Surviving the First Trimester

After hearing almost everyone I know having a bundle of joy, now it's my turn on the OB clinic.

The first month was a breeze, cause I wasn't aware that I was pregnant. Until I hit the second month, that was the time the pregnancy kit showed "positive" result. Here a lot of changes took place.

1.) A few days after that my taste bud started to changed, everything I ate tasted the same, which was quite frustrating, this made eating none desirable, yet I was hungry all the time. Which made it quite difficult for me to  swallow down the food .  I was eating 4 meals a day and 4 in between snacks just to quite my stomach. That's a lot of tasteless food to swallow. The following are the food I tried for my snacks:
1. Crackers or bisquits
2. Slices of Cheese
3. Sandwiches
4. Breakfast Cereals
5. Maruya
6. Banana
7. Donuts
8. Powdered milk
9. Chocolates
10. Oats


All of them taste the same. Like eating a cardboard.

I've never been this hungry all the time in my life. But endured it all the same as they say the baby needs it.

2.) Some of my clothes would not fit me anymore, specially the maong and shorts. And I started to borrow my husband's pants.

3.) I get dizzy in the evenings, and have to lie down by 8pm.

4.) On my 13th week, finally! Finally! My taste bud was showing signs of life. That was a relief! But had to start wearing maternity dress by this time. Which was quite a adjustment for me, since I never like "duster" type clothes.

5.) Since, my tummy was getting bigger, it's not easy to find a comfortable position to sleep. Most of the time I have to sleep on my side.

6.) Stairs are a source of dilemma for me, I have to take my time when I go up a stairs on doctors orders. And if possible avoid them.

7.) I cannot eat junk foods, nor drink coke. I cannot eat Mangoes as they have high sugar content. On doctors orders as these are unhealthy for the baby.

8.) I cannot eat apples as they can cause constipation.

9.) I cannot eat fatty foods to avoid raising my blood pressure during pregnancy.

I never thought pregnancy would have a downside. Most of the foods that was advice against by the OB were my favorites.  I felt a little sad about it, so this is what's it like to be pregnant at 30+. Lots of "don'ts".  Well at least am down with 3 months, 5 more to go.






Originally posted in Multiply on Dec. 06, 2007

Coffee with a cause

Coffee For Peace

Fredric Building

McArthur Highway, Matina

Davao City, Philippines

their previous address was at :

PeaceBuilders Community Café
123 University Ave., corner Talisay St.,
Juna Subd., Matina Davao City

Here's a coffee shop that is quite unique from the rest of coffee shops in Davao. The café was opened for the purpose of not only as a financial income to help fund this organization but also an avenue where some of the products in the communities they help, can showcase and gain exposure to the public.

All the ingredients in their menu came from the communities that they are currently involved with. Like the coffee beans, strawberries and such.  And honestly, the taste is very very good indeed. As all of the ingredients are authentic.

They are open from 8am to 11pm, except sundays.

To learn more about the coffee shop or to view more pictures,  click on this! Or click here for their story.


The organization focuses not only peace in mindanao, but also try to help the communities.

中秋節 Mid-Autumn Festival

Also known as the Mooncake Festival or the Lantern Festival, is usually celebrated sometime in September.

Friends and family are invited over to play a game, where you take turns to roll dices in a bowl and you should get the red number 4, in order to receive a prize. Nowadays, they improve the prizes, instead of getting mooncakes you get pretty things or candies, depends on your host mood.

I have been playing this game ever since I was a kid. And I love the part where you get the prizes you want.


There are different kind of versions for this game, I don't know all of it. But the rules of the game usually falls on the game master.

Lanterns is also displayed during this time, since during the olden days, kids are allowed to go outside during at night to take a peek at the moon, and they bring lanterns with them.

I remember my Pa telling me a story about the Mid-Autumn festival, he said that way back in China, this was only celebrated with lanterns, then some of the chinese people wanted to overthrow the government, but they where having a hard time with their plans, so in order to keep things in secret, they place the messages inside of a mooncake, and delivered it to their comrades, where the time and date of the attacked was relayed. So they successfully overthrow the enemy and establish the Ming Dynasty. And mooncake is eaten every Mid-Autumn to commemorate them.

I don't know if that is real, but I love the stories my Pa tells me.

Happy Mooncake Festival Everyone!

Quiz and more quizzes

I'm fond of interesting and funny quizzes. So here is some of the results I got for different kinds of quizzes I tried.

What gender is your Brain?

Now how about that, am a lot more girl than I thought. Hahahahahaha!!! This is quite a surprise as I am not kikay.

What Season Are You?

I got this link from Achie Debbie.

What's your religious Philosophy?

This one I got from Boc.

Now this one is totally true. Hahahahaha!!!!

What Does Yous Sleeping Position Say About You?

A bed hog? I didn't know that, wonder what my hubby would say. hehehehe!!!

Try them out yourself and have fun.





Originally posted at Multiply on Sept 21, 2007

Fwends Diner

# 20 Metro Avenue Compound Davao City

Davao is sprouting a lot of restaurants lately, and this one opened in time for the Kadayawan festivities. But I wasn't able to visit this new place till last week, heard it was quite a hit, so I waited awhile before going there, just to make sure there wasn't such a big crowd.

So this one is very easy to locate, it's at the back of GMall, a few steps away from San Pedro Hospital. Where you'll find the Metro Building. Website is here.

Anyways, the place is like a little compound - small booths and lots of space. Only a few tenants are there. The Fwends diner is kinda tuck around a corner, look for the Fwends banner so you'll know youre in the right resto.

As we were ordering, the waitress told us that we just miss the crowd, since we got there pass 12:30pm, so some of their food in the menu was not available for the moment, good thing the baby back ribs and bulalo steak was still available.  Coz that is exactly what we wanted to try.

The serving was generous and the meat was really tender! The food? Yummy! It was worth the wait indeed. Aside from the great food they offered, the place is kinda cozy, away from the traffic and noise. Chris (the owner) told us that during friday evening they put up a movie show for free, and it's on a big screen, so if you want to hang out with entertainment, this is the place to be!

And the great news about it is - they now do delivery!  But.....it's only in bajada and downtown places, well, till they get the hang of it.  Am hoping they'll reach my location soon.

Their menu is available online, click on the links I anchor in this blog.

For further inquiries they can be reach at 3016876, or access their multiply page, click on this .

I would suggest if you don't want to run out of food in that place, you might also consider calling up the place first before going there.

I forgot to mention they also offer cooking lessons, so if you like their food, who knows, maybe you get to know how to cook it too.

Thanks to Waitwhosaidthat for the cute emoticons.



originally posted in Multiply on Sept 19, 2007

About OFWs?

Have you read the very controversial column in People Asia Magazine?  I just did, and though I don't have an OFW within my family, I do have OFW friends.

This column has touched a very sensitive issue in the society, that for some people who are blessed with money and in a better financial standing they think of the poor ones or the one's with no money as lesser beings. (Not everyone.)

image from MackyRamirez

This kind of discrimation is found almost everywhere. I do not know where they get such ideas.But this has been recorded way back in history. I think wanting to be "superior" is one of man's worst evil.

Some of us have somehow forgotten that all of us are created equal. And what we do have material or status in this life are all blessings from God. It does not give us the right or authority to label or judge any individuals just because they are different or have to do an extra mile just to be where they are.

OFWs are OFWs because our country could not give them the opportunity that they are seeking, it is not their fault to want more out of life, I do believe each individual would want a good life.  As to how they conduct themselves, most of them might not be refined, or too greedy with money but I would not judge them either, they've gone through rough times, they do what they can to survive and to help their family. At least they are working legally and not breaking any law. As to those who do...... I can only pray that they be enlighten.

I think the columnist has forgotten where she is from or is too aware of it(?), Philippines is a third world country, we have a very serious problem not only in our economy but in our society as well. But it should not be en excuse to label or judge OFWs or any individual for that matter.




Thanks to Like Clockwork Orange for posting this information.





Originally posted on Sept. 12, 2007 in Multiply

Kadayawan 2007

It was indeed a long weekend as everyone has anticipated, holiday was declared on a Friday to give way to the Kadayawan Festival. And Monday was also a holiday for Ninoy Aquino's Memorial day. I don't go out during Kadayawan since the crowd is totally overflowing. A lot of people come here to join in the celebration, not only from mindanao, but also all over the Philippines and world wide.  Would you believe that the hotels are all fully booked!

Unfortunately, we forgot about the crowd on saturday, as I was just done with work, my hubby and I decided to grab something to eat at SM before going home. Tsk! tsk! tsk!   Bad idea, it was hard getting in SM grounds, harder to park, and harder still to find a spot to sit down and eat.  And both of us were famished! Grrrrrrr!!!!!!


The picture I took in SM is quite blurry, as many people was passing by my side. Not to mention we were on a hurry to find something to eat.

SM is never this full, not only SM but the whole Mall of Davao.

This holiday,  while staying home with my family, we ate and ate! And used much the delivery services of fast foods. At least, no traffic, no haggling with the crowd and waiting in line.

As for fruits of the season during Kadayawan! Fruits are in abundace but it's the ever famous Durian, that gets the limelight! The price is at 25 or 10 per kilo, and not at 100+ but to me it's still expensive. Coz back in my younger days, durians were sold per piece and not per kilo.

Durian Parks are expected to open during this time.

But, I am more fond of Marang than durian, I use to like Durian, but when the different variety started to come out the market here in Davao, my fondness of it slowly wane. Am not good at spotting which are native, some say it's the small ones, since those are the ones I prefer to eat, so every time I bought one, I would hope that I got the native type.

Every kadayawan, that is the only fruit I look forward to. The Marang and Durian.

As for the Indak Indak, and Floral Parade, I just watched it on TV, I use to go out and take videos of this event, but each year the crowd gets bigger and bigger. Now, it's hard to get a good spot to snap some photos, plus thousands of photographer novice or not is already covering it, care to visit a few sites?



* Xtian's Project - the link was already dead, have to look for it again.
* Inkblots

To those who brave the crowd and heat of the sun, I salute you!


I hope you guys enjoyed the long weekend, it was a good day to spend with the family.









Originally posted in Multiply on Aug. 21, 2007