Yeye Viray

Author: yeyeviray

  • What scares me

    Today as I was putting Lia to sleep, I was thinking, ‘Am I where I should be right now?’ Honestly, I felt unproductive having to spend so much time and effort dancing my baby to sleep. I love what I was doing but I thought maybe I should instead be doing some online work at that very moment or even be dressed in a corporate attire doing office work.

    And then my mother’s words came to me like an answer to all the questions that’s been bothering me. She said, ‘There’s a big difference with you running the house instead of housemaids doing it.’

    Since I was a child, I’ve convinced myself not to be a full-time housewife. Not because I thought of it as a menial job, but because I was afraid that I couldn’t match, more so surpass, the sacrifice that my mother did to bring up her 4 children.

    Yet now I see myself doing exactly what she was doing decades ago. And it scares me.

    It scares me because what if with all the effort that I am exerting just to meet my children’s different needs, I would still end up a failure in bringing out the best in them.

    And even if they all grew up the persons they are destined to be, I’m scared to find myself searching for an identity because my children are all grown up and doesn’t need me the way they do now.

    Above all, it scares me because for the first time I am not in control of my future.

  • Discover La Union

    La Union has been featured several times as one good surfing spot, but it was just recently when I had the chance to see one of their famous resorts. Located in San Fernando, Thunderbird Resort Poro Point is a place I surely would recommend. The 8-hour land travel (stopovers and traffic included) was way worth it. Our rooms, which were upgraded to suite, makes us want to just stay inside and enjoy the cabled TV, free wifi and jacuzzi. But with the beauty of the resort, we were definitely torn between the luxury of the room and the beach’s clear water and fine sand, not to mention their eternity pool. What more, we were spared from the noise of the crowd. The only thing we regretted was that we booked ourselves for just one night.

  • Internet @ Home: Need or Want?

    Speaking for myself, it is unimaginable not to have internet connection at home. If it only means having to update my social network accounts, chat with friends, check emails regularly or do some research work, free wi-fi establishments would have been enough. Unfortunately, my income depends on the speed, availability and dependability of internet. What more, online transaction has made my life a lot easier and by going out to look for an internet connection would definitely defeat the purpose. This made me thinking, is having internet at home nowadays comparable to having electricity, water, cable or what have you?

    I know many people like me can’t live without internet. We start the day by checking our emails and end it by saying goodnight to online friends. In between, we would check the tweets and status of our friends, chat, play online games, upload photos and videos, answer emails and of course try to do some work. haha! On the other hand, other people literally depends on the internet to survive the growing business of internet marketing.

    Sadly though, there is much greater number of people who can’t barely eat a decent 3x-a-day meal, more so afford a PC and monthly internet fee. Worse, children in public schools are deprived from learning to use the computer because the government provides either obsolete computers or those that are not working.

    So then I realized that thanks to internet, our country has been divided into groups of those who really needs the internet, those who thinks that internet is cool but can actually live without it, those who knows about it but thinks it is not important and finally those who have no idea about it at all.

  • B&B Scotland

    I’ve written a couple of B&B Paris’ paid reviews since last year. I was blindly writing those articles because I never really had a first hand experience with bed and breakfast accommodation. Not until last month when we had a chance to experience bed and breakfast London and Scotland. I don’t want to talk much about our B&B London experience because I think that the room was not worth the money we paid for. The room has 1 queen-sized bed, 1 single bed, a small TV with only 4 channels, a small bathroom, a coffee/tea facility, a small cabinet, 2 small tables and 1 chair all cramped in a small room. We could barely move inside. And per night it costs us 90 pounds! Oh well, what do I expect, its in Kingscross London!

    On the other hand, our B&B accommodation in Scotland which only costs 35 pounds per night was comparable to a 3-4 star hotel. We were provided with a spacious room with 3 single beds, large cabinet, coffee area / entertainment area (whatever it’s called), coffee/tea facility and a bigger bathroom. The Windows have those thick, elegant curtains to match the Pakistan-inspired comforter and chair covers. To top it all, the room has wifi.

    Location wise, it’s a walking distance from Edinburgh Castle, Calton Hill, Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre, Parliament Square Law Courts and Palace of Holyrood House. We really were able to maximize our 2-day stay there. You can visit other places in Scotland by bus or train. Lastly, it’s just a walking distance from the train station and 20 pounds taxi ride away from the airport.

    So I really do recommend York Place B&B at 38 York Place, New Town Edinburgh, UK. See for yourself!

  • Ten, Four, Zero

    10, 4, 0… this is definitely not the combination of numbers I want to bet on. They’re actually the ages of our children we brought along during our last Hong Kong trip. I knew it was a courageous thing to do, but I wouldn’t want to leave any of my children at home. True enough, more than seeing Disneyland for the first time or experiencing a cable car ride at Ocean Park, I was so happy to see my children’s happy faces during the whole trip.

    Bringing along a 10 year old isn’t difficult anymore. He was actually helping me look after his siblings. He was always willing to pull one of our baggage or carry a back-pack. Well, except for bullying his little brother at times, he can be treated as an adult already. And during our trip, he preferred the thrill rides more than watching shows or looking at animals.

    Our 4-year old kid, on the other hand, was a handful. He literally runs everywhere, to his heart’s desire, without worrying about being lost. “Wait,” “in a minute,” and “almost done” are words that doesn’t exist in his world. If he’s tired, hungry, or has to go to the bathroom, there’s no room for negotiation. He even used our infant’s stroller because he refused to walk a little more. But his innocence and funny remarks make him get away with all of it. And unlike his older brother, he adores sea animals. He enjoyed seeing the big aquarium with all those fishes, sharks, sting-rays, etc. swimming around.

    Lastly, bringing a 7-month old baby wouldn’t be too difficult if not for all the baby things we have to bring along. Milk formula, bottles, meds, vitamins, infant food, diapers, bib and extra clothes… just to name a few. She may not have any idea where she was at that time or what’s happening around her but I was so happy having her in my arms as the whole family explored Hong Kong.

    The whole experience gave my husband and I the idea who to bring along where. As much as we would always want to travel as a family, we realized that there will be places that not everyone could be brought along.

  • Wake-up!

    It’s been a while since the last time I wrote a blog, an unpaid blog that is, and I guess I should start creating one now before its too late. It’s not because I don’t have anything to say. Actually, its either because I’m too busy with work and daily errands or ideas are all mixed up that I cannot come-up with a good topic. But then I realized, why need to wait for a good topic if this is not a report anyway. I’ve been wanting my blog site to be active but as I’ve said, I’ve been so conscious about what to write. So to rev things up, I have to come-up with daily blogs. (Pressure!)

    To start, I just want to share some of my thoughts every morning as I bring my kids to school. Actually, it’s not much of a thought but just an observation because my brain is still half awake having to rise 6 in the morning. Inside the elevator or outside the parking lot I would see employees, most of them in a hurry, on their corporate attire with laptop bags hanging on their shoulders. Women are wearing their make-up trying to conceal the tired look on their faces. I used to be like that and used to think that life should be like that.

    On the other hand, there I was still with bed lines on my face, wearing shirt and shorts, carrying (or pulling) school bag in one hand and holding my son’s hand on the other, also in a hurry to make sure kids won’t be late. People look at me and I wonder what they’re thinking. Sometimes it’s a humbling experience. Sometimes it makes me proud. Nobody knows I gave up my career to spend more time with my children. It is a privilege, not a sacrifice.

    I have to admit I miss wearing slacks, blazer and boots. I miss putting on a light make-up and perfume to make sure that I’m at my best having to deal with different people everyday. I miss having friends at the office and looking forward to coffee breaks. I miss going home knowing that I was able to accomplish a lot of work in a day. But surprisingly, I don’t want to go back to the corporate world. It’s definitely a different world now.

  • Plastic cards to my advantage

    I have talked about how I used to own credit card, I mean credit cards, to my disadvantage. Now, the wheel has turned and I believe I’m benefiting from them. As much as I would want to have only one, I cannot deny the fact that having several credit cards (I have HSBC, Citibank and Metrobank) can have its advantages. For one it expands my credit limit. Second, it’s so convenient to pay using cc than having to bring cash all the time or withdraw from ATM especially when you’re out of the country. Credit card is also convenient for online purchases and transactions. Third, I enjoy few days or even weeks of not having to use my cash because payment is still on the next due date. Fourth, I get to enjoy the perks that each of those companies provide. Like for instance HSBC, I love their free tall starbucks drink in exchange for receipts amounting to at least 2k. I was also able to avail their free Ayala GC worth 500 pesos. As for citibank, they provide rebates for purchases you make. So the more you purchase using their card, the more rebates you get. Also, we enjoy free movies in exchange for their receipts. For Metrobank on the other hand, I actually asked them to close my account since I don’t really need it. But they offered me lifetime free annual fee so I need not argue more.

    Of course I have to be disciplined with all my purchases. I make sure I pay in full and on time so that I won’t pay any interest. I also use the points I earned to wave the annual fee for HSBC and Citibank. So far this is working positively for me… not unless there’s something I am not aware of. :D

  • 10 BIG reasons

    I love my husband for a thousand and one reasons, but since it’s not feasible to put them all in writing, I just decided to list my top ten in time for his birthday;

    10. He is a Clown. He can make me laugh even in my most worried/problematic state. Others may think that I play for laughs and he is the serious one, in real life, it’s the opposite.

    9. Very generous (He should be thankful that I am not a shopaholic, haha!). One of the reasons why God has been showering him and his family with so much blessings.

    8. He makes sure that we still spend time as a couple despite the busy schedule and having 3 kids. Our favorite thing to do? Eat and have coffee at Bonifacio Highstreet. Hopefully in the near future we’ll eat out less but travel more.

    7. He is a loving, responsible and supportive father. He prepares everything for the kids’ future and gives them more than what’s expected of him.

    6. He is independent, intelligent and street smart… a few of the reasons why I was so sure I should be married to him.

    5. Unpredictable and risk-taker. Or else he would be boring.

    4. He lets me see his vulnerable side (even Superman has kryptonite) and makes me feel needed.

    3. He has taught me so much and made me realize that life is not a fairy tale. What we have shared together (trials, victory, dreams, failure, sickness, joy, tears, laughter, comfort, faith and so much more), as a whole, is irreplaceable.

    2. He is very loving and sweet. No need to expound…

    1. Most of all, he is God’s gift to me.

    Lastly, quoting Roy Croft like he did more than a decade ago in one of his letters,

    “I love you, not only for what you are
    But for what I am when I am with you.

    I love you, not only for what you have made of yourself,
    But for what you are making of me.

    …. You have done it
    Without a touch, Without a word, Without a sign.
    You have done it by being yourself.”

    Need I say more?

  • Mercado @ Resort World

    The Mercado that I am talking about is not a market place like how Cebuanos would call it. It is a restaurant inside Resort World Casino where my husband and I had lunch just recently. What’s special about it is that they’re offering their buffet lunch for only P188++ (Breakfast P88++). I remember as we were entering the buffet area, I saw the price and I was so disoriented that I asked my husband, “Is it in dollars?!” (While making peso-dollar conversion in my head) My husband said no, and I think so too or else it would be too expensive.

    Food choices were not as fabulous as Sofitel, Circles or others of the same sort but definitely worth way more that P188. I was able to make myself four “courses” and they are as follows:

    1. If others would skip the rolls section of every buffet table, I don’t. So I had an onion roll and a muti-grain roll from their bread section to match my mushroom soup.

    2. Next, I prepared a small salad with balsamic dressing. What makes it different from other buffet I’ve tried is that their salad area comes side by side with their sushi section. So, beside my salad, I placed 2 california maki and 2 other sushis on my plate.

    3. For the main course, they have 3 different viand choices (seafood, chicken and meat), vegies, rice and pasta. So I had very small servings of each just to know which tastes better. :D

    4. Finally, I placed coffee jelly and 2 leche cakes on my dessert plate. I was actually waiting for creme brule but gave up because it took them too long to replace their empty tray.

    With good food and casino-ambiance, my husband and I left Resort World with full stomach spending only approx P600 (inclusive of drinks).

    I’ve read that the promo will run till Oct. 6, so you still have a few days left to try it yourself. It is in Newport City complex, infront of NAIA terminal 3 and beside Villamor Airbase. Btw, no reservations needed.

    And Yes! It would have been better if I took pictures of it but I’m sorry CCTVs are everywhere. And when I say everywhere, IT’S EVERYWHERE!

  • Eheads and Me on Iwitness

    I received an unexpected message from a HS batch mate yesterday and I must admit it made me smile. She attached a video of me in I-witness featuring the E-heads reunion concert and said she was happy to see me there. The first time I heard about that 2-second or so video of me, I thought I was just being fooled around. But then I remembered the incident during that concert wherein I thought a camera man was focusing his lenses on my face but ignored it thinking it couldn’t be me. Two or more friends started texting me about it and that made me really curious. I searched it in youtube and yes, there I was, crying while watching my much awaited concert. Honestly I was not happy about it because I felt that they took advantage of that moment when I was too emotional about the whole thing. You see, since HS, I have loved this band and their songs. It’s like Frank Sinatra to my Lolo’s ears or George Benson to my mom’s. And now seeing the video again, I am surprisingly thankful that I’ll forever be remembered as someone who took part of that history.