Halloween Party

02 November 2011 This year we celebrated Halloween for the first time with a couple of friends. It's not a big thing here in the Netherlands but we decided to start a tradition and a little fun - this way we have a reason to be childlike, look silly and get together without feeling crazy even for a day.



Everyone really looked great, if I say so myself. For first timers, we did pretty well. I was the only one who didn't look creepy or undead. So this picture is pretty much Snow White and her seven creepy friends. The irony isn't lost on me, however. I'm the dwarf among them all as I am the shortest.
















It was a fun night. No scary stories; just sharing lives and tales over food and wine.

Of Daydreams and Beaches

19 October 2011

I'm not really much of a beach person although I lived most of my life in a tropical country where beaches are some of the main attractions and are sought after by tourists. I remember going to beaches with family a lot when I was younger. It became less when we all lived in different cities; except for when I attended uni and spent weekends with friends on some islands in Cebu. Then I moved here to the flatlands where summer (what summer?) is mostly the time you go to the beach and enjoy the sun, sand and waves if there are any. It is always swamped with people, which is why I only ever went to the beach here once (9 years ago?) and actually wore a bikini. I hid under the big umbrella while my companions laid on their towels under the sun for hours to tan. And, yet, I still went home browner than they ever could be. It is always a source of entertainment every time we went away as they all sunbathed and I stayed in the shade, though I remembered a few times when I actually joined them and they made fun of me, joking that I must not be feeling well which I took in stride and secretly gloated as they admired my color after only a few hours.

So when we go back home for a holiday, I always make sure we spend time at the beach. The last time we did which was early this year, we had a family reunion. The guys decided to ride a banana boat and since there was one spot left and no one else wanted to come with, they asked me to join. I remembered the boat toppling over as I sank under water laughing and gasping for breath. It was one of the funnest and funniest things I have done this year. We were tears-run-down-your-cheeks-and-sides-hurt kind of laughing, screaming, bouncing and holding on for dear life while everyone else on the beach watched in mixed amusement and trepidation. I want to experience something like that again.



I find myself daydreaming a lot about the beach lately as it is getting colder and somber with the change of season. I imagine dipping my toes in the sand, listening to the crashing of the waves on the shore, looking over the horizon where the sun rises and sets, building sand castles, taking long walks along the beach with the water around my feet, combing the shores for shells and smooth flat pebbles in various shapes and colors, and lying on a hammock underneath the stars and the sky. It is one of my favorite happy places.

Autumn in Rotterdam

13 October 2011














Went for a walk in Zuiderpark (ten minutes away from where we live) this morning to enjoy the sunny weather. The air smelled so fresh and clean after the early morning rain. I could still smell the grass and the green. It was very refreshing. Very refreshing indeed.

The Living Room

04 October 2011 This is the most lived-in room in our flat - that's why it is called the living room, duh - where happy, good, and creative things happen. After the recent redecorating we've done, this is the most space we have had so far. I guess that's what happens when you have a child. You tend to want to create more space because, as little as they are, they need more room to maneuver around, play with and pile in the growing amount of toys they have. We are still de-cluttering - getting rid of old things, buying less or more like buying smart, and using the things we already have that have been stashed at the back of the storage closet. I still can't believe we acquired a lot of crap things in the span of seven years we lived together. I'm ashamed to admit that a lot of buys have been impulsive and unnecessary.



But don't be deceived by how neat and tidy this room is, because the hallway and closets are jam-packed with boxes and all the excess we have. I wish I can just do a garage sale for a weekend or something but they don't really do that kind of thing here unless you live in the suburb or you brave the busy streets during Queen's day and do a vigil the night before to secure a spot to sell all your secondhand things. Although I could easily put the things online on marktplaats which is the Dutch online classifieds, it's not the same when people actually get to see what you have in person. I guess it won't hurt to try. I'm just really a tad impatient.



Since we only have three bedrooms - the master bedroom, Maya's and one we made into a walk-in closet - we don't have one for an office/study so we are maximizing the space we have. We never shared a desk before but, with Maya needing more play space, we decided to give it a try which is, I should say, one of the best ideas we've had yet regarding redecorating. I have been bugging Mike about it for years but he had been adamant on not sitting with his back to an open space because it's just weird and uncomfortable. But this is the only spot that can accommodate all our things without it looking awkward, so I told him he just has to get used to it and suck it up or my most used "it's for Maya"; you'd be surprised how often the latter works.

That said, we absolutely love the new space and the white. We only have to hang framed prints and photos on the walls which is going to be quite a challenge. But I love a challenge so it's going to be fun!

The Dining Room

01 October 2011 Last week, we finally got to working on the walls in our living room. We stripped the wallpaper for three evenings - it was the only time we could really do it after we put Maya down for her bedtime - prepped the walls, sanded and painted the plinths and hung the wallpaper in the days that followed. It was the first time we saw the walls bare since we bought this place; they were newly wallpapered then and we were too eager to move in and have our own place to meticulously investigate. I favor painting over wallpaper though but the walls need a whole lot of work and would cost us too much time, effort and money which we didn't really feel like spending so we opted to just use wallpaper. And since I have been wanting to do something about the room for ages, we took up to the task to do it ourselves.



Spraying water on the walls several times and lightly scoring them before removing the wallpaper definitely made the job easier and faster. It is mindless work but it is rather therapeutic. I enjoyed doing it. The cleanup after, however, is a different story.



It's been a long while since we worked on a project such as this but we managed to get things done with just the two of us. We have always asked my father-in-law's help before as this is in his line of work, but we decided to give it a go on our own this time. It is more fulfilling and rewarding when you're the one doing it all even though it's not as perfect as you wish it to be, but at the end of the day and everything is finished, you feel accomplished and proud for having done everything yourself. It makes it more yours - after all the sweat, blood, bruises, body aches and lack of sleep.

I am loving the white walls. It gives the room a brand new feel - lighter, spacious and clean. I don't know why it took us this long to do it.

Last Weekend

21 September 2011 We went to a lunchroom called Bagel Bakery & Burgers in downtown Rotterdam last Saturday. It's quite a cozy place with a modern eclectic decor. The place is partitioned in two eating areas big enough for groups and is child-friendly. If the weather is nice, you can also opt to sit outside but it was rather chilly then so we stayed in.



Mike and Maya both had mini bagel burgers with a side of homemade rosemary fries while I chose a salad meal. The salad wasn't really all that, though. I thought it was a bit bland. I expected the 9 year old balsamic vinegar to have more tang but I barely tasted it so that was somewhat disappointing. I'd rate it 2.5 out of 5. The burgers, however, were a hit. Definitely a 4, says Mike. Next time, that's what I'm going to try!



They have a lovely selection of cakes, too. That's actually what we went there for initially. I really like the lemon curd pie. It's subtle but rich in flavor. It's also not overly sweet; just the way I like it.

Then last Sunday, we visited a couple friends who live a bit outside of Rotterdam. I met her in school two years ago and we stayed in touch since then. It was a relaxed afternoon of friendly games of Mahjong and chitchats over sweets and snacks.



I met their cat called Sausje and it made me want one, too. I'm not much of a pet-person really but I would want a cat that is as cute as this one. Isn't she lovely?



It's been a while since we had a weekend like that and it was nice.

Tea & Sympathy

05 September 2011

Quiet. I long for quiet sometimes. You know, just to think and be.. with a big cup of tea for the cold rainy days like today.

But when I do have the time to myself, I am clueless what to do with it. I know, it's ironic isn't it? It just seems so new and different, and then I long for the rush of having to do something. I nap mostly when this happens.

Being a parent is a full-time job. Staying at home to take care of Maya is a joy I find very rewarding. It's not like I have many other interesting things to do anyway, but that's beside the point. Just.. there are times when I wish I could get away from it all even for a day. You know, to find myself in the midst of my everyday life because it's easy to get lost in the mundane of responsibilities and chores and whatever things that keep one busy. I am still learning to find that balance.

I am thankful, though, that Mike is a very hands-on Dad. When he gets home from work, he spends time with her so I can maybe cook or take a break. Sometimes I just watch them play together. It's one of those moments I wish I could capture what I see and feel. Pictures and videos simply don't give it justice, so I enjoy those moments as much as I can. Every time I hear and see them laugh at their own silly games, I feel my heart squeeze.. like tiny little hearts bursting out of my heart. That's what I feel. Some days it makes me tearful because it's too beautiful not to be touched by it. Other days, I join in and laugh with them. I like being a spectator in their father-daughter bonding.

Having Maya has changed my life. Incredibly. She brings me joy, a sense of purpose and being, and so much love I never thought I could possibly feel. It's been a crazy beautiful year and half - and I wouldn't change any of it. Ok, who am I kidding? I wish her sleeping habits were different. I hope it would improve, but we're working on that. Hello, first time parents and all!