. I am my usual mood to play with Ella in the swing while Noel and Will play catch ball. It was a very light moment and I must say I did enjoyed it. One of the nicest ways to celebrate Mother's day.

Here are the pics of our bonding time with Will and his family.

Of course, the celebration wouldn't be complete without my presents from hubby. He gave me a wallet and my latest favorite craze now, my Wii Board with Wii Fit. He also gave me a bag (not in the pic yet). I just love being pampered on my day! =) Again, as always, looking forward for next year!

Almost... but not quite

We often heard about this from people who ALMOST got what they wanted but NOT QUITE of what they would expect to get. I'm sure all of us has this same scenario whenever we ask for something and expect it to be exactly the same but only get the "lower" version of it or not getting anything at all.

Just recently, I thought I got what I wanted for months now but turn out to be a huge disappointmnet for me. You know the feeling that you've waited for it to happen and already planning about it until that sad news came and you go back to your old self again this time, more disappointed and questioning your capabilities.

I don't entertain failure eversince, I know myself and what I usually do is "feel it" for that day and move on the other day. I was doing that before and doing it now. It didn't feel good but I know I am a fighter and even if it is disappointing me a lot, I know and I can find it in my heart to stand up and deal with it as I used to.

I know there will always be "ALMOST" ahead of me and "NOT QUITE" getting the exact results I would want but life can get tough and I'll just enjoy whatever I have right now.

Finish the sentence...

I am not a big fan of chain emails especially if it has something to do with broadcasting yourself to the public (i mean posting bulletin or notes in Friendster or Facebook) by answering some personal questions. Yes I write blogs but this is my personal view of life and not broadcasting what i have or don't have (you know stuffs). Except for this one, this looks writing something about yourself but on a more personal level without bragging anything or promoting anything, The idea is to finish the sentence and pass it on to your closest friends to get a quick glimpse of their personal feelings. Ready? Here you go.

1. My ex lives in …... the Philippines

2. Maybe I should....start working out. I really need too!

3. I love...nature, coffee and quality time with family

4. People would say that I am....frank, smart and a happy person

5. I don't understand....why some people are not happy with other people's success

6. When I wake up in the morning....i make sure that Ella is still in bed and checking my cellphone for messages

7. I trust...my husband

8. Life is full of....surprises

9. My past taught me....to become a better person as I am now

10. I get annoyed with...when people are immature and not acting as according to their age. Also i get annoyed with people who just wants their own happiness even if it means someone will have to sacrifice for them and I get annoyed with people who talk as if he/she knows everything just to make you look or feel bad.

11. Parties are ....fun and i miss having one.

12. I hope to.....have another baby and this time hoping its a boy

13. Dogs are....cute. Unfortunately, i can't have dogs here in the house.

14. Cats are....so sweet and adorable and i miss my cats in the Philippines

15. Tomorrow will…be waiting for daddy and hope to have a nice dinner with him

16. I have a low tolerance for.....immature, self-centered, liars and selfish individuals

17. If I had a million dollars.....i'll buy a house in the countryside with huge backyard and just live a simple life with my family and i'll share my blessings to my family (my mom most especially).

18. I'm terrified of...losing a loved one

19. When I look at the night sky I think....about what i saw in the movie. are we really abusing our planet?

20. If I could be anyone it would be...still myself

21. I hate...immature, self-centered, liars, selfish and pretending to be someone they are not or pretending to know something that they dont.

Right timing

People tend to get disappointed on a lot of things. Simple ones and more so on the more bigger and complicated ones. And I don't exempt myself to any of these. In fact, the littlest things upsets me so you can just imagine how i feel if I am faced with the bigger problem. For months now, I have been whinning about certain things to my husband. I know he's just taking it but lately he has been very honest to me and I know he's also upset that I am upset. And for him to worry about my disappointments is really not fair. Few months ago, I made a decision that any mom will make if caught in that scenario. Apart from that, I came from a very sad situation that stresses me so hard and up to this date, I am still not over it. The decision that I made is by far the right thing to do given that scenario. I was very happy with that and I know up until now, I am still happy that I was matured enough to choose the right thing. But I thought it was only for a short period of time... Months passed and my disappointments grew bigger and sometimes uncontrollable that I am letting it out to my love ones. I know its wrong but I guess I just needed an outlet and letting it out to them would free me from the stress that is building in my head. I know and I still believe that God has plans and everything will fall in its place as according to his will. Everything happens for a reason and I am still waiting for the right timing and will continue to wait up until He is ready to give it to me. And for now, I chose to just go with the flow, enjoy life and trust that He will give my heart's desire very soon.