(Buntis – pregnant; a woman carrying a baby in her womb.)
I’ve always accepted the fact that I’m having a baby — even if it means making more sacrifices than ever. I had to quit the job I loved the most to be able to adjust to my new body condition. And now that I’m perfectly used to my new body, I realized that the world doesn’t go my way anymore. In short, life has become more unfair to me now.
I decided to look for a full-time job since I have to help Dave with the expenses. We need money. Doing home-based jobs is not really that healthy for me, mainly because I get stuck at home alone and I don’t get to interact. Dave asked me a thousand times whether I’m ready to work again. I confidently said YES.
Something made me realize that being pregnant is not a blessing but a curse. A company decided to take away their job offer to me after realizing that I’m pregnant. I was fit for the job, which is why their initial decision was to hire me. A day after, they took away their offer. Because I’m pregnant.
I’m buntis but I’m not ‘disabled’.
I’m buntis but I can still function.
I’m buntis but my capabilities are not limited.
I’m buntis and I have equal rights like those who are otherwise.
I’m buntis but my world will not stop.
I’m buntis and that’s just about it.
Sad fact: some companies do not want to hire pregnant women because they won’t be gaining a lot from them; because they believe that pregnant women will cause them more trouble; and ultimately, they believe that pregnant women are tantamount to disabled women. Didn’t each one of them come from their mother’s womb? What a disgrace.
When I say I can work, I really mean it. I still haven’t signed any contract with the company so I have to move on. But I won’t go without my sentiments being heard. I’m buntis and should not be discriminated because of that.
Being pregnant is NEVER a curse. Do not make anybody make you, all pregnant women feel that. If things don’t go the way you planned them, it’s not your fault. The world is just missing a meaningful point.
Dave and I have long anticipated our big day and now it’s going to happen. But first, a few issues:
1. NSO issued me an erroneous Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR). As usual, Sheenah is spelled as Sheena. Dad says we better fix that paper before it affects our wedding date.
2. Our wedding might cost a lot, no matter how “minimal” I want it to be. Dave wants flowers, souvenirs, cake and some other stuff a “minimal” wedding should lack. My goal for this really simple wedding was to spend as little as possible and now it’s not gonna happen. Oh well, what can an excited groom-to-be do? 
3. As much as we want to make it a Dave-Chin wedding, I’m afraid my parents will be the ones to decide, still. I wanted a simple dress (if possible I’d like to buy a cheap white dress) but nanay wanted to have my dress sewn by a dressmaker. I wanted to have a few flowers only for my obligatory bouquet but my aunt wants to arrange more.
4. Dave and I have little budget for this really simple wedding. I’m afraid that if this really simple wedding turns into a cute expensive one, we might not be able to pay our bills for the month of February.
We have tentatively set our wedding date: February 28, 2010 somewhere in Laguna. We want the wedding to be as solemn as possible (solemn, if not reall simple).
The big question is that, how did Dave pop the question to me? He took out the ring and asked me to marry him. I was sick that time, but it felt right.
How did Dave ask my dad for my hand in marriage? Last night Dave and I attended this activity by the Masons (by dad’s invitation). He told dad that he and his family have “pamamanhikan” (guy’s parents asking my parents for my hand) on January 24. Dad wasn’t shocked but he promptly discussed financial matters. After talking to us, dad went to the Masons and announced Dave’s intention. Well, the closest Mason to the family loudly announced it then gave Dave his blessings (or threats, hehe). We left the hall feeling ecstatic. On our way home, dad discussed about the who the wedding witnesses will be and the prevailing problem about my CENOMAR. Just this morning, dad gave me a list of possible wedding witnesses and we decided to pick two.
Now everybody in the house would mostly talk about our wedding. Ate Sharon showed me some really interesting souvenirs and cake designs online while Jelai joined the fun.
I am really excited about my wedding despite the fact that we’re still facing wedding issues.
Dave was teary-eyed after reading the results of my blood test: POSITIVE. Since that moment, all I heard from him was saving up for our baby, naming our baby, finally settling down, and every positive and verbalized emotion a rookie daddy might have. I was ecstatic.
Being pregnant is not as easy as it seemed. For me, the symptoms were so much worse. On my 3-4th week, I had vomiting, dizziness, flatulence on a regular basis. I wanted atypical foods (yes, raw lumpia wrapper is counted), I had the liking to smell Dave’s neck, and I lessened my internet activities. I had the difficulty of getting up every morning, I collapsed a lot, which is why I had to quit work (no matter how painful it seemed).
I was emotionally unstable. At times I become depressed. I would just talk to my tummy and say everything’s going to be alright. My intrapersonal skills were developed.
Last Christmas vacation, I only wanted to see two men: Dave and my cousin Jeremiah. I spent the remaining days of 2009 sleeping and watching TV. I had the fascination for John Cusack and Lady Gaga.
Right now, Dave and I had to make necessary adjustments. I stay in Los Banos, while Dave works in Manila. He goes home here on weekends. As much as I want to go back to Makati I’m afraid I cannot take care of myself there. I’m in for homebased jobs.
Yesterday I went to my OB for my second prenatal checkup. The doctor checked the baby via ultrasound. Although the baby’s still about 10 weeks old, we already saw the heartbeat. The baby is developing his arms and legs. Both excited, Dave and I photocopied the screen-captured baby photo.
I can’t explain how excited I am on having a baby. The hardship will always be there but it’s nothing compared to this blessing given to us.
Dear Chooks Management,
First of all, thank you. Your product has been driving traffic to my site ever since I posted my Chooks food review. However, I feel like I’m in serious trouble because I cannot answer all my readers’ queries about Chooks. I can only share how great your product is, but I cannot tell them the branches or franchise information. Why? Because I simply do not know.
If it isn’t too much to ask, can you just give me a list of your branches all over the Philippines? You can do so by posting a reply to this blog post, or sending me an email to sheenah(dot)tan(at)gmail(dot)com. That way, more and more people will discover the wonders of your product.
Thank you and more power.
Sincerely yours,
Sheenah
I’m not writing in swardspeak this time. 2009 might have been a very rough year for me (and maybe some of you), but it’s just not fair to not squeeze some good times with good people. So now, the Chenelin Awards 2009 results are below:
FRIEND OF THE YEAR… Make that FRIENDS OF THE YEAR: Paul Austria and Mark Simbillo
KATEXT EVER THIS YEAR: Tat Kaalim
FUMEFEZBOOK 2009: Jonas Lopez
TAKOT SA KARMA NG PLURK 2009: Brinks Alo
KACHAT EVER AND EVER SA YM: Christopher N. Santos
MAJORAY NA BLOGS 2009: Bethel Aclaro and Mighty Rasing
WIT NAKAKA-FORGET THIS YEAR: Anthony Malabanan
LOVE NA LOVE AKEZ I-SPAM: Danica Panganiban
HARI NG DRAMA 2009: Mico Ruiz
DYOSA NG KADRAMAHAN 2009: Pam de Leon
NALUNOD EVER SA WORK 2009: Derek Vicente
WER NA U, DITECH NA ME 2009: Gab Esporlas
WINNER NA KATRABAHO THIS YEAR: Carol Altarejos
FAR FAR AWAY PERO WIT FORGETS AND PILIPINS 2009: April Trillana, Kreg Soriano and Annie Rivera
WIT NA NEED NG ABRIGANA PARA LUMAFANG THIS YEAR: Francis Alger
WINNER KAINUMAN EVER 2009: Baldo Mizal
PANG-GLEE ANG PERFORMANCE: Enzo Toledo
ANG CHEESY N’YO: Richel Onda and Lorie Genn Castillo
I’m adding an award by which no nomination was needed. It is an award that is perennially given to a person whom will always be with me… Just like other awards, I give you
THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
Dave dela Cruz
Congratulations to all winners. The much-awaited printer-friendly certificates (for those in distant places) will follow.
This has been the Chenelin Awards 2009. We’re all in for every significant turn points this 2010. Happy New Year Guys! =)
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