Twelve Today! (Part I)

This is one project I was very much looking forward to completing! (Although it isn't really complete. :)) ) Here's where Dong and I were at and what we're doing on the 7th of each month this 2014.

Thankful on a Thursday

As we celebrate Thanksgiving on this part of the world, I take a short break from checking research papers to count my blessings and thank my loving God.

Donning the Daster

I've been told to avoid the daster during marriage. But I've made an exception when I hit 3rd trimester. My shirts simply can't accommodate my belly anymore!

35 weeks going on 36

Convinced Mama to this pambahay photo by saying that the next time we'll see each other might be after I give birth already. Plus, I wanted a keepsake photo with her while I'm very preggy -- something that won't be happening again until after two more years, hahaha.

To follow: my hand-me-downs dasters from Lola. Yes, from Lola.

Notable November 2

2012

2013

2014

(The night Dong formally proposed marriage to me. Yes, it was Undas. And I was in shorts, Beach Walk slippers and that shirt. But it was one of the most beautiful nights of my life. So I wear that shirt every year on the same day. And I'll continue to do so even if it doesn't fit anymore.)

Dear Darlings #002

Tatay made me extra happy today.

This morning, before he drove me to school, he led Machete and Otep to the back of the house to feed them. As usual, he talked to them like they were actual people who would talk back to him. When we were in the car, he even told me how Wynwyn had sniffed at the two dogs as if to say, "Aba, bakit kayo may almusal?!)

Words of Wis-Dong #001: The Sukmay

To cut down on my looong prep time (according to Dong, but I think that's highly debatable) in the morning, I comb my hair and put on make-up while Dong drives me to school. This morning though, as we hurried to the car, I left my comb on the motorcycle (another story). Dong's solution? Use sukmay - suklay gamit ang kamay!

Ten at Ted's

Dong and I rarely go out on a real date. By real date, I mean trying out a new restaurant or having dinner at our favorite place, and just talking and spending time together outside the house -- without running errands. So I was really excited about us turning ten months, because Dong had planned on taking me to this American diner-type discovery of his in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. My verdict? Ted's was worth the trip (and going back to in the very near future!)

Welcome! That's my pre-nup-turned-maternity dress.

Dear Darlings #001 (Notes to my future kids)

This is how dedicated Tatay is to Nanay:

Nanay (to Tatay who was lounging on the sofa): Mahal, would you rather watch turkeys fight (He's watching a Nat Geo documentary. While playing Game of War.) or help me check papers? What's the correct answer?

Silence. Then tatay smiles.

Tatay: Ang hirap naman.

Tatay thinks some more.

Tatay: Help you check papers!

Nanay: Correct!  

Words of Wisdom: Marriage Edition - #1

But Dong went to do grocery shopping today, while I stayed home to check tons of papers (reaction papers, exercise sheets, etc.)!

Saturday Surprise

Coming this December 2014.

BaDong Blogs: Jam-packed June

"Hello again, everyone!"

"It's been a long time since I last shared about how I'm growing inside Nanay's belly. Well, Nanay and I have been really busy the past month -- from celebrating birthdays (We got a lot of family members who have their birthdays in June.) to preparing for going back to school. Nope, Nanay isn't going to be a preggy university student. She's going to be a preggy English instructor!

"First, let me show you just how big I've grown since my last blog:

Me at 3 weeks, 12 cm

A Centimeters-long Sweetheart

"Hello, everyone! I'm BaDong!"

Losing Lola

Lola Lucina on her 85th bday

Lately, I'm counting time in terms of weeks. Two weeks ago was the week I spent most of which in Pasig taking care of Lola. Last week was the week of Lola's wake. And this coming week is the first official week that we'll really be without Lola.

Tips for Terrific Taters

We bought lots of potatoes yesterday when we made a quick stop at Villasis, Pangsinan (a farming town where vegetables are cheap and the tupig is yummy!) on our way home from Bolinao. So when I asked him this afternoon to buy me some chips (bad, bad girl), Dong decided to put those potatoes to good use; He tried this recipe for truly crispy potato chips, which his high school bud Jerome shared with us during our Bolinao trip:

Emotional Engagement

These days, I could never attend a wedding without feeling nostalgic about my own. So last night, while I was playing wedding reception host, I sneaked out a text message:

Foul Friday

Last Friday, when I saw Snow (what we call Dong's pick up) getting ready to make a turn towards the gas station I was waiting at, tears were ready to run down my cheeks. But I had to put the brakes on crying, because I found out Dong's in an equally foul mood.