UGH!

Just when I thought everything was okay, I get sick. Well, I'm all better today (thank goodness!) but last night I was so hot with fever. I didn't think that I was going to get sick because I hardly ever get sick but well, it only shows that life is full of surprises.

It was raining yesterday but I went to Ruther's office to get my Intellicare (HMO) card and the PhilHealth forms (for reimbursement during Nikki's hospital stay). The PhilHealth forms are important so I could get back about P10,000 I spent for hospital fees. Turns out, I will still have to go to a PhilHealth office to get another form: Member Data Record to complete all the documents THEN be able to apply for reimbursement. Grrr...

After going to Ruther's office, I passed by SM Southmall to buy a charger for the boys' Nintendo DS. It was still raining at that time. After testing one charger, I decided to buy two just so I'll have my own charger as well. The old charger broke in Zamboanga (and another charger was gnawed by our pet rabbit a long time ago) and we don't have a replacement so I figured, we better have two at hand. Besides, one charger cost only P199. After that I went home (around 4pm) and tended to the boys. At around 5pm I was feeling chilly so I put on my sweater. By 515pm I felt a headache coming on so I tried to nap and told Nikki to wake me at 6pm.

When Nikki woke me, I was burning up and I felt like hammers (or mallets) were pounding on my head incessantly. It was horrible. I would not have minded the fever at all but the headache was really bad. Anyway, I just lay there and tried to sleep it off but it refused to go away for several hours. Nikki was really concerned about me and kept on reassuring me, "I love you Mommy, okay?" He's such a sweetie. Ethan tried to comfort me in his own way as well, by lying on me or climbing on me and pretending I was a motorcycle. Really cute. Once, he kissed me on the cheek and then said, "Ouch!" because my face was hot. Poor baby.

Although I was pretty messed up last night, I was still glad to have them about me. Russell, my brother-in-law stepped up and helped me with some stuff and let the boys stay in his room while I was dozing off and on. By 12midnight, I felt a whole lot better but I didn't want to take any chances so I took a tablet (paracetamol) and drank lots of water. My skin felt cool and my headache was gone. I didn't think I could sleep after all the hours of dozing (from 6pm onwards) so I tried reading a bit but after a few minutes, I felt sleepy again so I just closed my eyes and slept again.

By morning I felt a whole lot better although my throat hurts a bit when I swallow. I think I'm going to have a cold soon. Well, I won't mind having a cold as long as I won't have a headache. I was supposed to go out today to do some errands but it's been raining real hard so I think I'm just going to do them tomorrow or the next day. I wouldn't want to get sick again. Even if I hardly ever get sick.

HOPEFULLY BETTER

Nikki seems to be a whole lot better these days. Of course, I have to get a current CBC report to know for sure but "no fever" is good in my book. Also, Nikki is eating frequently now and he has started drinking milk again. Yay! I really regret not encouraging him to drink more milk the past months. Believe me, if I could go back in time and give myself a nice bop on the head, I would. Anyway, I'm just glad that Nikki is back to his happy (and sometimes bossy) self again. It's nice to hear him laugh again and berate his brother and teach Ethan lots of things in his big brother way. I still try to not tire him too much and every once in a while I ask him how he is and how he's feeling. He says he's okay so I hope he'll really be once we get that CBC on Wednesday.

.....

Yesterday, we went to the mall and I got Nikki this supermagnet kit. Today we did a lot of fun activities with it and it was nice to do experiments spontaneously. We did the paperclip fish and made it into a game (whoever gets the most fish wins) using fishing rods with magnets on the ends of the strings. We also did a pick-up game with a different magnet (how many objects can your magnet pick up). Then of course, there's the experiments: can magnets pass through paper, plastic, wood, cloth, glass, water or rubber. Nikki had a blast with that one. We didn't get to do all the other games/activities yet, but we'll get to that some other time for sure. For now, I'm just happy that Nikki is having fun "studying" science.

NIKKI AT THE HOSPITAL

Nikki is admitted (April 12, 6pm)













First transfusion after 5 days of waiting for his fever to break (April 15, 11:30am)















Going home after 4 days at the hospital (April 16, 6pm).

BACK FROM THE HOSPITAL

In case you are wondering where I was for the past few days, well, we just got back from the hospital yesterday. Remember the fever that I mentioned in a previous post? Well, it didn't want to go away (it started Friday afternoon) so by Sunday, we brought Nikki to the hospital and I requested for a complete blood count and a urinalysis. The urinalysis was okay but the CBC wasn't. His white blood cell count was too high (sign of infection), his red blood cells, hematocrit and hemoglobin was below normal.

So, he had to be admitted. He needed a transfusion but his fever refused to go away for 2 days that I was getting worried. My mom was so worried too. I think she practically contacted everyone she knew to ask them to pray for him. Ruther was worried too and I messaged him every once in a while to keep him updated. When Nikki slept and when my parents would go home with Ethan and I would be alone in the hospital, I would cry from frustration, sadness, exhaustion and despair at Nikki's condition. I just didn't know what to do anymore. But Wednesday morning he started to lose the fever with repeated sponging and he took his first transfusion. After that he just got better and better and after the second transfusion yesterday, we were allowed to leave the hospital. It was such a relief. Even if the doctors couldn't tell me what the cause of the fever was, why the fever woulnd't go away for 5 days, and why his hemoglobin, RBC and hematocrit plummeted, it was still a relief to be out of the hospital.

Although Nikki is home right now, I'm still worried about his blood. When we get to Manila tomorrow I'll have another CBC done and then if he does get normal results, only then will I start to breathe easier. We're also going to visit his hematologist (I'm going to make an appointment) and I'll be showing him the lab results during Nikki's hospitalization and hopefully he'll be able to answer any and all questions I might have about what happened to Nikki these past few days.

CATHEDRAL

THINGS TO DO

Last night I made a list of the things I would need to do once we got back to Manila and after I was done it was pretty overwhelming. Here's part of it:

1. enrol Nikki in swimming lessons (for May class)
2. renew PRC ID
3. get our NSO documents for our application (and to send to Ruther)
4. have photos taken for the visa application (and to send to Ruther)
5. get my transcripts from Penn Foster
6. have our annual physical check-up (and get my Intellicare health card from Ruther's office)
7. review and take the TOEIC (exam is in June)
8. order RightStart Math for Nikki and Ethan
9. purchase Ruther's shirts
10. follow-up the homeschooling program I wanted to enrol Nikki in

Of course this is not the complete list. There are still other errands and chores and things to do. But this is basically the more important stuff. There's quite a lot, isn't there? I'm now have to make a week-by-week schedule just to make sure I don't forget anything. I'll also need to review my Nihongo, read up on photography and send Ruther some stuff that he needs in Japan through the post office. I just know I'll be pretty busy next week...

.....

Nikki seems to be having a bit of fever. It started yesterday afternoon and after he was all better that evening I thought it wouldn't recur. But this morning he was warm again so I gave him some paracetamol. I'm wiping him down from time to time to cool him and he's sitting up now beside me. He'll be eating dinner soon. Hopefully he'll be better in no time. I really don't want any of my kids to be sick. :(

.....

Last Thursday we did the Visita Iglesia (church visit). We only had time to visit 7 churches but I suppose with the boys along, it was enough. Like most (if not all) Holy Week weather it was quite warm but not as warm as the last time we did the Visita Iglesia (2 years ago, I think). The last time I remember it was sweltering. But last Thursday it was just warm and a bit humid. Nikki had fun holding on to the point and shoot cam and just taking lots of photos. Unfortunately, the ISO setting on the cam was set to HIGH so almost all the photos were grainy. I blame myself for this booboo. I should have checked the settings before handing the cam to Nikki. But although most of the photos (almost all) were ruined, I promised him that we would go around the garden tomorrow to take photos to make up for today. He was okay with that.

Anyway, we went to churches of different barrios/barangays: San Roque, Sta. Maria, Pasonanca, Putik, Guiwan, Tetuan, and the Cathedral. We could have gone to 3 more churches but dad had to be somewhere that afternoon so it was just those seven today. The boys didn’t do much praying because they were distracted by the activities in the church (decorating, cleaning, etc.). It was okay though. As long as they didn’t run around in church and make noise, I was content.

CRAYONS

Colorful...

HOLY WEEK

We're going to do a Visita Iglesia tomorrow and I am excited. The last time we were in Zamboanga we got to do it and it was a nice experience. If there were as many churches in Japan I would do the Visita Iglesia every Holy Week while there. Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing all the churches and taking photos. I hope I get some really nice shots. :)

.....

This one's for Becky, in reply to a query. I'm sorry I couldn't be more specific. All I know (and was told) is that it's a man's face on a full moon. If I ever find the answer to your question, I'll tell you asap. Meanwhile, this one's for you.

Why the Sun Follows the Moon

The Sun and the Moon used to be married and shared the sky. One day the Moon had to gather vegetables in the forest and asked the Sun to watch over their children. She warned him not to get too near the sleeping kids because they might get burned.

He watches the kids from a distance but, because he wanted to kiss them, forgot his wife's warning. He bends over near his children and, horrified, sees them melt. He hides in the forest. His wife, the Moon, returns to find her children all melted. After some time, the Sun shows himself to the Moon. They fight: He throws the vegetables to her face and she leaves him.

On a clear night, when the Moon is full, you will see traces of vegetable leaves on her face. Their children have turned into stars, while the Sun keeps chasing after the Moon in an attempt to reconcile.

The Sun and the Moon
(Mandaya / Mindanao)

THE Sun and the Moon were married, but the Sun was very ugly and quarrelsome. One day he became angry at the Moon and started to chase her. She ran very fast until she was some distance ahead of him, when she grew tired and he almost caught her. Ever since he has been chasing her, at times almost reaching her, and again falling far behind.

The first child of the Sun and Moon was a large star, and he was like a man. One time the Sun, becoming angry at the star, cut him up into small pieces and scattered him over the whole sky just as a woman scatters rice, and ever since there have been many stars.

Another child of the Sun and Moon was a gigantic crab. [135] He still lives and is so powerful that every time he opens and closes his eyes there is a flash of lightning. Most of the time the crab lives in a large hole in the bottom of the sea, and when he is there we have high tide; but when he leaves the hole, the waters rush in and there is low tide. His moving about also causes great waves on the surface of the sea.

The crab is quarrelsome like his father; and he sometimes becomes so angry with his mother, the Moon, that he tries to swallow her. [136] When the people on earth, who are fond of the Moon, see the crab near her, they run out of doors and shout and beat on gongs until he is frightened away, and thus the Moon is saved.

Cole, Mabel Cook. Philippine Folk Tales.

Notes

[135] The crab was called Tambanokano.

[136] An eclipse of the moon. This belief in a monster swallowing the moon and the wild efforts to frighten it away are very widespread. It is found among the Batak of Palawan and in other parts of Malaysia as well as in the South Sea, Mongol, Chinese, Siamese, and Hindoo mythology. Even in Peru we find the belief that an evil spirit in the form of a beast was eating the moon, and that in order to scare it the people shouted and yelled and beat their dogs to make them add to the noise. See Karlson, Journal of Religious Psychology, November, 1914, p. 164.


The Sun And The Moon BY RUDOLF RAHMANN S.V.D.

In the beginning the Sun God, Arao, and the Moon Goddess, Buan had
both a numerous family of stars. Those 'of Arao were of a golden yellow color,
and extremely brilliant, while those of Buan were of silvery white with no heat
at all. Buan became obsessed with the idea that her stars would be unable to
withstand the heat and light of Arao and his progeny. She therefore made a
compact with Arao that they both destroy their stars as a measure of safety.
This they mutually agreed to do.
After the Sun had devoured his stars, the Moon hid hers in the obscurity
of the clouds, from which ever and again they emerged. The Sun seeing this
was filled with righteous rage at the cunning deception of the Moon. In consequence
the Sun is eternally in pursuit of the Moon to destroy her for having
deceived him to protect her progeny.
The chase has lasted since the dawn of time. Sometimes the Sun gets close
enough to bite her. This is an eclipse. Time heals the wound, for the Moon
is continually waxing and waning, as the pursuit closes on her and she takes
refuge behind the higher obscurities.
The Sun returns and devours the stars at dawn or puts them to flight, while
the Moon hides them during the day and only brings them forth when she is
advised by her eldest daughter, Tala, the Evening and Morning Star, that the
Sun is far away and cannot pursue them.2

.....


I wish everyone a blessed week. I know some families are planning trips and get togethers but let's not forget the real reason behind the no-work-and-classes week: Jesus. So, let's just be mindful of our Catholic duties, spend time with our families and, good or bad, reflect on the year that was.

ORANGE SKY

Pretty...

MONDAY MUSINGS

Yesterday, the boys and I spent the afternoon at a hotel pool. My HS friends and I decided to meet up and bring our kids along. I thought it was a great idea since 1. it’s been getting so hot these days, the boys would surely love a swim in the pool, 2. it would be good exercise for the boys, and 3. it would be nice for them to meet my friends and their kids. Nikki really enjoyed meeting the kids. Ethan too had fun being on his own in the pool (which is how he wanted it to be). And I had a fun time talking to my friends and taking photos. It was a pleasurable afternoon. Hopefully more fun days for us ahead…

…..

Nikki answered his workbook this afternoon. Nothing big. We did a bit of English and then Math. Then he went to his sciencewithme site and reviewed the animations there. (I think it’s a wonderful site!) He’s learning a lot about earthworms! This morning, the boys went to a fast food resto and played on the slide. That was their physical education for the day. Later, we’ll be doing more worksheets and then read some books. It’s a pretty slow day but still very rewarding.

…..

I am currently looking for a homeschool program for Nikki. After a looooong search I have finally come down to 2: Elija Academe and Kids World Integrated School. The final decision will come after I have spoken to the representatives of each school and gathered all the necessary information. Then and only then will I enrol Nikki in their homeschool program. Hopefully I will be able to come up with a decision before the month is over.

FLAMES

BYE TOOTH

Nikki lost another tooth two days ago. I woke up that morning with Nikki telling me, "Look Mommy! I have another loose tooth!" And sure enough, the tiny tooth was right there on his palm. Don't you just love it? No drama at all. Just pop! and there's the tooth. No tears, no worries. Anyway, I kept the tooth and once we get back to Manila, that little incisor will join the other tooth in Nikki's milk tooth box. :)

.....

Editing and picking photos from our roadtrip is giving me a headache. I have to pick photos from 4 cameras (1 cam for dad, 1 for mom, 1 for me and 1 for Nikki) and it's really not an easy task. Anyway, I already did Day 1 and I'm now trying to finish day 2 but there are still so many photos to pick/edit that I think this will take me 2 more days to finish. Oh well. I guess I'll just have to grin and bear it.

.....

Everytime I come to Zamboanga I always feel like I gain weight. I guess it's the lack of activity. There's only so much one can do in a tiny city. I've been looking at the roadtrip photos and boy, do I look huge!! And of course I hate it. So once we're back in Manila, I'm getting on that treadmill again. You betcha I will.

ROADTRIP

One of our stops during our roadtrip: lunch at Diplo, Kumalarang.

I'M BACK

We arrived safe and sound yesterday afternoon from our roadtrip and although we had a fun time touring the nearby cities, we were all glad to be home. I think no one was happier than my dad who drove the entire 3 days. As we were nearing home, he was saying things like his bed was calling him and such. He was so funny! Anyway, the boys had fun too. Nikki's instant lesson during the trip was road signs and traffic rules. It was nice to see him so interested in new things and in different situations. I lent him my point-and-shoot camera and he had a blast taking photos of everything. He was so interested that I started teaching him how to keep his arms and hands steady, to adjust his shots, to take sharper images and how to turn the flash on and off. Of course his dad was excited when I told him about Nikki's interest in photography. Hopefully, he will never tire of taking photos. The world is a beautiful place and all he has to do is look closely and capture it.

.....

Yesterday was my mom's birthday. We gave her a birthday cupcake (chocolate) with a single candle on it and Ethan helped her blow it out. Nikki took her photo and also gave her his present: a book we made about her. She loved it and we were glad. :D We did spend most of my mom's birthday on the road (going home to Zamboanga) but it was a fun trip and when we got home we had dinner together here at home and it was a nice ending to an eventful day. My mom is 58 years old now but still very active, very healthy and still as petite as before. I love you Mommy! Happy Birthday!

.....

We visited the cities/provinces of Ipil, Pagadian, Ozamis, Dapitan and Dipolog. We didn't tarry in some places too much because we only had 3 days. But the best place for me during the entire trip was the boulevard of Dipolog City. It was really clean, beautiful and the people are just so nice. And the sunset was lovely when we went for a stroll there. My mom, dad and I spent some minutes eating balut and chatted with the manang (old lady vendor) and Nikki had fun taking photos. I even chatted with a British tourist who declined the balut graciously. It was a nice experience. When I asked Nikki what his favorite thing was during the trip, he promptly replied, "swimming in the pool". Well no surprise there. When we were at Dipolog, the hotel we stayed at had a pool so the boys spent some time playing in the pool last Saturday afternoon. Anyway, it was wonderful getting to see other cities and places. It was a wonderful experience and hopefully we will be doing more travelling in the future. :)

FLOWERS

Pretty flowers...

ROAD TRIP

So, our road trip commences tomorrow! I am so psyched! Been packing our stuff last night and I had to write and rewrite the list of things to bring with us. Talk about over anxiety. Anyway, I showed Nikki the map this afternoon of the road and cities we'll be passing by in the next couple of days and he's pretty excited too. Well, I hope everything goes well and I hope we all have fun. :)

.....

My cold is gone, which is a HUGE relief. I am so glad I'm not sniffling any more. Not only is it so bothersome, it also made my nose sore from all the wiping I had to do every minute or so. Not to mention Nikki complaining that he couldn't kiss me on the lips because I wouldn't let him catch my germs. Haha! He is such a sweet boy. Anyway, I'm glad to be rid of that nasty cold. Good riddance. :)

.....

I had such a fun time with my friends last Tuesday evening. I met up with four of them (3 were my childhood friends and all of them were my HS classmates) and we just talked endlessly. We haven't seen each other for more than a year but when we started talking, it seemed like we were never apart at all! It's amazing how our friendship has stayed strong and true after all these years. Last Tuesday, we caught up with each others' lives and we're even planning our HS reunion in 2013. It'll be our 20th year then. My, how time flies... But the interesting thing is that after all these years, we have managed to stay the same. I mean, of course, not exactly the same in all aspects, but basically, the way we were in HS (cooky, fun-loving, talkative, really comfy in each others' presence) is still how we are now and it's a lot of fun when you meet old friends and remember them the same way. Despite the ups and downs in all our lives these past 16 years since we graduated (believe me, some of my friends' stories will make you cry) when we get together, we are all happy to be in each others' company. And I love my friends. I know that they will be my friends forever. (Cheesy I know, but true.) Anyway, we're planning another get together, this time with our kids on April 5 so I'm really looking forward to that. :)

SUPPORT EARTH HOUR

Earth Hour 2009 – What Will You Be Doing?

Cuddling up with your loved ones and admiring the stars in the night sky or organising a treasure hunt in the dark? At 8:30pm on Saturday 28 March, people from all corners of the world will turn off their lights for one hour - Earth Hour - and cast their vote for action on climate change. Anybody can participate and join together with millions of people across the globe celebrating Earth Hour.

Earth Hour is about taking simple steps everyday that collectively reduce carbon emissions – from businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty to households turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby.

Here are 10 different ways to spend Earth Hour and reduce your carbon footprint:

1. Attend a local Earth Hour event or organise your own by throwing an Earth Hour street party with your neighbours
2. Gather family & friends for a night picnic in your local park and look at the stars
3. Enjoy a family dinner by candlelight
4. Organise a treasure hunt in the dark
5. Take the dog for a night walk
6. Have a candle-lit bath
7. Sit in the dark and share stories
8. Organise a family night playing board games
9. Share a romantic night in with your loved one
10. Upload your ‘on the night’ photos and videos to flickr and YouTube respectively, and then add them to the Earth Hour flickr group and the global YouTube Group.

Earth Hour Executive Director, Andy Ridley, is encouraging people to participate in whatever way they choose and to think beyond the hour.

“There are no hard and fast rules surrounding participation in Earth Hour. We only ask that you flick that switch and have fun doing whatever you choose to do during that time.

Make Earth Hour work for you. Families with young children should feel free to turn their lights off earlier than 8:30pm and for those having too much fun in the dark during the hour, don’t feel you have to limit yourself to one hour and switch back on at 9:30pm.”

To find out more about Earth Hour, visit the official website www.earthhour.org, sign up and join millions of people in more than 1,400 cities and towns in 80 countries throughout the world by turning off your lights for one hour at 8:30pm on Saturday 28 March.

MARANG

Yummy fruit! :)