Ondoy Experience

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I came across on an fb post regarding the typhoon that devastated Metro Manila wayback Sept 2010. Since I couldn’t think of any topic to discuss, I will just share my experience during this time.

It was raining all day, We’re at home doing the usual stuff we do on a weekend. I’m infront of the desktop when I noticed that the water’s filling up our toilet and in just a moment, the flood entered our house. The first thing I saved was our desktop, then the stuff in the lower parts of our cabinet, then I helped in moving the fridge, TV and everything else. It was the first time that our village suffered from flood. Good thing was our house is located on the higher ground that’s why the flood only reached knee-deep, pity to those who live on the lower part of our village where the flood almost reached their roof. However, on the positive side, you’ll see that everyone in the neighborhood is willing to help each other in every way. Some went on homes that need help in lifting furnitures and some opened their home and offered food to those people whose home is submerged with water.

We’re lucky that we had only experienced flooding, Unlike the other parts of Metro, where some lost their homes and worst, lost their lives.

Breastfeeding Journey

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I wasn’t able to breastfed my first-born, just because she was introduced to formula milk right after she was born, I don’t know why but the hospital gave it to her without our consent, which made me and my daughter didn’t put so much effort on the breastfeeding journey. She’s not a fan of being breastfed.

Until I got preggy with my son, which made me consider of exclusively breastfeeding him maybe up until 6mos old or more. Not only that it is healthy and good for the baby, but also, we can save a lot of money from formula milk. I had invensted on this bf journey, I bought an electric pump, nursing pillow, lactating goods and vitamins, nursing cover, etc.

I had encountered challenges like, I felt I’m not producing or pumping enough milk, that even when I squeezed my boobies, there’s no milk coming out from it anymore. Then, my son got this skin allergy that we don’t even know what caused it, which I thought it’s from my milk, that he’s allergic to it, only to found out that it’s from the water that we’re using to wash him. I also think I’m having PPD(Post-Partum Depression). There’s so many instances that I almost gave up on breastfeeding but something inside me pushes to keep going. I’m proud to say that i’ve overcome those challenges. I’m contected with my milk production though I’m still working on it. We’ll never know, I might have a massive milk stash soon. :)

Delivery Story

Been hiatus for more than a month now.. it’s because I gave birth to my second-born last August 7, ‘19. He was delivered via CS section(just b’coz my first born was delivered via CS too). He was scheduled to be delivered on 08/08/19, however, my water is already leaking by 08/07 so my OB decided to deliver him that day. 

I’m kinda disappointed on how my delivery turns out with my son. I’m really aiming to deliver him naturally, yet my OB seems not to like that idea. I’ve learned that its possible to have a normal delivery after one CS section. It will just depend on how the OB would prepare the preggy mother throughout the whole pregnancy. The fact that my water’s leaking and I have a dilated cervix means I will go to labor on that day(which is just my 39th week). We could’ve just wait and tried if I can deliver naturally. If and if we will encounter complications then we can deliver via CS as planned but if there’s none then maybe I will have the chance to experience delivering naturally ... but she didn’t let me do it. It just that I lost my faith in my OB that she is a good one. 

Anyhow, Let me share you some snaps of my son. 

Is’nt he adorable? Ü

Inked

I will certainly add this tattoo on my body prolly after I gave birth. 

Currently, I have 2 tattooes on my body. One on my wrist and one on the nape. I got my first tattoo way back in college. It's just a cheap one since I had it as an assistance to my friend who is having a financial problem. 

I regret having it since I really got it as a shotgun tattoo. I didn't think the design and the meaning of my ink thoroughly. So, last year, I decided to cover up my nape tattoo and trusted a begginer artist to do it. I'm contented with the design however, it's a disaster again cause it's not symmetrical.... that's what I get for looking a cheap artist to do my ink. Well lesson learned though. 

Hoping to fix and cover up all my tattoo when the time comes that I've finally decided that I will not pursue any corporate jobs anymore. 

Theme

I tried tweaking my blog's theme. unfortunately, I'm not good at tweaking anymore. It seems like basic CSS left my central nervous system already. So I decided to get a minimalist theme and tweak it according to my liking. Got pretty contented with it, though i know i need to work on with my creativity once again. How did i get soo rusty?! lol.

Hoping to catch up with CSS/HTML and Photoshop in the coming days because i believe I might need that skill in the coming future.Wish me luck!

For the future!

I came across a post *again* regarding savings/investing. As a parent (and a mimimum wage earner), I can say that saving is not really easy. Especially, when you are sending someone to school and when you have a newborn baby to took care of. The expenses are unlimited. From school stuff down to medical necessity such as vaccines! Good Lord! Vaccine for kids are always P1500 and up! 

Going back to the real topic. I have this parental urge to save for the future, not only for the kids but for my husband and I as well. I was able to save up for a Tricycle last year, now it's already operating(I turned it into a school service/business) and I can call it as an asset. My husband and I goal for the coming year is to open an account for our emergency fund. We're just on our 26-ish so I think we can still catch up for these investments. After that, We will open up a savings account individually and the college fund and insurances will follow. Hopefully, We can finish saving for some of these before we reach 30. 

These might be hard but I'm not open for negativity. Always looking forward to achieve my short term goals. We will just have to sacrifice and forget the "luho" for the next years but Hey, we can enjoy our lives when we reach 40. Lol. 

Online Selling

I have decided to declutter my old gadgets and sell them online. I tried utilizing shoppee however I failed using it. The interface is not user friendly!! Maybe just for me. Lol. So i used Facebook Marketplace and it's really an interactive place to sell stuff. You will see how many people had viewed your item and the market is really big since everyone, like literally, everyone has been using facebook nowadays. 

I was able to sell all my items in less than 2weeks. It feels good to earn extra money thou I got sep-anx letting go of the gadgets that I used to enjoy before. Well, the depreciation of gadgets is really fast so, we just need to decide if we will sell them or keep it till it got no value anymore. 

Parenting Chronicles

Let me start this with informing y'all that I'm a mother of 2, a 4yo pre-schooler and an unborn baby. Lol. I'm still waiting for my "bunso" to come out. I'm on my 37th week so yea, just counting the days till i meet my little one. 

Parenting was never easy. I was reading a lot of post about parenting. Yes they are informative however, I must say that parenting will always vary from case to case. Not every suggestion or observation would be applicable to every kid. In my take, as long as you show love more than any other emotion is enough to become a better parent. 

I'm guilty of being a disciplinarian-mom. I would say no most of the times. It just that i can't bear to have a spoiled-brat kid. We are living with my parents so yea, Grandma and Grandpa are already giving her everything so I must sacrifice and be the antagonist. In my end, as long as I'm giving her genuine love and support, I know I will be a better mom. 

Let's not give a damn what society will say about our parenting. We know what's best for our children. Let's stop comparing and just focus on our own families. Hoping that time will come and all of the parents out there will claim that they've become the parents they want them to be. 

Try'na be back!

Here I am again, back from being long-gone hiatus, however, I must say that I'm gonna be back for good since I need this to improve my writing skills once again. As if that I was good at writing before. Lol.

I'm gonna post random stuff here but I'll do my best to produce post with a senseful content. Wish me luck! Gonna need to motivate myself to do more than what I'm doing already so I'll become succesful in the career that I'm going to take, talking about freelancing.

I'm very open for suggestions and advises especially from someone who do freelancing for a living <3

Hi hiatuuuus!

                   ~Aly says Hi!" 

Oh my god! Its been like forever since i posted something here 😭 Im sorry ILBS for taking you for granted it just motherhood is so way different from my life before. 

Im managing my time for my family, my husband and my friends and the household chores and for being the family driver and the need to hit the gym and many many mooooore! 

My whole being was soooo tired from all of THESE! but i must say, i enjoy being so much preoccupied. Less drama and more sleep! 

So maybe when i got the time again ill post something about our trip to WestNuk Beach Resort in Bataan. 

Finally!

Been M-i-a for a month, its all because of my pregnancy. 

It was not risky but we had waited each day of May because 1.) we're all so very excited for the baby and 2.)we dont know when will my little one would want to come out. 

Ive been bored, frustrated, anxious and stressed because i have reached my 37th weeks and still got no signs of labor. Till the 38th weeks comes and then 39th week check up, the "bloody show" showed up. Thats the sign that we should go to the hospital. 

Upon arriving to the hospital, i didnt feel any pain or contractions at all. So they decided to induce my labor so i can deliver the baby vaginally. Ive been on the labor room for 8am-2pm. The worse hours of my life. I am fighting with the labor pain as it gets stronger and stronger every minute. Im helping my contractions so i can release my little one already. 

Unfortunately, with every strong contractions, my baby's heartbeat gettin weaker and as time passed by, she's losing her oxygen. By then, i know mg baby is suffering, i know somethings wrong. Finally the OB couldnt afford to risk my baby's health so they decided that i need to undergo a c-section delivery. 

They delivered the operation succesfully and ive got a beautiful baby girl. We figured out that the reason behind of the problem we encountered while they inducing my labor is my baby's umbilical cord was tied around her neck. How i pity my little one's suffering when she's still on my tummy.

So thats it. Here's my beautiful baby girl named Aly Skylar Cassandra C. Marcelo, delivered on May 28 2015. 

Degree holder and Soon to be MOMEHHH!

(3rd Month)

(5th month ultrasound picture)

Look how time flies so fast.. Even on my tummy :p 

My due is on June 2 but i will try to give birth at around 3rd to 4th week of May, because i want to. :) jk. I just want her to be a summer baby. And it will be less than a month! ;)

My daughter name will be Aly Skylar Cassandra C. Marcelo. Aint it pretty? :) Aly comes from the name of my bestfriend, skylar comes from Skylar Grey, her father simply wants that name, and Cassandra comes from me just because i simply want that name also. Pretty long eh ~ 

The last time that i had my ultrasound was 3months ago and that's my 5th month bearing Aly, and unfortunately she was on breech position, she had a span of 2 months to turn and be in cephalic position for normal delivery. 

I ask God if he can help my little angel to turn and he grant my wish yesterday! I had my ultrasound again and the sonologist found that she's now on cephalic position! I just hope my little one wont be hard-headed just like her father so she will not swim around again. 

Just a little more weeks to develop and my little Aly will soon be ready to see the world! I love you so much baby girl. We're all so excited to see you 💕

April 18,2015. Together with my pregnancy, i finally finished my bachelors degree at Lyceum of the Philippines University-Manila. Couldnt ask for more, i had so much blessings this year to think that it is only mid-year of 2015. Cant wait for the other blessings to come. Thank God for everything! 

Contouring bandwagon

This highlight and contouring technique are now all over the WWW. It was Kim K's look. So girls all over the world are getting gaga about this look. 

It can literally give your face a brand new look and shape, unfortunately its not recommended for an everyday look unless you are Kim K, right? :) 

Ive been watching lots and lots of videos hoping i could give myself a try with this technique. Maybe i could use this make up at my upcoming graduation *wohoo* 

*credits to the owners

I would want to try the cream foundation contouring because it gives way much better results than the powder one.(?)

And i am really confused of what brushes or pallette should i provide for me to do this technique. Im no make-up guru. :p Anyone? Enlighten me pls? 

Foodies

Hello pinoys!

Have you guys been to Maginhawa Village  located in UP Village, Quezon City? It's where you can find the cheapest food-trippin site in town! 

So, ive been there twice with the pocket money of just 500 pesos and i get to expirience 3 different kinds of diner! 

1. The Iscreamist 

Its an ice cream parlor With the twist of having the expirience of liquid nitrogen dip on your ice cream or smores! 

This is one of the famous cafe in Maginhawa Village so expect for long lines and the shop can only accomomodate around 20pax so if you want to expirience this one, you need to bring extra patience with you. 

Their smores only cost 70php for one order(4pcs). Cheap huh ~ 

2. Caffera

This coffee shop serves common sets of coffee just like the others you can find around metro, but the ambiance and concept of their shop makes them different. 

The price of their products are around 100-300php, prices may vary on sizes.

You can take and post your photographs on their wall. A perfect place for shutterbugs!

Oh and they serve their coffee on camera lenses ~ kiddin! :p 

3. Frosted

One of my fave bakeshop because you wont see much people loitering around and their cupcakes are good AND cheap! Prices ranges from 70-100 and frapps/drinks 100-200. 

Been here twice! I so love the smores cupcake <3 

4. Gerry's Jeepney

Boodle fight anyone? Yea! You are obliged to eat by your hands and the food is just served on a banana leaf! One of the filipino practice i love the most! They have food good for 2pax up to 8pax. Their foods were great! A must try diner. 

Before..

The aftermath!

I aint gonna go to Maginhawa Village again! Because whenever i go there, it feels like my tummy would explode because of the overflowing sets of foooods! 

PS. These are only some of the good diner you can find in Maginhawa Village :)

Skin whitening overload

I always encounter this posts on Instagram and Facebook. They sell skin whitening sets and i dont know how effective their products are but they have plenty of good reviews by their users.

Im looking for creams that can help me solve my skin issues like, uneven skin tone, dark underarms due to pregnancy. So have you guys tried something you've just seen on the net? Can you recommend something that is safe to use by expecting moms? 

(Credits to the owners)

PS. Im thinking of getting my own domain. Should i get one or not? :/ it just if i will have one ,i'll spend some funds without me knowing if i'll gonna use it for a long time.. 

February Stuff

My yearly ritual everytime my birthmonth comes is to have a month long celebration. I will mark all the saturdays of the month of the things i want to do or places i would like to go. 

Like what just happened this february...

February 7th,

 Enchanted Kingdom on Sta.Rosa, Laguna

Thou we arrived there at around 5pm a lil bit late, we still managed to enjoy the park. 

 

The obligatory *couple* shot

 Me and my Girlfriends <3

There, i wont upload too much pictures because i might flood my entry :p

February 14 is my birthday so i spend it with my family and the BoyF at Vikings, Sm North Edsa. 

On February 22nd, We drain ourselves out at Sandbox at Porac,Pampangga. It consist of activities such as Wall Climbing, Aerial Walk, Free Fall, Roller Coaster Zipline and the most heart stopping ride of all the "Giant Swing" 

Of course the obligatory *couple* shot

And the last saturday of the month, Feb 28th. We stayed at Dawal Beach Resort in Candelaria, Zambales. Our friends werent able to join us so it's just me and the Boyf. The price of our room is just affordable so guys if you're planning to go to Zambales near Anawangin and Potipot Island just stay here at Dawal. And Potipot is just 5mins boat ride away from Dawal! Unfortunately we didnt have the chance to go to Potipot cause we arrived there at 4pm and the last trip going to Potipot island is at 5pm. 

Potipot is a small island located at Zambales. As what ive read in some post, it has white sand and it was a virgin island. 

I will go back to Zambales and definitely go camping at Potipot! Fact: There's no electricity in the area. 

 And yes, the obligatory *couple* shot again. 

Relationship Goals

I just wanna share this picture for the sake of posting.. Lols. 

Im sharing this to everyone so you guys will have an idea of what's the meaning of my url. 💕 

He is Charles Marcelo. We're together for about 22months now, that's 2mos away from reaching our 2nd year Anniversary. 💕  We've been through many ups and downs and im still thankful that we're still kicking it and some problems and a wonderful blessing is yet to come 👶 so pls good Lord, guide us thru this challenge. Hope we can overcome this trial together 🙏