Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Feedback on Going Home to Manila

From Anna:

Wow, how exciting! If you haven’t been to the Philippines in a while, let me remind you…it will be extremely hot and humid in April. It looks like you have everything taken care of as far as first aid preparation. I suggest packing some OFF lotion for your baby. And, make sure you drink nothing but bottled water and store bought drinks (juices and milk) while over there to avoid stomach problems.

Duly noted, Anna.  As a safeguard against the climate change, we are staying at a hotel so that the climate and temperature is better controlled and we don’t have to worry too much about Angel.  As for food, I’m already asking my sister to scout around in Rustan’s and Unimart for his usual supplies (of which she is aware of because she helped me take care of Angel for two months when Mom went home to Manila middle of this year), and I’m covered more or less.

I think I better test his reaction to OFF while here because most of Angel’s allergic reactions have been very bad when touch-triggered rather than ingested.  All it takes for a bad rash breakout is for him to touch some egg whites even if in minute quantities on an eggshell.  Nothing life threatening, but I hate to see him having rashes and scratching like crazy.  I’m just soooo excited!

From Justice:

hi there! i was surfing the net when i came across your site’s title and clicked on it. :) glad that i did. i like your site, not to mention this post.—you see, i used to live there too and actually gave birth to my 2nd daughter there (oh, i have 3 kids by the way). We’ve been residing here in Germany since 2000, but relocating to Singapore in 3 1/2 weeks.

The point of my intro is that my first child was born in Manila and I couldn’t agree with your point about the yaya more. He was 7 when we left for the US and what a shock it was when my daughter was born and I (finally) realized that I had no helper?! (except on the weekends when my husband was home)—it was hard, BUT I have to say, I’m glad that I was able to raise my daughter and have a special bond with her.

Then here in Germany, came my 3rd (and last haha)..we got a pinay au pair to help me out, but honestly, after some years of having no “stranger” to help me care for my kids, my view of depending on a yaya changed dramatically. (of course, when i am having my low moments, i whine about having one, but a day later…all’s fine)…it’s actually not a yaya that I need, it’s a maid to help me with house chores!

Btw, you might want to check out the Tatonka brand for the backpack. It’s pretty sturdy and has lots of space. I smiled as I read the part of what you’re preparing to bring for your little one…..I did the same too. Thank god I didn’t have to use those bandages haha—-if it’s his first time to travel to MNL, then, you have to consider that the change of climate might have an effect on his skin (rashes from the heat) and he might get colds/cough (also due to adjustment). Rustan’s and Landmark have a lot of selections of diapers in case you ran out of your baon pack ;-)

(excuse the lengthy comment)

 

Justice, lengthy comments are always welcome!  It’s the fun part of blogging — actually conversing with kababayans out there be it in my main blog or here.  Motherhood is such a special part of my life now that it’s practically 90% of my existence! 
I will check out that Tatonka brand you mentioned but I haven’t really seen it.  I am pretty good with his diaper bag which is a little cumbersome to bring on short trips because it’s a mini-overnight bag, but the front folds out into a changing pad I can put on top of the changing station to protect his body from touching the table itself.  It’s a bigger traveling knapsack that I need — the real deal — sturdy enough to hold my laptop and my other goodies which I intend to handcarry.  Hope to see you visiting us more here.
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