Starting all over again

If you've been to my other blog, you'd know I have a project weight loss going on. I started it about a month ago and I have given myself six months to accomplish my target. I thought losing 30lbs or so is doable in a six-month frame. But now, I am not sure. It doesn't mean though that I am giving up. I just want to be realistic and forgive myself for my lapses. Aha!

Okay, okay...I did overeat when we were in Manila. I just couldn't help myself. I was craving for all the Filipino food I missed. We ate in Dampa, we ate in Kamayan/Dad's, we ate in Triple V's meryenda buffet. It was sinful. I'm thinking I should have used an appetite suppresant like Orovo to curb my appetite.

I am going to have a weigh in on August 24, a month after my weight loss project launch. Ngee. I know I am going to be disappointed.

I can start all over again, can't I?

B,C, A?

It means "alphabets" for our two-year old son.

I don't know if it's early for him to be able to identify and say some of the letters of the alphabet (only in capital letters though) but I am just proud of him. I must say I didn't force to teach him. He is very keen to learn and his memory is expanding by the minute (I wish my laptop memory is expanding too. LOLz).

If we are outside and he sees some distinct letters, he'd say B,C, A meaning to say "alphabets". And If I bring him closer, he'd identify those that are familiar to him.

He can say these letters and identify them when used in a word:

A, B, C, E, F, H, I, K, N, O, P, S, U

I don't know how he came to know letters like H, P and S. I don't remember teaching those to him. Hubby swears he didn't teach him as well. Well okay, maybe in passing. You know when I read the whole alphabet?

At home, he would demand for a pen and paper. And he'd say, "B,C,A Mommy, B,C,A". That's my clue to write the letters. At first I just started with three letters ABC and three numbers 123. But lately he wants more. I don't want to overwhelm him so I introduce only one new letter to him very other day. And he's doing quite well. As for number, I just stopped at number four.

With this new development, comes more new words he can utter. Everyday is interesting with a toddler. He can juggle three words now forming a broken sentence, like "plane fly sky" or "like swimming pool" or "mommy, wash hand".

When he say "oh no! /uh-oh" and "ahkay/alright", it's just darn cute.

Just a few months from now, I'm sure I'll be complaining how talkative he is. LOLz.

Rain makes me blue

image from lette's flickr

The day after we arrived here in KL, it rained heavily. It looked like a storm. Back in the Philippines, it would have been signal #2. And now while typing this, it is so dark outside. I hear thunder and see occasional lightning. I guess it's rainy season now here in KL.

Rain makes me sad. Always. I always associate it with gloomy feelings and sometimes it brings back best unforgotten sad memories. I don't know why. At times like these, I just want to curl up in bed and just sleep. If only memories are like acne scars, erasable then I would just have to buy acne scars cream, wouldn't I? LOLz.

I wish it wouldn't rain on my birthday.

Lancaster Suites: the good and the bad

We stayed at Lancaster Suites when we were in Manila for nine days. Will I recommend this place? Hmm...I think I just have to enumerate what I like and didn't like, and let the person decide.

Let's get the bad stuff out of the way first. What I didn't like:

1) Despite the numerous requests to fix the AC leak, it wasn't fixed. I am not sure if somebody went and try to fix it though. But when we checked out, there was still water dripping from the AC.

2) We have to ask for the breakfast coupon every morning. It's fine. The front office people tell us they'd just give it to waiters. Still fine. But what irked me was when we sat down, the waiters still asked for our coupons. Like duh? It really made us feel like we were gatecrashers inside a party and not guests. Obviously, their F&B and FO need to solve some communication problem.

3) Most of the inclusions on the package that we availed were not available. The reason why I booked with them is the free 2-hour babysitting service and the free internet in the room. But when I checked with their front office, an unapologetic girl said, "It's just not available" referring to the free babysitting service. There was no internet on the room too. But at least they have free wifi access on the lobby. Now, I worked in a front office before and I know that's not how you answer. She should have checked my voucher, but she didn't (unfortunately I didn't have the voucher with me that time) or ask their reservations for clarifications. Enough with the ill-trained staff. That's another story. Anyway, granted we booked the cheapest room rate and some of the inclusions weren't really important to us (ie welcome drink, fruit platter, butler service, complimentary water) but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be available, right?

4) It's hard to take a nap in the afternoon because it's noisy. Since, they're still finishing some parts of the building, you can hear the drillings going on. Some contruction people were also milling around. And from the room, we can hear their conversations.

5) I paid Php75 for a an hour's use of iron and ironing board. Okay, this is really no biggie because it's only Php75. But still, shouldn't it be free?


So what made us stay at Lancaster until check out day? They do have some redeeming factors:

1) Their location. It is very accesible. It's just along Shaw boulevard and just a walking distance to Shangrila and Megamall, where we were frequent visitors.

2) While some staff needed more training, others deserve a gold medal. Especially their driver (forgot the name) and the bellman/concierge (Dennis). They were so polite, extremely helpful and made us feel welcome in the hotel.

3) The room is exactly the same on the website's pictures. So I wasn't disappointed. And the pillows and towels were still soft and fluffy.

So there. Just read through and you can decide if you want to stay. I wrote them my feedbacks. Maybe, they will work on their problem areas.

What do SAHMs do?

A well-meaning and clueless guy friend asked me: "So, what do you do when your hubby is at work?"

I was at loss for words. I seriously contemplated on how to answer his question. But truth be told, I was a little annoyed and offended.

I would have liked to answer "nothing" so I don't have to explain further. But it's not true! Keeping a house in order is a big work.

If I answered, "a lot", I would have to elaborate every household chores and I would sound defensive.

If I answered, "aside from nurturing and taking care of my baby?", I would sound very arrogant.
So I just answered flippantly "I blog".

Honestly, I'm tired of people asking me what I do to pass my time. And it is not just about that. There's always a subtle insinuation that I really do nothing. As if taking care of the baby isn't a job in itself.

Twice in a row

We're back in KL. We left Manila at 5pm yesterday and got here in the apartment at 10:20pm. It was a very tiring flight. EJ was uncharacteristically unruly during the whole flight. He spilled his juice on his body, he threw the bottle of water on the floor and he wanted to run around the plane. He was bored and sleepy but he couldn't sleep, try as he might. I guess that's why he was antsy. I am so proud of myself. I didn't lose my temper. Hehehe!

The nine days break in Manila was just as tiring. We were running all over the place. Or I guess I am not used to it anymore. We didn't even accomplish much of what we intended to do, save for EJ's party, the SPA massage, and a little shopping. But we stuck to our budget. It is so tempting to shop and to shop. Good thing before we left for Manila, I did a little budgeting and planning. It came in handy :)

~~~

I lost my phone once again upon arriving here in KL! Grrr..

The first time we arrived here, I think my phone slipped out of my pocket when we were inside a cab. Last night, I think my phone slipped out of my pocket yet again but when we were still on the plane. Both instances, EJ was "magulo". He was all over me, playing with my hair, my shirt, my pocket, etc. I am not saying it's because of EJ. I should have known better. I should have put my phone in my bag. Sigh. Before boarding the plane I even asked my sister to send an eload so I can roam my Smart sim. Now, I don't have a phone and a roaming sim. Another sigh.

~~~

Back to KL, back to my old routine. I'll be bloghopping soon. See yah!

Hello from Manila

EJ turned two last Sunday. He's officially a toddler now :)

He's having a blast right now, meeting the family again and seeing lots of kids.

He's constantly showing off, dancing all the time.

I'll get back into the blogging groove only when we go back to Malaysia on Sunday.

Joy

Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are ~ Marrian Williamson

Cost of getting a Maid in Malaysia

I am so bushed. What a day it has been. On top of the usual household chores, EJ has been extra spirited too. Running around and flinging toys everywhere. Today I really wished we had a helper.

Unlike in Manila, a househelper/maid costs a fortune here in Malaysia. Okay, that was exaggerated. But me being cost-efficient (in other words, cheap! hehe), I think it's just beyond our budget.

So how much the maids are paid here in KL? If you want an Indonesian maid, be prepared to shell out RM800 monthly (around Php10,000 or $260). But if you'd like your own kababayan (fellow Filipino), then expect to pay RM1,400 monthly (around Php17,000 or $450). We just cannot afford one.

But wait, there's more. Before you get your maid from the agency (the only way to get a stay-in maid), you have to pay the processing fee, visa, plane ticket (return) and a one month advance salary. All of these roughly amount to RM4,000-5000. It's just too expensive for me. I thought there's not much the maid will do for us anyway. Our dirty clothes are brought to the laundry service. The only heavy work the maid will be doing is the ironing. So I said, just give the money to me and I'll be the maid of this house. Hahaha!

But on a day like this, I wish for another helping hand. My back aches from picking up EJ's toys several times a day. I have stiff neck from ironing clothes everyday. Not to mention, my patience is wearing thin from looking after a hyper active toddler.

I need a break. Good thing we're flying to Manila tomorrow!!!

~~~

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Happiness

"Happiness is a place between too little and too much" ~ Finnish Proverb