Back to the Daily Grind.

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.

I Went To London To Visit The Queen!

Hardly true. But I did make 60 detailed bento boxes for a London-themed party over the weekend!

Took me the whole evening to get all these bread done! But it was worth all the hard work. My client was pleased. Love how she took time to text me about my apple carving. Yes, I love carving apples. It relaxes me - haha, even if I have to carve 60+ slices (I actually did over 80 because I had another order before this one)!

Anyway, here's a closer look for your viewing pleasure. Each bento comes with my best-selling tri-noodle spaghetti, chicken nuggets, bread deco, and an apple treat.

And yes, this is why I am extra tired, and why I have been absent from the blog. But it pays for A's tuition and gives us extra savings for that rainy day. So I am not complaining. But I do hope to find time (and make time) for blogging. Lord, please give me strength.

Interested in Bento Catering? Send us an email today at bentomommas@gmail.com!

| facebook.com/bentomommas

I'm Back!

And hopefully, I can get back on the blog for good. When the year started, one of the things I promised myself was to make sure I blogged regularly.

And yet, once again, life got in the way. Mostly not my choice. RL got hospitalized for dengue, then right when we thought he was fine, he catches another bug - a viral exanthem that gave him a bad, bad rash. Last week, the skin on one of his palms started peeling, and we thought it was something bad. Good thing, he didn't get a fever, or I'll be worried sick again. And broke. Haha!

This was just the onset of the bad rash. Two days later, his earlobes and cheeks were so swollen.

Swollen cheeks. Sigh.

Then BentoMommas. Ohhhhh, BentoMommas. The girls and I see each other at least once a week, every week. Talk to each other every single, freakin' day. Pwede na kami magpalit ng mukha. Just yesterday, while talking to BM A, I asked her, "will there be a day that I don't call you at least once?" LOL. Because I do call her everyday. At least once. Seriously, give me a life!

With BM M, right before a Bento Demo... 

So yes, the past month or two, this has been keeping me extra busy. I work after office hours. I work even on weekends. And if I'm not working, I am in bed, trying to catch some shut-eye.

Tomorrow? Well, tomorrow's pretty light. That is, if the kids and I decide to stay home. So if we do, I am blogging. Have a lot (and I mean a lot - that's such an understatement) of pending posts, and I seriously need to get those published.

Let's keep those fingers crossed.

PHOTO: Bagong Buhay.

So. I've been driving my daughter A to school the past two days, and did so again this morning. Today, I was in the office at 640am.

Check out the clock register when I finally got my lappy running.

I'm thinking maybe I can do this the whole year. I've been trying so, so hard to wake up early, but can't get my system to rest before midnight. I realized though that once you're up and running by 430am, your body gives off the "I'm-exhausted-let-us-please-sleep-NOW" signal by 10pm or even earlier.

Ahhh! To catch dawn each day.

Let's do this. I want to do this.

UPDATE: Missing In Action

When Life Gets in the Way.

I guess you probably guessed that the last quarter of the year isn't exactly blogging season for me. A lot of things happen during this time, and I always find myself missing from the blog. Truthfully, as much as I want to get some writing done, something or someone would always get in the way.

It started towards the start of October, what with buying duties for the office, A getting Dengue, work overseas, meeting overseas, more buying for the office, the kids' family days in school, Christmas Sale at the office, R coming home, R leaving, R coming home again... You get the picture.

A getting her blood work done for the Dengue NS1 test, which later came out positive!

Work on Superstar Virgo for the Starfield gig.

Meeting with Hillsong in HongKong right when Yolanda hit the Visayas.

Family Day with the BentoMommas!

Today, I promised I'd get some writing done. But as I looked at that sheet of "Things to Write About", I felt I needed to get an explanation out first. Yes, the last quarter of the year will always be busy for me.

And no, I haven't had any Christmas shopping, what more wrapping and delivery, done. So far, I've only been able to plan. RL's birthday is happening next week, and already, I am stressing over how I'm going to get those Bento meals done for, wait for it, 25 people plus maybe one more (23 kids, 1 teacher, 1 teaching assistant and maybe the lady guard up front by the school gate). Just thinking about it is making me regret even texting RL's teacher that I was planning something for Monday.

Then all those parties. Did I mention I haven't done any of my Christmas shopping? I used to get about 80% done by September. Argh!

So yes, life is getting in the way, but do know I am thinking about you, readers. I owe you tons.

Leaving.

...for another trip. Was out for a whole week last week, and the week after that, A was in the hospital with dengue fever.

I would have blogged, only there wasn't free wifi on the ship - yes, ship. Went on a cruise for work (I love my job!). You had to get coffee for wifi (two hours) but there were a hundred and one competitors vying for good signal so I didn't bother. Instead, i savored the seas and the free time.

Anyway, I leave for another 2 days of overseas work today. Meeting a principal at an airport. I know, right?

I'll be back on the blog soon! 

Neglect.

Work has been crazy. I flew to Cebu to merch for The Planetshakers. Came home to a crazy schedule. I've been buying for the stores, managing everything in between that I haven't had time to write. Tomorrow - a holiday - we go buying again. T'is the season to be crazy-busy! Not that I am complaining. I love what I do!

Meanwhile, I have neglected the blog. So sorry. I have a thousand and one things to write about. I apologize for the absence and the delay. I shall get back to writing more regularly once the dust has settled. Meanwhile, I hope you are enjoying October so far. I can't believe we're so close to Christmas!

In other news, life has been good. Busy, but good. 

:) See you around!

Busy Week!

Don't ask me why I'm taking time out to post a blog update - at 1:25 in the morning. Nope, I don't have time to do this. I am in the middle of writing that Manual for a private workshop. But writing something so technical can be daunting, so I am taking time off to write - just to get my mind off things. For a short while.

But who can take his mind off work when it is pressing and urgent? I was writing on my work logbook earlier today, and I can't believe I've amassed a long list of things to do! Ako na ang busy! Ay, grabe, it is overwhelming. I do not even know where to start. I guess you can blame it on those work days out of town, plus the fact that my brother and dad have both turned over some responsibilities to me. I want to be on top of everything, and yet, what's a one-woman team to do?

Let's see, this week alone is crazyyyyy! That plus I have these this week: an event, two workshops, a PTC, store visits, etc. etc.

I need extra grace, coffee and loads of encouragement and strength.

Okay, and maybe that Time-turner from Hermione Granger.   

Missing!

I've been swamped the past two weeks! You can't imagine how I can possibly fit everything in 24-hour days! But I've managed - only this blog had to suffer. I AM trying to get everything back on track though. (Can you feel the stress? Lol!)

Today, I took a break for a few hours because my missing-in-action friend and colleague FINALLY visited after four years! FINALLY!!! (can't reiterate that enough)

H used to work for us, but left to work for her church. She's been very instrumental in how I changed my outlook on dealing with a verbally abusive spouse, and I praise God we crossed paths once upon a time. Today, after four long years, she came for a visit, and D and I took time off to catch up!

I miss the good ol' days. Especially those times when we had at least 3 people to share the workload in the office. Haha! If I had this team with me today, I wouldn't be missing out so much on blogging and keeping this blog updated. Lol!

But I WILL be back this week! With a bang, nonetheless! Watch out! You wouldn't want to miss my comeback!

Nanny Woes Part 3

Well, folks, we're at it again. The nanny came, and left, just like that. Mind you, this is no new nanny. She's been with us for almost a year, and I've known her for almost 9 years, since she is the older sister of A's old nanny.

But yes, dwendes and hives. What can I do with stories like that? I mean, I tried talking her into seeing a doctor, going to the ER, taking Claritin, Benadryl, Allerta, etc. But nope. She won't buy my way. I talked to her about God and His omnipotence. But she chooses to leave it to fate. And faith healers, who, by now, are probably rich with her money.

So yes, what do you do when you have two young kids and no househelp? When you work full time? You seek help.

But God's grace is amazing. I may be a little stressed, but He took that all away. I am enjoying my kids, and everyone has been great!

Yea, so much for that lazy Saturday. T'was a rare treat. But yea, life is good.