People, I haven't been blogging. I took a break from everything. As in everything. Even BentoMommas took a back seat, and I closed my kitchen for three whole months. Imagine that! I needed a breather. And yet, a breather I did not get.
Took two wrong turns in life, and found myself drowning in self-pity and what-not. But you know, God is good. His grace is forever sufficient, and today, I know exactly why those events had to happen.
So anyway, I am was AWOL. But you are hearing from me today, because I miss writing. I took an almost two-week trip to Sydney last month. Attended the Hillsong Conference and nursed a bad back. Came home with a cold, and a very bad case of acid reflux and IBS. Ouch.
Hillsong Church!
Day 2 of Conference!
Baking at home with my honorary godson, Marcus. Thanks, Maris, for this photo.
Obviously unwell, but loved bonding with KY.
But all is well and yes, I am eating well again. Oops. Today, I got back to BentoMomma duties, and I must say I am a tad rustyyyyy.
Back to bento-making. This one is a Pinkie Pie party for Katniss!
It's been pretty busy at work, and I need to prioritize. Unfortunately, the blog has been on the receiving end of time deprivation. :(
I hope you check back from time to time. And while you're at it, I hope you take time to follow my page on Facebook (and stay updated!).
Actually, it has been more than a week. But this week is gonna be one hella hell week. A has finals, and a ton of projects to get done. Such is the life of a graduating 8th grader, and you can bet this single momma is hella stressed.
It started a couple of weeks ago with her school intramurals getting in the way of school work. There were deadlines for various subject requirements, and my daughter opted to concentrate on practicing for basketball and her class' cheerdance competition. So everything else was pushed back 'til we had multiple deadlines to meet on the same week. They did win the basketball championships so to her, it was pretty much win-win. But nope, that doesn't cut it with this Momma.
So yes, hell week. This Momma requires 10x the extra grace.
So 2015 was a blur. Seriously, last year, right after the holidays, I was promising a recap on that family cruise we took. Now, here I am, in the year 2016, and I haven't even written much on what went on the past year.
So we spent the holidays with family. I spent it cooking, baking, and taking A out on quality momma and daughter bonding dates - something we both really, really need.
Bonding over good Xiao Long Bao at Din Tai Fung.
And I didn't bother much about seeing other people, except for Mish, Mia, Candy and Shar for Holiday Tea on the 23rd.
Holiday Tea-ing with the girls. Incidentally, Mish will be selling these really pretty table linen for #MotherWhoBrunch. Check them out on Instagram at @motherswhobrunch
After getting myself stuck in traffic for three hours driving home, I decided I was going to shut down my phone and spend my Christmas and New Year incommunicado. So I am sorry if you were trying to reach me. I had my phone on DND - really needed a little peace and quiet.
So no, I didn't even bother going to class reunions (oops), and I didn't see any of my girls (nope, not the BentoMommas, not the Chinese Mafia Moms, none of the SoMoms, or the So-so-Moms, hehe - nada).
For Christmas, we spent the evening at my parents' place. I prepped Tri-Noodle and Russian Salad, while my brother cooked Bistek. We didn't have the usual, as the helper was out for Christmas, so we cooked what the kids and the folks wanted to eat.
My raclette cheese plate from Christmas Eve dinner.
In between Christmas and New Year, RL spent the whole time with KY, so A and I got to bond some more. For the New Year Countdown, we got to stay at Marriott.
RL ready to attack his fresh mangoes at the lounge on the first morning of the New Year.
It was a good break from the hustle and bustle. And a great chance to separate myself from all the negativity and stress. I am thankful beyond words for the year that has passed.
Hello folks, I am back. I have been away, and I will tell you why.
OZ
I took a vacay. Well, not exactly since it was a working vacay. Flew to Australia for the Hillsong Conference and what a blessing it was to have been given this chance!
Harbour Bridge, Sydney. Taken from the Train Station at Circular Quay.
I wasn't prepared for the cold though. It is Winter in Australia, but the forecast all showed 13-18 degrees, only to find out it went down to even -3 degrees while I was there. Crazy!!! But what an experience it was!
Bondi Beach. Would you believe there were actual surfers and people in two piece bikinis that day?
The company I work for has been the exclusive distributors of the Hillsong brand since the 80s and this is the very first time we've attended their annual conference. Usually, during the June-July period, we fly to the US for a Christian Retailers Convention, but this year, after the Hillsong Worship concert, I had the desire to see and experience Hillsong for myself. Good thing my boss agreed and allowed me this opportunity. I am forever changed.
Hillsong Church has been holding conference for 30 years (it's their 30th next year). And wow. When over 20,000 people (plus a lot more online) come together to worship God in one place, it is more than amazing. I have no words, as words cannot fully grasp what my heart is trying to say. But it was awesome. It is awesome. I still have a hangover.
AllPhones Arena at Sydney's Olympic Park was full!! Amazing experience!!!
Imagine 5 whole days of worshiping with Hillsong? That's like attending 5 worship concerts - all day, everyday.
Next year, the conference in Sydney is happening from July 5 to 8. If you seriously want to go, we are looking at forming a group. I have yet to confirm this, but do stay tuned.
SICK
I came home to a sick little boy. The first weekend I was home, RL didn't seem like his usual self. We even went to catch the Minions Movie, and he wasn't excited at all. Turns out, he had contracted Chicken Pox! Where? When? How? I have no idea. We called his school, his school bus, and no one recently had it. So we kept him home for the next two weeks. He is back in school now, and his blisters have all healed. He hardly has any on his face, thank goodness. He did miss a few vtrs. Boo, but we know God has something better planned for him.
My poor little boy with his babies. Hehe.
While RL was sick, I came down with the flu. Oh what perfect timing to get immunity down right when a highly contagious virus is present at home. But all is well, since I got the pox as an adult in college (I know, late). So I've been in and out of it since that Oz trip. But all is well now, and like I said... I am back to the daily grind.
Going through a ton of homework, tests and activity sheets he had missed! A TON!
RESPONSIBILITIES
Work has been crazy, and that is an understatement. We are planning something big at the office, and I have had to put the blog on standby. But I want to write! And all my blog drafts are in my head. Argh! But I can't quit my dayjob, nor can I sidestep my responsibilities at BentoMommas. Plus my momma duties are crazy! RL's daily homework and weekly tests have taken a big chunk out of my daily me-time. Sniff.
Seriously, someone find me a partner, I am drowning here.
Yes, folks. Transitioning to a new blog title - Hoarder Diaries. If you guys know me, or if you have been reading this blog from way back, then you know why I am switching to this blog title.
But. The new header and blog logo are still under construction. Please expect changes to take effect in the coming weeks (or so). My little brother is still helping me out with the artwork, so it might take a short while, because we have a number of events happening this month.
Anyhoo, I wanted to tell you, before you start hearing about it from others. Yes, the fat lady sang, and the First Wives Club Blog's curtains are now closing. In the meantime, I am retaining the blogspot address, until such time I iron out my domain.
Change is good. Or so they say. But as mentioned in my previous post, I am set to overhaul my life and this blog.
The other night, while discussing possibilities with my friend M, an idea popped into my head. You know how you can't really write much if you aren't into something? Well, my blogger friends would agree that you would have to be passionate about something in particular for the words to just flow. The same goes for products that get sent our way. If the product isn't good, how do you find the words to write about it? Anyway, I digress.
My point is, I am no longer passionate about the underlying theme of this blog. I am throwing "First Wives Club" out the window. Not to divulge any details for the reasons behind this, because right now, I do not wish to disclose anything just yet.
So yes, please expect changes. Still on this site, so I do not confuse my readers. Just changing the header and the byline. Will start working on it over the weekend.
I went on vacay and my brain went on an extra three weeks off. I totally zoned out. But let me tell you about the months that passed.
MY BROTHER GOT MARRIED.
All dressed up!
WE CELEBRATED THE NEW YEAR IN PHUKET.
Flying a paper lantern on New Year's Eve.
WE GOT A NEW CAT.
Meet Sophie.
I MADE A THOUSAND AND ONE CHARABEN BENTOS IN BETWEEN.
Baymax for one of 'em parties.
Life has been nothing short of toxic. I've been doing a lot of thinking (with little sleep, if I do get to sleep, that is) and soul searching. And I now know that it is time for a change.
I have had enough.
And yes, I learned it the long (winding!), hard way, but I suppose it takes time, these things.These realizations. These convictions.
Now I know that I need that change.
IT. IS. TIME.
~~~
Dear friends (and PR friends). I am back. I will make time for this blog. And for that backlog. I apologize for the long hiatus. But yes, back. So see you around.
I was planning on catching up with my list of pending blog posts over the weekend. However, the nanny is on vacation and her sister, our old nanny (actually, the one who replaced our real nanny when she had her kids) is subbing for her. The catch is, she can't work without bringing her 18-month old and her 10-year old, who she claims she asked to tag along so he can watch his little brother while she works. It's funny because I haven't seen her do much aside from a little laundry at night when her two kids are asleep. She hasn't cooked us a decent meal since (it's been a week now), and can't even watch RL for a good 3 minutes when her little one cries and asks to get picked up. I don't know how she thought her 10-year old would cooperate. Every time she lets him watch his little brother, he either plays tricks on him that he cries, or he tells him his Mom has left, such that he cries even more.
I know, I know. I thought I needed a temp, and now I am thinking maybe I don't. I've been bringing RL to work since she came, because who knows what he'll do if I leave him at home? I left him once (Monday last week) and found him holed up in the maid's room, with the two boys (who were both coughing when they came). Alas, RL started coughing Monday night, so I thought I'd prevent it from getting worse. So... I've been bringing him with me everywhere ever since.
The thing is, I can't let her go just yet. My mom's helper has retired so my helper does their laundry. I was discussing this with KY the other night, and she says Mom says right now, I have no choice. Argh!
My mom was more concerned about A staying at home with the 10-year old, so she's back to staying over my mom's place since last week, and comes home only on the weekends. I miss my teddy bear. :(
And, I was really ready to blog Saturday night, but R asked to spend the day with us. Hehe, I know. That is a major roadblock. He actually spent most of the weekend with the kids. Most, not all. We went to pick up new stocks for RL's online shop (he's been selling this and that in the office, and has made enough to get himself a new toy plus some. I'm surprised R had the patience to wait while the kids and I went "shopping". God is good. :)
Basically, I did it again. Put the blog on hold, I mean. I hope I can find time to blog this week!
I never really had a knack for writing. But I kept a journal growing up and I wrote about anything under the sun. Blogging makes journaling easier. Only now, you have readers, and your secrets aren't kept under lock and key.
