Good Change? Bad Change?

Anyone can pretty much do anything online. It’s funny how much things has evolved in such a short span of time. I can still remember using the internet just to chat with friends at MIRC and doing a few research here and there. Now you can do a gazillion things.

Research. Internet has probably changed the way students do their research. Before, we used to stay beyond school hours at the library and browse through books and encyclopedias just so we have the information we need for school the next day. I even remember borrowing 2-3 reference books at the same time. Now, almost anyone have internet connection at home and Google is such an easy site to use. You just type the topic and in seconds, hundreds and hundreds of information can be pulled up.

Work. I never considered working from home. I always see myself wearing corporate clothes, all made up and going to work; until I met a few women who made a living at the comforts of their own home. This made me re-think about my priorities especially when I got really sick last year. So guess where I am now! Yes! I am now a work-at-home mom. Websites like Odesk, Elance and Online Jobs PH provide such opportunities. I got extremely lucky that I found great employers at Odesk. The perks are endless too! I can wake up early, pull my hair together, have breakfast and then open my laptop and go to work. You read that right. There are even days that I work before I had my bath. Ha ha! Aside from the perks, there are disadvantages too. Have you tried working with a toddler running around? It takes a lot to keep them distracted.

I work better when the toddler's asleep in bed.

Shopping. Forget about crazy crowds during mall sales, there are hundreds of deals available online. Online shopping is the easiest way to get the stuff that you need without leaving your home. You can either go to one of those group buying sites like Cash Cash Pinoy or one of those online shopping stores like Zalora Philippines. They offer a wide range of products from clothes to skincare to accessories. You don’t even have to have a credit card to be able to shop online. Zalora Philippines allows you to pay cash (on selected cities) upon delivery. How convenient is that?

Communication. Gone are the days when you wait for the mailman so you can get your mail. Now you can send emails anytime anywhere and your message gets sent in seconds. I must admit though that I miss those days when I head to the bookstore and buy those uber cute stationeries. And how can you not think about the social media sites like Facebook and Twitter? I’m probably one of those people who couldn’t let one day pass without checking my accounts because that’s how we communicate with my relatives in the US and my in-laws in Manila.

What about you? What do you think about the changes?

Looking Forward to the New Year

The start of 2012 was a little rocky for me professionally.  There were several movements in the company that forced me to adapt.  It’s not easy but it somehow allowed me to grow and discover what I am capable of achieving.  I say 2012 is not at all bad.  Sure I got sick for more than three months but I am showered with so many blessings. 

I have great support system in the form of our Mommy Group – AMO. 

I was given the chance to work with someone who unselfishly taught me a lot about Six Sigma (although I didn’t get the certification – yet)

I have written more regularly now on my free time.  I had four reviews posted in the Smart Parenting Site and I hope to do more.

I’ve met great people and somehow expanded my network.

And of course I have a great family who I love dearly and who have been putting up with me for years.  I can be pretty annoying sometimes.

This year I know it’s going to be different.  I can’t wait for what’s in store for me and my family.  Maybe I’ll write my new year’s resolution or maybe I’ll just create SMART goals for myself.  Maybe....

But let me start off by wishing everyone a Happy New Year.  Here's to more opportunities and more blessings this year and the years to come. 

Certified Stage Momma

My daughter's choir group. They placed 2ND! Yay!

I used to wonder why parents rush in front of the stage when it's their kids turn to perform.  I didn't understand that until I became a mother myself.  I can still remember the first time my daughter performed in kindergarten.  I felt the tears well up my eyes as I
watch her dance.  I don't know why but I was so proud to see her up there.  And of course my dear husband was so busy taking pictures.

Being a stagemother is probably one role that I will never outgrow regardless of how small or how big my kids' accomplishment are going to be.  I will forever brag about their milestones and their achievements.

So here I am again in my stagemother role. My daughter, being a member of the school choir, competed in the Choir Competition in Alphaland.

As for my son, he's got something going on for himself too.  I entered him as a Baby Ambassador for Tiny Buds.  If you can recall,Tiny Buds is one of the essentials in our Nappy Bag. Why did I join? Simply because I love their products.  I find it easier to speak about
the product if I have actually used and like it.  Plus it would be nice to win an overnight GC at Island Cove (if we win). I heard the place is good.

So this is me being a stage mom.  If you have 3-5 minutes of your time to help me out and get some votes/likes.  It's just two simple steps:

Step 1: Like the Tiny Buds Fan Page
Step 2: Click this Link.  This should direct you to my son's entry
then like the Picture.  (He's entry #4)
Deadline is on December 10. 

My Entry in the Tiny Buds Baby Ambassador.

Farewell Discussion Boards

In just 2 days, the Discussion boards tab will be removed in Facebook.  This should not make any difference, right?  Maybe not.

Five months ago I joined the Avent Discussion board.  The “Discussionistas” are regular mothers who share their inputs and experiences on certain Parenting topics.  Some may have experiences and some don’t but together an online community was created.  Views on Breastfeeding, Experiences on Avent Products (yes, I use Avent myself), to Parenting Styles to Infant/Toddler problems were tackled.  For some, this online community was a support.  Some considered it as a source of information and for some, a stress reliever.  For five months, this has become a part of my life.  I look forward to the days that I log in to the computer and be able to interact with other moms who have similar experiences and advocacies than I do.   For five months these moms became my friends.

I’m not sure how things are going to be without the discussion board.  I’m not sure if posting on the Fan Page wall will be the same as having a Discussion board tab.  But there is one thing that I know for sure….the Discussion board thread will be missed.

No More Yue Yues

I was deeply disturbed by with the video that I saw on TV yesterday.  So disturbed that I had difficulty focusing on my tasks at hand when I reported to work.  Even until now I just couldnt get over it.

Yue yue, a 2 year-old was walking along the alley when she was hit by a van.  The driver of the van didnt even stop to check before driving off.

What was heartbreaking is that, a total of 18 people walked by the scene and none of them approached the toddler nor asked for help.  To make matters worse, another driver ran over the poor toddler's body and fleed the scene as well.  It took one old homeless woman to notice Yue Yue and called out for help.  It was then that the child was rushed to the hospital Sadly it was too much for her young body to bear.  She is in a critical condition and was declared completely brain dead.

I don't understand why none of the passersby attempted to help the toddler -- one of them was even a mother with a child in tow.  I don’t understand how they pretended to be blind.    I don’t understand how they could just walk by as if it was just another cat who got ran over by the vehicle. Have we as humans become insensitive?  I've heard and read about several hit and runs but this has affected me in so many levels.  Probably because I myself have a 15 month old toddler.

When you sleep tonight, think of Yue Yue and say a short prayer.  To all parents out there, never let your kids out of sight.  Keep them close all the time. 

P.S.

I am not posting any pictures nor any videos in this blog.  It was too much for one mother's heart to watch over and over again. 

One Great Adventure

“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.”  
                                                                                                     William Feather


I've always been a person who does things on the spur of the moment.  I like getting lost and I like doing things on my own.  My life did a 360 degree turn when I became a mother.  A lot in my life changed.  I couldn't recall the last time I slept like a bear or the last time I was ever alone.  But there is one great thing that I discovered about motherhood.  It's a never ending adventure (and misadventure).  I suddenly found myself right in the middle of things that I love best....and I couldn't ask for anything more.