Thankful Thursday 45

1. Me time. After 9 months of pregnancy, 3 months of taking care of a newborn and 3 months of healing, I finally had my first real "ME" time. I took a few hours off in the day to go to the mall and spend time doing things I haven't been able to do in a long time such as sitting at a cafe to sip coffee, window shopping and reading several different books at my favorite book shop. It felt great and I didn't feel guilty one little bit.

2. Us time. Allan and I are leaving for a couple's weekend retreat in the mountains. It's our first time to be together away from our kids since I gave birth. Though I feel a bit anxious about not being with Keira that long for the first time, I know it will be good for me to take a breather and to focus my attention on just "us".

3. Allan's time. I am thankful for the hours that I get to spend with Allan in a day. He recently took on a new project away from My Left Hand, where almost half of his week is spent at his other office doing meetings and presentations. The adjustment to this new schedule and routine has been a bit difficult for me because I have been accustomed to being with him all hours of the day, every single day for the past 5 years in the business. I miss him so much when he is gone long hours. I feel helpless in the office when he's not around because I've gotten used to him taking care of things that are usually outside of my creative territory. But I know that this is all meant for our best because aside from it allowing us to earn even more income as a family, it will allow us to grow indivdually in our careers and in our personal lives.

My Life as a Graphic Designer

This cartoon which I found on one of my favorite blog haunts, pretty much sums up my life as a graphic designer, and what I have to deal with on a daily basis.

But don't get me wrong, I love my work. I love everything about it -- the meetings with clients, presentations, conceptualizations, the actual design process, watching how your idea becomes an actual tangible object, and the ego boost you get when the clients absolutely love what you did for them. It is a surprise to me that I actually lasted this long in the work that I do, that alone being a true indicator of my love for my profession. There are moments when I get an absolute high from the daily grind especially when I love working with the client, or when I love the project and I know the hard work will definitely be worth it in terms of beefing up the company portfolio, profit, and investment in the relationship with the client. But of course, like any job, there are "those" days where nothing seems to be exciting or interesting enough to make me want to jump out of bed, nothing seems to be leaping out of my monitor despite hours of sitting in front of it, or nothing that my client says or do is worth the money they're paying us.

For all those who have no idea how the business of advertising and graphic design works (and I speak to all my friends who have known for quite a LONG time and still don't understand what I do and what I have to deal with, thus causing me so much stress), the cartoon on top should explain why my job is not always as fun as it seems. I think every single designer in the world will agree that they have come across each of the examples depicted in the illustrations. THE WAFFLER and THE WET BLANKET alone are enough reasons for me to just throw in the towel and close shop. This plus of course the long, unpredictable work hours, the stress of meeting impossible deadlines, the worry of whether we are actually meeting the client's expectations, and the nightmare of running after overdue receivables. Every single white hair sprouting from my scalp and every tiny wrinkle found at the corners of my eyes are attributed to the 5 years I have spent in front of my computer preparing a brochure, a print ad or a glossy magazine for a client. I have eye bags down to my chin and dark circles that can rival a panda's. Is it all worth it, you ask? Probably not for most people. But for me, it's what I do. It's what I love. It's what I see myself doing until I get sick of it. It may not have brought me clearer skin and healthier hair, but it's given me a clearer, sharper mind and a healthier understanding of running a creative business. It may not have brought me wealth and prestige, but it has allowed me to have treasured moments with my family -- something I never had a lot of when I was a manager in a top corporation. It may not have taken me up the corporate ladder, but it has allowed me to reach greater heights in my skills and my talents which I never felt confident exploring on my own before. I've known quite a few people in my life who've criticized me, not for my work, but for my choice of work and for the career path I chose. But God chose this path for me. He has blessed the works of my hand with a flourishing business which has allowed me to meet amazing people in different fields of work, the opportunity to work 24/7 with my husband for the past 5 years, a chance to spend time all hours of the day with my 2 kids, and the means to earn good money to provide for our family's needs and wants, as well as being able to provide work for people around us. Through my work as a graphic designer, I have seen more of Him in the people I interact with. I have seen the beauty of His works and the miracles that faith and trust can bring to every impossible situation. And most importantly, I know that I am able to bring glory to His kingdom by being the best I can be in the work that I love.

Do I think it's all worth it? Mmmmm, yes, i guess it all is.

Thankful Thursday, A Fresh Start

I would like to announce that I have passed on the torch as hostess for our weekly Thankful Thursday to a dear friend, EPH2810. Due to my divided time between my new baby Keira, Nicky, my husband and time for my work, I have to let go of my hosting "duties" and bequeath it to someone who I feel will be able to bring more life to Thankful Thursdays. I am and will be forever grateful to EPH2810 for accepting my offer to be the new hostess. Thankful Thursday means a lot to me because it reminds me on a weekly basis to be grateful and thankful to our dear Father for all the blessings, big or small, that he bestows upon me. It also serves as a reminder for all the goodness that people around me show that I normally take for granted. I am indeed thankful that this wonderful weekly meme will not have to fade away due to my lack of maintenance. Because of EPH2810's graciousness, its legacy will continue on. Thanks EPH2810. Thank you also to Running2Ks who started Thankful Thursday, and who trusted me to take over her hosting duties. Lastly, thank you to all those who participated in the past and who are new to the meme. I hope you all learn to make Thursdays, and everyday as well, a reason to be thankful for all that you have in your life. :-)

Choco Scare!

Found this really cool online game on my friend Melanie's blog, and i asked permission to post this on mine. As a marketing gimmick for their new dark chocolates, M&M's challenges you to name 50 dark or scary movies based on clues from a Renaissance painting in this Flash based game. Name as many as you can, then post your answers here by leaving me a comment. I will post the answers after a few days, so name as many as you can!

To start the game, click on the pic:

Holiday Gallery

FINALLY, Blogger is being nice to me again! Just when I was ready to pack up my HTMLs and GIFs, I am now able to post at the right time and speed. So as promised, I am posting our Holiday photos to show how Keira celebrated her first Christmas and New Year with my entire family. Enjoy! :-)

CLICK! -->Marasigan Christmas 2006

CLICK! --> New Year 2006 at Bellevue!

BAD BAD BLOGGER!

"What? Can't open Blogger?"

Blogger has been very, very, very frustrating this past week. Would you believe that after one whole day of trying to open Blogger's dashboard, it's only now (12 hours later) that I was able to access it? I can blame it on the recent earthquake in Taiwan, which affected almost all our internet connections and phone lines. Because of the quake, we are all still having great difficulty with our Yahoo emails and Yahoo Messenger services, which has lead me to revive my dormant Gmail account. Or I could simply blame it on Blogger's poor service. Either way, it pisses me off so bad that I am contemplating moving my entire blog to another space. I actually have another blog account at Multiply, which I've been using as a mirror for my Unicorn Child blogspot site. Right now I use it as a photo album to store my photos. I haven't really decided if I want to migrate to Multiply because I don't think I can customize my blog to the look I want. And because I'm a cheapy, I want my blogging service to be free.

So, if you've been dropping by these past days expecting to see photos of my recent Christmas and New Year celebrations, as well as my latest Thankful Thursday post, I apologize. Not my fault that the internet connection sucks and Blogger sucks. I will be posting our holiday celebration photos, by hook or by crook! And if you come by in a day or two and still find this same post, then understand that Blogger is being BAD again and is not letting me in! Instead, go straight to my Multiply blog and view my photos from there. Here's the link (I suggest you add this to your blogroll already just in case I never show up here again!) --> http://chrixean.multiply.com.

Any suggestions where I can move my blog to? I need an alternative address, quick!

I Loved the 80's!

Take the test --> BEST 80S MUSIC QUIZ

I absolutely LOVED this 80's quiz! All of you out there who sported the Flock of Seagulls 'dos, sang nonsensical The Cure songs and wore acid wash jeans -- you know who you are! Sadly, I only scored a 68! And i thought i was a true blue 80's music geek already...

Just for fun, take the quiz and let me know what you scored. :D

'Tis the season to be blogging

I'm back from my few weeks of hibernation -- lots of things have happened and lots of pics are begging to be posted! Christmas, as i expected, was a blur. Allan and I were shopping practically everyday trying to scratch out every person to give to on our list, and yet I just found out this morning that we still missed out on a few people (people who we won't be seeing in the next few weeks anyway). Gosh, there was just so much build up to the actual day itself than when Christmas family arrived, it ended also just like that. I really missed the days when we were kids when we didn't have to think about anything the whole Christmas season other than to write our wish lists to Santa, made sure they got "mailed" early to get to North Pole on time, and just wait for midnight of Christmas Eve to see if Santa would drop by. One thing I look forward to during the holiday season -- SLEEP. It's the only time in the whole 12 months of the year that I actually get to rest and not think about deadlines and clients following up on work.

Anyways, in the next few days I will be posting photos of events at work and at home, as well as kid updates, to prove that I have been busy and I haven't fallen off the edge of the earth which most of you might have concluded by now. Right now I will be posting photos of our recent My Left Hand office Xmas party which we celebrated with our team and their spouses / girlfriend. It was held at a popular Japanese resto here called Tempura where bowls of Sukiyaki, trays of Makis and Sushis, and baskets of Ebi Tempura overflowed. After a few games and a mini-raffle (where my friend Lita brought home a stand fan for her house -- lucky girl!), we moved to a bar called Cable Car and held a mini billiard tournament over glasses of margaritas and bottles of beers. It was a really fun evening because it was a match between couples, where the men got to show off their "Efren Bata Reyes" skills and women got to, uhm, do their best to not embarrass the men, hehe. I enjoyed this part of the night because billiards is one of my most favorite sports (or should I say, is the ONLY sport I am actually good at), and it gave me a chance to play after months of being pregnant. My staff Dan and his wife played a great game after competing against 3 pairs, and emerged as the billiard champs by 1am. Everyone had a fun time and gave them a chance to leave work worries behind and just chill with friends.

Everyone shows off the gifts they got after the exchange gift game

My Left Hand gang

Jennie and Rein in game mode

Kat aims and Emong cheers on

I "try" to make a difficult shot while my "competition" looks on

Not the evening's champs

Emil shows off his prize after guessing the number of colored candies in the clear mug

Thankful Thursday 44

What CHRIXEAN is thankful for this week I am thankful for all my blogging friends who've been patient enough to visit my site every so often despite my erratic postings. I know my blog hasn't been as exciting and as story-filled as before, but time is the enemy here and I really need to get my schedules fixed first before I can get back to serious blogging. I may have to take a blogging leave for a week or two, just to allow myself to finish up on work and shopping errands, and to close the office for the Christmas break to allow myself some family time and quality hours with the kids. So to everyone, goodbye for now. See you guys hopefully in two weeks! FROM ME AND MY FAMILY, MERRY CHRISTMAS Y'ALL!!! :-) "Bye! Bye! See you in a few weeks! See you in.... CLICK! what the.....?" Thank you! Thank you! I'll miss you guys! MERRY CHRISTMAS! Check back in two weeks!

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Happy Anniversary!

HAPPY 1st WEDDING ANNIVERSARY,
REIN AND JENNIE!

May God continue to bless your union with a strong bond of love and respect, good health and lots and lots (ok, maybe three at most to start) of lovely children! :-D

P.S. It says the first year is called your "Paper Anniversary"... may you be showered with lots of paper gifts -- with dollars and peso signs all over them...hehehe....

With tons of love from my family to yours...
God bless!

Thankful Thursday 43

What CHRIXEAN is thankful for this week Smiles - Can turn a bad day into a joyful one. Work - We are busy (as you guys may probably have figured) with tons of work, and I am thankful for the opportunities that the Lord continues to send our way. Family - It's my true source of joy here on earth. No matter how tired I am, I know I can be with people who I love and who will truly love me back unconditionally. Rest - At the end of each day, I know the Lord gives me the rest that I need to be restored and renewed. It allows me to draw in new strength to face a brand new day.

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For My Baby Girl (She makes me feel mushy...)

You’re finally here
My heart is overwhelmed
Rush of emotions come flooding in
As I see you for the first time
Tears roll down my cheek
While I stare at you
Disbelieving
Such a wonder and a beauty
Given to me
To love and to care for
I feel God’s love for me
Through you
And there’s a warmth
That comforts me
As I look into your eyes
As if God was looking back at me
Your soft skin
Your fresh baby scent
Your tender coos
Fill me with a joy
That reminds me I am truly blessed.

Out of Touch

So sorry to my millions of readers worldwide (wahahahahaha!!!!! just needed a good laugh before i proceeded) for I have been missing several days of posting already. My trusty Mac died on me last week and it's been in the shop for a week already. I'm really pissed because it's the fastest computer in my office and house, which means I'm left with my I-Book and it is just sooooooo slow. I'm not complaining. I am thankful to have another computer that I could use for work, but it just gets so frustrating when it takes 2 minutes to open a Word document! So right now I am using my mom's computer just to make this quick post to let you know that I am still alive and breathing!

To update you on how things have been the past week:

• Allan was hospitalized for 2 days. Why? Over fatigue. He hasn't been sleeping long enough to get the right amount of rest and he missed a few meals in the day. So he ended up with an extreme case of vertigo and dehydration. I saw him puking by the toilet when I walked into the house! Poor hubby! We ended up in the emergency room and eventually he needed to be confined so that they can give him tranquilizers and fluids.
• The day after I went home from the hospital to breastfeed Keira and get some rest, I woke up with a really high fever! Talk about a bad bug! I'm guessing that because of my lowered resistance as well due to lack of sleep, I might have picked up something in the hospital air.
• I had a bad encounter with my accountant over her negligence with taking care of our family's social security remittances and our health care claims. Because of this, we were unable to claim my maternity benefits and avail of Allan's hospitalization discounts. It really made me so upset that her failure to do her job properly cost us a huge amount of money (money that we could have saved to pay for other important expenses that are coming up), and I made sure I let her know this. Right now I've forgiven her and surrendered my disappointed to God, and just prayed for the Lord's continuous support for our business and finances.
  

But despite the seemingly bad experiences, I am still thankful that Nicky and Keira are well and healthy. I am also thankful that I am almost fully healed and so far, I've been pain free already for two weeks. It has made my nursing moments with Keira so much more pleasant, and I've enjoyed staying up with her until the wee hours even more.

I hope I could post my Thankful Thursday tomorrow. My time at work (thank goodness my hubby and I work together!), time with Keira and time with Nicky fills up all hours of my day, and probably will stay this way in the next months still. Thank you to everyone who still drops by and visits despite my erratic postings. I am praying my Power Mac comes back from the shop already and hopefully I will be able to get back in the loop.

Not Another One!

Time: Evening, preparing for bed
Scene: I'm sitting on Nicky's bed preparing him to sleep. I just changed into a tight tank top and pajamas, without my abdominal binder on (which i wear during the day to protect my surgery area and to keep my abdomen pressed in). It's Nicky's first time to see my abdomen hang loose underneath tight clothing.

Nicky: Oh no!
Me: Why?
Nicky (pointing to my bulging abdomen): You're having another one?
Me: What?
Nicky: You're having another baby? (Panic-stricken expression)
Me: No!
Nicky: Then why did it grow upward?
Me: Haha! Actually, it hasn't gone down yet!
Nicky: So there's nothing in there?
Me: Just my insides and my wound which is still healing inside. That's why it's still bulging. It will take awhile for it to go down. It's only been a month, Nicky.
Nicky (pretending to feel faint, plops down on the bed): Phew! That was close!

End of scene (:P)

Thankful Thursday 42

What CHRIXEAN is thankful for this week Time for mother and son bonding! Nicky has been feeling anxious again these past days, feeling Keira's overwhelming presence in the family and seeing her as a threat to his position as the only "baby" in the household and to the love that was previously entirely his to bask in. The effects have not been too good for him and for us. He has become increasingly loud and aggressive in his behaviour, he has regressed in so many ways (acting like a baby again), and has become overly sensitive to people's reactions towards him and Keira. It has gotten to the point where we've all become emotionally tired and stressed out due to lack of sleep, work and trying so hard to be understanding of Nicky's personal concerns. Because of this, i decided to work overtime yesterday evening so that I was free today to take Nicky out for a whole day of fun mom and son activities. It has been a long time since Nicky and I had actually done anything together for a full day, and this meant doing all the stuff that he wanted to do, and me joining in everything! I never thought I'd have so much fun, but I did! Especially when we spent the afternoon at the video arcade -- I didn't want to get off those car racing machines! We went to toy stores, book stores, coffee shops and soft play areas, and had a blast (and I didn't spend a lot! :D)! I really had a great time, and I know Nicky did, too, because he kept telling me he loved me and kept holding my hand while walking around the mall. I told him we should continue having mommy and Nicky dates on a more regular basis, especially since I am able to move around better now (my sutures have healed and have just a bit of pain left underneath). I look forward to our next date, and hopefully I will be able to strengthen our mommy and son relationship even more through our frequent times together. :D

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Celebrating life

JENNIE!

God bless you today, dearest friend of mine...

Take care and may the deepest desires of your heart come true for you today! :-)
HUGS & KISSES!

Can you spell R & R?

Here are pictures from our recent stay at Bellevue hotel last November 1. All four of us packed our overnight bags and hied off to the hotel to get much needed rest and relaxation, and to spend quality time together as a family. It was the first time for Keira to sleep in a place other than her room, and it was our first time to have a month old baby with us away from home. It was quite an experience! We found out that Keira hated the cold, and so she obviously didn't welcome the hotel room's crisp coolness. We tried turning off the aircon, but Nicky complained of the heat. But Keira seemed to love swimming in her sweat! What to do, what to do? Keira couldn't sleep in the cold, and all of us couldn't sleep in the heat! So where did Keira end up sleeping? -- in the bathroom! Hahaha! We parked her stroller right beside the bath tub, and she enjoyed every minute of sleep in the warm room while all three of us slept in the cold airconditioned bedroom! What a funny girl she's turning out to be. I just love her quirkiness! :P

I invited our relatives to join us to swim at the hotel's pool, and below are some of fun photos from an afternoon of complete R&R.

"Hi Keira! Swimming is fun! Jump in!"

"Daddy, swimming does seem fun. Can I go?"

"Mommy, it really isn't cool being stuck in here. I want to swim!"

"Uhm, this isn't what I had in mind...."

"Sigh. Ok, close enough. What'dya think bro?"

Spirit Break

It's Halloween and All Soul's Day, and I personally think my soul needs a break as well.

I haven't been getting a lot of

due to Keira's crazy sleep schedule.

I've been swamped with tons of project deadlines, too!


Which got me really

yesterday!

So today, since it's a holiday, my family and I are checking in at a hotel to get rest.
My body and spirit definitely need this break.

Otherwise, I will end up


HAPPY HAUNTING!

Thankful Thursday 41

What CHRIXEAN is thankful for this week TIME Time for myself. My dear hubby treated me to a wonderful foot pampering at my favorite Tips N' Toes place. It was the only day when I could just kick off my shoes, sink into an ultra-soft lounge chair, and doze off without any worries. Time for Keira and Nicky. Tuesday was a national holiday here, which meant no work for me and no school for Nicky. We spent the day at home together, and I was able to pour my energy into spending time with the kids without work to distract me. Time to cook. Because of the holiday, I was able to set aside time to prepare one of my hubby's favorite dishes -- my tuna cream pasta. Time to blog. This week has been really, really hectic. I've gone back to work (but mostly just doing my computer / desk jobs) and I've had to do a lot of catching up. This, in between taking care of Keira, has kept my schedules full.

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Thankful Thursday 40

What CHRIXEAN is thankful for this week My precious angels. Looking at them, staring at their faces, makes all things better. Links to other Thankful Thursdays --> As My World Turns EPH2810 Friday's Child Imagine Bliss Journalling Through the Valley Mommy Needs To Vent Mabuting Balita.Net Nightingale Looney Bin For Sure no_average_girl Show Them Through Me Uzi's Musings Russell And Aine's Haven Do you Have Issues? Gabrielle

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