Pregnancy-Bringing new Life

Being pregnant is a meaningful journey. I have a normal menstruation cycle, upon expected date of next period which is every 28 of the month, no any trace of blood. Waiting for about 5 days, I decided to check using pregnancy test kit which can be bought in drugstore. Anxiously, I carefully read and follow all the instructions. After 5 minutes, the results were 2 lines….POSITIVE!!!! Mixed emotions, I cried. I felt happiness knowing a new life stirring inside me…my 1^st baby. On the other hand, feeling bothered on a big responsibilities coming…being a mother.

On the next two days, I decided to see an Obstetrician at Calamba Doctors Hospital. The first prenatal visit includes physical examination, medical history, laboratory, risk assessment, due dates and nutritional counseling. The doctor counted my pregnancy as 5 weeks and 2 days. Feeling stunned, I curiously asked her, how she comes up on that number? She explains well that health professionals traditionally start to count the weeks of pregnancy from the last menstruation period (LMP). This is a holdover from the days when there were no other ways to assess fetal age. When you think about this, it’s a bit misleading when the doctor says that you are 4 weeks along, when the embryo is actually 2 weeks old only since the conception took place around the middle of the month. She also advises me to take folic acid for the good development of baby. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables and meat. Drink about 2 liters of water in a day. No heavy exercise.  I told her that I have history of Urinary tract infections (UTI) which I normally take Co-Amoxiclav as antibiotic. Though this medicine doesn’t have harmful effects on pregnant women, she asks me to be careful on every medicine that I would take from this period. Some laboratory test was advised such as Urinalysis, blood count (CBC) and Trans-vaginal Ultrasound.

Pregnant women are prone to UTI, I have experienced this… frequent needs to urinate, pain while urinating and even blood in the urine. My urinalysis result turns 8-10 PUS cells an indications of UTI.  After drinking a lot of water and natural buko juice, my next laboratory results decreased the PUS cells to 4-6 and the pain during urination definitely gone. The doctor advise me to continue the natural way of treating this infection, she doesn’t recommended any antibiotics. Total blood count results are all okay. On the following week, I have my very first trans-vaginal ultrasound at Wellcare Clinic and Labs Inc. Before the procedure the assistant ask me to urinate in order to empty out my bladder. The radiologist tells me that the egg cell comes from the right ovary, she showed me the flickering light on the monitor that indicates the heartbeat of my baby… what a great feeling. The embryo now measures 1.1cm equivalent to 7weeks and 2days old. Unexpectedly, there is a minimal subchorionic hemorrhage found out. The doctor asks me to take a Dydrogesterone (Duphaston) for about 1 week, 3 times a day for treatment. The next visit to my Obstetrician was good.  This time Doppler instruments were used by the doctor to hear the heartbeat of my baby….more loud clear I feel so delighted.

As of now I am 13 weeks in this journey….looking forward for a healthy baby to be born by September.

Trip to Pagudpud

A newest teleserye “Walang Hanggan” has been launched last week at ABS-CBN Primetime Bida. Feeling so happy upon seeing the trailer of this show. Why? Some scene where taken at Ilocos and I started reminisce my travel to Pagudpud with some friends last December 2010. Riding in Florida Bus around 8PM in Manila, night travel isn’t that bad once you see the lovely shore of Pagudpud. We arrived around 8am the following day at Pagudpud, rent a trike going to Agua Seda Beach Resort to leave our bags, exchange clothes and be ready for the day tour. They have two types of tour, the North and South bound tour. Most of the tricycle driver offers tour at negotiable price. Aside from being a friendly driver, they tend to be the tourist guide and a photographer as wellJ. Here are some of places that we visited.

North Bound will cover the following:

• Bantay Abot Cave
• Timmangtang Rock
• Patapat Viaduct
• Agua Grande
• Paraiso ni Anton
• Kabigan Falls

Southbound would be:

• Bangui Windmills
• Café Bojeador Lighthouse
  

Next destination? Capital city of Ilocos Norte…Laoag City J 

Wait for my next post!  

Boracay the Paradise

Boracay is a popular tourist spot in the Philippines. Why? Let me take you a glimpse to this paradise. Boracay is a part of Aklan Province on Western Visayas region. Everyone who visits this island leaves a great impression to the white beach this island offer. Perhaps due to its resplendent white sands and calm water that resembles the true beauty of nature. This white beach is about four kilometers and in lined by various hotels, resorts, lodging houses, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses from one end to the other.

There are hundreds of hotels and resorts to choose from depending on your budget. There are also numerous beach activity to try…this includes, banana boat, kayaking, fly fish, parasailing, island hoping, kite boarding, surfing, helmet diving, snorkeling, All Terrain vehicles (ATV), and even just walking around the beach area would really be enjoyable. For dining, there is D’ talipapa located at station2, walking distance from beach area where you buy fresh sea foods, meat vegetables and other ingredients. There is a cooking service “Paluto” that they offer for a small fee based per kilo, in any dishes you may want. Souvenir shops, henna tattoo, and hair braiding can also be found along beach area and at D’ talipapa. I've been there twice 2010 and 2011 and still looking forward to visit this year J

Team Building at Amansinaya

Team Building is one of the popular activities for groups to build trust, team work and strong relationships with colleagues. We, at  Sunpower Quality Assurance Department,  decided to have our Team Building last April 2011 at Amansinaya Resort Inc. This was located at Laurel Batangas. It was a 2-day 1 night event where we gather for strategic planning session on day one followed by team building activities at day two. We spend our whole day strategic planning at Patio Filipino were our Am Snack, lunch, PM snack were served while having good discussions with our QA plans and goals for the whole year. Just beside the Patio Filipino has pool with overlooking to Mother Nature. We are total of 30 pax, our overnight stay at one CASATEL unit consisting of 8 rooms. Each room has spacious area, kitchen, refrigerator, toilet and bath, sliding door going to veranda where you can see the other amenities of the resort. The CASATEL unit has its own private pool aside from Amansinaya Aqua Park 7sqm pool just across our unit. The second day were so exiting spending our hours on trekking at Ambon-ambon falls followed by different activities such as low ropes obstacle courses, wall climb, giant soccer ball, 100 meter mudslide, and zip line. Just to give you an idea of our rate it’s Php 3,600 per pax and the details of inclusions are the following:

Meal Venue: Patio Filipino 7 Meals -Managed Buffet Set Up

     (2 AM Snack, 2 Lunch, 1 PM Snack, 1 Dinner & 1 Breakfast) 

Accommodation: CASATEL Unit

v  7 Units of Casa Amman – Quadruple Sharing

v  1 Unit Of Casa Amman – Twin Sharing

Fully air-conditioned

LCD Cable Ready TV

Towels and toiletries provided (shampoo and soap)

With mini-refrigerator

With electronic personal safe

Hairdryer (may be provided upon request)

Concessions:

v  Entrance Fee

v  Welcome Drink

v  Amansinaya Aqua Park Pool

v  Patio Pool

v  Obstacle Course for team activities (Safety gears such as helmet, knee pads and elbow pads are provided)

◦      Tire Challenge

◦      Log Challenge

◦      Chicken Walk

◦      Tarzan Swing

◦      Jordan Ladder

◦      Monkey Swing

◦      Trust Fall

◦      Takeshi Wall

◦      Electric Fence

◦      Devil Wall

v  Giant Mudslide

v  Zip Line “Slide for Life”

v  Guided Trekking to Ambon-Ambon Falls (Vehicle provided and Ranger)

v  Use of Giant Soccer Ball

Here are some pictures that I would like to share to all of you…Looking forward for the next exciting team building this 2012!

Trip to Vigan Ilocos Sur

Coming from Laoag Ilocos Norte, having a light breakfast (longsilog with hot coffee) served at Balai de Blas…we travel going to Vigan by an ordinary bus for about 2.5 hours.  Vigan is the capital city of Ilocos Sur. The popular heritage village, cobblestone streets with unique architectural designs makes the city nominated in 7 Wonder Cities of the World. When got off at Municipality of Vigan, we decided to drop our bags to Local tourism council office so we can go around the city without heavy load. Officers were all generous, they also give some advice on what to see around Vigan and they also mention the Baluarte of Chavit Singson. There are available calesa for tour around the city but we decided to stroll and discover by ourselves the beauty of Vigan. Going around the Calle Crisologo to buy some souvenirs and pasalubong. Afterwards, we decided to go to Baluarte of Chavit Singson by riding a trike for about 20 minutes. Baluarte is a mini zoo where you can experience animal encounter and animal show without entrance fee J. We had a very limited time so we got back to city after lunch and be prepared to a long travel back to Manila.

We really had fun travelling in ILOCOS (Pagudpud, Laoag and Vigan). Thanks for dropping by into my blog. I’m happy to share my travel experience to all of you…

Trip to Laoag

After an enjoyable trip to Pagudpud, we decided to go to Laoag Ilocos Norte to check their tourist destinations and historical site. It is a 2 hours bus travel from Pagudpud. We decided to check in Balai de Blas Pensionne House. The suite room has spacious living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. It was impressive that this pensionne house is very clean, well maintained, with inviting ambiance, and cute decorations at very reasonable price. Staffs are very friendly and courteous. This pensionne house were located at #10 Giron Street Brgy. 7-B Loaog City.

We are now getting to discover the beauty of Laoag. From Balai de Blas, we rent a trike for the tour. We visited the Paoay Church, Marcos Museum, Fort Ilocandia, Sinking Bell Tower, Empanadaan, and La Paz Sand dunes. Paoay Church is also known as St. Agustine Church under the property of Diocese of Laoag. Historically, its coral stone bell tower used by Katipuneros during Philippine revolution against the Spaniards. Quite nervous going up to this tower since the structure is old, but so relaxing once you get on the top overlooking the town of Paoay J Our next is the Marcos Museum beside their old ancestral house located at Batac, Ilocos Norte. This is actually where the preserved corpse of the former President Ferdinand Marcos laid. There are also aged furniture and memorabilia inside the Museum. Take note that no picture taking is allowed inside. Empanada is one of the famous food in Ilocos. It is like a stuffed bread with a filling of locally made longanisa, vegetable and eggs. These filings were wrapped in rice flour and deep-fried. Recommended to eat while hot and put some “sukang iloco” (vinegar). Sinking bell tower is the first thing you may see upon entering the city proper. Because it’s heaviness and build on sandy foundation, the tower is consistently sunk into the ground for about of an inch a year. La Paz Sand dunes are favorite movie settings of classic local films like “Himala” and “Panday”. Fine sands and desert like that most local tourist will love to try sand boarding or ride a 4x4. But because we been there late, we didn’t have a chance to try those exiting activitiesL.

Feel tired when we got back to Balai de Blas…preparing ourselves for the next destination on the next day…VIGAN!!! J

Liliw Laguna (Tsinelas at iba pa)

Why people love slippers? Our foot carries our weight in every activity that were doing. Slippers are made from soft, comfortable lightweight material that definitely gives relaxation to our feet rather than shoes.

I remember also where slippers were compared about love…

“Ang pag-ibig ay parang tsinelas. Kahit ilang pares ng sapatos ang sinusuot mo, tsinelas pa rin ang hahanap-hanapin mo pag-uwi mo ng bahay.

ang babaeng minamahal ng tunay ay parang tsinelas. kase naaakit tayo ng mga bagong sapatos - dahil sa balat o dahil sa bagong style, pero kahit gaano kaganda yang sapatos na yan, pagdating natin sa bahay, sabik na sabik tayong magtsinelas."
"...ispesyal na tsinelas yan. alam mo kung bakit tsinelas? kase pag natagpuan mo na yung babaeng tunay mong mamahalin, pares na kayo. walang silbi yung isa kung wala yung isa. dapat pares”.

 (From the movie “Ikaw Lamang Hanggang Ngayon”).

Meaningful, right? J

Slippers can never go out of fashion in fact, different design were created for every season. With this, LILIW are very proud being a Footwear capital of Laguna? Annually, they celebrate the Tsinelas Festival which becomes the main tourist attraction. People all over Metro manila are going all the way down South to check the latest designs of slippers and sandals. Prices are very affordable with good quality. No worries on travel, just ride a jeep from Crossing Calamba going to Sta. Cruz. At Sta. Cruz, there are jeepney going to Nagcarlan and Liliw.

Visiting Liliw is never been complete when you pass by to ARABELA restaurant and try their delightful foods. A little cozy restaurant serves quality food at good price. They serve pizza, pasta, steaks, cakes, salads, brownies, and enjoyable drinks J

Here are some pictures that i would like to share to all of you...

Magic in Cooking

Filipino foods are unique. It’s a combination of different race as the Philippines were colonized by three countries aside from Chinese traders that share their culinary culture to us. When I was a child, I used to watch my mother cooking our foods and learned some technique form her. I remember some of her advice. She says that the key for delectable cuisine is staying focus and good intention to make your family grateful for every single meal that you serve. For vegetables, do not overcook to avoid loss of nutritional value. For meat, make sure that chewing is good and not stressful. For fish, ensure it is perfectly cooked (opaque in color) and not dry.

I am normally rushing preparing dinner after work so it is advisable to use some seasoning available in the market. For me, MAGGI Magic Sarap is good seasoning. You can use it in soup, fried, stew, sautéed food and all you have to do is to sprinkle it on any dishes J Here are some example of dishes that I prepare (Macaroni Soup, Bangus Steak, Sinigang, Chicken-Pork Adobo, Ginisang Monggo, Paksiw na Bangus, Tortang Talong, Chiken Misua Soup, Ginisang Ampalaya, Chicken con Pineapple, Pancit Canton, Macaroni Spaghetti). Looking forward to cook more delicious dishes for my family J

Purple

Colors are everywhere that gives joy and meaning to our life. Searching for the meaning of purple to some books, magazines, and on line reading materials, PURPLE means royalty, good judgment and peace of mind. It is also the color of passion, romance and sensitivity.

For me, PURPLE has its own uniqueness, combination of red (strong and hot) & blue (cool and calm). This color reflects my true personality of being sweet and sensitive. Every time I get disappointed I just take a glimpse on my purple things and uplift my emotion to positive one. It made me realize how blessed I am and life is too short for worries, disappointments and sadness.

Being passionate in purple helps me become creative in combining with other colors in terms of dressing up, photo editing, decorations and even doing invitations. FUN! FUN! FUN! “Shade of Purple”, my blog… I simply just a shadow of my personality...

Here are the purple things that I have:

1. Bench Purple Handkerchief
2. Secosana Purple Handbag
3. Puple Hair Clip
4. Watson's Purple Wet Tissue
5. Puple Flat Shoes
6. Purple Paganini Detangler Comb
7. Purple Jag Blouse
8. Bny Purple Undies
9. Purple Cellphone Chain
10. Purple Watson's Hair Bouncy Cream
11. Purple Comfy Slipper
12. Purple Collapsable Box
13. Purple Bath Towel
14. Purple Traveler Backpack

So what is the color of your life and discover how your personality does reflect into it?

Fight against Acne

My frustration, acne and its scars! I have tried so many products and treatments available in market in order to eliminate it. Lots of consultation from different dermatology, different regimen but the results still not satisfactory in the end L. I also tried to avoid chocolates and greasy foods and even donate blood twice in 2011 since it will have good benefits in health & skin.

I also tried series of Diamond Peel Sessions, Chemical Peel, and anti-acne treatment in some Skin Care clinics such as Skin 101, Let’s Face It and Flawless.  One of the Doctors from SKIN 101 explained well  4 major causes of acne. (1) Excessive oil (2) Uneven skin growth (3) Inflammation and (4)Bacteria…. She also pointed out that there is no only one product that would fight these 4 causes. Acne is a continuous treatment and medications would only take effect after 3 months of using the product regimen.

Here are some topical medicine that I have tried with different functions in treating causes of acne  and different range of prices: Tretenoin, benzoyl peroxide, proactive kit, doxycyline, clindamycin, celeteque, cetaphil and etc.

With all these treatments & medications that I have tried, I started to think and search for other options of treating acne in natural way.  One of my friends told me to try an oat mask. I started to check on net on how to prepare it. Surprisingly, there are lots of ways you can prepare oat mask depending on preferences. My choice, oat mask with calamansi or lemon juice. This lemon juice serves as natural skin whitening for acne scars. Oats function is absorption  and removal excessive oil, and somehow exfoliate skin. All you have to do is to cook oats for few minutes the way you cook it for meals, put some calamansi juice and let it cool for another few minutes. Clean your face, apply oat mask on your face. Rinse well after 20 minutes.

As of now, I’m doing this for almost 4 months now at 3 to 4 times in a week. Amazingly, I don’t go for dermatologist since then. The result is noticeable and satisfactory. This is definitely a good option of treating acne at home J

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