Crushed, bothered, heartbroken after listening to a friend's recent unfortunate experience in Shanghai, China

That I can't focus on work anymore. Details to follow on my colleague friend's personal account of his experience.

It was the most awaited beer in 10 months!

Finally, I had my first San Mig Light after 10 months of fasting. The pregnancy book I was reading said that it was fine to drink small amounts of alcohol even when breastfeeding. We feasted at Uncle Cheffy's two days before my mom returned to Bukidnon.

Umi's day out

Umi had her first day out yesterday. We took her to Podium Mall which is just a few meters away from our condo. We could have taken Umi out earlier if not for the bad weather. Finally, yesterday turned out to be one sunny Sunday afternoon, permitting us to walk to Podium.

R was very proud to carry her little lady.

Umi initially looked terrified with the bright lights, several faces, and multiple colors around her that she took refuge on her father's chest. But she eventually warmed up and started to cheer up. I was able to breastfeed her in the mall while having coffee and got to change her diapers peacefully. Later during dinner at the mall, I breastfed her again. It was a fine day out except that Umi became too stimulated back home - she slept at 4 am!

Happily breastfeeding

And my maternity leave starts now…

A recollection of the start of my maternity leave on 6 August 2012, 12:30 pm

It was a rainy Monday afternoon when I started my maternity leave. To celebrate it, I invited Mama and R to have lunch with me at the office, where R finally tried the much-celebrated MOD – meal of the day! At Php55.00, you already have 2 cups of rice, a vegetable dish, a choice of the four main dishes, a bowl of soup, and a dessert. And it’s even served by Barrio Fiesta, famous for its kare-kare! Now, who would not agree that is a very good deal? No wonder it's my no-brainer lunch at the office.

Of course, R was very happy with his chosen meal. Mama and I, on the other hand, opted to order from Café Mediterranean, which just recently reopened at the office cafeteria. Mama had roasted chicken with buttered rice and I had the falafel meal with lentil soup. And of course, since it’s Café Med, the tabouleh was not spared. Umi shouldn’t be a stranger to Greek food any longer. =)

After lunch, we dropped by the newly opened deli where we had coffee and some pastries, including the famous crinkles. On our way home, we checked the items sold at the office shop. R checked some new books that are for free at the shelf. He would usually get some reading materials from the shelf for his toilet reading. It was there that I noticed a nice coffee table book displayed on the shelf designated for stuff that can be taken freely. I asked R to get a copy to which he declined because it had a price tag – Php1,000.00. Unconvinced, I asked the person at the cashier if the book was actually sold at the said price, to which he said, “It’s free! You want more?”

R was ecstatic to hear this that he ended up with four copies in his arms! He planned to give them to colleagues as presents. We also planned to give a copy to our obstetrician after I give birth. This gesture would actually pay off as our lovely doctor really liked the book she even gave us a discount for her professional fee!

See how happy he is to grab copies of the book???

I also shared the news to an officemate. And, indeed, I didn’t fail in making two guys happy with a freebie!