Do you get jealous?

I'm not a jealous person and really, my husband has never given me any reason to be jealous of another girl, so luckily, it has never been an issue in our relationship.

And then I discovered that I can be a jealous girl... not of another girl but of songs!  I know! What sense does it make, if it has any sense at all??

I already feel silly just by thinking about it now but the jealousy came in to me and I couldn't just silenced it with let's say, eating bars and bars of chocolates.

Before I get all the disapproving looks or ho-hums, let me at least elaborate the case at hand.  And then, I will accept judgments.

See, hubby loves many things about Asian culture.  Even before he met me, he's already an afficionado of animes.  Japan has always caught his interest.  But he met me, went head over heels (ahem) and his interest about Asian culture even grew wider.  He didn't only fell in love with me (ahem again) but also with Filipino cutlture, food, songs, country, etc.  So far so good, right? 

Here comes the problem or better say MY problem.  Lately he's been getting into Korean and Japanese.  He'd play them in his car, he'd sing them around the house (with invented lyrics of course), he'd download them like crazy... get the point.  It's actually good as he has a very, very wide range of gusto when it comes to music.   He IS a music lover, not to mention he sings quite well.  But one day, the chong-chong (my description of asian-non-filipino-songs) songs just got into my nerves and I burst.

Told him that I am getting jealous annoyed of the songs already.  Hubby, with a surprised and confused face said "what? why?" 

Told him, you are married to a Filipina and not Korean.  Hubby was like "uh... what?"

Told him, why didn't you just find yourself a Korean so you can get yourself drunk all the time with Korean music and then maybe your Korean wife could even teach you the song.  Hubby was like, "it's just that right now, I don't have the Filipino songs in my phone.."  with an even more confused face.

That fired me even more.

Told him, "You are married to a Filipina and you listen to Korean and Japanese songs but NOT Filipino songs.  Why is that?" Not true as he already knows a number of Filipino songs but lately, he's just getting obsessed (my subjective description) with playing Korean songs.  Hubby was out of words for a good while but trying to stifle his chuckle.

He tried to remind me that we already have a wide collection of Filipino songs and he'd even play them at home. 

I was like, yeah because I am at home and you do that for me.  For ME to listen to the Filipino songs but on your phone, on your car, all you have is everything Asian songs but Filipino songs.  It does show what is your favorite, your priority. I know... hormonal. That's me.

He tried to explain some more but he just kept burrying himself under my wrath.

Don't think that all these happened one fine afternoon and ended there.  No, days and days, I get so moody everytime we are in the car and he'd start pluggin in Korean songs (even Little Spanish Pinay has started learning the song).  One day, while we were outside enjoying the pool and the sun, he started singing his favorite Korean song and I snapped and said "Will you stop the friggin' singing?"  I immediately regretted my attitude.  But I have a reason and I am THE offended (based on my hormonal state).

The next day, when we got in the car, he started playing Filipino song from his phone plugged in to the car.  And what do you know,  it ticked me off too.  What? Why? Because now, he's putting Filipino songs only because I reacted and made a show out of it.   I kept telling him there's really no sense for him to redeem himself anymore by playing Filipino songs.

Ok, crucify me now.  I KNOW I am totally being shallow.   I can't fight my hormones. They are the boss of me! 

My poor husband?  Never got mad with all my nonsense.  He's a saint and I'm the bi-atch of the house. 

The. End.

DIY: Fabric Hanging Bookshelf

In the midst of too much work and drama and some drainage problem around our household,  I tried to work on some DIY project that hopefully would make me feel like there's still something we are able to accomplish inspite of all the hullaabaloos.

 I've been eyeing this project for quite some time now but couldn't really dedicate enough time to sit down and start on it.  But then slowly, slowly, like that tortoise in the story  The Tortoise and The Hare,  I managed to win the race!  Thanks to Pinterest and to this lady who posted a great tutorial.

I'm not posting my own tutorial as really, I just followed whatever is in the link above plus, some improvisation.   If any one has some questions though with anything, just haller and yours truly will try her best to help :)

So here is my own version.  The fabric is from a curtain that was on sale.  From €24.99 to €5. Score!  One whole curtain was already more than enough for these two hanging book shelf. 

I downloaded pictures of animal silhouettes from the internet, printed on a paper and then traced them on an old shirt I have.  I then just pasted them using fabric glue.  I love the result! But man, cutting animal silhouettes on a fabric is a tough job. 

Ok, some revelation... see the big red arrow above? Not cool.  That shows how my sewing skill needs tons of practice.  But I am turning a blind eye on that as I am currently too lazy to correct this booboo.

And now for my favorite part.  See the embellisments on the side?  Rolled paper magazine, what else!

Coz, this? Is ugly.  I bought long curtain rod and just cut them in half.  So the result is this ugly thing.  They badly need some eblishment but the ones that are ready-made from the store are either too big or way too expensive for my budget-conscious self.  So I think and think and think of what to do... and my trusty magazine papers were the answer!

I was thrilled with the result!  They are quite simple and pretty enough to be considered as embellishments heh :)  I am contemplating though whether to paint them green or not... I'll probably try and see how it looks much later. 

 

So there ya go!  I hope you like 'em like I do ;-)

Next project should be something to put on that blank part of the wall.  Any idea for a DIY?

This is it. I'm nearly Breaking Down

Ok. Not just nearly. I did break down once last week.  It's tougher than I thought it would be.  The daycare thing.  Yes, the daycare thing. 

The first 2 days have been fine as Little Spanish Pinay stayed there for only 2 hours.  There were no tears.  Only serious face. Then another 2 days of 3-4 hours.  Starting Wednesday last week, the crying has started.  She'd tell me in the mornings that she doesn't want to go to daycare and it breaks my heart.  It scratches my soul. 

The hardest part is when I see her trying to stop her cries everytime we arrive to the daycare.  She doesn't cry out loud nor scream nor nothing of that sort.  But she has tears in her eyes while she'd tell me "Please mami, I don't want to go." She's trying to be strong but I do feel her anxieties and sadness and that's breaking me apart even more.

I know it could be worse.  She's being a really good trooper considering that she didn't have much of the needed adjustment period.  But every morning that she'd plea not to go to daycare, I get a big knot in my stomach. 

I know people tell me that it'll be good for her as she will learn a lot of things from there, etc... but that is where the hardest part comes in.  I am not really one of those who believe that toddlers need to be in the daycare to learn certain things or to learn how to socialize with other kids, etc.  And so the more that it gets harder for me to accept that she has to go.

For me, daycares are not a necessity for kids but more of a necessity for parents - for working moms like me.  And that's where the guilt really rubs me off.

I am very much aware too that it won't help if I dawdle with these thoughts but I can't ignore either that it's taking a toll on me.  "It's tough to be a parent" is an underestatement.  And all the more that it gets tougher when parents are strained by their limited resources or choices to be able to give their children what they know is best for them.

Oh well, I know Little Spaish Pinay will be more than fine.  It's tough but this too, shall pass.

Beach, finally.

It's almost the last week of hubby and yours truly's split vacation (split because he got the 2nd and 3rd week of June while I work and I got the last week of June while he's back at work).  It's been going well except that I am starting to feel the wrath of doing everything at home.  Tired is understatement.  But I am unbelievably content.  I'm like whoa, I'm really doing all this and I'm getting by.  I even got to iron clothes after more than 2yrs!  Of course, I can't miss out on saying that hubby has been a great help especially when it comes to occupying himself with our Little Spanish Pinay while I work myself around the house.

What I learned though is not to get over obsessed with the house getting spic 'n span.  The floor doesn't have to be washed too frequently for instance.  Everyday dry mop goes a long way.  And when something just can't be done?  Then it can't be done.  No sweat.  So last weekend, instead finishing what has to be done at home (i.e. organize!) we decided to just drop everything off and enjoy THE BEACH! Yes, people! Finally we got to set our foot on the beach and actually play with the water.  What's best is that the little person enjoyed it so much.  Having the cleanest most organized house is nothing compared to seeing her have the time of her life so, I gave a cold shoulder to the household chores and packed our bag!

So thank you good weather, you gave us the chance to relax and enjoy the sun and the sand. Might I just ask, where have you been all this time?

Now, let's enjoy the photos below!

Plain happy with the water and the sand

mami joins the fun too

giddy with the little well dug by mami and papi

busy with her construction... yeah, that's Abuelo's (grandfather's) cap.  Obviously, mami forgot to bring one for her.

She does look like a boy but still overloaded with cuteness, ayt?

 

Watch out! Sand falling!

her sad little face after mom threw a big bulk of sand and the water splashed all over her.

She was trying to swim but the sea grass icks her! LOL

Running after papi so she can throw water on him

 

Hoping for another weekend of sun, sand and sea!  I hope y'all enjoy your weeked too!

Daycare. First day!

This is it.  She has formally launched herself in the world of daycare.  Today was her first day to spend 2 hours with the other kids in the daycare.  I was really nervous last night about this (and watching Spain vs. Portugal soccer match didn't really help... but ahhh we won! ahh! ahh! we won!).  Things went quite well except that Mr. Rain decided to peek and say hi.  At the exact moment that we went out the house.  So yes, Mr. Rain, very funny.

She was really cool about it when I told her (just when she woke up) that today, we'll be going to the daycare.  She was just like, yes!  Then I let her watch her favorite cartoon show while I gave her breakfast.  About 20 mins before our time to go, I told her that we are leaving soon.  Her response was "Solo Gomby, vale? Un momento.  Gomby solo. Entonces a la guarderia" that translates literally to "Just Gomby, ok? One moment.  Gomby only.  And then to the daycare".  Where did she learn to negotiate like that???

She didn't get to finish the whole show because we need to go. It was quarter to 10 already. I turned off the tv, prepared myself for a battle, but surprisingly she didn't say anything.  I asked her if she's ready and she said yes.  So off we went.  And Mr. Rain as well.  Good thing  Mr. Rain was quite subtle so we reached the daycare without really getting us too wet.

And then, we called papi just before we entered.  Little Spanish Pinay told papi that we are about to enter the daycare and that she misses him and she loves him to bits.  When I took the phone, dear papi sounded really moved and seemed to be having a hard time containing the tears.  I wanted to tease him but decided not to.  We'll be late ;-)

Finally we entered, I took her off the stroller and she suddenly smiled enthusiastically.  I was calmed.  Then one carer approached us, said hi and then asked LSP if she wants to play with the other kids.  LSP just nodded slightly with her super, serious face.  Yello flag. I was starting to tell myself, be ready, mami.  After a few words with the carer, my big girl gave me a kiss and then off they went inside.  Something was pinching my stomach inside.   My heart was like a drum and bugle.  It's making a loud thumpity thump but at the same time making the sweet tinkety tink music.

There goes my big girl saying see you later, mami! 

 Look at the other kids welcoming her!

When she turned her back, it was my sign to step back, suck up my tears and take a deep breath. 

And smile.

Brain Dump

It's wednesday and I actually ran out of the scheduled worldless wednesday posts!  I am in a too-busy-to-write-a-decent-post-but-still-want-to-write-to-help-me-kind-of-breathe-a-little-bit state, so I'm just gonna have a brain dump kind of post today.  Excuse me for the randomness.

I'm actually on vacation the whole week this week but can hardly have time to sit down in front of my laptop without my butt itching to stand up again and do the gazilion things that have to be done around the house.  Not to mention a toddler who'd call me every single minute.  So I'd pop her in front of the tv to watch her favorite video even if it's just for a good 15minutes so I can do some things around the house.  Mommy confession alert!

So she is supposed to start her daycare on July first but I asked the daycare if she can start the adaptation period by today and good thing they didn't give me any problem.  Unfortunately, we had a rough night last night and we came home late from dinner with my inlaws.  The inlaws invited us for dinner because they prepared percebes!  And who can say no to these ugly but delish seafood?  Not us.  Not even Little Spanish Pinay.  She loves them!  She's like: mmmm que bueno es esto! with every bite.

source

Don't be fooled by the looks! They are totally delectable.  Galicia boasts of having the best percebes in the world and they can be quite expensive outside Galicia.  So there.  They are the main reason why we got home at 11:30pm last night and LSP having to sleep really late and not being able to go to daycare today.

And speaking of daycare.... it's going to be closed on August.  The.Whole.Freaking.Month.Of.August. Spain is normally a dead town country by this time of the month.  People go on vacation and of course, daycares too.  Obviously not me nor hubby has a month-long vacation left.  Not even 2 weeks so we obviously can't split the days like how we did for this month.  The mitigation? Pack our bags and spend the whole month at my inlaw's house.  They don't have an internet connection there but luckily, I got a mobile internet card that will definitely help.  I just hope the data plan will stand the whole month's worth of work.  The downside, hubby might spend some nights at our house instead with us at my inlaw's house... but we'll get by.  What's a few cold nights? :)

On a positive side, I've been enjoying my exclusive time with LSP although I've pulled my hair for quite many occasions.   She's really one too-active, smarty-pants, handful child!  I'd often find myself laughing out loud or bursting with aaaargh inside or having my heart melt with her antiques.

She's obsessed with putting lipsticks or make ups.

 So today's plan is for her to hopefully skip naptime - so she can sleep early for the night.  We are a family of night owls and that has got to be changed now that she's going to daycare and must wake up by 9am at the latest.   We are also hoping we can drop by the country club and spend time on the outside pool so we can at least take advantage of the good weather.  Not to mention LSP is a sucker when it comes to the pool.  So wish us luck for today's plan so LSP can sleep well and won't get cranky tomorrow for waking up earlier than her normal.

I'll end this post with some awesomely(awesomely IS a word depending on what dictionary is used, mm'kay?) cute pictures of LSP enjoying the water like there's no tomorrow :)

One leg up like you are inlove, that's how a lady should swim.

Do the proper breathing through the mouth like a real pro-swimmer if you want to float nicely

And lastly, enjoy the sun and water till your heart burst with pure toddler blissdom!

p.s.

Excuse me for the scarce visits on your blogs too. Promise I'll catch up one day... soon I hope :)

Wordless Wednesday: If there's something strange, in your neighborhood, who you gonna call?

We got a menacing ghost in swimsuit in our household

And she got very, very upset when mami, the ghostbuster trapped her

She promised a revenge!

Diaper-less, yaya-less, bra-less

3 protagonists on this post: diaper, yaya and bra - er, the lack of them actually.  They're like The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

Let me start with the good.  Diaper-less.  We are diaper-less for the entire day! The only time Little Spanish Pinay wears diaper is at night.  A couple of weeks ago, I have embraced the fear of not putting on her diaper even when we are going out.  We've had a couple of accidents here and there but these past few days, we are accident-free the whole day.  There are even mornings that she'd wake up to a clean diaper.  She's starting to hold her pee during the night pretty well, ladies and gents!

So there goes the good part.

Yaya-less.  LSP's yaya left us.  She has found another job by the south of Spain and she was really happy about it.  I too am honestly happy for her and since hubby and I already planned for LSP to go to the daycare soon, this has saved us from giving her the "bad news" that we'll not need her service anymore... BUT not this soon.  She told me the news Monday of the past week and her last day would be Friday of the same week.  Hubby and I immediately had to revisit our plan.  We decided to ask the daycare if LSP can start by July instead of September.  The daycare gladly accommodated our request.  Now, the only problem was the last 3 weeks of June without yaya.  Hubby took a 2-week vacation so he can take care of LSP while I work and then I took the last week of June (plus 1st and 2nd of July) so I can take care of her while hubby goes back to work.

Not really that bad as I believe it's also a good timing. I've been getting worked up with how yaya's been a bit lazy around the house and was actually looking forward to becoming yaya-less but I've had dilemmas as I feel bad letting her go... knowing that it'll be (and it has been) difficult for her to find a job where we live.  This was his only source of income.  But fate fixed my dilemma and even gave a better opportunity for LSP's now-ex-yaya.

Bra-less.  With all the ruckus and changes going on, lately my head does not start to kick even until late afternoon.  One time, I forgot to put my bra on upon leaving the house.  I'm not used to going out the house without wearing my bra, ok?  Now, I know am not blessed (at all) in that area so they're not really an attention grabber but... I am quite blessed in the "tip of the iceberg" area so without my bra on, they are always looking like I am cold, if you get the drift.  When I realized I this, I felt so uncomfortable I started walking like I hunchback with my arms crossed like a mummy and eyeballs going from left to right.  But later on, I realized people could just care less. In a country where topless and nudists are quite a common scenarios in the beach,  seeing nipples behind a bra-less shirt is as normal as seeing a bus in the street.  So I straightened my back, relaxed my arms, put my chin up high and strut me self.  Man, that was liberating!   The ugly part in here is the part where I seem to be running around like a headless chicken lately... see, I barely have time for blogging not even to remember to put everything I need to put on befoer going out the house.  Anyhoo... what is going out bra-less compared to going out with chocolate in my crotch? 

ta-tah for now!

Wordless Wednesday: Chica mayor!

 

Wordless Wednesday: It never gets done

After cleaning the living room, I proceeded to the messier kitchen... A few minutes after, I went back to the living room to take a peak on what the Little Spanish Pinay is busy with.... I'm back to zero.