Come join us in our nesting place.

Happy Birthday to my brother Yet!

May God grant you always good health, active mind and a cheerful heart. God bless!

Today, I learned of a  field in accountancy that is somehow new to my ears: forensic accounting. Accounting is a familiar thing; so is forensic (I always relate it to crimes and court battles). But forensic accounting is quite new, I had to research all about this term.

According to Mister Wiki, “forensic accounting is the specialty practice area of accountancy that describes engagements that result from actual or anticipated disputes or litigation.” Oh the jargons! But to put it in simple terms, the people who are in the field of forensic accounting, called forensic accountants, review and analyze financial data/ find evidence that could be useful in the court.

Now this calls to mind about my girl friend who’s in the middle of a legal battle against his ex-husband.  As one of the issues is financial support, this explains why she had to employ the services of one FA. For awhile there, I thought accountants are just useful in mergers, acquisition, bookkeeping/auditing/banking  but now I understand they are also likely needed in legal concerns i.e. marital disputes, insurance claims, and the like.

In my previous post, I did admit about making mad dashes to the CR every 30 minutes, but failing miserably everytime. It’s embarassing, I know. But women who have been pregnant would know all about it. I don’t fancy the leaks. Oh well who likes to smell like a toilet bowl? ;-)

Thing is, I only discovered lately that I could have avoided embarassing situations like that had I known about Stride, an innovation in the lingerie department that helps women manage unexpected bladder leaks.

From the outside, these undies look like regular underwears. But in truth they are not because of their built-in liners, that extraordinarily keep one dry and fresh.  Made with OQUOS™ technology, the liners can deodorize and hold  “an ounce of moisture” without the diaper feel. Despite the minor leaks, it’s really amazing that the liners feel like they’re barely there. The fabric ( esp of the one I have)  also gives one a pretty snug fit. Really perfect for all  women who I know wants to walk, run, strut, sway, sashay confidently all day long. 

And so let me say this.  I really, really  love wearing my Stride since I must admit that four months after giving birth, my bladder is still adjusting *wink*. 

One. Two. Three. Four. Dear daughter is four-months old already. Four months! Oh how time flies. It feels like it was only yesterday though. Everything’s still fresh to me. Pregnancy and all.

I still remember the routine bloodworks I had.  They scare me. Imagine having four extractions in one day! I did. That was for the Glucose Tolerance Test.  

I remember  seeing a couple of  doctors –the OB & the Endocrinologist– alternately every so often. It’s nothing personal but I don’t like it. Besides, going to a hospital gives me anxiety attacks.

Five, six months ago, I was trudging like hippo with my oversized belly. I was huge and I swear the ground quakes everytime I walk on it.  Nonetheless, I continued eating biggie meals. *smiles*

During the last trimester, I felt so heavy already I couldn’t really wait for the big day to come. During this time, I was making mad dashes to the CR every 30 minutes, but failing miserably everytime. Sounds embarassing, but I got the “leaks”. I did say “excuse me for smelling like the toilet bowl,” right? Sheez.    (Lately, I discovered I could have avoided this “embarassing moments” but that’s another story for later.)

But anyway, in the 9th month, I remember feeling anxious and excited. Everyday. I wondered when and how I’d deliver the baby. On the day I’d deliver the baby, I was real scared. Good thing the dependable hubster  was there to keep me calm. We were cracking jokes even while in the labor room! 

July19 eleven-something. It was one of the most unforgettable moment of my life.  I remember the pain; it was excruciating. The tears (I don’t fancy waiting for my OB when already “crowning”); unexpected.  ANd then hearing the cries of my dear daughter. It  was unforgettable. Totally.

I received this email last October and I hope to share this prayer (for our teachers) with everyone:

Giver of All Wisdom and Greatest of all Teachers,
Look upon our teachers with love.

Grant them the perseverance
To nurture our eager minds
And to never give up on us who fall behind.

Bless their hearts
For they rejoice when we succeed
And encourage us when we fail.

Endow them with gentle patience
For the path of learning is never easy.

Kindle a spirit of passion in them
It is the flame that ignites the love of learning in us.

Help them see the potential in each student
Their belief in us means much more than the grade we make.

Instill in them a commitment to keep on learning.
It shows us to not fear new knowledge and experiences.

Inspire them to touch the future.
They influence how big a dream we dream for ourselves.

Bless our teachers who have come before,
for their work endures to this day.

Let the light of Your example shine upon all teachers:
To build up with their words
To love with their mind
To share with their heart

Amen.

I had a surprising thought fleeting through my mind this afternoon as I was supervising Matt  and his friend during their “quiet” activity (of coloring and solving puzzles).

I wondered if I’d make a good teacher. Had I opted for the teaching profession (like my mother) instead of engineering, would I be successful? Surprising thought, since I vowed not to follow my mother’s footsteps when I was a lot younger and still choosing my career path.

But looking at the kids as they work on finishing their tasks, I was inspired. Somehow, the responsibility of looking after them,  of making sure a good the outcome of our little time together was unexpectedly inspiring. Oh I don’t know if what I’m saying  makes sense but let’s me put it like this. Our time together this afternoon  inspired me to teach, to encourage, and to inspire them back. And I wish all teachers feel the same way with their students. They should.

But  as I write that, a disheartening incident in my son’s school come to mind. I don’t want to elaborate but it must have been traumatic for my son to say the least. It pains me to remember all that and this I have to say, witnessing it was a bit traumatic for me too, prompting us (hubs and I) to consider transferring Matt to a boys school, which is our first choice of school for him. We are so disappointed but ‘thought it would be practical to wait until this school year ends before making a final decision.

Now back to my time with the kids this afternoon. I realize that even if I’m not a “true” teacher, I believe I can inspire, teach, mold them by just being a good parent, or a friend, or  a plain wannabe-teacher to them.  The world is really a huge classroom and Life will always gives us the opportunity to teach. Right?  I surprise myself with these thoughts really (and what I just wrote).

But I must say kids have the uncanny ways of inspiring us. And of making us change our hearts.   Sometimes, with their resilience; other times, with their stubborness. Sometimes with their innocence and most of the time with their wisdom.    

Haay. It’s been awhile since my last post. Between then and now, so much has happened.

For one, I have already given birth to a lovely and healthy baby girl  -praise be to God! We all adore her, especially Kuya. :-)  And soon,  I’ve gotta post a pic of her  (yeah, when I can get away from all of my responsibilities long enough to hold  my cam for more than 10 minutes).

Then, we had a lovely break down under. ;-) Just a short one with the hub and Kuya. But we all love the trip.  It’s just sad that we weren’t able to bring the baby but I know in God’s perfect time, she’ll also join  us there. *crossing fingers and praying*

I’ve also gone back to work! It’s a happy sad thing for me. I’m happy that I still have work to keep us all afloat. But I’m also sad because this means a dent in the time I need to spend with the kids.  The mother in me really wants to be physically  there for my kids 24/7.  But still, I know we’ll all survive with this setup.

Another thing was my FIL’s death. He had a stroke in August, making him bedridden. Then in September, he caught pneumonia which eventually led to his retirement. Everything’s really so fast and I’m just sorry we  –hub and I– weren’t there before he “went.” He wasn’t able to see the baby, too but  I’m sure that he’ll  be her angel. Everyone’s angel, actually. And as I write this, I know he’s looking down at us, guarding us. And wherever we may go, we’ll always bring happy memories we had with him.  Lotsa memories really.

In closing, I’d like to share our recent family pic with our pretty girl. :-) This was taken on her baptism.