I haven’t given birth yet. Thanks to Nurse Nilda for introducing the term “primigravida” or “nanganganay” (first child pregnancy) to me. She added that first children are mostly born late. That explains why Danah hasn’t still shown signs of coming out.

I began feeling pelvic pains two weeks ago. Mama Lloyd (helper) and Dave thought I was going to give birth that time so we stayed in my parents’ house overnight. Everybody was excited.

Dave thought of sending me to the hospital several times. I firmly said no, since I have had enough horror stories from moms who had false labor. Imagine eating hospital food.

I checked with my OB last Friday and she said my cervix is still closed. She said I have about a week or two before I give birth. The pelvic pains are caused by my heavy tummy. Well, yes, I’m 135 pounds heavy, seven pounds heavier than last week.

Everything is all-set now. Dave made amends on his PhilHealth membership, we have already acquired the doctor’s admitting instructions, our things are now inside the car, and personally, I’m ready to face whatever amount of pain delivery might give me.

I am on a strict diet now (although Dave can’t bear the fact that I become hungry and remain that way). It’s a big dilemma for me since I look skinnier yet I weigh heavier. All the nutrients I take go to Danah (vitamins, food) but amazingly, she isn’t that big. I think my tummy is filled with water too.

As much as I want to walk a lot, I’m afraid my pelvic pain is too much to bear. Dave gave me his Power Balance since it always looks like I’m going to fall everytime I walk.

I am proud to say that I haven’t had swollen feet yet (and I hope I never will). It’s quite saddening to see lots of stretch marks on my tummy, but I believe that those stretch marks are my trophy for carrying a child (and being a mom in the very near future). I suffered from leg cramps (which Mama Lloyd says are natural).

I’m glad Dave and Mama Lloyd are always there for me. Despite the pain I feel at times, I feel secured knowing that they are going to take care of me, and in a few days, of Baby Danah.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Anytime “Anytime”. That’s what I tell my friends whenever they...
2. Getting There We just can’t describe the feeling of finally seeing...
3. Entering Parenthood I’m down to my last trimester of pregnancy. Dave...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

My husband and I decided to just settle down in Los Banos, a province in Laguna known as the “Science and Nature City”.

I was sad when we left Manila. I couldn’t even pack our things very well. Dave made sure that we have made most out of our last week in the city so we went out every night to pig out, watch movies, shop, and just savor the smell of the malls. We we’re pointing at particular places and saying “we’re gonna miss this.”

Now going to Manila makes me feel like a child going on a field trip in the big city.

This has happened to me before, when I used to commute all the way from Los Banos to Manila for my Master’s. I didn’t mind the stress of taking a bus, then taking two trains just to get to the graduate school; it’s like I’m indulging in the mixture of sweat and city-feel. You cannot blame someone who’s been tied up to the province for almost a quarter of her life (assuming that I live for a hundred years, haha).

I got to enjoy the little things the big city gave me — good or bad, are worth smiling for. It brought me two of the most important people in my life: my husband and our little girl.

I kind of admit that I get bored in the province. My husband has given me a new lifestyle in the big city, which is way too different from what we have now. We were mall rats, movie buffs, steak fans, and we socialized very well by means of late-night dinners and drinking sessions (but we were not party animals for Pete’s sake!) We two enjoyed almost all the alcoholic drinks in a bar in Makati that going home both drunk was not unusual for us. There was once an instance when we couldn’t get home since we had no cash left and all the ATMs were down.

I can’t compare the big city to the province. Each has its pros and cons and feeling constantly bad about going back to where I was raised is like turning my back against my past. There are still reasons for me to love my province yet the thought of being in the big city is much, much more exciting for me.

I’m about to give birth anytime so I’m hoping this is just some pregnancy blues. My actions are limited to walking, sleeping, eating, writing (for a living) and attaching myself to our friends via internet.

We are not certain if we’re going back to the big city soon or we’re ever gonna go back there. There are lots of things to miss, but surely when our little girl comes out, we wouldn’t care about where we are — for as long as we three are together.

Definitely we’re taking our little girl to the big city often when the right time comes.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Getting There We just can’t describe the feeling of finally seeing...
2. Entering Parenthood I’m down to my last trimester of pregnancy. Dave...
3. On Looking Nice I was never a fan of makeups, clothes and...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

We just can’t describe the feeling of finally seeing Danah. Every word related to happiness and joy comes along.

I feel Danah growing inside me. She’s becoming participative which makes it easy for me to walk and do a lot of things. Everytime Dave would place his hands on my tummy, Danah would twitch. Ah, the joy.

Tomorrow is Dave’s birthday. This will be the first time Dave will be celebrating his birthday with the family of his own — us, and I feel nothing but happy for him. He has worked so hard to ensure our safety, and now he’s working even harder to give us a good life.

We’re doing some big decisions right now. We’re not that sure if they’re worth it, but we know it’s all for Danah’s best.

Today is the start of our last week in Manila. We’re moving to Los Banos since we believe Danah will be raised well here (but she’s still going to be born in Manila). I like the idea but giving up the urban life seems a bit hard. Rest assured that our careers won’t be sacrificed. Dave and I have to do a lot of parenting and after that, we’ll go back to where we left.

I’m close to my 8th month of pregnancy and so far I’m doing great. I look thinner and paler but it’s a good sign that Danah is getting all the nutrients I take.

Anyway, Dave and I will be very busy hauling our things to the province and getting ready for our little angel.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Entering Parenthood I’m down to my last trimester of pregnancy. Dave...
2. Project: Danah’s Room Dave and I are really excited for our first...
3. Much Love to Our Daughter Yesterday we went to the hospital to have our...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

When I graduated college, I made sure I made most out of my summer before finally having the courage to seek for a job. I went out with friends, travelled in Visayas, finished every episode of South Park, slept and woke up late, until I grew tired of being a bum.

Yet there was one thing I’ve always pondered about: my resume.

Everywhere I went I thought about what to put and what NOT to put in my resume.

Here are some tips on how to create an effective resume (if you haven’t been taught about this in college):

1. Keep it short and simple. No flowery words, no long descriptions.

2. Make sure it is relevant to the position you’re applying for. Companies wouldn’t care if you won in a pageant; you’d rather state some relevant facts that sum up your character as a future employee.

3. Always indicate your character references and do not put “upon request”. Companies really DO track you down and it will cause much hassle and delay if you do not indicate a reference in your paper.

4. A lengthy resume is not impressive, unless you have years of experience and has obtained a PhD degree somewhere.

5. The layout and style of your resume matters. Be as formal as possible.

I am proud to say that my first resume has attracted companies I’ve applied for.

Speaking of job applications, do not fret when you don’t land that job interview. Do not worry about getting soaked in the sweltering heat carrying an envelope of resumes. Do not worry about having your heels blistered. Ladies and gentlemen, applications via walk-in is so yesteryear.

If we can use the internet to research, chat, make friends or even stalk people, we can use it to package ourselves and apply for jobs. Suffice to say that companies now prefer applications via internet since it’s more convenient. Job sites like JobStreet, JobsDB, BestJobs, Craigslist and other remote/freelance job sites could give you a job you mostly fit in. These websites sort jobs according to your level of expertise, field of experience, salary expectations… It sure doesn’t hurt to browse along. It’s safe, it’s cheap and it prevents you from getting tired and thirsty.

Why would you still opt to walk building-by-building to find a job? The internet is here to make lives easier. Both employers and employees use the internet as if their lives depend on it. So you, applicant, should be practical.

The issue of unemployment is not as prevailing as before. There are new industries today by which every fresh graduate could consider taking for experience. I am not solely talking about call center jobs since personally, I don’t find these jobs fulfilling.

Unemployment. Look around the internet and you will find a lot of employers. My statement may be limited to the information technology or journalism industry but getting referrals from, let’s say, hospitals, restaurants, hotels and other companies is just a matter of packaging yourself very well. Finding a job at this time is not as hard as it seems, you just need to package yourself very well and be practical, so I reiterate.

Gaining experience increases your chances of getting employed much easier in the future. Who does not want to be offered a high salary? Who would not be flattered about getting pirated (another company offering higher pay to you)? Of course these are good sub-goals since it does not only increase your worth, it increases your morale as well.

Some companies still cling to the issue of school discrimination (“candidate must be a graduate of the top 3 universities in the country“), and the issue is getting far-fetched, as far as internet-based job postings are concerned. The only discrimination I have encountered so far is not getting the job offer since I am pregnant (and thus incapable, so the company said).

To cut you some slack, here’s a list of the techniques on how to land a job interview and eventually get the job you applied for (from application to actual job interview):

1. Search the internet for the job you’re targeting. If you are still not decided on the specific job, go to a job site and browse for jobs by category.

2. Look for the qualifications. Entry level jobs are abundant. If you find yourself fit for the job, bookmark it and look for another related job.

3. Do steps 1 and 2 until you find your job list quite satisfying.

4. Apply for each job. Job sites require applicants to register in their websites. It takes about 3 minutes to do so.

5. Write or prepare your cover letter. It should be less than 200 words long, with only 3-4 paragraphs. Cover letters are supposed to be taught in college.

6. List the jobs you’ve applied for. You may expect a call a few hours to a few days after your application.

7. If the company gives you a call, it means you are scheduled for an interview OR you are being interviewed via phone.

8. If you’re scheduled for an interview, jot down the complete office address, whom to look for, contact number (in case) and the date and time.

9. Dress accordingly. Never forget to print a few copies of your resume and never forget to bring a black pen on job interviews. You might be scheduled for an exam.

10. Do not fret if the company reschedules you for another interview. It does not really mean you have chances of getting rejected.

I did not land the first job I really targeted. It took me about a month to get over it. Do you know how much time was wasted? A lot. So if you don’t land the job you’ve been wanting, it’s okay,  don’t always assume that you’re at fault.

Again, good luck in finding and getting your first job. I’m always here, doing the Lord’s work.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. The Change This is just a primer of my entry to...
2. Sentiments of a ‘Buntis’ (Buntis – pregnant; a woman carrying a baby in...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

For the first time in months (or even a year) I feel exquisitely great. Depression has its way of altering my thoughts.

Was chatting with Lee Ann a while ago about women stuff. It was so timely since I was in dire need of a good interaction with a friend. Now I call my high school friends. If ever I have the chance to go back to LB, I’d like to repeat the good old times: DVDs and popcorn.

When I feel really down (which happens more often now) I love to think of happy thoughts, which are mostly in the past. I like to think I’m holding my precious D80 once again, shooting models or landscapes, brandishing my drumsticks and performing in a gig, going out with friends, buying a CD at Odyssey (I swear I still think CDs are so pricey but I like to take the inlay).

Since I’m recalling my sweet past, might as well recall Aldo’s birthday come 2005. It was one of the best times. I gave him a “Models Wanted” tee, which fitted him so badly so I went to his living room with my face in my palm. Olga insisted that we add Mean Girls to our DVD list so we did, but what I enjoyed most is Buying the Cow. I feel so bad about losing the two memorable photos the morning after. Aldo, do you remember who’s missing? I’d still like to sprawl on the lawn and laugh out loud.

And since I’ve mentioned it, belated happy birthday, Aldo. My collection of your CDs is still in my rack, especially the one with “istupeeeed!”

Anyway, I’m on a self-therapy since I’ve no one to rely on. This depression will pass. For those who’ve known me for years. you also know how extremely sad I become and how happy I turn out the day after.

You’re the people I should stick with. I love you all!

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Understand I’m Accident Prone I don’t know when and how I became addicted...
2. On Looking Nice I was never a fan of makeups, clothes and...
3. The Chenelin Awards 2009 Results I’m not writing in swardspeak this time. 2009 might...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Ladies and gentlemen it’s roughly 34 degrees here in Metro Manila and I’m burning with my own rage.

This is a bad day. I woke up half naked as my body’s response to this unbearably insane weather.  Dave and I got up only to find our favorite paksiw na bangus covered in amag. Plus, the munggo soup nanay cooked for us has been spoiling inside the casserole for hours.

These are good dishes, in fact these are the dishes Dave and I would most likely to eat for a week had my sister been human enough to put them in the refrigerator. She didn’t so the dishes were thrown away.

I value food so much. I have been terribly hungry during those times when I cannot make my own food. It enrages me a lot to see food being wasted. Like my sister did.

So now I’m sending her back to the province for being such an irresponsible ass.

Add a terribly bad review that spoiled a movie Dave and I have been wanting to watch for weeks. People have to know the difference between a review and a spoiler. A review contains comments on the movie’s plot, setting, characters, story, but it doesn’t contain spoilers that could make a fan go ballistic. A spoiler is a piece of shit written by know-it-alls to declare to the world that “hey, I’m cool, touch me!”

People, if you can’t post a good review, just tell the world how much you love/hate the movie. I’m pleading.

Anyway there’s still no sign of my sister. She went out this morning and God knows where she is. I texted her that if she isn’t home by 1PM, she’ll find all her things outside the gate. It’s quarter past 2 but I’m still too lazy to throw her things away.

‘Bad’ is an understatement. I don’t know how to describe this day but what I know is that there will be a scene in this house later.

This is, indeed, a perfect day to smack somebody.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Sheenah’s Movie Shit List Part 2 I give you the second part of my movie...
2. Sheenah’s Movie Shit List Part I I am never watching a movie without hearing or...
3. Open Letter to Chooks Management Dear Chooks Management, First of all, thank you. Your...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

I don’t know when and how I became addicted to that line. I’ll probably blame Aldo because it’s possibly one of his one-liners from songs a decade ago.

Now the song is in my head and I can’t get it out. Natalie Imbruglia, why were you so awesome?

————————-

I’m having a bad morning. It was good an hour ago until people and things succeeded in ruining it. I never had a good Friday in 2010 so far, thankyouverymuch.

So maybe it’s time to take a trip a decade and a few years back, when life was awesome and worrying what to eat on breakfast was never a problem.

My life as a delinquent UP student is not as clear as how I’ll describe it a few years ago. I know I had a good life, sans the acads. I lived with music, the Internet, alcohol, fashion, and music. Dad was against everything I wanted in college but I had him give up, hence life was awesome.

Everything went dark when I heard that Burger King Los Banos closed. BK used to be our sanctuary. A lot of things happened there. I got mugged inside the store, chased the robber to the streets and had him throw my heavy orange backpack as he raised the white flag. He didn’t know my bag only contained my precious 700-page calculus book and a trusty calculator.

Then Aldo, JB, RCE, Olga, Charlene and some high school friends would stay in BK during our vacant hours, refilling our nth cup of ice tea or Sprapple (Sprite+apple). BK must have lost so much income from us, now I realized.

Then BK’s manager went to our table and gave us a long sermon on why we shouldn’t bring pizza inside the store.

Then our high school yearbook launching, which became our first high school reunion. JB shouted “discrepancy” instead of “discretion”. He got associated with the name for a few years.

A lot of my unromantic encounters happened there. Good times.

And the cherry on top of my BK cake? Crying with JB’s cultured maggots. Don’t. Ask. Why.

Anyway, thinking what I had before is worth smiling for this bad Friday morning. Too bad my kid won’t have a glimpse of the then-BK, just meaningful stories that he she will ask his/her ninongs and ninangs over and over again.

So do you understand I’m accident prone? Surely no pun intended.

(blog entry title taken from Natalie Inbruglia’s Wishing I Was There)

Share on Facebook

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

I was never a fan of makeups, clothes and beauty products before. Maybe that’s because I’ve always been busy playing with my band, writing stuff online, taking pictures, trying to make music… But now that I’m on a hiatus, I suddenly realized that I need to do something about the way I look.

My goal is everybody’s goal: to look nice.

The doctor discouraged me from wearing makeup. I don’t wear too much makeup; just a few touches to make me look okay. So I gave away my kit, including my pink Dior makeup kit given by my sister.

I talked to other moms about wearing makeup. They said if it makes me feel better, then why not? They wore makeup too when they were pregnant. How were they supposed to come to work without any makeup on? So fine, I’ll wear makeup.

I really don’t look good without any makeup on. I’m yellow and pale. Thank goodness my cousin gave me lipstick and mascara. I unpacked my things last night and found an Ever Bilena kit.

I also have the urge to smell nice, which is why I’m looking for Bath and Body Works’ Winter White Fresh. The smell is sex! And that’s the only smell I want now.

Apart from wearing makeup, I’m rediscovering my sense of style. None of my old clothes fit anymore so I gotta get new ones.

I dread the postpartum depression doctors have been warning me about. I feel like I’m most likely to have it since as early as now I’m having emotion difficulties. The key to avoiding it is to feel good about myself, with the support from people around me (ehem!) Would looking nice be one of the solutions? It will help. Maybe.

So here’s to a nice-looking mommy.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Our Baby: Boy or Girl? My family, friends and relatives are placing their bets...
2. That Housemate Problem I’ll go straight to the point: my housemates are...
3. Dave and Chin: The First Anniversary Today is 21-Feb-2010. Last year’s 21-Feb, I finally decided...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

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! =)

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. 2009 Chenelin Awards Ateng (Plus Addenda) Mga ateng! Itech na ang Chenelin Awards sa Year...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

I’ll go straight to the point: my housemates are either from a.) hell, b.) outer space or c.) a place for pigs.

I can’t remember how many times these housemates (who happen to be a couple, by the way) have been utterly rude to me. What I know is that they are obnoxious, and they deserve to be punished.

I’ve gone from having a roomie who fed on CamFrog and sometimes stripped her clothes off in front of her webcam. She got evicted from the house and so I lived a happy condominium life. A few months later I decided to move to a bigger place so I rented an apartment. I couldn’t afford to pay for the rent myself so I posted an ad on sulit.ph. A day after, these couple came to the house. they seemed really nice so I decided to count them as my new housemates.

They were quite generous enough to fill in the living room with furniture and CRT television. But I realized that they were not up to sharing. One time I was washing something on the sink and was having a good view on what’s on TV. They turned off the TV and the electric fan while I was in the middle of my chore. They did this about three times and so I thought, after the third time, that it’s time for me to get myself my own television.

They would also turn off the light as if I wasn’t around.

Each would take about 2 hours in the bathroom on a freaking rush hour.

They would slam the door.

They would ignore me.

But I won’t flinch. I stayed all-nice and quiet about this issue (because who the heck am I going to talk to, the horrible gossiper landlady? No, thanks.) but I know their weakness: they’re utterly superstitious. When we were still in speaking terms they would tell me about strange happenings near the bathroom. I told them “I know, they’re too many here and I know I’m not welcome.” The next few days, they brought home a palaspas, a bundle of dried leaves used to cast away spirits. A month later, they hung a crucifix in the living room. They also hung framed Bible verses on their door with weekly sampaguita offering.

I didn’t stop from there. My favorite is acting really scared in front of them. That really scares them.

So how do I deal with these kind of uncivilized people? I honestly don’t know. I plan of leaving the apartment early next year but I still have about one and a half months to reciprocate their treatment.

Tomorrow I’m planning to spend a nice three-hour bath during rush hour.

Share on Facebook

Related posts:

1. Liberating. For the first time in months (or even a...
2. On Looking Nice I was never a fan of makeups, clothes and...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.