Sexpat Stories: Diary of a Domestic Diva

Sexpat Stories: Diary of a Domestic Diva http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/ Take a peek into the pre-WordPress musings, rants, raves and ramblings of a certified sexpat (spouse of an expat - what were you thinking???)/"domestic diva"/sometimes DH (desperate housewife) - me! Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:43:52 -0000 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:15:58 -0000 Sexpat Stories: Diary of a Domestic Diva http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/logo http://sexpatstories.multiply.com 100 100 Love Shack http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/music/item/3/Love_Shack Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:15:58 -0000 I Will http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/music/item/1/I_Will Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:58:31 -0000 Leap of Faith! (on Multiply) http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/links/item/4/Leap_of_Faith_on_Multiply Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:11:07 -0000 The Chinois' Chitchat Site http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/links/item/3/The_Chinois_Chitchat_Site Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:05:51 -0000 Leap of Faith! http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/links/item/2/Leap_of_Faith Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:00:44 -0000 Saudi Sexpat Stories: Tales from the Kingdom http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/links/item/1/Saudi_Sexpat_Stories_Tales_from_the_Kingdom Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:58:58 -0000 I Will Follow Him Before you think that I'll now break into that famous song from "Sister Act", do not panic... I have enough sense in me NOT to. <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA1/1.gif?et=LgIXkkvWu%2B89cMRgHghgRg&nmid=" /> I just wanted to let you know that, being the "submissive domestic (diva)" <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA3/2.gif?et=ybeXovdYJjdkvbbsuHACOQ&nmid=" /> I have since become, I must now bid my Yahoo 360 site adieu too and follow the lead of my dear hubby. 'Ika nga, kung nasaan si "koya", dapat kasunod na din si "Inday"! <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA5/3.gif?et=1wWJmXh9nwdghN95jQg6ZQ&nmid=" /> Seriously, though, I have also been convinced that WordPress has more of the features that I am looking for in a blog. So, most logical step would be to move my blogsite there too! I will be retaining my 360 site so that all you 360ers may still know my blog updates in my new home via a link (thanks to my cousin-in-law Weng for showing Keith and I the "light"!). See y'all soon in <a href="http://chinois972.wordpress.com/">WordPress</a>! <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA7/4.gif?et=VAM7k8dnBSJZkYhPLpa6GA&nmid=" /> http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/1/I_Will_Follow_Him Thu, 27 Sep 2007 04:35:00 -0000 SSS #46: Loss <img src='http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA23/1.jpeg?et=s7xr0Smu3qspzg66fulobQ&nmid=' height='250' width='333'>Have been in a somber mood pretty much since yesterday afternoon since my eldest son, Luigi, told me that one of his schoolmates died last Thursday from a car crash. Turns out that she was about to go malling with her family when the tragedy occurred. Though her whole family was also hospitalized due to the accident, it was only her who suffered the ultimate misfortune. L As it is, death is something which a lot of us dread. When it happens to one so young, healthy and full of life, it just feels like the burden becomes greater to bear… I could only imagine the grief that her parents must be going through right now. I totally agree with the person who said that we grieve more deeply when a child precedes a parent as this does not follow the “natural order” of things. After all, how many times have we heard of parents working so hard to try and make the world a much better place for their children? When children pass on before their parents, like what happened to this 8 year old, it j... http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/3/SSS_46_Loss Tue, 25 Sep 2007 04:37:00 -0000 Tagged: My Desktop View Happy to be able to keep my promise to Weng to share my desktop view after she tagged me <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA10/1.gif?et=m9oDL1axjmcLWvbWCIWnFg&nmid=" />. I very rarely use this desktop. By force of habit, I normally just click on Keith's (the path of least resistance, ika nga... <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA12/2.gif?et=8fODwe99nIoPQSn%2BXFNCxQ&nmid=" />). My desktop looks like it has been stuck in Disney limbo... I actually have had it since the time I was surfing the net for a theme for Marga's 1st birthday (which, as most of you know by now, was "Jasmine/Arabian-inspired"). Obviously, it has been A WHILE since I used my own ID to log-on. Anyway, here goes... Enjoy! <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA14/3.gif?et=VpwLvuIStctcH736wX1PAg&nmid=" /> <img height="300" width="500" alt="" src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA16/4.jpeg?et=Zp7YBoWjidyFsEBVYU1sGQ&nmid=" /> Guess now it's my turn to return the, ahem, "favor" <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA18/5.gif?et=j9abPHaR3SZnKgOJFFlJ9g&nmid=" />, by tagging the following people as well: <a href="http://milliqav.multiply.com/">Millie</a>, <a href="http://martiedatu.multiply.com/">Martie</a>, <a href="http://cdc904.multiply.com/">Claire</a>, <a href="http://geraldinemagallanes.multiply.com/">Ge</a> and <a href="http://jennifersy.multiply.com/">Jenny</a> Here are the simple instructions: A. Upon receiving this tag, immediately perform a screen capture of your desktop. It is best that no icons be deleted before the screen capture so as to add to the element of fun. You can do a screen capture by: [1] Going to your desktop and pressing the Print Scrn key (located on the right s... http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/2/Tagged_My_Desktop_View Tue, 25 Sep 2007 04:14:00 -0000 SSS #45: DQ <img src='http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA27/1.jpeg?et=tyWnMkbqhuZIfklTcRF9EA&nmid=' height='122' width='130'>Before I had a daughter, the only “DQ” I was fond of was the no-spill-when-turned-upside-down creamy concoction called Dairy Queen… <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA29/2.gif?et=mZig4iLrN00SazWcNR2U7Q&nmid=" />now, DQ takes on a totally new meaning for me… For you moms out there with precocious little daughters, this one’s for you… After her recent bout with some gastro problems, I can say that my daughter, Marga, is sooo back with a vengeance! The past few days, she has literally driven me up the wall in a hodgepodge of surprise, frustration and outright hilarity. Let me share with you some recent events to prove my point: my little princess is a “certified drama queen” (takes one to know one, I guess! Hahaha!):<img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA31/3.gif?et=sabh81bmZNYTk8KeMZz9Cw&nmid=" /> Ø EVIDENCE 1: Every morning, as Keith is preparing to leave for the office, we are very careful not to wake Marga up lest she gets into one of her moods again. Today was no different. Unluckily though, the princess was needlessly roused from her slumber…so with loud protests of “Papa, waah!” and “Dan” (her version of “down”, when she wants to get of... http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/4/SSS_45_DQ Tue, 18 Sep 2007 04:55:00 -0000 SSS #44: Movie Making Mania Never thought Windows came up with such an addictive concept when it introduced me to its movie maker! <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA55/1.gif?et=dMb%2C6URmd2628gHPnyJyJw&nmid=" />Now, I have this highly unnatural urge to document even the simplest of experiences with it... oh no! Well, without further ado, may I present, in collaboration with my dear hubby (who acted as musical director, o di ba? <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA57/2.gif?et=QSS6E451HT0pqQmqrQbGWQ&nmid=" />), our second foray into the WMV World! Disclaimer: Please be kind and lower your standards a bit... after all, we are still amateurs! <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA59/3.gif?et=mvqLZUaV4IUGyg1MVv0KMA&nmid=" /> <a href="http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog/%3Cobject%20width="> ">WMV Project#2</a> http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/5/SSS_44_Movie_Making_Mania Sat, 8 Sep 2007 04:05:00 -0000 SSS #43: Catching My Breath At Last <img src='http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA63/1.jpeg?et=DwHLe3pw%2BLA6nz48atkcBQ&nmid=' height='130' width='105'> It’s been exactly 2 weeks since we arrived here in the Kingdom and I’ve been practically on my toes doing God-knows-what most of the time! It’s only now that I can actually sit back, catch my breath and relax somewhat… What have I been up to exactly? A quick run-down follows (drum roll please!)… 23 Aug :The plane has landed! 1.5 hours drive to the kingdom after touchdown in Bahrain. Five checked-in, 4 carry-ons, 1 pram, 1 humongous baby bag, 3 kids – exciting, di ba? 24 Aug: Pantry and fridge wiped-out. Drop off kids at Megas (thank God for them!) while Keith and I do major grocery shopping. After stowing the stash away, quick lunch (again courtesy of Ge – love you guys! Mwah!) then back to HQ to start unpacking suitcases… 25 Aug: Keith back to work. Me back to the grind too – some cleaning, a lot of cooking, refereeing (2 pre-pubescent boys with a lot of unused adrenaline rushing through their veins can do wonders on your weight loss programme, not to mention, your sanity too!) and ... http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/6/SSS_43_Catching_My_Breath_At_Last Wed, 5 Sep 2007 04:02:00 -0000 SSS #42: Shoot! Just wanted to share with you the finished product (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNu_6T33E_0">Strike a Pose!</a> ) of what I had been dabbling with practically the whole day yesterday... Many, many thanks to Keith for guiding me through! Mwah! <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA67/1.gif?et=jevPsPAH%2CYICY82WOyw0%2BQ&nmid=" /><img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA69/2.gif?et=aoh8QJWzZ6kUqKCMPa9xmw&nmid=" /> Though I'm still no "Rina Veguillas" (i.e., expert) at this, do give me time and I'm sure I'll get better at it. One thing for sure, though, it was FUN! Enjoy!<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNu_6T33E_0"> </a> http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/7/SSS_42_Shoot Sun, 2 Sep 2007 04:12:00 -0000 SSS #41: The Holiday That Was Pardon me if it took ages for me to get to the blogging groove again. Ever since my last post, things have been really hectic that I literally felt my head spinning! <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA73/1.gif?et=YAUsx5Au6t2QQS%2CAJZZzCg&nmid=" />In fact, I even went to the extent of consulting a neurologist a few days before we left for the Kingdom since I felt pain on the right side of my head and some numbness on the right side of my face. The verdict: Stress Headache - I wasn’t imagining the pain after all… Believe it or not, towards the tail-end of our Manila holiday, it felt as if I already needed a “vacation from our vacation”! Nevertheless, despite the stress of it all, Keith and I were glad that we were able to do most of the things we set out to do – the most notable among these would be: <ol> <li style="text-align:justify; ">Being able to celebrate (never mind if it was 2 months late!) Marga’s 1st birthday at the Palms last 05 Aug 07 – thank you to all our family and friends who made time to be with us during this special day! Special thanks go out to Ninang Rina for the lovely party invi... http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/8/SSS_41_The_Holiday_That_Was Wed, 29 Aug 2007 04:41:00 -0000 SSS# 40 : My Manila Month <img src='http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA87/1.jpeg?et=LEsdd84qsKy7O8stmGWgYQ&nmid=' height='110' width='145'>I know, I know… I said that I wouldn’t be blogging until after our home leave… Well, don’t blame me – I’m a woman – I have the right to change my mind!<img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA89/2.gif?et=zEfVTU%2B65m0mCbhuNkEM1g&nmid=" /> This won’t be long though, I promise. Just wanted to let you in on what has been happening to me so far during my 1st month of chillaxing in Manila. Here goes: o Finished my 8th session with my personal gym trainer (yes, I have been trying hard to get back in shape!) – 12 more to go! Don’t ask me how the results are thus far <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA91/3.gif?et=mXkbMZ%2Cy0dpKFxWEv4iP%2CA&nmid=" />as that is worthy of yet another post o Successfully weaned Marga from breastfeeding <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA93/4.gif?et=XdxuZwD%2B%2B4gJILgaOsL4eg&nmid=" />- did I just hear applause from my dear husband? Am also getting her to drink non-sterilized (but purified) water… Major project is how to convince her to walk! o Regularly been having weekly massages to get the circulation going and to bust those darn nodules. Thanks to Ma and Pa for sponsoring my weekly sessions! Aaah… this is THE LIFE J o Did my long-overdue salon visit the 1st week of my leave – yes, I feel human again! Too bad... http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/9/SSS_40_My_Manila_Month Mon, 16 Jul 2007 04:40:00 -0000 On Blogging Sabbatical Guys, as all of you pretty much know, the kids and I are now in Manila for our annual home leave. During this time, will just take time off from my blogging duties as I savor "life as I know it"<img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA99/1.gif?et=iGYrwSV02FAUg3rUUI0hPg&nmid=" /> so pardon my self-imposed blogging hiatus. Promise I will more than make up for my absence when I get back to KSA in August (waaah! <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA101/2.gif?et=R1lgU4oPnK7pDe5pnmZ6%2Bw&nmid=" /><img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA103/3.gif?et=W7FHwDItz823b1Kqn1nNFQ&nmid=" />). Till then, will just relish my "lurker" role and stay in the blogging sidelines. Keep those posts coming! http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/10/On_Blogging_Sabbatical Fri, 29 Jun 2007 04:44:00 -0000 SSS# 39: Week-long Wait is On! <img src='http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA106/1.jpeg?et=WN3BeLKCD0c6BvsfcDW1Ag&nmid=' height='140' width='130'>Yup, as many of you may have already read from Keith's blog, we're left with only a week till we plane in to our beloved Manila - woohoo! <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA108/2.gif?et=052t%2BGWMLefgSGjNae5DhQ&nmid=" /> We just finished our pasalubong shopping earlier tonight and my next problem would be how to fit all the stuff in into our suitcases <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA110/3.gif?et=RA%2BC5cgFW2L7cnVRwvUb0Q&nmid=" /> <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA112/4.gif?et=DAJc2FuH%2Ci52M1CvpcZx2A&nmid=" />without going over the weight limits (thank God for the additional 10kg per person courtesy of our Gulf Air frequent flyer membership)... Please note though that I am worried about exceeding the weight limit not because marami kaming pasalubong but moreso because maliit lang suitcases namin - hahaha! Sorry guys... <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA114/5.gif?et=AAd3vLWhl6FviTMs8gtSSA&nmid=" />Papa, Ayn and Ivy, I so miss you and your world-class packing skills!!! What's more, with three kids in tow all by my lonesome, am sure my trip back home will be, to put it in the most politically correct manner, "most interesting"... I am very sure this coming week will go by so fast that my head will surely spin but am definitely looking forward to my "abaya-less" two months <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA116/6.gif?et=c5RWvQeJ%2BsWe%2BhicDBGxpg&nmid=" />. After 10 months here in the... http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/11/SSS_39_Week-long_Wait_is_On Thu, 7 Jun 2007 04:46:00 -0000 SSS #38: Birthday Wishes for Our Princess <img src='http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA122/1.jpeg?et=yhCOlmsp34vqKtxk7Q2mRg&nmid=' height='333' width='250'> To my dearest baby daughter Marga It’s been exactly a year now since we welcomed you into this world with so much anticipation and joy. I remember being quite anxious (forgive me, as you may have already sensed by now, this is one of Mama’s least-liked traits J) when Wowo and Wiwa had to bring me to Asian Hospital so we could already have you – exactly 14 days BEFORE your expected due date and 6 days BEFORE Papa could fly in from KSA to be with us for your birth… I guess even then you already had a mind of your own and the makings of being a strong-willed, independent “woman in a hurry” (can’t deny you got this from almost all the women in our family – especially Mama and Grammy J). God has been very good to us, my dear baby, since even without Papa being physically present for your birth, everything went smoothly and any worries I may have felt before you were born were gone when I saw you for the first time – my, as an added bonus, you even had your father’s hairline! I have a... http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/12/SSS_38_Birthday_Wishes_for_Our_Princess Sun, 3 Jun 2007 04:02:00 -0000 BRANDishment: The Replies As Deo Macalma would say, first of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY muna to my dearest hubby Keith! Love you, hon!<img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA126/1.gif?et=4dR6lCoCB8xoNpeRiW5KhQ&nmid=" /><img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA128/2.gif?et=D1jpwygEpXcRM075JKIupg&nmid=" /><img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA130/3.gif?et=%2C%2C%2BL%2BPvtOKdut84448RC0w&nmid=" /> Now, on to my answers... 1. Shampoo and Conditioner -> Body Shop Olive Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner or Pantene (pag nagtitipid) 2. Bags -> Charles & Keith, Nine West 3. T-shirts -> not particular – as long as decent, clean-looking, easy to mix-and-match and preferably in solid colors 4. Pants -> Giordano (only one which seems to go well with my pear-shaped body!) 5. Lotion -> Jergens, Body Shop Olive Dry Oil Mist 6. Shoes -> I love Charles & Keith pa rin! 7. Socks -> not particular basta hindi butas! 8. Toothpaste -> Colgate White (anything flavoured or minty gives me an allergy) 9. Facial Cleanser -> L’Oreal, Ponds 10. Make-up -> Neutrogena powder, Body Shop Lip & Cheek Tint, Estee Lauder lipstick 11. Wallet -> anything na soft/cowhide leather, preferably black with lots of space for credit cards! 12. School Bags -> Think I’ve outgro... http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/13/BRANDishment_The_Replies Thu, 24 May 2007 04:29:00 -0000 SSS #37: Factor Out the Fear <img src='http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA133/1.jpeg?et=sVqZanNNE7oGDHX5kWMsuA&nmid=' height='78' width='125'>Being the perpetual worrywart <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA135/2.gif?et=isenvrKjdMIdkD9GZc1htQ&nmid=" />that I am, I find myself returning to the vicious cycle of fear and worry everytime something is out of whack in my usual predictable life. Dreading any form of exercise, <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA137/3.gif?et=G6581%2C7BPDXx0SQfAblvAQ&nmid=" />especially the "spiritual muscle-strengthening" kind, I also find that factoring out the fear is easier said than done in circumstances which throw you off your comfort zone. That is why these excerpts from our Daily Bread which I will share with you prove so useful to me - they allow me to make sense out of the chaos that life's downturns sometimes bring. To all the worrywarts out there, hope these help you out in some way too. Happy reading!<img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA139/4.gif?et=UyPf1%2B4nOtc8QxkzK%2CFMkg&nmid=" /> ü When something concerns us, what’s our perspective? It’s not what we see but how we see it that reveals our attitude. If we look at life through the lens of our powerful and good God, we’ll trust Him instead of fearfully worrying. When our perspective is right, we can see God and His faithful provision. ü More absurd are our thoughts of worry and ... http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/14/SSS_37_Factor_Out_the_Fear Tue, 22 May 2007 04:19:00 -0000 SSS #36: A Morning Meditation Woke up earlier than usual today. After almost 10 years of marriage, it's funny how sleep somehow eludes me everytime I don't find myself beside Keith when I wake up in the morning... then I noticed how peacefully our three "gremlins" were sleeping, thus the inspiration for this post... Have a blessed day ahead! <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59512490@N00/502959472/"><img height="240" width="180" alt="" src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA143/1.jpeg?et=B7%2Bxm9S2X5vc5m%2CU9%2B%2BCMw&nmid=" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59512490@N00/502959474/"><img height="180" width="240" alt="" src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA145/2.jpeg?et=USBSn8TGzREWNC9pNjMAHw&nmid=" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59512490@N00/502959478/"><img height="180" width="240" alt="" src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA147/3.jpeg?et=fas9udPkwP%2B0bSLDT55Y4g&nmid=" /></a> As they sleep, a flood of emotions surges in There is quiet. There is peace. In the stillness, I am made more aware of the hand of a loving Creator who has entrusted these angels to us so beautifully, so wonderfully made In their slumber, I am reminded of child-like confidence of total surrender to a Father’s will I am thankful. I am richly blessed. http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/15/SSS_36_A_Morning_Meditation Fri, 18 May 2007 04:50:00 -0000 SSS #35: One Weekend Warrior Out <img src='http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA151/1.jpeg?et=s9QoOaG%2B6IZn2YmEG%2Cp3qw&nmid=' height='125' width='83'>Ever since the major lifestyle change we adapted (i.e, having to run a household by ourselves) when we moved here to the kingdom, weekends have always been jam-packed. Keith and I would want to think of ourselves as slowly being able to perfect the “art of the weekend warrior”. Somehow, we have managed to do a major part of our chores (house cleaning, grocery shopping, babysitting – name it, we’ve done it!) during weekends with enough time left to spend with the kids. Of course, due credit have to also be given to our two boys, Luigi and Rafa, who have their fair share of the “dreaded Cs” (aka chores). Sadly though, this weekend would be slightly different as I go solo. Yup, we are officially one weekend warrior out – ouch! <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA153/2.gif?et=uzrAdRuvUTOK%2Ce0vIMOMRQ&nmid=" />Keith is in Bahrain this weekend attending their company’s annual summer outing. So, while my hubby is grudgingly enduring (?) the time away spent apart from us (he never liked the beach – or so we’d like to think!), the kids and I would still have to brave t... http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/16/SSS_35_One_Weekend_Warrior_Out Thu, 17 May 2007 04:29:00 -0000 Happy Mother's Day! <img src='http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA181/1.jpeg?et=ZlKNGR0xZLyRSMpHBwsUMA&nmid=' height='123' width='109'>Came across this amusing piece which I found so appropriate for Mother’s Day. To all the dedicated and untiring moms out there, this one’s for you! Have a chillaxing day! It was Sunday morning and her son still had not appeared at the breakfast table. She had tried yelling up the stairs: “Wake up and get down here!” But there had been no response. Finally, she went up the stairs and opened the door to her son’s room and said, “You need to get up and get dressed. It’s time to go to church!” “I don’t want to go to church,” her son groaned from under the covers. “You can’t give me a good reason not to go to church, so get up!” his mom replied. “Actually, I’ll give you three reasons. Number one: it’s boring. Number two: the people there are gossipy and critical. And number three: no one likes me. So why should I bother?” “I’ll give you three reasons,” retorted his mom. “Number one: the Bible says you should go. Number two: you’re 45 years old. And number three: you’re the pastor! Now get o... http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/18/Happy_Mother39s_Day Sun, 13 May 2007 04:59:00 -0000 SSS #34: A Trip to the Orient <img src='http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA159/1.jpeg?et=CnE6Iz1QHrPtmqe4jwZZPQ&nmid=' height='125' width='116'>Last night marked another milestone for Keith and I. After what seemed to be ages, we finally had the chance to go out to dinner by ourselves* (translation: without our three active yet endearing children). Hip, hip, hooray! <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA161/2.gif?et=Sst6uXAkGzBucGurAF%2BLGw&nmid=" /> *(Of course, this wouldn’t have been possible without the “loving support” of “brother and sister cousin” (Rinel and Ge) who have agreed to baby-sit our three gremlins, este darlings, for us. For this, Keith and I owe the Mega-Mags our eternal debt of gratitude! What do we do without you guys?) <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA163/3.gif?et=6dKtkKtd0Krf01%2BGOzCvuw&nmid=" /> The restaurant of choice: Orient Restaurant in Al-Khobar. <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA165/4.gif?et=rzAOal6S7DOng9hoqfriwQ&nmid=" /> This place was recommended by Keith’s local officemate, Hakeem (God bless him!), after Keith complained that there was a serious lack of Japanese restaurants in the kingdom. In fact, before this pleasant discovery, we only knew of one Jap resto and we weren’t really too keen on visiting it for two reasons: (1) the Japanese food really was only part of an international buffet spread and not an entirely se... http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/17/SSS_34_A_Trip_to_the_Orient Sun, 13 May 2007 04:00:00 -0000 SSS #33: Take this away please... Being the control freak that I am, I feel utterly frustrated (sometimes even to the point of feeling that I’m losing my mind due to stress)<img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA205/1.gif?et=OnYE6Oi%2CBU39Dft6Xp%2CDfA&nmid=" />, whenever sickness takes hold of anyone in our family. Although my head keeps on reminding me that God is always in control, there is always this nagging portion in me which also always thinks of the worst possible scenario. <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA207/2.gif?et=%2BRat3igt%2BpSeDLZAenEQBQ&nmid=" /> Blame it on my emotional make-up (as far back as I can remember, both my mom and maternal grandmother are this way too when faced with illness) or probably my innate aversion to any form of pain, but exposing me to any situation of sickness within the family always seems a surefire formula for chaos and disaster. Enter today’s devotional and sure enough, I am again reassured that no matter what happens, God will always allow only what he knows is best for us. All the pain and suffering will somehow make sense in the face of a loving God. <img src="http://images.sexpatstories.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/orig/R5@DJwoKCBkAABkIXNA209/3.gif?et=Z4G9ZwVBsQE%2CuZwhIxzB9w&nmid=" /> And I quote: “Perhaps, like David, you’ve lost the power of self-determinatio... http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/19/SSS_33_Take_this_away_please... Fri, 11 May 2007 04:04:00 -0000 SSS #32: Let's Hear it for GK! Hope you all get inspired by this post. Any of you know how we could get involved in GK from outside the Philippines? Tony Meloto, the visionary and driving force behind the Gawad Kalinga movement, is gifted with a Doctorate of Humanities, Honoris Causa, by the Ateneo de Davao. He then delivers a speech to the graduates of the university, a challenge actually, for patriotism and heroism. The same message will be given to eight other colleges and universities who have asked Tony Meloto to be their commencement speaker for 2007. The Filipino Spirit is Rising Antonio Meloto 2007 Commencement Exercises Ateneo de Davao University Today, I feel intelligent. Not only am I addressing some of the brightest minds in Mindanao , but I am also being honored by this prestigious university with a Doctorate in Humanities, Honoris Causa. This is the first doctorate that I have received and I am accepting it in all humility and pride as a recognition of the nobility of the cause and the heroism... http://sexpatstories.multiply.com/journal/item/20/SSS_32_Let39s_Hear_it_for_GK Mon, 23 Apr 2007 04:35:00 -0000