Along came Izzie ;-)

It wasn't as easy as it used to be to have an Izzie around for Matto and Arnold. It took sometime before Matto's eggs ovulate and behave normally inside her womb.. hahahaha

I was updated via text as to what exact week, how 1 cm turned into 2 cm each week…  but, FYI, I am not an OB ha.  That's just how Matto and I made this journey exciting.  She was even texting me each day early in the morning to update whether or not Izzie is out or just slightly looking in.. hehehe

Came September 2, 2007 @ 1:25am, Izzie was born.  But at the time I was blogging, I haven't seen her personally.  As per Matto, a lot-like "Arnold!"  so … most probably… Kamote, Jr.  hahahaha

Thanks to epidural for it makes giving birth appeared to be as if "Ninang, parang natatae lang"… whatta description huh?!

But I'm so glad… finally Matto and Arnold has a "Baby Girl" now.  I am more than excited just how Rocko will react upon seeing his baby sis at home…

Btw, belated Happy Birthday, Rocko Boy!  And welcome to the world of disney, Izzie!  May bago na namang kalolokohan si Ninang Pooh!

Vote for Maris Reayes on InstantPopStar UK

Friends, do me a really great favor.  This time, I am rooting for a personal friend, whom I've known since highschool… hehehehe

I know somebody by the name Christie Maris Reyes. I got a friendster message saying… she's in www.instantpopstar.co.uk.  The contest goes like this… top 3 who gets the most number of votes plus 3 chosen by the producers will get the chance to record an album in London…

How to vote:  

1.  Go to http://www.instantpopstar.co.uk

2.  On the Search Field, type in MARIS REAYES and click the play button to search.

3.  Search Results will yield a "Maris Reayes" Profile.  Click the "Click to Vote" button.. minimum of 20 votes per PC.

3.  Or on the Chart Top 100, scroll down the diamond button and look for "A MOMENT LIKE THIS" by Maris Reayes, click it.

4.  A new page will display, showing Maris Reayes profile and the song can be heard.  Put your headset on.  

5.  Click the "Click to Vote"

6.  Gotcha… vote as many as you want!

By the way, Maris, as we fondly call her in highschool (in Infant Jesus Academy) used to be my interpreter in Metropop.  She has always been the singer at school.  I am so glad to finally see her out!  Like me, she had to take other field of study, which I guess is Physical Therapy, but still ended up pursuing what we both love doing… MUSIC!  She hails from Silang, Cavite… 

There she goes…. to all Filipinos and our schoolmates in IJA… please spread the word…. let's vote for Maris!!!

You can vote 20 times per PC.  Just refresh the browser and vote and vote and vote…

As of this time… chart position goes up from 26 to 22… let's put her on top!!!  Go Go Go Go Maris!!!
Voting is until September 30 only…  !!!

Basahan

Just recently, an unsolicited advice was given to me by someone I never thought would be brave in telling me those things.  Someone who might have experienced the same patterns that my life have been going into.

He told me… "Ayokong madaanan mo pa ang pinagdaanan ko kaya sa umpisa pa lang sasabihin ko na sa yo.  Para hindi ka maging parang basahan."

It was a casual conversation that made me think seriously.  In some ways, I tend to become very obnoxious at some things… always yearning to prove something out there which my 28 years have missed proving.  Have I truly proven something?  I guess… not that much that I expect myself to be.  Been too grateful that still…. God is making His way out for me to meet "good souls" that would remind me of that.

The place I least like to be in… is to be comfortably sitting in the world of failure.

The First Kick’s Aftershock

September 3, 2007 6:30am

I heard my bro's watching TV.  Watching a delayed report of Unang Hirit about the Bar Examinees yesterday.  He was laughing when he saw some of them acting so weird.

Then he began sharing.  Afterwards, went to the bathroom and started preparing for a new day.  When he came back, he was so hesitant to look for his book and find whether he's right!  He browsed the pages and found out two of the intriguing questions were answered correctly.  We were shouting… we were making "wrestling all over" the room..

He said… "Ate, may 10 points na ako!"  I was like… "Ano?! 10 points lang yung hiyawan natin na un!?"

<Tawanan ulit>

Rule #1:  After the exam, don't discuss the answers.  It will just make you feel affected and the succeeding bar exams might suffer.

Rule #2:  Don't look at the answers to confirm whether it's correct or not.

What we did… he opened the doggie bags filled with chocolates, drinks, crackers and began eating….

We were just laughing out loud and trying to mess around… He told me that the "bell ringing" in DLSU was something you wouldn't be alarmed of… "makyu-kyutan ka pa nga daw kasi parang ringtone" hahahaha

The entire family couldn't ask him… so I was the sole interviewer and will later pass it on to them.  Ang saya noh?!

First Kick

September 2, 2007 - Political Law in the morning and Labor Law in the afternoon.

My parents went home after seeing my brother had already entered the testing venue.  A few minutes after, I took the way home to Mendiola.  I was really tired and sleepy.  I woke up at 2pm for the simultaneous praying I have texted my entire family to do everytime 7am and 2pm of Sundays strike for my brother.  2pm is the start of the afternoon exam.  Though I am lil confident as Labor Law is my bro's strongest subject but still confidence and wisdom alone is not a guarantee of passing after all.

Then came 5pm… 6pm… I went out of the dorm and waited for any of the Barristers living in the same dormitory where we are staying for years now.  I was so happy to see Butch.. my bro's good friend.  He was really depressed, "tulirong windang" as I could perfectly describe it and tired.  When I asked him…. "Kumusta?"

I joined him sitting outside at the gutter… trying to give a lil comfort…

Butch:  Hay naku, Ate.. ewan ko ba… Hindi ko na alam ang isasagot ko sa tanong mo.. Basta, ewan ko. Hay hindi ko alam kung andon un sa nireview namin… Ewan ko.

Sheggz: Bat ang aga mo?  Asan si Rovs?  Hindi ka sumabay sa school bus?

Butch:  Ay hindi na Ate… ayoko na rin sumabay.  Gusto kong maglakad na lang pauwi…

He turned to the landlady asking the price of "Andok's Manok!"  I said P160.00.

Butch, pala, was celebrating his birthday on the same date he took the bar… hahaha  Happy Birthday!!!

I went outside… I toured around Recto and waited till I got a text from bro.  "Pauwi na ako. Bili ka ng battery"

I was curious… "Kelan pa naging requirement sa bar ang battery? Hehehehe"

When I saw him, I couldn't ask anything.  I would just like to see him if he's okay.  Just a minute of silence while seeing him lying on his bed and watching TV.  I saw him watching…. "America's Talent", I think.  We were laughing to see the contestants performed and forgot how we should talk about the bar…

When I looked at him again… without asking anything… "Ate, grabe.  Political Law walang tama o maling sagot. Essay.  Pero for sure may tamang sagot dun! Tapos yung Labor Law na akala ko strongest subject ko, 1st question pa lang, mali na ang sagot ko.  The rest, hindi ko na alam kung paano ko sinagutan."

At the back of my mind…. "Natatanga na yata ang kapatid ko.  Bakit ganito ang mga sinasabi"

I was about to ask him again, when I saw him sleeping na.

I was holding the battery he asked me to buy… "Para saan ang battery? Hahahaha"
 

He Opens a Window

I saw this in my mailbox as part of my subscription to ISD By Heart Yahoogroup.  And I find it worthy to be shared to everyone who in some ways are experiencing test of faith and courage.

I thought that I was well prepared for all life had in store.
It seemed that I had everything and could not ask for more.
Now the things I thought I wanted have vanished with the wind.
But I won’t give in to despair. I’ll look again and look within.

Chorus:
For when God closes a door
He opens a window
But we need to open our eyes.
For when God closes a door
He opens a window
Blessings can come in disguise,
But we need to open our eyes.

It’s hard to know just what to do or even what to say
When hope is gone. You can’t go on, and everything looks gray,
And the things you thought you wanted are nowhere to be found.
If you feel lost and all alone then look again, and look around.

Chorus

Sometimes we pray for an answer.
Sometimes the answer is “No!”
But what we do with each answer
Can show us how we live and how we grow.

And now, at last, I understand. I know just what to do,
And though it’s not the way I planned,
His plan comes shining through.
Thought I knew just what I wanted. Got what I need instead,
And with His love to guide me through,
I’ll look again and look ahead.

Chorus

But we need to open our hearts.
Believe it, and that’s how it starts.

Thanks LJ Esio for this!