The Big Blue M Made People Blue Today

At 10am today, different groups were huddled in different areas of the building. We (Merchandising, Sourcing, Design) were called in as every one else were and the announcement was handed down: 150 people were laid off today. Of the 150, 4 people worked closely with us. Our own Admin Assistant, RG was one of them. It's a sad day considering so many of us have stood by the Blue M throughout this whole ordeal, from the announcement of The Bullseye selling us, with the Media Gurus acquiring us, and throughout the messy transition period. It sucks that after all of this, people stuck it through and yet, they are so quick to let go.

I don't know. Is it time to polish the resume again? I've been receiving calls from a recruiter which I have not entertained since it's all the way in OH (for Bath and Body) but maybe OH is not so bad now. It's a scary thought because today's announcement just got the ball rolling. What direction it rolls towards, I have no idea. And I don't think anyone does.

My destiny is calling...

E, L and I had dimsum for lunch at Oriental Tea House and my fortune could not have come in a better time... (I hope the Big Guy reads this)... "You are going to have some new clothes!" I almost fell off my chair laughing! Ha! It's either that's really what my fortune has in store for me OR the fortune cookie people are running out of fortunes to put inside the cookies. Heck, I'll take it!!! :)

When a baby enters your world, it changes completely. No longer are you the most important thing in your life. Selflessly, you focus your time and energy on tending to the wants and needs of the marvelous creature you love more than you thought was even possible. You do this not only because you want to, but because you have to--he is helpless and he needs you...you may not be the most important thing in your own life, but you sure are in his.

One day, after your baby has started walking and talking, you realize how much he has grown up. It's nothing compared to what you'll feel in a couple of years when he's not a toddler anymore, but for now, it's significant. The little creature that has, for more than a year, been solely dependent on you for everything can now do many things on his own. You cheer loudly for every accomplishment and each one makes you so proud...but at the same time, there's a small bit of sadness knowing your baby is growing up...and so you treasure each moment as it passes, knowing you'll never have it again.

Last night as Jake was helping me sort his clothes for laundry before bathtime, it really hit me. I can ask him to do something and he does it. He understands exactly what I am telling him to do. I don't have to worry so much if the gate isn't shut. He can get up and down the stairs with very minimal assistance. I don't have to watch him or entertain him every single minute. He can walk around and find things to play with on his own. He can tell me what the animals are in books and videos. He can maturely drink out of a straw (no squeezing all the liquid out or pulling the straw in and out!). He closes things for me when I ask him to. He brings things where I ask him to. He can turn light switches on and off. He can also turn every TV and DVD player on and off, as well as change all the channels and adjust the volume (this is not very desirable, however). I can ask him, "Do you want ____?" and he can tell me no if he doesn't. He helps me dress him, he knows his shoes are for his feet and his brush for his hair. He knows many of his body parts. He kisses me without me having to ask him to. He can get on and off all the couches and off the bed without falling.

All these things and more make me look at our boy in wonder. It is truly amazing watching and helping him grow up and I couldn't feel more fortunate, or be any happier, to have someone as wonderful as the Big Guy to do it all with. He patiently does Jake's bottles at night knowing full well that that's one chore I hate to do. He lets me sleep in every morning and gets up before Jake and I do and by the time he wakes me up, he has Jake's clothes for the day ready so he can dress him up. We've done a lot of great things together as husband and wife, but nothing has meant as much to us as becoming parents. It's been an awesome journey so far, and it's only just the beginning :)

I love you, Big Guy.

"REALity Bites"

Do these people look familiar to you?

My coworker attended a wedding in Chicago over the weekend and guess who she was grinding alongside with on the dance floor? Hint: Some guy from some REALity show who was on the same show with the girl pictured above who was also on the same same REALity show.

Hehehehhe...

Have a good weekend people!

Mr. Crankypants' version of ABC

I've been so swamped with work and the move lately - it seems like there's not enough time in the day to do the things that need to be accomplished. Ahh! One stable thing I can count on every day though are my boys. I just love them so much!!!

- The move was great. The Big Guy dropped off Jake to be watched by C and play with the girls the whole day. The guys came around 9 - with R and J heading the pack. They walked in while I was trying to pack whatever else I can and in no time, the Big Guy came with Uncles J and A and in no time, the guys hauled everything, packed the truck and moved all of our stuff. Why hire movers when you got guys dependable as these? Gotta love 'em! We had to make 2 trips with the Uhaul but it was such a productive day. By noon, we were done! R, J and I stopped by KFC to get some grub and the guys ate and then the Big Guy dropped the uncles home. Thanks!!! The IL's came down to help move as well and MIL brought some food but we didn't have any rice ;{. Like any self-respecting Pinoy, the guys improvised with the mash potatos. It was too funny. The house is still work in progress but it's coming together nicely :).

- As for the alterative ABC's.... for some reason, Jake is not learning ABC's in order. Rather, he has learned letters randomly. He can fully recognize the letters C, U, B, D, I, U, O (his fave), T, E and W. He can mimick the sounds of the letters when I recite them to him, but recognition-wise, not quite there yet. He just recently started watching Barney and everytime that song comes at the end of each show, he runs around finding someone to give a "great big hug and a kiss from me to you..." It's too cute actually. Lately he's been very affectionate but he has also developed some major temper. He is very vocal now but since he can't FULLY verbalize anything yet, when he gets frustrated he tends to hit you to convey his message. We try to teach him that it's not good to hit and at one point, the Big Guy had to put him on time out. I felt really bad, but then it's never too early to teach him right from wrong. He has been Mr. Crankypants lately, but from what I read in one of my parenting books, this is the time when he develops emotions and he is trying to figure out one from another and so it leads to frustration when he feels he is not understood. Even so, I still love my Mr. Crankypants.

- Last week we found out from M&D that our favorite G family are coming to town. TJ, TP, 2J and 3J are driving up from LA on 10/22 and 1J is flying in from MNL on 10/23. They will only be here until 10/25 and then back to LA and then back to MNL. It's sem/spring break for them so they decided to come to the States. I can't wait to see the kids. They are our favorite 3G's!!! Jackie: Bring me some dried mangoes.

- I was in a dilemma early this week! I needed to get my hair cut and colored but I didn't want to have to drive to Alameda anymore since it was too far (Sorry Yoshi!). So I called the old place that I used to go to - I almost fell off my chair when I was told that L and family moved to another state and she sold her shop. So the panic began! Where do I go? I need to get my hair done! So here comes A to the rescue. I had no choice but to ask around. I was even tempted to ask the Big Guy to scope his work and check out who has great hair and ask where she gets her hair done and maybe I can be refered. A told me about this place, Jojo, in downtown San Jose. I ran into a website online that mentioned the place but I wasn't sure. A told me it was Filipino-owned and that her SIL liked the place. I booked the appointment for yesterday and so I went. It was great!!! I think it's a MUST come back place for me. It's a girl thing - you guys won't understand. My hair person M was really nice. She gave me a tried-and-tested Mama On The Go hair. I was there for a good 3.5 hours but it was worth it. The Big Guy likes my hair. I wanted to keep it long but I think it was time to cut it short. So I did. When Mom saw it - she said it was nice and asked me where I went. I said I went to Jojo's - she almost screamed "MAHAL!!!!!!!" (re: expensive in Tagalog). It was - if you compare it to one hair cut and color. But the Big Guy and I thought - for how frequently he gets his hair cut, it kinda balances each other out. One hair and color is 7x his. Yikes! Oh well It's a girl thing. Besides, it was long overdue :). I think it looks cute if I may say so.

- Gotta love the Big Guy. With Jake around, it's hard to help him move boxes in and out of the new place and so he has to haul it all by himself. Yesterday while the wifey was getting her hair did, the Big Guy was cleaning the old place up. He was so pooped yesterday, he fell asleep while putting Jake to sleep. Thanks Big Guy. iloveyou!

Gotta get back to the grind...
- wedding rehearsal tomorrow night
- wedding on Saturday.
- loving my Moschino sandals

Have a good weekend people

Bridal Jewelry Facts - For Fun

I thought this was interesting...

- The engaged consumer is a $9 billion market for the jewelry industry.
- Bridal jewelry sales account for 35% of jewelers’ total business .
- 1 out of 3 jewelry purchases is made by a bride or groom.
- 55% of brides were involved in the selection/purchase of their engagement rings.
- 39% of brides shopped for and bought their engagement rings with their fiancés.
- Brides visited an average of four stores with their fiancés.
- Average cost of an engagement ring is $3,700.
- Average cost of a wedding band is $1,417.
- 92% of brides buy a wedding gift for their fiancé.
- Watches are the number one gift from the bride to the groom at 24%.
- 70% of brides are expecting to receive a gift in return; 59% would like to receive a watch/jewelry.
- Watches are the number two gift from the groom to the bride; jewelry is number one at 55%.

We are truly blessed

Last night - we accomplished something we have been wanting to get done, and today I woke up with the reaffirmation that we are truly blessed to have wonderful friends.

For the longest time, the Big Guy and I have been discussing about putting together a living will, brought by precautionary concerns that if in case something happens to us, we will be assured that Jake will be taken cared for. From talking to other moms and researching online to discussing with my own mom, everyone suggested that it is best practice to have something as precautionary. We sat down and thought of possible people that we can ask to be potential guardians for Jake. Obviously, our siblings come to mind (my brother R, sister C and The Big Guy's sister L). We both feel that any one of them will be well-suited as Jake's guardians since we know that they love Jake as their own. And so the question of 'back-up' guardians came up. Who do we approach to ask as possible guardians for Jake. For all the reasons we had to narrow down possible guardians, only one couple came to mind: our dear friends J&C. J is Jake's godfather, thus making C the honorary Tita Ninang. We love this couple to death. They are so much like us in so many ways. Their values, their faith, their outlook on life and respect for family - virtues that we share and I believe, the glues that bind us together as friends. They made sense. And they love Jake. Jake adores them. And so it was settled - we were going to ask J&C if they will give us the honor.

Last night, they came for our monthly dinners together. The Big Guy already pre-warned them that there was something we needed to ask them and so J&C have been pondering for days as to what it could possibly be. The minute they walked in, J asked if we won the lotto. He caught my attention and thought "I will win the lotto." See - J has this innate 'gift' of knowing things before they actually happen. For example, before we found out that we were pregnant, he emailed me one day and asked me if I was. I said no. Days later, I found out I was. It turned out that he dreamt about me being pregnant. Next thing I knew, he asked if my friend E was pregnant. I said no. He said probably around September she will be. We brushed it aside (this was in July when he asked). Come September, E&S announced that they were pregnant. He has this knack...don't ask me why because frankly it's quite freaky :) but kinda cool. He can read palms as well. Anyways - so when he asked if we won the lotto...I got excited because I thought he dreamed that we did. It was always said that if one of us wins the lotto, the other will reap the benefits as well. We said that if one of us wins, the other one is set for life :).

Needless to say - our news to them was not because we won the lotto. The Big Guy was having difficulty relaying the message and I didn't want to speak at first with fears of getting emotional and end up crying (which I did!). So I just flat out gave them the 'history' of what we're thinking and that as our favorite friends, we would hope that they would consider being Jake's guardians in any case that something happens that our siblings can't provide for Jake. They accepted. I was relieved. We finished our coffees then. They stayed until midnight. Jake loved the attention they gave him last night. They left and Jake fell asleep happy.

This morning, I came to work with an email from J with the sweetest and most reassuring words for us... ...about last night, sorry if we didn't seem/look excited or too enthusiastic about your question. We're extremely flattered! The thing is, I guess, it's also because C and I have already talked about it (don't know how or why but somehow I already told her it's about that...so we were able to discuss it beforehand) -- that's what you get for taking too long to ask/tell us! When you two asked me to be a Ninong and I said yes...to me that's already taking on that responsibility. We're honored! It shouldn't even be an issue...you guys could've just emailed us...you're funny! Even if we're 2nd backup or even the primary guardians, we'd love to do it. We love you guys...and you already know how much we love Jake... I couldn't help but get emotional after reading his email. As a parent, that is the most reassuring thing I have ever felt. To know that no matter what happens, the one being that means the most to me and the Big Guy will never be alone.

I can never be thankful enough for every day that we are showered by His love and showing it to us through family and friends like J&C. When I approached my brother to possibly have him down as Executor of our estate being the eldest of all siblings, he willingly with no hesitation said no problem. I will never forget how lucky we are. And I can only hope that the Big Guy and I never fail to show these people that we are so blessed to have them in our lives.

Have a good weekend people! Take care of each other.

People come into your life for a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime. When you know which one it is for a person, you will know what to do for that person.When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a Godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered, and now it is time to move on.Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season. LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons: things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Powder Jake

This weekend was productive but tiring. Armed with just the Explorer and the Jetta, the Big Guy and I were able to move a good number of boxes - no less than 20 boxes for sure. Actually, it was more him moving than me but I stayed home and did the packing. It's amazing how much crap we have. And I know in no time, we'll be filling the new place with even MORE crap. Ahh...it never ends! On Friday, we took M&D over to show them the place and our view of the 'waterfalls' from the patio. They liked it. And I know they like the fact that it's still close enough. We took them out to their favorite Vietnamese restaurant for dinner afterwards. The Big Guy and I decided to do no packing on Friday and instead tackle it all for the weekend.

Dad came by Saturday morning to help us fill the holes on the wall from hanging frames and stuff after the Big Guy took Jake for a haircut. That was nice of him. In turn, the Big Guy and I took him out to brunch since he hasn't eaten yet and we were already planning on going out for brunch anyways. As the Big Guy said, it's fun hanging out with Dad because Dad caps on people as much as we do. Actually, he's really bad once he gets going. The rest of the day, all we did was pack. I packed and the Big Guy loaded the boxes in the car & truck. Since it was just the 2 of us, he bought a handy-dandy trolley at the mall which served its purpose really well. Jake fell asleep in the new place and with no bed, he just slept on top of the throw. The Big Guy was putting together the trolley and I helped him for a bit until I also fell asleep on the floor :). After our quick nap (oh yeah, he slept too!) - we decide to go to Target to buy a microwave (an odd looking one!) and linings for the drawers and shelves (yes, I'm anal that way!). We looked at some buffet tables and pantries since I'm losing a lot of counterspace for my dinnerware and stuff.

Yesterday was packing time again. The Big Guy made 2 trips with the Jetta and by the time we all got there, everything that we packed this weekend was already moved. Great job!!! Our house is a big mess right now - and the Big Guy took pictures for sentimental reasons. I'm just eager to move and have my house in order once again!!! By next weekend, we're out!!!

Whew!!!

A year ago...

Jake at the Academy of Sciences - October 2003