Emotional Struggles of an Expat to-be Mom

While others are happy for me, I still got responses like "...and you'll leave your kids behind?"... "That's something I can't do to my kids."

I don't feel the need to explain but with all those words I also sometimes get this nagging feeling to question my fitness as a mom. There are times when I ask myself if I'm really just selfish to be capable of leaving my kids while I work abroad. Am I an unfit mom? Am I thinking only of myself? 

Hello, July!

Time indeed flies when you're having fun. It only feels like I just came back from my maternity leave and I realize that it's the middle of the year already!

Having had a great half of the year, I'm looking forward to a better, fiercer second half of 2013! 

I entrust everything to God. I thank Him for all the shower of love for me and my family.

I'm definitely expecting July-December to be the most wonderful and amazing part of the year.

A Memorable Despedida

Saying goodbye is never an easy thing... No, I'm not singing. It's truly how I feel.

I had my last day at work this Friday. It seemed not too long ago when I gave my boss my resignation letter. So it felt so surreal and almost unbelievable. I even felt special, like I will be missed somehow.

The night before, I had coffee with one of my best friends in the office after a very engaging and inspiring (almost kind of awkward way because I was resigning) Townhall with the company's Chief HR Officer. It's been a while since we had a long conversation after I moved to another team. 

On my last day itself, I had lunch with my boss and a few of my teammates. It was a fun lunch where we shared previous interview horror stories and exchanged opinions on showbiz chismis. The team also gave me a goodluck cake before I left for Cybergate. To be very honest, it was something I did not expect having been with the team for just 3 months. Oh they also gave me lot of Accenture merchandise!😄

Bags are Packed (nah!)

Am not done packing yet. It's not easy for me both physically and emotionally. I did not know where to start... And suddenly it's starting to sink in that I'm leaving my babies behind, which is so sad.

I started by choosing the shoes I will bring and then packing my toiletries. I would have wanted to bring more shoes but it's definitely not practical.

I'm sure shortlisting clothes would be twice as difficult.

                   

World War Z at the Newport Cinemas

World War Z is yet another zombie movie. But I definitely enjoyed it. And that's coming from someone who doesn't particularly like gory, creepy zombies. I actually found it more exciting and interesting than Man of Steel which had dragging scenes especially at the beginning of the movie. Watching World War Z, my eyes were glued on the screen and I didn't have time to go to the rest room. It's a big movie with even bigger, really amazing scenes.

The story may be a prelude to I am Legend... LOL... if Brad Pitt did not find a way for people to camouflage from the undead. In this movie, it was really highlighted that Brad Pitt's character is the hero. After all that happened to him, he came out unscathed and even found the solution that saved human kind!

All in all, it's a movie worth spending your time and money. Go ahead and watch it!

How to Have Your Document Authenticated by DFA

There are different types of documents that can be authenticated by DFA - birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate, NBI clearance, etc.

The process for authentification of birth certificate and marriage certificate is just easy. You just have to follow these very simple steps:

1. Go to any DFA office. In my case I went to DFA satellite office in Megamall.

Canyon Cove Resort

To celebrate hubby's birthday this year, we went to Canyon Cove in Nasugbu, Batangas. A residential beach resort, it is a 4-5-hour drive from Manila. It was actually our first time to drive there since we only took the bus the last time. It's pretty much accessible. We only followed the iphone map app and we were able to arrive as planned. ;)

When we first went there, it wasn't too crowded with people yet. It was like we had the place on our own.

It was also more affordable back then. Well that was about 4 years ago and it's not like the price increase is too much. If my memory serves me right, day tour was only at Php500.00/person before. Now it costs Php 800.00/ person inclusive of Php 300.00 consumable for food and drinks. What's nicer before was that customers can just use the cabanas for free or at least for a lower price. Now you have to pay an additional Php1000.00 for it.