When I see parent, mom, or baby memes on Google, natatawa talaga ako! Humuhugot at relateable naman talaga silang lahat! Different parents have different stories to tell but those memes make every parent stand on a common ground--- Parenting is challenging and it's up to us if we will give up or just laugh about it!

The challenges and difficulties of parenting are not alien to me. I am a stay-at-home/work-at-home mom for 13 years. Do I need to say more? Well, these are some of the things that I encounter as I face the day as a parent.

I feel most of the time that cleaning the house is never ending even the kids are not toddlers anymore. Ewan ko ba? Hindi pa ako natatapos sa nililigpit ko, may kalat na naman ang nauna kong niligpit!


The more the kids are noisier the better because once they are extremely quiet, #alamnathis! May ginagawang kapilyuhan! Proven na 'yan kaya paranoia to the highest level ang peg!


When my kids are still very young, dito ko na-prove sa sarili ko na talagang low maintenance ako kasi once every two months or minsan once a year na lang akong magpa-haircut. 'Yan lang naman ang luxury ko sa buhay ang magpunta sa parlor para magpagupit kasi I do my own manicure and pedicure, lahat halos DIY. Kaya naman gustung-gusto ko talaga when I do grocery shopping all  by myself when Paps has no work! Freedom! Then what I do when I go to the supermarket alone, diyan ako bumibili ng facial mask, facial wash, body scrub, at kapag may budget, lipstick. Minsan lang naman and I know that I deserve to pamper myself din naman. Buti na lang, Paps is very supportive and understanding. Well, sabi ko nga low maintenace wife naman ako so no problem! Hindi naman ako masyadong defensive, ano?


Aside from grocery shopping on my own, I look forward to my 20-minute hot bath before bedtime. Then when Paps is not that tired, I look forward to having coffee time with him while sitting down for more than 2 minutes! Yes, you read it right! Kasi naman ang mainit na kape na tinitimpla ko sa umaga, sa tanghali o hapon ko na naiinom! Kapag kumakain ako talagang mabilisan kasi ang daming gagawin. Noong maliliit pa ang kids, impossible talagang magkaroon ng oras na umupo ng matagal.

I also appreciate the days when I drop Bunso and fetch him from school, when I attend blogging related events, or catch up with my friends. At least nakakapagbihis ako ng panlabas na damit at nakakapag-kilay at lipstick ako kahit paano! Sa ganitong pagkakataon, pinatutunanayan ko talagang "Kilay is LIFE!" Ang saya, 'di ba?


Who says that weekends are less stressful? No parent especially moms will say that! The kids are more clingy and there are more things to do during weekends kasi kumpleto ang pamilya sa bahay!

Sa totoo lang, kapag may chance na makaunat sa bed ang likod ko or makaidlip man lang, para talaga akong nanalo sa lotto!


'Tapos nakaiinit ng ulo kapag kulang sa tulog pero kailangang gawin ang duties ng buong pasensya at pagmamahal kasi parte naman talaga ng parenting ang mga ganitong klase ng sakrispisyo. We do things out of love, 'ika nga. No explanation needed. Bonus na bonus talaga rin na may kabiyak kang maasahan sa ganitong pagkakataon kaya lucky me!


Kulang na sa tulog, pagkatapos gutom pa! Ay giyera na 'yan kung tutuusin lalo na kung walang nailutong pagkain.  Sa ganitong pagkakataon kailangang maging cool pa rin. The kids don't deserve to experience displacement of anger. Iniisip ko na lang, they just do what they do best.

Naalala ko bigla, Paps and I were parents of two clingy boys when they were still babies that's why our schedule and routines were spontaneous. During the time when when Kuya was born, grabe ang adjustment naming mag-asawa. We experienced finishing an Anime series for one straight week because we had to stay awake the whole time. Whenever we try to put Kuya down on the bed, he would wake up and cry on top of his lungs until we would pick him up and cuddle him again. Ang lakas ng pakiramdam niya at alam niya kapag isa sa amin ni Paps ang tulog na. Iiyak na naman siya! Hindi kami makapagluto, makapaglinis ng bahay, o makagawa ng mga bagay na gusto namin habang gising siya. Kapag naman tulog na siya, hindi namin mabitiwan kasi nagigising. It was also the case when Bunso was an infant. Their gap was six years and the adjustment that we had was the same. Sabi nga, those two boys suck-up our energy and sanity until now but our love for them keeps us going.

That's why when Paps and I saw the latest McDelivery video, talaga namang naka-relate kami ng bonggang-bongga! In a circumstance that you have to choose what is necessary at the moment, a reliable delivery service of your favorite comfort food truly saves the day! O mga, Mars at Pards, panoorin ninyo ito at tiyak na sasabihin ninyo sa sarili ninyo, "Ay, parang kami lang 'yan!"

Parents will do everything to keep their kids comfortable while sacrificing their own comfort. Pero kailangan din namang magkaroon ng time para sa sarili o kaya naman i-satisfy ang craving paminsan-minsan. Hmmm... Makapag-McDelivery nga. Now na!

Photo credit: someecards.com
Video credit: Mcdo Philippines

I have noticed that many Filipino-American children don't know how to speak Filipino or Tagalog. It's a sad reality. Why is this happening? I've heard from friends of friends that they believe that teaching their kids their mother tongue would cause confusion and non-mastery of the second language, English. They're so afraid that their kids would not be able to cope up when they socialize with their English speaking friends.

I also heard stories that parents were not able to teach their kids to speak Filipino due to their very busy schedule. They were already adapted and used to speak in English outside and inside their homes. 

I have cousins who were brought up in America since they were preschoolers but they were taught how to speak and understand Filipino. When they went here in the Philippines for a visit, they tried their best to communicate with us in our mother tongue. What our aunts and uncles did was they were obliged to speak in Filipino at home and they were not allowed to speak in English at all. They were only allowed to speak in English when they were in school or at work. 

I'm so proud of them! They have shown that it's possible to be bilingual.

To validate the importance of learning the mother tongue, I came across with a very informative article written by Dr. Josebelo Chong on his blog A Dugyot in the U.S.A. He wrote, "According to the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA), there are various phenomena which can masquerade as deficit arising from bilingualism; however, the recommended approach is actually REINFORCEMENT of both languages (and cultures, as the case may be) and NOT EXCLUSION of one or the other.  Interestingly, it states that 'Children all over the world learn more than one language without developing speech or language problems'.  Bilingual children develop language skills just as other children do. A study done on German-English bilingual toddlers and published in the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology in 2002 comes to the conclusion that 'early simultaneous acquisition of more than one language is not an inherent disadvantage for the child'."

Dr. Chong emphasized, "The truth is that teaching a second language can be BENEFICIAL. According to an article in the Linguistic Society of America's website, 'Some people worry that learning more than one language is bad for a child, but nothing could be further from the truth'. In fact, there are a lot of advantages to knowing more than one language.  They then go on to say that bilingualism can ENHANCE cognitive development, IMPROVE the development of a child's cultural identity, and ENCOURAGE cross-cultural awareness and understanding.", 

(See the full article here: http://thedugyot.blogspot.com/p/why-cant-filipino-americans-speak.html.)

He also mentioned a link to the article "Second Language Protects Against Alzheimer's".  

Therefore, it doesn't cause confusion and it's not bad for individuals to learn more than one language.

Kids nowadays are luckier because they are exposed to multimedia. They can learn their mother tongue easily if only there's a show like "Dora the Explorer (who teaches kids to speak in Spanish and English)" in Filipino-English version.

This has been a dream of our kababayan in America, David Asis, who is currently creating a  trailer for Phil the Fil-Am, an English/Tagalog children's cartoon about Filipino culture and social/analytical skills.

David's parents were from the Philippines. He was born in America. His kids are Fil-Am also, but they know more Spanish and Chinese. They learn to speak the languages more than they do Tagalog or Filipino through watching Dora the Explorer and Ni Hao Kai Lan.

According to David, he is not saying that knowing about Spanish and Chinese culture is a bad thing, but he would  like his kids to learn about their own roots as well. That's why he is creating Phil the Fil-Am. It's his way of teaching his kids and all kids as well about Filipino culture in a format that they're familiar with.

The main character is named Phil and is modeled after David's son, Michael.  


 

He is currently fleshing out the other characters, such as his nephew, Benjie, in the Philippines, who will serve as the show's primary method for relaying life and culture in the Philippines.

You may also like Phil the Fil-Am's Official Facebook Page for more updates: https://www.facebook.com/PhiltheFilAm

Due to the demands of our work aside from being hands-on moms, we always find ways on how to make our lives easier. One of them is to look for recipes on cookbooks or through the internet that are not just healthy but very easy to prepare. 

I am a visual learner. I want recipes to be presented and illustrated in detail and in full-color like I do when I share recipes here on my blog. 

Illustrated and detailed recipes are readily available through the internet and it's the fastest way for us to get them. Sometimes, it takes time for us to surf the net due to intermittent connection or find the ones available in our onhand cookbooks vague because they are non-illustrated or written in highfalutin words. 

I am just wondering, what if there's no internet connection in case you need to find new recipes? What if you don't have a cookbook on hand? What if the recipes in your cookbooks are already prepared a couple of times and your family wants new dishes to try? What if the procedure in your cookbook is difficult to understand? What if you are not an inventive cook or worse, what if you don't know how to cook?
  

I am so glad that Miss Amelia Salyers or Inkling.com introduced to me Modernist Cuisine at Home eBook Version. 

 "This title has been called 'the most important cookbook in the first 10 years of the 21st century.' The hardcover version typically runs $140+. For the first time, Inkling’s offering it in digital form and we’re pretty excited about it!" , says Miss Amelia.

   There are 1,683 photos, 416 recipes,  37 technique videos, and countless new ways to dive in, with extras not found in print. High resolution photos including 359 new images unique to Inkling edition will make your eyes feast. Take note, each image is zoomable, so you can see every detail using your screen. Some images even include interactive elements that reveal the science behind different cooking techniques. 

 

 

It helps you cook smarter, not harder. Finding a recipe for what you’ve got on hand, teaching you how to cook with step by step instructions, scaling recipes for however many guests you have: from planning to plating, the Inkling edition does just about everything but actually cook for you.  

 

  It also has a yield converter that scales recipe ingredients instantly based on how many people you're cooking for. The amounts you need also get added to your Shopping List.

Reviews of Modernist Cuisine are tremendous! For Martha Stewart, "Modernist Cuisine at Home is destined to change the way we cook – and the way we use recipes. For all of us who cook regularly, this book opens up a whole new world of possibilities. It is full of insights that encourage us to try something new, and that teach us something on every single page."  For The Daily Meal, it as one of The 25 Best Cookbooks of the Year 2012. Also winner of the 2013 International Association of Culinary Professionals Award in the category of Food & Beverage  Reference/Technical, Gourmand World Cookbook Awards considered it a MASTERPIECE, the most important cookbook of the first ten years of the 21st century!

 This is just the tip of the iceberg! It's very enticing, isn't it? Do you want more?

To watch the teaser video and learn the detailed overview, experience, features, and free sample recipes, you may click THIS.

 By the way, Miss Amelia gave me this LINK to the great and easy PIZZA MARGHERITA recipe that is not part of the free chapter but available to the public that kids and adults tend to love! By also clicking the link you can experience the above-mentioned features of the Inkling version.

This cookbook is a definitely a must-have for us moms! It makes cooking more fun and easy! We can cook like a pro with this App!

To avail, you may download the app from the App Store for $79.99, or get these book directly from Inkling.com. If you want a taste test, individual chapters are from $4.99. There’s even a free chapter that features everything you need to make a three-course Modernist meal. 

 

Photos and Information about Modernist Cuisine at Home courtesy of Inkling.com

Reviews about Modernist Cuisine courtesy of modernistcuisine.com

Inkling Logo courtesy of en.wikipedia.org

I feel nude when I don't wear a watch when I go out. For me, it's a necessity. I want my watch to be nice, unique, inexpensive but durable.

I asked my godsister, Abby Cabuhat Posadas, to make one for me when I saw her sample photos on her online shop, Folk Ties.

The steps on how to order are so easy to follow: 

I chose from its pre-made designs  and referred to the color swatch where I chose my preferred colors.

When I received my order, I felt so ecstatic! All watches look so nice and dainty! I really love them. Here's the photo of one of the watches that I got.

My mom and I also decided to collaborate with Abby to make THOMASIAN BANDS for our clients at University of Santo Tomas.

FaithshoppePHxFolkTies Collaboration during UST@400 Celebration

I love everything about Folk Ties---from the owners and their creations and to what they stand for.  

Let me share with you how Folk Ties started...

Abby got the idea of making her own friendship bracelets when she learned that Saab Magalona, the daughter of late Master Rapper Francis M., was giving away a copy of "The Friendship Bracelet Book". Instead of joining the contest, she and her mom (my dearest Ninang Myrna) went immediately to the bookstore to purchase the book. A fashionista by heart, she wanted to create her own bracelets solely to match her outfits.

She was so excited that right after getting her own copy, she started the trial and error process in creating all the bracelets that she liked in the book until she perfected the craft. 

Her friends and office mates noticed the beauty and funkiness of her DIY friendship bracelets. They requested her to create different bracelet designs for them. At first, she didn't consider it to be her sideline or new business venture. She was just grateful that someone is appreciating her creations. Until one day, someone ordered in bulk and the rest was history!

Folk Ties was launched online through Facebook in October 19, 2012 by Abby herself, a Civil Engineer by profession. During that time, she was very busy with her Philippine Arena project that she needed the help of her good friend, Karina Rizza Gumatay. Karina became her business partner, who was in charge with marketing and online matters while taking care of her family business. Orders became in demand that led Abby to teach Karina the craft.

Abby's friends suggested to use her own name as the business name for her bracelets but she taught of naming her business "Folk Knots". After consulting her marketing executive friend, the name "Folk Ties" was born! Her graphic artist friend was the one who designed the official logo.

Abby and Karina asked the help of their Indie Artist friends to endorse their products. One of them was Jensen Gomez, Universal Records recording artist. They even named some of the bracelets after his songs.

Business flourish from bracelets to watches. Folk Ties was also featured on Net 25 on July 4 this year. Abby and Karina plan to infuse their designs to other materials soon!

When you visit their Facebook Page, you'll see the overwhelming responses and feedback of their customers.

If you want to experience wearing their unique creations, you may place your order through Folk Ties Official Facebook Page. You may follow Folk Ties on Twitter and Instagram. One more thing, Folk Ties can also rehabilitate old watches! 

 

RockyBeads

a.k.a. Rocky Antonio
Location: Sydney, Australia
She is my... ULTIMATE FILIPINO CLAY ARTIST

I love her because... she is a faceted, well-rounded, creative, and knowledgeable clay artist who generously shares her prowess to aspiring and other seasoned clay artists worldwide. 

It's nice to know that... she has a blog that is a must-read for clay enthusiasts. It is rich in tutorials and other topics about clay art. She also teaches through Digital Beading Magazine Australia. You may purchase her beautiful creations through her site at Etsy, Rocky Antonio.

Labor of Love 
a.k.a. Love Roxas-Lu
Location: Bacoor, Cavite

 She is my... ALPHA-NUMERIC MOLDERS EXPERT

I love her because... she creates a wide-array of alphabet and number molders. Her site on Facebook is a one-stop-shop for clay and resin enthusiasts who are looking for very affordable materials. It is also due to her good marketing strategy and customer service that makes her business grow. Her Starbucks Charms used to be one of the bestsellers in UST when she became my supplier a few years ago.

  

Clay Thinz
a.k.a. Thina Villanueva
Location: Kawit, Cavite

She is my... CHIBI QUEEN

I love her because... her collection of "chibi" or cute clay dolls are so detailed and intricate! I've never seen other clay artists make such adorable masterpieces!

Basta Clay
a.k.a. Weng San Pedro and kids
Location: Binan, Laguna

They are my...CLAY CHARMS and NAMEPLATE DARLINGS

I love them because... they are adept in creating charms, nameplates, frames, and other bling-blings!

 

Xander's Gift Shop
a.k.a. Riezl-An Leabres-Carpio
Location: Quezon City

She is my... CLAY EARRINGS DIVA

I love her because... her earrings and studs are very nice, colorful, and attractive.

 

Purple Luggage
a.k.a. Jen Cruz
Location: Metro Manila

She is my... DAINTY CANING MASTER

I love her because... her creations are very unique! Her caning skill is incomparable! Among my favorite pieces are her headbands, lockets, pendants and encased hearts. She's really great!

Crafting Time
a.k.a. Melody Manalaysay
Location:  Taguig City
She is my... VINTAGE CLAY ACCESSORIES GODDESS

I love her because... she makes very lovely vintage-inspired pieces! She is an advocate of reusing and recycling scrap materials by incorporating them into her clay creations. She does crafting with her loving mom like I do.

Visit their albums on Facebook and you'll see all their nice creations! For sure you'll be amazed! How artistic and talented they are! They make me feel proud to be a Filipino!

They inspire me to try clay art! I hope that someday I'll have a chance to attend one of their workshops.