Kwentong TROPAng Ina: Narinig ko sa UP (Overheard at UP)

Hi, Kalamay!

While doing my daily dose of facebook.com browsing today, I chanced upon my highschool classmate posting some musings about Narinig ko sa UP (Overheard at UP). 

Curious and wanting to know what the hype was about, I clicked the link and followed the group. Alas! I found myself laughing alone, reminiscing my good old college days, my "Dear-Lord-sana-pumasa-ako-sa-Math 11" prayers, and everything else about UP. 

Overheard at UP Cover Photo

According to the facebook page, this "Group was created by Christian D. Rillera circa 2010". This page is a collection of "overheard" stories from UP from hilarious UPCAT scenarios to professor phobias, SPARKS (love stories) and a whole lot more that would make UP students, alumni and everyone else laugh and reminisce. Becoming a member has responsibilities, too. see: Alituntunin.

Have a great day! Weekends a day away!

Love,

TROPAng Ina

First Resorts World Experience

Happy Tropang INA Moment: Athena Learns ABC!

Hello guys!

Today, May 30, 2013 is yet another Nanay (Mother) milestone for me. Athena is now able to identify letters from A-Z! There are still a few occasional misses, but still...Yey!

Sorry if I am making a big deal out of this... this is the reason why:

Athena doesn't speak like those kids of her age. She just learned talking perhaps a few months after she turned 2 years old. She was not even able to call us, tell us her needs and couldn't follow ANYTHING that we teach her. Frustrating, yes. But this did not affect our love for our child in any way. A few months back, I found myself crying to my mom because my "mommy instincts" told me that something could be wrong with my kid. I kept on ignoring that feeling. We have a few cases of developmental delays in the family, which made my fears grow stronger. I researched for these delays and therapies, and checked some mommy blogs for possible interventions. I even got in touch with one of my college classmates who is now a therapist (I took up BA Behavioral Sciences, but did not get a chance to practice Clinical Psychology) to see if she could recommend a developmental psychologist who could assess my child's case. I scheduled the assessment.

A few days after, I noticed a sudden development in terms of Athena's learning and speaking. She started to call Mic "Tatay", and myself "Nanay". She was also able to call "Merm" (my mom), "Bujoy" (my sister) and "Doy" (my brother)... even "Nanang" (my MIL) and "Tatang" (my FIL). If she wants milk, she says "Dede, Plis"...and the list goes on. This made us want to push more in helping one another in teaching Athena. We allot 30 minutes to a few hours (as long as we could tell she's interested) in teaching or constant exposure to learning materials. Body parts, colors, numbers, letters. Every. Single. Day. The tablet which I won from Sta. Lucia East Grandmall Cinema raffle was also a great help. I have installed an app which had pictures and voice prompts, which Athena just navigated and followed (she knows how to tinker on the tablet on her own). With these improvements, we decided to put the assessment on hold... the psychologist's asking price is P3,500 per session. According to the mommy blogs that I have read, it would probably take 2 sessions before the diagnosis could be made. This means P7,000.. a bit pricey.

With our joined efforts, educational toys, Barney and Little Einstein DVD episodes, tablet apps and posted charts, Athena can now tell the following:

1. Alphabet Identification - we still to work on the ABC song and reciting the letter chronologically
2. Numbers - 1 to 13
3. Colors
4. Shapes
5. Body parts
6. reading the words ANT, BEE and COW (more on my next post) ^_^


Thank you for sharing my happy (and proud!) Nanay moment. I promise to share my "Nanay Preschool" teaching journey... with my Little Athena as the student. 

Till next time!

Love,

Tropang INA

Athena's Nautical 3rd Birthday

Hello guys!

Celebrating our daughter's birthday DIY-style has been a memorable and fun-filled day for us. We were fortunate enough to have people closest to our hearts to celebrate with. Here are some snapshots of our little girl's special day:

Athena's 3rd Birthday : Some DIYs

Hello there!

It's been a while since I last posted on this somewhat-neglected-blog. I think there's no better way to be back than to share my unica hija's 3rd birthday mini-party! Yey!

We were not actually planning to have a big celebration.. but since Tita Fidela (hubby's aunt) gave Athena something to start the preps with, then we decided to push through.

My daughter's special day fell on a summer month, so we came up with a Nautical Theme.

Hindi naman bongga itey, friends. Tamang kain-kain lang.

Here are some DIYs that we did to save some moolah and give the bash some personal touch. Let's go!

The Invites

I got the invite template for free from www.zazzle.com, and personalized it a bit using my imagination, love and affection (chos to the highest level!)

 Materials: Hot Glue, String, Corrugated Paper, Colored Paper, Scissors, Beads, Popsicle Sticks, Tape

Finished Product :)

PhotoBoat

Mic's officemate bought a personal fridge. We accompanied him and his gf when they got the item from the mall. I asked the couple if I could "arbor" the box and the styrofoams. Afterall, basura lang naman yun : D.

After some, cutting, painting, and complaining from the tropa (whom I deeply thank from the bottom of my heart), here's what we came up with...

Annel to Nic: "Mag-iinom lang kasi papahirapan mo pa kami. Wag mo na uulitin to ha. Sa Jollibee ka magpa-party ng anak mo next year" (bwahahaha)

SS Athena. Capt. Michicoi on duty!

Other Bits and Decor Pieces

 Backdrop made from an old Duyan and Styrofoam

 Cupcake toppers printed (grabbed from the net), Marshmallow fondant made by my sister Bujoy

 Monogram (out of the same styrofoam from "that fridge", scrap cloths and Athena's old hair ribbon)

 Pompoms 

 Table Centerpiece

 Vases from empty Sola Iced Tea Bottles

Welcome Signage (na katas pa din nung libreng styro)

There you have it!

I will post the partey soon. Thanks for dropping by.

Love,

Nic

Ang kuripot na Tropang Ina

My First Jamba Juice Experience

I have heard of this Jamba Juice as advertised in my favorite radio show "Boy's Night Out" over at Magic 89.9. I have seen FB friends post their pictures with this as well. Hmm.. my curiosity won so on day, while strolling at SM Megamall, I finally gave in.

Being a first-timer (and sometimes idiot) that I was, I first observed the store... I was pleasantly greeted by their staff when I came in. I browsed through the menu and decided to get a medium

Banana Berry

Bananas, blueberries, apple-strawberry juice, non-fat yogurt, raspberry sherbet

Size

Small 135.00

Medium 155.00

Large 195.00

 Details from Munchpunch

with Protein Boost (you get to choose your own boost)

After paying, I was amazed when I saw a flying scoop of sherbet, only to be catched by the barista (oh, I don't know how they are called) using the pitcher thing of the blender. Galing! Exhibition. My mouth was open in awe. 

Then, my name was called and the "barista" handed me this:

A Medium Cup Oozing with Goodness

No trace of crushed ice. Smooooooth.

 Jamba Juice offers a wide variety of healthy options: Smoothies, Fruit and Yogurt Parfait, Fresh Squeezed Juice, Breads, Wraps, Oatmeal and Pretzels. Very refreshing! You'll feel energized after every sip. 

Jamba Juice SM Megamall

G/F SM Megamall, Bldg. A, Julia Vargas Ave Wack Wack, Mandaluyong

Movie Trips: Les Miserables and Hansel and Gretel:Witch Hunters

I think 2013 is the year of tiis-gutom-nood-sine. Facebook posts show a great line-up of movies that have already and yet to be released in the Philippine cinemas. For this month alone, we have been to two movie dates (Les Miserables and Hansel and Gretel : Witch Hunters). 

Les Miserables

 

Well, we had to do some reading (thanks, Wikipedia) before watching Les Miserables. One reason, I think, is that we didn't want to end up asking each other "ano na nangyari.. bakit chuva..blah blah blah.." while viewing the film. The plot was beautifully written and the movie did not disappoint. The hubby is really not a fan of books-turned-into-movies, but this one amazed him to bits. Well, my favorites would be the "I Dreamed a Dream", "On My Own" and "One More Day" parts. Had I watched the movie alone, I bet I would run out of tears. All actors were  no doubt brilliant. 

After the movie, we went to SB for some coffee. Mic played Magic Cards for two long hours while I read "Mockingjay" on the tablet (which I by the way won from Sta. Lucia East Cinema Gatget Craze Promo). Well, not painful at all... Mic insists that making me wait for two hours is his sweet revenge for my helluva- 4-hr-rebond session. Karma.

Hansel and Gretel : Witch Hunters

While purchasing tickets, I was a bit shocked when the seller told us that our bill was 500 bucks. Ha? "3D po sya", was all that she could say. Double HA to me. I had no plans of seeing this on 3D. Oh well. Bye, 3-day allowance. And so we got the tickets, grabbed a bucket of popcorn, a large soda to share and Shawarma. Oo, share sa softdrinks.. naubos na sa ticket yung budget, nakakaloka. The movie was, action-packed, yes, but, not to that "amazing level". Cool twist, though.