Two Masters

It is never easy to balance family and work especially if you have children. There were months when I had a deadline to meet and then suddenly my children will begged me to attend their school assemblies or presentations. Of course, I can’t say no to them. But a half-day off from work has an impact to the project’s delivery date. That’s why I am forever grateful to my supervisor for being so supportive and understanding.

I love my family. Sometimes I wish that I can be a full-time wife and mother. I know I can do this whenever I want to but when I started thinking about the financial side it will be hard.

Now is so much different from before. My mother is a plain housewife. My father is the only breadwinner of our family. They’re able to support 4 children (I have 3 siblings). They’re able to provide us the basic necessities, some extras and sent us to private schools. But now, life will be very tough if you have three children and only one source of living. Hence, with a heavy heart I need to work to help my husband support our family.

I learned to be emotionally strong for the past nine years. I tried to convince myself that everything will be fine when we leave our kids to the caregiver. At work, I am trying so hard to focus my mind on what I am doing and try not to glance at the time. But at 5 in the afternoon I can’t wait to hopped in the bus and be with my family.

So who said you can’t serve two masters at the same time? I have been doing this for almost a decade and will still be doing this until we are financially better-off.

Fingerprints

My daughter gave me a card last year for Mother’s Day. It has her fingerprints and a lovely poem. I was so touched and cried when I read it (and felt guilty because I am so particular when it comes to cleanliness!).

I know you get discouraged
Because I am so small
And always leave my fingerprints
On furniture and walls
But everyday I am growing
I’ll be grown up some day
And all the smudges that I did
Will surely fade away
So here’s another bunch of them
Just so you can recall
Exactly how my fingers looked
When I was very small

I realized how time flies so fast and soon, my priceless possessions will not anymore be mine. Whether I like it or not, I have to set them free and let them find those things that can make them happy on their own. Of course, I will still be there when they need me.

That’s why, while they are still small and so dependent on me, I make sure to fully savor every second I spent with them.

Learning Tagalog

I keep on telling my kids to practise their Tagalog. Sa bahay tagalog na ang gamit namin kapag kinakausap namin sila (hirap kasi mag-translate ng salita sa English...hehehe). They can understand some Filipino words but can't really speak the language. Kapag nasa supermarket or mall kami, Tagalog din kung kausapin namin sila. Kapag nag-turo 'di nakakahiya sabihin na "huwag iyan kasi mahal".

Our eldest was born in the Philippines. I told him he should at least try to speak in Tagalog. He told me that if he will do that, he will then be called 'ano po iyon' boy. 'Yun lang daw kasi ang alam niyang sabihin 'ano po iyon'.

Our princess, the 2nd one, is at least trying her best to use Tagalog when speaking to us. Basic words alam na niya. She can count in Tagalog very well!

Recently, si bunso biglang nagpa-turo sa akin ng Tagalog. He keeps on asking me what is the Tagalog of cold, hot, warm, toothbrush and many other things. He is so cute! Tawag niya sa warm is 'gamgam'. 'Di kasi niya mabigkas ang maligamgam. Pero 'di pa rin niya masabi ang 'I Love You' sa Tagalog. Before, I told him "Mahal kita Cedric". I asked him if he knew what 'mahal' is in English. He proudly said "expensive"...hehehe...

Time is Gold

Time flies so fast! Imagine it's almost the end of the 1st quarter for 2007. Soon you can hear Christmas carols being played on the radio.

Being a mother, I always remind my kids to use their time wisely. I told them how precious time is and that it will not stop and wait for them. Why I am telling this to them, because I realized that I haven't used my time well.

I have 3 beautiful children but I wasn't there when they first smiled, when they first sit, when they first stand and when they took their first big step. Where am I during those times, at work. I am so scared that I could not give them the best in this world. That's why I told my self I need to work hard for them. But I was wrong...

There are things that can wait and will eventually happen. There are things that cannot wait and they just happen. It is a matter of how well you prioritized things. If only I can bring back the past, I will give more focus on being a mum. I'll make sure that I will always be there for my children.

My Favorite Things...

Aside from God and my loved ones (my 3 kids, husband, parents, siblings, close relatives and friends) there are some special things that can make me smile...

- Birds chirping
- Butterflies
- Flowers blooming
- Morning dew
- Sunrise and Sunset
- Rainbow
- The smell of freshly brewed coffee
- The smell of freshly baked bread

and of course hearing my children's voice and laughter...

Life is truly wonderful!

Dining in at Nando's

We often have lunch or dinner at Nando's. Our favorite order is the family feast. It comes with a whole chicken and a large side-dish (sa NZ it comes with 2 large side-dish and 4 small drinks), very affordable and enough for the whole family. May sobra pa for take away!

Lately, we noticed na laging ubos ang chicken. Last Friday, we had our dinner again at Nando's my husband asked if I only ordered a half chicken. Kasi simot ang plate. I simply told him, malalaki na ang 3 bata. Each of them can now finish 2 pieces of chicken. Time flies so fast...can't stopped them from growing. Maybe 2 or 3 years from now kailangan 2 whole chicken na ang orderin namin...hehehe...

From Z to A

From our beautiful home country (Philippines) we moved to New Zealand. That was the year 1999. We only had one child at that time. After 7 years and 6 months of staying in NZ, my husband and I decided to try here in Australia. Glad to say, we like the lifestyle here.

New Zealand is a beautiful country. The people are friendly, the air is fresh and everything is green. However the cost of living is quite expensive. It is not easy to save if you have a big family (we have 3 kids). Here in AU, life is balance (maybe it also depends on which state you are residing). The basic necessities (food, shelter, clothing, etc.) are of reasonable prices, the salary is good and plenty of job opportunities.

Migrating from one country to another is not easy especially if you have children. But as long as the family is together and making God as your guide, nothing is difficult.