Are You Joining Earth Hour this 2013?

The Earth hour this year will be this Saturday, March 23 at 8:30 pm. I always try to participate in this activity every year because it is an opportunity to do something worthy very easily. One hour in the dark is nothing if one thinks of all the energy that will be saved and the environmental awareness it will create. 

For this year, I want to strongly involve my young daughter in this activity. This year’s theme is going beyond the earth hour. It means supporting their campaign doesn’t stop after the hour of turning lights off. It is now a challenge to adopt a lifestyle that will be friendly to the mother earth.
 
I am responding to this challenge in my own little way by striving to do the following:

• Recycling papers.
  Segregate our wastes.  
• Try to lower our electricity bills.
• Try to use cloth diapers for my second baby.
  Try indoor gardening

Come to think of it, all the earth –friendly ways I listed would actually be more beneficial for me. 

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Summer Programs/Workshops for Kids 2013

For a while now, I have been busy looking for summer programs and workshops near our area. I think participating in workshops/activities is good way to maximize the summer breaks of children. Instead of watching TV or playing all day, children can widen their knowledge and interest with educational activities.

So here are some of the summer programs I have researched and currently considering for my nieces and daughter:

McDo Kiddie Crew Workshop
The registration for the McDo Kiddie Crew is ongoing until April 30, 2013 and I already registered my three nieces for this workshop. This is for kids 6 to 12 years old but the store manager I talked to said that they accept kids as young as 4 years old. Jollibee also has a program similar to this.

The workshop fee is very sulit because for only Php550, a child would get to have 5 consecutive days of 2-hour workshop. The fee includes workshop materials (T-shirt, cap, ID lace, bag, workshop materials, graduation certificate) and meal.

Workshop Schedules: April 1-5, April 8-12, April 15-19, April 22-26, April 29-May 3, May 6-10, May 13-17, May 20-24, May 27-31

Learn more about McDo Kiddie Crew here: http://www.mcdonalds.com.ph/home/featured/kiddie_crew_2013

Museo Pambata's Art Workshops
Museo Pambata always has these fun educational events for kids but I have never been or taken my daughter or nieces to one because it is quite far from our place. They also have art workshops this summer but I don't think I can enroll my nieces here because of the location. Anyway for those who are interested, here are the art workshop schedules of Museo Pambata for summer 2013:

Museo Pambata's Arts Cool 2013
Enrollment starts February 11, 2013 and ends on April 3, 2013. Classes start on April 12, 2013.

Basic Visual Arts
For children aged 4 to 6 years
Fee: Php 4,500 for six (6) sessions
Dates and Time: April 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25 from 9 AM to 12 noon
Facilitator: Hubert B. Fucio

Advanced Visual Arts
For children aged 7 to 12 years

Fee: Php 4,500 for six (6) sessions
Dates and Time: April 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25 from 9 AM to 12 noon
Facilitator: Marc Vincent P. Cosico

Creative Writing
For children aged 12 to 18 years
Fee: Php 3,500 for four (4) sessions
Dates and Time: April 12, 16, 18, and 20 from 9 AM to 12 noon
Facilitator: Genaro Gojo Cruz

Creative Theater
For children aged 8 to 12 years
Fee: Php 4,500 for ten (10) sessions
Dates and Time: April 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 and 26 from 9 AM to 12 noon
Facilitator: Sipat Lawin Ensemble

Learn more about Museo Pambata's Arts Cool Programs 2013: http://www.museopambata.org/artscool2013.html

Bert Lozada Swimming School
I think knowing how to swim is an essential life skill. Aside from being an activity that can improve overall health, it can also instill discipline. So I am planning to enroll my daughter to a swimming program this summer and I am considering Bert Lozada swimming school. As indicated in their website (http://www.bertlozadaswimschool.com), they have swimming courses for all ages and a course usually includes 10 sessions. The fee (Php3000 to Php5000) varies per location. Their summer 2013 swimming programs starts on April 1. They can be contacted via (02)-563-5532.

Musikgarten Manila
I once enrolled my daughter for 4 sessions of their toddler music class and I find the teacher and all the staff very friendly. My daughter really enjoyed the music and activities. They also offer voice and instruments lessons and I want to enroll my daughter for a one-on one piano class. They are soon opening a branch in Robinsons Galleria.

You can learn more about their program here: www.musikgartenmanila.com

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Grotto Vista Resort at San Jose Del Monte Bulacan

For my birthday this year, I decided to go swimming with my family. My nieces and my daughter all love this activity and have been bugging me to take them swimming since the start of the year. Besides, since summer season and the holy week is fast approaching, it will serve as an early outing for us. I think it is a good decision because I don’t want to join the huge crowds in pool and beach resorts during the peak season.

So I scouted for a good resort near the area of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan via net because my brother and my nieces live there and I found Grotto Vista Resort. Their official website is very informative and they show great pictures.

The actual place is not disappointing either. I found the whole resort clean and the staff friendly. Not sure if the cleanliness and orderliness is just because there are very few customers when we were there.

The entrance for adults is Php150 and Php100 for children. Their cottages are also affordable and they also offer private pools and rooms. Bringing in grillers and alcoholic drinks are prohibited but they are not so strict in rummaging the things that the customers bring inside.

They have a huge pool area for adults and an area for kiddie pools. You can also see the private pools which are of course locked. It is also nice that when you have children with you, they would recommend a cottage near the kiddie pool area.

I just don’t like the restroom and the shower rooms because it is not well-maintained. The water in the pool is also very cold that it made me wish for a hot spring resort.

But overall, we (especially the children) all had fun. It was a great bonding activity for the whole family and made my birthday more meaningful.

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Books and Movies Update

If I would based it on the books I have read and movies I have seen, I can say that Year 2013 started great. On the first month of 2013, I was able to finish reading two books – Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho and Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. That is a lot as compared to last year when I barely had time to pick up a book to read. I enjoyed reading these great books. Both open up new ways of looking at things such as life, death, sex, faith, etc. I am currently trying to read, “Beautiful Creatures” and “Cloud Atlas.” I said “trying” because I am not sure if I will finish reading these two books.

“Beautiful Creatures” is set to be a movie soon and it is too long- another trilogy that is part mystery and more of a love story. Though it seems to be better, it reminds me so much of Twilight. I haven’t finished Chapter one of “Cloud Atlas” and just like the movie (which I am yet to finish watching too), it is also very confusing. I am thinking of reading interesting autobiographies soon. Anyway for the movies, I was able to see last January:

Les Miserable 

I have always been a fan of Victor Hugo and I always considered Les Miserable as one of my favorite books so I am excited to see this movie. I haven’t seen any play of course to compare but I find the movie worth watching. I am amazed with Hugh Jackman’s acting and singing skills.


Silver Linings Playbook  
I love Jennifer Lawrence ever since her X-Men First class days and I admired her more in the Hunger Games. Now in Silver Linings, I think I have become a certified fan. This movie is funny and light and shows Jennifer’s superb acting. I also like Bradley Cooper’s performance.
 

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2013 is the Year of the Water Snake

A few days from now and it will be Chinese New Year. I am not Chinese and my family don’t really celebrate this day but I am just curious about it because I am set to give birth this May and my daughter (yes we are having another girlJ) will have the sign of the water snake according to the Chinese zodiac.

The Chinese New Year for 2013 will happen this February 10, a day after my birthday so we are in a way celebrating this day too. My family plan to head to a nearby pool resort for a quick swimming party.

Anyway, let me share some facts about the year of the water snake that I gathered on the net:

The Snake

Ancient Chinese wisdom says a Snake in the house is a good omen because it means your family will not starve. This could be taken metaphorically to mean that a Snake could never have a problem with his family starving because he is such a great mediator, making him good at business. Or it could mean that a Snake would be willing to sacrifice his possessions, something the Snake has a lot of, in order to pay for his family’s food. Any way it is interpreted is representative of the Snake’s character and is a measure of the value he puts on his material wealth. The Snake is keen and cunning, quite intelligent and wise.

THE SIGN OF THE SNAKE

The Snake is the intuitive, introspective, refined and collected of the Animal Signs. They are attractive people who take cries with ease and do not become flustered easily. They are graceful people, exciting and dark at the same time.

Contemplative and private, the Snake is not outwardly emotional. He can appear cunning and reticent and works very modestly in the business environment. The Snake will plot and scheme to make certain things turn out exactly as they want them to. They are not great communicators and can become quite possessive when they set their minds on achieving the interest of a partner.

SNAKE FACTS:

People born in the Year of the Snake share certain characteristics. The Snake Sign is an abbreviated way of characterizing that individual’s personality. Following are features associated with the Sign of the Snake.

CHARACTERISTICS

Acute, Aware, Cunning, Proud, Vain, Vicious

From: http://www.usbridalguide.com/special/chinesehoroscopes/Snake.htm

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Congenital Anomaly Scan

For my first pregnancy, my Ob-gyne only required me to undergo one Transvaginal Ultrasound (TVS). I did it on my 6^th month mainly for gender determination. This time, though, I need to do it twice. One TVS during the 2^nd month and a congenital anomaly scan on my 6^th month. My OB said it is best to undergo CAS from 22 to 23 weeks.

I think both scans are a must for pregnant women. The initial TVS would determine fetal heartbeat as well as see the most accurate fetal age. The CAS on the other hand would show more than the gender as it can detect any abnormality on baby’s health from the start. I think the CAS is essential for the peace of mind of the mom who wants to make sure that everything is fine with the baby.

My OB initially referred me to St Lukes Medical Center for the CAS, but at the last minute she mentioned that I can also go to Capitol Medical Center as the rates may be lower.

So I inquired the rates for congenital anomaly scan of the two hospitals and found out that Capitol charges Php2,110 for it while the fee at St. Lukes is Php2,900. You need to set an appointment for the CAS at St. Lukes because they say slots are limited. Meanwhile, one can go anytime at Capitol for the CAS because it is on a first come, fist served basis. The CAS at Capitol is open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm.

I wasn’t able to set an appointment at St Lukes and rates are lower at Capitol so I chose Capitol. My husband and I went there one Saturday. We arrived around 9:45 am and I am already the 7^th people in line. We got to finish everything we had to do there at around 12:30 pm. Yes, too bad their system and procedure is pretty slow plus the staff is not so friendly. I think choosing St Lukes would have been a better decision.

The Capitol should improve their overall services because even waiting for an elevator ride can take a while. It just makes me glad I am not going to give birth there. Anyway, I am just glad that the scan showed that everything is well with the baby. That is what matters and so any irritation I felt that day was quickly washed away.

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Family Day at MOA: Hi-5, Thai Food, & Thai Massage

This is a late post.

The second Friday of December last 2012 was a full and fun day for my family though we did not really plan it all. The only thing planned was the Hi-5 concert that my daughter and my sister would watch at SM MOA Centerstage. I have to buy tickets for this show as my daughter is so into Hi-5! She would watch the daily shows in Disney Channel and vigorously sing and dance along to their songs. The reason for this fascination became clear to me after watching HI-5 for some time. I too was mesmerized with the talented members of this Australian group.

They are such a joy to watch and it is really a great show for kids and the young at heart. So when I learned that they are going to Manila for a concert, I know buying a ticket would be worth it. I intend to buy tickets for the Saturday show but I waited for the last minute before buying and was surprised to see that the tickets were almost sold out. It is a blessing that I was still able to get two VIP tickets.

Anyway, the plan was for my husband and I to go home early from work so we could accompany my sister and daughter to the venue. At the last minute, my husband learned he cannot do so because of an important event in their office. So I alone had to go home early and my husband would just go to MOA after his work. My daughter still has a kumon class before the show so I went home at around 1pm. Instead of my husband, my mother and I accompanied Sophie and sis to the venue. Riding a taxi is such a hassle with the traffic so we opted for the bus. Traffic was bad but thank god we left home early.

When we arrived at MOA, the first thing we did was look for the exact venue which is the MOA centerstage which I learned is actually part of the SM cinema. Then we looked for a place to have dinner to. We choose Ja Tu Jak – a Thai resto and it was a good choice because food is delicious, service is excellent and is affordable.

After dinner, we headed to the venue where a long queue has already formed. Once my sis and Sophie are inside, my mom and I waited for hubby at one of the benches. We chatted until my husband arrives. He said he wants us to have a massage so we went to one of the massage centers inside the mall. I am unimpressed when I see their list of services, so only my husband went to avail their service

My mother and I decided to eat halo- halo in Razons. We finished our dessert just in time when the Hi-5 show and the 1 hour massage for husband is over. My daughter seems to be bitin with the Hi-5 show but my sister said it was worth it.

We also dropped by at the the bay area to buy dinner for my husband. It was a tiring but a happy and memorable day for my family. 

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