Hello 2020! And a Happy (Chinese) New Year to all! <3 I would have started blogging on the very first day of the year, except we were away on holiday in Tokyo. And I promised the kids my full attention (kahit nga IG lang nagagalit sila), kaya my sincerest apologies for this delayed greeting.

When we got back a couple of days after the New Year naman, I wanted to savor the last few remaining weeks with the 2 younger kids (their Ate was balik-duty na paguwing-paguwi namin huhu) before they have go back to school, so I put off blogging to focus on my big babies as much as I can, for as long as I am able to do so.

Today, I AM FREE AS A BIRD ONCE AGAIN, as all my fledgings have left the nest. My home is as empty as my heart, and so, I am at liberty to chika with you guys! ;P

Kumusta naman ang pasok ng bagong taon sa inyo? Mine started off great -full of exploration & discovery with the fam in the land of the rising sun, but as soon as we got home, bad tidings came one after another.

Our preggers cook’s condition took a turn for the worse. Initial findings showed that she has an enlarged heart with a failing kidney to boot. And she is 4 months on the family way! :'( Sinabihan na pala sya ng doktor nya na huwag magbuntis dahil na nga sa kalagayan nya, sabay may-edad na at obese pa tulad ko, pero sadyang mapilit.

We brought her to the E.R. immediately after she complained of chest pains & difficulty of breathing a few days after we got home. She had to stay overnight in the emergency room as all the regular rooms were filled to capacity. We tried transferring her to other hospitals but I guess the new year brings all sorts of patients to the medical center due to over-indulging during the holidays.

So we had to send her off in an ambulance to their home town in Pangasinan where she had a better chance of admission, with family members to care for her. After 12 years, my sexy chef & I had to finally part ways. </3 Wala na akong ka-twinning sa size. Ako nalang ang natatanging (2)XL sa bahay!

Btw, here is a link to a Kasambahay Waiver. I wasn’t thinking of making her sign one, but my Babyson told me how his friend’s helper of more than 20 years just sued her employers in exchange for a big amount of money. She was granted by the courts almost 1M for back dues, but eventually settled for 20% of the value. All the loyal years na pinagsamahan down the drain dahil lang nasulsulan ng anak nya na ihabla yung mga “amo”. So I strongly suggest that you also have your kasambahay sign a release waiver should you part ways down the road -you never know.

Kamot ng ulo si Kap hehe. Bagong taon na bagong taon, the E.R. bill set us back around 50k for an overnight stay lang, grabe. They took all sorts of tests & gave her a long list of medicines na hindi namin alam kung kailangan ba talaga o pangtaas-bayad lang. Add to that the ambulatory fee, plus syempre the pa-baon for her medical expenses in the province. Tulala si Kap my Kap, lol.

After that, our beloved yaya naman of 15 years had to undergo a colonoscopy as a follow up to her surgery last year to remove some tumors in her appendix & abdomen. Mahal pala yang ganyang procedure, so kamot ulo uli si Kap, pati ako napapa-kamot ulo na din sa mga biglaang expenses na hindi namin inaasahan. Sumabay sa mga ameliar, association dues, insurance, tuition, atbp.

Tapos namin parehong mahimasmasan, we still praised God that all 5 of us, 6 including my Mom, are in the pinkest of health. Kap always says, “Pera lang yan Sweetheart, maibabalik. Ang importante, lahat tayo malusog at walang mga sakit.” Oo nga naman, that alone is worthy of praise!

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2009-2019, a decade in a glimpse..

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The past decade has been full of wonderful memories & experiences. I got to travel a lot towards the latter half with my family.

Kap & I were able to establish & secure the kids’ future somewhat & we were able to provide for their subsequent needs. Kap was also able to open several businesses that has kept us going & he finally found a niche for himself. What was once just dreams for our little family, slowly came true.

Milestones were accomplished along the way: Ate & Babyson graduated college & are now in graduate school. My girls had their debuts, and our bunso also entered college.

But of course, life is not a bed of roses. Along with the fun & laughter were also trying moments which we’ll just chalk up to learning, growth, and experience.

The last decade, both my in-laws passed in succession. My mom had a stroke & although she recoved a little physically, mentally she has never been the same & has deteriorated steadily since.

I’ve encountered the most humiliating & degrading moments when my relatives took us to court in their desire for blood money. I’ve also seen the inside of a jail, and had my mugshot taken not once but TWICE because of their doing.

Along with the sweet realization of my dreams, nightmares also became a reality.

But through it all, the Lord has been faithful & true. He blessed me with a supportive husband & loving kids who rallied behind me through thick & thin. With them, I was able to endure ALL things. In the end, true justice prevailed. GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME.

This 2020, the start of another decade, I pray that our lives will be calmer. I pray for good health & protection, not just for our family but also the members of our household. Longevity for me & my loved ones. As long as I have my family complete, then I have everything I could ever need or want.

I look forward to seeing my 3 children graduate from med school & be accomplished doctors. I am excited to see them get married one by one & start their own families. I dream of many more places we will get to visit & enjoy in the years to come. All these, God willing.

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May we all have a BLESSED, prosperous, and love-filled, peace-filled 2020! In God we trust. HNY!!